IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME

Hey all! 


This week was powerful!! I learned soo much! 


Some highlights: 


MCKENZIE WAS BAPTIZED ON FRIDAY! It was sooo special. One of those moments that I wish I could live in forever. The spirit was so strong. We found out literally TWO DAYS before her baptism that she was actually supposed to be baptized in the Grand valley ward. We thought she was meant to be in the grand rapids ward. So we called everyone we could and she had people from BOTH wards show up at her baptism! The faith and dedication of the members here inspires me. She felt overwhelmed at first with all the new people and new experience of being baptized (understandable). But then after she came up out of that water, she was beaming! We asked how she felt and she said "I feel calm. Not overwhelmed anymore". It's the coolest thing that the Spirit does that:) following God brings peace! She is the coolest example to me because she is so pure in her desire. She knows that being baptized doesn't mean she needs to know everything. She knows that it means she's following her Savior and doing her best. I love that!! She is special! On sunday she made some pretty big sacrifices to get to church. She told her boss that she'd need to miss work that morning and her family that she wouldn't be able to join their party. She said "I know I need to go to church- I'm so excited!". I'm so proud of her! This Gospel truly does change lives. 


We had the opportunity to fast as a mission yesterday. It was so special! We fasted that we'd see miracles and that the Lord would bless our friends to enter into the waters of baptism. Sister Schmidt and I had a special experience after we broke our fast. We felt like the Lord had accepted our fast. It was special! I know we'll see miracles because of Him. It's all through the Savior that miracles are possible! 


Something I've learned on my mission (and that my mom has helped me see [thank you, mom ♡]) is that the Lord will work with us despite our imperfections. Everything is going to be okay! He loves us. He knows us. We can do small and simple things to bless others lives. I loved Sister Craig's talk from the first Presidency Christmas devotional. (I'll put a link in the email I'd you'd like to watch it! It's just uplifting messages and music centered on Christ that has helped me get into the Christmas spirit). She talked about how we all have spiritual gifts. Even the inconspicuous gifts are important. We may not all have GRAND talents. But we might be a good listener, kind, good at serving others, peacemakers, the list goes on. Those gifts are sooo important!! Moroni 10 in the Book of Mormon says, "And again, I exhort you, my brethren, that ye deny not the gifts of God, for they are many; and they come from the same God. And there are different ways that these gifts are administered; but it is the same God who worketh all in all; and they are given by the manifestations of the Spirit of God unto men, to profit them."


They are given to each of us differently. That does not mean they're not as important or good as others. All of us are needed! Comparison does no good. 


I'm so grateful to know that God knows us and loves us individually. That even though we're imperfect, we still have precious gifts that He can use to bless others. 


I love you all! And MERRY CHRISTMAS! 


Ps. 
- follow the Instagram page @christlives.michigan to watch sis Schmidt and I go live and do the #LighttheWorld prompts!! Then go light the world yourself! :) 
- I got to play my violin this week and it brought me lots of joy 


♡ Sis Ross 


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