La Navidad

This week has blown by soooo quickly! I cannot even believe that next week we have changes (transfers)! I have been working so hard to help my district members this week that I didn't have a lot of time to work in my own area and with my own companion. Thankfull, I did divisions with my district so that there was work being done in my area while I was away doing interviews and trying to help convince people that they should be afraid of getting baptized (seriously, I believe that some people believe that they are going to die if they get baptized into our church).

I have seen some miracles this week as well as some challenges. The miracles came when I applied what we had discussed in our Zone meeting on Tuesday morning. First of all, I now have such a strong testimony of living that which we teach in the church. Okay, so we talked about praying with the investigators, novel right? I have had so many struggles with getting people to pray and to try and receive revelation, but we were challenged by our Zone Leaders to pray with our investigators (well, have them pray alone while we pray, awaiting them to finish then we discuss what they feel, etc.). I had some amazing experiences where some investigators (of an area in my district) where they were kinda doubting the Joseph Smith story. The missionaries had taught them well, it's just the invesigators need to be able to pray to receive a confirmation of information like that. So I prayed with them, and in one case, the girl finished praying and she just looks at me and says, "Joseph Smith was called by Jesus Christ and God to be a prophet." I was astonished. It was also amazing the spiritual revelation that I had while I was sitting there praying for her; I was so focused on her and the revelation that I wanted her to receive that I started to feel my love for her as a daughter of God grow and I came to love her even though I wasnt even teaching her. 

Another experience came later on in the week when I went to interview our Zone Leader's investigators and the woman I was interviewing asked me for parenting advice. To be honest, the spirit to me to testify about how my parents raised me and that she need't worry if she follows certain steps and does certain things, her entire family will be blessed. I felt so much love for my eatherly parents at that point and I realized the truth of a part of my Patriarchal Blessing that states to me that I need to raise my children exactly like my parents raised me. I cried with the investigator and I expressed my love for her and for her family and the decision that she was about to make. 

I want to take the opportunity right now to testify of my love for the people here in Nicaragua and for all of you. It may seem like I complain about these people a lot, but I really just want the best for them, despite the situation this country is in. I love serving out here and know that I am here for a reason. I love that you all are praying for me and fasting for me, as it really makes a difference and gives me strength to endure the trials that I encounter here. I love my Saviour and know that He lives and loves all of us. I cannot wait for his Second Coming and I feel peace in knowing that He will come soon (ish). I love that my Father in Heaven has sent me you (all of you) to be my family/friends.

Today we had our Conferencia Navideña (Christmas Conference) and it was pretty cool. We had a Music and the Spoken Word segment and my Zone sang Far Far Away on Judea's Plain (?) and it rocked. Not gonna lie, we were prertty cool (or, as the Nicas say, tuanis). I talked to Hermana Arredondo for a little while and we laughed. She makes me so happy when I see her, mainly because she reminds me so much of mom. It's kinda funny how much Presidente and Hermana remind me of my own parents...like SOOOO much.

Well, until next week my friends!

-Elder B

Merry Christmas!‏

Kaylene wrote:

I was just remembering today about the days, pre-Internet that is, when I used to send more than 120 Christmas cards. Today I sent six to people who don't do email! The rest of you will hear via email. First, I really hope this finds all of you doing well and excited for the holidays. We have been hit with a blast of cold air here in Southern Mississippi that means we have deep-freezer temps in the morning. Today's high was probably 46. Brrrr. It is going to warm up tomorrow though because we have a storm coming through. Part of me secretly wishes for just a dusting of snow, and then the side that hates to shovel and be cold kicks in and I return to sanity!

Life at the Armstrong home goes on as usual. I am done for the semester and have actually finished all the classes and exams that I have to take.! Yeah! Now I have the dreaded dissertation to write – think of it as a 500-page research paper! Yikes! I have finally settled on a topic: the history of student newspapers. Though many histories have been written of individual newspapers, like the Harvard Crimson, no one has done an overall history, so I will be the first. The best part is that no one can compare me to previous historians!

Bob is still driving bus but now drives one of the city buses around town. They extended the hours and added Saturday routes for the holidays, so he is getting a lot of overtime, which is always good for poor college students! And let me just say he is thrilled to be done with screaming kids!

I am still the Relief Society president in our ward (I guess I don't have enough to do). I keep telling the bishop he needs to parole me, but apparently I haven’t served enough of my sentence!  It is a challenging calling because I have more than 100 inactive sisters to keep track of. Bob continues as ward finance clerk.

We were surprised last night to be the recipients of the first of the 12 Days of Christmas. It is a sweet surprise! You know, when I was a kid, I couldn’t wait to grow up so I could have everything that I wanted for Christmas. (Silly kids think just being a grownup means you automatically have money to spend on frivolous wants!) What is amazing to me is that the older I get, the less I need or want anything for Christmas except pictures of my grandchildren and more time with my family. I think I will be getting the pictures. Just wish Santa could wrap up “time” for me! Over New Year's, we will be going to Alabama to spend some time with Bob’s youngest son and his wife. We have a hard time getting his sons to connect with us, so this will be a great experience.

Just before Thanksgiving, my ninth grandbaby was born to my daughter Amanda in Kentucky. I got to run up there (a nine-hour drive) and be in the delivery room. Beautiful baby with lots of black hair.  My other eight grandchildren and four daughters and their husbands live in Utah, mostly in the Salt Lake Valley. I miss them terribly, and hope I will be able to move back out West when I get done with my schooling.

One of my nephews was deployed to Iraq about a month ago with the Idaho National Guard. He was sent for training about 20 minutes from my house at Camp Shelby. I never got to see him until right before they went to Iraq and got four days of leave. They weren’t allowed to go more than 400 miles away so he couldn’t go home to Idaho to see his wife and two kids. Instead, he hung out with me and we tootled around a bit. And Dad, we did go to a bar in New Orleans and drink as promised. We ate lunch at the Ugly Dogg Saloon, no alcohol involved, though we did drink water. Our prayers continue with Ike and his family, and I hope you will add yours to seek the protection of all our soldiers serving in the Middle East. I understand another nephew and a nephew-in-law are heading there soon, as well.

Well, here's wishing you another year filled with interesting adventures to write about. I'm on facebook, so friend me if you haven't already! Would love to hear back about how you and yours are doing!

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-k-

Kaylene Armstrong