December 12, 2016 "So Long, Farewell. Adieu to yuh and yuh and yuh"

Well. Here is the email I never thought would come. This is super sad and surreal. It doesn't feel like I will be home this week. Nevertheless, it was a crazy week! As it was the week before I go home I had to take one thousand pictures so please excuse the overload. Or maybe I should say your welcome? only time will tell. 

I always send a thousand pictures of me with animals and there is no shortage of them this week.

We saw a cat. It was super friendly. Not as cool as "that cat" in Mount Vernon but a close second. I'm sure they know each other but I forgot to ask. sorry :/

So a few weeks ago a woman we visit said she had a billion old barbie dolls in her garage still in their packaging and asked us if we wanted some for Christmas. obviously I said yes before she even finished her sentence. She said she would get it to us later because they were going to take some work to get out of the garage so we went this week and guess who got to pick out her very own 90s barbie doll? You can probably guess that the person is me. I picked out a sweet one that lights up. She was born in 1995 just like me! "Rapping Ken" was my next choice though.

Our loot:

We put them to good use. Mine became an angel on our tree. Hark the Herald Angels sing amiright?? 

Breaking News:

It actually snowed this week. Like real snow. We got up in the morning and Sister Plank assumed we probably wouldn't go outside to exercise that morning but I was already in my snow getup so I dragged her out with me and ran to the elementary school where we made a snowman and had a snowball fight.

It was really awesome at first until President told all the missionaries that we couldn't drive all day. We had a fun day planned too so it was a real bummer. We spent the whole day freezing our butts off walking to all our appointments and stuff. As you can see in the picture it wasn't even that much snow so we totally could have driven but I'm not bitter though.

Found this poor girl for sale. They only wanted $75 so I almost splurged but thought that she would probably be better somewhere else. She's in my prayers.

A miracle that I am so grateful for this week was the Arlington nativity festival. I got super lucky to be able to be in Arlington both years they had it. I got to see a bunch of my favorite people from Camano, Stanwood, and Arlington wards. God is Good. 

Flahrity Family:

Sister Axthelm!!(from Mount Vernon):

The Johnsons:

When I was first in Camano ward and gave a talk in sacrament meeting. I said something and then made this face to the congregation and Sister Johnson tells me that all the kids quote me with the face now. I love them.

(Side note) Mary and Joseph showed up.

The other Johnson girls:

A mix of some cool laurels and then there's Matt: love these guys.

​And Sister Tolbert!:

We made some gingerbread houses this week. Sister Plank doesn't really like artsy fartsy stuff so you can maybe guess which one she made lol. Still love her though. 

For my last email I thought this kind of pathetic but sufficient second coming cloud would be a good way to say goodbye.

Goodbye Washington. Goodbye to the rain and the green and the weirdos. I love these weirdos so much.

 Words cannot describe my love for this place and these people. I will miss it with every part of me. There is no better decision I have made than to serve a mission. It has changed my life. I will forever be in debt to my Heavenly Father for allowing me to tend this little part of his vineyard for these eighteen months.

I will leave you all with my testimony:

I know that I am a child of God. He is my Father and I am his daughter. He hears my prayers and he answers them. I love him. I know that Jesus Christ is his son. He is the Christ that all the prophets have testified of. He is my Savior. He is my perfect example and he is a merciful being. I know he lives. I know that God, in his mercy, has given us his gospel to return to live with him again as eternal families. Through another prophet, Jesus Christ's full gospel has been restored.  I know that Joseph Smith is his Prophet. He saw God and Jesus Christ in a pillar of light as an answer to a sincere prayer. I know that everything good in my life is from God. He has been with me in every moment as his missionary. I am proud to be one of his disciples and to tell the world of His love and His Gospel. I know these things are true. In the Name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.

Love,

Sister Krummenacher

Over and out

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December 5, 2016 "Let it Sleet, Let it Sleet, Let it Sleet"

Hey everyone. The big news of this week happened last night into this morning. It is snowing! (or its more sleet so its not as cool and it doesn't stick here because it's way too wet. Sad day. Still cool though! I'm praying that it will snow a whole bunch so we can play in it. pray for us.

Highlights of the week. This one is more of a low light actually. I went to the mailbox just like any other day and guess what happened again?? No mail. I'm not surprised though because I'm almost home but I laugh so hard because Sister Plank gets a thousand letters. I don't even look anymore lol. 

Here is a great picture of Sister Plank happily running off with a letter in hand. Congrats girl. Congrats.

​The District went out to eat after district meeting on Wednesday and the little asian woman who owned the restaurant wanted to take our picture to put it on the wall. We were so pumped. Check out Mongolian Grill in Arlington, Washington if you wanna see some spicy followers of Christ.

The Christmas season is in full effect and everyone's got some sweet decor all over the place. I love it. I call this one: "Bye Buddy! Hope you find your dad!"

Other than that, not much else happened this week. Let's see.. We had our ward Christmas party/ pajama brunch. I know what you all are wondering.. did I wear my pajamas? No. No I did not. Not allowed. No fun for the missionaries. We did get to sing Christmas songs with everyone and every table got a different day of Christmas in the 12 days of Christmas song. Our table of course had " and a partridge in a pear tree". We got to sing it the whole stinkin song. Lucky us!

We also taught the lesson to all the Young Women this week and it was super fun. We just had them practice with us a bunch of different ways they could share the gospel with their friends. It was a good lesson for this time of year because it's exactly what Christ did his whole life, share the gospel and teach the gospel to everyone. I hope I can help others to feel of His love as I share His message. 

We got to watch the Christmas Devotional last night and I love the messages that were shared. My favorite was Elder Eyering's talk. I love his testimony of the Savior. I love Christmas! I love my Savior! I know he lives! Have a great Christmas-y week! I love you!!

Love,

Sister Krummenacher