The song Silent Night...in Spanish it is....... Night of Light; Night of Peace!

Gah! It was so fun talking to you. I love you all so much! Sorry I was all blubbery and weepy. My emotions were all over the place! You all look/sound so good. I miss just sitting around and chatting with you, BUT honestly I feel zero homesickness. I was talking with the Elderes and they were talking about how trunky they were. I cried for about 5 minutes after hanging up, and then everything went back to normal. We had to go help some sisters out, so it was back to business hahaa. I just feel that I have a lot to take care of here in Canoga Park so I can't be home!

Here is the transfer scoop. I AM STAYING! 5 transfers in Canoga Park! And my companion is leaving! And I was released as Sister Training Leader!  President called at 10:15 last night and said, "With great lament I am releasing you as a STL, but I am sure you are going to be one again..." Also me and my new companion (Hermana Henzi from Utah) are being moved to an english district meaning we are still spanish missionaries but our district consists of Korean and English missionaries. So there is still a district with all the rest of the spanish missionaries, but for some reason Presidente moved us out of it. I trust him though. I know there is something I am going to learn! You can never predict transfers. Never. Nunca. I am excited for what this transfer will bring. What 2016 will bring!?!

Christmas Day and Christmas Eve consisted of:

1. District meeting where we watched some Mormon Messages and exchanged gifts

2. Lunch with Hna G......and her two kids. We sang Christmas songs and ate lots of yummy food (no tamales though...)

3. We saw Hna M........ and chatted with her as she expressed some sadness about her mother's death and other family concerns.

4. We spent Christmas Eve night in our members salon. She needed some help getting some presents together and she feed us more yummy food (no tamales...)

5. Christmas day we ate with the C.......... Family (no tamales...) and decorated gingerbread houses with the M.......... family!

6. Then we skyped! Weehoo

Yesterday we ate tamales! It was about time :)

I had a small mental breakdown that my only Christmas on the mission has passed. Time is a crazy thing! I will never forget this Christmas. It didn't really feel like Christmas. Well not the Christmas I am used to with snow, finishing finals and being with family, etc...but it was a Christmas that was filled with Christ and service!

 As we were driving home Christmas Eve it was dark and the roads were empty but I felt so much peace. 

I felt the assurance that Christ lives. 

That I am where I am supposed to be. 

I was thinking of the the song Silent Night...in spanish it is Noche de Luz; Noche de paz.

 Night of light; Night of peace! 

Rejoice, smile, be happy, and share the good news: Christ was born! 

The light of the world came to bring peace to the world!

! I love you lots and lots, and I should have a lot more to report next week.

Can't wait for 2016! 2016 is going to be awzzzzome :) LOVE YOU!

Hermana Moo

 

"Chewy dies, and Han gets his head cut off."

I found a poem in the Liahona that I really like

Windows of Heaven

Merrijane Rice

When the sky was blue,

My heart was brittle,

Dry to bittered souls

Seeking drink,

So God hung black clouds low,

Let loose his floods

And poured forth more

than I could hold.

I sputtered and choked

He wrapped a hand around my heart

and wrung out sustenance

for others.

The sky is gray

But my heart is soft

In drier day,

It would have

Crumbled.

I really like this poem. Skies may be gray, but our hearts are softened by the floods that fall and the winds that blow! It may feel like too much. Like we can't handle anything more. It may even feel like we are drowning, choking, or sputtering in responsibility, pain, or confusion, but God knows what He is doing! Trials teach us empathy, and empathy unites us as humans. I am learning to be more grateful for my trials. 

Sorry to hear about all the people who have passed away. What a hard time to lose a loved one, but I know God has prepared a plan for us! The plan of salvation is a perfect plan. I know there is a life after this. I knew it as I looked at Grandpa's casket. I knew that wasn't him. I knew his spirit had moved on! I am so grateful for the knowledge that we have, and I hope those families have a very merry Christmas!

Ok...what even happened this week? EVERYONE has been sick...except me (knock on wood) The 24 hour flu has been going around and a nasty cough. My companion has had the nasty cough, but I have been feeling great. Thankfully (but not so thankfully for her) one of the other sisters down the hall from us was sick, so her companion and I went on a split so we weren't stuck in the apartment with the sickies :)

We did a zone service activity this week that was part of Just Serve. We painted fire hydrants and cleaned up weeds and leaves all up and down Ventura Avenue! It was lot's of fun. I was on fire hydrant painting duty. So they gave us a big can of bright yellow paint and we went to work! 

I got my hair cut, and I accidentally cut more than I intended. I guess you will have to see it this friday muahaha...don't worry! I only cut about 4 inches. And my companion got her arms waxed haha

We went caroling as a district! Sadly it was pouring rain that night, but we did it anyway. All the people seemed to really like it. They kept trying to give us money! I literally had to dodge a guy throwing me a 20 dollar bill. We don't want your money! We are your missionaries!

Random Things

1. I convinced one of the sisters that I have a boyfriend named Charles Barkley hahaa...it was the first name that came to my head

2. I was just wearing a sweater one night and a member told me, "Don't try to be Tarzan. Wear a coat!"

3. I had to tell a little 8-year-old that saying "Damn-gosh" was bad. Her mom doesn't know any English, so she was getting away with it for a while. Mean Hermana Barfuss had to tell her to stop :)

4. I have been told multiple times that, "Chewy dies, and Hans gets his head cut off." People are raving about Star Wars!

I hope everyone has a Feliz Navidad!!!

 I am very thankful for my Savior Jesucristo.

 I am thankful for the obedience of Mary and Joseph. 

What a beautiful night in Bethlehem: stars were gleaming and angels were singing! 

We can be just like the angels and share the good news with everyone!

 We have a Savior that lives! 

He loves us, and if we follow Him we will be able to live a life full of love, joy, and purpose!

LOVE YOU!!!!!

Hermana Moo

I see Bernie 2016 bumper stickers everywhere! Whoever he is..........

 So we will skype you Christmas morning...not sure how early yet. We are still figuring that out! I will have all the details next email! We love the decorations and treats! Our apartment feels like Christmas now. I love it!!!

                             

                          Selfie with the Christmas Tree

Transfers will be a few days after Christmas. I think I will be leaving, but then I also feel like I could do 5 transfers here...pretty much I have no idea! Hermana Vega goes home in February so maybe they will keep us together for her last transfer. Who knows!Oh                                                      

                                       oh Christmas Tree oh Christmas Tree

Huge thank you to the 7th ward for the gifts! I love you all so much. I cannot wait to open them all!

I went to the temple twice this week! Weehooooo! Friday was the mission temple trip. It was great to be united in the temple with the mission and Presidente and Hermana Henrie. Then our ward did a trip to go see the lights on Saturday. We tried very hard to get an investigator to come, but no one was able to. We were a little bummed because without an investigator we were not able to go, but

  *MILAGRO ALERT* we got a phone call Saturday afternoon from E......... who is 10 years old, and she said, "Hermanas...no one in my family can go, but I really want to go. Can you find me a ride?" Of course we can! So went went with E........... and she was able to run around with the other ninos and see the lights. We talked to her a little bit about baptism and how she feels about it. It was really great to have some one-on-one time with her. The ward brought Champurado (I have no idea how to spell that) it is a hot, chocolately drink that is really thick and delicious! I will make it next Christmas ;)

This week was kind of a roller-coaster. My mind was wandering a little bit since my companion goes home in 7 weeks she has been talking a lot about home. Plus the holiday season brings a lot of family memories. Then it seemed like everyone wanted to talk about Kim Kardashian and Justin Bieber and Adele....hahaha I learned that the Kardashians live in our mission! They live like 20 minutes away from me. Anyway my mind was just all over the place! I haven't been homesick; my mind has just not been really focused completely in the work! Then I read the new Ensign and I looooooved Elder Christofferson's message. He said,

 "Just think about that baby in the manger. Sit quietly with that little baby and come away spiritually strengthened and better prepared for all that is going to come later. Just sit with the Lord and let Him warm you like a fire in the winter."

That's what I did. I just thought of that little baby. Nothing else. Just that baby that grew into a man and sacrificed so much for me. I love my Savior. The world is loud. Really loud! And taking that time to ponder the birth of Jesus Christ turned my whole week around! Then I was reading in True to the Faith and it said,

 "Just as reverence brings you closer to God, irreverence suits the purpose of the adversary. Satan will tempt you to follow the world's trend to more noise, excitement, and contention and less to restraint and quiet dignity. Like a commander mounting a military invasion, he will try to jam the channels of communication between you and the Lord. Beware of such tactics and strive to be reverent in all you do."

I really have been reflecting on what is hurting my connection with God. What is making my connection weak and fuzzy? My answer was that I needed to better prepare for the Sacrament and stay true to my covenant to always remember my Savior. What is your answer!? I guess that is my challenge for you all this week :)

Random Stuff

1. I see Bernie 2016 bumper stickers everywhere! Whoever he is...he is pretty popular in California

2. I played the piano for our ward choir and the primary kids yesterday at the Stake Christmas Musical Devotional. It was way fun! 

3. I am getting hair cut today...just a trim 4. I got the bag! It is perfect. Muchas Gracias!

 

CAN'T WAIT TO TALK WITH YOU! I love you all so much!

Hermana Moo

WE LOVE THE HATS!

So I sat there, ate my bowl of ice cream, and jammed to the Motab.

This week was lot's of fun. We had Mission Leadership Council and Zone Training Meeting. My training was on "Knock-Out" Everyday from 4-6 we knock doors. It is a mandatory rule that President Henrie started. Since I came in just after President Henrie knocking doors for two hours is all I know, but a lot of other missionaries have struggled with the change. The goal with my training was to change the attitude about knocking doors! Honestly I enjoy knocking doors. We run into a lot of people who are not interested...some are nice...some are mean...but every once and a while we knock a door, the door opens, and the person standing there has a heart that is open and prepared. That is worth knocking a 1,000 doors.

I also went on an exchange with  Sister R. who is deaf. She (and me) were a little concerned about communication, so we brought another sister that could sign to interpret. Sister R. is pretty good at reading lips, but we wouldn't be able to communicate while I was driving, so we brought another sister. It was such a cool experience. I really was introduced to the totally different world of deaf culture. We went to a member's home and everyone there signed except for me. They put on The Mormon Tabernacle Choir featuring David Archeleta and blasted it because they can feel the vibrations. So I sat there, ate my bowl of ice cream, and jammed to the Motab. It was heaven hahaha. The deaf member asked me to sign the prayer for the food, not sure why, so they taught me how to sign a prayer right then and there. It was a little embarrassing, but such a cool experience! Missions are the best.

We also watched the devotional last night in English. We weren't able to make it to the Spanish showing. I loved it. Mostly I just love the music :) I love the song that said, "What can we give him? Give him our heart!" The best gift to give our Savior is an open, humble heart.

I liked studying this scripture this week: Hebrews 12:29 "For our God is a consuming fire. 

OUR God, OUR Heavenly Father is a God that can fill our souls with a consuming fire.

He can change us. 

He can cleanse us.

OUR God can change men and changed men can change the world!

Have a great week. Enjoy the holiday happiness! Share a little happiness with everyone!

Hermana Moo 

 Here is Simi Valley! It is about 15 minutes away from my area. That's where Uncle Brock served right?

"And the spirit came down in the form of a moth."

                                                                         WEEHOO!

 Empanadas yummmm

I found the black jacket i am wearing in the closet in our apartment! Sweet!

How I look when I fix bike tires...good times

 We got a sneak preview of #HaNacidoUnSalvador (#ASaviorIsBorn) this past Wednesday. We had a little training about how to use the initiative and how to track how many new investigators come from it! It is a great tool for missionary work!

The baptism went great! So great! Her daughter gave the talk and she was very emotional and grateful to see the day where her mother was baptized. The musical number was her granddaughter singing "I Like to Look For Rainbows." I felt like mom arranging the musical number :) So the whole time I was nervous for Hna L........ because I knew the water was really cold in the font, this is going to sound bad...but she is pretty old and frail so I was worried she would be dunked in the water and go into shock from the cold. Thankfully everything went just fine!

 I talked to her after the baptism and she said, "It was cold when first got in, but when I went down, I was warm!" A small miracle for Hna Luz! A funny from the baptism was right after Hna Luz was baptized, this moth came out of nowhere and started flying around. Hno R............... who was conducting the meeting said, "And the spirit came down in the form of a moth." hahahah #baptismjokes

All in all it was a great day. Hna L....... was all smiles, and I couldn't stop smiling either! Presidente and Sister Henrie were able to come because they had to do interviews in the area. 

Random/Funny Things

1. This week we helped a member move out of her apartment that she has been in for 40 years. She only has one leg and is very weak so she hasn't been able to clean much. She has a bunch dogs...sooo it was pretty nasty. Rat poop. Dog poop. Cockroaches. Good stuff :)

2.We played soccer for Pday! All the latinos are so good. I want to get better! I can play volleyball, but my feet are definitely not coordinated. Watch out Todd and Peter! Imma school ya'll when I get back!

3. The exchanges are starting up again! I went on an exchange with Sister Arrington. She came and did Spanish work. We practiced saying a prayer in Spanish, and she was able to say one during one of her lessons! 

All is well in San Fernando :) 

I am excited for the Christmas season!

We have a Savior! 

He was born for us!

He lives for us!

Spread the good news!

Love you,

   Hermana Moo