Hello everyone! I hope y'all's Christmas was FANTASTIC! I just have to say. Christmases on the mission are my favorite. There are so many wonderful miracles that we get to witness or be apart of. I love this time of year!
This last week, we have seen so many wonderful Christmas miracles.
So last week, we had our Branch Christmas Party. Sister Fernandez had invited one of her friends, Tracy, to come. Tracy also came to church the next day, and Christmas Eve, we stopped by her house to wish her a Merry Christmas, and she invited us in. We talked about how God is always there for us, and how He leads us to the people and things we need in order to feel His love and to be on the right path back to Him. She was so thankful that Sister Fernandez invited her to church, and loved it so much. Yesterday, she came again, and said she loved it, and that she wants to keep coming. We had dinner with Sister Fernandez and she had invited Tracy to come over too. We had a lesson about the Restoration of the Gospel, and Tracy completely understood that there was an Apostasy. She said she has felt that way too--searching high and low for the truth, but not being able to find it yet. She said she feels so good every time she meets with us and comes to the church. She told us she wants to learn more before she will be baptized, because she wants to be ready. We are so excited for her. She is so prepared, and wants to be a part of the truth.
Last night, we had a lesson with Nikki and John and their family. They are doing so great! We reviewed the Word of Wisdom with them, and Nikki told us she hadn't drunk coffee for 3 days! She wants to be baptized, and is doing everything in her power to prepare herself for it. We are so excited. She has seen a change in her life from living the commandments, and she is excited for baptism.
Also, yesterday, we were going by some people we hadn't been able to contact for a while, Alta and Jorge. It had been about a month or so since we had been able to see them, but we had a feeling to go by yesterday, and they were both home! How wonderful! We shared the video "A Savior is Born" with them, and they loved it. They had missed us coming by, and wanted us to come by again. They even invited us over for dinner on Friday!
David is doing great! We had a Family Home Evening with him and the Page family. It was great fun! We talked about baptism and confirmation, the promises we make, and the blessings that come from keeping those promises. David was excited and really understood it. He is excited to get baptized coming up here soon. He loves the church and the gospel, and loves learning more and more. He is still reading in the Book of Mormon every day and loves it.
Christmas night, we went caroling with some members of our branch. It was really special to see those we went to have their evenings brightened by Christmas Carols. This time of year is so wonderful. But the part I love most is that it doesn't have to only be during the month of December. We can have the Spirit of Christ with us throughout the year. We can spread the joy we feel from living the Restored Gospel with those around us during any other time. I think that has been something I have really learned from being a full-time missionary. As a missionary, all your thoughts, actions, words, and sometimes even dreams are focused on helping others come unto Christ through the principles and ordinances found in His Restored Gospel. It has helped me understand that you don't have to wait until a certain time of year to share the Gospel with those around you. When I return home from my full-time mission, I still plan to talk to all those around me, to declare the "good tidings of great joy"that have blessed my life so much.
I love my Savior and my Father in Heaven. I trust them and their will. I am all-in in their work.
I love you all! Have a safe and Happy New Year!
