Okay so Wow, Christmas is basically here! That really snuck up.....probably because I am black and my hair is white and I'm sweating as I type this haha. But still, Christmas is coming and that means I get to talk to you guys. What a blessing! Can I tell you though, I never thought I would be grateful for the cold. God has a sneaky way of forcing us to be grateful for EVERYTHING, doesn't he? Even things we thought we hated lol.
I'm not going to lie, it really is hard to be away from family and loved ones at this time. Really hard. But, once again, I'm so grateful I only have to give up one Christmas in order to experience a tiny bit of loneliness. There are others in this world who have it the other way around. It is more rare for them to feel love than to feel alone. How tragic, but true, and that is why I'm here for just a short chunk of my life. Of course I am missing everything about the Christmas I know, but I'm here for a little bit to tell people every day something I was already blessed to know: That they are children of a loving Heavenly Father. That they are more precious than all the stars in the sky and all the gems in the ground and as cheesy as it all sounds, its true as well. Its true and I know it is a fact that one day, there will be no more tears or pain or loneliness, but only love in its place, and all this is because of our Savior Jesus Christ (Rev 20). Even though I'm missing out on all the Christmas traditions this year, I don't think anything could be more true to the Christmas spirit than going into streets and homes and reminding people of their eternal, sacred worth. I have the chance to teach people about a perfect friend and brother that died for us, even though we rejected Him. This is powerful. This is the reason for Christmas. We must remember and MUST share this gift. There is no gift more important that we can share than the gospel of Jesus Christ. It will change lives and bring light to the world.
Yesterday I had an amazing experience. It was so small, but very tender, which is basically the sum of a mission-- tiny miracles every day. Anyway, it was at C's house and we are also teaching her 18 yr old granddaughter I, who is just so broken and has NO self worth, but she hides her sorrow well. She once told us that she it didn't matter if she lived or died, because she is just going to go to Hell anyway. ahh!!! So sad. Last night, as we were saying goodbye, I hugged her and told her she was so special, but she couldn't look me in the eyes. So I lifted her chin and told her again that she was special and beautiful and that God loved her. Just those simple phrases caused her to collapse into my arms and cry, and in those moments, I know I'm here for a reason. If all it takes is a few simple phrases to make someone cry, then think how much more good we can do. We need to strive to live as an example of Jesus Christ. We need to share His love with everyone we meet, and we have this ability. You guys are all amazing.
I hope you know that. Thank you for everything and the amazing example you are to me.
Feliz Natal
LOVE Sis Hunny
