It was cool to see how many relationships we've built out here in this
area this Christmas season. Our Branch President invited us over for
Christmas Eve. His mother in law, who lives with them, asked what
Christmas traditions we have in our families. Both Elder Wilcox and I
had the tradition of opening up pajamas on Christmas Eve. Well shortly
after dinner we gathered with there family and the kids opened up
pajamas. Then our Branch Presidents wife handed us each a gift and it
was pajamas! They helped each of us keep that Christmas tradition
alive for ourselves even though we are away from home. It was so nice.
There is a family out in Bagdad who I had a conversation with about
Nutella. I'm a big fan of Nutella and so are they. Well they surprised
me with a Christmas present of a big jar of Nutella and a case of
Nutella to go snack packs! They're the coolest! There is a family who
hasn't been to church in a long time. Elder Wilcox and I have been
working with them trying to get them to come back out. Well the dad is
the coach for the little league football team. Their team went
undefeated and won the championship. I've talked a lot of football
with him. He got me a Bagdad football championship hoodie with my name
on the back and my high school football number on the sleeve! He also
got one for Elder Wilcox! It's been a pleasure serving out here at
this time of year. The people are so kind and so loving.
I got to see and talk to my family this week!!! There wasn't the
greatest wifi connection, because I'm in the middle of no where, but
it was still wonderful to see them and hear their voices!
This week I had a really cool experience happen. We went over to do
serve for a guy who got baptized about a year ago. We were helping him
put new doors on his off-roading Blazer. His daughter came out and
informed us that her mom was slurring her words and wasn't looking
good at all. We all ran inside. She was having a mini stroke. The guy
looked at us will a look I can't forget. His face was scared, but
confident in a solution he had come to. He asked us to give her a
blessing. I had the privilege of giving her that blessing. After the
blessing she stood up, spoke clearly, and walked out to the truck to
go to the hospital. It was incredible. It was one of the most powerful
experience I've had with the Priesthood. I'm so blessed to be able to
hold this authority to act in God's name here on Earth for the
blessing of his children.
Have a happy new year! I love you all!
-Elder Toph Tribe
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