Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. It was so crazy to not be a part of all the usual present-giving/buying, all the normal fesivites. But it's so nice to have that time to show members extra love as we all gathered together for the holidays,

We were really surpirsed, hardly anyone was at church on CHristmas day. We thought that it would be packed full, but I'm sure that plenty of people were out of town for the holidays. But it was kinda sad haha :/, we only had probably 30-40 people there, and that included the 3 white families that were visiting and didn't realize they had come to a Spanish branch. We got up in the ward choir and sang "Angels We Have Heard on High" in Spanish, and that really invited the Spirit. But there was no primary program or anything else, or decorations or special talks. Our branch president spoke along with one of his counselors. The president spoke about Christmas and the Atonement, but his counselor talked about the Book of Mormon. It just wasn't really Christmassy haha, but I can tell you what made it so awesome was being able to take the sacrament.....

The night before, our mission president gave us all permission to attend midnight mass, a tradition for all Catholic churches. We went with our zone and even though we were soooo tired then and the next day, it was an awesome opportunity. It was very festive and very interesting and cool but the Spirit just wasn't there. You could just feel that there was something missing. It warmed my heart so much to be observing everything around us in this church and all the people in it, and then to look over at our Elders who hold the TRUE priesthood. They just stuck out like a sore thumb. Their countenances just shone with the Spirit. People kept looking at us and someone asked, "who are you?" I've learned from this experience how absolutely astonished and greatful I am that I get to be a part of this true Church, that I get to have the truth in my life. I've always known it and been so thankful for that knowledge but this experience was just such a witness to me of how much I have, having the true Gospel of Jesus Christ as revealed through a prophet. It's so amazing. We're a minority on this earth, can you believe that you get to be a part of it? I've often thought, "how have I been blessed with SO MUCH when most people in the world don't have a life as wonderful as mine? I was born in this free country, to a loving, stable family home life who taught me the gospel from birth, and has always supported me economically and blessed me with love and opportunities, and I have every oportunity in the world to acheive whatever my heart desires. I have a car, food, shelter, money, clothes, family, education, a healthy normal body,health.....everything. How is it possible that I have all of this and most other people don't have it at all?" Sister Jeppsen and I were talking about this the other day. It's because we've been purposefully sent to these situations to give what other people everything we have that they need. I'm not disabled so I can help those that are; I have the gospel and all these material blessings so that I can go and spread the gospel to those who don't have it or don't understand it. I know that I'm going to be doing this for the rest of my life. I love consecrating all I have to the Lord, and I want to live the rest of my life this way. I need to use ALL that I've been given for the benefit of the growth and happiness for others. All of these blessings are no cooincidence, each one has been given me by the Lord for a specific reason.

Yesterday we had a conference with our whole mission. It was SO AWESOME to be in one room with so many missionaries!!! I love our missionaries SO MUCH, it's always a huge boost to be around other ones. We had games and food and tons of musical numbers and talks. Our president got up and frankly told us that we aren't working like we should be and that we need to step up and change right now if we want to see miracles. It was awesome. It was a good kick in the pants and a wonderful opportunity to repent. I've been doing too much of going through the motions, coming across as doing well, but not living up to what I know is my potential. His honesty was so helpful, a thousand times more helpful than any encouragement or kind words that could have been said. It really pierced me to my heart and I decided to change immediately. When I work hard and put my heart and soul and energy into what we're doing, I am constantly guided by the Spirit and am so happy and we do see literal miracles. But when I go through the motions, it's awful, because I know I'm not living up to my potential and magnifying my abilities to have success and do what needs to be done. I'm just so thankful for repentance, to be able to have that moment where I realize I need to change and to wake up the next day and do it. Heavenly Father is so patient with me and I would be totally damned forever if it weren't for the Atonement of my Savior. I love being able to share this with people and say that I KNOW it works.

Well, I wish I could type for hours but we have to go. I love you all so much, and thank you so much for your wonderful Christmas gifts!!!!!! Jen, thank you so much for the adorable scarf! Ann and Dennis, thank you so much for the card and money, it was so generous and perfect because I needed money for laundry quarters haha! Mom and Dad, thank you SO MUCh for the GPS and treats. It's EXACTLY what I need; we changed the voice on the TOMtOM to Raul, who guides us in SPanish. It's sweet. And Grandma and Grandpa, I can't thank you enough for your gift. First of all, I know that you know that blueberries and almonds are perfect and exactly what I need, that sandies are my favorite cookies, and that I think of both of you every time I eat all of these things. And for the letters from my dad on his mission, I can't thank you enough. It's so awesome to see a glimpse of what he was like at my age, and his perspective on the same things that I am experiencing. I laughed so hard when he wrote "the Latinos can never say my name" because I know exactly how that goes! What a wonderful opportunity to get to know him even better. What a perfect gift. Thank you so, so much.

Well have a happy new year! Our Mission President told us to make this the year of Jesus Christ, to quit all the play and all the talking and now is the time for WORK. Do the same, make this year the year of Jesus Christ, of doing his work and seeing miracles!

I LOVE YOU :)

Hermana Wadsworth