December 12, 2011

Hola familia, This Saturday was so awesome!  Daniela, Liseth, and Eddy were baptized. I think it's crazy because Daniela and Liseth are smarter than all of the members. Even in our branch. They learned so fast and they answer the questions together. I was priviledged to baptize Daniela and Eddy, and my comp got to baptize Liseth. I feel like they are going to be awesome members and also be really active. I really hope that their mom can go with them every week. But what is way cool is that their cousin goes with them to church every week and has gone four times to church. She also wants to be baptized, and her parents are supporting her. She doesn't live in Riberalta. She lives in the jungle so that is pretty cool. But she is an awesome girl and really loves going to church. Her little brother comes with them and he reminds me alot of Keaton and Parker. He's a really happy and awesome kid. I handed out CTR rings to all of the kids in this family and they were all way happy and excited. The little 6 year old boy had a huge smile on his face and threw his hand out to show his mom that we gave him a ring. It made me way happy, and it just shows how much more small things can mean to kids. Especially really humble kids that live out in the jungle. But the cousin Alexandra will be baptized Christmas eve and be confirmed a member on Christmas day. Way crazy right? But she is excited and Daniela and Liseth said, "wow she will get to be baptized on the day we celebrate Christ's birth." They think it is going be way cool. I'm glad they appreciate that and don't think it will just take time away from their Christmas. But Sarela and Erika didn't go to church, but we have an appointment with them today so we will see what happens. I still have hope for them. We will teach with a lot of love and with the holy ghost so they can feel the importance of going to church. We had an awesome week, but I've never had so many appointments fall through. I usually teach a ton of lessons every week with my companion and this week was a lot less than normal. I realized that it doesn't matter what comes, or what happens, or how hard things get. I am still going to serve with all I have because I don't have much time. A bunch of missionaries say I have so much time that I've been serving here in the mission, and I was thinking that that shouldn't pass through your head. Two years isn't much time and every day that goes by is less time that you have to serve and help those that need your help, and have been prepared to recieve your help, your testimony, and your guidance. It's crazy to think that days, months, and  weeks pass and you have got to give it all that you have. You will not ever have this same opportunity again to serve the Lord under these cirumstances and in this time of your life. But this can also be compared to the callings you receive in the church. You only have a certain amount of time to serve with all you've got in your callling, because before you know it your time to serve there will be gone and you probably won't be able to serve there again. You just have to give it everything you've got and the blessings will come. The feelings of what you have accomplished and how many people you have helped and many others that you can't see that you have greatly helped,will bring a lot of peace and a flowing font of blessings. But it's crazy to think that a year has passed, because I still feel like there is so much more I need to learn and improve on. I will always be looking for what more I can do and what more I can improve on. I just can't explain how greatful I am for my family and how much they mean to me. I feel like I have been way blessed to be put in the most amazing family ever. I feel like when Nephi starts out in the book of mormon being born of goodly parents, that I too was born of goodly parents and goodly sisters who I love so much and who have taught me to be who I am today. A missionary in the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints. I just can't explain how greatful I am for them in my life. I can't express my appreciation either for my grandparents, my cousins, and my ward. Those amazing teachers, leaders, and members who have been huge examples to me in my life. Keep doing all you can to follow our Heavenly Father. He loves you so much. You are all His children and He wants you to show all the love you can for Him. When we show that, it is when the love He has for us will burn deep within us and be a precious gift that we will treasure every day of our lives.   Love, Elder Christoffersen