Moppin' around the Christmas Tree

It's not something I ever expected to do; but lo and behold what I did this morning! Our little tree isn't covered in homemade ornaments or even piled high with gifts, but it certainly adds a bit of charm to our small flat.

This week we've been preparing two people for baptism: B B and Sister N. B turns 8 on Christmas, and he's my first child-of-record! If you ask him what he thinks about his baptism, his eyes will just get big and his mouth will get small (his way of saying he's excited). Sister N, on the other hand, keeps insisting that we're going to end up moving her date again (but we only did that because we hadn't taught her everything, and now we have!) and we had to make her a countdown chart just to assure her that she will be entering the water on the 6th of January. She's so excited, and her husband is so happy! It's people like them that make me feel really good about being here!

On Saturday, we had our Christmas party, and it was a huge hit! We had upwards of 400 people there (mostly kids) and everyone enjoyed it. There was singing, both in English and Chichewa, the Nativity story told by the children, and even a Gospel Hip-Hop number by the young men! Then, to everyone's pleasure, there was volleyball, and to finish it all off a lot of nsima and goat to go around! (us missionaries didn't actually eat at the party--good thing, too. They don't waste any part of an animal when cooking.)


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Well, my loved ones, at this time I would like to give some fair council. Don't ever forget, in this season of gift giving, the greatest gift ever to be presented. Two thousand and twelve years ago, our Heavenly Father gave us the most precious thing He could; He gave us His Son. He gave to us a way that we could return to live with Him, and we should keep this gift close to our hearts--not just when there's tinsel and colorful lights, but every waking hour of our lives. Think on it; if Jesus Christ hadn't come to earth, we would be wandering lost, with no light to find our way on the stormy seas of sin. Instead the Savior acts as a lighthouse to guide us to the calm waters of our Father's mercy, where we can find the purest joy that we will ever come across.

I love you all so very much, and I keep you in my heart next to our Heavenly Father's gift. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!