Monday, December 5, 2016

Light The World!

WOW, its December already!?  Here in the 850 it is just now starting to look like the beginning of fall, it's so weird!  We still use the air conditioner sometimes hahaha, sorry(; but I actually really do miss the snow so much!  The Christmas season isn't complete unless you have snow.  This year for Christmas, the church has put out another amazing video to help us become better individuals, it's called "Light the World."  The big push this year is for service and because the Savior served and was an amazing person, we can too!  I know that every time that I turn outwards, take a few minutes of my day and serve those around me, I am filled with so much love and joy and that is all that our Heavenly Father wants for each of us.  I encourage all of you to go to mormon.org and check out the video and Light the World with the Savior's light and be filled with his light in return!

We had a second MLC this transfer, which is crazy because it was all the way in Crestview again, so we used so many miles (miles are the most annoying thing as a missionary, and especially a zone leader, cause everyone is always wanting more, but we only get so many as a zone)!  But it was a great meeting and well worth the time and miles, plus I was back in the view, aka Zion!  This MLC was focused a ton on the white hand book.  As missionaries we are to read 3 pages from the white handbook every day, but hardly anyone really understands what they read because it's just a habit now, so they shared a scripture that put things into perspective for us.
 
 "And whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture,  
shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord,  
shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation." 
 
So the white hand book is basically scripture that we should be reading and studying so we can become better and more obedient missionaries.  Every time that I go to a zone meeting, or a MLC ,or whatever, I always get a little glimpse of this amazing missionary that I can and want to become, it's awesome how much the spirit can teach you if you are willing to learn.

Sisters, can i just say something? y'all are amazing!  Elder Abrams and I had the opportunity to teach in Relief Society on Sunday, which was pretty strange being the only guys in a room full of 30 women, but it was AMAZING! we were able to teach about #LIGHTtheWORLD and were fortunate enough to feel of their sweet and tender spirits!  Everyone always talked about how amazing the sisters in the church are but I never fully grasped that until I was able to stand in front of them and hear all of their incredible comments and testimonies.  Thank you sisters for all that you do and the spirit and light and love that you emulate, it doesn't go unnoticed!  I am convinced that the number one thing that my wife must have is a firm testimony in the restored gospel and an understanding of how it can bless our lives, beauty will fade, and personalities will change over time, but one thing that will stay constant is a testimony of the savior.

So funny story from church yesterday.  We had this guy in our ward get up to bare his testimony, and all he talked about was how the scriptures say not to celebrate pagan holidays (because they don't focus enough on the Savior) and to keep the feasts of the old testament, so he testified of how not celebrating Easter and Christmas has blessed his life.  He then proceeded to say " Don't get offended if you say 'Happy Christmas' and I respond with 'Happy Hanukkah.'"  It was so awkward, but funny at the same time; I am just thankful that no investigators where there, that could've been bad.  Now, for the ironic part, later in the evening the church had their world wide CHRISTMAS devotional and talked about how we need to celebrate CHRISTMAS and how it is a time to remember the Savior and feel of His light and love in our lives.

I love the Christmas season and am so happy to be serving my God, especially at this time of the year.  Even though the work is really slow right now, I am so happy!  Mosiah 2:40-41 is such a true principle!  I love y'all and hope y'all have a great week!!

Elder Schipaanboord
 




 
 

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