WE DID IT. WE DID IT. WE DID IT. YEAH. (If anyone caught that Dora refference you have been babysitting far too long. And we gotta bond over that one.) We flooded Münster. 100 Books of Mormon are currently running through the streets being read by all sorts of people and basically we just need to stop doing missionary work and just sit at home all day waiting for them all to call us. jk But all of those who doubted? We did it.
Viviene (a little girl in our branch) came up to me with the look of true excitement in her face to tell me that she had given a Book of Mormon out and races to point out exactly which paper present was hers on the wall. Sister Theissen literally lit up when she talked about her experience about praying about someone to share the gift with and then in the early hours of the morning scrambling to write her testimony and package it up to give to a friend before it was too late.
That is the true meaning of Chrismtas. That is sharing the gift. That is why this goal is so wonderful. Even if nobody calls and only a few people decided to participate... It was worth every single effort on me and Sister Johnson's part to pick up the slack. Just to see that Christmas Spirit being shared throughout our branch. gah. so great.
I love spreading Christmas cheer. I really do. Visiting the lonely. Caroling to all. Street Displays in the cold. Lifting our members. Playing Santa Clause and bringing Christmas presents to families that aren't expecting it and may not be getting anything at all for Christmas. Talking to the fam (Highlight. by far. I love you all way way way too much. and again sorry for always babbling your ear off) Eating so much you feel like you are going to explode. ya. all that good stuff. And this week was maximized with as much Christmas cheer as we could possibly share.
It was absolutely wonderful. I really think this has been the Christmas that I have thought about myself the least. Which is how Christmas should always be right? But normally I really think I am probably the most selfish on Christmas day... I know awful. But I am working on it and this year I took a leap and a half in the selfless department and tried so hard to think about others. Still could have been better and I am sure there were still some lonely people we forgot about but there wasn't even time to think about me even if I wanted to. I didn't even have the chance to sit down and think about how homesick I could be or think about how much fun ya'll were having without me because we were jam packed with all the German festivities here. So wonderful.
Again... You know what I am going to say....
I love being a missionary.
yes. even on Christmas. Especially on Christmas.
xoxoxo
s. heywood
ps: The area book has officially been doubled meaning more than twice as many people have been found and taught in the last 5 months than in the entire time the Sisters area has been open! How cool is that? The work is progressing right in front of our eyes. boo. yah.
Germans really know how to do Christmas. I finally got to live the childhood dream of Christmas everyday. And Sister Johnson and I may have worn our world famous Christmas Sweaters for all three days of Christmas... 24th... 25th... and 26th... plus any other occasion we could think of to wear them. So yes. I promise I have more clothes but here is my play-by-play Christmas in Picture form...
Kick off the 24th with 'Helige Abend' aka: party central with this dear branch I love so dearly.
Along with some Christmas deliveries and caroling to this ol' chap
And the family that I am obsessed with.. I have never seen so many kids freaks out over 60 cent coloring books... loved it.
And then finished off that night with some Luckie fun... and Of course the traditional Christmas Eve Nativity Play. Classic.
And went to bed in some good ol' footy pajamas....
Put up the Traditional wrapping paper in the doorway... although we had to improvise with a blanket due to the number of presents we wrapped. Yes that blur would be me zipping on through. Sister Johnson was supposed to do the honors but she was being lame... so yeah. I fully participated in that event.
Only to wake up to a surplus of gifts. Again we are becoming pro improvisors with the paper tree.....
Quality gift comp. thanks.
Then a zip off to the hesslings for breakfast and get stocking jam packed with nuts fruit and socks.... and more socks... (Is it just me or do I look like I am wearing a muscle suit in this pic? Yes. yes. scroll back up and get a good laugh)
Got stood up for a lunch appointment which was totally okay because we only ate the world at the next appointment.... (not sure why I look so tired.. this missionary work thing really did me good huh? haha)
And then THE FEAST. Yes. 5 courses.... I had no idea which fork to use. It was a life of luxury that I am not used to.... sure beats my usual peanut butter and jelly huh?
And just when you think Christmas is over and you can't eat another bite... 2 more eating appointments complete with a turkey dinner and game night.
Of course it couldn't have been a great Christmas without the perfect comp.
and the 12 days of Christmas gifts from the fam. You are the best. THE BEST.
Let's not forget how beautiful and perfect this place is especially in Christmas time. I am the luckiest.
AND my wish for a white Christmas came a couple days late when we woke up this morning to SNOW. Seriously it just keeps getting better and better huh?
Love you all.
