I will be honest, this week hasn't really been that special.  For us as missionaries, we still go to work even if its during the holidays.  It's hard work, there doesn't seem to be a day off.  It's rewarding nonetheless.  Last week, I talked to Gracie and Walter about their Christmas, and they said it was fine, they just went to a party (I think work-related) for a few minutes and decided that it was enough for them and they went home to spend Christmas quietly. They really enjoyed it that way.  They are pretty awesome people, very chill and are comfortable to talk about anything.
  Christmas was fun, The highlight was talking on skype.  I don't think I used it before.  Later on in the day we went to the bishop's house and spent time with their family.  The day after, it seemed the weather changed once again overnight.  It got really cold, my ears were pretty frozen, so we went to a nearby store to get a beanie, and I've been wearing it ever since.
  So since it is a winter break, there are alot of people out of town, so we didn't do much.  But we did get to meet some people.  For the past couple months, I have thought about how to describe Tuscaloosa.  I will be here in this city for another 6 weeks.  I've noticed that the members of the church are really nice and love to work with us missionaries, and they have helped out alot.  At the same time, there is a lot of tracting involved.  Most of the time we meet someone, most likely baptist, and they really just want to bash against us.  We run into a lot of crazy people, and it tends to bring a headache trying to explain doctrine to them.  Even when bearing a testimony may seem effective to bring the conversation to a close, they still want to "prove" us wrong.
  It varies from house to house, there are alot of nice people and alot of crazy people, and some people that have both qualities.
Happy New Year everybody, don't party too hard
Jacob Miklich

pictures!

Attached are some pictures.

1. from left to right: me, Walter, Gracie, and Elder Peters 

2. Me, Sister Edna Nelson, Walter, Gracie, Willie Mae (Gracie's older sister), Elder Peters, and Bishop Thompson

3. Elder Peters' Christmas tree

4. Elder Osiemo, Me, and Elder Lacour (my last companion who went home in November)

5. Elder Peters and I.

-Jacob

Hello everyone,

  So Mom received a phone call, so I will talk more about that haha.

This week has been quite a surprise.  We set Dec 15th for Gracie, 65, to be baptized.  So last tuesday we had to meet with them to sort out everything needed for the baptism: meaning teaching more commandments (which was pretty funny to teach tithing btw, we asked her if she would live the law of tithing and she looked at us like we were crazy and said of course!)  the interview for baptism, and how the baptism will be performed.  It seemed that we had alot of things to do last tuesday, and on top of all that we wanted to set a date for her husband Walter, 58.  He has been coming to church and has been motivating Gracie to investigate this church, we wanted him to prepare for Dec 29th so he has time to give up smoking.  He then said he wanted to be baptized the same day as Gracie and would give up smoking then and there, he had alot of faith and would give up anything to be closer to his wife.  So both of them were baptized last saturday and confirmed yesterday.  Walter is this big guy and they wanted me to baptize him.  Gracie wanted Elder Peters to baptized her.  I'll share a picture.  The baptism was such a spiritual experience, alot of people showed up including Gracie's older sister Willie Mae, who has been a member for I think 20 years, and her good friend Edna Nelson.  Gracie wanted Willie Mae to speak at her baptism, which was very powerful.  Sister Edna Nelson wanted to get my mother's number and Elder Peters' Mom's number to thank them.  So I think thats where the phone call came from.  They wanted me to keep in touch when I'm done with my 2 years, I think I gave my home address.

  Last tuesday Elder Peters and I moved into another apartment which is on the other side of Tuscaloosa.  Its a pretty convienent spot for missionary work, pretty close to members.  Plus it is much better the old one. (it has a much larger water heater).  This is preparation for the many sister missionaries that we will receive over the next year.  (we will have by the end of next summer 138 sister missionaries, and 112 Elders).

  If you want to see more about whats going on in this mission, I would invite you to check out our blog:  alabamamissionupdate.blogspot.com

I must say there are many people in the christmas spirit, there's so many houses with decorations.

Take care yall,

peace love and happiness,

Jacob

  Its very nice to hear from what everybody has said.

Its cool to see jeremy's photos. For a second I forgot what he looks like... nah just joke.  Thats a pretty cool paisley tie though.  The other missionaries sitting next to me was looking and said whos that guy and why is he wearing your nametag?  haha

I feel like I should be putting up pictures up as well.  We had a baptism last saturday, and we did take a picture. So I got to find where that picture is at.  Hopefully I will attach it to this email.

Next saturday there is going to be another baptism, which I am looking forward to. Elder Peters and I began teaching her.  We found out that she has quite a religious background: Baptist, Jehovah's witness, and probably another one.  The last church she went to was Jehovah's witness, which would be a huge change in conversion becoming LDS.  But she hasn't gone to any church in like over 20 years or so.  She had bad experiences with those churches.  The way we found her was that she was a referral, someone told us to contact her.  She is really nice, and likes to talk about anything, its never a dull moment with her and her husband.  Her sister is a lds member and she has helped alot with talking to her.   She is getting baptized this saturday. Her husband said he wants to eventually get baptized, he just needs to give up smoking.  Their family is coming over for the baptism.

  At church there was a good christmas program.  Its a little early since many students will be going home for the holidays, so it was done last sunday so they can be there.  It was a good turn out.

Well take care everybody,

Jacob

   Yeah I am here in Tuscaloosa, AL. Its weird, Elder Peters just got a referral from his family, so its kind of funny how people back home are giving referrals as well. We would love to meet them.

So this is what happened: we were biking home from a far away place towards home. Elder Peters is a crazy fast biker. and so we went across this busy intersection, and the way the curb is formed you would have to bike in a S line. At fast speed it didnt occur to me that it would be difficult. (and since its in winter season there were leaves on the ground which made it slippery.) So for the most part I accomplished the first part of the S, but my bike swerved and my pedal hit the ground, the bike fell and I flew forward. My right hand got a cut, left thigh a scrape, and I could barely move my left arm. (there is this pretty cool straight white line on the corner of the ground in front of Checkers, a burger place). I stood up and became instantly light headed, so I had to sit down/lay down. I wasnt going to faint but it seemed like I was going there if I stood up imediately again. After a while I was able to get up and walk home. Thats how the accident happened, on Thursday.

  The next day I called the nurse specialist (who is awesome btw), told her what happened and what I can do with my arm. We then found a nearby hospital to see if anything is broken. It was a long wait there. I had a hard time trying to figure out my insurance info, and I knew Dad knows it but I cant just call home to ask for it. So Sister May (nurse specialist) said use their phone to call home to get it, so thats where that call came from. Nothing is broken. My left elbow is just sprained. Which is much better now, I can fully extend it and eat with it now. (It was hard for the last couple days since I'm lefthanded.)

   I was told to call president Holzapfel about how I am doing, so I did. He asked "would a call to your mom help?" I thought for a second and said a call to my mom would always help, but I dont think it is needed and I can wait for emailing and Christmas. He then said over the years of being a mission president I have found out that whenever some injury happens to a missionary, their parents would expect the worst. Just call your mom and say you're doing fine, had an accident, but will be fine in a couple days, keep it as short as you can. I thought, woah ok haha. So it was nice to hear mom and dad on the phone call.

I haven't figured out the time the skype call will be yet. but I'll let you know.

  President Holzapfel emailed us some pretty good insight from a bag of apples. Sister Holzapfel was making an apple cake for a senior couple that will be returning. The bag, in whose apples they used for baking, said at the bottom, "Meets or Exceeds US Extra Fancy Standards." Washington apples, I hear, are among the best apples grown in the world. The farmer has deemed them as "extra fancy" for they not only have met the standards, or guidlines for being good apples, but have exceeded them. President went on to say how this applies to missionaries. Some questions he asked said:

   "Would your investigators say you meet the missionary guidelines?

Would Church members say you meet these guidelines?

Would local Priesthood leaders say you meet them?

More importantly, would the Lord say you meet the guidelines He established for His missionaries?

And one more question, would any of them say you "exceeded" the guidelines?"

    This principle used for missionaries can be taken to life challenges. For it was told that a mission, is only life, in miniatures.

"It would be wonderful if your spouse said you not only met righteous marriage guidelines for a spouse, but exceed them. It would be wonderful if your children and grandchildren said you not only met, but exceeded guidelines for good parents and grandparents.

What about your employment? Wouldn't it be great if your employer always felt you not only met, but exceeded guidelines for your employment? Would you get a raise or promotion? Would you keep your job when others were let go during a downturn in the economy?

I promise you will be blessed and find more happiness when you not only meet guidelines in your life, but exceed them"

   I thought it was good insight from president Holzapfel, so I really just copied and pasted what he said. I see it to be true.

Tis the season to be jolly,

Jacob