Last week was Christmas and it was one of the best Christmases I've had! In the morning our friends in the ward; the Drurys and Johnsons took us to Ihop for breakfast which was actually pretty good. They also gave us presents! It was so nice of them and I got a sweet tie, Dr. Squatch and Tim-Tams! Lots of members gave us gifts of candy and I also got a notebook given to me which is great! 

We then opened presents together as an apartment that were sent from our families! My mom packaged up a few different packages and sent them to me throughout the month! I got a new toothbrush from costco I wanted along with lots of candy to give the toothbrush purpose lol. I also got some exciting books and journals from my parents. Including an Old Testament study guide for this new year! We also did a companiship gift exchange! I bought Elder Walker a stanley that he is really enjoying, and he bought me Bucee's sweatpants that I wanted. Elder Williams got a new football and so we went outside and threw it lots. It was 85 degrees on Christmas Day! Since the beginning of this transfer I have improved on throwing a football significantly. Its been a lot of fun and I am not half bad! 

We drove down to Yorktown for Christmas dinner which is a tiny town in the middle of nowhere. There is an old Church building used by missionaries and the senior couple, The Bentleys, down there where they hosted us. Sister Bentley made us a wonderful christmas dinner with a ham and all sorts of traditional christmas foods. Getting to drive somewhere for Christmas is an experience that was really special to me because I havent gotten to do it before! And getting there with a big wonderful meal prepared was awesome! We also played lots of games there and watched the Chosen. Overall all a very fun night and when I went outside there were 3 Great Danes! I don't know where they came from but they were super friendly and I played with them. At first I was afraid cause they're big enough to eat me but when I realized they just wanted to play games I had lots of fun with them! Still no idea whose they were. They must have escaped someone's property. 

The rest of the week was pretty normal but some highlights were yesterday! It was Sister Bentleys birthday and she was so sweet to make US lunch! Truly the best senior couple missionaries ever and they support and love us so much! We had a picnic at the park and Sister Bentley made good food as usual! 

On Sunday, Elder Walker and I got to give a lesson in Elders Quorum on President Dalin H. Oaks most recent talk on Families. We ended up giving a great lesson on the role of parents in uniting a family. Especially the role of a father. Of course Elder Walker and I are not parents yet, but we taught the doctrine, and talked about the children's perspective in the modern world. The men in the ward shared their perspectives as fathers and grandfathers and ultimately the lesson was so great. Multiple of them told us they really enjoyed the lesson and discussion. It felt great being back at the front of a group of people teaching! I used to teach pretty frequently in Priests Quorum at home and so I felt very prepared and it all came naturally even though the group we were teaching we're far more experienced then us. It just came naturally for me.

As a part of our lesson we shared the invitation given to us by President Bramwell. Which was for them to consider the traits they may have had as a child, that have since been lost as we've grown up in a fallen world. I extend this invitation once more to all who read this. Jesus told us we must “becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.” As you strive to develop child-like traits you will get closer to Jesus Christ.

Also this week was transfer news! I will be staying Seguin for another 6 weeks with Elder Walker! We are gonna make so many miracles happen! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! Happy New Year and the next update from me will be in 2026! Have a wonderful week yall.

With Love,

Elder Noble