Merry Christmas!

   I'm so excited to be able to talk to many of you in just a few days! It will be a special time.  I feel like so much has happened this past week, so I will try to get through it all. If I don't, hopefully I'll be able to tell you about it over Skype!

   First of all, let me tell you about the area that I am in.  We cover one family ward (Hobble Creek) and one ysa ward (Boise 3rd). They obviously are very different, and because Sister Gummow has only been in the area for one transfer, we are still trying to work out the kinks and adjust to the differences. Let me just tell you, though, that I love it already! And I love serving with Sister Gummow! She has taught me so much, and we laugh together all the time. I wish I had a picture to send you, but we forgot. Maybe next week.

   One cool thing that is happening in our area is that we have someone getting baptized this coming Saturday! It's kind of an interesting situation, though, because we didn't really teach him. He lives in Hobble Creek, and has been taking the missionary lessons for probably more than 4 years. He just wasn't ready.  However, when he graduated and went to basic training for the Army, he grew so much spiritually and felt ready to take that leap of faith.  He was taught by the missionaries on base, but wanted to be baptized here in his home ward where everyone he knows will be there to support him.  It's going to be a really cool experience. We're excited to be there.

   There was one funny story this week that happened in our missionary District Meeting. We were all just standing around doing a skill check, when a random lady walks into the room. She just said, "I'm sorry to interrupt, but I just wanted to know about your church."  It was crazy. You could see all the Elders eyes light up. It was a really cool experience, too, because we were able to take her on a tour of the church building, and she really just felt the Spirit.  The Zone Leaders set up an appointment to go teach her. I'll let you know what happens if we get any updates.

   Also, we've had mice in our house. It's kind of a long story that I've told too many times this week. Maybe I'll tell you about it later. It's just been funny to see my companion freak out any time she sees something move on the floor. Always a party!

Well, I love you!

See you soon!

Sister Pratt

 

I only have one picture this week...... but it's a pretty cool one! It's been good to catch up with Sister Rogers--we are in the same zone!!

Saying Goodbye to Star!

  Well, I don't have a lot of time today because I got transferred! It's kinda crazy. I've spent the past couple days packing my brains out and trying to say goodbye to as many people as possible. Now, I finally have stopped long enough to breathe, and I don't even know what to say! 

   I will now be serving in the Meridian North Stake with Sister Gummow (she's awesome.) It was sad leaving Sister Venable and all the great memories that I've made in Star, but I know that I will have fun in my new area, too. I've also been called to serve as a Sister Training Leader.  I have no idea what I'm doing, but I'm sure Sister Gummow will be able to show me the ropes. As far as I can tell, the only difference is that we go on exchanges more often. I will let you all know how it goes! 

   Well, to make up for the lack of email, I will try to send lots of pictures. :)

Love, 

Sister Pratt

We went to the Wood family's home for dinner and decorated Christmas cookies!

Their daughter loved my name tag.

Matching glasses

Saying goodbye to the Robbins Family.  I'm going to miss them.

This lady's name is "Monday." It's great :) Anyway, she wanted a picture with us, so she just took a selfie in Relief Society!

The Old Star Zone

Share the Gift!

I made a chameleon mad this week...

  Yeah, there isn't much to that story, but I did think it was something to write home about.  We were visiting this family when they mentioned that they had a pet chameleon! I told them that I wanted to be a chameleon when I was little, and the boy immediately went to get him, so we could be introduced.  Turns out, this particular pet and I didn't mesh too well, and he started swelling up with his mouth open wide (the way that creepy dinosaur does in Jurassic Park before he spits).  It was actually a little scary.

   Another bit of news is that transfers are coming up this week! On Saturday we get the call. Everyone says that I will be leaving Star because I've been here for 4 transfers now, but I'm trying to prepare myself for whatever happens.

   We taught a lot of people this week that gave me some mixed emotions. We are teaching some people that are just super prepared and that soak everything up! We are teaching others that just can't seem to believe anything we say.  I was thinking about that a lot, and someone's testimony yesterday in Sacrament Meeting basically summed up my thoughts.  Brother King stood up and just bore a powerful witness of our Savior, Jesus Christ. He also bore his testimony of the prophet, Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon.  Then, he said this: "I choose to believe." Those words hit me so hard.  It's a choice.  If someone chooses to believe, there is nothing anyone can say to deter them from that. Likewise, if someone chooses not to believe, there is nothing anyone can say to help them.  All we can do is try to bring the Spirit into their lives. 

   Anyway, that just really stood out to me. I want all of you to know that I choose to believe in Jesus Christ. I made that choice a long time ago, and I'm sticking to it!  I love Him, and I'm grateful for this time of year when we can celebrate everything that He has done for us.

Love,

Sister Pratt

 
DECEMBER CHALLENGE-  I did OK on the challenge last week! I only missed one day of using my word. 

This next week, my word will be fruition.... I kinda like it. It's fun to say! What has everyone else been using?

 

We saw a gorgeous rainbow this week!

 

Christmas is here!

 This week, I need your prayers on behalf of an Elder Hughes in this mission.  He was hit by a drunk driver and is now in the hospital with some severe injuries, including several broken ribs and 3 cracked vertebrae. It is a miracle that he wasn't killed or paralyzed. He is recovering well from surgery, but could still use all the blessings he can get!

   On a considerably lighter note, the church has come out with a new Christmas video!  From the sound of your emails, a lot of you have probably already seen it! It's called He is the Gift, and it can be found at christmas.mormon.org. It's amazing! You should all go watch it right now if you haven't already. I love it so much. It talks about how Jesus Christ was the first gift given to us and how we can discover, embrace, and share the gift!  It's interesting because I never really thought that our Savior was something we could necessarily "give" to others, but He is! As we share our testimonies and help others see His light, we can truly give them the best gift that we have ever received. 

   I know that this is one of the best times of the year to spread the gospel! So many people talk about the "Spirit of Christmas."  Really, that is the Holy Spirit that guides us to learn more of Jesus Christ. As missionaries, we just try to help people feel that Spirit, so they can be led and directed. We are at a time of the year where people are already feeling it! It's amazing, and we have seen so many doors open that were previously closed to us.  It's been a week of miracles in that regard. 

   I hope you all have a wonderful week with many opportunities to "Share the Gift!"

Love,

Sister Pratt

P.S. We bought sparkling cider at Walmart the other day, and the cashier tried to card us. :) Good times.

Our District at the temple

Thanksgiving Dinner

Sister V with her pie!

Felt like home!

 

December Challenge!

OK!! Listen up! 

So for the December challenge, I really wanted to try to pick something that people of all ages could participate in.  

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to pick one word that you don't know at the beginning of each week (aka: today).  You need to learn the word, it's definition, etc., and use that word once a day in your normal conversations.

In case you're curious, the word that I chose this week is susurrant. It means whispering or murmuring. 

Good luck! Have fun! Make up your own rules :)

Sister Pratt