It is so strange to spend Christmas away from home, but i have never felt closer to my Savior. also i am really understanding the true meaning of Christmas. i am so thankful for the opportunity to have a humble Christmas this yea, just like the humble birth of our savior. the people here are really great examples of of the true Christmas spirit. earlier this week our ward went christmas caroling. we visited the hospital, and different, members of the ward who are having difficulties, and we even visited some of our investigators! ana paula (our investigator), cried as we sang. the last home we sang at was the home of irmão toni. he has three people living in his house who are physically disabled. his daughter, his mom, and another man (who i honestly dont understand how they are related) but his name is job. job cant move the left half of his body. but he is so firm in the gospel! we asked him to choose a hymn for us to sing and he chose "count your many blessings" i just cried! he is barely able to open his eyes, and talk but he is so thankful for our Savior and the blessings he has. He is such an amazing example of gratitude.
last tuesday the whole mission went to the mission home in salvador for a special Conferencia de Natal! it was so cool to see everyone and all be together to celebrate the season of christmas! the spirit was so powerful when we all sang songs together about the birth of Christ.
After the conference we spent the night halfway between salvador and coité and then we ended up waiting at the bus station for eight hours to go home hahah when we finally got back to coité i shouted "COITÉ TE AMO!" the other sisters were cracking up but i was serious just thrilled to be home hahah.
on saturday carol and beatriz were baptized! it was so special and the spirit was so strong. also it rained!! it was a miracle! it hasnt rained the whole time ive been here until saturday. They asked me to give a talk about the Holy Ghost. I was so nervous because i can barely speak portuguese and i didnt think anyone would be able to understand. But i felt the spirit helping me to communicate, and helping all the people there to understand. It was so amazing to see the joy in their faces after all their sins were washed away. I am so thankful for the Atonement and the joy it brings in our lives. helping my brothers and sisters find this joy is the most rewarding thing i have ever done! now their sister, Cintia, wants to learn more about the gospel. i think she noticed the light in her sisters and wants to feel this joy aswell. We are really excited to teach her!
Today, our investigator Vanilza is going to be baptized! i am so proud of her decision to follow Christ! she said that she wanted to give this gift to her Savior on Christmas. i hope we can all give this same gift, of choosing to follow our Savior and draw nearer to Him this christmas. It has been so amazign to watch vanilza progress. When we first started teaching her, she always looked nervous anxious. but now, ever since she decided to be baptized, she is ALWAYS smiling!!! it is so amazing to see the change that the light of Christ brings! I know that this gospel is true and is for everyone. God wants us to be happy, and following our Savior is the way to find that happiness. I am so excited for her baptism this afternoon. This will surely be a Christmas that i will never forget.
remember the spirit of Christmas all year long!
Com amor,
Sister Jones
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