Feliz Año Nuevo!
We can't believe it's the end of another year. It seems the older we get, the faster the time flies. We will not be having our normal big breakfast at midnight celebration this year, but we know that we will be awakened by the fireworks, so we don't need to try to stay up. Lee was working on his talk for Christmas Day last Saturday night, and at midnight the fireworks went off for about 30 minutes to celebrate Christmas! We'll see if tonight is even bigger, like we have been warned. We're grateful for the chance to reflect on our progress and experiences, and set new goals and plan for new experiences for 2017. We took some pictures of one of their other traditions that we'll post and explain on our blog.
We are really enjoying the work and our experiences here. While we are saddened by the choices many make and the lack of commitment to the important things in this life, we love the people and truly celebrate their progress and the changes they are making in their lives for the better. Each of us has been blessed with the light of Christ, and we are the ones who can cause that light to dim or grow brighter through the choices we make. At this time in the history of the world we all need to be striving to fuel the light in our lives, and that comes from doing the small and simple things...reading our scriptures, praying, meditating, attending our church meetings every week so we can partake of the Sacrament and reflect upon the great gift of the Atonement in our lives, having weekly Family Home Evenings, attending the temple often, serving in the church, and serving others. It's doing the little things that strengthen us and bring us joy. It's doing the little things that bring us closer to our Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ! We have found that there is a vast chasm in the levels of joy and peace being enjoyed in life, between those who do the small and simple things, and those who do not! This has strengthened our commitment of striving continually to do those small and simple things that we have been counseled to do.
Our favorite thing to do is STILL doing Family Home Evenings and Noche de Hermanomientos, which are like activity nights, with either families or branch groups. We share a video or message and discuss it together, and then do something fun. We have learned some fun and interesting games, that we are excited to share with our family, especially with our grandkids, when we get home. We have learned that things don't need to be a big production or expensive to have a lot of fun. We love to watch their joy and laughter with the simplest of things, and they love the church videos. Videos from lds.org, Mormon channel, and gospel library provide many easy Family Home Evenings, especially the ones for the youth. These are powerful messages and great springboards for discussion and testimony. Also, these events give me lots of opportunities to bake cookies! I told you guys that my role would be cookies and hugs, and I love serving in this small way.
Three visits we want to share with you were to three older men and their wives. I say "older" because I'm close to that category and not ready to be considered "old". All 3 have serious health issues. One is 103 and suffering with late stage prostate cancer. One is 77 and has debilitating arthritis, and is usually writhing in pain. The last is in his 80's and had his left leg amputated above the knee this past December 22nd, due to gangrenous complications of diabetes. All 3 were in great spirits and looked better than they have in weeks past. They were cheerful and happy. They testified of the great blessings in their lives, of family, of having the gospel, and of their loving Padre Celestial and of His Son, Jesucristo. It was powerful and touching, to say the least. I have nothing to whine about, as I have all of those blessings as well, and none of the burdens they are suffering. What rock star examples of true disciples of the Savior!
We love you all and so appreciate your love, support, and prayers! We feel them here in Nicaragua!
May we all have a blessed 2017 and strive each day to be a little better!
Love,
Elder and Hermana Koelliker
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