Hi Mom!!

  HAPPY NEW YEAR! How are you going to ring in the new year? It was so good to Skype with you on Christmas. It sounds like the rest of your week was good. I'm glad you liked the Nativities. I hope none of them broke in transportation. Did my sand dollar make it in one piece and the sea shell? If you want to just put some money in my account then I can go get some new clothes rather than you spending more money to send them to me. We have all kinds of shopping things here in Salem. I got Dolly's card but not Donna Adams yet. 

  The rest of Christmas was great! We spent some time at the Bursells. Sister Bursell loves our family. She said that she would just love to be part of our family. Mom...she loves loves your caramels!! We then went to Ed and Joyce Lewis's house for lunch. Sister Lewis is the Relief Society President. They didn't have any of their kids coming over because they had some of them over for Christmas Eve and their other kids live in Colorado. We really enjoyed going over to their place. Then we headed to the Allens. Sister Allen is so sweet! She is from Utah. Right when we walked in she gave me a present and said Happy Birthday. She is so sweet for remembering!! She got me a necklace. Sibel was also there. I loved being able to spend Christmas with some members in our ward. Christmas is different on a mission but I love it! It was awesome to be able to focus just on the real meaning of Christmas! Sister Miller made me a cake...we still haven't eaten it because we have so many goodies at our place. Thank you again for all the gifts!! I loved them. I love the purple shirt you sent me for my birthday! Thank you so much!!!!!!! 

  This week has been great!! I forgot to tell you that on Christmas Eve the Bursells had all of us missionaries over for dinner and it was an all seafood dinner. They had crab, mini lobsters(I can't remember what they are called), clams, and shrimp. I tried all of it! Fresh crab is way better than lobster. The clams weren't too bad either. I may be starting to like seafood...I never thought I would say that!!!!!! Ha ha! We stopped by a less actives house this week and she let us in. The Sisters had been trying to get in with her for a while but she wouldn't let them in. She was talking to us about her prayers and how she is trying to pray more. She is also trying to come back to church. I asked her if she felt like us visiting her more and teaching her some lessons if that would help her come back to church. She immediately said yes. It is amazing how the Spirit helps us know what to say and how to say it. The Spirit works in marvelous ways!

  This week I have been studying in 3 Nephi 11. I love that chapter so much!! in verse 16 it talks about the people being unified and shouting with one accord. I was thinking about how important unity as a missionary and for everything in the gospel. I was thinking why it is important to be unified with my companion, President Stoker, and the Lord. I can't be the servant that the Lord needs me to be if I am not unified with those around me. Why is unity important? We are to make our will one with the Lord's will. How do we do that?? I know that if we build upon His rock that we cannot fail!! He put us here on the earth to succeed!! He loves us!!!  Have a great week!!! I love you so much!!! 

   Love,

     Sister Griffin