Here we go!

Hello everybody!

Well, this week was pretty good.  Thanksgiving was really good.  We got together with a member from our ward, and they took us out to lunch that day with some of their family.  Afterwards we got together and played a little bit of pool at their house and everybody just had a great time.  The member's grandson got his mission call to go to Washington D.C., and so we had the opportunity to help him set up his Missionary Portal.  He's really cool.

This week was really hard to meet with people, so as far as missionary work went, it was ok.  We were unable to meet with Michael, but with Thanksgiving and everything it's ok.  We will be going over there this week to catch up on things.  The Elder's Quorum president already has a home teacher for him too so he's in good hands.  We have an appointment with Jose tonight and we have been seeing him off and on the week.  He has been taught everything but the law of tithing.  He's living all the commandments so far, and so he is definitely on the track for baptism.  We'll probably set him with a date tonight.

This week was the last week of the transfer, and transfer calls have come!  I am staying here, so my address will remain the same. (Next transfer ends January 12).  It is weird to think that this transfer will take us into the new year!  I can't believe how fast time is going.  Also, I have officially now made it to senior companion.  I will be follow-up training a missionary named Elder Navarrete.  I don't know much about him yet, other than he's a tall redhead. :)  Elder Canzona's going to Oxnard and training a new missionary there.  Great things are going to happen this transfer, I already know it.  There are a few people that we are going to focus on, Jose being one of them.  I think that we can expect a baptism this transfer from him.  

We were talking to the Nursery leader from our ward yesterday, and she said that because Jose has a daughter, he is ineligible to attend the YSA ward.  But, the bishop seemed OK with it so we will probably talk to a member of the stake presidency about that.  When it all comes down to it, it's all about what's best for Jose. 

I don't know if I have told you about Carolann.  Carolann has been seeing missionaries for a long time.  She is a Lutheran and is such a nice lady.  She absolutely loves the missionaries and enjoys it when we come over.  Lately, she has taken a slight interest in our beliefs and agrees with much  of them.  We have been watching a lot of movies with her, including the Prophet of the Restoration, the Testaments, and we watched Joy to the World with her a few days ago.  She lives next door to two members, and they all get along really well.  A few of her friends gave her a large print triple combination and they wrote their testimonies in it.  Yesterday she told us that she has been reading the Book of Mormon and she loves it!  She doesn't want to rush things, but we hope to be able to bring her into the waters of baptism this transfer.  All in her and the Lord's time.  She and others threw a Christmas party and there was turkey, ham, macaroni & cheese, mashed potatoes, candy yams, and a lot of other good food.  There was music and we all sang Christmas songs.  It was great.

On Saturday we saw the Gold's!  It was awesome to be able to see everybody there and get a little taste of home.  Thank you so much for the package!!

I love you all so much.  Thank you for all you do.

Love, 

Elder Harper