Merry Christmas, Baptism New Year!

Christmas was enchanting. The greatest part about missionary work that we are actually secretly celebrating Christmas every day, you know because our work is centered on Christ.

Arthur baptized

Arthur has finally gotten baptized! He is a spiritual giant already! I am so grateful to have witnessed him exercise his faith by entering into the covenant of baptism. I've been rooting for him since our first meeting when he asked lots of extremely difficult questions. Since then, we've had the opportunity to drill faith into his brain, so to see him using a concept we helped to teach has been a joy. I think I am finally understanding exactly what the great missionary Ammon was saying in the Book of Mormon when he shared in Alma 26:11-12:

"I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God.

"Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever."

Happy New Year! May everyone be blessed with good bowels and happiness.

Love,
Sister Smith

Merry Christmas

Happy New Year!

Kao Soi and Journey to Bethlehem

Well guess who also had kao soi now! We went to the Khanakams house for FHE last week and had some and it was great! Elder Khanakam (I have no idea if I'm spelling it right) is an area 70 and he is so nice! His family is so sweet. They live in one of the wards we attend.

Also, this last week as missionaries, we were part of Journey to Bethlehem, this huge nativity production where they turn the church into a giant nativity scene and you can walk through to hear the story of Jesus. It was so great because the last place that the groups would end up was the cultural hall, which was then set up for the missionaries to contact and receive referrals from everyone's friends that they brought and teach a little bit more about what they saw. It was way stressful but overall, very productive.

That is so amazing to see the miracles that the Lord provides. I have noticed that in order to receive miracles, we just have to open our eyes a little more. They are always happening. Whether or not we feel like we are seeing miracles depends on whether or not we are looking.

Since it's Christmas season, I thought I'd share with you a quote I loved that was from the Christmas devotional. It's by Elder Clayton and it says: "The transformative power of the Christmas spirit is rooted in the redeeming power of our Savior Jesus Christ."

I am so grateful for the Savior. He is the greatest miracle of all. No matter how hard of a week I have had, it's all worth it to bring others closer to Christ.

On the Subject of Missions

This week was a busy week

I'm reading in the Book of Mormon in 2nd Nephi chapter 16. Besides the fact that I know Nephi and I fan-girled over Isaiah in the pre-mortal life, I appreciate how ตรง Isaiah writes, especially verse 11 in this chapter as I liken it unto my service. As the days roll by like years and weeks pass as seconds, I have wondered how long it will really feel like until I am finished serving.

"Then said I: Lord, how long? And he said: Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate."

[Face palm.]

Folks, the work is never over. We must serve God all our lives to the end of time. Full-time missionary or not. Every scripture I am applying to my life as a missionary is just as applicable to my experience outside the name tag. As Jeffery R. Holland has said numerous times to missionaries throughout the world, we must never go back. Our mission is real life.

I'd like to add on by saying, not only is a mission real life, but our whole lives are our mission. Work hard. Serve hard. Mission it 'till the end.

This week can be summed up in photos. All in all, it was a good week.

Ate at Snoopy Burgers

Went to Krispy Kreme's

Gorged ourselves at an all-you-can-eat
Japanese restaurant (at last!)

BAPTIZED!

Around town in Pakkret

Slammed

And then we took a bunch of weird pictures while we decorated our baby Christmas tree.

Thank you, Sister Forte

Sister Smith has the tinsel job

Sister Forte is on pine cone duty

Sister Forte and Sister Smith (and baby tree)

Out.

Love, Sister Smith