First of all, Merry Christmas. This year, especially, as I've thought about the birth of Jesus Christ and all that it entails, I've been thinking especially hard about what it means to me specifically. It's really easy to spit out those Sunday school answers: "Because He atoned for us!", "Because it showed God's love for us!", etc. However, it's a lot harder to say those things, and then think of specific experiences in your own life that illustrate those points to you. I think what really helped start my thinking off on the right foot was watching this video: http://www.mormon.org/
Especially when the typewriter types "For God so loved the world..." and then it says "and so loved you." That brought such a personal aspect to Christmas, knowing that while Jesus Christ's atonement was made for all of us collectively, it was also made for all of us individually. I know that God loves each one of us as individuals. He knows us perfectly and he knows what we need. He'll be able to help us if we'll just ask Him and obey Him.
This week was pretty good. We said good-bye to Sister Funk. She's home. Woah. New to the district is Elder Rock and Sister Fernley. Elder Rock is actually Native American, which is really hard to explain to Taiwanese people because they're so used to seeing Americans as white people. He's really cool. Sister Fernley was with me in the MTC and I haven't really talked to her since I got to Taiwan, so it's been fun to see the difference that a year and a few months can make, the most obvious one being Chinese speaking ability.
Brother Su is looking great to be baptized this Saturday. He passed his interview with flying colors and he looks really strong. We just need to make sure he has church clothes, because I'm not sure if he does. It's been such a blessing to teach him and help him come to this point. We're also hoping to introduce him to a few more families in the ward in the upcoming week or 2. Keep praying for him!
Sister Fernandez is also doing well, though yesterday's lesson wasn't super organized. There were way too many people there(4 missionaries, a member and his son, Brother and Sister Ramos, and another one of our Filipino investigators named Fourth), and some doctrines were brought up that were a little too deep for her. Hopefully it didn't throw her off too much. Our other investigators are progressing a little more slowly, but we're still working with them.
I love you all! I really hope you all have a relaxing, not financially-destructive Christmas filled with thoughts of our Savior and all He's done for us.
-Elder Smith
P.S. This week's song: Silent Night, because it gets me in the right Christmas mindset every time.
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