A White Christmas - Here in California

*Elders Wardell and Becker with White Christmas bingo cards*

We’re having a White Christmas here in California this year. No snow needed. To add a little fun and focus to the season, we gave each of our missionaries a bingo card filled with “WHITE” activities to accomplish throughout December. This includes things like attending a baptism, writing December goals on a whiteboard, taking a recent convert to the temple, reading “We Need an Endowment” by Anthony Sweat, enjoying white chocolate chip cookies, and extending a baptismal invitation. It’s been a joyful way to keep our hearts centered on missionary work during the Christmas season.

*White Christmas Bingo Card - Thank you to the Ukiah Hermanas for their help*

We’ll be handing out prizes at our Christmas dinner this coming week for those who’ve earned the most “bingos.” Elder Wardell and Elder Becker reached out this week to check on one of the activities. I learned they’re only a few squares away from a full blackout. Well done, Elders!

*Missionaries returning home: Elders Fullmer, Huaytalla, Hales, Ritchie, Branson, Woodruff, President Quinn, Henrie, and Rosenberg. Sisters Freeman, Grose, Merrill, Quinn, Chappell, Campbell and Allen.*

It’s been a full week, filled with many good things. We experienced transfers as fourteen wonderful missionaries returned home and thirteen new missionaries joined us here in the California Santa Rosa Mission. We loved participating in new missionary orientation and getting to know those who are just beginning their service. We feel incredibly blessed.

*New Missionaries: Elders Merrill, Welling, Hubbard, Pyne, McIntyre, and Patterson. Sisters Winterton, Adams, Drennan, Proffitt, Sister Quinn, President Quinn, Hirschi, Brunette, and Longhurst*‍ ‍

This week we also held a mini zone conference to help our missionaries prepare for worshiping in the temple this upcoming week. President Quinn and I taught our missionaries about seeking Christ in the temple, knowing all things there point to Him. We discussed the power of the endowment and the protection we receive through our covenants. We’re looking forward to our Christmas Temple trips!

*Zoom Zone Conference - President Quinn*

On Saturday evening, President Quinn’s brother Jeff and his wife Laurie invited us to join them in Sausalito for dinner and the Christmas Lighted Boat Parade. Sausalito is a charming town in our mission, nestled along the Bay just north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Watching the parade was delightful—and coming from Chicago, it felt surreal to be outside enjoying a parade in December.

*Boats lite up cruising the bay with the Bay Bridge in the background*

*Laurie Quinn and Sister Quinn. - Jeff and Laurie live in Pleasanton, California*

On Sunday, we hosted a Christmas open house for our neighbors. For some time, I have felt impressed that we should get to know them better and let them know who we are and why we are here serving a mission. I worried that no one would come, but the evening turned out beautifully. We were grateful to meet several kind and lovely people. It was wonderful to make new friends. Thank you to the Nates, Cawleys, and Ritchies for their support.

I hope this Christmas season is bringing you peace and joy! - Elaine Quinn

Here is our “Coming to Know Him” journal prompt #23.

A few more photos from the week:

A White Christmas - Here in California

Dinner for 36 Seniors,15 MLS Missionaries - And a Story of 2,000 Minus 800