CA Combo for Christ: Sister Goss---W19: Happy New Year 2020!! (Dec 30, 2019)

Hello everybody!!! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! :) I miss you more than you can know. <3

Christmas Eve on Tuesday was so much fun! We wrapped presents for the retirement home in the morning and we went caroling that evening as a zone. Our zone has a lot of really good singers and it was impressive!! We even sang songs in Spanish and the listeners, after talking to the Hermanas later, didn't know we didn't speak Spanish fluently. Woohoo! News flash: I'm learning Spanish on Duolingo and it's actually so fun. :) I'm getting better and want to make sure my brother, mother, and sister can't have secret conversations in Spanish when he gets home! I'm determined! ;) We ended caroling by singing in all four languages represented by our zone (English, ASL, Spanish, and Chinese) at our mission president's home. He and his wife loved it.

Christmas was amazing!! We opened up our presents as a four-man in the morning and then went to the Senior couples home for breakfast. We caroled a little more and then headed to another couple's home from our ward for brunch. Afterwards we called our families and visited Tony, Amy, and Suzie for dinner. They decorated their home for us and it was a fantastic visit! They were so happy to have us and we really strengthened their faith in Christ. As soon as that was over we had a zone activity at the church building where we played volleyball and had a white elephant exchange. Overall, it was so much fun and I couldn't have asked for a better Christmas away from family and you all.

The rest of this week has been interesting. We had to pause both Harminder and Nilda, both of whom we're not progressing even after giving them many opportunities. It hurt more than I expected! But I know that's what's best for them right now. I will miss them. :( Last night was especially difficult. Sister Gugelman and I had over 20 specific people to visit/contact, a mixture of less-active members, formers, people we're currently teaching, etc. A solid 0 let us in. Many people never answered the door, many said they were not interested or were sick (for the fiftieth time), and several slammed the door in our face and told us to not come by anymore. It was not an easy night, but I can tell you I climbed in bed satisfied with our work. Although it was the least successful night of my mission so far, I felt God's approval and pleasure for our dedication and commitment. We are not the only ones to be repeatedly rejected; there was One far greater. I'm so grateful to know that no matter what happens, if we give our all, we can have the confidence we are doing God's work and gathering Israel. He is proud of us whether we have "success" or "no success." We walk in His footsteps.

On a side note, I found a free pair of brand new shoes that would probably make you all laugh. And I couldn't be more excited about them. ;) They are the coolest, shiny, silver, light-up shoes I've ever seen. Hahahaha!! I'll attach a picture of them when I have one. Don't worry -I guarantee you will all be so jealous! ;)

God's work is moving forward!! I know that 2020 is a special year. It marks the 200th anniversary of the First Vision and the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 2020 is not only a technical term for perfect vision, but a goal we can set to more perfectly align our vision with God's. Be willing to learn, be willing to grow, be willing to consecrate yourself, be willing to be humble, be willing to serve, and be willing to testify. Let Him change you this year! This year will be unlike any year we've known before!!

Miss you all! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Love, Sister Mary Goss

Mosiah 4:21