We're dreaming of a White Christmas!

To the missionaries of the Great Texas Houston Mission,

We hope you all had an enjoyable Thanksgiving celebration. We are thankful for you!

We are excited to turn our attention now to the Christmas season particularly with the He is the Gift initiative kicking off! What a wonderful time of year this is! For missionaries, this is the best time of year to catch even the hardest of hearts with a Christmas message. I attended the Spring Zone meeting last Friday and was impressed to hear that some companionships had already begun committing large numbers of members to "Share the Gift". Elders Hilder and Gray had committed more than 26 members the day before to act and all received the challenge with great enthusiasm. Inspired by this, Elder Platt and Chatwin went out and topped that number on Friday and Sister 'Aisea and Lusk found a complete family by tracting and incorporating the "He is the Gift" into their door approach that night!

I'm sure there are great things happening in each of your areas as well. Plan how you will use this campaign to create the best exposure to this message as possible.

If you recall, I issued you each a challenge to find someone you could baptize in your areas during this month. I know it is possible if that is the desire of our hearts and we act according to it. Seek revelation particularly as you do the following:

1. review your area books with the Christmas and He is the Gift campaign in mind.

2. Work with your WMLs and Ward Councils to identify part-member families in your wards with whom you can share "He is the Gift" and encourage all to come unto Christ by rediscovering the first Christmas gift and committing to follow Him.

3. If you aren't buried with investigator teaching appointments, please do all you can to make the most of your time finding in the evenings. That's when families are home. It seems that we don't take advantage of this time nearly enough, but this is the time to do it. Please seek revelation and then be bold. The Lord will lead you to those who are searching.

We love you and are inspired by the great work that is taking place in our mission. We look forward to seeing you at our Christmas Conference to have the time to celebrate this season together!

Love,

President and Sister Mortensen

Here are some pictures taken last Sunday at the Mission President's Fireside in College Station. We enjoyed special musical numbers from Sister Carling, a mens group including many Polynesian elders, and of course our missionary choir. It was outstanding! The recent convert testimonies were so inspiring and we loved being with the people in College Station. 

We had to say goodbye to Elder Nymeyer a week early so he can get his shoulder repaired. We will sure miss him!

 The next several pictures were taken at Mission Leadership Council last week. They are an amazing group with some incredible insights. We love learning with them.

We had a wonderful Senior Missionary Conference at the Chappell's beautiful home. We enjoyed spending time together and getting to know each other better. We are so blessed to have so many great Senior Missionaries in the Texas Houston Mission!

We got to see Sister  Macall Bowden and her groom-to-be at an Open House for the happy couple

Macall and Damon
They make a beautiful couple!