Chilly California

Hey,

Thank you for sending me a package family! It was quite a surprise to get a package and it was a great end to an already good day. The ornaments are on the mini tree that the Monsons put in our room for us. I'm excited to spend Christmas in a home. I hear they make crepes in the morning. Brother Monson was joking around saying that if we can't skype that doesn't mean that he cant skype you and I could be making a sandwich in the backround. Either way I'm excited to talk to you!

This week was zone meeting so Elder George and I and Sister Andelin (who Hans and Diedra know) got up and trained the zone. It was really fun! We had Danny, from the YSA (young single adult) ward, come and talk to us about member missionary work. He is awesome and is the type of person who easily spreads his enthusiasm. The work really is being hastened. He went to Oklahoma this weekend to attend his friend's baptism. Danny talked to his friend about the church in high school and ten years later he is really excited to join the church. 

We started teaching the Smith family this week! There's a man in the Cordata Park ward who drove us to a great family that he started sharing the gospel with. It was great to have a member so actively involved! He found them for us! And it's really funny because we got to their house and I absolutely have knocked on their door before. They are a very humble and nice family. They didn't make it to church but I'm looking forward to getting to know them better. 

Another member in LB called us and set up a time that we could meet with their friend Matt so we went and taught him too! He had met with missionaries a year or so ago and ended up going to school and losing touch. He is really excited to keep learning and come to church. Overall the work is going well!

I attended Russ Trounce's funeral on Saturday. There were so many people. The whole gym behind the overflow was full. There were even chairs on the stage that were full. It was heartbreaking to see a father give a life sketch of his first born son but he did a great job. The eight year old daughter talked about her Dad too. It was amazing how comforted the family is because of the gospel in their lives. It's comforting to know that we will be able to talk to and hold the loved ones that have passed away. What impacted me the most was seeing how many people were there to remember one man. It's really incredible how many people you can influence as you treat others nicely. I know his family will be okay despite such a hard trials.

A picture of Dad I drew

Mini Christmas tree

Love you all,

Elder Gallagher