Happy Christmas!

Hello all!

I hope you all had a very happy Christmas!! (That is very strange to say. Over here, the term "merry" is commonly associated with drinking alcohol, etc. So, a large portion of people say "Happy Christmas" instead.) We have been so well-cared for this Christmas season. The ward is amazing and we have had/still have lunch and tea (dinner) scheduled for each holiday (Chrismas Eve, Christmas, Boxing Day [the day after Christmas], New Years Eve and New Years) So, lots and lots of food! I literally have had a full on feast for each meal the past few days. We've been well fed!

It is also quite different eating, because they have so many different "rules" when eating. How to use your utinsils properly, how to place them before the meal, as well as after to signify you are done. It definately is quite different.

This week has been pretty good. We've settled in a bit. Elder Carroll is a great companion and trainer. We somehow always get into really deep conversations about the gospel. It's been quite interesting. He's not the biggest fan of musicals/theater, so that has been quite the difference to get accustomed to, but it's been good. I don't have much else to say with it being the first week. I met a few progressing investigators, and will update as I get to know them a little bit more.

Above all though, the best part was being able to video call home!! Ahh! It was amazing! I was so blessed. It was so good to be able to see all of my family and talk to them, even though they were all in different parts of utah, and i all the way in England. It truly is a miracle that we can do that. Words cannot express my gratitude to talk to them, and see their faces! It was definately the fastest 40 minutes of my mission. i wish I could've had 40 minutes per person, but I still don't think that would have been long enough. I am so grateful for the 40 minutes I did get, and know it is a great gift. Family is such a important part of Christmas, and I am glad I got to spend some time with them.

I hope you all had a great Christmas! I love you all!

Question of the Week (I think I forgot last week.... whoops):

What did you do for Christmas? What did you do to focus it on Christ?

Elder Burns

England Manchester Mission

Springwood, Suite G5

Booths Park

Chelford Road

Knutsford

England WA16 8GS

United Kingdom