Sister in Seattle : Week 25 & 26: A Christmas to Remember‏

Querida Familia y Amigos,

A year from today I won't be a missionary. I will be sleeping in my own bed - in my room by myself because I can! It will be so weird to not have a comp, a shadow following me around! I am sure my sisters will though and if not them, then my dog will definitely not leave my side for at least a week! 6 months down...1/3 of the way done. Kind of strange, mixed emotions.

Lets see, the past two weeks have been filled with talking to all of Seattle. We are planning for the baptism of Virgilio this next Saturday, but other than that we don't have any investigators we are working with. Our family of six we were teaching dropped us, so that hurt. We have been knocking muchas puertas (many doors) and talking to everyone in the streets. Even though it's hard right now, the most interesting stories come from tracting. There are some crazies out there! I love seeing people's reactions. Everything from inviting us in and giving us food to running away and to threatening to call the police on us. People also have some very interesting philosophies and ideas about religion. The gospel is not only true, but it makes so much sense intellectually - well, at least to those who will listen to it.

Since it is the holidays, we have also spent quite a bit of time with members, whom I adore! They are so great. I have had Nicaraguan food, received a scarf from Honduras and of course a lot of Hispanic fiestas! So multi-cultural...love it! Christmas day we spent with las familias Emigdio, Velasquez y Samayoa. We also ended up playing volleyball for two hours with the Samoan ward at the stake center. Those people don't mess around when it comes to volleyball!!!

Suri & Pablito Emigdio - My Christmas Day Friends!

Something I have been studying about is agency and the law of justice. There is a quote I found this morning in the last conference talk by D. Todd Christofferson. He said, "God will not act to make us something we do not choose by our actions to become." In other words, God can't automatically save everyone because not everyone will choose to be saved. We have to learn and being willing to live Celestially now in order to become godly, in order to have the desire to live with our Heavenly Father again.

My challenge for this year is to get a brand new Book or Mormon (the cheap ones from Deseret Book) and starting on January 1st read about a page and a half everyday. That way we can read together, read as family and friends, and then talk about what we are learning at the same time. Mark in one color things that God and Jesus Christ are saying. In another color mark where it describes Christ or God. I will send you guys a letter describing more in detail.

I love you all so much. Seriously though. Have a very happy New Year! Que pasa un buen ano nuevo! Make some goals to make 2015 the best year ever!

Week 25 Challenge: