[25] Sunshine in My Soul, We Need You, and More Blessed to Give:)

Hello Family and friends!!

I'm sorry my letters lately have been so rushed and unfinished. I don't think my letter last week made any sense at all about our Thanksgiving. I'm sorry!  But I have great news to announce this week!!! 

There is Sunshine in my Soul! 

The words to that song have been going on in my mind this week.   (J) is doing so well! We had another uplifting lesson with him this week and he decided to be baptized this Saturday, December 13th!! He told us he needs to not care about what his friends tell him, or what other people may think, he wants to do this for himself because inside he feels it is true and he needs to be baptized. After he chose a date he was so happy and it was like a weight was off his shoulders, we could all feel the Spirit strongly. 

The next day we had another lesson with (J) on exchanges.  It is always a fun day to do exchanges with a new companion, because I learn so much from each companion. It was so great to be able to work with Sister Hegstrom for a day! She is such a great example (I may say that a lot about Sister missionaries being a great example to me, but it's true:) It amazes me how sweet and spiritual and knowledgeable all these Sister missionaries are. I feel blessed to be around and learn from them):) Sister H is a wonderful missionary. She taught me a lot just in the short time we were together. 

Sister H was also extra great in our lesson with (J). While we were teaching, (J) said something that really struck me. He said "I fell I need the church and also, I think the church needs me". When he said that I knew he was being taught by the Spirit and what he said is so true! We need each and everyone who joins our church. Just like something President Uchtdorf said, "We need everyone.  Not for numbers, or statistics, but for their talents and personalities."  

This same thought was again taught to me this week, with our less-active member, sweet (S). She is so goodhearted and she really has a desire to come back to church, but she told us she doesn't know what her purpose is. We brought this up to our awesome Bishop and asked if he could extended to her the calling of being a greeter. He did and (S) accepted! She passed out the Sunday programs yesterday and welcomed everyone to church. Everyone who talked to her had a smile on their face. By using her talents of being a happy and a welcoming type person, she was able to help everyone feel the Spirit as they walked into the chapel. As I watched this, I felt the Spirit confirmed to me that we really need everyone. Whether their calling is one thing or another, we need them and God loves them, because He loves each and everyone of us. He needs you too!:)

More Blessed to Give

In my scripture studies, I came across this verse in Acts where Paul is quoting the Savior "It is more blessed to give than to receive". I have found that out more and more on my mission.  Our Savior and Heavenly Father needs us to give. I use to think of that scripture as the  'tangible giving and getting things', but now I also see that the giving is more than that.  It's the giving of your time, of your love, of your service and that lifts you up, brings you happiness and joy and you really do become blessed.  I know that is true and as we share what we have with others we will be blessed. 

Hope everyone is starting to feel the beautiful Christmas Spirit, Have a great week! We also had a great Ward Christmas Party, but I am out of Time so I will let the rest of my week be told in pictures:)

Love and Prayers to you all!
Send a Christmas card if you have time!;)
Sister S-K