I was told by a member with missionaries out that the family likes reading long emails so here you go.
I
have to start out with Christmas. Yesterday was such a blessing. Not
only was it the day that we celebrate the Savior but I also got to talk
to my family. My mom knows it but I just love spending quality time with
those I love. So Christmas Day I woke up, said my prayers, and opened
my presents. Thank you to all who made Christmas morning a delight! I
loved getting all the goodies and the wonderful presents. I added up the
gift cards and let's just say I will be good for the next couple of
months. We went to church after studies and did our last practice for
the choir (obviously I wasn't gonna pass up the opportunity to sing
praises)! We then had to greet people at the door and hand out the
program. Brother Newsham showed up this a Roudolgh tie and overalls. He
always wears overalls. My favorite was brother Gonzales because he
showed up in shorts, an un-tucked green dress shirt, a loose tie, and
sunglasses. He said it was a south Florida Christmas because it was 73
degrees outside. During the ward business we had Jerry Evans get
confirmed a member of the church. The bishop was the one who was giving
the blessing and I had my hand on top of his and he was shaking like a
freezing child. Either the Spirit was really coursing through him or he
was cold. Poor Jerry probably almost got a concussion. We had the
Christmas program and it felt so good singing for Jesus Christ and the
Spirit was prominent!! Afterword a great sacrament meeting we rushed to
get a member to come with
us to our dinner appointment at a sweet old ladies home. We got two of
the young men in the ward and had a great time driving over to the
ladies house. The food was wonderful and had a good conversation with
her. She is like 90 years old and still kicking. She was a 2nd and 3rd
grade
teacher for most of her life so that make sense why she is so sweet. We
had to rush back to the church so I could call my family. I was shaking
trying to open the door to the church and when I was about to call, I
was actually pretty nervous. I have no idea why I was so nervous but
once I saw my mom answer the call I had to push back tears as the
butterflies flew away. It felt like only an hour I talked to them but
when I realized the time it had almost been 3 hours! I was so happy to
see them and talk to them all. I love my family and I am so glad that
Heavenly Father has put me in this one. I then got to talk to my dad and
my brothers. I was shocked at both Zander's and Garrett's voices when
they came on. They are getting lower and I still see them as my little
bros. It is weird to realize Stocky is only 2 years of school behind me
and Gman is almost as tall as me if not the same height. Their
interactions with each other has not changed much! I am just so
proud of them and honored to call them brothers. After all of that Elder
Ledbetter and I were driving home and I just felt this weird feeling.
It was a mixture of satisfaction, emptiness, longing, happy, love, and
lost. I don't know why but then I started to read the book I was handed
from brother Davis to do my talk on. It is titled "Believing Christ" by
Stephen E Robinson. I have read it before but it didn't click or hit me
as hard as it did last night. I am so grateful for Christ and his
atonement. Mom, if you want to know how to really become "perfect" read
that book and check out Moroni 10: 32-34. That is what the true meaning
of perfection and whatever struggle we may have about not feeling "good
enough" or I have sinned too horrible to be forgiven. Think again
because
that is exactly why we need a savior. He is a coach, cheerleader,
advisor, teacher but he is mainly a Savior. Isaiah 1:18, he wants to help you and he can save you now not later. You can't just believe in him you had to believe him. Believe what he says can apply to you and all mankind. (Article of Faith 3)
Another
great thing happened this week. Jerry was baptized and it was the
first time I got to actually be there for an investigator to see be
baptized!! As a missionary I was running around and making sure things
are going as planned. I was making sure everyone who has a part in the
program
is there. Making sure the water is just right. Making sure everyone is
comfortable. Making sure I had the right people skyping in. Making sure I
had the baptismal record filled out correctly. Making sure those
speaking had their message .... and so forth. It was a really good
spiritual
meeting and it was interesting seeing how everything works behind the
scenes. Jerry is a super positive guy and really wants to do all he can
to serve the Lord.
We got the opportunity to
celebrate Chanukah (Hanukkah) on Christmas Eve. In a part member family
the man of the house is Jewish. He read the Hebrew prayers and wore the
yamikka and everything. He made us some potato pancakes which is mashed
potatoes fried in oil. Anything cooked in oil during Chanukah symbolizes
the miracles that god performed. They do not believe that Jesus has
come yet so therefore they don't believe in the New Testament. I felt
like that is how things were celebrated around Moses's time. It was
pretty cool!
Love, Elder Q
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