Hola mi amor December 27, 2023

 Hello Everyone & Merry Christmas! 

 Before y'all say anything, no I am not breaking mission rules right now by righting this email. Monday was not our preparation day. Now you might still be thinking I'm breaking rule because it isn't Tuesday as I am writing this. While it just happens to be the week of Zone Conference, so that it what we did yesterday instead of a preparation day. 

Now that y'all know I am trying to be obedient, please allow me to y'all about my week. (There is a lot to write about, and still not a whole lot of time) 

Christmas! I still can't believe that Christmas is past, yet it feels like I have been celebrating for several days. With the day being a "regular" mission work day, we were very busy. We text just about everyone we were teach and more, wishing them all a merry Christmas. Then we had lunch with our district at a members house which was amazing. From that point to the end of the night we were running from appointment to the next. These were less of teaching our friends and more of ministering. I loved being able to spend Christmas with those that didn't have many others to spend it with them. We taught and testifying of Jesus Christ and how He is the Greatest gift. It was my favorite Christmas because I simply wanted to talk more about the baby Boy that was born over two thousand years ago. Thankfully I was able to do just that. Also thankfully we had some wonderful southern cooking for dinner.  

The day before Christmas was a wonderful day as it is every week because the Sabbath Day is the best. We had a time remembering Christmas and dropping off what gifts we could give.  

The day before the day before Christmas, we had a wonderful time. We had dinner with a member family and then we went caroling afterwards. It was fun to sing, and truly wonderful because it wasn't cold as we went from family to family. I love spreading joy through song even if we don't sound too great.  

Also still on the note of Christmas, but still the day before the last mentioned day, we had our GANM (Georgia Atlanta North Mission) Mission Gathering. It was wonderful seeing everyone and having fun as we do service and played games. My favorite part was then they gave us our physical copy of Preach My Gospel. I have been waiting for a long time and I have loved using it during my studies. 

Yesterday was also another gathering of Missionaries, but this time it was only for Zone Conference so we didn't see the entire mission. I did see all the past Missionaries that I have trained, except Elder Christensen because that would be pretty difficult.(he is the one who is in Peru now) I loved how we talked about truly having faith in God's Commands as we strive to be faithful. We turn once again toward Nephi for guidance as we see that he was always striving to be faithful in keeping the Commands of the Lord. I hope can have the same amount of commitment to the Lord.  

I know this is getting pretty long but I am not done yet. There is one experience that when it happened I knew that I had to write about it.  

For some reason I have felt weaker this week. Could be that I have been getting sick, but I don't think so. My lungs just simply haven't been as strong as they normally are, which isn't saying much, but I felt weaker. I didn't have as much energy as I normally do which can often be frustrating to me because I want to go and work hard but I feel my body slowing down. It is hard because I have made so much growth when it comes to my lungs, and feeling weak in the lungs makes it feel like it is day one again. One night this past week I had all this and more on my mind, as I tried to rest from the day. And I did as I normally do when I am super weak. I watch some videos of Christ. As I did so I came across The Christ Child nativity video. That video along with others reminded me of He is the center of my life. He who lifts us when we are weak. Jesus the Savior of the world. I felt the spirit strongly as I was reminded of God's love. I never forgot His love, but I am grateful for the reminder.  

I know that Jesus was born of a Virgin. He was born to give us hope and I know that hope has lifted me. He lives and He is loves us. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.