Snow, Sun, Snow...

Good Morning everyone!

So to start out, IT'S A WEEK TIL CHRISTMAS!!!! I am so excited for Christmas this year. Not only do I already have presents under my Charlie Brown Tree, but I get to call home and talk to my family! It is hard to believe that it has almost been a year since I left for the mission. It has been difficult at times, but doing God's work has been nothing but uplifting for me.

Weather here has been really interesting. First it is light snow, then some sun, then the last two days have been a blizzard! Recently we got some rain and now sun again, it seems that the whole northeast is bipolar when it comes to weather! Haha!

This last week, we were able to start teaching an investigator named Katie. She works at Wal-Mart and Supercuts. She has cut our hair and she is really good at it! She is a great person and really want's to know what life is all about. I can see her entering into the waters of baptism as soon as February, but only she and God can determine when she will make this important step in her life. Everything else here in Bennington is great and the branch is amazing.

I hope that you all have a great Christmas and that God continues to bless each and every one of you.

Elder Melanson

Seriously, make up your mind Vermont!

Nothing is more frustrating than to be driving in snow, then rain, then snow again!

Hello Everyone!

So this week has been very interesting. As far as missionary work has been, it has been a lot more productive than ever before. We taught 21 lessons and have eight people set with a date to come into the fold of God. Now with these wonderful children of God about to make this step, it is our job to continue to teach them and prepare them for this important ordinance and promise with God. We also have been helping those who entered into the waters of baptism already to stay strong and to continue to teach them what they need to know.

Last night, we were able to watch the First Presidency Christmas Devotional and it was my first time watching it (as far as I can remember, which is not very far...); but we were able to watch it with President and Sister Finnegan and the Sisters. We had cookies and I can say that driving in the dark is becoming easier and more relaxing since no one else is driving on the roads.

This branch is seeing miracles and could have up to 4 or 8 baptisms in December! People are always looking for the truth, and that is why we are sent out here to guide them to it. There is this cool initiative that the Church is doing worldwide and it is called #LightTheWorld and the objective is to share the love and service Jesus Christ did and has for us to those around us. The kick off video is here at this website:

https://www.mormon.org/?cid=HP_FR_25-11-2016_dMIS_fmorg_xLIDyL1-A_

There are also shorter videos for each day to help give ideas of service and a calendar is provided that you can print and look to to find what you can do each day of December through Christmas.

I pray that we can all help spread the Christmas spirit to those around us through service and feel the love that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for all of us. Merry Christmas!!!

Elder Melanson

Can Vermont make up it's mind? Please?

Hello everyone,

This letter is going to be rather short since not much happened, but to start, I am staying here in Bennington, Vermont for Christmas! So my address is staying the same and if you don't have it, it is:

100 Main St Apt #18

Bennington, VT

05201

The Sister missionaries had a baptism yesterday and that was cool to see another person baptized into the everlasting gospel. But to answer the reason for the subject line, we have been having snow, rain, and right now it is sunny! I don't know what fall or winter is anymore! This week sounds like we will be having a lot of rain, but we will see. I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and reflected on what you are thankful for. I had a good Thanksgiving with some members and we also watched Ephraim's Rescue, a church produced film about the pioneers who came by handcart all the way across the Great Plains through winter, losing shoes, toes, fingers, and lives to settle in Salt Lake. It is a great movie and I would highly recommend it. Again, hope you are all doing well and I will email you all next week!

Elder Melanson