It's snowing outside! I can't believe it's December and I can't believe how much more it feels like Christmastime when the ground is white. So beautiful!
I heard St. George had a snowstorm this week too?? WHAT?! That's definitely not the St. George I grew up in!
Anyway, this week has been a good one. Actually, a great one.
My dear Lori, who I love with all of my heart, is BEING BAPTIZED!!! Wow. I could not imagine a better Christmas gift! December 27th will be a day I never, ever forget. Lori is so special and has been so prepared by the Lord. She really had a desire to be baptized, but wanted to be sure she was doing the Lord's will, so she took it to prayer. Of course, because the adversary is annoyingly aware of our spirituality, she started facing all of these trials. We had a powerful lesson--one of the most spiritual experiences I've had yet on my mission. We came back two days later and she was completely at peace.. she had received her answer! She prayed about it that night, then opened her Book of Mormon because she is brilliant and knows that the Scriptures are a window to heaven/revelation, and wa-la! The page she turned to was all about baptism. She knew then and there 100% God had spoken. I told you she is amazing. This is what the Spirit of Christmas is all about: bringing people unto Him!
We watched the Christmas Devotional together last night and the Spirit was so strong. I never wanted it to end! I am so grateful for a modern day prophet who received direct revelation from the Lord. What a privilege and a blessing! A couple of my favorite things last night.. "The way to find real happiness is to make others happy" "The wonder and awe of Christmas is just the beginning" and "Let Jesus Christ be your personal Prince of Peace". Earlier in sacrament I was studying peace in the scriptures (it's been a bit of a hectic week) when the speaker from the high council got up and shared a beautiful talk on finding peace. Then, the concluding talk last night by Russel M. Nelson was on personal peace! I'm pretty sure they were both just for me. Don't you love when that happens? Just another witness that Heavenly Father knows and loves me.
Today I read a talk by James E. Faust that said "When we strive to come unto Him, we come to see how He will then make our weaknesses better known to us, sometimes painfully, in order to help us progress." I feel like that explains this past week perfectly, so I'm glad to know it's Heavenly Father working with me. There are so many things to focus on as a missionary and I feel like I'm falling short on so many of them. I've been a little overwhelmed this week with all of it. But, looking back, I know that it's only helped me to draw closer to my Savior and that He is showing me my weaknesses so I can become better. It can just be a little painful, like President Faust says. I am so grateful for the knowledge that I have of the restored Gospel. I know that at times like these I can find peace in my older brother Jesus Christ because he has been through exactly what I'm going through. How comforting! What a beautiful time of year this is-- a time to celebrate Him and all that He has done for us. He is the reason for the season-- the reason for everything, really.
News for this upcoming week. Friday we have a zone conference in Muncy with a member of the 70. His last name is Perkins if you're curious. The next day we'll be on an exchange in Fort Wayne. The next day I'm talking in church. That night we're talking at the young women Night of Excellence. Two days after that I'm singing a duet (all SIX verses of Come Follow Me) at our mission Christmas party. I don't know who got the idea that I can sing! Oh and Christmas Sunday I've been volunteered to play the violin in sacrament!
Activity is the genius of the church, right? :)
Oh, one more thing. We're supposed to do a lot of service at Christmas, right? I have a service project for y'all. Write me letters!!
I love you all dearly!
xoxo
Sister Kayla Rolfe
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| We had a lovely Christmas party at the Nelsons' this week! |
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| The 4 sisters in our zone! |
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