Elder Richardson in Guatemala: DECEMBER 29,2014 "Feast Upon The Words Of Christ"

Tortillas: 45

Christmas Eve started out with Zone Conference in Colotenango where we had a white elephant gift exchange.

I had a wonderful Christmas week! Here in Guatemala, Christmas is a lot more about partying and getting drunk than it is about Christ, and so it was a hard week for the work. But, we were able to do a lot of service, which really made me feel the true spirit of Christmas! We spent Christmas Eve (Here it is called Noche Buena, and is bigger than Christmas day) with Familia Sop Chavez eating Churasco (Basically BBQ) and doing fireworks (Christmas here is not Christmas without fireworks.)

CHRISTMAS EVE IN OUR HOME

CHRISTMAS MORNING WITH ELDER CASTILLO

Then the morning of Christmas Day, we went with them to a river that is close by Called Rio Azul, and the water is so so light blue.

After, we went to Jacaltenango, where we were going to serve in the Hospital but there were no patients. So, we went and visited a family there, because it is in the area of San Antonio and had an amazing spiritual lesson. Other highlights for this week is President and Hermana Smith came to our area this week, and on Saturday night they went with us to a lesson with Tino and his family, where we talked about the importance of the scriptures. It was amazingly spiritual and I learned a lot about teaching in just one lesson with President Smith. He is an amazing mission president, very spiritual and very loving, also with a great sense of humor. He also spoke in Sacrement meeting sunday.
Mejor Milagro:
On Christmas day, I really badly wanted to go to Jacaltenango, so that I could serve some "of the least of these" as Christ says in the bible. I was really excited to feel the true Christmas spirit, but it was looking very unlikely because the busses are not very consistent on Christmas. First miracle, we were able to Catch a bus to San Antonio!

Second miracle, we were in San Antonio, looking for someone to take us to Jacal. We had been looking for about 40 mins, and I was praying so hard that we could find a bus. Eventually, we found a mini bus! My prayers were answered!

When we got to Jacal, we ran to the hospital, but shortly found out that all of the patients had gone home for Christmas...

So, we started finding something to do! We eventually decided to visit a family. We sang to them, and had an amazing lesson where the spirit was so stong. They are very strong Catholics, but we invited them to read the Book of Mormon and find out if it is true for themselves, and they all accepted! I am so excited for them because they were an amazing and very sweet family!

Testimony Time:
This week President Smith talked in sacrement meeting in our branch, and he talked about 4 things that we can do to have stronger families! 1. Pray together and personally every day and every night 2. Study the scriptures every day as a family and personally 3. Pay a full tithes 4. Go to church, and help those that are not coming to chruch. He made a promise, that if we will read the Book of Mormon everyday personally and as a family, we will have amazingly strong families. He talked about the importance of receiveing personal revelation. I know that as we will work to do what the prophets have asked us, then we will also receive the blessings that they have promised. Reading the scriptures every day, especially the Book of Mormon and praying is so important. I promise that you will see a change in your life and in your thinking with these amazing gifts from God! Make it a goal for this year to do these things every day! I know the Book of Mormon is true, I know Joseph Smith was a true prophet, I know Christs chruch is restored, and I know he lives! In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Love you all! Feliz año nuevo!