Sorry to get behind on posting, but here are Erika's December letters:
I want to say, it's "beginning to look a lot like Christmas" here, but honestly, it's not. It is starting to get a bit chilly, and we've had some rain, but I really don't think I'll get a white Christmas ☃️ thats okay though, I kinda expected that. I do believe in miracles though, and my prayers are going up with a special request to let there be snow at least on Christmas. That would be an awesome Christmas gift from heaven. Not that the birth of Christ isn't already the best Christmas gift that I could possibly get.... Anyway, y'all got any snow yet up there? Obviously not for Thanksgiving.
It's great you got to go up to Arrow Point last week! It's such a great mini tradition you have of getting away for a bit, even if it is to do work. That's something I really admire about y'all, you just work so well together, and know how to get stuff done, even when others would give up! Thank you for raising me with that same work ethic. It makes being a missionary, and honestly every aspect of life, much easier. Actually, I've been kinda surprised up to this point how much a mission isn't as hard as I thought. No, that's not right, it's hard, and I definitely have to really work, but it's less physically demanding as I was expecting, and I have to use my work ethic in new ways.
Thank you both for your loving words of encouragement. I'm really doing very well, and last week was just kinda hard. I am still learning the line between righteous and unrighteousness pride. Because I do have confidence in my ability to teach. I know that just me I am a good teacher and I believe I can help people. However, I'm also very aware of how much I cannot do without God. That with Christ, I am a far better teacher, as he was the perfect teacher. I know I cannot convert anyone, but only bring the people to a place where the spirit can convert them. I've also learned a lot about allowing people their agency, even if that's hard for me. You just really want to drag some people to church, or strap them down with a Book of Mormon to read. But you can't. So I'm learning patience. Especially because I love agency so much. I love that we each have the ability to decide if we will follow Gods plan for ourselves. Because we are then much stronger for it, then if we couldn't decide for ourselves.
I'm so curious about what I'm getting or Christmas! You know I always am. But I also know that it'll get here when it gets here, so I might as well not worry about it. It'll be worse once I have the gifts here but can't open them till Christmas. Actually, Christmas is on a Sunday, so are y'all having the full church that day? We only have sacrament meeting here, which I thought was interesting.
Actually, this Christmas I've been thinking a lot about the condescension of Christ, and the miracle that was his life. That he came into the world in the most humble way I can think of. And "humble" is a very soft word to use there. He was born with animals going crazy, the flies buzzing, and probably in a pretty stinky stable. Then he was lain in a stone manger, with a little bit of hay to soften it. The rest of his life was more of the same. He continuously did and went where no one else would or could go, so that now we can find strength through him, and return to live with God and our families in eternity. The miracle of Christmas is stunning. I love Heavenly Father and Christ so much, and I stand in awe of their goodness and mercy.
The other thing that's been in my mind, that I would love your insights on, is why it matters to us so much that Christ UNDERSTANDS what we're going through. Why does it bring us comfort to know that he understands our situation perfectly. We could be told that he can help us perfectly, so to trust in him, and yet that wouldn't be quite as powerful to us as saying he understands perfectly, and that's why he can help perfectly. What is it about the human condition that loves it when people understand the hardship or good times that we're going through? Any ideas?
Sorry, I'm out of time. I love you both sooo much! May the spirit rest at home with more power and greater force this beautiful season.
Love forever,
Sister Marks ️
p.s - Oh my goodness, you'll get a kick out of is. I visit a lot of less actives, and they all have different excuses about why they don't come anymore, but the best one I've hard yet is he doesn't come because Trump is president ... seriously ... he said he's just so despondent still from the election and he can't rub shoulders with people who would vote for Trump... haha! I guess he has a really hard time living in Texas then, because he can't go outside without
rubbing shoulders with Trump supporters! Hahaha, anyway, I thought that was ridiculous, so I had to share.
p.p.s - I forgot to tell you that the investigator that dropped us is back! She a actually came to church yesterday! Sorry, I'm out of time to tell you more.
Love you!
I want to say, it's "beginning to look a lot like Christmas" here, but honestly, it's not. It is starting to get a bit chilly, and we've had some rain, but I really don't think I'll get a white Christmas ☃️ thats okay though, I kinda expected that. I do believe in miracles though, and my prayers are going up with a special request to let there be snow at least on Christmas. That would be an awesome Christmas gift from heaven. Not that the birth of Christ isn't already the best Christmas gift that I could possibly get.... Anyway, y'all got any snow yet up there? Obviously not for Thanksgiving.
It's great you got to go up to Arrow Point last week! It's such a great mini tradition you have of getting away for a bit, even if it is to do work. That's something I really admire about y'all, you just work so well together, and know how to get stuff done, even when others would give up! Thank you for raising me with that same work ethic. It makes being a missionary, and honestly every aspect of life, much easier. Actually, I've been kinda surprised up to this point how much a mission isn't as hard as I thought. No, that's not right, it's hard, and I definitely have to really work, but it's less physically demanding as I was expecting, and I have to use my work ethic in new ways.
Thank you both for your loving words of encouragement. I'm really doing very well, and last week was just kinda hard. I am still learning the line between righteous and unrighteousness pride. Because I do have confidence in my ability to teach. I know that just me I am a good teacher and I believe I can help people. However, I'm also very aware of how much I cannot do without God. That with Christ, I am a far better teacher, as he was the perfect teacher. I know I cannot convert anyone, but only bring the people to a place where the spirit can convert them. I've also learned a lot about allowing people their agency, even if that's hard for me. You just really want to drag some people to church, or strap them down with a Book of Mormon to read. But you can't. So I'm learning patience. Especially because I love agency so much. I love that we each have the ability to decide if we will follow Gods plan for ourselves. Because we are then much stronger for it, then if we couldn't decide for ourselves.
I'm so curious about what I'm getting or Christmas! You know I always am. But I also know that it'll get here when it gets here, so I might as well not worry about it. It'll be worse once I have the gifts here but can't open them till Christmas. Actually, Christmas is on a Sunday, so are y'all having the full church that day? We only have sacrament meeting here, which I thought was interesting.
Actually, this Christmas I've been thinking a lot about the condescension of Christ, and the miracle that was his life. That he came into the world in the most humble way I can think of. And "humble" is a very soft word to use there. He was born with animals going crazy, the flies buzzing, and probably in a pretty stinky stable. Then he was lain in a stone manger, with a little bit of hay to soften it. The rest of his life was more of the same. He continuously did and went where no one else would or could go, so that now we can find strength through him, and return to live with God and our families in eternity. The miracle of Christmas is stunning. I love Heavenly Father and Christ so much, and I stand in awe of their goodness and mercy.
The other thing that's been in my mind, that I would love your insights on, is why it matters to us so much that Christ UNDERSTANDS what we're going through. Why does it bring us comfort to know that he understands our situation perfectly. We could be told that he can help us perfectly, so to trust in him, and yet that wouldn't be quite as powerful to us as saying he understands perfectly, and that's why he can help perfectly. What is it about the human condition that loves it when people understand the hardship or good times that we're going through? Any ideas?
Sorry, I'm out of time. I love you both sooo much! May the spirit rest at home with more power and greater force this beautiful season.
Love forever,
Sister Marks ️
p.s - Oh my goodness, you'll get a kick out of is. I visit a lot of less actives, and they all have different excuses about why they don't come anymore, but the best one I've hard yet is he doesn't come because Trump is president ... seriously ... he said he's just so despondent still from the election and he can't rub shoulders with people who would vote for Trump... haha! I guess he has a really hard time living in Texas then, because he can't go outside without
rubbing shoulders with Trump supporters! Hahaha, anyway, I thought that was ridiculous, so I had to share.
p.p.s - I forgot to tell you that the investigator that dropped us is back! She a actually came to church yesterday! Sorry, I'm out of time to tell you more.
Love you!