Thanksgiving traditions never die

Hello everybody! It was a fantastic week here in Graham. We had a delicious thanksgiving dinner with the Bambaloff family:) Brother Bambaloff and I could talk forever haha. He is so awesome! There are a lot of less-actives and nonmembers in his family so it was good for us to spend that time with them. However, best part of thanksgiving was defiantly the sports!! We had our mission get together again this year. It was a party:) It was a little rainy so we only did a little soccer, but we played lots of basketball! The sisters wouldn't play so Sister McCrae and I just played with the Elders! Hahaha! It was so fun. I have missed playing. I have played sports every thanksgiving for as long as I can remember. It was a good little break from the work.

We had some incredible lessons this week. Sammi has been having a little bit of a hard time with her parents. We brought Lexie to our lesson so she could ask her questions about joining the church! It went so well! All of her concerns were resolved. She has been reading the Book of Mormon and marking it up. I am so grateful to be apart of such an amazing change in her life. From Atheist to Mormon... Such a testimony that everyone can change! The Spirit can convert anyone who even has a desire to find truth. Sammi has such a pure desire to do good and find joy.

Our lesson with the Schaubs went great too. They have a lot of holdups with living the commandments. We decided to not bring anything up and just teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ lesson. The Spirit really took over! We didn't do anything, but they opened right up and expressed what they were struggling with. They expressed sincere desire to change. I love their family! I want to help them be sealed. Never take the temple for granted! Those covenants are what link us to Heavenly Father and to our families. We are so blessed to have that knowlege and opportunity as members of Christ's church.

Derek has been reading the Book of Mormon as well. He is struggling, and he is grasping onto the things we teach him. He is desperate for help and it is a blessing to turn others to the Savior to receive help through their hard struggles. Since Elder Gay's visit to our mission, Sister McCrae and I have decided to focus more on the little things. We have been talking more about the importance of prayer, the Book of Mormon, and attending church. We have seen our investigators progress more as we focus on the simple and pure doctrine that Christ taught. It changes lives. I am grateful for how much I am learning about Him.

Your Sister in Christ,

Sister Northrup