Missionaries

Missionaries: They leave their families for 18 months to 24 months to help other families spend eternity together. This is a quote often used to describe missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I've heard this quote, I've repeated this quote, but what does it really mean? Well here is what it means to me.

I left to serve a mission for a period of 18 months and during that period I agreed to only communicate with my family through letters, once of week through email, and a phone call twice a year on Mother's day and Christmas. I know it sounds a bit restrictive, but the reason behind it is to keep us as missionaries focused on the Lord's work. We devote all of our time to the Lord and with less communication from family we are able to be more focused. Is it easy for me to not talk to them more often? No, at times its hard but as I put my focus on the work I find myself not worrying about how much I get to talk to my family or not because the more I am not focused on my family I am more focus on others and that brings me so much joy being able to help others. Hence the quote that I left my family to help them have eternity with theirs.

Now the question is how is it that I am helping them receive eternity with their family? By sharing another testament of Jesus Christ! Yes, The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. 

“And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, ... and they teach all men that they should do good.” 2 Nephi 33:10

As I read The Book of Mormon as well as the Bible my faith in Jesus Christ is strengthened. Because I have read it and prayed and asked if its true, God has answered me through the Holy Ghost that it is true and because I know its true I also know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God and that He translated it through the power of God. And because I know these things I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is Christ's Church restored! And as you come to know that these things are true you can receive the sacred ordinances done by the proper priesthood authority.  My point is I teach people about Jesus Christ and His church. I teach people about sacred ordinances such as baptism and being sealed as a family for eternity. I want everyone to know about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ because it has brought me so much peace, hope, and joy in my life.

Christmas

This Christmas season is the first of many.

My first  and only Christmas as a full-time missionary for the Lord.
My first Christmas in Nashville, Tennessee.
My first Christmas without any of my family.
My first Christmas not buying presents for others.
My first Christmas sending a Christmas card to many people.
My first Christmas that my brother Frank will not be here to celebrate with my family.

As I think about all these different things, some are hard, some are awesome but all of them will be something I will remember forever!

My first  and only Christmas as a full-time missionary for the Lord:
I am so excited that I am a missionary and have the opportunity to testify of Jesus Christ during this wonderful Christmas season! I am so grateful that I get this opportunity to focus on the true meaning of Christmas more than I ever have before.

My first Christmas in Nashville, Tennessee:
Well a year ago I never ever expected to be living in Nashville, Tennessee but here I am and loving it! Its such a different experience than anything I have ever done before. I am so grateful for it because I have met so many wonderful people that I have grown to love so much. So many of these people have taught me so much and have help strengthened my faith in Jesus Christ!

My first Christmas without any of my family:
Well this is one of those harder things. I miss my family so much. Its hard to not be with my family during Christmas time but I am so grateful for my missionary companion, many families and wonderful people that have shown me so much love and have basically welcomed me into their homes and made me feel like family! I know that by making the sacrifice and serving the Lord many blessings will come to my family and those around me.

My first Christmas not buying presents for others:
Since Christmas has gotten so commercialized, I admit I have gotten caught up in making sure I buy some the best presents for people. Even now I will see a toy that I know my nephews or nieces would love and I have to use all my will power to not buy it. I am grateful for this opportunity because I have realized Christmas is about much more than the presents. I have been able to focus more on important gifts that all of us have been given. Jesus Christ suffered and died for us so that we may repent and be cleansed through the power of His Atonement. Jesus Christ was resurrected and so will all of us. We have been given the gift of immortality. And we have been given a way to receive eternal life. I am so grateful for this gifts and for all that my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ has done for me. I am am excited about only focusing on giving gifts back to my Heavenly Father and my Savior this year!

My first Christmas sending a Christmas card to many people:
This was so much fun! Me and my missionary companion took Christmas pictures together! And I was able to write cards to my family and friends that I care so much about and express my love for them. To let them know that I am thinking of them and love them. It was such a simple thing but yet it was so much fun to do!

Christmas Spirit

As I drive around I am so grateful for the Christmas spirit that I see with all the Christmas lights, I think they are so beautiful!

My question for everyone is what does Christmas mean to you?

Christmas to me means celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Its about remembering all that He did for us. Its about getting together as a family and making memories! I am so grateful for Jesus Christ and all that He has done for me.

Alma 7:11-13

11: And he shall go forth, suffering pains and ^aafflictions and ^btemptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will ^ctake upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

12: And he will take upon him ^adeath, that he may ^bloose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to ^csuccor his people according to their infirmities.

13: Now the Spirit ^aknoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the ^bflesh that he might ^ctake upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.