December 23, 2013

Ahhhh…another email, sent while in a creepy internet cafe while I have Children’s songbook songs blasting so I don’t hear the apostate music. Love it.

First of all, HAPPY CHRISTMAS, HARRY!!!!

This week was started by a member taking half of our P-day to make us an elaborate meal at the church. Also, this week was “Open Doors”, which was put on by our ward, as a way that they took the apostles call to open the doors of the chapel seriously. So for 4 hours every day this week, we were princess waving at contacting passersby, as a giant screen played a Christmas video. Other than the fact that it was freezing, it was pretty cool to see all the people watching from their cars and getting a bit of the Christmas spirit. It was especially great when some of the youth came out and helped us contact.

So other than freezing our limbs off while sharing the Christmas spirit, my Brit and I had a great week. We tried extra hard to be diligent this week, and had a good time running everywhere, pushing each other to contact everyone, etc. We had some REALLY cool experiences this week. We met a boy named Martin, who was a referral, and it was the coolest/most surreal experience. We prayed before we knocked on his door, and Soeur Francis later explained that she had felt overcome, and had no idea what she was saying, but words just came to her mind. Well, that worked, because when he came out, I could’ve sworn that I had KNOWN him before. This young kid who is from the Czech Republic, and lonely here in France, who needs the gospel way more than he thinks he does. But he was open and took a Book of Mormon, and I’m cool with relying on the power that book has.

The Relief Society had a dinner this week, which consisted of guessing Christmas songs (which were all English), which then meant Comfort, a member who teaches with us a lot, recruited me, and used all my answers to beat everyone else. Winners.

We got to see Zamir and Zamira more this week! Right now, we’re working with them on telling their parents their desires to baptized, because Zamira is trying to go the rebellious, “I’m 19, I’ll do what I want and tell them later” attitude. NO! So Joy brought some pizza, and we had a lesson with them, and then they came again to go caroling with us, when all the Lyon missionaries went. We’re going to visit their family on Christmas, and get to know them more.

We also had Zone Conference this week! I got to see 3 old comps and it was awesome! It was obviously all about Christmas, and was the best thing ever. Also, we got our Christmas presents! Don’t worry, I haven’t opened them yet.

So a stressful thing this week was when we got to Friday, and still had NOWHERE to go on Christmas. WHAT? Okay, I know that that is not the real reason for the season, but I had no idea what to do. I have my British bleu, who NEEDS a good Christmas, since first transfers are hard enough, not including spending major holidays away from family. I had talked to the Sister Training Leaders about it, and was trying to not worry about it. Take not for what you’ll eat, and all that, right? Needless to say, I had a prayer in my heart. PRAYER WORKS, MY FRIENDS. That day, our phone was ringing like crazy, and has been since with invites. We’ve had to turn people down, because apparently the Christmas meals are Christmas Eve night, and for lunch only. Also, members brought us cookies and literal BAGS of food to church. It is overwhelming, and we have an incredible amount of gratitude

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ALSO. We get to stay out late on Christmas Eve (with members…duh), and get to sleep in Christmas Day. They told us we could watch a Disney movie (not like we actually have one of those lying around), and my companion screamed in the internet café with joy. Merry Christmas to all! I will be Skyping around 3 or 4 my time (happy early Christmas morning), so look out family.

I think the thing I love the most about the Christmas season is the light. In what could be a dark, and cold season, Christmas illuminates this time of year. Light is so symbolic to me. It is so apparent and beautiful. It is warm, happy, and brings peace. It impedes all darkness.  President Eyring said,

“One of the most beautiful symbols of the birth of Jesus Christ into this world is light. The appearance of the long-promised Messiah brought light to a darkened world.”

Christ is the Light of the world, not merely of a season. The Savior Himself said,

“I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.”

I hope all of you have a very Merry Christmas. This is a special time of the year, when hearts are softened, and spirits are tenderer. I know that the Savior of the world, came to be our light. He lives.

Je vous aime.

Soeur Luthi