Christmas Time in Missouri

        This is Elder Kiene & Elder Santa Cruz eating dinner at our home.  They live upstairs.  They are excellent missionaries.  They are Spanish speaking.  Elder Santa Cruz was born in Peru and moved to Bountiful 6 years ago.  He is brand new, first area.  Elder Kiene is from California.

        We are Christmas dinner at the Workman's.  Brandon is Bishop there and also hosted the missionaries assigned to his ward.  Elder Christiansen and Elder Cortez are next to me.  Great food & great company.

         Elder and Sister Simper, new missionaries from Vernal Utah.  Who does he remind you of???
They were at the VC Christmas breakfast.  I got these pictures mixed around as to their order.  You can figure how they really should go.

         Yes, we had a white Christmas.  Just a few days before, it really snowed.  But, the worst was the icy rain.  We couldn't believe the sheets of ice everywhere.  Everyone slipping and sliding.  Here is the ice sheet on our car!

        On Christmas Eve Elder Kiene and Elder Santa Cruz delivered food to families in the ward as surprises.  They tried hard not to be seen.  We parked the car.  They dropped the food bags and ran.  Unfortunately, Elder Santa Cruz tore his gloves while trying to jump a fence.  Oh, well, he said it was worth it.  They had so much fun.  We loved being a part of it.

         Christmas morning with Sister Atwood before we left for the breakfast.  We were able to have dinner with the Brandon Workman Family, Breakfast at the VC, and Skype all or most of our children back home to wish them a Merry Christmas.

         Here are the missionary sisters who all work in the VC.  They put on a Nativity Program for us, the senior missionaries.  They work part time in the VC.  Then they travel to their areas to teach and visit their investigators.  They are all the best!!!

         These two sisters are Sister Borges and Sister Villenueva.  They are assigned to the same ward as we are.  They are Spanish speaking.  They also work part time in the VC.

         This was part of the entertainment;  Elder Drake and one of the VC sisters.  We had a great time singing Christmas songs.  Merry Christmas to you all.  Love, Elder & Sister Atwood.

Riverview Ward Christmas Party

        This is our little ward's Christmas Party Dinner.  We had different people and had lots of fun.
Sister Atwood is in the background with Sister Borges from Argentina.  My white hair and her dark.

        These are two members of the ward; Cassie and her brother, Dallas Winters.  We picked them up for the party.  They had all the rolls and paper products.  So, the party couldn't get started without them.
Elder Atwood is in the background.

        Here is Elder Hart with a family from Burma.  The young man, Ka Baw Say, was a refugee from Burma to Thailand when he was a young boy with his family.  The two girls, Htoo Sa Paw and Eh Hser Hser, are his nieces.  Htoo Sa Paw was born in the refugee camp in Thailand.  They were so very nice and he speaks pretty good English.  He said the English language makes him feel happy.

Elder & Sister Atwood Begin Mission

      This is our district group at the MTC; Atwoods going to Independence, MO. the Staggs going to Togo, Africa, the Tanners going to England and the Ellis's going to New Mexico.

         Our home in Independence.  We live on the first floor.  Old but cozy inside, across the street from the cemetery.

        We came in time to attend the Annual Christmas Zone Conference.  270 Elders and Sisters.  It was wonderful seeing them and hearing their testimonies.  Elder Hart (center) assigned to our Ward with us.

        These are the 20 young sisters working at the Visitor Center singing Christmas songs.  Sister Ray (left) and Sister Ogletree (right)

        We drove to Richmond, MO, where Oliver Cowdery's grave is marked with monument to the three witnesses.

        Alexander Doniphan's statue is also erected here praising his influence as a great General and Lawyer.  He defended the saints with Joseph Smith both legally and with his refusal to execute Joseph.

        Her we are in the Visitor's Center in Independence where we will serve occasionally as substitutes.