Sister Jessica Webb in Long Beach California: CHRISTMAS!!!

So this week was a party!

Monday we went to stake family home evening at President Johnson's house and it was so much fun. We took Mike and Miley and they loved it.

Wednesday was the Christmas zone conference. President asked me to conduct which is really out of the ordinary! In fact, I've never seen a sister conduct a zone conference since I've been here. It was a bit nerve racking and quite exhausting for me as I really don't like to be front and center and I blush really easily, but oh well! I did as I was asked.

Thursday was the start of the endless weekly plannings. I'm grateful president isn't making me go to all of them by myself, but we got to go do weekly planning with the Crescent Ward Sisters. It's really fun to dive into a new area and try to help other investigators. I have learned that my favorite part of missionary work is the actual work part. I love teaching, contacting, talking to people and everything else. That night I got this nasty chili that was "supposedly" gluten free from a restaurant that a member took us too, and ended up vomiting two hours later on the dot. First time I've been sick in the mission, and it was awful! It is pretty miraculous though that this is the first accidental encounter I've had with gluten since I've been here!

Friday was such a fun day. We had to do our weekly planning, and then we went to work. We found new investigators, we taught investigators, we saw less active members. It was a blast. I had an experience where we were walking out of a sketchy apartment complex, and there was an open door that we walked by. I had the distinct impression that we needed to turn around and knock the door. So we did and ended up meeting a 16 year old boy who really needed the gospel.

Christmas eve was a normal day, but better :) God tends to bless missionary holidays. We had hot chocolate with Brother Bartholomew, then we went to lunch with MIKE AND LURENE! We got to see Sister Webb and Sister Barber (two old less active ladies who are a little lonely) and then we had an incredible dinner with Sister Bowers. Then we went to the Howe's for fun and we went to the Mirandas (I'M ABSOLUTELY IN LOVE WITH MEXICAN FOOD !!)

Then on Christmas we woke up and tried our hardest to study, opened presents, went to church and then visited the lady we met last week who is alone. It was pretty neat. THEN I TALKED TO MY FAMILY! It was so good to see them. I held it together until the end and then lost it a bit. I continue to miss them A LOT!! We had a really nice dinner with the Relief Society President's family and she even made me GF apple crisp for dessert.

Merry Christmas everyone! Here's to an awesome 2017 New Year!

Love, Jes