Christmas 2010

Hola!

I still know more Spanish than i do Russian! surprisingly it comes back after i have been trying to learn russian...werid i know! 

 

Funny Story of the Week-  We had a fireside wtih everyone at the MTC, Sister West and i were walking up the stairs and because I am so graceful, i fell flat on my face!  i have two large bruises and was very embarrassed.  All of the elders wanted to help but were too scared to touch me and sister west just laughed haha! oh goodness!

 

Christmas!  So much to tell!  I think that their goal was to keep us SO busy that we couldn't even be sad or think about Home haha.  On Christmas Eve we had  zone activity and the Natives told us all about the traditions that are there.  They actually celebrate Christmas in January on the 7th or soemthing and it is a mix of new years and christmas.  They have a Santa and his grandaughter goes with him and does all the work!  because he is so old!  they go crazy and love the season and actually smile and go talk to their neighbors unlike the rest of the year!  That night we had a Christmas Eve fireside- it was alot of fun and they got us interacting by Singing the 12 days of christmas at the MTC with actions and yelling etc haha.    That night we learned about the gifts that we can give at christmas as we are missionaries.  WE give the gift of service, the gift of conversion and of ourselves.  not only give part of ourselves but everything that we are.  I am no longer Heather Trottier who goes to BYU and coaches gymnastics, i am Sister Trottier, a Disciple of Jesus Christ- that is the gift that Christ wants of me :)   they handed out a bag of popcorn to every missionary and we watched Mr. Krugers xmas.  I can't remember a year that we haven't watched that so it made me happy!  

 

That night i read Luke 2 and 3 Ne 1.  These stories are both about xmas eve and the people preparing for christ to come.  I loved reading them and have decided to make it a tradition.  The second one is so awesome and i never related it to xmas before.  but it is the last thing that Christ said to us before he was born. 

 

Next morning i opend my gifts.  Thank you so much for everything!  I am so blessed to have such great friends!  i got warm underclothes :) lots of chocolate and candy, a picture of christ, handwarmers, popcorn, books, a turtle glass, head bands and vitamin d!  haha I am trying to write back to you all! no worries!  I love you so much!

 

we got together with our district and did secret santa gifts. we all sat in a circle, sang songs, and read stories of christs birth and life. 

 

next was the talent show! haha it was Hysterical!  mostly full of elders performing with no shame!  There were serious ones, but mostly funny ones, we were laughing so hard that it hurt!  Pres Smith played the harmonica, people made up words about missionary work to random songs etc. The best was the native russian elders made up a song to lady gaga "you missionary now"  and they danced!  they got a standing ovation and it was so funny! 

 

The best was the Elder Nelson and His wife Wendy came to spend christmas and the next day with us.  It was so amazing to feel of their Spirits, and testimony of the Savior. My Testimony was strengthened just by having them there. Their love for us was just so aweseome to feel.   Elder Nelson had amazing insights into missionary work, and the birth and life of Christ. I wish that i could relate them al to you.  One thing that really stuck out was that the told us that the Living Christ is a document that is all of the apostles testimonies written down! mom was memorizing it before and i think that is so great!  it is one of the best tools that we have to learn of the Savior.  He left us with a blessing on us and our families, with the power that he held.  When he bore his testimony of christ you could feel the power that it evoked.

 

His wife Wendy is amazing. She is so blunt and matter of fact.  She talked to us that night and also taught relief society on Sunday.    Matt 23:23  was one of things she focused on.  Do al the good things, but don't let the Weightier things get pushed aside. she told a story about how the lord chastized her. I can't imagine what i have been doing wrong if she feels likde she has.   She had us read with our districs Heb11 Alma 32 and ether 12.  These chapters are full of faith and the power that comes from them!  Read them and find that power.  She also challenged us to daily go the lord- thankd him for the scriptures, aske him for the holy ghost, ask a question you need answered and open the BOM.   the scriptures say that the word of God will tell us ALL things.  its doestn say all things except: Russian, or financail issure, or school, or work. it says ALL things!  I took that challenge yesterday and had an awesome experience with finding exactly what we need. 

 

I loved being here during Christmas. I could feel the love and the faith of everyone here and it was tangible.  I can't even explain to you have amazing it was.  I was sad to not be with you and i thought of you all day, but it was awesome to have my day COMPLETELY centered on Christ.  We had fun and we gave and recieved gifts and laughed but I talked and learned of Christ for the majority of the day.  It was amazing!   i love you all! im sorry i never write a ton.  there is so much to say and not enought time!   I love you!

 

isaiah 9:6   3 Ne 1:1-23  Luke 2 2 ne9:21-24  John 3:16-17  read it! its all about christ!