Week 66: Feliz Navidad!
Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024
Que tal yall!
This week was pretty fire.
We had some fire activities to prepare for Christmas including on Tuesday, we went to the Plaza here in Sacaba as a zone to sing Christmas songs and gift wrapped books of mormon away to everyone we could! It was very awesome!
On Thursday, we had our Christmas zone conference. It was a ton of fun with skits from each zone. Our zone had a fun one where we did a twist on the Charles Dickens Christmas story but with a trunky missionary in place of scrooge. It was a ton of fun.
We also got to go to this nice restaurant after and we could get the things we normally couldn't eat besides fish. So I got to try some ribs for the first time in 8 months which was awesome. And I also got some pique which is always fire.
My comp and I have been doing the spiritual fast this transfer which is basically where you fast from things that don't invite the spirit or take it away. It's been very awesome and we are seeing lots of miracles because of it!
We had a big miracle this week where we got a reference from someone super prepared to receive the gospel!
We had an amazing lesson with her and her family and were able to teach them about the restoration and give them book of mormons! Super excited to keep teaching them!
On Sunday, I had the opportunity to give a blessing. And the spirit was very strong! It was very powerful experience! The Priesthood Power is real!
Yesterday, we had some fire lessons and we also got to sing in the ward talent show! Me and my comp preformed "grateful for the rain" from the youth album. It was pretty fire and the ward got hyped.
I also had a Reeces peanut butter cup this for the first time in 8 months and let me tell you it was amazing. I miss those things so much haha.
Today, we've been at the chapel all day making Santa's sleigh out of cardboard and then President and Hermana Lopera pulled up by surprise to give us all a dope new bag that has the mission logo on it. Tonight we are going to go to out to eat with some members for christmas eve.
Tomorrow, we got permission to call the fam for 3 hours so im hyped about that.
This Christmas has been for sure different being in Bolivia. It is celebrated a lot differently here. There isn't as many big preparations, hype, and celebrations as in the states. But it has given me a lot to reflect about the true Meaning of Christmas. It isn't about the gifts, food, parties, celebrations, activities. Even though all those things are super awesome! It's truly about the Savior. The babe of Nazareth who was born in humble conditions over 2000 years ago. It's about him. Our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ.
"11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord"
Luke 2:11
I really liked the talk from Sister Runia from this years first Presidency Christmas devotional. This part sticks out to me a lot:
"He was born to lift each one of us personally. And if He’s anyone’s, He is most certainly yours. Christ the babe was born for you"
Christ was born for each of us personally! He knows and loves all of personally. He is here to help us in every moment in our lives! He is our personal Savior, Redeemer, and friend. I testify that he lives! That he bled and died for each one of us individually and that he understands and loves each one of us perfectly. He was born for you and he loves you!
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Love, Elder Richards
