FELIZ NAVIDAD!!!
It was a fantastic week full of Christmas magic and service and fun!
We had our mission Christmas party this week and it was so fun! And took up all of our day, but SO worth it! President Hanks talked to us about what we can give the Savior for Christmas this year in the mission field but I think the question is valid for everyone! What will you give the Savior this Christmas season?
We also watched Ephraim's Rescue. I highly recommend it to everyone! I loved it! He was just so willing to drop everything and help where he needed to. And he was so humble, he recognized that he had flaws, but he just kept trying. He is a great example to us all!
That night we went to visit one of our investigators. She is by far one of the most prepared people I've ever met and is the one that takes this decision the most serious. She even went onto lds.org and went through the gospel topic list alphabetically and wrote down and studied all the things she didn't know and wrote down questions she had. Who does that? Only the most amazing lady ever :) We had a great lesson with the bishop and his wife, and another member. It was quite the party!
But the best part comes later. Her baptismal date wasn't until the 25th of January and we talked to her on friday and she said that any doubts she had before were completely gone now and she feels at peace and knows that this is the right decision. And she is worried that something is going to happen to her before the baptism because of how hard Satan works so she wants to move the date up! It was so good to hear and we are SO happy for her! It is a Christmas miracle :)
We had the opportunity to work in the toy room at the soup kitchen place that we volunteer at. So basically what we got to do is take a shopping cart and the mom with the paper that had their kids names and ages on it and we got to help them pick out presents for their kids! It was so fun! We just talked to them and got to know them better and what their kids would like and made sure they didn't go crazy, but these entire buggies and garbage bags were FULL! The work that this cooperation does is incredible. All of the toys were donations and they have both new and used toys, books, puzzles, games, clothing, stuffed animals, bikes, dolls, the works. It's legit and it was such a blessing to be able to take part in helping people have a very merry Christmas. It was really eye-opening and just makes you realize that we can't take anything for granted.
We have been busy busy busy this week being little Christmas elves. but not like these ones...
(don't y'all just love our zone leaders? they're fantastic)
The 12 days of Christmas is well under way and we have yet to be caught *cross your fingers*
It's so fun to spread Christmas cheer, but especially when it's anonymous. Let it just be known, I LOVE surprises! :)
We did a little training at District Meeting this week on finding. Definitely our favorite thing in the world, but we do what we can. And what we've found this week is the importance of just being out in public as much as possible and letting your presence be known. You never know who's watching and seeing your bright shining example :)
President Hinckley said, "Do you want to be happy? Forget yourself and get lost in this great cause. Lend your efforts to ehlping people...stand higher, lift those with feeble knees, hold up the arms of those that hang down. Live the gospel of Jesus Christ."
Ultimately, we have been finding success through service. And it truly has made us HAPPY! Maybe we don't have a million investigators, maybe we're not teaching lessons 24/7, and maybe we aren't the best at finding, but we sure can help people! And we are working hard at it. This time of year has blessed us so much to be able to just be nice to people and help them feel loved :) It's the best! And we are willing to take what ever opportunities come our way, but we're not depressed in our efforts of just "going about doing good"
In fact, one of these service opportunities led us to making snowflakes in a restaurant. (don't worry, we cleaned up the mess) I was told very blatantly that I should never get married because it will only end and that the ring doesn't mean anything and that you will never be happy if you do because it has become a government institution and they will try to get you for all the money they can get and how you can't control the actions of others.
Oh boy. By the way...he's a baptist. I don't know why, but the people down here love to make it clear what religion they are and that they have no intentions of ever changing that, regardless of what they actually believe.
As we so clearly learned in Relief Society yesterday, it's so important to be "subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law" (12th Article of Faith) #stillgot'emmemorized
So lesson of the day, respect the leaders of the country, but keep the laws of God first. His commandments will never fail you :)
And last, but not least, we had another baptism! Destany, the sister of the girl who got baptized last week! It was so fantastic and this girl has a million dollar smile! She is just adorable and has already been such an amazing missionary! There was so much support from the ward as well and it is so fun to see all of the young women welcome them so warmly!
Our Christmas chain is down to 2 already. My, how the time flies! I hope all y'all have a very Merry Christmas and remember to think of our Savior, Jesus Christ and His everlasting love for each one of us!
Wishing you the best and lots of holiday cheer!
lots of love,
Hermana Blackner
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