Frohes weinachten!!!! Merry Christmas er body!!

 

This week was awesome for many reasons.

 

We had Christmas zone conference on Wednesday and that was way awes. We had a gift exchange, got Christmas packages, got to hang with Elder Ott, Johnson, my district, and a lot of my mtc district was there too! Wayyy fun. President gave an awesome talk about Christmas, the love of Jesus, and about loving everyone, regardless of religion, race, or the way they treat you. It was way good. There were some awesome musical numbers and basically it felt way Christmasy and spiritual.

 

We also had our ward Christmas party this week. We had like 6 investigators there and that was super fun. We got to hear President Monson's talk from the first presidency Christmas message. Different families did skits, musical numbers, food, and great company. The ward even bought the missionaries a way cool Christmas pyramid decoration thing that's wayy legit. I love this ward!! I don't wanna leave! But I've been here 4 transfers so it's a pretty sure bet I leave right after Christmas. I'm so comfortable here and I know all the members so well and they know me and I don't wanna leave my converts either. They are like family.

 

Anyway yesterday was prolly the biggest highlight. I got to baptize J and it was an amazing experience. He was sooo ready and sooo excited. Right before we went in the water he was practically jumping up and down and afterwards his smile was like the picture of pure joy. He told me how he couldn't believe how long he searched and how fast the time has gone since we found them. He did a lot of praying and studying and searching to get his answer that this is the church of Jesus Christ on the earth and he was so happy to finally be baptized into it. His wife was sooo proud and the fact that they are both members now just makes her dream of a forever family that much closer. AMAZING. This week she also told us she is expecting! I love this family.

 

Another awesome thing this week is that P got everything cleared so that he can be baptized. He has quit smoking and on Wednesday we made out a date for his baptism! Sooo cool. He is soo excited and he made me promise to confirm him. That night was my last night at their place because they leave on vacation tomorrow. I said goodbye to them after church yesterday and that was pretty hard too. They are so amazing and we really share a special bond. I will get to see them at his baptism though so that made it not so bad.

 

Besides that some investigators are progressing, some not so much, some dissappeared, some let us down, but things overall are going real great.

 

Most of all I'm glad to celebrate the birth of Christ at this time. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. I'm so grateful that our Heavenly Father loved us enough to send Him into the world through the virgin Mary, that He would lead a perfect life, and suffer for my sins, weaknesses, afflictions, and pains, and that I can one day return to the Father. I'm grateful to celebrate His birth, life, mission, death, and resurrection at this time. I'm grateful for the Savior and for His ultimate gift that He gave us. 

 

Have a wonderful Christmas and don't forget the most important gift, the gift He gave us. Much love!

 

Elder Clayton