En fin se acerca...

It's really strange writing this email, knowing it will be my last one as a missionary. Everyone says that the 18 months will go faster than you think and it's definitely true. I can't believe that my time is coming to an end. It's going to be really really hard for me to leave Seattle. 

Anyways, this was a really good, rewarding week. We had a giant event here in our stake called the Festival of the Nativities. They decorated the church and it was absolutely INCREDIBLE! They had more than 500 nativities from around the world and musical performances going the whole weekend. There was an entire room dedicated to Christ's life and it was like walking through His life and seeing it visually. We had quite a few investigators come, including Cecilia and here whole family. She loved it! It was an amazing way to focus on Christ during this Christmas season. 

I just feel so grateful for my mission. Thinking about the things I've learned and the ways I've grown, I wish I could stay here forever. I'm so so grateful that my Heavenly Father has given me this chance to serve Him, to learn how to truly love others and to rely on Him. I will never be able to repay Him for the many blessings He has given me. Mostly for the relationship that I have gained with Jesus Christ. I know He lives. He loves us so much and is CONSTANTLY there for us. He's there for no matter how insignificant we may feel or how unworthy of His love we feel. I've learned that all I have to do is go to Him and He shows me the way. I love this gospel. It's not just a part of my life anymore, it IS my life.

 

Hasta ver <3

Con mucho amor,

Hermana Pier

  We joined in on the church initiative to #sharethegift

                         Us with Cecilia and family at the Festival of the Nativities

              The beautiful depiction of the tomb in the room dedicated to Christ's life.

He is the Gift

This week was magnificent! We have P-day today instead of yesterday because we had the chance to go to the temple as a mission today. It was WONDERFUL! We've also been doing a lot of family history research so I was able to take 4 family names with me. I LOVE THE TEMPLE!

Thanksgivng was a wonderful adventure. Let's just say that we accidently ended up eating 2 thanksgiving dinners... It was rough. It was a great day though. We had a mission thanksgiving musical talent show which was really wonderful. The whole day was just THE BEST. We got to see a lot of people that really mean a lot to me and I was able to focus a lot on the things that I am grateful for.

As for our investigators, Toni is doing wonderfully. He has came to church twice now and is preparing to be baptized December 13th. Because of his tight work schedule it's hard for us to meet with him as often as we'd like so we're praying that we can help him be ready for that date. Cecilia is also doing well still moving along slowly but surely. 

As for my email title, HE is the Gift, I just wanted to invite you all to watch the beautiful Christmas video that the church has made for this Christmas season. Go to this website: christmas.mormon.org

The video is great and really shows us the importance of focusing on our Savior this Christmas season. I especially love the invitation it gives it. DISCOVER the gift, EMBRACE the gift, and SHARE the gift. I've made the goal to truly do that this Christmas season and grow in the personal friendship that I have with Jesus Christ. I want to invite you all to do the same. I know that you'll see a difference in this time of year, you'll see a new light within yourselves. 

I love you all so much!

Con Amor,

Hermana Pier

                      our zones nametags for the video we made for Christmas.

                                                              it SNOWED!!!!!

And the giant piece of cheese steak that was served at the brazilian restaurant we ate at for our member dinner the other night!! They had the strangest meats!