Feliz Navidad y Año Nuevo!

Companions at mission Christmas Party

So, I apologize for my lack of emails these past couple weeks. Lots of traveling and craziness, so I haven`t had time to hop on the computer to tell y`all about my week :) But it has been an excellent Christmas time here in Sèbaco. Lots of food, miracles, rejections, presents, and happiness here in Nicaragua. Last Monday we had our mission Christmas party, and that was a blast to see all my friends and have a party. With President Collados permission and presence, we watched Minions, and we had a talent show. It was so fun, we laughed so hard, and just had a great time. And as our Christmas gift, they gave us a fruit basket of giant apples and grapes. It may not seem much to you, but those things are EXPENSIVE here, and I haven`t had a delicious apple in forever. Needless to say I`ve never been so excited to see an apple before in my life.

Sarah and Hermana Near on Christmas Day

This week we saw so many miracles! Found lots of people, but even though lots of them rejected or lied to us, we found our miracle family. It happened on accident because I needed to repare my shoes. Long story short, we ended up at their house and we taught them and the Spirit was so strong. We came back other days with members and the Spirit is just so powerful every time we`re there. They keep asking when we`ll come back, they have questions, they want to learn. They`re so fantastic, and they even came to church yesterday! It was a miracle that we got both of them, because he left for work because he said he had to. But he ended up talking to his boss and coming back, and he came for the first hour and we all crowded on a mototaxi and even got there before sacrament started and it was so great. Our literal Christmas miracle :) We`re going back with them after we finish up here, and I hope that they read the Book of Mormon together, and that they`ll ending up making the decision to be baptized.

Member family that hosted the missionaries on Christmas

For my spiritual thought, I wanted to share a part of 2 Nephi 26.
 23 For behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you that the Lord God worketh not in darkness.

shadow posing

 24 He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation.
 25 Behold, doth he cry unto any, saying: Depart from me? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but he saith: Come unto me all ye ends of the earth, buy milk and honey, without money and without price.
 26 Behold, hath he commanded any that they should depart out of the synagogues, or out of the houses of worship? Behold, I say unto you, Nay.
 27 Hath he commanded any that they should not partake of his salvation? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but he hath given it free for all men; and he hath commanded his people that they should persuade all men to repentance.
 28 Behold, hath the Lord commanded any that they should not partake of his goodness? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but all men are privileged the one like unto the other, and none are forbidden.
I love this scripture. We are so loved, and we can`t even imagine it. Our father loves us so much that he gave his so that we could ALL participate of his salvation, and none of us are denied. We deny ourselves by not learning to live by his celestial standards. He gives us commandments, calls prophets, requires us to walk by faith, all for our benefit. He does EVERYTHING just for us. We are his purpose, just like it says in Moses.

Alright, time to go. But I hope you all have an excellent new year, and that you all write up some resolutions to go share the gospel! Ain`t no better joy ;) Okay. I love you all, have a great week!

Hermana Oliphant