Dearest Family and Friends,
It truly is the most wonderful time of the year! We have had such an amazing week, filled with Christmas miracles! We've been so blessed to have had so much time specifically devoted our specific edification as missionaries, in addition to the amazing daily opportunities that we have in our edification as we go out and teach. We were able to get a little more than half the mission together at our Christmas conference in Lubbock this past week, and it was filled with lots of fun, reuniting and of course a focus on our Savior, Jesus Christ, and what the Christmas season really is all about. Additionally, we had a mission-wide conference call on Saturday, and President Augustin re-enforced how special an opportunity it is for us to be missionaries during this time, when the rest of the world is more inclined to be thinking about Christ and His meaning in their lives.
Throughout the week I've been able to spend bits of time here and there reflecting on the Spirit of the season and the sacrifices that have been made for me being able to be out here as a missionary. Many people- members of the ward here, and our investigators ask us if it's hard to be here and away from our families. I feel that the sacrifice we make as missionaries is almost nothing compared to the sacrifice that is made by our families. Many of the missionaries serving now are much younger than I am, and I know that our absence during the holidays is so difficult for any parent, especially ones who've not had much time without their children at home... but I do know that Heavenly Father blesses His missionaries and their families. I know that as we celebrate the birth of our Savior we can truly find peace on the earth and good will toward our fellow man, just as the angel proclaimed to the shepherds on the evening of Christ's birth. That peace that we are able to feel comes as the Spirit testifies of the true meaning of this holiday season; Heavenly Father's gift to us, of His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ.
President Augustin reminded us how special it is to be in the Lord's service as a full-time missionary at this time of the year. We are able to give our gift--our testimonies at a time when others' thoughts are really more focused on the Savior already.
I know with all of my heart that this is the most wonderful, glorious time of the year indeed, because we have a great opportunity to remember the Savior, that even the world has kept sacred, and centered on the family. Throwing all of the commercialism of the holidays aside, we truly get to celebrate our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I know with all of my heart that He is the Savior of the World: The way the truth and the life. He is my personal Savior. In His example I have found the way back to my Heavenly Father. In His teachings I have found truth. And from His great and eternal sacrifice I have discovered what it truly means to live life. In this world where it feels like everything can go wrong, He makes it right. Simply put, his love is why I am here today living on this earth, and more specifically it is why I am here serving a mission.
I've mentioned 2 Tim 1:6-10 many times, and I know that my testimony of the gospel is centered in Jesus Christ. He is my rock, and my redeemer, and I know that without Him I would be nothing. I knew before that I had a testimony of this church- the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as His restored church here on the earth again today. But I did not fully understand-nor do I ever think I will fully understand the depth of Jesus Christ in my testimony. I've been able to gain a better understanding of how central He is to everything as I've been able to have opportunities to teach about His gospel, and I know with every ounce of who I am, and I can say with all energy of my heart and soul, that He is my foundation. His love is infinite, and His mercy is free to all that desire to learn of Him, and follow the path that He trod for us.
Just as He freely gave His life for us, to glorify His Father in Heaven, I've learned that we need to give ourselves in our entirety to Him, and allow His grace to not only save us, but change us. I've been changed, I think anyone who has known me for a while can see that. But I know that it is ONLY through Him, that I can have hope to continue to change, and it is only through Him that I can receive the strength I need to truly see myself in my entirety and imperfection and not be overcome with hopelessness. His strength allows me to view others with hope and love, so see and cherish their goodness, and help them to cherish it as well.
His grace is sufficient, His love is without end, and His example is perfect. I feel a great measure of joy and humility at this time thinking about the birth of my Savior, and His love for me. I'm grateful for the infinite blessing He is in my life, and the blessing I have to share my testimony of Him as His servant during this time in my life.
I'm grateful that I have this opportunity to share the good news that just as there were prophets of old to prepare the world for His first coming, that there are prophets again on the earth today to prepare the world for His second coming. That even though the fullness of the truth that He brought to the earth was lost for a time, that it has been restored to the earth again, and Jesus Christ stands at the head of His church once again, and guides us through a living prophet today.
We have so much cause to rejoice, and there truly is so much joy to be found in Him. In His sacred name, even Jesus Christ, Amen.
I love you all, and I hope you have an amazing Christmas as you remember the Savior! Don't forget to love one another, and remember His example as you do.
Merry Christmas!
Love Always,
Sister Lagrosa
p.s. sorry for the brevity, I lost the e-mail right at the end when I typed it before!
Pictures:
1- Sister Johnson, Knowling, Me, Hoover, and Vailea! (part of the posterity of Sister Johnson's training :P)
2- Me and my awesome companion Sister Plante!
3- We opened a couple presents early! New scriptures and a picture of Christ to remember what Christmas is all about!
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