The people of Nicaragua, and many of the Central American countries, celebrate Christmas on the 24th, so we will celebrate tonight with the missionaries here in Estelí. We love and appreciate them so much, and enjoy our time with them. Some are calling home today and others will call home tomorrow. Skype is a huge blessing for those of us serving now. When our sons were serving, we only got to talk on the phone, but we loved those special opportunities to hear their voices and their love of the people they were serving and of the Lord.
We went to Managua last Sunday night for the Mission Christmas party on Monday and to get our vehicle serviced on Tuesday. Lee said it reminded him of Coronado events with the energy, everyone looking their best, and the joy of being together...most of the missionaries are still teenagers. We both have such a strong affinity for the youth, especially the valiant youth we have had the opportunity to work with inside and outside of the Church! It was fun to watch them interact and to associate with them. We also enjoyed spending time with the other Senior couples and even had the opportunity to meet the new office couple for the South Mission. After we dropped the car off for service, we were able to stock up at Walmart and Price Mart with items we can't get in Estelí. We didn't get home until almost 11 that night, but it was so worth it. We can't complain a bit as many of the young missionaries got up Monday morning at 2 to get ready and catch buses to be in Managua at 8, and then didn't get home until after midnight from their bus rides back. Oh the energy of the young!
We had many sweet experiences this week as we went with the different sets of missionaries here and delivered cookies, food, Christmas carols, Christmas thoughts and videos, and prayers of gratitude for our precious Savior at this time we celebrate His birth. All were surprised and grateful, and we left them feeling loved and remembered by our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Our favorite was our Family Home Evening with Marvin's extended family. His mother, Sofia, is adorable and wanted us to do one for Christmas. Lee showed some videos of the Nativity, the true meaning of Christmas, and what gifts we can give to the Savior and to others. Then he had each of us tell what the Savior has done for us. The spirit was so strong as each of the 18 there testified and expressed gratitude for the Babe born in Bethlehem so long ago. Oh how we love that family and want to help Sofia and her late husband have an eternal family!
We are blessed to know Jesus Christ and to have His gospel in our lives. We have the gift of the Holy Ghost to enlighten us and help us through our daily lives and with tough things. We understand that we have a loving Heavenly Father, who is only a prayer away ALWAYS! We have the commandments and Church leaders to help us know exactly what we need to do to be able to return to our Heavenly Father's presence with our families forever. We have temples to be sealed and to gain the extra help, guidance, and peace we all so desperately need, and to help us qualify as eternal families. At this special time of year and in our lives, we are so grateful to our Dear Heavenly Father for His Plan, which gave us the greatest gift of all, His Son, Jesus Christ, Who made all things possible!
We love you all and wish you the happiest of Christmases and a glorious New Year as we all strive to better follow our Savior!
Love,
Elder and Hermana Koelliker
No comments:
Post a Comment