Feliz Natal!

Merry Christmas from Brazil!

We had a crazy week! Tuesday was Christmas Conference with the entire mission. Sister and President Gonzaga spoke, we had a really nice lunch, a talent show, a scavenger hunt, and a closing Christmas video from the First Presidency. Super fun! 

Friday we moved apartments. Luckily it was just to the building next door, but it took almost all day because we had to move everything, including fridge, washing machine, etc. A man who works for the church and his two sons helped us move. I have now lived in 4 different places on my mission, not including the MTC! 

We taught the cutest family this week. They have 3 little girls all named Michelle (not really, but that´s what is sounded like to me ;)) They loved the message of the Restoration and how the Gospel of Jesus Christ strengthens families. The parents just need to get married! haha That´s one thing that´s hard here. Hardly anyone is actually legally married. But I know that the Lord will provide a way!

With Christmas this week I just want to express my love and gratitude for my Savior. I know that Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God. I know that He lived the perfect life, and taught how to return to live with our Heavenly Father and our families for eternity. I know that He paid the price of our sins, died on the cross, and was ressurection for every one of us. He knows us perfectly, he loves us, and I am so grateful for His sacrifice. 

I love you all and hope you have a very, merry Christmas!

Love,

Sister Lopez

P.S. Congratulations to Cory and Katie getting married this week! I got your invitation and it´s up on my fridge :)

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Olá família e amigos!

Transfers were this week. Sadly, the 2 other Sisters we lived with were transferred and no one came to replace them :( But on transfer day I got to go to the airport with Sister Gonzaga (the Mission President´s wife) and pick up the new missionaries arriving from the MTC. We then went back to the mission home and had an awesome lunch. It was a really fun day. There were only 2 American Sisters that came in and they both got American trainers! Half of me is jealous and the other half of me is so greatful that I get to learn Português from a true Brazileira :)

The work is going well. We have lots of investigators and 4 with baptism dates! We are teaching lots of lessons every day and time is flying. I am reading Jesus the Christ by James E. Talmage to truly get into the CHRISTmas spirit :) I love it! Highly recommend it. 

I want to share a little story my companion told this week. There once was a family preparing to have Jesus come to their house for Christmas. They spent weeks preparing. Christmas came and the house was in chaos as they tried to prepare the food, gifts, decorations, etc. for Christ. A knock came at the door. It was a crippled man who needed a rest. But the family was too busy. They were preparing for Christ to come. They told the man to come back the next day. A little while later, another knock was heard. It was a pregnant woman who´s car had broken down and needed a ride. But the family was too busy and sent her away. Again, another knock was heard. This time is was a child who needed something to eat. The family was too busy and needed their food to give to Jesus when He came. They told to boy to come back tomorrow. 

Finally their preparations were complete and they sat and waited for Jesus. They waited and waited, but He never came. A few days later there was a knock at the door. It was Jesus Christ. The family was so excited, but they asked why He had not come on Christmas when they had eveything prepared especially for Him. He told them that He had come 3 times, as the crippled man, the pregnant woman, and the starving child. And 3 times they had denied Him.

Remember "when ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God." 

This Christmas we should all give Christ the gift of service. Look for opportunities to help others and share. We have been so blessed! Every day I see people with hardly anything. I´m so excited to be spending this wonderful time of the year serving the people of Brazil. I love you all and hope you have a great week!

Love,

Sister Lopez