Hi Mom!
  Merry Christmas!!!! Thank you so much for the package!! I love the
basketball hoop!! Don't worry I didn't open the wrapped packages.
Thank you for the caramels, fudge, and coconut bread!! They are so
good!!! My companion says thank you too! 
 . I'm glad you got that video from Sibel.
She was so excited to send it to you. I can't wait to see you on
Wednesday and for you to meet my companion and the Bursells. They are
awesome!!!
  It sounds like you had a busy week. It sounds like your weather has
been worse than ours. We have had a little rain but it hasn't been
freezing rain yet. We got snow this week but it has been melting
because of the rain. I would send you a picture of all the snow but it
doesn't look very pretty. I'll send a picture after the next storm we
get.
  This week has been good. We started teaching a man that the sisters
have met with on and off. He is going through a lot right now and is
trying to find his place in life. He told us that he feel like he is
just treading water and not getting anywhere. We taught him how the
Atonement can help him feel peace. It was a powerful lesson. He likes
reading the Book of Mormon by topic and so we invited him to read
about hope from the index. He is searching for something to help him
and I know that the gospel will help him find the peace that he is
searching for.
  The ward Christmas party was awesome!! Each of the auxiliaries put
on a little skit or song. We also sang some songs together. It was a
lot of fun! We did have church on Sunday and it was great! Sacrament
was full of great music. There were a few speaking parts too. I love
that we can celebrate Christ's birth and his life. His whole life is a
gift to us. The Primary asked us to come in and help them do some
things during Primary. My companion ended up telling them that my
birthday is on Christmas so they wanted to sing to me. I told her not
to tell people but she didn't listen. It was funny! The ward has
gotten us so many gifts and candy. They love the missionaries here and
they take great care of us.
  This week I have been studying in 3 Nephi about Christ's birth and
the signs that were given here in the Americas. The signs were so
apparent and they came right at the perfect time. I love what the Lord
says to Nephi in 3 Nephi 1:12-14. Prophecies are always fulfilled!
Over and over again the prophecies have been fulfilled. It is our
responsibility to follow and trust the prophecies. I was thinking
about the star and how God had it placed in the heavens at the perfect
time for it to shine bright when the Savior was born. It made me think
if a quote by Elder Maxwell. “The same God that placed that star in a
precise orbit millennia before it appeared over Bethlehem in
celebration of the birth of the Babe has given at least equal
attention to placement of each of us in precise human orbits so that
we may, if we will, illuminate the landscape of our individual lives,
so that our light may not only lead others but warm them as well." God
places us in certain places at certain times for specific reasons. I
know that just like that star that was placed in the Heavens we too
are placed in specific places. We are so blessed to know about our
Savior and to be able to use the Atonement daily. I know that He is
the only way to true happiness and that He is the only way to peace
and comfort! I love you!!! Talk to you on Wednesday!
  Love,
    Sister Griffin