No Letter (Week 64)

 Mom insert here! Yes, Kallie didn't write a letter this week, but we were able to speak with her several times. She is so busy working on the bed bugs, bed bug bites, toe sores, and weird Christmas and New Year's schedules/rules she has had almost zero time or opportunities to teach and find people. Fontana continues to be a hard place for her and she is hopeful she will only have one transfer there. 

In happier news my cousin Bryan sent me this photo with the caption "Look who I met at the English connect class for Spanish speakers".

and it completely made my day! Kallie is surrounded by family (most she has never met, but I know them!). I know that not only is she in the Lord's hands, she has very real angels watching out for her. 

Merry Christmas (Week 63)

 Merry Christmas everyone!! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas week full of fun  family  food  and, of course, Christ ️

This week was a crazy  one for me. It was actually very ful of learning experiences (aka it was hard). There were also good things and fun things that happened, so lets get into it

 We had noche de hogar  and our friend Alex came  but he told us he has to move  it was actually so sad and he was so sad he had to go

 We had zone conference  it was so good. So needed. I saw a bunch of my friends  learned a lot from the spirit  and participated in  things in the talent show! The first was a musical number  with hermana Nuñez (she sang O Holy Night and I played the piano) And we did a zone talent and danced  the Jingle Bell Rock dance from mean girls (modified of course for appropriateness)

 Got our apartments fumigated because of the bed bugs  and had to stay in a hotel 

 Had a lot of really good lessons with our friends  

 Met some of our recent converts and realized that they need a lot of love 

 Got bitten by bed bugs  and they told us we have to quarantine for 30 days. 

 Had lots of discussions about the bed bugs, if we actually need to quarantine, what we're going to do, etc. 

 Went to the urgent care with the mission nurse to get a consultation about the bites 

 Went to the ward Christmas party and had a blast  

 Played clarinet in church yesterday for Christmas 

So yeah...it's been quite the week. Full of ups  and downs  One thing I've loved though is the focus on Jesus Christ  In our zone conference, they talked about how there's 3 levels of Christmas :

The Santa Clause level  The toys  the food  the fun . It's a good level, but it's not sustainable. They toys break, the food gets eaten, school starts up again. It doesn't last

 The nativity level The classic story of the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ. We remember the divine plan of our Heavenly Father  and the love of Jesus Christ  and all the sacrifices made to bring Him into the world. This level is amazing  but there's still one more 

 The third level is the life  and teachings  of Jesus Christ. Without this level, the nativity wouldn't have any meaning. When we remember the life of Jesus Christ, His love  His teachings  His sacrifice  That's when Christmas starts to have real meaning

Throughout this week, I've had to rely so much on my Savior. I am so thankful for all that He did because He loves me. And I know He loves you too  Please take time this week and reflect on the effect Jesus Christ has had in your life. 

I love you all  

Merry Christmas 

 Hna. Erickson