Eating fresh lobster! It was fantastic and the members we ate with were really nice, and Italian!

Opening our spoils on Christmas morning!

Me with a treasured Christmas present featuring all of you!

Sister Barrett as a wise man, a captain picture as Joseph, Sister Torgerson as Mary, and me with a styrofoam box as a shepherd and sheep--it was a lovely Nativity program.

Our companionship with Alex Boye and his daughter! He is President Jeppson's son-in-law and he came to perform at our Christmas Conference.

Family!

I'm so glad I got to hear your voices this Sunday. That was the best Christmas gift ever! I love you all so much, and I miss you. But, I'll get to see you again in a few. So keep safe, and I love you! Do a cinnamon roll for me! Include Winnie it at all possible!

Love you!

Sister Missy

A cool shark on someone's house (mind you, we saw this from a ways away, then creeped on over to get a picture with it).

A water tower--not super exciting.

The backyard/courtyard where no one goes at Ellis Island (we parked our car in a different place than usual and had to tromp through this area).

Adrienne, s. Barrett, Gabriel, and myself at Gabriel's party!

Merry Christmas Dearest Ones!

This week has been a little uneventful. We went caroling, which is always a little nervous-making. It's fun when you're doing it and the parents gather the children and everyone's smiling and swaying. That's lovely! But then when we give them a Joy to the World pass-along card, they say, "That's not okay," and close the door. Blerg. Not all of them though. There are good sorts out here too.

We were able to hand out the goodie bags that Moim sent. We gave one of them to the lady who owns the laundromat we frequent. When we came back to change our clothes to the dryers, she said, "Oh, take these ones. They're all set!" She had payed for four huge dryers for us and had them open and waiting. We usually just use two, but she wanted to give us the works. So sweet.

We also went to our recent convert's birthday party! We got him some fuzzy socks (which he really loved!) He turned fourteen and his mom had all sorts of decorations up with tons of cookies and snacks. There were maybe three gangly youths there. His mom called us the night before and told us not to invite any of the Church kids. But then when she saw the turnout, she said, "Well, do you think we should invite the kids from the Church?" So we quickly made some phone calls to our amazing youth, but it didn't sound promising, since the party was already underway. And then Adrienne, Zenos, and Mark (all siblings) showed up. I was so happy to see them. This boy won't be able to come to Church for the next few weeks because of a restraining order issue, and we were worried he'd think everyone had forgotten about him. But they were there, and I was so happy!

As for the weather here, it has been freezing. It hasn't snowed or rained, but it is bitter cold. And the fact that I just cut off Cranston, my mullet, doesn't help. That kept my neck warm. But that's what scarves are for!

In other news, my companion, Sister Barrett, is becoming a trainer. Which means I'm going to be . . . an Aunt! There will be three of us! I'm so excited! We pick up small one tomorrow. I won't officially be her trainer, but I'll be there for it. I just hope I can be a good influence for the lil thing.

And about Christmas, we do get to make phone calls, and I'm planning on calling you at 7pm my time (so I think 5pm your time). I'm so excited to talk to you guys!

I miss you and I love you and I hope everyone has a great Christmas! Remember Jesus Christ and how much He loves each of you. I know He loves us and will always be there for us if we seek Him out.

I love you! Be safe and stay cozy!

Season's Greetings,

Sister Missy

A cool museum.

Natural History Museum.

The Juillard School at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.

Theatre showing Twilight.

We, at the Temple.

Gray's Papaya hot dog place.

The George Washington Bridge!

The Manhattan Temple!

Our first attempt at a Christmas tree (it's a coat rack).

Eating a turkey leg a Dominican lady gave me. But as I went for a bite, all the meat fell off.

Hey Family! I love you kidz!

So, these last two weeks have been exciting! We went to the Temple and oh how lovely it was! We drove in with some members and the city was a bustle with humans, and vehicles, and people shouting, and cars honking. We drove past the Natural History Museum, and Julliard, and ABC, and Central Park! We didn't go through Times Square or near Rockefeller Center. Oh, and first we had to cross the George Washington Bridge, which cost a whopping $12 toll! And then parking was $35. This place is expensive! Anyway, then we walked up to the Temple, which sits right across from Juillard. Right when we walked in, all the noise ceased. And we had a lovely temple session. In one portion of it I was with a Japanese lady and a German lady, and then here I was, an American. To think that years ago we were all at war, and now here we are in the Temple together--just amazing! And one of our senior couples was working there, so it was really neat! When we left I couldn't believe the noise level. Police sirens, yelling, honking, etc. But it was fun to be in the bustle of things. And guess what? I got a New Ywark City Hwot Dwog! From Gray's Papaya--apparently a top spot for celebrities. It was really tasty!

It was sort of sad driving back from our adventure. But in 6 months, I'll get to be there again. And in the meantime, I'm doing some very important things.

Yesterday, we got a call that the seminary teacher was sick, so we taught seminary this morning! We woke up at 5, put on our faces and missionary attire, and booked it to the church. These youths are so dedicated and awesome. I think I love the youth the most in the church. They're just so swell! Anyway, we were reading in Exodus (which I hardly remember from when I was in seminary, so it was a little lacking...). But they had a good time and we both learned some things, so it was good.

Thanks so much Moimers for the advent boxes! Sister Barrett and I were freaking out. Right when we opened the packages we said, "We need a place for these gifts!" So we cleared off the coat rack and put some ties and scarves around it, and a hat on top to make it look like a Christmas tree. Then we opened up day #1, the Christmas tree. I can't thank you enough! Sister Barrett, every morning as I'm putting on my gym clothes says, "Sister! Sister! Can we open one now?" And we do and we love it. We (or my companion mostly) are almost done with the puzzle, and we love the robot stencils! We shared the tasty gingerbread cookies with the seminary class this morning. Thank you so much. Sister Barrett especially says thanks because she doesn't get packages often.

As far as the work goes, we are having some difficulties with one of the families we're teaching. One of the sons is super strong, but his step dad is not cool. It's been rough. But we do have an awesome kid, Shaq, who is basically baptized. He went with the youth to the Sacred Grove, and he's been to Church and to the young men's activities every week for about 6 or 7 weeks now. We have only just started meeting with him this week, since his parents gave him permission. He's already in Alma, and loves it! Ah, he's so amazing!

Well, I love you kids! Stay warm and safe and hug the dog for me, and the little ones!

Love you,

Sister Merg

Gah! I can't tell you how much I teared up at everyone's emails. For various reasons, including Mikey's ordination and the Von Steuben's gingerbread house. I can't write much as P-day has been cut down 4 hours today because later this week we're going to the temple (eeeeeeek! I'll finally be inside The City! There will be all sorts of hot dog vendors and taxis and people yelling "Yo, Vinnie! Where's my veal and pepper sandwich?!?"). We only have a couple minutes to email today. But, thank you for writing and I will reply next week. I love you all so much! And Mom, thank you a bazillion from me and Sister Barrett for the Advent presents! The tree looks a lot better than our less than savory hat stand we'd been using for a tree. I'll send pictures next week.

Love you kidz!

-the traveling sister