We had such a fun month of Christmas celebrations!
Desh is obsessed with TRAINS and tractors and anything with wheels so of course we had to go to Hillcrest Farms in Reedley and ride their steam train. My parents came with us and we had a lot of fun wandering around, eating funnel cake and riding the train. Deshy even got his first cup of hot chocolate. He loved it, of course. It was a fun Christmas this year because Desh understood (for the most part) what was going on. He met Santa and didn't even cry. We walked Christmas Tree Lane and loved seeing all the lights. He discovered the Polar Express and now I think our household has the movie memorized.
Now that the holidays are over, we are busy getting ready for the arrival of the next little Motschiedler boy due January 30th (although this mama is hoping for a week early arrival). This month will be a busy one for us with the baby coming, along with some visits from some of our favorite people: Ken's best friend and business partner who lives in Australia will be here for a few weeks with his fiancee and their combined children, along with my favorite sister Shelley who will be here for the baby and McKay, Amanda and Macy will make an appearance at the end of the month. We're so excited to see everyone and can't wait to party!
Chelsy's Missionary Email
This week has been a emotional roller coaster. We will start with the good first. We had 3 convert baptisms and 1 child of record baptism on Wed, confirmed Sunday. Nate, Joy and Josh were baptized. It was an amazing event, even though the water was not quite knee deep (on Pres Riner). There was quite the turn out too, 50+ people and a lot were less actives/non members.We have talked with Pres Riner and they are going to see about starting a YM program by the first of the year. We will be starting the new member lessons this week.
Danny, was not able to be baptized this week cause he is still smoking. He was able to give up hard drugs and coffee but smoking is still causing him trouble. We tried to extend a new date on Sunday but it wasnt the right time. He doesnt really think he can give up smoking. Why is smoking harder to give up than drugs? We couldnt get out to see him last week, but not for the lack of trying. He was busy busy this week. We will be going out to see him this week to continue his lessons. He is still making progress, he came to church yesterday with his beard trimmed and cleaned up. Almost didnt recognize him.
Cheryl is doing good. As of Saturday she had been clean for exactly one week. She still has not come to church but is attending ARP. Im not exactly sure what to do with her next. Probably start re-teaching her the lessons.
I have to admit I am extremely nervous for tomorrow. Not quite sure how I feel about getting a new companion. But I will ETTE, i have to. Sad news :,( my SD card decided it wanted to be mean and delete EVERY picture I had taken since I left the Fresno Airport and Sister Miner lost hers. So at this moment the only pictures we have of our 3 transfers together are the ones I have previously sent home and all those taken since wed. :( oh well, its life....
Dont know if I will be able to email again before Christmas so MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!! and hopefully I will get to email you again before the new year.
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<3 span="span"> Love always
Sister Boggs
Chelsy and Mr. Snowman
Chelsy with her new companion, Sister Kalani
Mica's Missionary Email
Well, it wasn't the most exciting week. About 3 weeks ago we had about 9 progressing investigators and now we have 2. Kinda. We've no idea what's happened. We're working on it. Paciência. Anyway, I'll be skyping home on Christmas at 11am YOUR TIME. It'll be 7pm here and we'll get about 30-40ish minutes. Definitely not long enough. I would suggest that you use Jennifer's or Thomas' computer to do Skype because your computer is a bit stupid with the sound and video chat. I might need their skype usernames too. just tell me who/which username to call and be ready on the receiving end. =) Yesterday we went to a member's birthday party. His name is Thomas and he's the secretary for the ward. He turned 45. He's super nice and was one of the first people to remember my name. So after church the more active members of the church went over to his house and ate, enjoyed each others company, and ate some more. Foi bom! Someone made a Jesus cake and no one had the heart to cut up nosso Salvador, haha. So we cut all around it, but finally one little girl wanted to eat the hand of Jesus. I'm glad it was the innocence of child that started the cannibalism. =) On Saturday we had a our ward christmas party. It was more of a weird cultural talent show than christmas related. Our ward is awesome, awkward, and very funny. =) The first person was an old woman who has a severe problem with shaking, so it always sounds like she's singing opera, but she can't help it. She read a two page poem! haha! then her husband did some magic tricks that no one could see and he totally could have burned the church down. ha, portuguese people. =) and the whole time the announcer guy was saying " Fantástico!" It was very fun. After that there was a teenager who played the titanic song on a recorder flute thing. He did a really good job =). These people are amazing. Well I have to leave. I need to write president. I love you! See you in a week! Work hard! Merry Christmas!
Love, -Irmã Duran =)
Mica and her companion with Silvino - he was baptized on December 23rd
On Christmas day we gathered at Jennifer and Jeremy's house to skype with Mica who is serving a mission in Portugal. She gets one 40 minute phone call home at Christmas and one phone call on Mother's Day. It was so great to see her looking so well. It took about an hour to troubleshoot her computer issues, we were all worried that it might not work out - skype can be tricky sometimes! And Portugal is one the entire other side of the world! But it all worked out in the end. Jeremy had a great set up for us - surround sound speakers, projector, and laptop. It was sweet. This was the first time our entire family has been "together" since moving Marcos and Melody into their new house last summer!
Mica had a great Christmas dinner with an LDS family - they served a traditional American meal instead of the traditional Portugal meal which is loaded with fish (Mica is not a fan of fish).
