EMAIL... Week 76

Hola All!

Last Saturday night we drove up to Condega to do our last Hermanamiento with them. Elder K showed a Christmas video and we talked about what gifts we can give to our Savior. We played the balloon game...look out Koelliker grandkids...and they loved that. I served wraps and homemade chocolate chip cookies, neither of which they had ever had before, and soda. It’s fun to provide new experiences for them, so we had a great night with some wonderful people, who we will miss!

Sunday we both spoke in Sacrament Meeting about Christmas, and we stuck a Christmas Carol on the program. They don’t sing them, unless we strongly request them. It is always a good experience for us, despite my lack of language. More than 2 days to prepare and practice would have been nice, but that’s all part of being a missionary in a small Branch. We enjoyed talking about Christmas traditions, the true meaning of Christmas, the blessings and gifts from our Savior, and how loving, serving, and forgiving others is what the Savior taught us all to do! These are the gifts we can give to others and in turn, give to Him.

We have loved this week of continuing with Christmas themed Family Home Evenings, visits, and our Rosario Hermanamiento. As we have showed church videos about the birth and blessings of the Savior, and have encouraged others to discover ways to follow His example, we have felt the Spirit powerfully testifying that these things are not only true, but essential for our joy, happiness, and progress in the life, and in our preparation for eternal life. 

This year we had a Multi-Zone Christmas celebration and conference, and we had it at our Rosario chapel, which is much nicer and more private. The missionaries all changed into their P-day clothes and had a soccer tournament and a volleyball tournament. The soccer was amazing, with so many truly skilled players from many countries. However, the best overall player is from Utah, which surprised me. The volleyball wasn’t legit, but they had fun. Next we had a catered turkey lunch, which was the first turkey we have had here. Yum! For my final Multi-Zone Conference treat, we served Texas Sheet Cake with ice cream. The Americans were especially grateful to have a taste of home. Then we enjoyed a talent show and presentations for the tournaments. Elder Bassett from our Zone did an awesome magic show and our Zone’s young missionaries sang their created lyrics to a popular tune, based on our experiences in the Estelí Zone. It was great! Our zone won the soccer tourney, and Matagalpa received the volleyball award. The kids all changed back into their missionary attire and President and Hermana Poncio both shared messages. At the end the missionaries finishing their missions were called up to bear their “final” testimonies to the Zones. We didn’t expect to be included, but we were. Oh how we love these missionaries, the Poncios, the people here, the opportunity to serve in this capacity, and the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ!  We are so grateful to know that the Lord is in charge and directing His work here on the earth!

Remember the reason for the season!

Our love to all!

Elder and Hermana Koelliker