14 Dec 09

I lied. Our zip code is 06611. Somehow we were given the wrong zip code. So now you
have both the new address AND the right zip code. We're going to try to find some way to check the mail at the old apartment in Fairfield, since the change-of-address forms had the wrong zip code on them too. What lameness! So if anything was sent in the last week or so it might be a while before I get it. Sorry.

This was a great week. We had planned to do an exchange with the Newport (RI) sisters on Tuesday and swap back on Wednesday at mission conference in Bloomfield. But a huge snowstorm was predicted. The Pehrsons were worried about us doing all that driving in the snow. Especially since Trumbull and Newport are almost the farthest, if not the farthest, areas from Bloomfield in the entire mission. So instead of driving to RI, the Pehrsons had the Newport sisters come out to Trumbull and blitz our area for the evening, and then that night we all drove to Bloomfield together and stayed at the mission home so we wouldn't have to drive in the morning snowstorm. It was so much fun!!! We could get twice as much done because they could go visit someone in our area while we were visiting someone else. Plus everyone (members and investigators) in Fairfield and Trumbull LOVES Sister Baird and Sister Timothy so they were really really excited to see them again. Because we stayed at the mission home we only had to drive from West Hartford to Bloomfield in the morning. And the snowstorm did turn out to be pretty bad. I was SO
grateful we only had to drive from West Hartford to Bloomfield it was a pretty scary
drive as it was, the roads weren't plowed yet. My first real Connecticut snowstorm!

Mission conference was wonderful. We had a musical Christmas program that turned out
really well. We had some trainings and then they played a slideshow that some elders made (they had all of us give them our memory cards so they could download our pictures and videos). They compiled all the photos on a CD and put the slideshow on a DVD, and the Pehrsons made copies for all of us (as in the entire mission!) that was our Christmas present. The Pehrsons are so kind! I count my blessings every single day that I have such a wonderful mission president/sister. I have heard some mission president horror stories. But the Pehrsons really are like my surrogate parents out here. They take such good care of all the missionaries but they go to extra lengths to make sure the sisters are taken care of, which is so appreciated.

I was so spoiled on my birthday!!!!! So spoiled!!! Usually we do service at a shelter on Friday mornings, but they didn't need us (which never happens), so we went to lunch at Joe's Bar and Grill which we had heard good things about. And boy did it live up to its reputation! I definitely recommend it to anyone who ever has an inkling to come out to Fairfield.

Anyway, on Friday we were also able to visit with a less-active member for the first
time. We have been leaving her notes and messages ever since August, when I first got here, and this was the first time we got in the door. That was a miracle in and of itself and Heavenly Father blessed me with so many other miracles that day. We didn't have a dinner appointment, but the elders had been invited to dinner at the ward mission leader's house. Elder Allred called and told them it was my birthday and basically weaseled out an invitation for us to come too (I did NOT tell him to do that). The ward mission leader's wife called and invited us, but we already had a teaching appointment scheduled. But then our appointment cancelled so we ended up being able to go! I love when little things like that work themselves out. Heavenly Father and everyone else really spoiled me that day. I don't deserve it. And yes, I know I am only a year away from a quarter of a century. They keep reminding me. These kids! I mean, elders. Elders!

I am so blessed. I couldn't ask for anything more except to stay here one more
transfer at least! I am in my third transfer here and everyone keeps telling me that
sisters haven't stayed in Fairfield longer than three transfers this entire year, ever since the sisters were doubled into Fairfield in January. I want to break that trend. Transfers are the week of the 27th. Everyone please pray that I don't get transferred.

Everyone enjoy your dry Utah snow. :) Merry Christmas! Love,
Sister Monson