Helping us get to 50

DG was baptized on Saturday, and I had the opportunity to confirm him. We ended up doing it then, on Saturday, because church was cancelled due to FREEZING cold weather and, despite the "fact" that "it doesn't snow in Oklahoma", snow. But quite a few missionaries were able to come to the baptism. It was really cool. He's had a lot of missionaries teach him. This was a huge testimony builder for me that I'm where I'm supposed to be right now. I love the Gs almost like grandparents. They love us too. We have lots of fun and really spiritual times together. Bro. G is gonna be an amazing contribution to the Branch. I thought he was a member already my first week here. He's one of those people...super solid. Love that guy.

"Bro. G. said he felt like the jumpsuit was from a jail. I told him it must be a pretty nice jail....all white and stuff"

 The snow....the stuff that comes every year to Utah, but not Oklahoma...not much at least. It's here. And it's below freezing every day. We have been grounded a couple of days this past week, which is rough. We still walked to visit one potential family and turns out, they've met with missionaries before. Had a cool lesson though. They're so nice. Their kids love me too. What can I say? It's just the way I be.

Our two baptisms set for this Saturday dropped. One for sure, one maybe...probably. Church was just the 6 Seminole Missionaries yesterday, so we didn't have any investigators there. Too freezy out. So E can't be baptized this week, having only been to church twice. He will be eventually though. He's still pretty hesitant and can be difficult sometimes, but we're working on it, of course. Still love him. Lady Bug has been in Shawnee this week, trying to stay out of the cold, with some of her friends. Hopefully she'll come back soon, like today, so we can teach he more. She's been to church enough, just need to finish the lessons with her. It all depends on if she can come back to Seminole yet. Don't want her to freeze. She's awesome though. Love her too.

Church yesterday was sweet action. Rough because it was just the 6 missionaries, but awesome cause we had a powerful testimony meeting where we all bore testimony, and we watched "Israel, Israel God is Calling", a CES Devotional by Elder Holland....So, of course it was amazing. If y'all haven't seen it, watch it. I dig it...so much. It's the one where he tells us not to check our religion at the door...ever. I get the chills just thinking about it! Whoo! Then we figured out some things we need to work on in this Branch. It's gonna be good! We're already doing The Games, a competition between all the families in the Branch, doing missionary work and other church-related things, but also funner things like making a Mormon Harlem Shake and other FHE activities. They seem excited about it.

We introduced a fam to The Games last night, after we had dinner and watched the Christmas Devotional with them. It was our Branch Mission Leader's fam. The Mom and Grandma are Filipino, so we had amazing Filipino food! They also had some nastysag rice gelatin dessert thing....tasted like raw eggs and was like Jello, but thicker...so I gagged a li'l bit. Like, an actual gag. But I finished it. We all tried it and none of us liked it....pretty funny though. They're a great family. Turns out, I forgot it was Christmas-time... Even with all the snow and freezy-ness and christmas decorations and even Christmas gifts from the G's...still forgot. But the Devotional reminded me. Really great Devo. too. I loved the question of What happens next? That's a good question for everything, including Christmas. Always good to hear from the prophet too. Love that guy. I almost felt sad missing the Fast Sunday deal with caroling and all, but I was fine, actually. I thought it would be harder. Thought of y'all though. Felt some love vibes too, sent some back. Hopefully y'all feel them too. 

Fun at the K's home

 Speaking of...I'll be only calling on Christmas, no Skype. But it's all good with me. I really want to talk to everyone, if possible. I wanna talk to Ann too. But especially Tato. Tato must be there. We need to talk, bro. No offense to y'all, but I miss him probably most. Turns out, my whole life has been spent with him by my side, no matter what. Despite all I do to bug him. I don't have a closer friend. So....he's gotta be there:) Ya hear, Tato?? Good.

I love y'all so dang much. Don't have too much fun without me. Jk, have tons of fun!

Love,

Elder Tanner

-I Love the Lord-