Abby's New Area

Email from January 5, 2015

Dad,

The transfer was hard and this week has been hard but it's okay. the members here are awesome and I already love them. We haven't found any new investigators yet but we will. I know we will. There is someone here who needs us. I can feel it. I know there is a reason that Sister Russell and I are here together. I don't understand why President Clark decided to double us in. Or, rather, i don't understand why God told him to. But I know there is a reason and I will eventually figure it out.

Yes, I only have 11 months left. At the end of this transfer, I will be about halfway through my mission. It's crazy how time flies! I know it will go by fast, especially since I come home this year. It's crazy. We have church at nine here too and I don't like it. But I did it for five transfers so I can do it more.

On Monday, we had dinner with the Rahns. They feed all the departing missionaries before they leave. They took us to BJ's, which is a pizza place sort of. We had this thing called a pizookie which you would like. We got peanut butter s'mores. It was so good. Sister Isaksen and I shared one so we didn't have to eat one of our own. It was really good! It was probably loaded with calories, but it's okay. We also had a fun time at the stake center. We got a whole bunch of airplanes for Christmas so we made them and then we attacked an elder with them. It was great! It was like a parting gift. I don't like good byes though. That was sad.

Tuesday, we saw a lot of people. Ronda fed us lunch. It was good lunch. I love her so much and I am so grateful that I was able to help her come unto Christ. She told me when we were there that she knew that someone needs me in my new area. She knows it's not good bye and I do too. It's hard to think about though. I don't want her to fall, but I know she's solid. She is a solid convert and I am so grateful for that one solid convert that I have been able to teach and baptize. She is worth every thing that I went through in the last five transfers. I love her. She's so strong. We also met with the Harris family. She was so sweet. I told her I was being transferred and she told me we needed to stop by sometime before I go. It was nice. I didn't realize she liked me that much. So we went by and we ended up playing this game that we made on Monday. It was a memory game and we sort of forced her sons to play but they enjoyed it. I loved it! It was my idea and I won't even get to see how it goes with the people it's meant for. It's okay though. At least they will. We also saw Diane, a recent convert that finally let us in. She had grown attached to us and she was sad I was leaving. That made me feel pretty good. We dropped by and she gave me a mini Bible. It's so cute! She was sweet and told me how much she would miss me. We ate dinner with the Kuhns of course. They are the greatest. I love them so much and I'm sad I won't get to see them as much now. but I know I'll see them again. We also saw Sherry before we left. I am really going to miss her. She's the best. I love her so much. She said a prayer for me. It was sweet. She got a little teary eyed which made me feel a little good. We also saw the Burts. They gave me a CD and they got me a chocolate silk pie from Marie Callendar's. It was so good! I love that pie. I'm going to miss them.

Wednesday was kind of a crazy day. Melanie and Kurt took me to the Fresno East stake center which wasn't far at all. Melanie said a prayer for me before I got out of the car and it was sweet. I had so much stuff though. I need to send some home and I will...eventually. I will miss the Kuhns. We were doubled in, meaning neither of us had been in the area that transfer, so we didn't have a car or a phone. Our car was supposed to get there at one and then two and then three...and it wasn't there until five. So we were stuck at the stake center for a really long time. The zone leaders were super great though and gave us one of their phones to use until they got ours and they brought us lunch. It was really nice to have zone leaders that cared so much. Then around 4:30, we were hungry again so we asked for the zone leaders number since we didn't put it in our phone, from our district leader who is an elder I came out with (Elder Bean)! We told him we were hungry so he called and asked what we wanted for dinner. He wouldn't take no for an answer. It was really nice to have missionaries and leaders who cared enough about us to worry. It was an interesting day. Sister Russell and I got to know each other pretty well.

Thurday we were still trying to figure things out. We had no information on the area, but we were able to get a directory from Brother Olsen, the ward clerk. Crazy thing: his dad knows the Gummersalls! It made me so happy! They are from Idaho. I loved it! We also saw the Wilcoxes. We met them. The assistants, who are also in this ward, took us to meet them since we can't see anyone we don't know after dark. It was an interesting day. We had to figure things out and everything like that. It was stressful. It still sort of is but we're getting the hang of it.

Friday we set a whole bunch of appointments and we met lots of people. We met with the Merrills who just returned from a mission in Salt Lake. She worked in the family history center and he worked in security on Temple Square. He knows Sister Lunddahl! We also met the assistant ward mission leader and his wife, the Echeverria. they are great. I love them. It was nice to be able to meet with so many people. We met with the rest of the Olsen family. It was nice to be able to meet people who already love us. So many people were so happy to have missionaries. We ate with the Saunders. We got lost so it was interesting. but it was great. They are sweet. We saw the Madsens who are super missionary minded. They remind me of someone from home but I can't think of who. I love them a lot.

Saturday we met the Kelloggs. They are so sweet. Nicole is really great and knows people in Alluvial. We ate dinner with the Lukes. They took us out to get steaks! It was really yummy. It reminded me of you :) If you pick me up, we can go to that restaurant. Maybe. If we have time. We also met the bishop and his family. they are hilarious. Their son is dating the daughter of the young women president in Alluvial. Crazy connections here, I guess. We also met the Hutchasons. They are so sweet. They like to talk but they have so many good stories. It was great!

Sunday we had to get up at six to go to ward council :P It was terrible. But church was good. A little overwhelming but good. We met the Jolleys afterward. Brother Jolley served a mission in Switzerland. He had cool stories. We met with the Russells afterward. They have a house way out yonder. Lots of people live in the country. It's beautiful but takes a ton of miles to get there. I like it though. we met the Houlihans too. She's sweet. Her husband is not a member though. We ate dinner with the Olsens. I love them so much. They are great. she is the young women president. We met the Robertsons too. They have a daughter in Alluvial and they know a lot of people there! I love them so much. We walked in and there was this huge shelf that was on the wall of the room when you walk in. He has soooo many books! I was in heaven! I wish I could read them all.

It has been really hard to adjust and to not miss the people from my old area but it has been good to get to know other members. I'm glad you had a good week. Gracie is an innocent little child. She is kind of like me, right? Except I don't think I was that innocent at her age. I'm glad we don't get freezing rain here. But we do get fog. It's terrible.

I love being here even though it's hard to adjust. I'm so grateful for your support. I love you!

Always <3,

Sister Abigail Reese

PS Email me as soon as the baby comes!! I know I won't see it until next week, but let me know anyway!

Dad,

The transfer was hard and this week has been hard but it's okay. the members here are awesome and I already love them. We haven't found any new investigators yet but we will. I now we will. There is someone here who needs us. I can feel it. I know there is a reason that Sister Russell and I are here together. I don't understand why President Clark decided to double us in. Or, rather, i don't understand why God told him to. But I know there is a reason and I will eventually figure it out.

Yes, I only have 11 months left. At the end of this transfer, I will be about halfway through my mission. It's crazy how time flies! I now it will go by fast, especially since I come home this year. It's crazy. We have church at nine here too and I don't like it. But I did it for five transfers so I can do it more.

On Monday, we had dinner with the Rahns. They feed all the departing missionaries before they leave. They took us to BJ's, which is a pizza place sort of. We had this thing called a pizookie which you would like. We got peanut butter s'mores. It was so good. Sister Isaksen and I shared one so we didn't have to eat one of our own. It was really good! It was probably loaded with calories, but it's okay. We also had a fun time at the stake center. We got a whole bunch of airplanes for Christmas so we made them and then we attacked an elder with them. It was great! It was like a parting gift. I don't like good byes though. That was sad.

Tuesday, we saw a lot of people. Ronda fed us lunch. It was good lunch. I love her so much and I am so grateful that I was able to help her come unto Christ. She told me when we were there that she knew that someone needs me in my new area. She knows it's not good bye and I do too. It's hard to think about though. I don't want her to fall, but I know she's solid. She is a solid convert and I am so grateful for that one solid convert that I have been able to teach and baptize. She is worth every thing that I went through in the last five transfers. I love her. She's so strong. We also met with the Harris family. She was so sweet. I told her I was being transferred and she told me we needed to stop by sometime before I go. It was nice. I didn't realize she liked me that much. So we went by and we ended up playing this game that we made on Monday. It was a memory game and we sort of forced her sons to play but they enjoyed it. I loved it! It was my idea and I won't even get to see how it goes with the people it's meant for. It's okay though. At least they will. We also saw Diane, a recent convert that finally let us in. She had grown attached to us and she was sad I was leaving. That made me feel pretty good. We dropped by and she gave me a mini Bible. It's so cute! She was sweet and told me how much she would miss me. We ate dinner with the Kuhns of course. They are the greatest. I love them so much and I'm sad I won't get to see them as much now. but I know I'll see them again. We also saw Sherry before we left. I am really going to miss her. She's the best. I love her so much. She said a prayer for me. It was sweet. She got a little teary eyed which made me feel a little good. We also saw the Burts. They gave me a CD and they got me a chocolate silk pie from Marie Callendar's. It was so good! I love that pie. I'm going to miss them.

Wednesday was kind of a crazy day. Melanie and Kurt took me to the Fresno East stake center which wasn't far at all. Melanie said a prayer for me before I got out of the car and it was sweet. I had so much stuff though. I need to send some home and I will...eventually. I will miss the Kuhns. We were doubled in, meaning neither of us had been in the area that transfer, so we didn't have a car or a phone. Our car was supposed to get there at one and then two and then three...and it wasn't there until five. So we were stuck at the stake center for a really long time. The zone leaders were super great though and gave us one of their phones to use until they got ours and they brought us lunch. It was really nice to have zone leaders that cared so much. Then around 4:30, we were hungry again so we asked for the zone leaders number since we didn't put it in our phone, from our district leader who is an elder I came out with (Elder Bean)! We told him we were hungry so he called and asked what we wanted for dinner. He wouldn't take no for an answer. It was really nice to have missionaries and leaders who cared enough about us to worry. It was an interesting day. Sister Russell and I got to know each other pretty well.

Thurday we were still trying to figure things out. We had no information on the area, but we were able to get a directory from Brother Olsen, the ward clerk. Crazy thing: his dad knows the Gummersalls! It made me so happy! They are from Idaho. I loved it! We also saw the Wilcoxes. We met them. The assistants, who are also in this ward, took us to meet them since we can't see anyone we don't know after dark. It was an interesting day. We had to figure things out and everything like that. It was stressful. It still sort of is but we're getting the hang of it.

Friday we set a whole bunch of appointments and we met lots of people. We met with the Merrills who just returned from a mission in Salt Lake. She worked in the family history center and he worked in security on Temple Square. He knows Sister Lunddahl! We also met the assistant ward mission leader and his wife, the Echeverria. they are great. I love them. It was nice to be able to meet with so many people. We met with the rest of the Olsen family. It was nice to be able to meet people who already love us. So many people were so happy to have missionaries. We ate with the Saunders. We got lost so it was interesting. but it was great. They are sweet. We saw the Madsens who are super missionary minded. They remind me of someone from home but I can't think of who. I love them a lot.

Saturday we met the Kelloggs. They are so sweet. Nicole is really great and knows people in Alluvial. We ate dinner with the Lukes. They took us out to get steaks! It was really yummy. It reminded me of you :) If you pick me up, we can go to that restaurant. Maybe. If we have time. We also met the bishop and his family. they are hilarious. Their son is dating the daughter of the young women president in Alluvial. Crazy connections here, I guess. We also met the Hutchasons. They are so sweet. They like to talk but they have so many good stories. It was great!

Sunday we had to get up at six to go to ward council :P It was terrible. But church was good. A little overwhelming but good. We met the Jolleys afterward. Brother Jolley served a mission in Switzerland. He had cool stories. We met with the Russells afterward. They have a house way out yonder. Lots of people live in the country. It's beautiful but takes a ton of miles to get there. I like it though. we met the Houlihans too. She's sweet. Her husband is not a member though. We ate dinner with the Olsens. I love them so much. They are great. she is the young women president. We met the Robertsons too. They have a daughter in Alluvial and they know a lot of people there! I love them so much. We walked in and there was this huge shelf that was on the wall of the room when you walk in. He has soooo many books! I was in heaven! I wish I could read them all.

It has been really hard to adjust and to not miss the people from my old area but it has been good to get to know other members. I'm glad you had a good week. Gracie is an innocent little child. She is kind of like me, right? Except I don't think I was that innocent at her age. I'm glad we don't get freezing rain here. But we do get fog. It's terrible.

I love being here even though it's hard to adjust. I'm so grateful for your support. I love you!

Always <3,

Sister Abigail Reese

PS Email me as soon as the baby comes!! I know I won't see it until next week, but let me know anyway!

Mom,

This week was kind of hard, but it's only because I had to say good bye to all the members and adjusting to a new area that neither me nor my new companion knows is hard. But it's okay. I'm adjusting now and the members here are awesome. I love them. And the missionaries are great too! This zone is a lot bigger than my last zone so there are a lot of people to get to know. I'm not sure I'll be able to. But I'll try!

On Monday, the Rahns took us to dinner before I left. They took us to BJ's. It was really good. We got pizza and then we got this thing called a pizookie. It was basically a deep dish cookie. We got a peanut butter s'mores cookie. It was really yummy. I loved it. It was sad to have to leave and I didn't like saying good bye but we had to. When Austen and Aaron are baptized, I'll be there to see it...whenever it happens. I also had to say good bye to a lot of missionaries, but I guess that wasn't until Tuesday. But that was sad.

We saw a lot of people on Tuesday, though I don't feel like it was enough. We saw Ronda first and we were able to have lunch with her and her mother in law. I shared my favorite (one of them) scripture with her and Lucy Lee. I was so impressed with Ronda because she looked at me and said, "Sister Reese, remember that there is someone who needs you in your new area." I was really surprised but so glad that she said that because it really helped me to know that she is truly converted to the Gospel and I really don't have to worry about her at all. I'm grateful for that. I'm grateful that she is a solid convert and that she won't fall away from the church because of silly things. And I am so excited for her and Rick to be sealed! It will happen after my release date though so...either we need to stay extra or I will fly back! We also stopped at the Davis's. I love them and I miss them a lot. She is the relief society president in Woodward Park. They are so sweet. When we were there, they told me how much they had seen me grow in the months I was in Woodward Park and it gave me a lot of confidence. Now I just need to apply that growth to this area. We ate dinner with the Kuhns. I am really, really, really going to miss them a lot. I love them so much. They have helped me through a lot on my mission and I am so grateful for them. But I know I'll see them again one day soon. It wasn't good bye, just see you later. We also saw the Burts. I absolutely adore the Burts. They are some of the greatest members. I am going to miss them a lot too but I know God has a purpose for taking me away from all these wonderful members. Other people need me more right now. It was really hard to say good bye to these people but I know I'll see them again.

Wednesday was transfers so Melanie and Kurt met me at the stake center with Sister Isaksen and they took me to my new area. We were doubled in (meaning both of us were new to the area) and so we didn't have a car or a phone. We were stuck at the stake center (Fresno East) for seven hours. It was the longest day ever. But it actually went by really fast. Sister Russell (my new companion) and I got to know each other pretty well. But we still had three hours that night since it was New Year's Eve and we had to stay in. The zone leaders were kind enough to bring us lunch from McDonald's. The car was supposed to be there at three (first, it was one and two) but it wasn't there by like 4:30 so we asked for the zone leaders' number (we finally got a car) from our district leader who happens to be Elder Bean, an elder I came out with. We told him we were still stuck at the stake center and we were hungry and he called and asked us what we wanted for dinner. I told him we would be fine until we got our car, but he was stubborn and asked again. It was sweet. It was really nice to have elders--leaders--who cared enough and worried enough to help us out. So that was a fun day. It was so cold in the stake center too.

Thursday we were trying to figure things out. We were able to get a ward directory from Brother Olsen, the ward clerk. He's super funny. He was in the military and loves guns. he and Dad would get along great. We had dinner with the Kharazis. They are awesome. We are going over again for an FHE tonight and I'm excited. We eat dinner with the assistants a lot so it's a little weird and a little different, but I'm becoming less and less intimidated by them. And Elder Parkin, who was my zone leader my first two transfers, is an assistant now.

Friday we were able to meet a lot of different people. We met the Merrills who just returned from a mission. We met the rest of the Olsens--the senior Brother Olsen knows the Gummersalls! And I actually couldn't remember and I feel terrible about this...is Brother Gummersall still alive or did he pass away not too long ago? I feel terrible that i can't remember! But it made me really happy to know that they knew people from my hometown. They are from Idaho :) We met the Freemans too. They are great. She served a mission in El Salvador and they have the most darling kids. I love them.

Saturday we saw the Kelloggs who live way out in the boonies. But they're great. Nicole knows people from my last area. They have a cute little boy and a little baby girl. We also met with the Bishop and his family. They are hilarious. I love them a lot.

Sunday we met with the Jolleys. he returned from a mission four years ago and he gave us some advice. We also met the Kropfs. They are pretty interesting. I love them though. And we ate dinner with the Olsens--all of them. the whole family was there and then us and the elders. We shared a message with all of them. It was fun!

It was stressful and hard and I'm still trying to adjust to my companion, but I know it will get better. the Lord trusts me.

I have been praying that Hunter goes on a mission. He can leave not long after I come home and I hope the example I've set will touch him somewhat. I will pray for Courtney. Always do. I want her to come home. I want her to be happy. I know that she will be if she takes the steps she needs. She's always in my prayers.

I love you and pray for you all. I know I'm here for a reason even though change is hard.

Always <3,

Sister Abigail Reese

Abby's First Transfer!

Email from December 29, 2014

Dad,

I loved seeing everyone on Christmas Day! It was really great to be able to see and talk to you. It was a little difficult at the end but I am so, so glad that I got to see everyone. I think it would have been harder for me if I had been calling you on the phone. I'm glad I got to share something about Christmas with you! When you pick me up, I want to teach you a lesson before we leave my mission because it can be really powerful. I'll still be a set apart representative of Jesus Christ. Until we get home. That will be weird. Also, you should let President Clark know that that is the plan. They order plane tickets six months in advance so at least by May 21. Or I guess June 2. 

God has blessed me this week with a lot of strength. He has been preparing me for what is to come for a while. We got our transfer call on Saturday. I told you transfers were on the 31, right? Well, on the 31st, I will be going to another area. I was really sad when I found out. But then not too long after, I felt this overwhelming peace and comfort just flow right over me. It was the greatest feeling ever. It was really cool to have a confirmation that everything at transfers is inspired of God. I have been feeling like I was going to get transferred for a while but I didn't want to believe it. God made me though. In my heart, I knew. In my head, I was oblivious, but in my heart I knew what was coming. And I was okay with it. I have been in this area--Alluvial--for seven and a half months. And I've been in Woodward Park for four and a half. I have spent a lot of time there and I am so grateful for the time I had. It was really amazing and I truly grew a lot from being in these wards. And I had a baptism! R means everything to me and it was worth every hard things I ever struggled with. I will be going to the Fresno East Stake in the Cedarwood ward. My companion will be Sister Russel who is actually here from the Nauvoo visitor's center. So that will be interesting. I guess God just likes putting me with visitor's center sisters. She'll be my third one! but I love her. I met her yesterday and I love her so much! Plus, a sister that I took out on open your mouth is in that stake in the Spanish ward. I'm excited to be with her too! AND an elder I came out with is my district leader: Elder Bean! I'm so excited! It almost makes up for my previous district leader going home on Wednesday. Almost. But I truly am excited. And you know how I am with change so I am taking this remarkably well. Which kind of makes me wonder if there is a lot to come, a lot of hard things. But if there is, I will push through because I have God on my side. I am truly grateful that I was able to serve in Alluvial and Woodward Park. And it will be hard to leave. Brother Rahn, the ward mission leader in Woodward Park, decided to talk about me in Gospel Principles. It was really interesting to hear people's comments. A lot of people said how outgoing I've become. How much louder I am. And how much bossier. Apparently, all I do now is boss Brother Rahn around. Which is true in a sense I guess. But we're going to their house for dinner tonight so I can see them one more time. It'll be really great!

We were able to see quite a few people this week, despite it being Christmas. On Tuesday we had a whole bunch of set appointments that fell through. It was really frustrating. But we realized there was a reason for it when we were able to see a few people. We were able to go see Sister White, an older lady who is just awesome. I love her and will miss her a lot. We also saw Ci and were able to talk to her for a while. She was really sweet and just let us in. We technically aren't teaching her anymore, but that's okay. One day she will come to know for herself that what we taught is true. We also did some service for a recent convert. She is really sweet but she has a lot of...stuff. I think I've talked about her before. We are really trying to help her organize everything so she will have the courage to just throw it out. We're not sure how it's going. 

Christmas Eve was almost like another day of Christmas! It was really good! We made a ginger bread house that is super cute. Then we made cookies with Sherry. I love her and I'm going to miss her a lot. She and Charles took us to the farewell last night so that we could be there for Elder Grisenti, who was my district leader for four transfers. It was great! I love them both so much and I hope one day C's heart will be softened enough to accept the gospel. We also went to the Thacker's. They are so sweet. I got socks from them. We also got a stocking and a couple gifts. They were so sweet and I am so grateful for them. It made me feel almost like I was at our Christmas Eve party. It was really awesome. Then we went to the Gallis'. They are awesome. I played Away in a Manger for them on the piano while everyone sang...I messed up but at least I was brave and did it right? It was really cool.

On Christmas Day, we went to the Davis's for breakfast. Their grandson made hash browns in a waffle iron! It was so cool! They tasted really good. I'm glad I got to try them. They kept asking me how I eat potatoes since I'm from Idaho...it was interesting. But I love their family so much. They are great. Then we went to the Burts' to Skype. That was one of my favorite parts of the day! It was really great to see you. And Sister Burt afterward gave me a hug and told me it was okay to cry and be sad because you do miss your family as a missionary, especially on Christmas. She served in Boise. Crazy right? They gave us a Christmas present which was so sweet (but I have no idea how I'm going to transfer everything that I got on Christmas Day). We went to the Kuhns' next. They had a ton of presents for us. It was crazy! Our trunk was full of gifts from people by the end of the day. We watched Frozen and I loved it so much! I miss that movie. But it'll be there when I get back...as long as you didn't give it away because it is my movie :) We played Catch Phrase after that. With Melanie and a whole bunch of missionaries. It was so fun! I love that game so much! 

The next day, we had dinner with an awesome family who has a son Hunter's age. He reminded me of a combination of me, because he's clumsy (he dropped a plate...it kind of just fell out of his hands, and then like five minutes later, he spilled water on his mom!), and Hunter because he's funny. He's a little more quiet than Hunter but it was really awesome! I love them. We are going to see them before I leave tomorrow. We also saw Sister Gonzalez who got a little shiatsu for Christmas. She is so cute!

Saturday we did this really cool role play with our dinner appointment. We asked each of them to think of a nonmember they know and then play them. We taught them the Plan of Salvation and it was one of the coolest role plays I have ever done. I loved it! And Sister Scribner has someone that we will probably start teaching! Well, Sister Isaksen and Sister West, her new companion. So that'll be really good. I'm excited for them! We also saw the Kuhns. It was right before our transfer call. Actually, we didn't get our call until about 10:27. It was terrible. We were all on conference call so that was really cool. We listened together. Only four of us are leaving. Some of my favorite people are leaving so I think it's good that I won't be here to miss them. 

Sunday was the farewell and it was great! I love listening to missionaries bear testimony. A new assistant was called and he was my zone leader my first two transfers...it'll be weird seeing him a lot again. 

Has Brittany had her baby yet?? Send me pictures when she has!

I love you, Dad. I miss you and think of you a lot, but I know that I am here for a purpose. I know that I am in the California Fresno Mission for a reason. For multiple reasons. And I'm grateful for that. I love you!

Always <3,

Sister Abigail Reese

PS Did you like your presents? 

Mom,

I had a great Christmas! It was a little difficult after I said good bye to you because I didn't want to have to say good bye. But it was awesome to see everyone and I'm really grateful that I was given that opportunity. It made my day and I will cherish that until Mother's Day! We went to the Davis's for breakfast. She is the relief society president in Woodward Park. They are great. Joseph, their grandson who is twelve, made hash browns using a waffle iron! Isn't that the coolest thing ever?? I want to learn how to do it! They were really good too. Then we went to the Burts, of course, and Skyped. They are so great. Sister Burt came and gave me a big hug after I was done talking to me and said it was okay to cry and to be sad for a little bit on Christmas Day. It was really sweet. I couldn't give Brother Burt a hug for you but I told him you told me to! They are the greatest members and I'm so grateful for them. They got a Christmas present--a scarf and a journal. It was cute! Then we went to the Kuhns'. that was a lot of fun. We played this game with some missionaries that Melanie made and then we had dinner. they gave us stockings. We also got a Christmas Santa hat to wear so Sister Isaksen and I were wearing ours. It was really cute! I'll send a picture if I have time. We watched Frozen for our Christmas movie and it was so good! I forgot how much I love that movie. I thought it would make me think of home but it didn't. I sang along to the songs. I still know them! It was great. Then we played Catch Phrase with Melanie and Elders Robertson, Perez, and Garbero. It was so much fun! It got really competitive but I loved it! Last time it was just Sister Lunddahl and I with Kurt and Melanie. But this time we had more people. It was great! At the end of the night, there were even more missionaries. It was really crazy. It was intense. You should play it for family home evening or something. But my Christmas was great. It really helps to have awesome members who treat us like family and who love us. The Lord knows what I needed and He knows that I needed to be in this area for five transfers.

We got our transfer call on Saturday. Transfers aren't until Wednesday but we found out what was happening on Saturday. I will be going to the Fresno East Stake to serve in the Cedarwood ward. When I first found out, I was really sad. I love this area so much and I am so grateful for it. I love these people and I will miss them all so, so much. But as I knelt down to pray that night, I was filled with this overwhelming sense of peace and comfort that all would work out and all would be okay. I accepted this change wholeheartedly. I was able to see the ways God prepared me for it. I had felt like I was going to be transferred but then I guess I got used to the feeling so I didn't think it would happen. I wanted to stay in this area and I wanted to be with Sister Isaksen. But that's not what God wants for me at this point. I spent seven and a half months here and I have grown so much. Not it's time to move on and to grow somewhere else and to help other people. The funny thing is, in my first transfer, I went on exchanges in Cedarwood (then Clovis 2) and I told the members that I was gong to serve there one day. And now I am! It's also the ward the assistants are in so it will be a little weird. But I'm excited! I'm sad to leave and I am sad that I have to say good bye to so many people. But I know this is what God wants. I can feel that there are people the Lord is preparing for me there. My new companion's name is Sister Russel. She's really sweet and she is a Nauvoo sister, meaning she is from the Nauvoo visitor's center. She'll be here for two more transfers. We are basically getting doubled into an area, which means we are both new to the area. It will be interesting. But at least we have the assistants. And, crazy story, guess who my new district leader is?? It's Elder Bean! The one I came out with. I had a dream a couple weeks ago that he was going to become my district leader...and now he has! I'm really relieved because it helps me a lot to know that my district leader is someone I already trust and love. I'm super excited about that. It's going to be a fun transfer...and maybe a little hard too. But I know I can do it and I now God wouldn't place anything in my path that I can't handle. I'm super grateful for the opportunity I have and I'm so excited to serve there!

We saw C this week. I think we basically dropped her, but she was really sweet. We just stopped by and she let us in and we talked to her and she gave us hot chocolate. She is great. I hope one day when missionaries knock on her door, she will let them in and accept the gospel because I know it will help her a lot. 

On Christmas Eve, we saw a few people. We went to the Amsbary's and made a ginger bread house, which I showed you. I don't think I've ever done that before. We also went to see Sherry and made cookie with her which we ended up taking to a member who was having a hard time this Christmas. I loved doing it. It was fun! then we went to the Thacker family. They are so sweet. I love them. Santa literally came and gave them presents. That's when we got socks. We also got stockings. And they gave us a whole bunch of airplanes that we are going to make today and throw at the elders. It's going to be fun! We also went to the Gallis'. They are awesome members whom I love. That's where we talked to Nick. Or Sister Isaksen talked to Nick. They let us participate in their White Elephant exchange even though we didn't bring anything. It was a lot of fun. Our ward also put together a whole bunch of gifts for us. It was really sweet. We had so much stuff by the end of the Christmas day...I have no idea how I'm going to transfer all of it.

Oh...by the way, the red suitcase you let me use...well, the front wheels on it are messed up. The rubber on it is like broken through. It's like this rip right down the middle. I'm not really sure how to fix it. I'm sure there's a way but I know now what it is. I promise I'll try though! I don't want any transfers to be difficult because of a suitcase. I'm going to send home some stuff soon but not today. Brittany gave me ornaments for our tree which I won't need all year and the nativity Grandma sent me will be in that box too. So watch out for it! I'll write fragile on the box. It is really cute! 

Speaking of Brittany, has she had her baby yet??? I've been waiting for a few days to see a picture but it doesn't look like I have one yet :P It's okay though. Next week right?? 

I love you, Mom and I am so grateful that I got to talk to you and everyone on Christmas Day. I hope you told Grandpa and Robin and Roger and Jess and Jamee that I said hi. I miss them all and hope they had a merry Christmas. I love you!

Always <3,

Sister Reese

PS I'm glad you liked what I sent you!