Dear Family,

Things are going great here in Richmond. We are having some troubles with some of the people we are teaching, but I have learned by now that a mission is not easy. We will keep pushing though. Corey, one of our investigators, is having a hard time getting himself motivated to do what he needs to. I don't know if it is because he is having a hard time overcoming something in his life, or if it is just motivation, but I hope that we can figure it out and be able to help him in some way.

We met a nice lady named Wendy this past week. She has 4 kids. We were able to meet most of them. We went over and taught her a lesson this week about the restoration of the gospel. It was pretty good. She hasn't been in a church for a very long time. When we taught her the Restoration, that could have been the first time she has felt the spirit in a very long time. She was crying, and I hope that she got something out of it. She wasn't able to meet with us for the next appointment, but hopefully she will keep her next one.

Hopefully, you are able to survive the last week of school. That has got to be one of the hardest weeks to teach in the year. The kids just want to be on Christmas break, and at home playing video games or something.

I can't believe that Uncle Frank and Aunt Faris are actually home from their missions already. That is so exciting! It is also cool to hear that Aunt Norma is coming home soon as well.

How old is Rylee now? When you sent me those pictures last year from the Christmas party I was so surprised to see how much taller she was. Braxton is now able to drive. Things have probably really changed since I came out. It will be a lot of fun to see everyone again and be able to talk to them, and to see how they have grown. I also can't believe that Levi is now 18 years old. That is amazing! Hopefully, I will be able to recognize everyone.

We had a good-sized snowstorm yesterday and through last night. We probably only got 3 inches, but it was interesting, and now the roads are slick and messy. It doesn't take much time for everything to get slushy around here. It makes for a lot of fun. It is also fun to bundle up and go out. I don't think that there will probably be another time in my life that I bundle up this much to go outside. I took a picture with Elder Lowe this morning with us all covered in our snow gear so that I can always remember it.

Tell Levi to have fun at the orientation day at SUU. It will be a chance for him to get to know some new people and make some new friends. I think that it would be cool to learn a little more about the University as well. There is always more that we can learn. Maybe he can remember a couple of cool new things he learns and let me know what they are since I can't go with him.

I could always enjoy a few goodies to munch on. I will have to watch out for them and let you know if I get anything from Aunt Trudy. Grandma sent me something this week, but I am not sure what it is. I don't want to open it yet on the off chance that it could be something for Christmas, so I am waiting until Christmas to open it. We had a member here already give us a Christmas present. Elder Lowe and I both got new socks, and a new matching tie. We have a Christmas thing going on in the mission again this year, and so we were thinking of wearing them and matching. That would be a lot of fun.

We had a Christmas party on Saturday with the Richmond Ward. They did a lot of activities for the kids. Elder Lowe and I with our Ward Mission Leader ( Brother Stevens ) were in charge of getting the post office set up. That was where the kids went so that they could write letters to or draw pictures for, the Sister missionary who is out serving from the Richmond ward. That was fun, and the next day at church, they ended up giving Elder Lowe and I the leftover ham and potatoes. It was great.

I know how you feel somewhat. Elder Lowe and I get up at 6:30 in the morning, and we exercises for 30 minutes. When we get up it is dark. Then, at 7:00, we shower and get ready. At 7:30, we are given an hour set apart for personal study. We study mostly out of the Scriptures, and Preach My Gospel.  We study for those that we will be teaching that day. Then, at 8:30, we can eat Breakfast. 9:00 is when we need to start Companionship Studies ( the same things as personal study…we just do it together) and finally, at 10:00 we go out to work. By the time we come in for the night at 9:00 PM, it is dark again. At least we get to leave the apartment at 10:00 while it is day out. It will be weird not having a schedule like that at home. I don't think that I will have too hard of a time switching my sleeping habits.

Thanks for all that you guys do for me. You take care of yourselves, and stay safe. I hope that you enjoy the Christmas Party, and your Christmas Break. It will be a lot of fun. Thanks for the support. I can't wait to see you again! Enjoy your last week of school. Be careful, and have fun!

Love,

Elder Savage

      Elder Colton Savage

     1610 N.  B St.

     Richmond, IN  47374

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