Well, first of all I have to apologize for not e-mailing or writing you back for about 3 months! I have only been using the churches e-mail lately (the one I am e-mailing from now)…and so today I was doing something with my companion and when I checked my hotmail account to my surprise there was an e-mail from Becky, Amanda, and Ron! You guys are great! I am sorry I wasn´t able to reply sooner so real quick I just wanted to send an e-mail off to you all and wish you a MERRY CHRISTMAS! Aka FELIZ NAVIDAD! All I have to say is that Christmas just isn´t the same without snow! I am not sure how you are holding up in Texas or what the weather is like there…but today is Christmas Eve and here we are in the mission office. Just seems like another day!
We have had to be here (in the office) a lot more this change because I am training the new nurse (and because we are moving offices on Friday). It is a joy and a blessing to be the nurse because of all the things you learn and experiences that you have unlike anything else…but at the same time I have seen the weight of the calling shift from me onto her…I no longer have preoccupied thoughts of elders calling about foot fungus or worrying about rashes or coughs, allergies, parasites, or doctor’s appointments, ect! It´s great! at the same time it is a difficult thing to watch because she is struggling with Spanish, and half the time no one can understand her…lol but I guess that is just a nice little reminder of how I was...and also how I will sound here in about 1.5 weeks when I am officially off to k´ekchi land!
To respond to your e-mails…How exciting to hear about Amanda speaking in Stake Conference! I think I would be scared to do that NOW, let alone when I was still in high school! Congrats to her! Also how funny about the general authority comment about the boys all wanting to go to seminary now because of her….#1…she´s a gorgeous girl! #2…the funny thing is that I was reading that part out loud and there was an elder here in the office who said..¨well that´s why I went to seminary, for the girls¨ haha and now he´s here on a mission and his girlfriend (that he met in seminary) is married. That is actually something that I have come to realize on my mission. Everyone has different motivators or reasons for doing things. In a zone conference with Elder Clark (of the 70) we did an activity where all the elders stood up…then he asked who went to seminary…and who made them go….and who made them go to church…and who made them go on a mission… there was always a mom literally dragging their kids out of bed, or splashing water on them, or some really cute girl or some womanly motivator! Haha brings a whole new light and meaning to the saying ¨behind every great man is a woman!¨ Something else I learned on my mission and might be good advice before Amanda takes off to college…there are more than one kind of Returned Missionary! I used to think just the title ¨RM¨ was golden, but there can be a difference depending on the things they learn…and actually apply from their mission. Crazy to think that she is graduating this year! And Jayne? Last I heard she was playing the French horn…but I´m sure she is great as well. How is everything else? I am sure the ward there is just great now that you have been there for more than a year! Crazy! I know you miss Idaho, and the Harwards! How are they doing anyway? Do you have any fun plans for Christmas or new years? Anyway…Thanks again soooo much for the Birthday Package! And for all the love and support! Not just to me, but missionaries in general. I hear from David in Texas and he sounds like he´s loving it! And of course I hear from Africa every now and again and sounds like he is doing great! Tell him Hi from Guatemala! If you get this before you talk to him…. the capital or city is not as bad as he thinks …just watch out for cars…that was my hardest adjustment after my first changes out where there are mostly motos. It´s for sure different…but there is always something to learn and people to help! :)
Well, Thanks for all your prayers. Espero que tengan un buen Navidad! quise hablar en español porque sé que Ron lo puede traducir…y tiene que practicar para que hablemos secretos y nadie pueden saber! Tengo que compartir mi testimonio de que sé que esta es la obra del señor. I have seen god´s hand in this work, truly preparing people to accept the gospel and then placing them in our paths if we are spiritually sensitive enough to recognize them and open our mouths! The góspel is true, and has been restored by our loving father in heaven through a latter day prophet. The Book of mormon is the most amazing book on the planet! I love the scriptures soooo much! Can´t wait til we get all the rest of the sealed books and other lost records ect. From the book of mormon! The scriptures are a map for our lives and truly the best way to receive personal revelation when accompanied by sincere prayer! I know that god does hear and answer our prayers and that he is always leading and guiding us by the Holy Ghost! That is truly the most important part of this work…the spirit! I love sharing the gospel! Seeing all these amazing families and helping them realize the necessary steps to become an eternal family! And all the cute little Guatemalan kids! Gotta love them! Haha
I hope that you have a great holidays! Have a great and MERRY CHRISTMAS! And a HAPPY NEW YEAR!
-Hna. Alyssa Collette
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