MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
“Life is better when you have a great pen!” ~ President Peterson
Well we took that pen, took the opportunity of a new transfer and wrote down some crazy high goals! But what are goals without solid plans and action? Nothing Haha so we got BUSY!
We had a ward activity that originally was just members getting together and caroling in front of the chapel for 30ish minutes. Well at 2am, I had the brilliant idea of turning it into a finding opportunity. We wrapped 60 Book of Mormons in wrapping paper, bought a whole bunch of candy canes from Costco, collected member testimonies, and started to work some magic.
Each candy cane got a scripture of joy or hope taped to the front. As people walked past we offered a candy cane and asked them to read the scripture on it. Those who read, we asked if they wanted to know where it came from. Many did, so we gave them a wrapped BoM present that had a member testimony inside. Those who stopped to listen to the singing or talk a little more were invited to start learning more about the Book of Mormon and our church. We found 10 new people to teach and gave away so many BoM! It was an incredible success!
As we did our best to follow the Spirit this week and plan very thoroughly we saw miracles! We found so many new people to teach! So just pray that they continue to progress!
On Sunday we also had our musical fireside! We had two of our friends come who have been struggling to feel and recognize the Spirit. But they definitely felt it that night! When we followed up on those feelings one of them said, “it’s about time!” Haha she’s been meeting with the missionaries for a while. Hopefully this helps her really start to build her relationship with Heavenly Father.
This Christmas season our mission had a goal of developing a Christlike attribute. My first choice as soon as they gave the invitation was patience because I knew I needed to work on it. I turned to the scriptures and everything around me and in the scriptures felt like I was studying about charity and having to develop more charity and love.
I started studying Christ’s Atonement more and what an expression of love that was. But then one day it all came back to patience.
Moroni 7:45 says
“And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”
Charity and patience are so interwoven, even in the Atonement. Christ loves us so much that He is so patient with us. We all make mistakes, but that doesn’t make Him love us less. His love is infinite which makes His patience eternal.
I’ve still got a long ways to go, but I’m grateful for the Savior’s example in leading me there.
Merry Christmas my friends! Make time for Christ in your life, and also in your day. Take the time to feel that reverence, and let it bring you peace. That’s what He came for after all.
I love you all so so so much!!!
安姐妹
Sister Kara Andersen 