Merry Christmas Everybody!
I hope you all enjoyed your special days with your loved ones. I know that I sure did! It was so amazing to see all of the goofy and familiar smiles of my family, even if it was only for a short "45 minutes" :)
Hermana Carmack and I had quite the eventful Christmas. After skyping home, we went to a dinner with the Robles Family aka the Spanish Missionaries "Mission Parents." It was blast to spend time in their home and to chat with some of the other Spanish missionaries! The crazy thing is that you'll NEVER guess what they made for dinner. A WHOLE GOAT. Like literally they cooked the whole thing in this massive basin thing with Cactus leaves and then just PLOPPED it on the table like it was no big deal. We then proceeded to use homemade tortillas (in place of silver ware) and grabbed the meat off the carcass, dipped it salsa then ate it! I've never had a more hands on meal in my life. It was quite the experience. Hermana Carmack and I still die laughing every time we even think about it. Gotta love Spanish Work! Haha!
Anyways on mission, I've absolutely fallen in love with this time of year. Not only is it a time where we focus a little bit more on the birth and life of our beloved Savior, Jesus Christ, but it's also a time where people are just a little bit kinder, a little bit nicer, and reach out a little bit more than they have the previous months. More people walk around with a bounce in their step and a smile on their face as the Spirit and joy of Christmas penetrates every ounce of their being. I love the joy. It really is that pure peace and joy that can come through our Savior, Jesus Christ. It's not in the glitz and the glam of the presents, but rather it is in our Savior and in his perfect love for us.
Every Christmas the Church releases a video in regards to Christmas and our Savior inviting people to remember the real and pure reason we celebrate Christmas. This year's video was titled, "A Savior is Born" (Mormon.org/christmas) and showed multiple different children reading the scriptural account of Christ's Birth. It was so pure and innocent as these kids from many different backgrounds and nationalities shared from their hearts the birth of our Savior. My favorite part of the video was the invitation that was extended at the end, "Discover Why." Discover Why the Savior was Born. Discover Who the Savior is to You. Discover the Role the Savior plays in Your life. As I've truly come to discover why he is born for me and the role he plays in my life, I've come to understand and appreciate my Savior and this Christmas season in a entirely new way. I know that he is one of joy, peace, love and tranquility and that he is arms are always outstretched and pleading for us to come and embrace of His love. My hope and plea is that you all can Discover who your Savior is for you personally to help us all carry that same love and Christmas Spirit throughout the remainder of this year and into the New Year we have ahead.
I love my Savior and I love being a missionary. I'm so grateful that I have the amazing opportunity to wear Christ's name over my heart every day. Thank you all for all of your love and support. It means more than you know!
Love
Hermana Smith
I hope you all enjoyed your special days with your loved ones. I know that I sure did! It was so amazing to see all of the goofy and familiar smiles of my family, even if it was only for a short "45 minutes" :)
Hermana Carmack and I had quite the eventful Christmas. After skyping home, we went to a dinner with the Robles Family aka the Spanish Missionaries "Mission Parents." It was blast to spend time in their home and to chat with some of the other Spanish missionaries! The crazy thing is that you'll NEVER guess what they made for dinner. A WHOLE GOAT. Like literally they cooked the whole thing in this massive basin thing with Cactus leaves and then just PLOPPED it on the table like it was no big deal. We then proceeded to use homemade tortillas (in place of silver ware) and grabbed the meat off the carcass, dipped it salsa then ate it! I've never had a more hands on meal in my life. It was quite the experience. Hermana Carmack and I still die laughing every time we even think about it. Gotta love Spanish Work! Haha!
Anyways on mission, I've absolutely fallen in love with this time of year. Not only is it a time where we focus a little bit more on the birth and life of our beloved Savior, Jesus Christ, but it's also a time where people are just a little bit kinder, a little bit nicer, and reach out a little bit more than they have the previous months. More people walk around with a bounce in their step and a smile on their face as the Spirit and joy of Christmas penetrates every ounce of their being. I love the joy. It really is that pure peace and joy that can come through our Savior, Jesus Christ. It's not in the glitz and the glam of the presents, but rather it is in our Savior and in his perfect love for us.
Every Christmas the Church releases a video in regards to Christmas and our Savior inviting people to remember the real and pure reason we celebrate Christmas. This year's video was titled, "A Savior is Born" (Mormon.org/christmas) and showed multiple different children reading the scriptural account of Christ's Birth. It was so pure and innocent as these kids from many different backgrounds and nationalities shared from their hearts the birth of our Savior. My favorite part of the video was the invitation that was extended at the end, "Discover Why." Discover Why the Savior was Born. Discover Who the Savior is to You. Discover the Role the Savior plays in Your life. As I've truly come to discover why he is born for me and the role he plays in my life, I've come to understand and appreciate my Savior and this Christmas season in a entirely new way. I know that he is one of joy, peace, love and tranquility and that he is arms are always outstretched and pleading for us to come and embrace of His love. My hope and plea is that you all can Discover who your Savior is for you personally to help us all carry that same love and Christmas Spirit throughout the remainder of this year and into the New Year we have ahead.
I love my Savior and I love being a missionary. I'm so grateful that I have the amazing opportunity to wear Christ's name over my heart every day. Thank you all for all of your love and support. It means more than you know!
Love
Hermana Smith