Thanksgiving and the Kirtland Temple

Hi Mama!

Happy (almost) December!! I got the photos from Thanksgiving—thanks for sharing!  Oh, I just love you all so much. It's so good to hear that everyone is doing well--family and also MC/etc. Tell everyone hello for me!

Thanksgiving here was grand. I got to take a nap (!!) before our lunch appointment, which was much needed :) then we had a meal with Sister Davis, a member of the branch, her sister Betty, and Betty's son and grandson. Sister Davis is an incredibly lady, and I look up to her so much. She is so sweet and faithful and always feeds us great food :) We went straight from that  appointment to dinner with the Dicksons—a less active family. What's great about that appointment is Sister Dickson called and invited us herself! We stopped by awhile back and
didn't think anything came of it--until she invited us to dinner for Thanksgiving. Her family is great, and we had a LOT of great food that day. :)

Zone Conference on Monday was amaaaaazing. Our first meeting was in the Kirtland Temple (!!). Pretty amazing in and of itself. We are so blessed to have that unique opportunity. :) President and Sister Vellinga spoke to us, as well as the Edmans (VC directors--speaking of which, we're getting new ones in January--there was an announcement about it in the Church News a few weeks ago--did you see it??) and the stake presidents of the Kirtland and Akron stakes. They are all such wonderful, loving people and leaders. They gave us some very inspired counsel, and I just loved it all. It was a sweet experience for me to sit there and listen, but also to ponder and think about everything that's happened since I first visited the Kirtland Temple on my first day here. It was amazing to me to be able to feel the Spirit so strongly on Monday, because it made me realize that I've come a long way since my first day here. On that day when we went to the temple, I was still so terrified of being a missionary and being away from home that there wasn't much room in my heart to feel the Spirit. But sitting there on Monday I was able to see that as I've worked and taught and studied over the past 2 months, the Lord has truly calmed my troubled heart just as He did the stormy sea for the apostles in Galilee. I came here with a lot of fear in my heart--and I know that He is the only way it could have been calmed. This is why I love the gospel so much. It's not just a bunch of rules and fairy tales. As we come to accept and act upon the principles taught in the scriptures and by prophets today, we can see the changes and blessings brought to our lives. That is the proof that this is real, and that it is from God.

Our other meetings for zone conference were at the stake center and sites (the VC). They were all so good but were dampened a little bit by the fact that Sister Vellinga had to be taken to the hospital from the temple. They still don't know what's wrong but are doing some tests and hope to know soon. Please pray for her. :)

ALSO. I got to play my flute in the Kirtland Temple yesterday! Preface: mission conference was split into two zone conferences of 3 zones each so that the meetings would be more manageable. So everything that we did on Monday was repeated yesterday with the other 3 zones in the mission. And for that morning meeting in the temple, I was asked to be part of the musical number. We played an arrangement of "What Child is This" for flute, violin, and piano. So. amazing. I'll try to send a recording next week :)

Judi is doing well. We taught her about the Word of Wisdom last week and she committed to stop smoking--but she's having a hard time with it. We're not discouraged though--we know she can do it. And having it be hard will be an opportunity for all of us to lean on Christ more and rely on His help to make this happen. We sure would appreciate your prayers though. She is so wonderful and she truly wants to make this change--but it is going to be challenging.

In response to your question about info for Tanner, I'm in the Chardon Branch. And our Branch President is President Draper. Also, Dad told me that Pat's grand daughter is coming HERE in the spring!!!! Woohooooo!! How very very exciting. Please tell Pat that I would LOVE to answer any questions that Sara has. She's welcome to write me at any time. I remember wishing that I could have someone to tell me what to bring/what not to bring/answer other  questions/concerns/etc before I came--and I'd love to be able to do that for her!

I'm so glad you found a tree--I can't wait to see pictures! We found some Christmas decorations in our basement (score!) and it's fun to have them up. Not the same though, of course. :) We also got to help decorate some of the trees at sites last week--you would have been so proud of my layering skills :)

As far as Christmas goes, I honestly can't think of much right now that i want or need, but sending anything at all is always so appreciated--getting packages or letters honestly makes our day every time. It doesn't even matter what's in it--it's just nice to be remembered :)

Another random thought: This morning I studied Elder Robert C. Gay's talk from conference entitled "What Shall A Man Give in Exchange For His Soul?" I loved it in Conference but I love it even more now. I really love this quote: "The question before us is not whether we are doing things which need correcting, because we always are. Rather, the question is, will we “shrink” or “finish” the call upon our soul to do the will of the Father?" So good.

Well, I'd better get going...but I love you all. How's Andrew doing, by the way? Tell him  I love him and miss him.

We're going to make Hungry Jack for dinner with Jerry tonight (recent convert)...wish me luck! :) Thanks for the pictures and the love and the quotes. You're the best. I love you all so much, and I pray for you daily. Let me know how all the many concerts/programs/etc go! I wish I could be there to see them...but I know they'll be great.

Never give up, never surrender! Smiley face.

Love love love,

Sister Wygant

PS: we're not in a triple up anymore...which is sad, but it's okay. Sister Christian has a new companion--Sister Mitchell from Temple Square!! She's here on her outbound til February, and she is great. We love her already :)

Tschuss!!