FELIZ NATAL,
Chrismas is here once again, and I continually think... What present have I given to Christ this year? Last Christmas I was in the MTC, desciding how I would use my mission. What kind of missionary would I be? What kind of representative would I be?
I descided to give it all to Christ. Every desire, ever habbit, every worry, every thought, every action. I gave it all this year.
This year has not been easy... far from it. He has rooted up the whole dang tree, He's got it all. In my own tree's place Christ planted a little seed of faith. This seed has grown (with much diligence and care) into a beautiful fruit tree. Full of fruits of love, pacience, gratitude, temperance, acceptance, strength, and FAITH.
Like all of us, my vision has been clouded at times, my heart sunk, my mind weighed down. But I know that only through the atonement of Christ I was able to give all that to Him too.
I gave it all. And I got much more in return. I will be forever grateful for my mission. Sometimes I think to myself what kind of person I would like to be... and I can't think of anything better that what He has in plan. So this Christmas I will give Him everything once again. Hoping that he in turn will continue building my mansion in the kingdoms of my Father.
I love what President Hinckley said when he talked of the Savior.
"We know not all that lies ahead of us. We live in a world of uncertainty. For some, there will be great accomplishment. For others, disappointment. For some, much of rejoicing and gladness, good health, and gracious living. For others, perhaps sickness and a measure of sorrow. We do not know. But one thing we do know. Like the Polar Star in the heavens, regardless of what the future holds, there stands the Redeemer of the world, the Son of God, certain and sure as the anchor of our immortal lives. He is the rock of our salvation, our strength, our comfort, the very focus of our faith.
In sunshine and in shadow we look to Him, and He is there to assure and smile upon us.
He is the central focus of our worship. He is the Son of the living God, the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten in the flesh. He is “risen from the dead, … the firstfruits of them that slept. He is the Lord who shall come again “to reign on the earth over his people”
None so great has ever walked the earth. None other has made a comparable sacrifice or granted a comparable blessing. He is the Savior and the Redeemer of the world. I believe in Him. I declare His divinity without equivocation or compromise. I love Him. I speak the name of Jesus Christ in reverence and wonder. He is our King, our Lord, our Master, the living Christ, who stands on the right hand of His Father. He lives! He lives, resplendent and wonderful, the living Son of the living God."
My prayer is that each of you can take some time away from the long lines, crazy traffic, and gifts, to think... What will I give to Him who gave me all?
I love you all with all my heart, and I wish you a Merry Christmas.
Com Amor, Sister Culley
P.S. The mission exists so that we may have JOY! So I cuddled a dog this week and took a funny picture of a cat who happened to be attacking me while explaining the Plan of Salvation.
Chrismas is here once again, and I continually think... What present have I given to Christ this year? Last Christmas I was in the MTC, desciding how I would use my mission. What kind of missionary would I be? What kind of representative would I be?
I descided to give it all to Christ. Every desire, ever habbit, every worry, every thought, every action. I gave it all this year.
This year has not been easy... far from it. He has rooted up the whole dang tree, He's got it all. In my own tree's place Christ planted a little seed of faith. This seed has grown (with much diligence and care) into a beautiful fruit tree. Full of fruits of love, pacience, gratitude, temperance, acceptance, strength, and FAITH.
Like all of us, my vision has been clouded at times, my heart sunk, my mind weighed down. But I know that only through the atonement of Christ I was able to give all that to Him too.
I gave it all. And I got much more in return. I will be forever grateful for my mission. Sometimes I think to myself what kind of person I would like to be... and I can't think of anything better that what He has in plan. So this Christmas I will give Him everything once again. Hoping that he in turn will continue building my mansion in the kingdoms of my Father.
I love what President Hinckley said when he talked of the Savior.
"We know not all that lies ahead of us. We live in a world of uncertainty. For some, there will be great accomplishment. For others, disappointment. For some, much of rejoicing and gladness, good health, and gracious living. For others, perhaps sickness and a measure of sorrow. We do not know. But one thing we do know. Like the Polar Star in the heavens, regardless of what the future holds, there stands the Redeemer of the world, the Son of God, certain and sure as the anchor of our immortal lives. He is the rock of our salvation, our strength, our comfort, the very focus of our faith.
In sunshine and in shadow we look to Him, and He is there to assure and smile upon us.
He is the central focus of our worship. He is the Son of the living God, the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten in the flesh. He is “risen from the dead, … the firstfruits of them that slept. He is the Lord who shall come again “to reign on the earth over his people”
None so great has ever walked the earth. None other has made a comparable sacrifice or granted a comparable blessing. He is the Savior and the Redeemer of the world. I believe in Him. I declare His divinity without equivocation or compromise. I love Him. I speak the name of Jesus Christ in reverence and wonder. He is our King, our Lord, our Master, the living Christ, who stands on the right hand of His Father. He lives! He lives, resplendent and wonderful, the living Son of the living God."
My prayer is that each of you can take some time away from the long lines, crazy traffic, and gifts, to think... What will I give to Him who gave me all?
I love you all with all my heart, and I wish you a Merry Christmas.
Com Amor, Sister Culley
P.S. The mission exists so that we may have JOY! So I cuddled a dog this week and took a funny picture of a cat who happened to be attacking me while explaining the Plan of Salvation.