One
of the biggest miracles this week has been teaching Jose. A few months
ago we had met a man and could never get in contact with him, but we
kept meeting Jose who he lives at the same address. He didn't seem too
interested but we shared some with him and gave him a card with our
phone number and church information. Well, after one of the nights that
we saw him again he texted us. He said that he felt bad that we kept
coming by in the rain or the cold and that he has never been able to
invite us in, but since we have been so diligent he wanted to listen to
what we have to say. So we set up a lesson and have had a few since then
and he has attended a baptism with us! His English isn't 100% but he is
understanding what we teach. He is a super awesome guy and very in tune
with his spirituality, and the gospel is going to change his life!
Like
I said, this week has been full of fun Christmas things, like more
opportunities to do service, and Christmas programs. I am so glad that
even though I am not at home, I still get to do the fun Christmas
things like setting up the tree and decorating.
On
Saturday we had our Christmas zone conference which was a blast! We got
to so some service and fun activities. It was fun getting to be with my
mission family as well as see my friends and ward members from my
previous area who were helping out with the program :) Before dinner
there was an adorable program of the nativity put on by some primary age
children. It was so special. Something that stuck out to me today was
President Russell from our mission presidency talking about the
Celestial Joy we will feel every time we see the people we have served
with, the same kind of joy that we will experience when we are reunited
with our brothers and sisters after this life. Seeing those wonderful
ward members today, people I have worked with, getting to spend the day
with the Stratfords and the rest of my mission family brought me so much
joy. And I am so grateful that God lets us feel that kind of love, and I
know it has developed through rendering service and laboring in this
great cause.
I
got to feel a lot of that Celestial joy on Sunday when we participated
in a missionary choir for a Christmas devotional that all of my
companions still currently serving participated in as well! It was
amazing seeing all of them and I didn't know my heart could hold so
much. You develop such a special bond with those you serve along side
and when you are reunited it just fills you up. Seeing Sister Hall and
Sister Speakman, the two incredible missionaries who trained me reminded
me of all the experiences I had early in my mission. It made me realize
just how long ago that time was, how far I have come. I am happy to say
I am a completely different person and still changing. It struck me
that changing in such a drastic way not only constitutes success on my
mission, but our success in life. God's whole purpose in giving us this
life is so we could gain experience, grow, change, and learn how to be
more like Jesus Christ and the person he intends for us to be so we can
achieve that joy God has in store for us. Our whole task in life is to
follow Christ's example and the path our Father has laid our for us, and
to let Him shape us and use us how He will. I am grateful for my
mission, that it is showing me what it means to be a disciple of Christ,
that it has put me in a position to be changed so drastically by The
Master.
These are Christ's own words found in John 5:30 and a statement we should all strive to echo in our own lives,
"I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me."
Seeking His will over our own is how we will achieve this change.
I
would encourage you to ponder on what you can do to more fully follow
Jesus Christ, and in turn be changed into who the Father meant you to
be.
I hope you all have a wonderful week and a Merry Christmas! Just keep smiling!
