Feliz Navidad!

Hermana Heap's 1st Mission email:

 

Hello everyone! I am still alive and chugging alone on this Christmas day. My p-day is not until Thursday so I will write you the full time then. This is a special privilege to spend 20 minutes on the computer today. We didn't know that we would be able to email family until this morning. What a blessing. My Christmas has been good so far. It honestly hasn't felt too much like Christmas this past week because we are so busy with everything else here. The only thing that feels like Christmas is singing the songs. Yesterday we had a fireside that was basically a re-enactment of the Christmas story. It was wonderful. There are so many talented people here so the special numbers are often and amazing. After the fireside we got to watch A Christmas Carol and eat popcorn. It sounds simple but to a missionary here, it means the world! ha! Our schedule has been relaxed today. This morning Elder Russel M. Nelson came to speak to us. My seats weren't very close but it wasn't worth the fight. :) His wife spoke too and it was her talk that stood out to me more. She talked about gifts of the spirit and encouraged us to identify a weakness in ourself and then pray for a spiritual gift that would help us overcome it. There is such a great spirit here! Today's lunch was turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravey, and candied yams. It tasted so wonderful! I am so grateful for all the people that are here today, working, for our benefit. We couldn't make it without them.

I have gotten several Christmas cards from the Hunts, Curtis's, Uncle Eric, the seminary, and Michelle Crosby. They decorate my desk quite nicely. Thank you Mel and Wendi for your lettlers. Letters or mail in general is just wonderful. We have been told to tell you that at least for now in the MTC it is best to use DearElder.com. That way I can read them at my leisure during the week instead of having to use my precious little time online to read them. Yes, Wendi, I got your letter on DearElder. Thanks!

This morning in my spare time I opened my presents, which consisted of the Gifts of the Heart form Holly's family (they were wonderful!!), opening a letter from a friend on her mission, and opening the Christmas card for the seminary. What great presents! It is kind of nice to have a simplified Christmas. The MTC presidency also asked us to read all these scriptures about the Christmas story and about the Expiacion de Jesucristo. I have never read so many scriptures directly on Christ on Christmas Day before and it has been great to center on the true meaning of the holiday. Needless to say, this week has only increase my knowledge of how much I need the Atonement of Christ. I could not do this on my own!!

I love you all and hope that you have had a great Christmas Day as well. If you get this today, I hope it reminds you of the true reason for the season. I love you all and keep you in my prayers!

Hermana Heap

ps: for the rest of the day we have a musical talent show, a fireside by Greg Olsen, and get to watch ITS A WONDERFUL LIFE!!!! That is my all time favorite Christmas movie so I am stocked! Nothing makes it feel more like Christmas time than watching good Christmas movies that inspire you to be better and singing songs of Christ. I must admit that I am going through piano withdrawls and miss my Forgotten Carol. Esta Bien!