Llamado a Servir en España: MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Merry Merry Christmas my dear family and friends!

I can´t believe it is already Christmas!!! I hope you are all enjoying the wonderful snow in Utah! No snow here in Tarragona! This week we were in Barcelona almost ALL week... again. I am learning though to really take advantage of every moment and remember to be a missionary at all times even if I am not in my assigned area. We had our christmas zone conference on Tuesday which was INCREDIBLE!! I am trying to study love and charity more which was perfect because that is exactly what President and Sister Dayton talked about in our conference together. They taught us how to love more like our Savior, especially at Christmas time! We talked a lot about the Atonement and how there were three different parts to it... the suffereing in the Garden, When He died on the cross and when He was resurrected. President told us to make sure to teach our investigators about the three different parts to it to make sure they can really have a testimony of this wonderful gift that we have. As He talked about the Atonement I was reminded of a time when I was babysitting the kiddos while mom and dad were on a date at the temple. I was putting them all to bed and we were reading scriptures on Livvy, Liza and Abby´s bed. It was such a sweet experience as we read from the Book of Mormon about the Atonement and the littles and I talked about the three different parts of the Atonement. Afterwards they all bore their testimonies (while Abby sat on my lap) about Jesus Christ. It was such a special moment in time for me to see my little siblings bear their testimonies about their Savior and the Atonement that we have because of Him. As I reflected on this experience in Zone conference I realized that I need to teach my investigators just as I taught Joey, Livvy, Liza and Abby that night. I need to teach them as I would teach little children. I need to help them to fully grasp the concept of the Atonement and then help them to understand it well enough to bear their humble testimonies. I know that this is the way that the savior taught... and He did it out of LOVE. How grateful I am for His example that we have to look up to especially as missionaries and especially at Christmas time.

On Wednesday morning we had to be back in Barcelona again to get my DNI. So we talked to president after zone conference and asked him what to do so we didn´t waste time or money and he said, "you know what? We would love to have you stay with us in the mission home tonight". So Hermana Carollo and I had christmas come a little early this year as we spent Tuesday night with the Dayton´s helping them get all ready for other zone conferences and sitting by the Christmas tree to talk. As we shared experiences and testimonies the spirit was so strong. It was a night that I will never forget. I love the Dayton´s with all of my heart! They are helping me to learn and grow so much everyday. Their examples mean the world to me and I feel so blessed to have them leading and guiding my mission!

We stayed in Barcelona another night as we did an intercambio with our Sister training leader, Hermana Mayes, and then another night because we had to go back to the DNI office the next day! BUT we FINALLY made it back to Tarragona and I can´t wait to work hard here in my area!

Our friend from our ward, Vera (who is from Brazil and can´t speak Spanish) brought a friend to the church and called us and said, "come to the church! I have my friend here and she lives in your area and she wants to learn about the church. I think she will get baptized!" Hombre, did we run! We were so excited! We taught Diana the first lesson and challenged her to be baptized and she was so excited! Then the next lesson she brought her 10 year old daughter and now they will both be baptized on the same day! I am so excited for them! (they are going to France for the holidays though so I will update you on them after Christmas). The point to this story though is... MEMBERS ARE KEY!!!! Go out and invite your friends to hear about the church! We have such a special message to share and you can all help to share it!

I got to see all of my members in Barcelona again this week which was incredible! I miss them all so much! They truly have changed my life and are like my family. I loved when they would come running up to me and give me huge hugs and tell me how happy they were to see me! Not only had I left a tiny handprint in their lives, but they had left an even bigger one in mine. As I reflected on these people and the love that I have for them I was truly reminded of how much love our Heavenly Father and Savior have for each of us. These people here on my mission are changing my life and it is so hard for me to leave them when I get transferred. But the most important person who has made the biggest impact in my life is my Savior Jesus Christ. He is the reason I am here. He is the reason I can meet all of these incredible people and serve a mission in Spain.

I know that because of our Savior Jesus Christ we truly can be saved. He is the only way. As we are approaching Christmas in just a few short days, I would challenge us all to think more about our Savior Jesus Christ and everything He has done for us. And then think of something that you can give to Him because He has given us the greatest gifts that we could possibly imagine. I know He lives and loves each one of us. What better place to be at Christmas time than here in Spain teaching the people about this very very special gift. He is my Savior and Redeemer and my best friend. Through Him all things are possible. I know this is true! And I say these things in His name, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Merry Christmas to Everyone!

I love you!

Love,

Hermana Eyring