Mission Newsletter #10

So this week has been a slow one when it comes to lessons, but we have had countless service opportunities and miracles happen this week! (Including a very spiritual and uplifting session at the Temple with our mission president and his wife.)

Our dishwasher melted our black, plastic spoon in half! We smelt something burning and it led us to that!

This week, the Elders and us had the opportunity to be in a Christmas Parade! A member in our ward made our church a float and asked our Mission President for permission for us to be in it.  Ours was decorated with balloons and we had a clown. Don't know why that was the theme we had, but oh well. Hopefully people won't think Mormons just clown around. Haha. Wink. Get it?

Before the Parade

Starting the Parade!

The Elders following behind us at the Parade with our clown, Rockie

Also, later that day we had our Ward Christmas Party! The theme was Christmas Around the World. They

Trying to make the cake work better

encouraged everyone to bring different cultural and ethnic dishes they have. In preparation of this, Sister Senior and I attempted to make a Samoan dish Elder Leali'ie'e asked us to do. Yeah, it did NOT turn out right. The sugar we were suppose to brown and then cool became hard as rock! We continued to work with

It totally broke our spatula!

it until it became a super dense cake thing that tastes like dense bread with a spicy cinnamon kick, according to Sister Senior. Needless to say, we didn't end up bringing it to the party... But, we were able to go over to an Asian member in our ward's house to help her prepare Sushi. She made over 200 rolls for the party. When we arrived, it was exciting to see Alisa and her kids there hanging out and helping already! What amazing fellowshipping?! It was such a delight to see them all there without us having to initiate any of it! It brings you so much joy to see that happen as a missionary. :)

The Primary Nativity

We all arrived to the Christmas Party! It was such a success! The food was amazing and we had so many people came! A less active we invited came, along with two friends, and Lorenzo, our investigator we haven't seen in a long time due to his mother's health and recent passing, and his wife came. :) It was so great to have so many of the people we are working with come to such a fun event. The night ending with a fun program and nativity done by the Primary (which Alisa's kids were able to be part of.)

This week, I also had the opportunity to see a big miracle happen all from faith, action, and service. Over the last week or so, I have felt like Sister Senior and I need to serve more. I have expressed this to her and started praying to receive these service opportunities. On Wednesday, we were just finishing our last scheduled appointment when we got a call finding out that a less active in our ward needed our help with his Christmas service project he does each year. He buys packages and packages of food and we sort into families that need it. The goal is to give them a month worth of food! How incredible?!

All the Food we sorted

Away we went, sorting the food. There was so much! (and we only did the first half of sorting that day.) As we concluded serving, I wondered if it would maybe still be possible to get Alisa's family in this list so she could receive this miracle too. As I said a mini prayer, trying to figure out how to bring it up, the guy running everything turned to me and asked if we knew anyone who could need this service. I jumped for joy as Sister Senior and I explained Alisa's situation. A friend of his overheard and told us that she has a store house with four houses worth of furniture that she is trying to get rid of!  She was happy to give it to Alisa and her family!

At the Food Sorting Service Project with Elder Lott, Elder Wright, and Sister Senior

We drove away in shock and amazement as we had just witness only a small portion of God's love for her. Because of the choices she has made to come to church and follow God's commandments, she has been blessed enormously and she doesn't even know about the blessings that are to come. Even though she lost her job to come to church, God is taking care of her and her family. :) As of today, her house is now fully furnished except for one twin bed, just received some food and clothes, and will soon receive gifts from Santa (donated by a member), and a month worth of food. I Stand All Amazed. No song could describe this situation better.

I love the Lord and I know without a doubt that He loves us SO much. He is just waiting for us to follow Him so that he can shower us with blessings. I know that as we all follow our Savior, we will be blessed. Please read Jacob 2:18-19. It's perfect for this situation.

Know that I love you all and think of you often! Our Heavenly Father and Savior love you very much! Follow them and you'll see their hand more and more abundantly in your life. I promise.

Sincerely,

Sister Salmond

P.S. For everyone who saw the address earlier for Christmas (569 Flint Hill Trace...) Note that that is only  for Christmas. Transfers will be happening Jan 8th? I believe so if I get moved I willl not receive the letter. So if it won't make it in time, please send it to the mission home address. Thank you and I love you all!

Alabama Birmingham Mission
3100 Lorna Rd Ste 102
Birmingham, AL 35216