Dear Family and Friends,
I hope all of you had a very merry Christmas. Mine was filled with great joy because I got to talk to the family! It was great to hear from them and all the good things that are happening back home. We spent Christmas Eve at some members home. We had a really good dinner and then got to play with the 7 children that were there. One of the brothers of the ward brought his guitar and we sang Christmas songs. It made me think of Uncle Nolan and how he would sometimes play for us during the holidays. The family whose house we were at gave us some lip gloss and a box of chocolate macadamia nuts. We were really excited about them.
On Christmas we opened presents from our families, friends and each other. My companion made me a picture calendar and a little book of quotes. Both were very nicely done. I loved them! We then went to breakfast at a member’s home. We had breakfast casserole. It was very good. We then watched Christmas with the Kranks. (We are allowed to watch movies on Christmas.) We then watched Santa Clause 2. While I was watching it my companion was calling her family. We then went over to another member’s home for Christmas dinner. We ate and saw all the children’s new toys. By the time I had finished eating it was my turn to call my family.
I was shocked to hear Todd’s voice when the phone was answered. My Dad and Todd had arranged for him to come home. It was a great surprise to talk to him. I cried the most when I talked to Hunter. I could barely talk to him because it was hard to hold back my emotions. He is getting so big and talking a lot. I was happy that he told me about the snow because it was 75 degrees in Florida and I got three mosquito bits while talking to the family!
After my phone call we went back over to the first people’s house we were at. We watched Santa Clause 3. We than went home and cleaned up the apartment for the evening. The ward was very generous to us and we got a lot of gift cards for food from different people in the ward. We also got some supplies to write home with! The best gift of all though was being able to serve the Savior at this time of year. The great thing is that I will probably get to be on my mission for next years Christmas as well.
Our lesson this Sunday was on “Finding Joy in the Journey.” This is a talk given by President Monson. Sister Anderton and I actually read this together in companionship study a few days earlier. I love this talk. It talks about how we are to endure to the end. Time is very precious and it is something that we will never get back. Take every minute and live it to the fullest. If you dwell on the positive, than your life will be much happier. The talk says “Not every cloud brings rain.” When a new opportunity comes your way, jump for joy at the possibilities that it can bring with it. When things don’t go as planned, remember that you can still be happy! Happiness is a choice not a circumstance!!!
In sacrament there was a musical number. Two men and two women sang “O, Holy Night.” A lady played the piano and another lady played the bassoon. It made me think of Michele. It was a beautiful number. The spirit was really strong. We have a very good ward. The High Counselor spoke about enduring to the end as well. He said that it is part of our baptismal covenants. If you read in Mosiah 18:8-10 it says something to the effect of how we must do certain things even until the end. This is talking about enduring or enjoying life to the end. Who knows when the end will be but when it comes I want to be standing tall!
The time is going by so fast. Next year when I call for Christmas I will only have about 6 weeks left in my mission. I am so thankful for this experience. I have learned a lot and I know that I would not have learned these things at home. I love the Lord. I know that He lives and that He loves us very much! I know that Joseph Smith restored this gospel and that it is now blessing millions of lives everywhere. I know that we have a living prophet today. I know that he talks to God and that it is through divine revelation that He leads His church. I hope all of you will become missionaries where ever you are at. A good part of missionary work is done through the members. I know that life is hard but if we can stay positive and moving forward we will be greatly blessed.
I love you all and wish you all the best. Have a great New Year. Resolve this year to be a little more Christlike and to change your hearts to become His servant.
Love,
Sister Comte
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Merry Christmas!
Dear Family and Friends,
Jody's Mission has posted a Christmas blog for the holiday. There is a video and picture where Jody can be seen. Jody is in Zone 3. Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas!
Tampa Florida Mission Blog
-Sam
Jody's Mission has posted a Christmas blog for the holiday. There is a video and picture where Jody can be seen. Jody is in Zone 3. Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas!
Tampa Florida Mission Blog
-Sam
Monday, December 22, 2008
December 22nd Email
Hi
It has been another great week with lots to tell you all. Christmas is fast approaching. There are so many festivities going on that it is fun!!! I am still loving my area and my companion. We learn a lot from each other. I love her so much!
On Thursday we went to Christmas Zone Conference. It was wonderful. It went on all day but it was so good. We had missionaries from 3 stakes there. The stake presidents came and talked to us. One of them mentioned the scripture D&C 88:84. He said "I don't know how often we miss the angels." I know that there are angels all around us that we do not recognize. The same man told us that this life/mission is our change to be on the Lord's finest team.
Our stake president is actually from our ward, so I know him from church. He has a very strong testimony. He told us that our purpose was not to help people but to turn them to someone that could help them eternally.
The last stake president stake president said some really great things as well. The one I liked the best was "D&C:4 Not just a memory test but a way of living"
Sister Colton, the presidents wife, gave a great talk on the Touch of the Master's hand. She talked about the carpenter from Galilee and then gave all of us an ornament from the Holy Land. The ornament is made out of olive wood and is of the nativity! She also said "we are always changing, the test is to change for the better."
President Colton talked to us about reading the Book Of Mormon. The most touching part of his talk was the end. Every Christmas Eve he would play his harmonica for his children so that they would go to sleep. So once again for his children, his missionaries, he pulled out his harmonica and played for us Silent Night. I cried though the whole thing.
We then had the opportunity to bear our testimonies. I wanted to go up but there were so many missionaries that I couldn't get up. Here are some of the things that were said. One Elder talked about when people come home from war they are asked who they were fighting for? When we get home we want to be able to say we were fighting for the man next to us so that he might be able to return home to His Savior. Our Savior is also fighting for us because the worth of one soul is so great. Someone else said "To have a fullness of joy, we need to have a fullness of life." One elder recounted a story of seeing his brother come home from his mission. The first thing the brother did was say a prayer with his family. This elder was impressed that his brothers prayers had changed while on his mission. His brother said "my prayers haven't changed, I just realized who I was talking too."
An elder recited a poem about a mirror and then referred it to our own lives. We all have light in our lives. We need to be a mirror and reflect that light into dark places.
Another elder told us that he was a product of the BOM. I want the BOM to change my life and become the product of it as well.
The computer keeps kicking me off and I haven't know written this email three or four times. So I am going to hurry and pray that it doesn't do it again. Yesterday's church service was wonderful. I sang with the choir. They sang the Silent Night Cantata that my home ward has sung for years. Someone said in the meeting "Be someones Christmas gift by being Christlike." I really liked that.
We visited with a recent convert yesterday. She is having a lot of health problems. She said to us "Strength comes from experience." This is why we go through trials; so that we can have strength when the end of days come.
One of my dear friends in the North Port ward died yesterday night. She joined the church in June and soon there after was re diagnosed with breast cancer. This was her second time with the disease. She was a sweet dear lady and she will defiantly be missed. It is amazing to know that she had the gospel in her last months of life and this changed her whole outlook. She wasn't afraid to die because she knew the plan.
I LOVE YOU ALL!!!! Have a very merry Christmas. Let us all remember the true meaning of this Holiday Season!
Love
Sister Comte
P.S. We went to a boat parade this weekend. This is defiantly a Florida thing. People decorated their boats with lights and then go along the coast line with them. It was neat to see the palm trees, dolphins jumping over the boat, and Santa Shark. They don't have lights like these in Utah!
It has been another great week with lots to tell you all. Christmas is fast approaching. There are so many festivities going on that it is fun!!! I am still loving my area and my companion. We learn a lot from each other. I love her so much!
On Thursday we went to Christmas Zone Conference. It was wonderful. It went on all day but it was so good. We had missionaries from 3 stakes there. The stake presidents came and talked to us. One of them mentioned the scripture D&C 88:84. He said "I don't know how often we miss the angels." I know that there are angels all around us that we do not recognize. The same man told us that this life/mission is our change to be on the Lord's finest team.
Our stake president is actually from our ward, so I know him from church. He has a very strong testimony. He told us that our purpose was not to help people but to turn them to someone that could help them eternally.
The last stake president stake president said some really great things as well. The one I liked the best was "D&C:4 Not just a memory test but a way of living"
Sister Colton, the presidents wife, gave a great talk on the Touch of the Master's hand. She talked about the carpenter from Galilee and then gave all of us an ornament from the Holy Land. The ornament is made out of olive wood and is of the nativity! She also said "we are always changing, the test is to change for the better."
President Colton talked to us about reading the Book Of Mormon. The most touching part of his talk was the end. Every Christmas Eve he would play his harmonica for his children so that they would go to sleep. So once again for his children, his missionaries, he pulled out his harmonica and played for us Silent Night. I cried though the whole thing.
We then had the opportunity to bear our testimonies. I wanted to go up but there were so many missionaries that I couldn't get up. Here are some of the things that were said. One Elder talked about when people come home from war they are asked who they were fighting for? When we get home we want to be able to say we were fighting for the man next to us so that he might be able to return home to His Savior. Our Savior is also fighting for us because the worth of one soul is so great. Someone else said "To have a fullness of joy, we need to have a fullness of life." One elder recounted a story of seeing his brother come home from his mission. The first thing the brother did was say a prayer with his family. This elder was impressed that his brothers prayers had changed while on his mission. His brother said "my prayers haven't changed, I just realized who I was talking too."
An elder recited a poem about a mirror and then referred it to our own lives. We all have light in our lives. We need to be a mirror and reflect that light into dark places.
Another elder told us that he was a product of the BOM. I want the BOM to change my life and become the product of it as well.
The computer keeps kicking me off and I haven't know written this email three or four times. So I am going to hurry and pray that it doesn't do it again. Yesterday's church service was wonderful. I sang with the choir. They sang the Silent Night Cantata that my home ward has sung for years. Someone said in the meeting "Be someones Christmas gift by being Christlike." I really liked that.
We visited with a recent convert yesterday. She is having a lot of health problems. She said to us "Strength comes from experience." This is why we go through trials; so that we can have strength when the end of days come.
One of my dear friends in the North Port ward died yesterday night. She joined the church in June and soon there after was re diagnosed with breast cancer. This was her second time with the disease. She was a sweet dear lady and she will defiantly be missed. It is amazing to know that she had the gospel in her last months of life and this changed her whole outlook. She wasn't afraid to die because she knew the plan.
I LOVE YOU ALL!!!! Have a very merry Christmas. Let us all remember the true meaning of this Holiday Season!
Love
Sister Comte
P.S. We went to a boat parade this weekend. This is defiantly a Florida thing. People decorated their boats with lights and then go along the coast line with them. It was neat to see the palm trees, dolphins jumping over the boat, and Santa Shark. They don't have lights like these in Utah!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
December 15th Email
Dear Family and Friends,
It has been another busy week for me here in Florida! Monday was my last day in North Port. For my last day we went to the Fisherman's village. It is down by a river and is a collection of souvenir stores. It was fun to see all the Christmas stuff!
After the little village my companion and I went to say goodbye to a few people. First off was the Cuevas Family. I have really grown close to this family so it was really hard to say goodbye. I cried my eyes out of course. Then we went and said goodbye to Pam Johnson. She was the first person I met in that ward but at the time I meet her she wasn't a member. She was baptized on September 6. She is now one of the strongest members down there. She is amazing!
Tuesday was transfer day. It was so hard to say goodbye to North Port and the sisters that I had grown close to down there. But as soon as I saw Sister Anderton my fears disappeared. She is my new companion. I love her so much. I served around her for the first three months of my mission and we went on exchanges once. We get along pretty well. I actually had a class with her at BYU (my DAP class).
Seminole is beautiful. You have to go over this really cool bridge to get here. It is kind of scary but neat at the same time. This city is very festive. It seems that everyone decorates for Christmas here.
Wednesday we taught a man who isn't really interested in the church but wants us to answer all of his questions. It is hard to know things out of the Bible. But I am managing. The spirit gives me all the things I need to say. We went that evening to a place where there are a lot of lights. Almost every house was focused on the nativity. You don't have to pay to go through but they do ask for donations to Hospice. It was well worth the dollar donation we gave them.
Friday night was the Christmas Party for this ward. I have never been to a party like this before. We helped frost cookies with the children. We share the ward with Elders and they helped make ornaments with the kids. They had two pinatas. And of course, Santa came. There are 750 members in this ward. It needs to be split but there is only really one logical way to split it and the one side does not have enough worthy Priesthood holders to run a ward. So for now it will stay the same. There were 10 turkeys made and 3 were left by the end. The food was amazing.
Before I came out one of my co-workers from Mail Services was moving out to Tampa for law school. He told me that him and his wife would feed me if I was ever in their ward. Sisters only have five areas to serve in so I knew that I would probably never serve in his area. At the party I saw him. He is in this ward. We had a really good time reminiscing about the good times at work. It was fun to see someone I know!
On Saturday we went down to North Port for Caitlin Ridgeway's baptism. I was so glad that we got a ride to go. We had to post pone her baptism because she was sick. It was a wonderful day though. The spirit was really strong. I gave a talk to the Holy Ghost. I thought it was good. Her mother was so happy that I was there. She is a really sweet girl. The missionaries that were there sang "Walk Tall, You're a daughter." I cried as I looked into the eyes of this daughter of God. She said thank you after we were done singing.
Yesterday was also long. We went to church and all of our meetings and then went to a baptism afterwards. A little boy in the ward was baptized. We were put in charge of the food. It was really neat to see this little boy be baptized by his father.
We then went to a Christmas Choral Fireside. It was beautiful. I know that Grandma would have liked it. It was a stake fireside so it was great to see the talent of everyone.
We also went and saw this week I really cool light show. The lights go to the song "Carol of the Bells" done by Trans Siberian Orchestra. It was really cool.
Well, my time is up. I love you all. I hope all of you have a Merry Christmas. Thanks for all the love and support you give me. I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love
Sister Comte
It has been another busy week for me here in Florida! Monday was my last day in North Port. For my last day we went to the Fisherman's village. It is down by a river and is a collection of souvenir stores. It was fun to see all the Christmas stuff!
After the little village my companion and I went to say goodbye to a few people. First off was the Cuevas Family. I have really grown close to this family so it was really hard to say goodbye. I cried my eyes out of course. Then we went and said goodbye to Pam Johnson. She was the first person I met in that ward but at the time I meet her she wasn't a member. She was baptized on September 6. She is now one of the strongest members down there. She is amazing!
Tuesday was transfer day. It was so hard to say goodbye to North Port and the sisters that I had grown close to down there. But as soon as I saw Sister Anderton my fears disappeared. She is my new companion. I love her so much. I served around her for the first three months of my mission and we went on exchanges once. We get along pretty well. I actually had a class with her at BYU (my DAP class).
Seminole is beautiful. You have to go over this really cool bridge to get here. It is kind of scary but neat at the same time. This city is very festive. It seems that everyone decorates for Christmas here.
Wednesday we taught a man who isn't really interested in the church but wants us to answer all of his questions. It is hard to know things out of the Bible. But I am managing. The spirit gives me all the things I need to say. We went that evening to a place where there are a lot of lights. Almost every house was focused on the nativity. You don't have to pay to go through but they do ask for donations to Hospice. It was well worth the dollar donation we gave them.
Friday night was the Christmas Party for this ward. I have never been to a party like this before. We helped frost cookies with the children. We share the ward with Elders and they helped make ornaments with the kids. They had two pinatas. And of course, Santa came. There are 750 members in this ward. It needs to be split but there is only really one logical way to split it and the one side does not have enough worthy Priesthood holders to run a ward. So for now it will stay the same. There were 10 turkeys made and 3 were left by the end. The food was amazing.
Before I came out one of my co-workers from Mail Services was moving out to Tampa for law school. He told me that him and his wife would feed me if I was ever in their ward. Sisters only have five areas to serve in so I knew that I would probably never serve in his area. At the party I saw him. He is in this ward. We had a really good time reminiscing about the good times at work. It was fun to see someone I know!
On Saturday we went down to North Port for Caitlin Ridgeway's baptism. I was so glad that we got a ride to go. We had to post pone her baptism because she was sick. It was a wonderful day though. The spirit was really strong. I gave a talk to the Holy Ghost. I thought it was good. Her mother was so happy that I was there. She is a really sweet girl. The missionaries that were there sang "Walk Tall, You're a daughter." I cried as I looked into the eyes of this daughter of God. She said thank you after we were done singing.
Yesterday was also long. We went to church and all of our meetings and then went to a baptism afterwards. A little boy in the ward was baptized. We were put in charge of the food. It was really neat to see this little boy be baptized by his father.
We then went to a Christmas Choral Fireside. It was beautiful. I know that Grandma would have liked it. It was a stake fireside so it was great to see the talent of everyone.
We also went and saw this week I really cool light show. The lights go to the song "Carol of the Bells" done by Trans Siberian Orchestra. It was really cool.
Well, my time is up. I love you all. I hope all of you have a Merry Christmas. Thanks for all the love and support you give me. I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love
Sister Comte
Monday, December 8, 2008
December 8th Email
Hi
Christmastime is here! Even though it is 80 degrees outside and there is no snow, we still can put up our tree and remember our Saviors birth. I am really excited to be here during Christmas. It is such a different experience to be here rather than in Utah.
Alot has happened since I last emailed. The biggest thing is that I am getting transfered. I am going to a place called Seminole. It is near Clearwater which can be found on a map of Florida pretty easily. It is on the little penisula off of Florida. I will be serving with Sister Anderton. I am really excited but sad to leave North Port. I have grown so close to some of the people here and it is hard to say good-bye.
This last week, my companion and I and the Port Charlotte sisters decided to go caroling. We first started out at the mall. But decided that singing to all the people on smoke break was not ideal. Also they had really loud music blarring from the speakers above us. So we went to Wal-Mart. When we got there we saw a family that we know. They are not members but the dad helps alot with scouts and they love the missionaries. The mom has Parkinsons disease. They were just leaving the store. The mom stayed at the front while the dad, the daughter and the granddaughter got into the car. As we started to sing we saw this dear lady singing along with us. She was so excited to hear us. When the dad finally pulled up with the car, I tried to help get her into the car. It took us probably 10 minutes to get her in. It was sad to see them struggle but great to see the love that was shared in those moments. It was also neat to see how peoples entire continence changed as they heard us singing. It was alot of fun and the spirit was really strong!
On Thursday night we found out about transfers. We normally don't find out until Saturday morning but my companion got information from someone. So on Friday I decided I better ride the bike for one of the last times. Seminole is an all car area. We rode out to one of our appointments and then decided we would ride to a less active families home. We thought that there home was much closer and soon rode about 3 miles just to get to their house. It was crazy. I thought my little legs would fall off. By the time we had biked home we had biked at least 12 miles. I was so tired after that. But I was really proud of my self that I didn't fall once. I have come along ways since my first time on a bike!!!
Our ward Christmas Party was this weekend. We had alot of fun. Santa came and we all asked him for a call home for Christmas. They had asked different families to set up different tables for the dinner. It was neat to see how the tables were decorated so differently! The four sisters that are down here sang a rendition of the Twelve Days of Christmas. I will send it later as an attachment! It was alot of fun. The food was amazing, even though as a missionary you don't get much time to eat because you are to busy talking to everyone. You know me though I would rather be talking than eating! We had alot of inactives and non-members there so it was really good! We thought that there would be plenty of leftovers but there wasn't. That is always a good sign.
I loved the Christmas devotional yesterday. The messages were truly inspired. I am glad I got to see it. The decorations were beautiful! I want to wish you all a very merry holiday season. I love you all!
Love
Sister Comte
Christmastime is here! Even though it is 80 degrees outside and there is no snow, we still can put up our tree and remember our Saviors birth. I am really excited to be here during Christmas. It is such a different experience to be here rather than in Utah.
Alot has happened since I last emailed. The biggest thing is that I am getting transfered. I am going to a place called Seminole. It is near Clearwater which can be found on a map of Florida pretty easily. It is on the little penisula off of Florida. I will be serving with Sister Anderton. I am really excited but sad to leave North Port. I have grown so close to some of the people here and it is hard to say good-bye.
This last week, my companion and I and the Port Charlotte sisters decided to go caroling. We first started out at the mall. But decided that singing to all the people on smoke break was not ideal. Also they had really loud music blarring from the speakers above us. So we went to Wal-Mart. When we got there we saw a family that we know. They are not members but the dad helps alot with scouts and they love the missionaries. The mom has Parkinsons disease. They were just leaving the store. The mom stayed at the front while the dad, the daughter and the granddaughter got into the car. As we started to sing we saw this dear lady singing along with us. She was so excited to hear us. When the dad finally pulled up with the car, I tried to help get her into the car. It took us probably 10 minutes to get her in. It was sad to see them struggle but great to see the love that was shared in those moments. It was also neat to see how peoples entire continence changed as they heard us singing. It was alot of fun and the spirit was really strong!
On Thursday night we found out about transfers. We normally don't find out until Saturday morning but my companion got information from someone. So on Friday I decided I better ride the bike for one of the last times. Seminole is an all car area. We rode out to one of our appointments and then decided we would ride to a less active families home. We thought that there home was much closer and soon rode about 3 miles just to get to their house. It was crazy. I thought my little legs would fall off. By the time we had biked home we had biked at least 12 miles. I was so tired after that. But I was really proud of my self that I didn't fall once. I have come along ways since my first time on a bike!!!
Our ward Christmas Party was this weekend. We had alot of fun. Santa came and we all asked him for a call home for Christmas. They had asked different families to set up different tables for the dinner. It was neat to see how the tables were decorated so differently! The four sisters that are down here sang a rendition of the Twelve Days of Christmas. I will send it later as an attachment! It was alot of fun. The food was amazing, even though as a missionary you don't get much time to eat because you are to busy talking to everyone. You know me though I would rather be talking than eating! We had alot of inactives and non-members there so it was really good! We thought that there would be plenty of leftovers but there wasn't. That is always a good sign.
I loved the Christmas devotional yesterday. The messages were truly inspired. I am glad I got to see it. The decorations were beautiful! I want to wish you all a very merry holiday season. I love you all!
Love
Sister Comte
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
December 2nd Email
Hi
It has been another great week in Florida. The sun is shining and the weather is wonderful. Last week was Thanksgiving. We had dinner at a members home. The food was amazing!! We are allowed to watch movies on Thanksgiving. We watched Bridge to Terabithia, The Last Mimzy, Emma Smith, and Kung Fu Panda. I loved Emma Smith and Kung Fu Panda. All of you should watch Emma Smith. It is amazing. We also watched the Macey's Parade! It was a great day!!!
The girl that was to baptized this weekend got really sick. She was unable to be baptized because of her illness. Hopefully we can carry on with it this weekend. It actually gives us more time to talk to her cousin and see if he will be baptized. And maybe we could get her mom ready as well.
Yesterday was Scrub Day. We cleaned all day long. It took me 3 and a half hours to clean out our kitchen. Hopefully we pass our cleaning checks. We then spent time with the other sisters. It was a great day to get everything in order.
Six weeks have come and gone. It is time for transfers again. I don't know if I will be staying in North Port or not. I am a little nervous and excited at the same time. I have enjoyed Sister Harash.
Not much else is happening except for knocking doors. I hope everyone is looking forward to Christmas! I know that I am!!
Love
Sister Comte
It has been another great week in Florida. The sun is shining and the weather is wonderful. Last week was Thanksgiving. We had dinner at a members home. The food was amazing!! We are allowed to watch movies on Thanksgiving. We watched Bridge to Terabithia, The Last Mimzy, Emma Smith, and Kung Fu Panda. I loved Emma Smith and Kung Fu Panda. All of you should watch Emma Smith. It is amazing. We also watched the Macey's Parade! It was a great day!!!
The girl that was to baptized this weekend got really sick. She was unable to be baptized because of her illness. Hopefully we can carry on with it this weekend. It actually gives us more time to talk to her cousin and see if he will be baptized. And maybe we could get her mom ready as well.
Yesterday was Scrub Day. We cleaned all day long. It took me 3 and a half hours to clean out our kitchen. Hopefully we pass our cleaning checks. We then spent time with the other sisters. It was a great day to get everything in order.
Six weeks have come and gone. It is time for transfers again. I don't know if I will be staying in North Port or not. I am a little nervous and excited at the same time. I have enjoyed Sister Harash.
Not much else is happening except for knocking doors. I hope everyone is looking forward to Christmas! I know that I am!!
Love
Sister Comte
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