This week we had our Christmas Conference. President
talked a lot about the historical nativity. He explained a lot of the
customs and traditions back when Christ was born and all the meanings.
It was very interesting because he's been there plenty of times and so
he told us a lot of stories and experiences of when he was there in
Bethlehem and Jerusalem. I wish I could explain everything in detail to
you but it's hard over email and I'm sure a lot of it you already have
heard of but it was all new and insightful to me. He talked about how
Mary and Joseph were probably in their teens (13-17) when this was going
on, the actual date of when Christ was born, more facts about the star,
the manager, etc. His birth was incredible and meek. I'm so grateful
for Jesus Christ and this time we have to remember him and his ministry
here on Earth. I love reading about the need we have for him and the
excitement we had waiting for his arrival. We were there on that
glorious day over 2000 years ago at his birth rejoicing and praising
Him! Now we are here, hopefully having that same excitement about Him
in the knowledge we have that He lives and is coming again. Our whole
existence and purpose here in this life is because of Him and for us to
become like Him so we too can live with our Heavenly Father. He is our
guide and knows the terrains better than we can imagine. Are we
listening to his directions and following him? I hope so.
Well this last week has been a huge turning point
for the Alvarado-Calixtro family!!!! The WHOLE family came to church
yesterday!!!!!! We sent someone to just pick up the girls but she came
back to the church and said they weren't there. A couple minutes later,
they all walk in to the chapel. Carlos the dad looked extremely tired
(he goes to work at 1 in the morning over in San Jose and sleeps in his
car while he is there ((so he doesn't get much sleep)) and stays there
till the weekends and comes back home and tries to catch up on his sleep
before he heads back). The girls on Friday
were able to go with the ward over to the Oakland temple in San
Francisco to see the lights. They just LOVED it. We visited them Saturday
night and Hannah showed us all her pictures she took and told us all
about it. She was just beaming! Carlos and Betty said "the girls
really love your church!" and that they are happy as parents to see the
girls excitement and love for the church. I think this is what helped
the parents in coming to church in that they are curious why the girls
love it so much! What was really cute, when Hannah came to church the
1st time the other week, I went with her to primary. We learned the
Nativity song. Well the primary kids went up and sang it in sacrament
yesterday. Hannah walked over to me and whispered "do I have to go up
there?". I told her "They are singing the song that we learned in
primary last time you were here. So if you want to go up there and
sing, you can, but you don't have to." I thought she would just go sit
down, but nope, she walked up there and sang with the kids!!!! I
couldn't stop smiling. I looked over at Betty and Carlos and they were
confussed but impressed that she went up and actually knew the song for
only coming once! Ha ha.. The parents let Lupita, Hannah, and little
Jesus stay for the rest of the meetings. So I went with Jesus to
Sunbeams while Hna Odor went with Lupita to her Sunday
school class and Hannah was brave enough to go to her own class by
herself and not with Hna Odor and Lupita. It was so exciting having
them all there. Hannah went with us last night to our Stake Christmas
concert and the girls are going with us Tuesday to Fresno for the
leaving missionaries fireside. I'm so happy they are getting involved
in all these youth activities and enjoying them. Now we just need to
get the parents involved more. This was pretty much the highlight of
the week. It would have been even better if President gave us the
approval of going with the ward to the Oakland temple. Ha ha.. We
definitely have to go next year or at least in the future! I hear it is
just beautiful!
This week begins the new transfer but like I said
Hna Odor and I will be staying together here in Los Banos still. I got
your package at the Christmas Conference. Thank you! Is there anything
in it that I need to open before Christmas or are they all for
Christmas day? Just want to make sure. I'm struggling finding you all a
Christmas gift so you might get them after. They will be a New Years
gift. Ha ha.. Hopefully you got my Christmas ornament by now though.
If not, keep an eye out for it in the mail. Hopefully it looks good.
:/
Tell Grandma I love her and that I bought peanuts
like she told me! I hope she can find the strength to pull through a
little longer. Please keep me posted though and again know you are
allowed to call the mission office if you need to get a hold of me. I
can't wait to hear you all next week though. Honestly I'm nervous but
can't wait to hear your sweet voices. Again, I only get 40 minutes so
be sure to think of questions or have stories ready so we can save as
much time as we can!!!!! Anything you want me to start thinking of or
stories to share? What time is best to call? Actually I think you call
me like last time, but when is best for everyone? Let me know so I can
plan for it. I am not sure what my day will be like so as of right now
any time is good. Probably more in the afternoon in case we have a
meeting in the morning and so you can all open your presents.
I love you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- hermana Sorensen
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