I must say it feels like a year ago I talked to you.. but yet it feels like it didn't even happen because it went by so fast!! Overall though it was probably the Best Christmas present Santa could have given me:) You guys are all so great and still the same haha I felt like nothing had even changed and that we were all together just like old times:)
Well like I told you last week Russians don't really celebrate Christmas on the 25th of December, so in a way it was really hard to even feel the Christmas spirit. To me it just felt like a normal day in Russia. Before the 14th of December me and Sister Dutson came up with a 12 days of Christmas we were going to do. Technically it was like a 12 day's of service haha but I have to say I loved it!! It really pushed me to reach out to others and kinda do stuff to show people I love and care about them. Christmas eve we were heading back on the train for 8 hours. As I was sitting there bored, not really being able to do anything except think. I began to think about all those Christmas eves I've had throughout my life. I'm not going to lie I was getting homesick thinking that I was away from family and friends in a place that I don't even know, with a Russian companion, speaking a language that beats you up. haha I'm not going to lie I was feeling a little lonely. But that night for my 11th day of Christmas is was to say all my prayers in gratittude to the Lord. As I was doing that things started to become so much better. I had realized what a blessing it was to be here and to serve his children.
I talked about He is the Gift video last week in my letter and something I've been thinking about is what kind of Gift could I give to my Savior. My heart, might, mind and strength!! Christmas day I woke up feeling like it was another day. Rolling out of bed to say my prayers, exercising, getting ready, then beginning my studies. I focused all my studies on Jesus Christ and his Character. Then for the rest of the day I thought about him and acted like he was with me through out the whole day. The gift that I've given him is my service here in Russia! haha I know it may seem obvious but that is my gift to him. If you don't know Missions are very very difficult. They are not the easiest things in the world. And sometimes I don't even know why I'm doing it. But when I think about my Savior and My Heavenly Father and how much I truly love them. Then I know why I'm here!! I'm here because I love them. And I'm here because I promised them before this life that I would do this work for them. All the way here in Russia.. haha I had the whole opportunity to teach 3 people all about Christ. I can't even explain the spirit that was with me through the day. This was a christmas I'll never forget, not because I received a lot of presents, not because I was with my family eating my moms famous candy cane bread but because I was here serving the lord and doing all that I could to help his children come to understand who he is and all that he's done for them. Christmas is what you make it. It doesn't matter if your with your family and friends or halfway around the world. The real gift at Christmastime are the fruits of the spirit. Paul said, The fruits of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, and faith. I don't think there is a better Christmas then that:)
I hope you all have a happy new years!!! I'm telling you it's going to be another great year!!! Love you!!!!
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