We
decorated for CHRISTMAS! No, we're not even halfway through November, but we're
wearing sweaters now, so I say it's Christmastime. Our little tree is the
cutest thing you ever did see. I love Christmas so much. 42 days and
counting!!!
This
week I would say the biggest lesson I've learned is about GRATITUDE. We were
meeting with two of our investigators and invited one of them to read a verse
in the scriptures. She told us she couldn't do it, but we found it in her
language so she would be able to. But she still couldn't do it. She shook her
head. "No colegio." "No school." She's not some crazy
grandma lady who's 92 and half-blind, half-deaf. She's a normal woman who's
probably about 50 and just never learned how to read. Later, we were meeting
with another family. The husband has been out of work for 5 months as of this
week. I've been on a mission for 5 months as of this week. 5 months is a long
time! His wife is sick, and can barely talk. She can barely sleep because she
can't breathe. And because of his wife's problems, this man is so stressed that
he can't even eat. After hearing these people's stories, I'm trying to be more
grateful. No matter how tired I am, or no matter how many people don't want to
talk to us, at least I can read. I can eat. I can sleep. I can breathe. We have
GOT to be more grateful.
We went
over to Andrea's house to help her clean a couple of times this week. She still
hasn't found the Spanish Book of Mormon that we gave her, BUT we found a Book
of Mormon in Hungarian (her language) and gave it to her. She was so excited to
get something in Hungarian, and it was so cute. We also finally got to meet her
husband and her two cute kids. They ALMOST came to church yesterday. Normally
we don't even have hope that anyone will come to church, so this is a step
forward. At least someone ALMOST came. We're hoping they'll ACTUALLY come this
coming Sunday, or the next Sunday for the primary program (when the kids from
the ward sing songs and say little things). They're such a cute family and
their piso is almost done, so we're excited to keep teaching them.
We've
met several times with Jonathan and Lelica. They're so cute too. We gave their
son (who's 8) one of those illustrated Book of Mormon picture books and he was
so excited to read it. When we visited them last night, he was already several
pages in. We're hoping that they will come to church this Sunday. They didn't
come this past Sunday. We have to go slowly so that Jonathan can translate for
Lelica, but they're happy to have us come over and teach them any day.
Update
on the roasted chestnuts: I did finally try them. They weren't what I expected,
but they were pretty good. Probably 4 out of 5 stars. Would definitely
recommend!
In
other food news, I made the peanut butter cookies with the chocolate in the
middle again. I hadn't made them yet this transfer, and Hermana Encarnación
really liked them, so you could say I'm finally contributing to the gourmet
cooking here in Torremolinos.
My goal
is to finish the Book of Mormon again by the end of the year, which means I've
been reading a LOT. Got 2 minutes while Hermana Encarnación hangs up her
laundry? Read the Book of Mormon. Waiting for something in the microwave? Read
the Book of Mormon. Lots of reading. It's awesome! I was reading in 2 Nephi
33:10 and really liked this verse, which is written by one of the prophets in
the Book of Mormon named Nephi. It basically explains the purpose of the Book
of Mormon:
"10
And now,... all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words (these words=
the Book of Mormon) and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words
believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these
words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and
they teach all men that they should do good."
The
purpose of the Book of Mormon is to help you believe in Christ, and teach you
to do good. Anyone who believes in Christ and reads this book will know that it
is true. It's called "Another Testament of Jesus Christ" for a
reason-- I can honestly say that, although my testimony of the Book of Mormon
grows as I read it, what's growing the most is my testimony of the Savior. I've
been putting a little black dot in the margin next to every time Christ or Heavenly
Father is mentioned, and there are a LOT of dots in this book. It's a book
about Jesus Christ and anyone and everyone who reads it will come closer to the
Savior. So if you haven't read it, or you aren't reading it every day, READ IT!
It's the best!
Stay
warm, decorate for Christmas, drink lots of water, and read the Book of Mormon!
Love,
Hermana Walker
The Christmas wreath on our door
No comments:
Post a Comment