Missionary Christmas

How did Christmas come so fast? It seems as though it was just last week that our family was enjoying "Candlelight Christmas" at This Is the Place State Park. How quickly this year has flown by. Today is hump day for my mission - 9 months down, 9 to go so we're on the downhill now. It is a mixed feeling - so happy to be getting closer to being home with loved ones, but still feeling like there is so much to do here. I have learned much - about the great need of God's children everywhere, about the Gospel of Jesus Christ - about God's love for me and the power of the Atonement in my life. I am grateful. I am so very blessed.

December has been a busy, busy month. Our Senior Missionary Family Home Evening Group was hosted by Elder and Sister Winter's daughter and son-in-law. It was a wonderfully fun night with the greatest of company - and a wonderful meal.  Afterwards we dressed up as the nativity, played Christmas bingo, and sang carols together.

 I love these Elders and Sisters. They are hard working dedicated missionaries who set a wonderful example for all. They are left to right: President and Sister Gelwix, Aldrich, Williams, Cook, Fredrickson, Williams, Gunn, Hansen's (our hosts), Pack, Billy, Thompson, Winter, Mahlum, Sisters Olson, me and Besser, Miller, Wilson and Ainscough.

Two days later was our Christmas Zone Conference. What a jam-packed, fun, spiritual day. The Fresno North Stake (our stake) was the host stake and had the whole building (even the restrooms) decorated in a German theme with nutcrackers on each of the tables. There were 230 missionaries there that day.

The day began with spiritual instruction from President Gelwix and we viewed a video on giving. He instructed us on gaining and using Christlike attributes like kindness, charity, softening our hearts and no judging. We have been given so very much and have been trusted to use it for doing the Savior's work.

 

Next the Assistants, Elder Pinnock and Elder Hortin taught us about revelation through the Book of Mormon. We cannot convert beyond our own conversion. We must have a personal testimony. This can be gained by personal reading, studying by topic, praying to know it's true and by using the Lord.

 

Sister Gelwix spoke to us of Black verses White in the scriptures.

• Black is the words on the page
• White is what the Lord wants you to learn

Reading is merely entertainment. we should be studying - which is searching for an answer.

Praying - am I talking "with" or "to" God? Moroni 10:3-5 explains the difference.

Then on to an amazing turkey dinner with all the trimmings lunch. Our afternoon was spent watching the mission yearly video, playing games and a visit from the CFM's personal Santa and Mrs. Claus.



 

My testimony of the Savior has been strengthened this year in serving this mission. I love Him. He is my elder brother and I know He loves me. The atonement applies to every aspect of our lives. I know this for a surety because I have used it almost daily and see it daily in the lives of those we interact with and serve. The Book of Mormon is true. We have a living prophet on the earth today!  It's a good day to be a Mormon Missionary!

The CFM Motto: Never Surrender! Never Quit! No Regrets!