Christmas Miracles 12/17/2018

Hola todos!

I have recieved pictures and tales of the snowfall many of you are experiencing, and I am jealous to say the least! I did have to wear a jacket one night during a bike ride this week, so that was super nice! Like I've said it doesn't really get cold at all here, but when it does, it is quite the experience. Due to the extreme humidity, even if its just in the 40's, it is quite a piercing cold that just envelops your body...but right now I'm just sweating sitting here, so that sounds like a pretty good situation to be in. And despite the lack of snow, the Christmas spirit is still thriving! I actually went carolling a few times this week! Christmas decorations abound (although many are thing like snowmen, snowflakes, and santas/elves in full winter clothing...) and "Merry Christmas!" still rings through the air for most! (amidst the constant traffic noises!) We had some really cool experiences this week with people though, so I need to head into that!

We met some pretty neat new people, one really cool experience was Anette! We were biking kinda late one night on our way to eat dinner, (we were running a bit late) and turned into a neighborhood right when the bus let some people off at the entrance. I saw a lady amongst them with a cool Christmas scarf, and felt like we should talk to her, (and if any of y'all think missionaries are perfect spiritual giants, this will hopefully let you know we're not) but I shrugged it off because we were late and kept biking. I kept feeling like we should talk, but I didnt want to stop my companion (who bikes much faster then me, especially when we are running late...), but finally, my companion noticed I kept looking back, and he turned around as asked whats up, and I explained the situation. We turned around and biked as fast as we could to the main street and then down the lane I thought I saw her go. My heart sank when we didn't se anyone, but we biked down and eventually saw a lady trying really hard to open her door (she couldn't find the keyhole in the dark well), I went to say hi and as she turned around, I saw the scarf! I struck up a conversation and learned that she just moved from Venezuela (my favorite) 3 weeks ago and has been really searching for a Christ-centered church that speaks spanish! She was really excited to meet us, and we are super excited to see her again! There were two more ladies, but I'll talk about them in the next paragraph!

There were some really awesome lessons we had this week, but I really just wanna focus on this one. I'm not sure how much I have updated y'all on Janette(daughter) and Janette(Mother), but Janette(daughter) has been absolutely loving the Book of Mormon and the rest of our message! This last week, she also invited us over to eat dinner with them after the lesson (she heard that I love Reina Pepiada, which is a divine Venezuelan food thing)! When we got there, we met Maria who is the daughter of Janette(daughter), and she is super cool! During the lesson, we taught about the Plan of Salvation and they were loving it! Then we heard a knock at the door and Jannin(sister of Janette[daughter]) came in as we were teaching the spirit world and temples. She became immediately enthralled, and was super excited to keep talking. We finished the lesson and started to eat. As we did, we started teaching Jannin about the church and the Book of Mormon. She was super excited to get her own copy and just as we finished explaining the introduction, Jannete(daughter) came by to give us seconds, and saw the Book in Jannin's hand and said, "Oh, you have to read that, it is incredible!" And I cried a little bit. Not out loud, but that was one of the best moments of my mission! 

I have handed out tons of Book of Mormon's, and not because we are supposed to, but because, in all sincerety, that Book has changed my life. It is near impossible to explain everything, but the words in that Book and, more importantly, the spirit it brings are nothing short of awe-inspiring and loving! I don't mean that whenever something is going wrong, or I have a question, I just flip open to a random page and everything difficult just poofs into non-existence. That would be silly. I simply mean that through my study of that Book, I have gotten answers to questions that I desperatley needed, and comfort when I really, really needed it. So, It really does pain me to see so many people who I give it to, basically toss it to the side almost as soon as they get it. Many don't even try and open to the first page, and even less will read more than a few lines. It's heartbreaking to see something I dearly treasure and something I know will help this person I love, ignored. So that line from Janette realy impacted me. Just to see someone who has only had a few weeks with it, share that sweet, simple, and beautiful testimony (although, she likely wouldn't call it that yet, haha), had such a huge impact on me! I am not exagerating in the least bit, when I say that I love that Book, and I love the Gospel it teaches and the Man it testifies of with all of my heart and soul! I know that Christ lives! I know that this is His Church! I know that the Book of Mormon is true! I know that the peace, comfort, and knowledge it brings is priceless! And I hope you all know how much I love you all!!! Thanks for everything!!!

<3 Elder Fox