Can you believe Christmas is in 9 days?? Me neither! It is so crazy! Especially with it being 90 degrees and humid outside, this will definitely be a Christmas to remember.
Welp, a grand week this has been indeed.
We visited with a recent convert this week and planned to teach her about enduring to the end. It was my turn to lead the lesson so I started in with a question...I said that it was great that she had taken that initial step to be baptized and make those covenants with God, but that this was just the beginning and how was she personally going to stay on the path of righteousness..she looked down, was quiet for a few seconds, then tears began to pour down her face. I was very confused and felt very bad at first. I had no idea what I had just said or did to make her cry so you can imagine my confusion. Anyways, she began to explain how since she was baptized, things in her life have seemed to just be falling apart and how she has been really weighed down with sadness and feelings of loneliness. It was really hard to listen to and all 3 of us were crying as she was explaining some trials that she has been dealing with. She told us that she had not told any of the previous missionaries that had taught her but rather she just pretended that everything was okay, until now. I don't know why she decided to open up to us but I know that that question I asked was an inspired question from God. I didn't know how to ask that and was not planning on starting like that but as soon as I opened my mouth, that was what came out. I am so grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost and the power the Spirit has to truly speak through us as we are God's messengers and instruments in His hands. I felt impressed to ask if Sister wanted a Priesthood blessing. She said she did and we told her that we would return as soon as we could with a worthy Priesthood holder to give her a blessing of comfort. We did just that and returned with a member of the Stake Presidency who lives close by. The Spirit was so strong in that room. Sister texted us later that night and thanked us for being there for her and for bringing someone to bless her. She told us how the pain and sorrow that had been weighing her down for so long was gone. She said that she was able to think clearly again and seemed to have completely forgotten the trials that were causing so much pain and anxiety in her life. I know that her pain was lifted through the power of the Priesthood. What a remarkable experience that was to be there and to hear from her the power it had in changing her whole countenance and literally lifting the depression from her shoulders.
The next day was Ace's baptismal interview! Woo! We went over that morning and talked with him to go over any last minute questions he might have had then off we went to meet with President Reeder. They came out of President Reeder's office 40ish minutes later, President walked over to me, shook my hand, and said "Congratulations Sister, He is ready." AH! Yay! We are so so so excited! We literally could not wipe the smiles from our faces the whole rest of the day! We are so excited for him and he looks happier than ever! This truly is a great and marvelous work! Ace's baptism is this Saturday at 1pm! It is going to be a very long, crazy, jam-packed, fun week but we are beyond excited!
Thursday we have our mission-wide Christmas party/activity, pretty much all day Thursday so that will be really fun! The first time our entire mission will be together in one place! Cool huh? Lots of pictures to come, I'm sure.
A batch of missionaries leave the next day to return home, including one of our Sister Training Leaders that I love so much. So because Sister Simbol is returning home this week, Sister Sanft will become our temporary companion for the next week and a half until transfers, making us a lovely trio again. Crazy huh?
Then Saturday we have Ace's baptism at 1, followed by our ward party at 5. So much going on!
Definitely an exciting week!
This week we have really been trying to focus on teaching families and can I just tell you how much more beautiful our message is when we get to teach it to a mother, father, and their children. This gospel is for families. Baptism's are great and wonderful but when families learn and grow in the gospel together, it is truly beautiful. I am so excited to continue to try to teach whole families and to help them recognize the importance of being together forever and how the gospel of Jesus Christ is the way to make that happen.
I love this gospel. I love being a missionary. I love sharing my testimony. I love my Heavenly Father. I love Jesus Christ. I love Christmastime. I love the true Spirit of Christmas. As Christmas approaches, take a second to think about all the blessings in your life and what Christmas really means to you. This has already been a very different Christmas season for me and being here has really helped me focus on the true meaning of Christmas and to focus on my Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Like President Monson said in the Christmas devotional, if you take the last syllable from Christmas you get the Spirit of Christ. That is what is of most importance. Not just in December, but year-round. We must turn our focus to Christ and center our lives on Him.
I know Jesus Christ is my Savior. I am so grateful for that knowledge and for the knowledge that He lives. He lives and He loves me. It's true. He loves each of us personally and wants the very best for us. Where is your focus this Christmas season?
I love you all! Sorry to all those whom I have not been able to respond to yet but know that I love you, think about you, miss you, and pray for you always.
MERRY CHRISTMAS! Mahal Kita!
-Sister Roderick
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| Cooking in our apartment |
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