Christmas time is the best time!‏

Written 12/23/2013

 

Good Morning my loved ones.

This week was an emotional roller coaster. More on that later. This week has also been super fantastic because it's Christmas! Yesterday we had the awesome opportunity to go to the mission home for Zone Conference and to watch the First Presidency devotional. That was so sweet... It really feels like Christmas here. We even ate really nice sub sandwiches! It was so American I wanted to cry. I couldn't help but remember that devotional, what, 3 years ago now? At Heather and Spencer's apartment, when we watched the devotional with them; they made the peppermint chip cookies and Charlotte got so excited I thought she was going to pop? :) What good memories :)

Here's the reason for my slightly broken heart this week: We had to postpone T.'s baptism. I don't want to give too many details, but as we were going through his practice interview for baptism, a few things we hadn't known about came forward that need to be resolved. We were really bummed for a while, but I prayed that night and felt such peace about it all. I know it's way better for T. to be completely spiritually ready for his baptism than it is for me to have my selfish desires (a Christmas baptism). I feel a lot of optimism about it and we're hoping that it can happen in the next couple weeks. He is so wise, and I'm happy that he recognizes the need for and desires complete repentance in his life before he makes sacred covenants. What an example he is. Keep sending your prayers his way!

I have really limited time today, but I want you all to know how much I love you and how much more the Savior loves you. I can relate more of my weeks actvities to you when I SEE you tomorrow :D

Your emails the past two weeks have been a huge support to me. Shoutout to Bekah this week who will be celebrating her birthday and we will all celebrate her awesomeness. All the best to you, Bekah :)

This week during one of my personal studies I was reading about the life of Jesus. For our celebration tonight as an apartment, we wanted to do the traditional reading of the Christmas story and sing all the Christmas songs in the hymnbook. As I thought about our plans for Christmas Eve, I had an idea (impression?) to make a...program? of sorts. (For lack of a better term.) I went through the story in Luke and the story of the Wisemen in Matthew and divided up the scriptures with the Christmas hymns that corresponded to the verses. Tonight, we'll read a few verses, sing the songs that go with them, read some more, sing, and enjoy the Spirit of Christmas. It was a special experience to read the verses, ponder on the lyrics of the songs, and to think of the birth of our Savior. The lyrics of the hymns are powerful... I would definitely suggest to look through them. Music is powerful.

We had a lot of less active members come to church last Sunday, and I am forever grateful for this universal time of year- everyone's hearts are softer, words are kinder, actions are sweeter, people are more selfless, and feelings are more tender. At the Christmas party, the Elders and us sang the First Noel for the beginning of their program, and it made me think of my year of Madrigals, getting to sing for so many ward programs and dinners. What a special time Christmas is, wherever you go, and whoever you're with!

Thank you for your support and your love. Sorry this email is a little bland this week... Hopefully tomorrow will make up for it :) There's probably more to say, but I can't think.....

So.....

I love you all so much, and I'll SEE you tomorrow!!!

XOXOX

Sister Luke

P.S. One special request: To anyone who would like- President Lopez asked us to gather testimonies and experiences that people have had with keeping the Law of Tithing, so we could share some of them (and the blessings that have come to loved ones in our lives) with the less actives we are teaching. If anyone would like to send me their testimonies or experiences with the law of tithing, feel free, they would be greatly appreciated!