Share the Gift

 

 

 

Christmas Letter to the Bountiful 27^th Ward

 

Looking back now at these 18 months that lay behind me, I feel as though I just barely stepped foot on the airplane, as if I just barely gave my last hugs and said my last goodbyes. I feel as though I just landed in this foreign country hearing the whole world speak a language that I could not understand. I look at the mountains and imagine when I rode up them for the first time, amazed by how far away I felt from everything. from house to house we walked, traveling up and down through mud and dust. I have memories of the heat of the day and the dogs that chased us through the cold night, memories of the food that at first was difficult to swallow, but now has become my absolute favorite. I remember feeling the spirit as I testified to the people as I opened my whole soul unto them speaking the best Spanish I could. I remeber the miracles we saw, the hearts that were changed, and the covenants that were made.

And now, here I am today 18 months later, and you know what the best part about life is- We still walk from house to house in the heat of the day and the cold of the night, being chased by many dogs (that never gets old). I continue testify even more than before, I still see miracles day by day, the hearts of many are changing as they kneel and pray to know the truth, and those prepared people are making lasting covenants with our Heavenly Father.

If I were a missionary my entire life I would be satisfied and content, and guess what!? The greatest thing of all is that, I can be!

All of us- no matter who we are, how old we are, or where we are, we can all share the message of the restored gospel. Not only can we share it, but we should share it, and we are expected to do so. Who expects us to share this message with the world. As says in Matthew 22, verses 37-39,

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

As we all wonder around this time of year... "what would be the best gift to give to so and so".... we should remember the best gift has already been given, and it was given to all of us without cost by our Father in Heaven. This gift is the Savior Jesus Christ who has restored his true church upon the earth and has called us all and invited all to come and follow him.

We are blessed to know we´ve been given the gift, while many still remain absolutely unaware to what great a gift we´ve been given. Many realize that He was born, He lived, He suffered, He died, and He lived again. But do they really understand why?? Do we?? Everything that has been done, and will be done by Jesus, is all part of this great Gift he has to offer us. He offers us a new beginning, a new page, a clean slate, a rebirth.

You want to give a good gift this year, give the gift of the Gospel. I promise all of you that in these days I will be opening my mouth to all those around me, sharing the gift. I will share it with the lady selling fruit on the street, the family next to me on the bus, the man pushing his bike up the hill, and with as many people as I can. I will share the gift with my family constantly reminding them of the blessing we have been given. I will share it with myself my reading the scriptures, praying daily, and asking forgiveness for my mistakes. With whomever it may be, go out this Christmas and share the gift of the restored gospel. 

 

 

 

Remember last year when I told you I ate cow eye stew..... well I never got to send a pic, but now I have one to help you imagine how it was, ha-ha ;)

 

                            The mountains from last year.... good ol´ Quilinco

                                   Me and my comp chillin at Mcdonalds

Here’s a great pic of Elder Maynes.....



In this pic, Elder Castillo, and Elder Richardson, some of the best missionaries Ive ever met.



This week we had the opportunity to ride up to an area called Santa Ana Huista, and perform 6 baptismal interviews. An amazing family who lives up there has chosen to follow Christ´s example and be baptized. Interviewing them was really special experience, especially talking with the Papá, from and no on the decision they have made will change their lives forever. They will have many challenges and face much opposition, but if they hold on strong, they will receive the greatest blessing of all, to have an eternal family, and live with Heavenly Father.

 

 

They were baptized in a river because the church doesn’t have a baptismal font.