MERRY CHRISTMAS

Aside from being astounded by how creative the title is, I have a message for you. 

Before I jump to all that, Update: The Romanian family is doing alright. There have been some road blocks like we predicted, but Maria, the grandmother, set to be baptized on January 11. We have started teaching quite a few new people as well. We found a man from Portugal, another man from Algeria, and A FRENCH WOMAN! Can you believe it? This is rare for all French missionaries. Christmas miracle.

Random shout-outs:  Mi madre because it's obvious how wonderful she is.  Ethan Martel, even though all your letters get sucked into a black hole and it's awkward when I have to email you that I don't get them.  Kacie Woodward, for being awesome.  You may or may not read this, but I've been thinking quite a bit about you lately.  Ash Ross, gurl drop me a line, wuddya?  All my grandparents, because you spoil me so.  All the members of the Harvest Hills 9th ward back when I was still actually going there.  You are wonderful people, ya know.

FACTS I LEARNED:

• My little cousin got engaged recently. I object, Krista. Whatchu be thinkin...

• The nurse of the mission has diagnosed me with a gluten intolerance because I may or may not have been hacking up my guts for the past six weeks. 

• Gluten-free diets are overrated.

• I'm starving...

• Bah, humbug. What's Christmas without a big glop of gluten on your plate...

• Okay, these aren't really facts anymore...

For personal study this past week, I've been centering my focus on Christ and the events surrounding His birth. Most of my reading was done in a hefty libro called "Jesus the Christ," and I've got some food for thought that you should partake of this Christmas season. Here is one of my favorite excerpts:

"And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

"Tidings of such import had never before been delivered by angel or received by man -- good tidings of great joy, given to but few and those among the humblest of earth, but destined to spread to all people. There is a sublime grandeur in the scene, as there is divine authorship in the message, and the climax is such as the mind of man could never have conceived-- the sudden appearance of the heavenly host, singing audibly to human ears the briefest, most consistent and truly complete of all the songs of peace ever attuned by mortal or spirit choir. WHAT A CONSUMMATION TO BE WISHED-- Peace on earth! But how can such come except through the maintenance of good will toward men? And through what means could glory to God in the highest be more effectively rendered?" (Talmage, 93-94).

As I read this, I was able to paint a mental image of something that, to the contrary, couldn't be completely finished. It is said to be something that "the mind of man could never have conceived," something of "sublime grandeur." Pretty classy, right? My favorite part comes in towards the end when Talmage exerts the importance of good will toward men. It leads to peace on earth. In essence: it renders glory to God.

What can I do to bring glory to God this Christmas season with an emphasis placed on the birth of our Savior? What can we ALL do in act of bringing good will toward men? Christmas has always been my favorite time of year, but now as a missionary, I get to truly feel the sincere meaning of this time. 

Thanks again for all your love and support. It has been a wondeful gift to me. 

JOYEUX NOËL!!!!

Sœur Green