CHRISTMAS!!!

I love this time of year so much!!! There is so much rejoicing and gladness. I couldn't be happier!!

 

 

This week was incredible!! We've been ridiculously busy. It's been a blast. On Tuesday we went on exchanges with the Menlo Park ZL's up in Palo Alto. Elder Tucker came down to Almaden with me while Elder Cusworth went up there. We had a BOMB day!! We taught 4 lessons which is super good for our area. 

 

 

Exchanges bring miracles!! During exchanges we taught our new investigator, Justin Sun. We ended up teaching him, his best friend, and his sister!! Three non-member teenagers in one lesson! I love when that happens. One of our laurels who is friends with Justin was also present. We all sat around a table and talked about the nature of God. They consider themselves agnostic or atheist so we taught the basics. The spirit was strong. They opened up a lot and shared experiencias. Justin said he is willing to read the bible and Book of Mormon and would like to meet up again over the break, so we're looking forward to that!

 

 

We had another awesome lesson this week with one of our investigators, Gordy! He's probably in his 60's, he's dating a member in our ward. He's one of those awesome rednecks that lives wayyyy out in the hills all by himself. He has no filter when he's sometimes speaking. It's hilarious. We've had dinner with them in the past and he never seemed interested. But this time we felt prompted to be bold and let him know who we are and what our purpose is. We asked inspired questions about Jesus Christ and who He is to him. He really opened up, it was amazing! We even brought up baptism. The next day we went to the temple with him!!! It was wonderful!! And then he came to church!! He's so awesome. We're meeting with him on Tuesday. I love how the Spirit works.

 

 

On Saturday. Ethan was baptized! He's a boy in our ward that we've been teaching. He's an incredible kid. We love him so much.

The rest of the week included transfer planning and a bunch of other things. We were super busy this week but we still managed to teach a lot of solid lessons. I love being busy and anxiously engaged in this great cause. 

 

 

I love the Christmas season beyond words! As we listen to the carols and see Christmas lights around the neighborhoods, hoards of memories begin to flood my mind from my early childhood during Christmas time. I always remember feeling so anxious and excited about it all. I still do, but my perspective on the season has changed. I now feel warmth and peace as I sit and ponder about the humble birth of our savior and redeemer. He was chosen before the meridian of time and came to the earth to save us and to establish His kingdom. That Kingdom is on the earth once again. He is at the head of it. I know it. Through Him, we will be able to endure this journey with hope. Through Him, we will be able to return to the Father's presence and be ushered into His glory. In order to obtain such blessings, each of us need to understand that we need to let Jesus Christ into our lives. Neal A. Maxwell said that "each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus". I know that to be true.

 

 

President Gordon B. Hinckley once shared, "Christmas means giving - and 'the gift without the giver is bare.' Giving of self; giving of substance, giving of heart and mind and strength in assisting those in need and in spreading the cause of His eternal truth - these are of the very essence of the true spirit of Christmas". I would like to add that these are also the very essence of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. How wonderful is our duty.

 

 

I love you all. Have a fabulous Christmas. I send my love and spirit to each of you!

 

 

- Elder Michael Felt

 

 

Pics:

- Ethans baptism

- Temple with Gordy

- Oakland Temple

- Our favorite kids (sometimes we help the mothers with their kids during sacrament by keeping them entertained. I LOVE them)