:)

It was so good talking to y’all on Christmas. I loved hearing everyone’s voices—especially Andre’s and Brian’s! Whoa! They sound like old mountain men. Anyways, we had our Christmas conference on Tuesday. We met at the Temple and took a picture of the whole mission. Then we drove over to the chruch to have some fun. President addressed us and it was good, and then Sister Cutler, and then we had lunch, and then the best part: the Christmas show. Anyone who wanted to could perform for the show. I was worried because I was supposed to sing a song with my last companion, Sister Dodge, but I have algeries which results in a really annoying cough that basically destroys my vocal chords…but it ended up being fine so I really worried about nothing as usual. Then I sang a song with Sister Kleisler. We sang Santa Claus is coming to town, but we switched the words to President Culter is coming to town. We added in all the phrases he always says during interviews or zone conferences. It was so fun and Sister Cutler was laughing so hard and President’s face was red…good times. After the show we watched Elf. We get to watch a movie once a year and this year it was Elf. I don’t think I’ll be able to watch movies again when I get home because I felt uncomfortable watching Elf. At one part an Elder got up and covered the screen and we all cheered. We are really weird. Finally Christmas conference was over and I said goodbye to my comp, Sister Kleisler. It was sad.

Then I drove off with my new companions, Sister Christensen and Sister Harward. They came out together 6 months ago. I love them! Sister Christensen is super chill and hilariously sarcastic and slides through life like honey even when she comes up against a lot of bumps: she’s got a great shock system. Her voice sounds exactly like the older sister on the Incredibles—I’m dead serious—it’s amazing. Sister Harward is out of control hyper. She stresses about everything but she’s happy at the same time. She’s not super annoying happy (You know the type where you’re like, “Stop smiling! You’re making my mouth hurt just looking at you! And the fluffy bunnies and rainbows that are following you around have got to go!”). Sister Harward’s not that kind of happy, she’s just fun-happy. She loves everyone and everyone loves her back. It’s funny seeing the two interact together. Sister Harward runs around crazy and Sister Christensen tells her to calm down. And now you throw me into the mix…and well…I’m not sure how to describe myself so I don’t really know how to describe our companionship. I seem to fluctuate depending on what companion I have. With Sister Kleisler I was the mature, obedient one. With Sister Dodge I was the hyperactive, immature one. Basically it feels like we are having a really long sleep over. It’s fun. We had three baptisms yesterday in their ward and I have decided that I love have three missionaries at a baptism. It was way less stressful.

Oh yeah! Guess what else. I was in Bulverde ward and they had a special musical number. Mallory Facer who is now Daines (I went to high school with her) stood up with her sister and they sang this gorgeous hymn. Crazy! I used to work as a teacher’s assistant for her dad at BYU until he was called to be the institute director in San Antonio. “I’ll never see them again,” I thought at the time, but now I’m serving in his ward and his daughter came down from Colorado to visit. It was cool. I got a picture.

The other day we were teaching a family and they asked Hunter, the 7-year-old ADHD boy to say the prayer and here’s what he said in his loudest, most sincere voice: “Jesus!!!! We’re sitting here at the table praying!……(long awkward pause and we all open one eye to see if he’s still there, but there he is, hands clasped together thinking real hard about what to say next)—and I’m fixing to eat some chocolate!………………..” –“Alright you’re done praying,” his dad cut in. Haha. It was amazing. I love little kid prayers.

Well, not much else to say. I’m having fun and I love you all. Thank you for all the packages and love!
Love, sister johnson