FELIZ NAVIDAD!!!
What a wonderful season it is! Everyone more open to focus on Christ, living like Him, giving like Him, all more willing to forgive and love! Carols, lights, family, friends, food, Christmas and the change it works each year in the hearts of nearly all people are miracles to me. I love this season. I've thought a lot this last week about what you all have been doing, especially family. No doubt Dad has already made sure that everyone sat around together to watch Miracle on 34th St. and White Christmas at least once. As soon as Mikell got home I'm sure she was on the piano with everyone around singing Christmas songs (Note: for those outside the family, we don't do much of the typical singing around the piano JUST for he fun of it, no doubt everyone has been arranging their own versions of Christmas classics, with parts and sometimes with choreography, in order to perform for Grandparents, ward members, and neighbors all alike). I can see clearly the Christmas tree, Gold and silver with one Mickey & Minnie ornament in wedding attire and the "1993" written in gold on the back hung in the heart of the tree...this isn't my first Christmas away from home, and not even my first in Florida, but it definitely is my first away from family. I thank God daily for this opportunity to give up all those wonderful traditions for a couple of years so that others may have the opportunity to someday have the same level of joy and peace with their own families. The fact that all the ornaments that Jose brought were gold, silver, and red (Mom's favorite color) was a tender mercy that bolstered my spirits and gave an extra boost last week. I love my family and can't wait to talk to them on Christmas day! You all hear that? I'm gonna be ready! Have lots of good questions and be ready to spill your guts about all that you've been up to! I also expect a virtual tour of the new house, just sayin :) haha.
What a wonderful season it is! Everyone more open to focus on Christ, living like Him, giving like Him, all more willing to forgive and love! Carols, lights, family, friends, food, Christmas and the change it works each year in the hearts of nearly all people are miracles to me. I love this season. I've thought a lot this last week about what you all have been doing, especially family. No doubt Dad has already made sure that everyone sat around together to watch Miracle on 34th St. and White Christmas at least once. As soon as Mikell got home I'm sure she was on the piano with everyone around singing Christmas songs (Note: for those outside the family, we don't do much of the typical singing around the piano JUST for he fun of it, no doubt everyone has been arranging their own versions of Christmas classics, with parts and sometimes with choreography, in order to perform for Grandparents, ward members, and neighbors all alike). I can see clearly the Christmas tree, Gold and silver with one Mickey & Minnie ornament in wedding attire and the "1993" written in gold on the back hung in the heart of the tree...this isn't my first Christmas away from home, and not even my first in Florida, but it definitely is my first away from family. I thank God daily for this opportunity to give up all those wonderful traditions for a couple of years so that others may have the opportunity to someday have the same level of joy and peace with their own families. The fact that all the ornaments that Jose brought were gold, silver, and red (Mom's favorite color) was a tender mercy that bolstered my spirits and gave an extra boost last week. I love my family and can't wait to talk to them on Christmas day! You all hear that? I'm gonna be ready! Have lots of good questions and be ready to spill your guts about all that you've been up to! I also expect a virtual tour of the new house, just sayin :) haha.
Jose Torres hooked us up with a tree, wreath, and the works!
At the mission Christmas Conference we had an awesome time focusing on Christ and also the just-for-the-fun-of-it parts of Christmas. We ate food, played minute-to-win-it games, performed mini skits, had musical numbers, and felt the spirit! Even more fun? We got to participate in the ward choir and Christmas program which included song in English and Spanish (thanks to Sister Smith the choir director who moved here after me but speaks Spanish fluently since her mission in Puerto Rico, she's a boss and is bridging tons of gaps for the Spanish members here) and I got to sing some fun songs' bass parts! Performing is one of the things I've been missing the most! Singing, dancing (that I can't do at ALL, did not realize I would miss it so much), and just making people smile! I keep getting opportunities to sing and though some may call it just a normal part of life, for me each one is a blessing wrapped in a "brown paper package tied up in string" 'cause it's one of my favorite things!!!
On another note, I don't know if this has shown up where you are yet, but the church is rolling out a project called "Just Serve" and it's literally like online shopping for service opportunities! It couldn't get easier to find ways to make a difference! Look it up, learn about it, and be ready to take full advantage of it! In our area they're planning on getting it going around the beginning of the year.
Other item of business with no transition, you all should be getting a package tomorrow, nothing in it is wrapped, DO NOT OPEN UNTIL CHRISTMAS DAY! That is all.
Aside from all that, everyone have a wonderful Christmas! I love you all tons and can't wait until I talk to you (family) on Friday! The church is true, life is good, Christmas is the bestest!
Elder Smith
On another note, I don't know if this has shown up where you are yet, but the church is rolling out a project called "Just Serve" and it's literally like online shopping for service opportunities! It couldn't get easier to find ways to make a difference! Look it up, learn about it, and be ready to take full advantage of it! In our area they're planning on getting it going around the beginning of the year.
Other item of business with no transition, you all should be getting a package tomorrow, nothing in it is wrapped, DO NOT OPEN UNTIL CHRISTMAS DAY! That is all.
Aside from all that, everyone have a wonderful Christmas! I love you all tons and can't wait until I talk to you (family) on Friday! The church is true, life is good, Christmas is the bestest!
Elder Smith