It came without tinsel. . . .

 15 December 2014

Wow, my Brazillian Christmas has been the best so far!! I can't even say how grateful I am to be spending it here in Piraquara with all of these people that I know and love so well, I am so blessed!

I thought it would be weird to be having Christmas in the hot weather with palm trees etc etc. but there's just this lovely Christmas spirit everywhere! Everyone decorates so well and all of the stores and restuarantes have decorations and my little Piraquara has decorated the main street so cute! I still need to take pictures:) And the Christmas hymns in sacrament meeting are the same hymns and bring that Christmas spirit just the same:) Last Friday we had the ward Christmas Party and it was sooooooo great! They had everything decorted so cute and I was frantically taking videos of everyting! Up until then I had been worrying about if I would be able to feel the Christmas Spirit/ *magic* etc. But let me just tell you, my heart was full to bursting with the true Christmas spirit and gratitude. Yes Dad, "It came without tinsel, it came without trappings. . . . " ( I can't remember the rest. .. !) We can feel the true happiness and love of the Christmas season no matter if we're in warm Brazil or warm Utah ;) I hope you 're all able to feel that true joy of Christmas that comes because of the birth and life of our Savior. http://www.mormon.org/christmas?cid=HPFR112814529

I was studying in PMG this week about the importance of bearing testimony and read this really great quote by President Monson that I wanted to share with you guys. " Regarding one's testimony, remember, that which willingingly shares he keeps, while that which he selfishly keeps he loses. . . " PMG pg 198 Pres. Thomas S. Monson.

This is so true! Every time we share our testimony it is strengthened but at the same time we are helping to strenghten someone elses testimony! Many times ( I know, I promise!) We think were were an example, tried to bear our testimony etc and it was in vain, it didn't helpe anyone. Well. The same day I was reading in the Book of Mormom abou the story of Abinadi. GREAT MISSIONARY. He bore his testimony until it got him into enough trouble that he was sentenced to death. During all of that it appeared like his testimony wasn't affecting anyone because they were all so wicked that they weren't truly listening. But did he desist? No! And theeen. Mosiah 17:2. It talks about ONE, just one person who was prepared by thd Lord, was WAS listening all of that time. We all know what Alma went on  to do later.  . . just re-organize the true church and stuff. . . .sooo. Wow. What  lesson for all of us! If we will be like Abinadi and bear our testimony of what we KNOW  to be true, no matter the circumstances, I have a testimony that Heavenly Father will not let our testimonies and our examples be in vain! There WILL  be an Alma waiting somewhere down the line, we never know all of the things that Heavenly Father has planned, but we have to do our part! So, here comes the best part- I challenge you guys to look for an opportunity(ies) to bear your testimony to someone before Christmas. However briefly, or simply, to whomever about whatever part of the Gospel you KNOW to be true. I know that Heavenly Father will provide the opportunites and the Spirit to help us recognize the opportunites:) Christmas is the deadline because we always need deadlines and this way you'll all be able to tell me about an experience! Waahoo! I have a really classic story to tell you guys too that I was going to write but I'm out of time and it will be way better to TELL it, you know what I'm saying?

Whoo.

Well, that's it for this week folks, I hope that you guys are able to enjoy the Christmas cheer and like you said Mom, seeing a Christmas miracle every day!

Talk to you all at Christmas!

Looooove,

Sister Ventura :)