Three is a Good Number

Hi Mom and Dad!

I am glad that you liked the birthday card it was pretty funny.  I know it will be great to talk to you on Christmas!  I haven't really heard anything about calling yet but I think I will try and call at around 12 here and it will be about 10 there.  I hope I can call maybe more than once because we are going to lots of member’s houses, I think, and we will be talking to you on the member’s phones. 

I am still shopping for the family in our ward but I haven't gotten anything else for them yet.  None of the clothes are for the dad.  He is in Georgia looking for work so he won’t be here for Christmas?  I think we will wrap them all but I need to get some boxes because I forgot to get some at Kohl’s.   What do you guys want for Christmas?  Anything?

Wow!  It sounds like Sydnee is pretty dang sick!  I hope she gets better soon.  I remember when I threw up in my English class in front of everyone.  It was horrible but luckily we moved so I didn’t have to see those people again.

The mission mom Christmas party sounds like it will be fun and I am sure they will all comment on the big round table.  Are you going to play white elephant?  Elder Stewart has three brothers and one sister and the sister is the youngest.  Her name is Esty.  They all have unique names. 

I can’t believe that Max Firth is coming home this week.  That is really crazy.  I bet he is way good at Spanish.  I’m sure he is sad to come home.  It is true, you come to love the people you serve.  I still need my heart to soften so I can love the people I serve.  Some people just make me mad and I don't understand why they are so rude to us sometimes. 

I am sad to hear that Grandpa hasn’t been able to eat very much.  I keep praying for him. 

The lessons with our investigators are going well.  We had Jim’s baptism this week which was the coolest experience.   He asked me to perform the baptism.  I have never baptized anyone before so it was really exciting for me.  His hand kept coming out of the water so I had to dunk him three times but three is a good number.   It was very spiritual.  Jim was full of the Spirit and started crying and I could also feel the Spirit in me.  He is already doing family history for his son who was murdered so he can go and do baptisms for the dead for his son.  He is becoming a whole new person right in front of my eyes.  It is a miracle to see. 

The other investigators are coming along too slowly but surely.  They have all said that they would be baptized.  We just need to set them with dates and work towards that. 

We also had zone conference this week in Harrisburg which was my first zone conference so I didn't know what to expect but it was good and I learned a lot.  President and sister Topham are great and I love having them as mission presidents.

Well family this week was a really good and I hope to have a lot more like them.  I miss you and love you all very much!!

Love Tanner.

P.S. I am excited for my package.  I am sending some pictures of the baptism.