Coldest December Ever

Dearest family, 

Reading Shelby Dana's last email home to her family made me laugh.  She said it was the "hottest December of my life."  Well family, this is the COLDEST December of my life.  We went to totally different climates!  On Wednesday apparently Alberta was the coldest place on the entire PLANET.  Or so that's the rumor.

Yesterday Sister Martin and I spoke it church on . . . you guessed it . . . missionary work!  I think we both did a fine job, especially with the limited time for preparation.   I really enjoyed speaking to the ward.  After I gave my talk someone came up to me and said it was amazing how much I've grown spiritually in 5 months and another person said that I did a masterful job and that it was the kind of talk that all missionaries hope to give.  I can't believe I won't be serving in this ward forever.  I've really grown to love all the members!  

On Wednesday we were in charge of representing the Church at the Crossfield Carol festival, by awarding a prize for the best gingerbread house.  It was a lot of fun and we got to meet a lot of people, including the minister of the Baptist church.  

This week we needed to find some new investigators because our teaching pool has slowly become smaller and smaller.  Many people like to say, "Catch me after Christmas!"  or "Come back when it's warmer!"  Do they mean July?  On Friday morning I had the feeling that we needed to role play lesson one for a particular potential investigator that we've been trying for 4 weeks to teach and had no success.  Later in the day we knocked on her door and she was excited to see us.  We were able to teach her the lesson that we had role played and we are meeting with her again tomorrow.  It's amazing how the Lord knows his children.  He knows what preparation we need to be ready to teach them.  Her name is Rona.  She is from the Philippines and very Catholic.  She recognizes God in her life.  I can't wait to teach her again!  In addition, this week we have lessons planned with 4 other people that could become investigators.  The Lord is blessing us.

Elder Bednar is coming to speak to us on Saturday!  I can't wait! 

Yesterday the Lows made us dinner.  In my talk I mentioned Samuel’s being a missionary in Denmark, so Sister Low (who is Danish) surprised us with . . . see the  picture, below!  It made me feel like I was with my family on New Year's Day! :)   

Merry Christmas, family!  I can't wait to talk to you (face to face) soon. :) 

Love, Sister Crystal Gardner

                                                                  Aebelskivers