We are about to be hit with a “Bomb Cyclone” effect snow storm. The weather lately has been delightful for autumn with temperatures above 0C. The past couple of days, we are seeing negative temperatures. This hurts my brain as it took me 7 months to figure out the quick method to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit. Going into the negative numbers isn’t where my brain wants to go. Our entire mission I look at my watch and it shows the temperature in Celsius which I am comfortable with. But the look of horror on New Yorker’s faces when I exclaim that it’s a balmy +18 degrees…I quickly realize that I need to convert the numbers.

This past week was the first time that both Erik and I felt that we were missing our wood burning fireplace. We have a high efficiency fireplace that can heat the entire house. Watching a fire burning fulfills some primal desire to survive and feels like you can conquer the world.

This past week, Erik finally found the heated steering wheel button and I love it when I’m driving in the winter. We both discovered that we didn’t really bring long sleeved shirts or sweaters. I wore my mukluks to the temple one day and received a lot of comments about them. People were asking if they were a Native American type of footwear. I realized that mukluks aren’t something they are used to seeing. I brought both my short mukluks and my tall ones with me. Now, I’m madly trying to outfit myself for winter. The real winter coat is going to have to come out of storage and be put into use.

The excitement of the week was American Thanksgiving. We were invited to attend Thanksgiving dinner with the Historic Site missionaries. Many of those couples are newer to the mission and we haven’t met them yet. Sister Harris outdid herself with the decorations and the program. Each couple contributed two dishes. I’m not sure who was going to eat all the food because, when I do the math of Erik and I eating, we certainly are not going to eat everything from our dishes. There really was plenty of food left over and it makes us understand how truly blessed we are.

It is a very special feeling to be gathered with other senior missionaries, who also sacrifice so much to go out into the world to serve. Elder and Sister Moser, who sat at our table are from Idaho and I simply adore them. They have seven children and thirty-five grandchildren. I am in awe and also the special love that they have for their family. While we are missing our family, so are all of the couples here. The Moser’s are serving as Facility Management missionaries. They were a little (maybe a lot) concerned about being called to do this type of mission at their age. Elder Moser grew up on a dairy farm and his skills have definitely been put to use. Using a backhoe and tractor to fix a ditch and culvert for instance. There is definitely a missionary mantle that is given when we are set apart.

Our assortment of missionaries included, Historic Site missionaries, Temple missionaries, Facility Management missionaries, Distribution Center missionaries, and Camp Director missionaries. The skills in that room are immense!

I finished all the Christmas Pillowcases for our Branch and as well I was surprised to see the silicone bracelets showed up that I will give out to people. Thus Friday was head down, foot to the peddle and let that sewing machine fly. I managed to get the Christmas poem printed out in both Spanish and English.

On Saturday, the village of Palmyra had their Winter Light Up parade and Santa in the main park which is only a block from our house. Erik and I now work double shifts on Saturdays and we’re tired when we get home. We missed the beginning of the parade but Erik did run out to the street to catch a few sights.

With more people sniffling and sneezing, I start my day with my hot lemon/ginger drink. I juice one lemon and grate a teaspoon of ginger into a mug. Then I add a few shakes of cinnamon as well as a shake of cloves. The boiling water then is added and I let it steep while I read my scriptures. It is delicious and while Erik has come down with the plague again, I am still hearty and hale. He shakes his head and always says, “How come you never get sick?” I was going to head to church on Sunday by myself and as I like to do, I consult with the Lord about my day. His response was, “No, you need to stay home with your companion.” I was disappointed that I couldn’t take the gifts in but it was more important to be obedient and listen to the Lord. What if the man-flu overtook my love!?! I needed to be there for him.

We will see what tomorrow brings as the forecast has worsened and the warning has spread to five states. A true, winter Nor-easter is headed our way. We may be quite quiet at the temple tomorrow morning.

As we stay true and humble ourselves, exercising faith in Jesus Christ, the grace of Christ and His infinite atoning sacrifice make it possible to change. Even though I have questioning and rebelling attributes, I have based my faith in Christ and have learned that His ways are far superior than mine are. I willingly submit myself to obedience to the gospel precepts because I have seen the blessings and joy that come from that choice.

May we each look inward to see where we can change to bring ourselves closer to Christ. The month of December can be all about service. Find a “Giving Machine” close to you and see what service you can give to another person.

Stay blessed and well, my friends; sending love to you all!