Missionary Christmas Parties

Because our mission is large and spread out we have to divide into two groups for the Christmas party. Last year we only went to the one where we live but because we are so short on couples right now we went to both parties and it was fun to see many missionaries that used to be in our zone and are now on the "other side". It was fun to see these two "brothers" back together. Elders Blackham and Park were here when we first got here and they were the first of our "adopted family"!

They are both great guys, Elder Blackham is now an AP and Elder Park is a zone leader. We are so proud of them.

 The two sisters at the end of the table, Sister Tauiliili in red, and Sister Naldoza in the grey sweater used to live next door to us and have left us now, so good to see them again.

This large group are just half our missionaries. In this they are holding up a gift that some parent sent for every missionary.

A nice dinner was served and they love good food! Elder Heinrich ( in the red tie) is another of our favorite sons. We have sooo many "Favorites"!!

Two more, Elders Morgan and Salvania  great missionaries

Sister Martino orders "snow" from the US and everyone gets a cup full and they throw it in the air for a "white Christmas". The missionaries have a ball throwing it until it all melts

It's even slick like snow.

Each zone makes decorations for the tree.

Sister Biteriti ( in blue) is from Christmas Island. She is the sister of the family that lived right by us there and Elder Moser baptized her brother-in-law and two children. The other sister is Sister Latimer.

Sister Rose is from the same ward in Utah as my niece Rhonda.

The second group holding up their ties and necklaces sent by the same parent 

Lastly we had our zone Christmas party at our house. Elder Conrow was really happy to get a burrito and REAL cheese!

They drew names and had a gift exchange

I read the condensed book The Mansion

And of course we had a zone picture. We have lots of fun but they also work hard. They reached what seemed like an impossible goal for the year. We love these Elders and Sisters.