The Light: A Special Christmas Message

I feel extra happy this year to know that Jesus Christ was the prophesied Messiah. I know that He lives. All that He did was for us. Out and about, so many people are going nuts over presents and festivities, yet we walk among them with peace in our hearts and light in our eyes, because we know why we celebrate this season. The power of our message hit home today when we ran into an excommunicated member at Target during our weekly shopping. He promptly flagged us down and offered to buy our groceries. As we got to know him, we learned more about his concerns and reasons for walking away from the light. There was great confusion and contradiction in the things he would say, and I found myself praising God in my heart for blessing us with faith. The testimonies we have been given are precious. It is such a privilege to witness for Christ during this season of the year, and lift people to see life more clearly through the light of the gospel.

Light is my favorite symbol of the Savior. I love Christmas lights. I always remember driving around during the Christmas season and looking at all the neighborhood lights while listening to "It Must Have Been the Mistletoe." (:  (Since a song about mistletoe isn't exactly appropriate for missionaries, we have been listening to "Oh Come All Ye Faithful," and, my personal fave: "Silent Night." as we cruise past the lights.)

It is significant that we are each born with the light of Christ within us. There is not a single person I have met on my mission that I have not loved, and this because I know they hold the light of Our Lord. It is rewarding to search for that spark, and then to support and strengthen it in them. It is the greatest tragedy when we see it diminish, as ofttimes people forget, or make poor choices. I rejoice to know that you all "walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks which ye have kindled." (2 Nephi7:11). The miracles you see in your lives, and the missionary experiences Heavenly Father trusts you with are evidence of your faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement.

So much has happened since I started training Sister Arave, I have completely lost track of time. It has been the fastest 6 weeks of my life! I never want to leave the wards I am serving in. The people are constantly striving to become closer to the Savior by serving each other. I love to see the Lord's work in action. When I read about Gramzie's SS lesson on Zion and the Pure in Heart, I want to say: "Gramma! Come see Zion in Fayetteville, NC! It'll be a great field trip for your class!" But I remember there is another little Zion in the PV8 ward in Provo (: And another one in the Lehi 18th Ward, and another in the Caprock ward. What a testimony of the truth of this gospel. Regardless of who or where you are, you can be changed for the better by living the principles of Christ's gospel. We are not perfect, but constantly striving, and being filled with His love. Helaman 3:35

I keep reminding myself and our investigators: it's always a process, a beautiful, grueling, thrilling process to come unto Him, the source of light and life.

Pray for Aaliyah, Patrice, Toni and Alex Sweeney! Their family is struggling to come to church.

Know how great the Lord's love is for you this Christmas season, and remember the greatest gift of all! The Atonement of Jesus Christ. John 3:16

Go to the temple, remember and live your covenants, and read the Book of Mormon every day! He will bless you as you do so with His precious children to care for and uplift.

I feel His love through you! Thank you forever!

Love,
Sister B

Hi Everyone!

I learned a lot this week, and I want to share it all with you all; I just don't know how! Training a new missionary is stressful if you don't rely on the Savior. I have to be so close to Him all the time, especially now, or I feel completely overwhelmed and inadequate. I think this applies really well to life. Not coincidentally, three of you emailed me about how He will help us, and how He does bless us when we are full of faith. Thank you for listening to the Spirit. 

I am learning through my own experiences, and feeling deeper conversion to the restored gospel. How wise and purposeful are God's commandments! His plan for us saves us from sorrow that is unavoidable if we do not accept the atonement. This is absolute truth. The world is wrong to deny that good and evil, light and darkness exist in stark contrast. They oppose each other and are not reconcilable. With each choice that we make, we either live in light, or we live in darkness. We needed to Fall in order to learn and become like our Father in Heaven. Because of the Fall, we must choose to accept Jesus Christ. There is no other way. The need for the Fall reminds me of the children's book by Lois Lowry: the Giver. Remember how no one in the village carries memories of real life? Remember how it hurt the little boy to get them, but there was no other way for Him to understand existence or truth? There is no other way for us to learn what God knows. We must experience it for ourselves. I am amazed at the Love of God. He loves us enough to allow us to have horrific, terrifying, fantastic, glorious experiences. He loves us enough to choose to come back to Him. He loves us enough to send His son to die, that through Him we might be cleansed from sin. I know you all know this already, but I love it too much to not testify of it again! Christ is the way, the truth, and the life! I invite each of you to keep His commandments this Christmas, to show Him your love. Go to the temple, invite friends over for a spiritual message or movie, play with little children, and SING lots of Christmas songs! Christ the Savior is born!

Let me know if there is anything you all need! I love questions to respond to (: I will let you know how Aquisha's baptism goes. Enjoy the pics.

Love,

Sister B

1 In the car on our way back from the historic, first-ever Sisters Meeting for the NCRM. Sister Arave is so diligent in her studies... I fell asleep (:

2 At our Ward Mission Leader's home after the Christmas Devo.

Liebe Familie

Ich hab euch Lieb! I thought of you all this past Thanksgiving, and my heart swelled with gratefulness! I LOVE YOU PEOPLE. Your lights shine through my heart to everyone here in North Carolina.

This week has been glorious! Sister Arave and I love to run together every morning.

Thanksgiving Day, we had the opportunity to teach non-members invited over to dinner at a member's home. As we gathered around to share the message, I was surprised to realize we were going to be teaching a whole group of people, just. like. Alma. Wahoo! It was amazing! We felt the Spirit testify of Christ and the blessings He sends. We invited them all to pray and offer thanks to the Lord for the blessings He has given us, especially, the gift of His Son. Although we were present at four full Thanksgiving meals, I have to admit, I didn't eat as much as usual. Nothing can quite compare to my Sisters or my Mothers and their cooking. Connie and Mama, I miss you! (I even miss Raymond's breakfast specials, and Papa's delicious oatmeal... man...) Don't even get me going on Elise's pies. I don't want to think about it (: I settled for a new treat, Sweet Potatoe Pie, which is a favorite in these parts. It was tasty. No lemon cheesecakes though.

Enough about food, let me tell you the real reason for the gloriousness this week:

Monday, we found an elect family, prepared and excited to hear the gospel! The family is mom, dad, Aaliyah, and Patrice (twin 15-year-old girls). They remind me of Emma and Care! They are so cute, and love to give us hugs. 

On Tuesday, there was a MASSIVE rain storm. It literally pooouuured down incessantly all day. We got to eat a candlelight dinner at the primary president's home, since the power lines were out: great fun. Then we attended Young Women with Aaliyah and Patrice :D

Wednesday, we saw them again, and really got to meet their mother for the first time. She was abused as a baby, so she has been in a wheelchair her whole life. She has so much love, and so much faith in God's plan for her. Her name is Toni. Furthermore, Wednesday, we taught Aquisha again, and Sister Arave invited her to be baptized. (Drum Roll Please). She will be baptized Saturday the 14th!!! Heavenly Father is the best! Every day a new delight, a greater challenge, another soul to save.

Saturday, we finally got ahold of Ashley again, and she is doing much better! I am relieved to see her smiling and praying again. Sunday was filled with lovely testimonies. As I bore my testimony, I was filled with joy and peace. I know Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He lives. I have never known it so absolutely. I am positive that through service, treasuring up His words, mighty prayer, and sacred ordinances, we obtain a refuge in our hearts from the cares and troubles of the world. I have hope! I have joy! I desire all to receive it! Let us proclaim the joy of the atonement to all the world!

Thank you for all of the wonderful notes and love! I love you family! Je'tem Familie, Te quiero Familia, Ich hab dich Lieb Familie! Be safe and keep the commandments. Tis' the Season!

Luke 2:10-11

Love,
Sister B