December 17, 2012

       Hello everyone. Merry Christmas from rainy Sacramento. Last night was our Christmas Devotional that we had worked so hard on with the Marshallese and Fijian members. It went well. To see our laid back, somewhat timid members get up in front and recite in English "The Christmas Guest" by Helen Stiener Rice was a beautiful site. Sister Downs loving way of cracking the wipe over the past few weeks paid off. Now this week we are taking our gifts of the Savior (different framed pictures of the Savior) to all those we have been working with. Today for the first time we were able to locate and get in to see a family that has been less active for several years due to hurt feelings. They have invited us back for a Family Home Evening night, which they say they have missed very much. So hopefully in our return visits we can help rejuvinate the spirit of the Lord in their home again.
      Recently we were challenged by Elder Porter of the Seventy, who came to our mission, to think about some very spiritual thoughts and directions in our lives. 1. What are we doing now in our lives that is spiritually different than what we were doing before our mission? 2. Where does our commitment lie for this period of time that we are on our mission?  3. Are we assisting the Lord or is He assisting us? 4. What kind of Christlike attributes do we have in our lives?
       Powerful questions that will take all the rest of our mission to think on and put into action. One of the best scriptures that seems to relate to these questions is found in D & C 84:88 "And whoso recieveth you, there will I be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up".
      Here in the Sacramento Mission our Mission President Lewis had projected a goal of the mission having a little over 700 baptisms of people who would come unto Christ through the restored gospel in 2012. Presently the mission is at 670 baptisms and counting! What a truely wonderful White Christmas it has become for these people who have found the gift of eternal life through the Savior.
May we all reflect on that gift that He has given us and in some small way determine what we can give Him in return.

Elder John