I hope I am able to give this last week justice in this email, it was a full and fantastic one for sure!

The week started off by me having to face some of my biggest fears. I hate instructing in front of big groups lol...that might surprize some, but its always been a struggle for me. I can talk at people just fine, but having to have an hour long discussion in front of 10+ missionaries who are more experienced than me is a bit scary. Anyway, I was thinking about how we as missionaries ask people to do scary things all the time. Some people have never prayed before...and yet we invite them too...some people have never read the scriptures before, and yet we invite them too...and some people have never stepped into one of our church buildings, and yet we invite them too. I decided if the people we teach can do hard things, so can I. I faced a fear this week, there is nothing like facing something you didn't think you could do, especially when you lean on the Lord and ask Him to help you through it.

The lesson I wanted to share with all of you this week, is to take the words of my companion to heart. "No longer can you use the word 'can't,' its no longer in your dictionary." Can't is a word that instantly blocks you from progressing. When you say can't you put a wall between where you are now, and where you could be. I think of Olympic athletes, do you think they say can't? heck no. We are teaching a wonderful lady, she has a desire to feel closer to God, however she insists that she "can't" pray. We know she can, its just a change of mind...that change can be seriously difficult...I learned the lesson for myself this week. I can do anything the Lord asks me to do. (1 Nephi 3:7)

Another neat experience I had reminded me of my brother Donny. We went to visit a family who recently lossed a dear family relative, they were making pies for thanksgiving and asked if we wanted to come help. As we were working and talking in the kitchen I saw that the Grandmother was making Cherry Pies. Immediately I remembered how Donny always called them "Cheery Pies." I told them the story of how after Donny passed away, Mom and I made a bunch of pies and took them to our school to give them to people who needed something to make them smile. <3 It was a tender moment for me this week. The family loved the story...and related to the feeling of needing a smile. Even tho Big brother has passed away, he still manages to make people smile.

Thanksgiving was wonderful, we spent time at a families home who invited mulitple ward families. It was a crazy household, so basically I felt right at home. We had turkey, funeral potatoes, greenbean casseroles, salads, stuffing, pies, and more. It was so good! I thought of My mom and how it was her Birthday...hope everyone she saw helped her have a special day! Sister Muaina and I took a walk and visited some people, but other wise we didn't do any missionary prosolyting that day. We had to be in our apartments at 6pm..so we organized some papers, and went to bed by 8:30 : ) it was amazing best birthday gift ever!

My birthday was a normal day, we actually weren't even going to stop for dinner since we had been planning most of the day, but I felt strongly impressed to go visit one of the families at the church. So we drove over and knocked on their door and interupted dinner...I felt bad...kind of lol. They invited us to eat with them! It was a wonderful blessing, I ended up telling them it was my birthday and so they put a candle in my piece of pie and sang to me. I truly felt so so loved! The people here are incredible! They have a son serving in Russia and his mission is strictly service, he can't even where a name tag! Can you imagine? Anyway I had a great day...I'm so old now but I guess I will get over it :) 22 is going to be a good year, I can tell! ps. Grandma Hall, thanks for the fuzzy socks!!

Miracles are happening every which way, this is the start of our second transfer in Roswell, last week we set a baptism date with an amazingly prepared lady who has been coming to church for a while now, just never met with missionaries. She is awesome, so keep Donna in your prayers! Well I better Go, I love you all, hope something in my letter helped someone out there today. Hope you all are also getting into the Holiday spirit! this is the best time of year, don't stress about the presents or the decorations or get grumpy about the holiday crowds, this is the time to enjoy family, loved ones, eat food, and remember our Savior.

Adio's all,

Love

Sister Hall