BLESSINGS

I´m so blessed. So so so so blessed! This week was rough, my comp´s been battling a never-ending cold and we kept getting failed all week (including our Christmas eve appointment but we won´t talk about that), and then one of our new investigators dropped us which hurt A LOT! We had a lot of hope for her, she´s really nice and is looking for something more in her life but decided our message wasn´t for her. Its in these moments I just want to pick up The Book of Mormon and shake it in front of people and tell them This will make you happy! Don´t you realzie thats all we and God want?? Just a little faith!! But some people just aren´t ready....yet ;)  So yeah, we definitely had a few discouraging moments. BUT BUT BUT we pushed through and did the best we could and I am telling you now that we have felt Heavenly Father´s love a hundred fold and I know that the Lord takes care of His missionaries and His children. 

First, let me start with last P-day. After emailing, we took the train to Cadiz which is the main city here about 30 minutes away. We got on the train and then after almost every stop after, a group of missionaries from our zone got on and it was SO fun. We got to see a cathedral and then we alked up to a CASTLE and just explored for a while. I´m so excited for P-days here. In Huelva, we were an hour bus ride away from anyone so we just spent Pdays chillin by ourselves, but here we can spend P-day with 20 other missionaries here easily. Blessingssssssssss!

Later that night, we had a Family Home Evening with an investigator Kat. She´s young and works on base in the Navy. The Miles family from the American branch was so kind to host it at their house and we shared a lesson about prayer and then played one of those Cranium games and ate brownies. It was SO fun! Seriously one of the highlights of my mission already. Especially since Sis. Miles and I figured out that she served with Uncle Scott in Venezuela!!! SO COOL. They invited us over for Christmas Day too and we´re so excited! I love their family already, theyre great people and their kids are the cutest!

On Wednesday, we had a Zone Conference in Sevilla with two other zones so I got to see Hermana Lyons again! She´s an angel. Seriosuly don´t think I can gush about her enough. She´s an AMAZING missionary but one of those who don´t even realize it which makes it even better. She and Hermana Carmen are my best friends on the mish, it was no accident that we met and were companions and it was even a greater blessing for me that I could see Hna. Lyons once more before she went home. And I´ll see a lot more of Hna. Carmen for sure! I´ve been so lucky with my companions, especially Hna. Steffensen! She´s such a hard worker and SO funny and crazy haha I love it. I´m sure you can see that from the pics I send haha. 

At the Conference, we talked about our mission goals. So far, we have 425 baptisms this year and 205 rescued less-actives. Even though our goal for this year was 600 baptisms, we talked about how that doesnt make the 425 less special. Its 425 more people who have come unto Christ and that´s something to celebrate! I´m grateful for goals that drive and inspire us to find and teach and share God´s Plan of happiness with as many people as we can. 

Later, Presidente Deere and Hermana Deere talked to us about Self-reliance which we all thought was an interesting topic, especially around Christmas time. But I really needed to hear what they said as they talked about living within our means,keeping a budget, saving and avoiding debt. I definitely need to work on that! I love the Deere´s, they truly prepare us for the future. I´ll be sad to see them go, we just got news that we´ll be getting a new mission president this summer: President Andersen from Blackfoot, Idaho. Bittersweet! I love the Deeres with all my heart but am excited to welcome the Andersens!

On Thursday we went to Rota, the community right outside of the Navy base. We only get to go there once a week since its so far away. Its a beautiful little town and even though we didn´t have a lot of success there that day, I´m excited to go back!

On Friday we had the Ward Christmas Party and we were able to take three investigators--Umi, Katti (whose 11 years old! She´s already one of "my girls") and her sister, Elena who was literally stuck to my hip the entire night. Theyre all so cute! Elena especially. The primary kids went up to sing some Christmas songs and even though she hasnt even been to church yet, she went up anyway and mouthed the words, so adorable!! I love the faith and goodness of little children!! I don´t know why I´m so blessed and lucky to teach such beautiful girls here in Puerto and when I was in Huelva too. Heavenyl father must be preparing me for something...my whole life has revolved around caring for and teaching younger kids and especially now that I´m away from "my kids" back at home (yes, Ryan and Kate, you still count too ;) I realize how precious they are to me. I´m so blessed!!

So that was pretty much my week, I wish i had more updates about investigators, but it was really hard to meet with people because of the Holidays and the sicknesses going around. Next week for sure! I believe in miracles!!

I´d just like to end this weekly letter with my testimony that I know my Savior lives. He healed when He came to earth, He has healed people even after His death, He has healed me, and He continues to heal. All we have to do is put a little faith in Him. I´m grateful for His love that I feel every day and especially during this time on my mission. I am proud to be a daughter of my Heavenly Father and I´m grateful for His Great Plan of Happiness and the role that jesus Christ plays in it.  I am so gratful for my life and all the blessings I have recieved from God. i praise Him and will continue to praise Him all the day long.

HURRAH FOR ISRAEL! AND FELIZ NAVIDAD!

I wish you all an amazing Chrsitmas as you remember the Savior and get to spend this time with our greatest gifts on this Earth--our family and friends.

I love you!

Hermana Morrow