Christmas Time is Here!

Hello one and all! It is indeed Christmas time here in the south and I have been enjoying the 60-70 degree days. It's kind of strange as it really doesn't feel like Christmas. It's supposed to be cold and family is supposed to be in town and I'm supposed to be goofing off. It's been good though. It's just a different kind of Christmas. I suppose that this Christmas I get to understand the meaning of Christmas and not just simply enjoy it. I'm working on understanding the true meaning of Christmas. It's something that the church, my parents, the scriptures, and TV specials have been trying to teach me for years but I think this year is the year I might finally get it. =)

It's been a busy, busy week. I really don't know where it went. It was just suddenly Saturday. It was kinda weird. To be honest, I kind of want my week back. There's some more stuff I wanted to do but we did get some good stuff done. We did some good service and we might have a family with some good potential. We helped them move.

I don't have much time as we need to be running to dinner. I am actually emailing you from the lovely home of the E's family who are just fantastic. Elder W is even writing his email on an iPad! (I chose the laptop to be able to type more - you're welcome Mom!)

PICTURE TIME!

This is Father B's door bell.

He's a retired Catholic priest that we visit every other week or so. He's very nice. We answer his questions and have some pretty good discussions. Missionaries have been working on him for years and years. I think about 10 or 15. He did come to church a few weeks ago which was really cool.

Sister H is the wife on the ward mission leader and we go over there for dinner about every other Thursday and she is fantastic! She made us cinnamon rolls and they are some of the best cinnamon rolls I've ever had.

I reheated this one in the microwave this morning and took a picture for y'all.

We were walking in Robertsdale and we saw this old pickup truck and noticed it was quite customized!

It was cool because it had Tow Mater painted on the side and everything.

Something I've noticed this past week was the fact that people really are searching. Our upstairs neighbors recently had their first child and we went over to congratulate them and had a very good conversation. He's looking. He said "There's got to be something out there. Right now my biggest priority is my family." We promised him that this would really help and bless his family and told him a bit how families can be together forever. We're going to teach him once things calm down and he's back from out of town. They are kept from the truth because they know not where to find it.

So let us be bold and say "Hey. Give this a try. This is something that really helps me."

Merry Christmas to all. May the love of the Savior grow in your hearts.

--
Elder Matthew Carlson