Feliz Navidad!

"Feliz Navidad, prospero año y felicidad."My companion and I were singing that song together and it was way funny because I didn’t know what the Spanish part said before and had always just made up my own. Same with my companion and the English part. We had a good laugh. Well, I am here on my 4th change in Amabay with Hermana Jara. We are both excited to be here another change together and grateful for the opportunity to have Christmas with such a great ward, but above all, to keep working with our investigators. I don’t want to jinx anything, because as we know, anything can happen, but I am so excited to say that we have a baptism of a family this Saturday!! Its a couple named Justina and Andres. She is a woman that we talked to a few months ago when she was sweeping outside. They have a little boy who is almost 2 and they are great. They’re not married, so we are going to have the wedding and the baptism the same day. Thankfully we have a lot of support and help from the members. Without them, I don’t know how we would do it. I wont be relaxed until Sunday though when they have been confirmed and everything. Please pray for them that they will be able to overcome the opposition that ALWAYS comes before baptism, marriage, or anything else good in life. I get to speak in Sacrament meeting this week. The topic: "Regalos para Jesucristo." I’ve been thinking a lot about this theme and how we can show our love for God. I was reading Elder Uchdorfs talk from conference about love for God and how He doesn’t need us to love Him but more that we need the blessing and direction of loving God. When we love God, our actions lead us more to Him, allow us to become more like Him, and therefore be happier and peaceful in life. Not to mention all of the promised blessings that God gives us as we keep His commandments. That we will have all that He has. I hope and pray that I will be able to help the ward with what they need. Honestly, every day here in the mission field is a miracle. I can communicate and understand in Spanish and a few words in Guaraní; I get to live with girls from Peru and Argentina; I get to work with incredible leaders of the church here in Paraguay (ones of the sisters here was RS secretary at age 12!); my testimony of the Book of Mormon, the Bible, the temple, Joseph Smith, President Monson, and the overall Restoration of the gospel have grown exponentially; I eat tomatoes, olives, pig, crocodile, cow, mondongo (cow stomach), oysters, squid, etc without problem; I learned how to cook; I clean better (I can almost remove the hair from a drain without gagging); I know how to wash my clothes in a bucket; I know how to take care of my skin with Guava leaves and aloe plants; I can make hair conditioner out of rose petals, bananas, and avocado; I get to see incredible sunsets every day; I kill spiders now; I’m fatter now but OK with it, etc....I really am growing up :). There is no better gift that you could have given me than that of being able to serve a mission. I am so happy to be here and love being a missionary. The Christmas call will be a lot of fun! I get to write to you again on Monday so I will try to get the number to you then. I know there’s a code you have to dial to enter but I will get it all ready for you. We are going to call in the church so we won’t have to bug any of the members that day. Are you all going to be there Christmas morning? I’m sure we could figure out how to call over email, but everyone calls to set up the call. It is kind of cheating but I’m sure I will do it too. I don’t know when, but I will get it to you before so that you can practice dad. The bishop might answer though so just hang up or something. jaja. I love you I love you I love you all. I will write more on Monday and let you know how everything went! I hope my siblings will write me letters for Christmas!! Even if they arrive after. And pictures!...if you can. Love love love, Rae