MERRY CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone,

Chuc Mung Giang Sinh!!  I am so excited for Christmas.  I have enjoyed just saying "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year" to everyone we meet.  Even if we don't have any conversation after that, I can see everyones' face become a little brighter.  I was telling "Merry Christmas" to everyone on the escaltor as I was going down, then a person behind me started to do the same.  It was fun to see the "Christmas Spirit" spread.  It is truly contagious.  

It has truly been an awesome last week. We were able to see some miracles in having prayers be answered. The one person that we are teaching with a baptisimal date made a lot of progress this week in gaining personal faith and trust in God. Her grandpa who was close to death is now doing much better, she found work, and renewed contact with a close friend from Vietnam. This makes me feel very happy because I strong believe that as people come to know that God truly is a Loving Heavenly Father, the lessons we teach become so much more powerful and the commandments just make sense. I know we only measure our committment by how dedicated we are serving God, but is so good to see our efforts, and more importantly, the Spirit, change people's lives.
I love this Chirstmas season. We had a Christmas conference on Friday with all the missionaries in Victoria.  It was wonderful time to ponder more about the miracle and circumstance of Christ's birth. As we sang, "The First Noel," I felt the Spirit very strongly.  It was honestly one of the most beautiful sounds that I have ever heard.  I love Christmas music.  I love reading the Christmas story from the scriptures, but the Christmas songs convey a spirit and message that can only be done by music.   I joined the Christmas choir and we sang my favorite Christmas song, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel."  All the Elders in the choir got up from the pews and went to the front of the chapel.  I loved it.  

We did some Christmas caroling as well this week.  We set up a table on the street in Footscray and sang Christmas songs in English and Vietnamese.  We didn't have as much success as I would've liked in talked with people, but I do feel we helped some people feel the Christmas spirit.  We also visited some member's home and sang some carols for each of them.  It was an absolute blast.  None of the people knew we were coming, but I could tell they all loved it.  We went to one person's house and he called us about an hour later, expressing how thankful he was that we had come.  I do miss Christmas caroling with the family and packing in tight in the big green van, but it was so much fun.  

We are going to someone's house on Christmas Eve for dinner, but all the missionaries from the branch are going to meet together for Christmas lunch at the church in the city.  We have invited many people from the branch and people that we are teaching, so I am really excited about it.  That night, someone is getting baptized, so it will definitely be a very special day.  

My love for our Savior, Jesus Christ has grown in these past couple months.  I have come also  to know more myself that He has my personal Savior.  I read 2 Nephi 28:32 and love the imagery it gives to me of Jesus Christ.  I know that His hand is literally stretched out to each of us and that He literally wants all of us to follow Him.  I am so grateful for his love that He has shown to each of us.  As Mosiah 14 explains, "he has bourne our griefs" and "carried our sorrows."  He was truly "wounded for our transgressions" and bruised for our iniquities."  I know He has prepared a path for to find a fulness of peace and joy and of everlasting happiness.  I love Him and I know He truly did come to this earth. 

Jonathan

I will call on Thursday between 7:00pm and 7:30pm.  Excited to talk to you.  I got Sarah's email with the skype info.