Sister Tessa Bishop: LETTER 23: The one where Tessa kills the robot missionary

Amazing week, nothing overly exciting to report, but at the same time--so much is happening and there truly are miracles every day.

STORIES

--We had Zone Conference this last week, fun to have our whole mission together in one place and be with so many people I love to death. And of course, an amazing training from President and Sister Hall, as to be expected.

--We've been meeting with Steve, he is the best. We love him to death, he is so funny. We are all best friends, no joke. We've been working with him to start changing some habits in his life and follow the Savior. Love talking about the Atonement with him, and the fact that we can all change and be forgiven. It's a special thing being able to see people change their lives, and all because of the Savior's sacrifice for us.

--Two days this week, we brought a Young Woman girl with us out working! So fun, and exciting to see them all have that desire to serve missions (: Seems like I was just in their shoes.

--Friday we met with Adeline and had an incredible lesson. She came to church on Sunday, too, and loved it! Yayy! So happy. Things are going great with her.

--We went on exchanges with Sisters Young and Reese this week! Oh so fun. I was with Sister Young in Wiley Canyon area. We went out contacting a ton! Me and Sister Young set a goal to NOT use the phrase "we have a message about Jesus Christ!" We are cutting that out haha. That's our "robot missionary" phrase that we just blurt out when we get nervous and don't know what else to say. But everyone has a message about Jesus Christ! We have so much more than that!!! So we are serious now about sharing part of our unique message--the Restoration. We set a goal to testify right away, don't even ask if they want to hear it, just go (: It went super well. Found a TON of solid people and got a bunch of return appointments. Love it!! Our apartment complex has 20 buildings, it's a gold mine. We still have probably only contacted about half of them, if that. So much left to do, can't wait (:

--Saturday and Sunday night, our Stake put on a Christmas program called "This Holy Night." We got to be ushers at two of the Sunday night performances. Oh my goodness...words cannot express how amazing it was. I am blown away by it! They went all out. So many people are in the movie/production/show industry here, they can't just do a little show--nope. Go big or go home! So they had a full on orchestra and choir, with some of the most talented people. I felt the spirit so strongly, I was getting chills and fighting off tears the whole time! Hundreds and hundreds of people came. Simply amazing. I love the Christmas season!!

LESSONS LEARNED

--Sorry to skip out on the "funny" section this week, I can't remember anything for the life of me. BUT I did learn lots! (: I'm really learning to appreciate the true meaning of Christmas. I'm convinced that being a missionary during Christmas is the best thing ever. Sister Hall talked with us about the Christmas story, specifically about when the angel came to the Shepherds to tell them of Christ's birth. We are those messengers now! We have to be bold and talk with people about Christ! Most people know about Him, but do they know that His truths have been brought to the earth again? Do they know that we can be together forever as families? There's so much more we have to share with people. No one in this mission can receive exaltation without first talking to one of us. They NEED what we have!! The whole complete gospel! So we have to quit hiding behind our nerves. If we believe, then be bold! So I'm working on it and loving being that messenger for people (:

That's about it for this week. Super great, everything is just too good. I'm beyond blessed. <3 Have an amazing holiday season, and go look up some of the "mormon messages" on mormon.org when you have a chance, they have some great ones refocusing us on the real meaning of Christmas! Love you all (:

xoxo
Sister Bishop

PICTURES:
Me and Sister Naylor outside our complex. Haha so funny.

With Sister Dame and Sister Raty, our amazing sisters! Love them! (:

My mom gets mother of the year award, she sent me 15 cute little Santas--each storing a present and a scripture that I get to open each day until Christmas. So amazing! (:

My kind of December (:

Me and Sister Young! Love her!

The best Christmas nightgown courtesy of my mom. Christmas lights courtesy of Chad, our investigator. Really getting into it this Christmas season. (:

We like each other.

Now we don't...

Now we do again. (:

That white blob you see is the famous Kirby Heyborne, as seen in many LDS movies such as "The Best Two Years," "Singles Ward," etc. He was the narrator at the Christmas performance! Haha me and Sister Naylor tried to hard to get a good picture of him, but still be sneaky about it.