Family and friends,

I hope you enjoy the latest email from Sister Smith.  I'll give a short update since that last posting...

I did receive a phone call from Sister Smith at 5:45 am from the SLC airport.  We got to talk for about two minutes.  It was very therapeutic to hear her voice!  She sounded tired but extremely excited and happy.  Her alarm didn't go off that morning.  One of her companions woke at 3:40 am, giving them a total of 20 minutes to get dressed, brush hair and teeth, finish packing and get out to the curb to meet the airport shuttle by 4:00!  She said it was literally a miracle and they somehow made it! 

She spent her first night at the mission home and is currently serving in Ithaca, where Cornell College is located.  She said it's beautiful and the college looks like Hogwarts!!!!  Only Ashley....  Anyway, she is one of 11 Sister Missionaries and they walk everywhere.  No snow, but it is cold. 

We had a wonderful conversation with her on Christmas.  She sounds very happy to be in the mission field and has participated in several discussions already with her companion.  The members take such good care of them.  There is a ward and a branch for the area...she is assigned to the branch.  The elders are assigned to the Ward and have the car!  What?  That's okay...she's enjoying the exercise!

Sure hope everyone is enjoying the holidays!  Only immediate family is allowed to email Sister Smith, but her current address for at least, the next five weeks, is:

702 1/2 Linn Street
Ithaca, NY  14850

Love to you all,
Laurel