Merry Christmas

12/23/12

Merry Christmas Everyone!

This week was wonderful! John's Baptism on Monday on his birthday, amazing for him to be reborn on his 67th birthday. His whole family came and it was a very nice service. Afterwards we had Mexican food with everyone. Marcie was so happy and everytime I am around them I am just amazed. I love them so much. She taught gospel principles again today and did so great. I gave them and Sister Long the Mormon Tabernacle Choir DVDs from you. They way loved it. Today was his confirmation along with 4 others. I love church and it is going to be so hard to leave the 1st ward. Next week is Matt's baptism which is super exciting. He can't wait to be baptized and we have grown really close to their family.

Wednesday was transfers and we have Elder Makemson with us. It was definitely apparent that he would be the Elder with us. He is very on the ball and catching on quick. It has been really great being in a tripanionship this time. Typically it is difficult, but we get along really well and we are all different enough that it works out great. The van taking all the missionaries to their areas broke down on Wednesday so all the missionaries were stranded for about 7 hours until the rental company could get a truck to tow them. The tow truck then towed the bread truck with everyone's luggage from point to point and they got in at 11:30 that night. It takes a lot of planning to make transfers happen, then you just have to throw your hands up sometimes when something catastrophic like that happens. I am definitely getting better at dealing with stressful situations now.

We have had some good times this week doorbell ditching the families that need help with Christmas this year. It puts us in a tough situation being missionaries and giving people money publicly, just because we are everyone else's project for Christmas, so anonymity has been the best approach. It has been very rewarding and brought the Spirit of Christ to helping others. I saw this quote this week, "Coincidences are God's way of being anonymous." 

I have never felt to loved in all my life by family, ward members and the good people of WV. I finally understand why people will build a brand new house next to the trailer they grew up in 6 miles deep in holler. There is love in these hills. Merry Christmas Everyone and I will talk to you Tuesday just after 2:30!

Love yall

Elder Dumke