Christmas in Costa Rica!

Buenas familia,

Como estan? I hope you are all enjoying the Holidays!!!! I love Christmas!

Well Mom, I’m sad that everyone is leaving the ward, I can’t believe that the Abbott are leaving! Thats going to be weird!

Well this was a good week in Aserrí. I had to give my first talk during sacrament meeting this week. I called the Bishop to see if he could help us out in a lesson, and then he said, " By the way Elder Taylor, you have a talk this Sunday. Any topic you want. 15 minutes. I can’t give a talk in Spanish for 15 minutes!!! Let alone English! But really it turned out really well. I spoke about the same topic as Brother Hoke, but I really focused on the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I talked about when Randy and I went to Mexico, and the ward got a kick out of that story haha, but it was really good. I love our Savior. Right now I’m reading the New Testament and Jesus Christ, and he really is amazing. I love Jesus Christ, and I know that he loves all of us, so much that he would die for us. Even me, a person with so many faults, a person that really isn’t worth dying for, he did it, because he loves me. How awesome, and amazing is that.

This change I have really seen how much I can do as a missionary. When I was junior companion I was always really quiet, and I never really tried to push myself during lessons. I always said the same thing, and used the same Spanish. But this change, I have really seen my capabilities as a missionary, and really know no matter how bad my Spanish is, how we can help people change their lives.

This week we are going to baptize Virgilio. This guy is awesome. I think I’ve talked about him a little bit before, but he is so cool. He is really my favorite investigator ever. He had been an alcoholic, and smoker for 8 years. He has quit everything just feel the peace of the Savior in his life. He is willing to do whatever it takes to get his life back in order.

Its super rad because he really is a super good missionary. He has already given us a ton of references, and he is a living testimony of the gospel. All his friends have asked us what we did to change his life, but really we did nothing. We were just obedient and followed the Holy Ghost, and he made all the changes himself. I love this gospel. I love the people here in Costa Rica (well most of them haha).

Well I look forward to Skyping with you all tomorrow!!!! I think I am going to call you within 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. That should be like 1 to 2 p.m. in Los Angeles. Maybe you can go to Aunt Cheryl’s a little early? I don’t know but I’ll probably be calling around then. Just make sure that you’re on Skype so I can call you!

Well I just want to wish you all a merry and happy Christmas. I hope that we can all follow the example of the innkeeper this Christmas season. He had no room in his inn, but was willing to make space for our Savior and Redeemer. Yes, our lives will be busy, but we should always have space for Jesus Christ and his atonement. In matt 11:28 and 29 Jesus Christ himself says, " Come unto me all those that are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Carry my yoke upon yourselves and learn of me, that I am meek and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls." ( I was translating form Spanish to English so that isn’t exactly correct haha) I love you. The savior loves you all. Follow him and receive rest unto your souls. Love you all!

Love,

Elder Taylor