Merrrrrrrry Christmas! Felizzzzzz Navidad!! Wow sounds like you guys
had a great week this past week! But it probably doesn’t compare to the week
that my comp and I had in Buenos Aires (area in Honduras)! But
before I start just wanted to let you guys know what’s going to go on this
week! First off we are going to call at 6pm Christmas Day (25) for skype (from
what I found out it is the cheapest and smartest way). Let me know if that will
be ok. I made a skype account (kadenmarkneuberger) and yes it is true we have
been asked limit our calls to 40 min. I’ll try to make some questions but I don’t
know if I will have time. We have been extremely busy. We are going to use a
member computer so the hour that we call might change. But if you don’t hear
from me before plan on 6pm the 25th this wednesday! Also we will be having an
activity with the president this Friday so we are looking forward to that. We
have been opening little gifts everyday and it has been awesome watching my
comp. He wants me to tell you guys thank you. He really appreciates
everything.
But before I start I just wanted to tell you of an activity that the
stake had yesterday that I had the opportunity to participate. The Young Single
adults in our stake put together an activity where they bought Christmas
presents for a really poor section in the stake. We as missionaries went to
sing at this activity. There was a Santa and they had all of the little kids
sit on the beach (because we were on the coast) and Santa gave out gifts to
every little kid that probably wouldn’t have received a gift for this
Christmas. It was super special to watch a bunch of dirty little kids, sitting
there receiving a gift. That’s how it is here in Honduras. From what I have
heard they really don’t celebrate it how we do. It’s a lot simpler. Also it is
difficult for the people that work as well. The majority of the people here
work every day all day without a break. Many of them come back around 7 and
then leave again at 6 the next morning to work. For most of them Sunday is
there day off. Also most of the people will spend Christmas as a family, the
way it should be spent. People make tamales (which I think you guys have tried,
if not look it up they are kind of difficult to explain) so basically we are
going to be eating those things for the next couple of days if not week. People
have Christmas lights and Christmas trees so that has been cool. I hope that
gave you a little taste of what it is like in Honduras. It’s kind of difficult
because I have become so accustomed to everything that its hard to find some of
the differences.
Well this week was yet again another great week that we had. I have
been extremely impressed with Elder Bajaña and the progress that he is making.
He really was what this area needed. As a companionship we have been trying to
practice as much as we can and I have really noticed a difference in the way we
are able to teach. Also this week we put an extra emphasis with challenging
people to baptism and it has really helped us know what the people need. We had
a couple of really amazing experiences this week. On Wednesday morning we were
walking looking for people to contact and visit after all of our appointments
fell through (a somewhat of a normal situation), when I had a thought that we
should visit a strong active member that lived pretty close. So we decided to
go and when we arrived we found that she was sick. She asked us for a
priesthood blessing, and afterwards we started talking and she told us that
whenever she needs help and prays for it the missionaries always come to her
house to help. She told us that during that morning she really need help and
prayed and we showed up in the next hour. It was extremely special for me to
hear that, and really strengthened my testimony that we really are the Lords
hands. Also like I told you last week we found quite a bit of inactives and
have had the blessing to visit with them. for the majority of them we had to
answer the difficult question as to why no one visited them for the past 4
years or so. As we began talking with them we realized that a lot of them were
only waiting for an invitation to come back to church.
Something I learned this week. We are all different and that’s ok. I
have sometimes found myself during my mission comparing myself with others. I
was reminded during this past week that we are all different and that is
perfectly fine. We all learn in different ways. The Gospel brings out the best
in every person and helps every person become the person they we made to be. I
reminded of that from one of the returned missionaries in our ward when he said
that every good thing comes from God. Everything that helps, encourages,
inspires, uplifts, supports, etc. comes from God. I have always learned that
but never really understood it until now. I think that has been one of the
greatest blessings of my mission to see how the Gospel blesses families, to
watch people and myself change, to see the application in the scriptures, and
the most of all to feel and see the Love of God.
Thanks for your support and hope you have as great of a Christmas
that I’m going to have, teaching and testifying of our Savior Jesus Christ! Man
can’t wait to talk to you guys on Wednesday! Hope you guys have a great
Christmas and always remember the meaning of it. Keep it simple. Many people
here don’t have a lot so really it is a time to spend together as a family. But
most importantly have fun! The Gospel is fun! That’s something that I have also
been trying to do more, smile, laugh, and just have fun! It’s so much easier to
anything with a smile! Lets have a great Christmas this year and lets always
remember why we celebrate it. My invitation this week is to take some time
personally and as a family and share your testimony about Christ and why you
are grateful for him. Then offer a prayer of thanks for the priceless gift that
he has given us. I love you guys and I am so excited to be able to talk with
you guys this Wednesday! I love you guys always remember that.
Love you guys
Elder Kaden Neuberger
No comments:
Post a Comment