12.31.2013

Last email of this year!

So last week was pretty fabulous because:
1- I got to Skype and call home
2- Christmas presents (mostly socks and chapstick, but I ain't complaining)
3- We got to teach a lot about the Christmas story, which is always touching no matter who you are
4- WE HAD A MIRACLE BAPTISM ON SATURDAY!

YES, THAT'S RIGHT!!! A sweet little girl that we've been teaching the past 8 weeks got baptized last Saturday and confirmed on Sunday. Her mom asked us on Thursday if we could have her baptism in two days because her grandpa was in and he could do it. And we were like "Um, YES!" because we love this family SO much and this little girl has been working SO hard. We had to plan it in two days and it was crazy, but so so so worth it. Can you imagine that grandpa's surprise when they asked him? The whole family came to the confirmation, too and now the mom (who I love dearly) is thinking about coming back to church. BEST. WEEKEND. EVER.

We also have two new investigators and they are both progressing towards baptism. I am so excited for them! I love being able to help these people come closer to the Savior.

Our curfew tonight is 8 o'clock. We will be celebrating New Year's Eve by going to bed early at 9. Woo hoo!

I don't have much to say today. Oh, missionaries here get 50% discount at Chick-fil-a. That's writing-home worthy.

I want to share a scripture with you!

3 Nephi 18:19-25

This passage is when Jesus Christ comes to the Americas and is teaching the people there. I love these verses because He's teaching us what we can do to become more like Him.

"19 Therefore ye must always pray unto the Father in my name;
20 And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you.
21 Pray in your families unto the Father, always in my name, that your wives and your children may be blessed.
22 And behold, ye shall meet together oft; and ye shall not forbid any man from coming unto you when ye shall meet together, but suffer them that they may come unto you and forbid them not;
23 But ye shall pray for them, and shall not cast them out; and if it so be that they come unto you oft ye shall pray for them unto the Father in my name.
24 Therefore, hold up your light that it may shine unto the world. Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up-- that which ye have seen me do. Behold ye see that I have prayed unto the Father, and ye all have witnessed.
25 And ye see that I have commanded that none of yo should go away, but rather have commanded that ye should come unto me, that ye might feel and see; even so shall ye do unto the world; and whosoever breaketh this commandment suffereth himself to be led into temptation."

He's telling us to pray to Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ. If our desires are good, if we are truly praying for things that are right, we can know that we will receive those things in the Lord's way and in His time. He's telling us not to leave anyone out. To invite all people to hear our happy message of redemption. He's telling us to love everybody, even those who don't want to hear our message. Pray for all people, help all people, serve all people. Always stand as a disciple of Jesus Christ for the world to see. Never be ashamed of living a life of cleanliness and never be afraid to share the gospel with others. He's asking us to do these thing. He's commanded us to come unto Him, and invite all to Him.

Sister Swain and I decided to share this with the family we're eating dinner with tonight. 3 Nephi is a really beautiful book, because it's all about the Savior appearing to the Americas.

Well, that's all I got!

Love you! Stay safe on the winter roads!

Sister Hinkle






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