singing at the branch Christmas party

Why don't you know the words to Frosty the snow man.

The poor cow that fell

Nov 29th - Dec 5th

So for Monday we went down to Skowhegan and had another exchange, we stayed for 3 nights. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday night haha elder Kulkarni and I went and talked to guy named Pedro, who speaks Spanish! I talked to him for a little bit, loved it. Love speaking Spanish! After, we tried and hit potentials then we went back home and did some studies for the rest of the time.
Next day was more work, more finding, and we didn't feel to good AND we got snow. No good

Wednesday we had our last district meeting of the transfer. Transfer calls were this week and I'm staying in Dover for another 6 weeks! Kinda saw it coming, Elder Iverson and I are also still together! Pretty awesome!

After district meeting we went and helped set up for our Branch Christmas party, we did that for 3 days, all day. Elder Iverson and I made a ton of snowflakes and a ton of stockings for it, sister Atwater seemed very upset about the short notice and little planning, but she asked us for help and we where able to help as best we can! All of us, elders, sisters and her family members where going crazy with all the prep! And, it sure payed off.

On Saturday we had it at 1 o'clock. (Weird time right?) and we had more people come to the Christmas party then there were at sacrament meeting! How awesome! It went great, we had tons of great food, lights, games, music, all the fancy stuff! I think I got s video I'll send.

After the Christmas party was over, we went to the barn to help out brother Bissell at his dairy farm. We got there and we didn't want to get in the nasty pit and milk, so we decided to help him with other things. We went and fixed a lock on a gate, then herded some cows out of the barn to the milking parlor and then we got to... wait for it... we assisted in mating a couple that where in heat.... HOLY SCARY! I don't care who you are, but when you are wide shouldered and tall and it's dark and there's a horny momma cow behind you just glaring at ya, you tend to poop yourself in absolute fear... I was on extreme caution, nope nope! After that little experience we went again to the baby calves and fed and played with them, then went to help the crippled cows get milked.. We where watching one (who was using only 3 legs) gonna go and jump up in the stall and get milked, well, she jumped, and fell.. hard.. the loud wailing and loud howling after you heard a snapping sound was terrible... this 1400 lbs cow was.. immovable. But, Brodie the wonder dog got her up, we milked her, and she went and laid down when she went back to her little corner, poor thing. Never heard something like that in my life, scary..

Sunday was very spiritual. We had fast and testimony meeting and shared that sister Mortimer was leaving. She went up and thanked the Branch for all their hard work and effort, after she spoke, sister Atwater got up and shared a story of her daughter that's on a mission and then, was emotional because of the gratitude she had that we where here right now. It was amazing, especially because she's a missionary mom, I got up and shared about my family and how much I missed them and how much of a sacrifice a mission is and how grateful we are to feel loved by someone in the area we serve.

What an eventful week, doesn't seem like much, but it made a wonderful impact on me and my mission. We currently have about 6 inches of snow, and it's still falling. But, I know that we will be protected, I also know that because we are staying here in Dover, that someone needs us, and we are going to try and find them.


I love you all, thanks for all you do!

Elder Vogel