Happy New Year everyone,
       Well here we are in 2013, It's hard to believe, We are getting back into the crazy swing of things, which is good, because we found not having a lot to do on the Holidays very frustrating, It was wonderful to hear, and speak, and even see some of you on FaceTime, but we still were at loose ends, and I guess feeling a little homesick, Things are quite chaotic here most of the time, the Devil is certainly making himself felt among our better missionaries, and even we are not immune to his subtle, and not so subtle enticings. The work is really stepping up and things are starting to improve here in the mission, The mission has been in a fairly rapid decline over the last few years, so we were pleased when our December baptisms were the best in the last 18 months, and the best December for 5 years, as it usually is a very slow month. We had 30, with a total of 263 for the year.
     New Years Eve was very quiet as it usually is for us, the fireworks started as soon as it got dark, (about 4:30ish) and continued on all evening, President Millar met with the Assistants to the President  for Monday evening accounting and I made dinner for us all as usual here at the mission home, Tuesday we took the christmas tree down and all the decorations, (nothing like in St George) but they were great, and of course I put bows on the pillows as usual, I brought some of my things with us, nutcrackers and nativities, and the place looked very festive, We honestly didn't have time to do more.
  Wednesday we spent at the office on the Temple grounds, catching up on everything, and getting the final things written for a 2 page handout we are doing monthly for all the missionaries and Stake Presidents, it's called "The Harvester," President Millars "baby" it has inspirational messages and updates on baptisms, miracle conversion stories, easy recipes for the missionaries, and a bit of local history, so they will get to understand the English people, and customs a little better.
  Thursday I caught up on laundry and then we drove to Poole, on the south coast, for a missionary correlation meeting, We did manage to eat at our favorite fish and chip place called Chez Fred's, which is just outside of Bournemouth, before driving home, It's a 2 hour drive each way
 Well today was a dental checkup for me, and then straight to the office to finalise "The Harvester", when that was finished we had to drive to Worthing, near Brighton, on the south coast to interview an Elder, and now we are finally home for the evening. We love all of you, and miss you tons, but we are so busy it helps, Have a wonderful birthday all you January people, God Bless, and keep those prayers coming, we need them. Love always. President and Sister Millar. (Doc and Val)