This has truly been a whirl wind of a week.  Tuesday was our Zone Conference.  Half of the missionaries met on Monday and the other half on Tuesday.  We all gathered in the Kirtland Temple at 10 a.m.  President Valinga spoke, along with Elder and Sister Edman, a stake President and Brother Karl Anderson.  It was truly amazing and we loved it all.  One of the sisters played a flute duet with an Elder on the violin.  The acoustics in the temple are truly amazing and it sounded really special.  We were all divided into districts into each of the four corners of the temple (choir seats) and everyone had the opportunity of bearing their testimony in the Temple.  Such a great spirit!!!  We gathered in the stake center for lunch and another meeting and then at the Historical Center to view the nativities and a closing program.  Truly a wonderful day.
We have been getting more and more busy at the center as people come into view the nativities and they all love it.  It is really something to behold and we love the spirit it brings.
Friday was our training meeting and the training sisters asked Elder Edman if they could do something fun for the training and he gave permission.  What he didn't know is that it was a surprise for them.  After the introduction they asked that all who had been asked to help with the training to go out into the gathering room. This left Elder and Sister Edman alone and they began to wonder.  Well, it was a live nativity and we all put on our costumes.  As they read the nativity from Luke in came all of the bleating sheep, donkeys and even reindeer.  Mary and Joseph and the baby, the shepherds and finally the wise men.  It was so fun but so very touching.  Sister Edman had tears.  It was amazing the costumes the sisters had put together but it turned out so good and we all loved it.  Below is a group picture of all the group. 

After the training meeting we drove out to the Johnson Farm and visited with the Jones who we are replacing.  They did a bit of training and answered a lot of questions and then did a tour for us.  We then went to their apartment which will be our apartment, had lunch with them and then he showed us around town so we could find things easier.  We then went back to the Farm Home and met with the Holtry's who we will be serving with and they did some more training and also a tour for us.  By then it was getting dark and we came home.  It had been a full day but a truly special one for sure.
One day we were able to do a tour for 7 non LDS.  They told us they were Methodists and Luthuren.  What a fun group, full of questions, receptive but not acceptive.  It really turned out good and we were glad we were able to have the time with them.  Special People!
Today was our last day at the Chardon Branch.  Things seem to be improving and the missionary sisters are more enthused and getting more help with things. We had a dinner at the Palmers tonight and the Jones were there.  They had been to their Rootstown Ward and it seems they have set us up.  The ward is anxiously awaiting us and are going to put us right to work.  Should be fun!
We were also able to attend the First Presidency Christmas Devotional today at the center and really enjoyed that.  What a way to begin the Christmas Season!!!