Week 59 - Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I hope you all had a real Merry Christmas, didn't get fed too much like I did, and just enjoyed the season and the spirit that it brings. My second Christmas out as a missionary was a good one, one that I won't soon forget. I'll be honest, it terrifies me not knowing if I will truly be able to have Christ at the center of the season as I have. Yes, it is in my control, but as a missionary so many of those variables are taken away and you can just simply focus on what really matters. I hope you were all able to remember the true meaning of Christmas this year and be able to feel yourselves drawing closer to our Savior. We always talk about New Years Resolutions.. well I hope you all can make a new years resolution this year of a more spiritual sense. I think the whole, "Lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven" has brought on a new meaning. Think about it, when was the last time you set a goal to "Be more Healthy", "Manage Finances Better", "Take a Family Vacation", etc. etc. etc... I mean these are all righteous goals I think, they are going to help you become better, to do better, will probably even improve the quality of life you are living.. but think about that on an eternal perspective. When was the last time you set a goal to "Read my scriptures every day", "Be a full-tithe payer with the right attitude", "Come to really know my Savior", etc. etc. etc.. Which is better? This isn't tough to see on paper, but why is it then so difficult to apply this in our lives? 

This week was honestly a bit of a patience developer.. once again I think it is because I am holding myself to such a high standard..I just know that there are so many things to still accomplish, running out of time to do that though! We did find a new investigator, well technically two this week. They were a mother, son combo.. they are real nice. Jerome and Yolanda.. more Filipinos. Basically the mom, Yolanda, wants her son to understand Christ and believe in God.. but he won't listen to her so hopefully he will listen to us. So far so good.. we have started right from the start.. currently he is atheist, because in his mind he believes that way is easier. We are working on that, and it all starts with prayer.. we will get it. 

Ah. Abner.. too frustrating.. I am REALLY working on patience with this one. We had a solid lesson with him, ended up being able to get him on a solid commitment with his baptism for Feb. 22.. but here is the kicker.. we can't get him to actually come out to church. He says he wants to come to bad, and knows that is the missing piece.. he commits, we get him a ride.. then he has something come up each week right before. It has been mildly frustrating.. we are doing our best though! We are just trying to figure it of where he really is and how we can help him from where he is at. 

We, okay I say we but really is is the Spirit and Jesus Christ, got S. Lopez to come out to church this week.. she is the LA we have been just recently in touch with.. it was honestly a miracle of sorts how that has all occurred. The most neat part about it all, there is a Filipino family that is real solid that lives just around the block from her that can give her a ride to church every week.. I am just so happy we have been able to help her get back onto that path.. definitely helped me realize how important this gospel can be for our lives.. and just as Christ left the 99 to find the one.. that that one you can find that great joy when they return. So while we may have had a bit of a trying week when it comes to the ministry.. it is those moments where you are just filled with joy.. no other way to put that. 

I love you all! Have a real nice New Years! 2014.. Here we come! 

Love, Elder McFall