Week 18: I Had A Blue Christmas (the colour not the emotion, it was a fantastic Christmas)

Merry Christmas two days late everyone! I hope you had a fantastic time with your families and loved ones celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ (or whichever holiday you celebrate). I hope it was full of laughter and love for those things that matter most.

Thursday we had District Meeting. Since I'm the District Leader, I get to plan these meetings and this was my first planned one and it didn't go terrible! Hooray! We had some good laughs and just helped each other figure out ways forward with missionary work for the new year. In the words of a good friend of mine in Birmingham, "it was good fun" (I'm looking at you secret companion. You know who you are.) Then Elder Allen and I were on exchange and we went caroling around the village of one of the members here. It was a really fun experience and we were well received by most. A lot of people kept trying to give us money and then were confused when we declined and even more confused when we offered them chocolate. It was really uplifting and just a classic feel good, light the world Christmas event. 

We then had a Skype call with the leadership in the zone which was also fun. Technology is amazing. 

Saturday  was most likely full of very good things and good missionary moments and joy, but I'm not in front of my journal right now so I couldn't tell you what happened if I tried. I'm now vaguely recalling that we knocked on the doors of many old people and they were all not interested. But hey, at least now we know they're not interested. 

Sunday was Christmas Eve! We had a Carol Service for church and right as we we walked into church, the branch presidents handed me a story and asked if I would read it for the program. I love impromptu speaking assignments so I naturally said yes and it went well (or I'm being lied to by the people who attended. I'm going with the first one). It was a really lovely service and it just filled my soul with joy as we sang carols. I think there's a special spirit that accompanies music, especially hymns. I'm grateful for music and the role it plays in our lives and for the emotion and spirit they convey. After the service, we had hot drinks and mince pies. I quite like mince pies and it was a nice little social gathering after the service. The best part of the whole thing was we had over 10 people there who weren't members! 6 of them are our neighbors! It was a miracle. That's 10 more people than we've had visit our church for the past 6 weeks! All credit goes to our other neighbors who belong to our church who sent out the invites. We went around later that evening and gave the neighbors who came cookies and said thanks for coming (because we're technically their neighbors too) and we were invited in one of their houses! We had a really good chat and we got to know each other a bit and we might be joining them and the Mawlams (the neighbors we know) for a walk through the forest tomorrow? I'm pumped, I love forest walks. 

That evening I opened one of the parcels I got because it said open on Christmas eve and it was Christmas pajamas! Thanks grandma and grandpa Evans! This is where the companion comic happens though. They said wash before wear but since it was Christmas Eve I didn't have the time and so I just wore. I found out why the next morning when I had a slight blue tint to my skin. I just looked a little pale and cold, but other than that it was all good! They're comfy pajamas though. I will wash before the next wear though :-)

Christmas Day! Thanks to all those who sent gifts and letters. You are all way too kind and way too good hearted. I love all of you regardless of if you sent anything or not. 

Speaking of gifts, well played. I applaud you. My mother somehow orchestrated a photo book comprised of pictures of many different friends and family holding a merry Christmas sign. That is one of the best gifts I've ever  gotten and I will cherish it forever. Thank you. 

Anyways, we spent Christmas dinner at the branch presidents house with 15 of his family members, direct and extended. It was such a wonderful time and a wonderful meal. I was given a t-shirt from my favorite anime as a present. They're such a cool family. Really wonderful people. 

I got to Skype my family. That was a mix of emotions but mostly joy. It was so good to hear their voices and see their faces. I can't believe it's been four months since I've been gone. While I do miss my family, especially this season, during that call I had a strong feeling that this is where I need to be right now. Im grateful for a family that supports me in my efforts and for a God that does the same and then some.

British word of the week: Boxing Day - this ones a stretch but bear with me. It's a holiday where people are basically lazy. It's basically what we do in the states the day after Christmas anyways, they just have a special name for it. 

British food of the week: tea ring - basically a giant cinnamon roll; made by the amazing neighbor Sister Mawlam and delivered to our doorstep the night before the night before Christmas eve. 

Scripture of the week: 3 Nephi 1:13-14

Thank you for all your love and support and for the Christmas cards and emails. I'm going to do my best to get back to them all today, but we've been running around all day so if I don't get to it today, it will happen next Wednesday. I love you all and have a happy New Year! Know that I'm doing well out here in England and that God is still a God of miracles. Sorry I was a bit scatterbrained in the email but thanks for bearing with me. 

Love, 

Elder McKinley 

The shirt, the traditional gift pic, the infamous pjs, and the traditional Apple pie and chicken tenders on Christmas morning.