The week wasn't too cold; low-30's is alright. If only we could somehow convince Mother Nature to let it stay at low 30's for the whole winter. Right now its mid-40's, which feels really nice and all I have to wear is a sweater. We survived from not having a car for two days. Wednesday was a ton of walking.

Tuesday after District Meeting we took all the Elders and Sisters in the district to a members home who has recently been coming back to church (this is the same A___ who we helped fix the broken chair) We surprised him and came into his home and sung Christmas carols, and finished it off with Rudolph the red nose rain dear. It was bitter sweet because one of the Sisters from the Fon Du Lac Ward knew A___ from a previous area that she had served in and where A____ used to live. It was a sweet reunion and the two of them got to catch up and share stories. The Sister goes home in a month so it was really nice. After Christmas caroling we decided as a district that we would do a white elephant exchange for our upcoming district meeting which is tomorrow.

Wednesday morning we turned in the car, and got a ride home from the car dealership. From then on we walked all over town, trying to see as many promising people as we could so that we weren't walking all day long and tracting. It was a long day but we made it through. We met some people on the streets and talked with them about their Christmas plans. We finished off the night by playing basketball with the young men and some of their non-member friends. That was a great way to finish off the day.

Sittin' on Santa with Elder Merrill, Sis Peel, and Sis Woods.

The Ward Christmas party was on Saturday. Saturday was already a great day because we met a new family while tracting and they let us into their home. It was also a great day because of the anticipation of the party so we worked hard and with great motivation even though most doors we knocked on said "no". Saturday just felt good, and the party was fun. We had a lot of non-members come and enjoy; we had a lot of great food too. We got to take home half of a ham, a couple pounds of funeral potatoes, and some brownies. Taking home food is always fun, and keeps us happy because then we don't have to buy as much and worry about running out of money for the month. I got a picture with me and Santa along with the other missionaries in the Oshkosh Ward (Elder Merrill, Sister Peel, and Sister Woods). It’s great to relax with the members and enjoy an evening with them.

Ritual burning of a tie on my 18 month mark.
Yup! That's one of my new ties that mom sent for my birthday.

Friday was my 18 month mark. Being 3/4 done with a mission is an interesting feeling. Not only does it go by quickly but you question whether or not the 18 months even happened. I remember the MTC, and my first day in the mission field with Elder Thompson in Manistique, Michigan. Everything in between seems to have somehow squished itself into a month’s time. That's enough of the 18 months. I burnt a tie as is customary. We went to the first counselor in the Bishopric's home. He has a portable fire pit that we opened up and put some gasoline and paper towels in. We lit it up, took a few pictures and I took off my tie and tossed it in. After the tie was burnt up we had fun tossing paper cups with some gasoline in them, into the fire. I should be specific that Elder Merrill and I watched from a distance while we cheered on Bro. Palmer as he filled up the cups and threw them into the fire. I have a video of the grand finally. Wisconsin natives are crazy; this same family prepares their deer in the living room while they watch TV. He got two kills this year while bow hunting.

Sunday was crazy. Every child in the chapel was yelling, screaming, running around. Sacrament meeting was loud and very distracting. So many parents were coming in and out with children that I had to help out with keeping some of the older kids (5-8) in line and quiet. It was so bad that a member of the Bishopric told me later in the day that it was a good thing that we didn't have any investigators at church because of how embarrassing it was during Sacrament meeting. Sunday was not relaxing at all.

Scripture for the week: Alma 25:15-16

 15 Yea, and they did keep the law of Moses; for it was expedient that they should keep the law of Moses as yet, for it was not all fulfilled. But notwithstanding the law of Moses, they did look forward to the coming of Christ, considering that the law of Moses was a type of his coming, and believing that they must keep those outward performances until the time that he should be revealed unto them.

 16 Now they did not suppose that salvation came by the law of Moses; but the law of Moses did serve to strengthen their faith in Christ; and thus they did retain a hope through faith, unto eternal salvation, relying upon the spirit of prophecy, which spake of those things to come.

Thank you all, have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy the wonderful season as we remember the birth of our Lord and Savior.

Elder Luymes