Christmas

 

Hey everyone! 

 

This week was really fun, we had a few awesome things that happened. 

 

First off, we had some great zone conferences this week and I got to help with the choir and some special numbers and a training. That was really fun. Also, we did a gift exchange and my old companion Elder Smurthwaite got me. He gave me a huge stuffed bear and a cowboy hat! It was so fun. I also got a polaroid camera a few weeks ago and I’ve taken pictures with several of my old companions. That was really fun. 

 

Surprisingly, the World cup was not as big of a deal that I guessed it would be. It didn’t seem like they were as excited as they should’ve been. Maybe because Mexico didn’t do that well and was eliminated weeks ago haha. 

 

Today (Christmas Eve) we had breakfast with a family in the ward and then tonight we will get to eat with another member family. They are both incredible families who have helped us a lot in the missionary work and I’m happy we get to spend some more time with them.  

 

Now on to the more spiritual part, one good thing that happened was that we put Axel and Ivan back on date and I feel like it’s for sure this time! They didn’t get baptized 2 weeks ago because of a few family things, but I feel like now it will happen for sure.  

 

 Another cool thing that happened was that on Monday night we got to go caroling with some members and visit some of the less active families that we have been working with, we also visited and sang to a recent convert and a family we are teaching. It was probably one of the coolest experiences that I have had on the mission. It seemed like every family we visited had a real need for some Christmas cheer that night, to help them feel like they belong in the ward, that God loves them, and to repair damaged relationships. I especially felt this at one house of an inactive guy in the ward who we have been working with and who is a great friend now. We went caroling with a few members who used to be really close with him but aren’t anymore and we got to see the relationship start to heal. When we sang to them and could see him, his wife and his son at the door finally receiving the love and friendship they had been wanting for so long was such an incredible experience, the spirit was so strong as we sang the last verse of away in a manger. 

 

Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay 

Close by me forever, and love me, I pray. 

Bless all the dear children in thy tender care, 

And fit us for heaven to live with thee there. 

 

I almost cried singing that last verse, not going to lie. It was awesome and made all the frustrating things that had happened before that activity melt away, and it was all worth it. 

 

We had another cool experience when Hugo Montoya, the Mexico area president, came to our mission to baptize a distant relative who lives in the mission. We got to talk to him for a while and ask him about how we can help resolve some issues we have had in the ward. He gave us some advice that really helped out. It was also cool to be with a leader like that and see that he is really an ordinary man with an extraordinary calling. He makes mistakes and has struggles and problems and a family like every one of us, but the Lord has called and qualified him to be the president of the church in the Mexico area. It’s like all of us as disciples of Christ. We are all called to follow him, and we will make mistakes along the way, but we can be sure of his invitation to "Come, follow me"  

 

To finish my Christmas Eve email, I will put in the words to the song "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" I love this hymn, because today there are so many bad things that are happening in the world, but we can have confidence that all will be made right through Christ and his teachings. I love you all, hope you have the best Christmas ever and that you can help someone else out this Christmas!!!! 

 

Love you tons, 

Elder Stevenson 

 

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

I heard the bells on Christmas day 

Their old familiar carols play, 

And wild and sweet the words repeat 

Of peace on earth, good will to men. 

 

I thought how, as the day had come, 

The belfries of all Christendom 

Had rolled along th’unbroken song 

Of peace on earth, good will to men. 

 

And in despair I bowed my head: 

“There is no peace on earth,” I said, 

“For hate is strong and mocks the song 

Of peace on earth, good will to men.” 

 

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: 

“God is not dead, nor doth he sleep; 

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, 

With peace on earth, good will to men.” 

 

Till, ringing, singing, on its way, 

The world revolved from night to day, 

A voice, a chime, a chant sublime, 

Of peace on earth, good will to men!