Christmas, you guys! Christmas happened! And I lived to tell about it! How's that for wonderful news? Yeah boy! Now, we've got a LOT of catching up to do. I'll start from the start. Ish.
December 23
Sister M and I went into Warsaw with Elders Fogg and Finch (we had a Zone Sister Meeting of sorts, and Elder Fogg had legal work - poor sap). So yay for train rides! It was grand. We had a grand old time. Then we had said Zone Sister Meeting. Which was GREAT. Alex - a member in the Warsaw II branch - got home from her mission in Romania in September, so she taught us. First we talked about spiritual stuff, and that was really good. Then we had lunch, and that was really good. Then we talked about Polish, and that was really good. Fun Fact - Alex said I had a good accent. Woot WOOT! It's petty, I know, but I LOVE Polish compliments.. Then we caroled with all the Warsaw missionaries that night. It was SUPER great! It was so fun to see all my Warsaw people! I got to see Sister Wendel and Sister Tobler and Sister Pearson and Elder Blom and Elder Waskiewicz - basically, it just rocked. Oh, and Elder Fogg (because they were there for the caroling too, lucky little ducklings!) finally got to meet Elder Waskiewicz! Ah. That brought me joy. After Elder Waskiewicz wandered away, Elder Fogg was like, "So that's Elder Waskiewicz?" And I was like, "Yep! He is so hilarious, right? Isn't he fun?" And he was like, "Yeah - he seems cool." Because he IS COOL. Anyways. That was good. It was a lovely evening.
December 24
CHRISTMAS EVE! Oh, and also Zone Conference. Zone Conference was really good! We played Yankee Swap for the gift exchange (the game I hate more than any other game on the planet). So that was nice. I ended up with a teddy bear. I named him Sir Gilbert Tobias.. Elder Pieper insists on calling him Toby. We got to watch a Mormon Message featuring one RICHARD FREAKING SHARRAH, so THAT was pretty great! Ah, Kid History. How I miss thee. There were some really nice musical numbers, so those are always fun! So yeah. Zone Conference. Woo hoo! Then we boarded a train with our starsi and headed for home. It was hilarious. Such a hilarious train ride. I love these starsi. Elder Finch was asking why there aren't seat belts on trains, and Elder Gibby's all,"Because if a train gets in a crash, it wins." And we talked about elementary school and scary movies. And ate food. It was wonderful. Then we got back into Łódź, took our stuff to our apartments, and then congregated at our house until we left for Midnight Mass. That was kinda weird. It was almost like we were normal people for a little while. Because it was, like, 10 at night, and we were just chilling. Not gonna lie, I loved it. But that's alright. I'm a missionary. I love that too. Then we went to Midnight Mass, had NO idea what we were doing, and probably offended the nuns sitting behind us. Apparently they kept giving us dirty looks. Doesn't seem not overly Christ-like, but okay. I was too tired and confused to notice or care. So that was nice! Then we all went home.
December 25
CHRISTMAS! Whoa baby! I slept in! Not, like, SUPER late. But later than 6:30! Glory HALLELUJAH! It was a truly magical morning. Then Sister M and I did presents and made pancakes for breakfast and got ready and met up with Elders Fogg and Finch before heading to the Tueller's. We're lucky they're so great. We just hung out at their house all day. It was SO great. We watched Ephraim's Rescue (Elder Fogg's parents sent it to him for Christmas), and that was really fun. We also played Catch Phrase. And ate. And talked. And I got to TALK TO MY FAMILY! Hello, highlight of my whole entire life! Ah. That was great. I LOVE phone calls home. They are my favorite. And everyone sounded so good, and they cried so apparently I'm not yet forgotten, and I got to "meet" (a term I use loosely) my new brother to be, so that was really fun! Ah, what a day. It was such a great day. Really truly, honest to goodness. I couldn't be happier with the way my Christmas turned out.
December 26
We went to Prezydent Marian and Mirka's house for lunch. So we got some legit Polish Christmas. Polish Christmas lasts for two days, so for them, it was still a holiday. For missionaries, it's just a day like any other. That was weird. There were NO people on the streets. Anyways. Lunch. It was good. I'm really not a HUGE fan of Polish food (because I don't like cabbage or mushroom or fish), but it was all decent. We had bigos and potatoes and mashed yellow peas and pork and chicken noodle soup. It was lovely. It was fun to be there with all the other missionaries and Prezydent Marian and Mirka - they're lovely people. It was grand. After that we did a whiteboard with all the elders, and lemme say, Elder Finch was on one. Sometimes he gets into this REALLY hilarious mood. And it's like he's a seven year-old. I love it. For example, when his parents sent him a laser pointer for Christmas. I haven't seen him stop playing with it since. He loves that thing.
December 27
We tried contacting a referral from the office. Turns out, she wasn't interested. That was awkward of her.
December 28
Uh ... Must not have been very eventful ...
December 29
We had surprise interviews with President Edgren. That was a joy. Interviews stress me out. But it was fine - I really love President Edgren. And it was fun to talk to Sister Edgren for a while too. And just be with our starsi. I was playing the piano and Elder Pieper was picking songs for me out of the Children's Songbook, and that was really fun. Apparently Sister Edgren was recording us with her iPad? I feel like that's weird, but sure. Do whatever your heart desires, Sister Edgren! And then she made us all sing together - the elders weren't huge into that. But they did it, and I was proud of them. According to what I've heard from sources who shall remain nameless, they're putting in another set of elders in Łódź next transfer, so there will be 10 total missionaries. That is CRAZY. There are going to be a GAZILLION missionaries in this town! Also, the sisters are moving apartments. We got the keys to the new mieszkanie this morning, and we're probably moving later this week. Pretty crazy stuff!
So yep. That just about covers it. Transfers are next Sunday, so, naturally, I'm already freaking out. Because that's how I roll. It's marvelous. Also, we're having Culture Night on Thursday. And New Years is happening. And on Saturday Elder Finch and Elder Fogg have a baptism! YAY! We're in for a good week. Slash stressful slash long slash crazy. That's the basic plan.
Much love! And an extra special thanks to everyone who's sent Christmas cards or packages - it is MUCH appreciated! Thank you SO SO MUCH! I hope you all had an amazing Christmas, and have a great New Years this week, and I'll talk to you all on Monday!
Siostra Young
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