So much happened this week, I've seen so many Miracles, but I wanted to just share my Christmas experience.
With Santa in the Mall. (sorry that it is sideways. maybe i'll change it later.)
I
cannot express how great it was to beable to talk to everyone on
Christmas!! Thank you for being so great and making my Christmas one I
will never forget, i really have ome to have a grater understanding of
the true meaning of Christmas in ever aspect. In our Christmas
conference they talked about how the spirit of Christmas really is the
Spirit of Christ; the spirit of love, joy, hope, service, and
compassion. I am filled with a grater desire to develop my realtionship
and understanding for my Savior and how deeply his life has influenced
mine. My first Christmas expereince away from home has allowed me to
take of my "blinders" of all the fun of Christmas and see more clearly
the true meaning of Christmas. Christmas morning, according to my usual
Christmas expereinces didn't feel like Christmas at all when I first
woke up. My alarm went off at 6:30 as usual, I said my prayers got up,
went to the bathroom and my little korean appartment felt pretty much
the same as anyother morning. There was no pretty lights, big Christmas
tree, Fireplace, family, mountains of gifts, or much snow. We didn't
have any Christmas movies to watch or games to play. After we opened our
few gifts our families had sent us, we sat on the kitchen floor there
thinking about what to do for our Christmas morning, we decided there
was one thing we could do. My companion and I, wrapped up in blankets
sang a christmas hymn together and read the Christmas story from the
book of Luke. We then had an amazing spirit come over us as we discussed
the Saviors role in our lives, and how eventhough this Christmas
morning was so much more simple that others we had experienced our minds
were taken back to how simple the first Christmas morning was. Before
the shepards and wise men arrived, it was just Mary and Jospeh with
their new baby in a small manger. That simple night brough the greatest
miracle into the world that has forever changed the world. We had no
christmas movies to watch, so we decided to watch "the lamb of God"
church video about Christs life. I was again reminded of the impact
Christs simple life has made on the world, on the night of his birth he
brought light into the world with a new star, throughout his life every
person who came in contact with him was lifted up, was blessed and
instiled with a greater light of hope and faith. Through his atoning
sacrifice his light has been made personal into each of our lives daily.
Through him we are able to find light and happiness admist all the
trials that we face each and everyday, we are able to recieve forgivness
for our mistakes, and able to feel the peace and hope that comes
through the sacrifices he made on our behalf. Because of the simple
night he came into the world, he was able to die and was ressurected so
that we can all experience his light into eternity.
How grateful I am for that simple christmas morning so many years
ago. I am grateful for the opportunity I had this christmas morning to
be wrapped in a blanket with my sweet Korean companion to spend a moment
remembering our Savior and how much of an impact he has made on my
life.
After calling we went out into the cold and street
contacted all afternoon, it was SO COLD! But I couldn't think of a
better way to spend my Christmas, than to be out amongst Gods children
sharing this message of his Gosple. I am the luckiest girl in the whole
world to beable to spend each day learning and understanding who my
Savior is, and the sacrifices he has made for me. I am continually
seeing the blessings that this service has made on my life and the life
of my family. Sometimes it feels like I am being blessed far beyond the
people who I am called to serve. Each day is hard, an I feel sometimes
like I am being pushed to capacity, but over and over again I am
reminded that I am not alone. He is with me, he has sent me angels to
bear me up when I feel like I cant go on any longer. When I feel like
it's harder than I can bear, I remember my Savior, and the sacrifice he
has made for me. He made it possible for me to over come the challenges I
face, as I continually rely on him I really can accomplish anything.
I pray that this Christmas season we can all remember our Savior,
and try our bests this upcomming year to learn more about him, and try
to live our lifes in away that allows us to become more like him. Elder
Holland quoted "Like Christmas, "the Kingdom of God is within you"- Luke
17:21". I know that as we strive to become more like our Savior, and to
truely understand what his life meant, our lives, and the lives of our
families will be blessed more than you wil beable to count.
I just want to leave you with the 4th verse of my favorite Hymn, I feel like it sums up the way I feel about my Savior.
I believe in Christ; he stands supreme!
From him I'll gain my fondest dream;
And while I strive through grief and pain,
His voice is heard: " Ye shall obtain"
I believe in Christ, so come what may,
with him I'll stand in that great day
When on this earth he comes again to rule among the sons of men.
( I belive in Christ #134 in English, #70 in Korean)
Korea from Giraffes eye view:
Hey
Girl! I hope your Christmas is an amaing one, know I love you! This
Christmas eve we spent it playing a traditional korean game with out
english class and eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches! ( eat as
many as you can while your in american because they are a treat here
lol!) I love you and miss you. Remember to pack lots of warm clothing!
Korea winters are FREEZING! <3
Elder's in District on the Metro
Snowman!
English Class on Christmas Eve
All the sisters in the mission.
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