Wow… what a week.
I have learned so many things this week, and I really cannot believe how fast the time flies. This past week we went caroling with our Ward Mission Leader and a couple of the Ward Missionaries. We visited almost every family in the ward, active and less active. It was such a tender experience to see how happy some of the people were and it was beautiful to be able to share a little of the Christmas spirit with them. I love Christmas! This is such a beautiful time of the year to focus on our savior and on his Atonement.
We have been studying a lot of the Christmas story as a companionship and It is amazing to see the many things that we can learn from this story. This past week I was really struck by the story of Mary when the angel Gabriel told her who she would be. I was so struck by her response. ” He aqui, la sierva del Señor” The handmaiden, or servant of the Lord. She had such faith, such perfect trust in her Heavenly Father. I have been trying to do the same, to really strengthen my faith and rely on my Savior.
This past week, some of the youth in our ward went to a camp called “soy”. It is basically EFY for Latin America. Yesterday in sacrament meeting the youth that went shared their testimonies. It was miraculous to see how the youth had changed and come home spiritual giants. One of the young men is a recent convert. He has such a hard family life and a speech impediment. He cannot read and has never really gone to school. But he stood up at the pulpit, in his hand-me-down suit and said “I love my Heavenly Father, and if it be his will, I will do all that I can to prepare to serve as a missionary”. The spirit was so strong. I know, if it be the Lords will, that he will be a powerful missionary one day. Yesterday, I also got to speak in sacrament meeting and all of the missionaries sang “The little drummer boy” or ”
“. It was super awesome!
I love my companion. This week taught us so much, and she is the epitome of all patience and charity. She has really taught me to always have a 24 hour smile. I love her so much! She said something that really impacted me. She said, “We didn’t come as soldiers, we become soldiers”. The lord has really refined us this week and I am so grateful for the atonement of my Savior.
I hope that you all have a very Merry Christmas. Remember. He is the Gift, He is the King. He is our Savior… and I am his servant.
May the Lord Bless and Keep you all. Thank you for all of your prayers, your love and your support.
I love you all!
Hurrah for Israel!
Love,
Hermana Hipol
P.S. We came home one night this week to find the largest lizard I have seen in my life sitting on our doorstep…. it was quite traumatizing….