Mission Memoirs : Week 12: "If You Don't Christmas Carol, you are dumb"

This week was so good! It was basically Christmas yesterday. We had 2 investigators at church, our recent convert, and several less active members that we've been working with. I was pleased when we saw Madame M waddle on in, but that was to be expected. She's only missed 2 times in the last 6 months. Then Sister S came in after not being able to get ahold of her all week and oh, what sweet relief that was! Then Ricky. He's our new investigator. I'll explain him later. Then our less-actives came in and they just kept coming! Manna. From heaven.

So Ricky: We were walking in a parking lot and we saw this guy parked off to the side just sitting there, so we went and talked to him and told him about "He is the Gift". (You guys better be sharing that with everyone! Don't take it for granted. Please. Such a great opportunity to share the message of Christ with others.) He started asking a lot questions so we asked if we could see him later in the week and speak with him more, and he accepted! Then he said, "Maybe I can find a wife hanging around you two." NO RICKY. It was a little creepy. But oh well. He came to church, and we'll be seeing him later this week. Cross your fingers. Speaking of creepy comments though, yesterday we were at the visitors center and this random guy came up to me. I had no idea who he was, I'd never even seen him. But he was like, "If you feel like I've been staring at you for awhile, it's because I have been." Um. Who are you? Weird.

Madame M update: She has a new dog. Pepperoni. And a bird, Snow. Oh boy. Where'd she get them? No idea. But I fear the day when we find a deceased dog behind her couch. Just kidding. I should give her more credit than that. She's great. We're hoping to have her baptized on the 20th or 27th of December, so we're working really hard with her so that she can be fully prepared! She's great though. She came to the sites to see all the nativities, and she walked out with a fat stack of pass along cards. We saw them and asked what she was going to do with them, thinking she'd just store them in her house or something, but she said she was going to leave them at some desk for people to take! And she's given us referrals. She's just too sweet.

We also had Mission Conference on Tuesday and it was amaaazing. I guess not many missions get to all gather together at one time, let alone in the Kirtland Temple. But it was so good! Let me tell you, there aren't many things that can beat the sound of 200+ missionaries singing "The Spirit of God" in that building. Ahh! I loved it so much! So amazing. The Spirit was so strong and I just didn't want to leave. But unfortunately I had to. Except it wasn't that unfortunate because then we got to go do other great things that missionaries get to do. Seriously, being a missionary is the best. I've learned that I need to be way nicer of a person. So I'll be working on that. Oh and we got another fun President quote: "If you don't Christmas carol, you are dumb." So go sing your neighbors a little carol or two.

Also, I received a wedding announcement from Matthew Chamber and Rachel Hermann. I have no idea who they are, but I appreciate it! Congrats, you two. It was also addressed to Janee Livingston in Provo, Utah. Then forwarded to Ohio. So I was all sorts of confused. I framed it and put it on my wall. Just kidding.

Yesterday in church, one of the recent converts in our ward made a comment during Gospel Principles. We were talking about how we can all be missionaries and he threw up his hand to tell a story. I guess there was some guy who was Christian and believed in Christ, but was always judging people and just kind of treated people unkindly based off of their looks. Then Paul explained, "If you believe in Christ, you have to believe in the way he sees others." How true is that? Oh my goodness I loved it. We can't just say we believe in Christ. We have to let that belief lead to action in every aspect of life. One of those actions needs to be seeing others as Christ see's them and treating them as children of God. Because that's what we all are. And no one can ever take that away.

Also during mission conference, our Stake President bore his testimony and spoke about inconveniences. It was very interesting. Here are a few questions to ponder:

Was it convenient for Emma to have to travel from New York to Ohio, 7 months pregnant with twins, after being bed-ridden for months in the dead of winter? No. But because of that sacrifice, the gospel was able to more fully develop and eventually become what it is today.

Was it convenient for Christ to suffer and die for us? No. But because of His sacrifice, we are all able to change and better our selves. We can be comforted because of the fact that there is always someone who knows exactly how we are feeling and is aware of us at all times.

Is it convenient for missionaries to leave their lives at home for 18-24 months? No. They could be going to school, making money or starting a family. But because of that sacrifice, others are benefited and are given the change to learn about the best message there is: the message of Christ's infinite and perfect love for them.

And so it seems, that nothing of great importance comes without inconveniences or sacrifices. But the great thing about that, is the fact that we really don't have to sacrifice all that much. We are blessed far more than we can ever imagine. I love the perspective this gospel gives in life. It's such a bright, hopeful and happy one. But not only that, it's a real and incredibly possible perspective.

Now I have a few selfish requests. Mom, could you please send the Savior music to me? It's just too pretty to not have. And also, I'd like to make a wish list for Christmas. I'm in need of a watch or two. The one I bought before I left doesn't work anymore. Preferably Rose gold? If not, that's fine. :) Whatever works. And also maybe some warm headbands. We've been in kind of a warm spell, but it's about to get real cold here. And last but not least, Sister de Kock really wants some of those sandals from Hawaii. I know they can be ordered online, but I can't do that. So could you please? I'd like to give them to her for Christmas. Shes' a size 9. Thank you! You're the best.

I love you guys! Have a great week. Love each other like never before. Also I'm sorry these are always so long. I'll try to cut them down a bit.

Love,

Jayne