Merry Christmas everyone. I hope that you all had a wonderful holiday with family, friends, and loved ones. Now, since I'm so far behind on emails, I figured I'd dedicate this email specifically for the month of December so look out it is going to be a LONG one!!.
Highlights from the entire month let's goooooo!!
- started a new transfer with Sestra Smith!!
Sestra Smith and I in Croatiaaaaaa
Also in Ljubljana is Sestra Chandler (my previous comp two transfers ago!) and Sestra Williams (my first comp in Slovenia) I have officially served with (or am currently serving with) every sister missionary in the country besides the new sister that just came. And I'll probably serve with her next transfer hahaha
- We went to Brezje where an absolutely gorgeous church is (photo included). We also attended mass there and it was my first time ever going to mass. It was really cool and the songs were so pretty!
Cool church in Brezje
- made potica which is a traditional slovene dish with an amazing family
Making potica ft. Sestra Chandler channeling her Italian side
- went to Celje for a pday and got to eat Wok N Roll again (tears it was so good) Also all of the sisters that are in Slovenia have served in Celje now
The best Kebab ever in Kranj
- also got freshly made cotton candy is it was so good
Cotton candy with Sestra Williams
- our friends that we are teaching english keep making us fire traditional food and desserts - i love them so much
- In middle of November I had an idea to create a caroling group on Facebook to invite a bunch of people to go caroling all around. It was so fun. Every week we went caroling at least twice.
Caroling
We went to the center of Ljubljana for the most part and then to a couple of other places like Novo Mesto and Maribor. It was so so so cool. Especially seeing everyone smiling and singing along.
Caroling again but in Novo Mesto !!
There were many times where we were singing in the freezing rain and snow, but it was all worth it. Not gonna lie, my voice is completely shot and gone but hey, I sung my heart out.
Caroling again but in the freezing rain wooooo 
There were also many times when members joined in and that was even more precious.
- we also went caroling at an old folks home and it was so precious
- it snowed a couple of times !!
On our morning run to the castle - it literally looks like a scene from Narnia haha
- Sister Smith and I have run up to the castle a couple of times for our exercise and it has been so pretty
- All of the missionaries in the Adriatic North Mission (all of the missionaries in Bosnia, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, and Montenegro) met up together in Zagreb for a mission Christmas conference!! It was so fun! The entire first day we played games and had so much fun. We also went caroling on the streets of Croatia and sang carols in Croatian. My pronunciation was a little rough but it was so fun to go all around Zagreb and sing for other people. UGH I LOVE CHRISTMASSSSSSS!!!!
Other sister missionaries in our mission (peep Sister Wendt from the mtc!!)
Pretty light tunnel
Cool Christmas ornament pic 
We also got to stay in a hotel and feel fancy haha. They had a very bougie breakfast. The next day was the actual conference so it was full of advice and presentations from the different leaderships. It was so good though. I definitely went back home feeling so energized and pumped. Plus we also went to the American store where I got Butterfingers and a bunch of soda. Loved it. OH! I almost forgot. I also got to be reunited with my last comp Sestra Hancock. tears. I missed her.
- We also had a branch Christmas party on a Saturday - for almost the entire day before the party we decorated the church. I got into a fight with the lights because they wouldn/t untangle. But the party was so so so so so good. I have never been happier. Our friends that we teach english to came. As missionaries, we were in charge of putting on the nativity with the primary kids. It was so chaotic but so precious. I was a sheep. xD
- One highlight from the party was watching the Christ Child video. Please watch this video. It is the absolute best nativity video I have ever seen. Here is the link!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?
- My companion and I are in charge of our country's Facebook and Instagram page, we have been posting Christmas content every single day for the past month. At times it is stressful but it is so fulfilling to see it all come together.
- We did a lot of visits this month with both members and our friends. It has been so cool to meet with them and just talk about Christ's birth and why it is important that we have this season. So good.
Snowy morning 
- For Christmas Eve we went up to Celje in the morning and spent a good portion of the day with the other missionaries. We got the Polar Express approved which was so good. We also played games and did a white elephant exchange/secret santa. Definitely a blast. Afterwards we went to a members house and this was one of the best experiences of my entire mission. I am not joking or exaggerating. We had food together and played around with the kids and the other people that were visiting and then towards the end they had us sing Christmas songs for them. On the last song, we sang Holy Night and then asked them all to join. It was so precious and sweet. Afterwards we all sat down and went around the room and shared why we were thankful. I cried. I literally cried because it was just such a tender moment to hear everyone share why they were thankful, especially the younger kids. I am so thankful to be here in Slovenia. I can't think of a better place where I could be. I am thankful that I am a missionary. I am so happy that I have the knowledge that I do that I am on the right path in life. That Jesus Christ is my Savior. He was born to redeem us from our sins so that we could repent and have joy. So that we may be able to feel happiness and love. What a wonderful world
- For the actual Christmas day, in the morning we had church and it was so simply beautiful. They had all of the sister missionaries come up and sing Still Still Still (if you haven't heard that song go and download it rn please). It was just such a beautiful church service.
Hay Manger in center - so pretty
Later in the day all 8 missionaries in Ljubljana went to the branch president's house for Christmas dinner and it was so fun. This family is American and so it felt so at home. They made us a bunch of really yummy food and we played games. Also near the end we all gathered around their piano and sang songs with them and their younger kids. Again, something about singing Christmas songs really gets me. You'd think that by now after singing them over and over and over again multiple times a week, I'd be sick of it, but no it is the opposite. There is also something about learning the song in a different language because the words have different meanings. Overall, I am so thankful for this family and the kindness they showed us.
Being away from home has been a very different but precious experience for me. I don't even have good enough words to describe it haha. I have been able to see this holiday in a completely different light. Instead of focusing on what presents I am getting or other various Christmas stresses, I got to focus on service and Jesus Christ.
I am so so so excited for the new year and I can't wait for everything that will come. I am so thankful for everyone and hope that you have a wonderful rest of your holiday.
Sestra LaRose
Photos: There is going to be a lot so brace yourselves haha
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