Christmas is one of two times missionaries actually get to speak with family while they are serving as missionaries. The other time is Mother's Day.
I will try to capture what he tells us on Thursday and make an entry from that. Look for it later in the week. In the mean time, I have a short piece that he wrote to the youth in our stake (local church unit) a few months ago. Missionaries who were currently serving were asked to provide advice for the youth who are preparing to serve missions. Here is what he had to say:
IAORANA TATOU! (yo-rah-nah tah-toh) (the response is iaorana)Missions are a blast. A mission is a microcosm of life. You will have so many varying experiences, in such a short time its almost too much to take in. If you want to be "prepared" for your mission, work now to establish lasting habits (emphasis added).
These habits include but are not limited to, daily prayer, daily repentance, daily scripture study, and some sort of work ethic. Now I'm not saying that you need to be perfect in all of these, because I'm not, but establishing habits such as these will provide you with powerful spiritual fortifications, and invaluable spiritual experiences. Also, learn how to have fun. Missions should be fun, and you should be able to find joy in the work that is being done.
We are Heavenly Father's children, and he loves us. His plan is perfect. He sent Jesus Christ to the earth to save mankind. Love motivates every action of our Heavenly Father. Our progression is so important and precious to him, that he risks the chance to lose us, in order to give us all he has. I know he loves me. I know he loves you. Perhaps the most important thing you will share on your mission is that God loves us. As an authorized representative of Jesus Christ, I bear witness that He is the ultimate representation of God's love for us.
I bear witness that He Loves us.
In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, Amen.
Orometua Molinari
