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7-way Skype call. It was so much fun being able to talk to my whole family.I love each and everyone of them so much! |
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My cousin, Erinn! It was so awesome to get to visit them!
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This week was an awesome week and I was able to witness a bunch of
little miracles this last week. We were able to teach a lot of people this week about Jesus Christ, and we had various lessons were they seemed like little miracles. I love being able teach others more about Jesus Christ, and helping them understand that Jesus Christ can help them with anything! I am so grateful for Jesus Christ and what He did for us. Yes, He is the reason for the season, but He is the reason for our lives as well. I love sharing this message with the people here in Minnesota. It makes me so happy that I can share it.
Earlier this week, Hermana Chávez and I were looking for a trailer park that we could go knocking (because there tends to be a good amount of hispanics in trailer parks). But we typed in the wrong address and ended up on this random street of town homes. We decided that there must have been a reason that we ended up there, so we decided to try knocking a couple of the houses. Wended up knocking this door of a lady named Cheryl. Cheryl had just gotten home from the hospital, because she had broken her arm the night before. She expressed to us other problems and difficulties that she has been going through and how she wasn't super excited for Christmas this year because it was just going to be different. We were able to show her the "Light the World" Christmas video to her. As we were watching the video, Cheryl just started crying. She said that the video helped put the real meaning of Christmas back into her life again. We also sang her favorite Christmas song, "O, Holy Night!" with her. From the moment she opened the door to when we were able to leave, I felt like I literally saw a person change right before my eyes. This experience just testified to me how much Heavenly Father really loves each and every one of His children. Also, that Heavenly Father is aware of all of His children and their needs. I know that He lead us to her door to lift her spirit and help her remember what Christmas is really all about. I know he's aware of all of our needs and that He will always answer our prayers. It may not be in the way the we want or think it will come. Sometimes He will answer our prayers through other people, even strangers that just show up at your door (perhaps, missionaries?? :) haha). I am so grateful that I had this opportunity to meet another one of God's children, Cheryl, and help her recognize her worth in he Heavenly Father's eyes.
On Saturday, we had a couple of lessons in the morning. Then, we were able to celebrate Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) with some members. We first went to our ward Christmas dinner and visited with them members there. After, we spent the rest of the night with la familia Davila! Hermana Davila made like ten different kinds of Tamales, and they were all SOO GOOD. I ate a couple of the different kinds, but unfortunately I physically didn't have enough room to eat as much as I wanted to. I love the Davila Family! Everytime I am with all of them, I feel like I am with my family.
Christmas day was so wonderful! It is definitely a Christmas that I will never forget. It was my only Christmas in the mission field, but I am so grateful that I could be here to celebrate it. Our ward combined with an English ward for a Christmas Musical Program. There were a lot of beautiful musical numbers and talks; of course, my favorite part of it all was that it was all about Jesus Christ! I love the spirit that music can bring. Also, about 7 other missionaries and I were able to participate in the program. We sang Silent Night. some in English and some in Spanish. After church, went over to the Zempoaltecatl's house. We spent most of Christmas day with them. After skyping our families, we helped them make dinner and then ate! We had super yummy tacos, ponche (which is this heavenly warm juice made from boiling fruit) and a samoan dish called Panipopo. It was all super good! We also went Christmas caroling up in Maple Grove, and I got to surprise my cousin Erinn and stop by her house! It was super special to get her and her family. We also were able to teach some lessons as well! Overall, this was definitely one of my favorite Christmas's ever. I think it was one of the first Christmas's that I was really able to just focus on the real meaning of why we celebrate Christmas: Jesus Christ.
This week I tried centering all of my studies around Jesus Christ, and I learned so much! By studying and applying what I was learning, my testimony in the Savior has grown a lot this last week. One of the things that I studied this week is the need for the Savior in our lives. Sometimes we think that we can become better, become more Christlike, or repent, without the help of the Savior, Jesus Christ. But, we cannot become like the Savior without His help! Heavenly Father has provided us with a savior for a reason! In a talk by Elder Craig C. Christensen he said:
"These are the “good tidings of great joy” we celebrate at Christmas—not only that Christ was born but that He lived among us, gave His life for us, was resurrected, and ultimately “finished the work which [His Father gave Him] to do.” We rejoice because the confusion and chaos of this world can be hushed by the promise made to us from the very beginning—a promise fulfilled by the Atonement of Jesus Christ. For this reason, the story of Christmas is not fully told without the story of Easter. It was the Savior’s atoning sacrifice that made holy the silent night in Bethlehem. It was His gift of redemption that caused us to shout for joy in the premortal world—this gift that heals our sickness, restores our sight, and wipes away all tears.
The light we love at Christmas emanates from the Light of the World, Jesus Christ. The story we cherish at Christmas tells of our Father’s plan of happiness, which Christ made possible. The gift that makes the Christmas season sacred is His very life, which He gave that we might have everlasting life. May we receive this gift and share His love and His gospel with all the world, particularly during this wonderful season of the year, is my prayer in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen."
I love this quote because it is so true! Although Christmas is over, we can still serve others and following Jesus Christ's example! I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world and that through Him we can all gain eternal happiness. Here's to a new year filled with lots of happiness!
I love you all, but more importantly Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ love you all so much more!! Have a wonderful week, and Happy New Year!!
Love,
Hermana Duvall
Also, some exciting news!!
The transfer board finally just got emailed out, and I am getting transferred to East St. Paul. I am also going to be an STL with Hermana Warmbier. I am so excited and a little in shock. This is going to be a fun transfer!!
On Mon, Dec 26, 2016 at 1:38 PM, Jennifer Louise Duvall
<jennifer.duvall@myldsmail.net> wrote:
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Obispo Volz and Sister volz!
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. Pakito!!! We finally got a picture with him.
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I am so strong apparently haha |
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Noche Buena at the Davila's home!! |
We opened presents early in the morning on Christmas so that's why I look like I'm half asleep haha |
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The Zempoaltecatl family!! Hermana zempoaltecatl actually served her mission here in Minnesota! We love them so much and are grateful for everything that they do for us!! |
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Classic Christmas pic to end the day. |
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