DAD  CONGRATSSS!!!! i want to hear about everything!!!! how exciting! let me know when you know more! ohhh yay cant stop smiling for you dad!

okay the costumes are fabulous. those will be nice for future christmas' to come too! terrill you sure are standing aweful close to sophie there... bahahaha kind of funny seeing she looks 9 months preggo. hold old is sophie now? she looks so old! maybe its the pregnant part haha (ps do the kids read  these emails? do you read them at fhe like you did with richards?) okay i need a reminder on who is in the bishopric. the pic is too small all i can make out it bishop schaefer on the right.

this week was one of achievements but also trials.

the branch had its christmas party of which 64 people were in attendance. the largest activity the deaf branch has had in ages! with much hard work and publication were were blessed to have over half of them non-members! it was a miracle! hopefully they were able to feel the spirit as they came into the church building and it gave the members also a chance to fellowship and be missionaries! i know many of them stepped up to this! it was quite a success!

we were also able to add a new investigator named Anna. Anna is Ukrainian  she is deaf but knows Ukrainian sign language, different than american sign language. we hope to teach her but know the language barrier will be difficult. serving the deaf community we really run into so many cultures (mexican/spanish, armenian, hmong, ukrainian, iranian, british are just a few of them so far!) its so fun!

yes that was Molly and her son in that pic i sent last week. yes this is now kathy #2. she is deaf and we are teaching her up in carmichael. more fun stories to come about her.... ;]

it was also birthday week for sister wilson and myself. thanks so very much for the many birthday wishes! we indulged quite a bit this week and had way to much unhealthy food. we had homemade pf changs, papa murpheys pizza, i made cupcakes!, cheesecake, etc. the members were very nice here and we were privileged to be in the homes of members on both of our birthdays for dinner. one sweet woman even gave us birthday gifts: homemade hot pads! they are so cute. Ramiro even made us a birthday dinner saturday with awesome authentic mexican food homemade. delicious and so nice to stay in contact with them. i just love Ramiro and Sandra both so much!

my roommates are all a little frustrated with me... because I received a ton of packages this last week!!! thanks to everyone! i feel so loved from home!

mom you spoiled me rotten! thanks so much for everything! wow what a birthday package! i dont think you missed a thing! the candles smell amazing! they are also on my desk and are great christmas decorations. i lit up the rose that night and had fun being a pryo and playing with the flame and wax :] the russian refresher tea i have all the time and the cup cake in the mug was such a cute idea. too bad sister wilson is allergic to citrus or i would have shared.... oh well more for me ;] the cds and cheeseboard came too!! not sure if i was supposed to open the last one but i got it confused for the amazon package. i will save it for christmas to eat tho. makes me feel right at home, thanks for bringing a little wisconsin to me :] im sure the cheese will be delicious! do i have to refrigerate them tho? ive never heard of non refrigerated cheese. the rest i will open on christmas.

kassie your package came! oh my goodness i love it!!!! best idea ever! seriously how did you know thats exactly what i was hoping for! my roommate in stockton had one and i thought it was just the best idea ever. but it distracts me all the time during studies haha. now when people email me pictures i can just upload them on it! perfect! thanks for the package again i will open the rest on christmas :] dont think ill be able to open them on video chat tho. let me know anyone if you want me to save it to open when we chat.

amanda that thing is disgusting! oh my goodness youre crazy. crazy awesome. i love it. have no idea what to do with it but i love it. am i really supposed to eat it!? ps ive already worn the belt! thanks so much!

alecia!!! cute elephants!! and i am currently wearing the necklace! just got it in the mail today :] its shineyyyyy haha. thanks. the silk scarf is cute too thanks. im trying to figure out the best outfit to wear with it! so soft too. also ps that black shirt you wrapped it all in made me really confused! sister wilson and i had some good laughs and had a little fashion show. hahaha passing it along for laughs. ALSO we all enjoyed the homemade cookies! they made it all whole just fine! no crumbs!

thanks again! everyone!!!!

this week we have a temple conference which means we also get to attend the temple!!!! woopee! excited to go again... i forget how grateful i should be to go the byu where there are so many temples so close.

mom thanks for your note about the funeral. i didnt know her right? what was her name? i just remember the McCormicks as the only relatives to the Reyes... right? Funny you just finished Luke this week, CAUSE SO DID I! haha it was perfect timing with the christmas season too. yes now on to John which is a good one. looks like ive caught up. repenting for all my seminary slack back in the day ;]

i am truly grateful for this opportunity to serve. my eyes have been opened far wider than i ever imagined. i am learning to rely on my savior.

sister oliphant

ps: terrill or stu?! does ms straughn still work at LHS?
pps: oops forgot to attach this long ago.

THIS IS OUR TITLE OF LIBERTY WE MADE! i havent sent this home yet have i?

we changed one word. any guesses? hahaha