December 27, 2021 South Dakota

 So, it's been a hot minute since I sent an email. I apologize. Since you last heard from me, I was sent to the boonies of South Dakota where the roads are red. A lot of things are different here in South Dakota: I'm training again, and for the first time in my mission, there are no missionaries in my ward or apartment complex. Which is super weird, because there's no one I'm supposed to coordinate with and getting blessings for people is suddenly a lot more of a hassle. It's kind of nice though.

There are more Native Americans here than anywhere else I've ever been to. And the ward members are so nice. I've never been fed more in my life. Sometimes we get multiple offers for food a day. There's a couple who make homemade pizzas every Friday. Every pizza is Batman themed. I'll try to get a picture for next week. Another couple decided that they want to buy all the toiletries and household items for the sisters. They were really disappointed when we bought our own toilet paper and they told us never to do that again.

On one of the first days in the area, my greenie and I went out knocking. It was cold, like wayyyy too cold to be outside (like 19 degrees so I'm exaggerating a little). The building was old, slightly leaning, with chipped paint and cobwebs lining the corners of the glass window of the door. Some sharpie scribbled on the door read "Apartments 1-3." We pushed on the door and it creaked as it swung open. The tiny room inside was crooked, with warped wooden floors and an old green recliner and a half broken China cabinet. There was a single door on the other side.

We opened the door, which lead to a set of stairs with a sharp right turn in the middle. At the turn, a cat lounged, watching us. 

"Meow?" The cat asked as we started up the stairs. 

We turned the corner and the first thing I noticed was four doors. The apartments. But the hallway was carpeted, which I  thought was odd. I caught sight of a man sitting in a recliner, watching a television set. Then I realized, it was actually their apartment.

I turned around. 

"Go go go." I whispered, beginning to run down the stairs as quietly as I could. The cat stared. When we were out of the apartment, we busted out laughing and we had the most awkward conversation with the owner.

Also, we had 5 meals on Christmas and I'm low-key still trying to recover. Also, our members gave us so much food and so many candles and chocolate.

I love you guys and hope you had an amazing Christmas!

Love,

Sister Brice