The Christmas Week

December 26, 2017

First off I've got to just say that it was so awesome to Skype my family yesterday afternoon! It was so great to hear from all of them. Seeing them and hearing their voices helps me want to be a better person. :)

Christmas Eve night was spent at a recent convert's house. We had a great dinner there, and then she included some of each of the missionary's family traditions. We made cinnamon rolls, did a gift exchange, and acted out the nativity. :) It was a fun night with her and her family.

Christmas day was just an amazing day! We were able to open presents, deliver Light the World cards to lots of people, spend time with members, go carolling, and eat some awesome food! It was so great to spend my Christmas out here on the mission serving others.

Our lesson this week with A. went well. She asked me to sing Amazing Grace for her and I did. She really enjoyed it, and I was able to get over my fear of singing in front of others. :) We are working hard on getting her to read the Book of Mormon on her own so that she can feel the Spirit every day. She is starting to do that which is so cool! She knows that it is true, but she is just doesn't make time for reading, so that is why we are helping her with that. She was really worried about not being able to get gifts for her grandchildren for Christmas, but the Sister Missionaries took her to the toy drive at the church and she was able to pick out gifts for her grandchildren. It was an answer to her prayers! I love how the church is so giving, and encourages the members to be charitable as well. Service is the best way to be happy!

We taught K. spiritual CPR. it stands for Church. Pray, and Read. We have to do those things to keep our testimony alive! K. committed to do all three which was great! We asked him if he would like to go to the YSA ward, and he said that he would like that. He really wants good friends. So we are going to have to pass him off to the YSA elders. :( He is such an awesome guy! I am so excited for him to progress in the gospel and find happiness and a better life!

One of the times I felt the Spirit this past week was during weekly planning. I really felt like the plans we made for this week and for our lessons were good and directed by the Spirit. I am so excited to carry them out. We are really focusing on helping the people we teach progress, and not just have a nice lesson. We want them on the path, moving toward Eternal Life.

I love you all! I know that we really can make it back to our Heavenly Father and Brother, Jesus Christ! It is not an impossible goal. And just like the Prophets and Apostles have said, all we have to do is try, but we have to REALLY try. Have a fantastic week!

Elder Petrie

1-Sweet Companionship

2-Making Cinnamon Rolls

3-Snow Covered Mountains!