12/23/2013
Hola everyone! I don’t have a lot of time today, so I just
want to talk about Christmas a little bit. I love Christmas a ton and I
think I love it even more in the mission. It is very hard not being home
with family and snow and a warm home (well its plenty warm here), but this is a
new perspective on Christmas for me. As missionaries, we are called as
representatives of Jesus Christ, and this holiday we celebrate His coming to
the earth, so it should be very special to us. We also don’t have snow,
and it’s ninety degrees, so everything is really different! But I love Christmas
and what it represents! How joyous this season is, as we celebrate the birth
of our Savior. How exciting it is to remember that He came to the world
to save us from our sins. His whole life was an example for us: his
humble beginnings, his gracious acts and teachings, and eventually his sacrifice
and death for our sins are all an example for us, and they were a gift as well.
I’m so thankful for His example and gifts. I hope the
gifts we give and receive this Christmas will be a little different this year.
I’m so glad that He came to this earth and organized His church, and that
we have it on the earth today. I’m thankful that I can be a part of it
and teach it to other people for two years. I’m thankful for His sacrifice that
allows us to gain eternal life and live with our Father in Heaven again. I’m so
thankful that because He suffered for my pains and sorrows, when I’m suffering
or in despair, I can think that He knows what I’m feeling. I’m so thankful that
because He paid the price of my sins, I can be forgiven of all of the things I
may do wrong when I repent and strive to be better. I can’t quite
describe it the way I want to. It sounds much better in my brain, but it’s
just such a blessing to me to know that Christ lives, that He loves each of us.
I know that He came to this earth and lived his life for us. His whole
purpose for living was to save us from our sins. How merciful it is that He
came to earth and in every possible way served us. His life was completely
selfless, a total example of love that we can’t fully comprehend. We can
only understand so much, and as we are able to understand the full effect of His
life and Atonement after this life, I’m sure we will be even more grateful. I
know He lives and that He will come again, and I hope to be prepared when
that day comes, that He can look at me and say that He is pleased with me.
I hope to be able to serve Him and this church for my life. I love it
so much. Merry Christmas everyone! I love you all, and miss you
all!
Love, Elder Ollis
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