Happy New Year!

Hey, Everyone!

So, Christmas was awesome!  Z's baptism was the perfect way to end the day and it went so well surprisingly stress-free.  I suppose that's because in the past we've had to do all the planning and setting up, but the ward did all of that this time.  It was just amazing.  What a great gift for Z to give Christ on His birthday!

Currently we are teaching two boys by the names of Je and t.  They come from a PM family and they have mentioned every time we visit that they want to be baptized.  So right now we are working to get to know their mom and getting permission from her to let them be baptized.  I think she will let them soon enough.  Our ward mission leader has been working with her and the boys for several months.

We are also visiting a lady named J.  She told us last time we visited that she knows the BOM to be true (she's read the whole thing), but she still struggles with Joseph Smith.  She is progressing though.  She is attending church with her Aunt on occasion, and we're going to see if we can talk to Jessica and her aunt about attending our ward together instead of her aunt's ward.  Her aunt is a convert, so I think she will agree and realize the benefit of helping Jessica this way.  We're really excited about J.  She and her family are so awesome.

There ar several other people that we are teaching as well.  Many recent converts and less actives.  Each are amazing and I love learning about each of them and their testimonies.  So many of them have gone through struggles that I can't even imagine and it is incredible to see how they have become who they are today.

Sis. Davenport and I are also continuing to do lots of clean-up.  We're talking to each of our ward mission leaders and redefining expectations everyone has of one another, as well as brainstorming ideas for finding and working to get the wards eager to participate in missionary work.  We are also cleaning up our binders, which always seems to be a a task....Lol.

Oh, funny story.  On Christmas Eve the missionaries in our district went caroling and one of the houses we went to was one of our less actives.  So, halfway through our song, we hear giggling in the back.  After the song, Jo Ann compliemented us and she pointed to the back with a huge grin on her face and said, "and I saw you back there, Mr. Giggles".  Hehehehehehe.  We all laughed and now one of our elders has the nickname "Mr. Giggles".  We do try to regrain from calling him that though since he says in the white handbook we are only to address one another as Elder____ and Sister _______.  NO Nicknames.  Well, at least we didn't give it him!  LOL!

Ok. So to the individuals.

Mom-Yes, we do still get to work at the lights one, maybe to more times.  For New Years we have pday that day.  Today is only a half Pday.  It's as if they want us to be safe or somethin' ;-) .  I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU HAVE MY SUNBEAM CLASS!!!!  I miss them SO MUCH!!!  I wish I could just shower them in KISSES!  Oops, I"m a missionary.  NO picking up kids and no kissing them...Lol.

Dad - No, I didn't get to see the eclipse.  If I would have known about it, I would have woken up just to see it!  Lynz actually mentioned it in her last email.  I was bummed.  BUT maybe I will live another 83e years.  Who knows?  If I do, I'll think of you!

Eric-Love you!  Thanks for keeping me obedient! (even if you DID hang up on me!).  OH, any more suggestions for finding?

Corrise - Thanks so much for the package.  The cookies were great and the lip gloss is my favorite! NO lie!

Sister D'Addobbo - You were at the ligiht!  And popped out of NOWHERE!  It made my night.  Here is another 3 hugs >000.

Sister Tait - I found out that your family was in my last stake.  They weren't actually in my area, but they were in my zone.  I told the Elders there to check in on them.  Hope that's ok!  Love you!

Ok, I need to sign off now.  I love YOU ALL!!!  X 1,000,000.  I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and will continue to have a wonderful New Year!

Love,
Sister Stephens

PS - If you haven't already done so, your new year resolution coudl be to write to your favorite missionary (that's me!) more often.  Good idea right?  :-)

Sister Gina Stephens
Arizona Mesa Mission
6265 M. 82nd St.
Scottsdale, AZ 85250