Feliz Navidad

As the first order of business, I feel an apology is in order. The truth is, I have a mountain of Dear Elder letters I haven`t read. In the beginning, I didn`t read because they made me homesick. Then I wasn`t reading becauase there was so much to do. Now I am working my way through the mountain, but slowly. I have on average 10 minutes to read each night, so I usually get through about 2 letters. Only 100 more to go, and that`s probably the opposite of an exaggeration. (I forgot, how do you say that?)

I feel your love each time I open a letter and read what each one of you so thoughtfully put together for me. I`m sorry I`m not returning the same amount of love. There`s a lot of catch up work to do. But that is why I haven't written some of you a reply, because your letter is part of the mountain.

There is a story in Exodus that I really like, when the Israelites are traveling from Egypt and God tells them He will give them the land of Canaan. Moses sends two groups of scouts into Canaan. The first group reports that the inhabitants are giants and the Israelites have no chance of taking the land. The second group, Joshua and Caleb, report that the land is very desirable and fruitful and it will be easy to take the land because the Lord is on their side.

Later in his life, Caleb faced another obstacle of the same scale of taking Canaan, and in his faith and love for the Lord, he said in total confidence, `Give me this mountain.` He had complete confidence that he would overcome this obstacle and triumph.

This is what I say about the letters: Give me this mountain! But I plead for a little more of your patience.

Second order of business, FELIZ NAVIDAD!!!! Mission life here is great! I LOVE Apopa. Each day I love it more. I have a great companion, amazing leaders and a very inspired mission president. He invited all 100 plus missionaries to his home every day this week to celebrate Christmas a bit. We got to go on Wednesday, and it was a blast. He and his wife say they want us to feel God`s love for us through them.

I challenge each of you, as your gift to God this Christmas, to help somebody feel God`s love for them through you.

We had two baptisms this week. The Spirit was very strong in both. But it`s not just baptisms that make life on a mission so great, it`s the privilege of having your focus 100 percent, absolutely on the Lord. Every minute of every day is for the Lord. Many of my worldly cares have been lifted from my shoulders so that I can bear the responsibilities and expectations the Lord has for His missionaries. This makes me happy. What a blessing it is to be a missionary. I hope to never take it for granted.

Thank you for your extra efforts to be rescuers and member missionaries. This is the most important work we can be doing... almost. The most important is what is taught in your home, to your family. May we be upright examples at all times, and in all places.

I love you all so much.

Hna Henrie