The True Gift of Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Hello my beautiful family! I want to wish you all a VERY Merry Christmas :)

Mom and I both spoke in Church yesterday!

Yesterday I was able to speak in church about "Llevar el Regalo de la Navidad a través del Evangelio." My final message for the members at the end was that Christ is the true gift of Christmas and unlike other Christmas gifts or cards that only last for a season, sharing the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ with our loved ones is a gift that will last for eternity. I'm so grateful that Christ was born and that we have the wonderful responsibility to share the good news of His birth and His restored Gospel.

I will be calling you this Friday between 11am-12 Puerto Rico time. It will probably be at 11:45am. Sorry it's so early! It was the only time any of the members could do it. So I think we're three hours apart, so probably 8:45am your time. :D

Our Christmas party in the Mission home will be tomorrow! I will take lots of pictures and let you know how it goes! I also think I'll be getting your package that you sent. I haven't received it and Hna. Lee says that they hide a package per missionary so I can get one at the Christmas party. So it's probably a good thing you didn't send a real tree! It would be a little parched....

My new companion is Hermana Camille Helmick! She is from Virginia! I lived with her for one transfer in San Sebastian. I LOVE being her companion!

She is determined to help me really enjoy my last transfer so she made a bucket list called "The Best 6 Weeks" with fun things that we want to do before I go!

So we had a blast this week decorating the house and coming up with ideas.

But don't think that was the only thing we worked on! On the contrary, we got a LOT of work done too:) we found two new teenagers to teach and her mom wants them to listen to us and they are GOLDEN!!! So excited!!

We also had the ward Christmas activity this week. It was awesome! We ended up having 4 investigators come- one is a brother of a returning member, and the three are our awesome Familia Cruz. I will tell you how we got them to come.... so we visited them Wednesday with Familia Marrero to teach them but we only had a few minutes to share so we shared the Christmas video and everything. Hno. Marrero also answered some of the questions that the father had and they shared their testimonies and everything. Mary Sue invited them to the activity, and they seemed really uncertain about coming.

So we went back the day of to invite them again and they let us in to share with them. They still seemed not really decided to come. And the wife gave us a bag with some clothing. Then they gave us a ride and dropped us off and everything and I accidentally left the bag in their car. It really was an accident! 

But when we arrived at the activity they called us and asked if we wanted them to drop it off and I said of course and that they could stay for the party! And that's what they did!! Who knew my forgetfulness could have quite wonderful consequences! They loved the program and everything, and met a lot of members. wonderful!

It is the best. This week we spoke with an inactive who has had a hard life and although we gave her the opportunity to try to learn the Gospel again and change the way she feels about life she refused to. It made me sad to see that she refused the hope we were offering her. It allowed me to see a very sharp contrast of a life filled with Christ and a life filled with doubt and broken faith. I wish she could see it as I can. But I am grateful to understand this difference so I can live the Gospel and help other people live the Gospel.

Mama: So did you receive my "trunky" papers? I can't believe I get in at 2:30! Wow, that seems super early! I would not mind going to the temple to take pictures with the family while still a missionary. But I suppose I will be released when President Newbold says, so I'm not sure if that would be okay. Also... that would be really cold.... and the dress I want to wear isn't really winter colored... I don't know. We can worry about that later!

I will also inform you that while I did send a card to you, I am planning on giving you your Christmas presents in January with my arrival!! We can have Christmas again!

So that's all! I will see you all Thursday! I will send you photos now:)

I love you all SO much! I hope you have a wonderful week and enjoy Christmas!

xoxo Hermana Hardy