Week #18 – The Greatest Gift

Hello Everyone!

So I’ll be honest this was a tough week. I think we need these times to humble ourselves and strive to be better in the future. I know this week will also be hard seeing as it is Christmas and even fewer people want to meet with us, but I know one way or another we will fulfill our purpose as missionaries every day. We’re here to serve. Not everyone accepted Jesus Christ himself when he was here on earth so why should we expect to be treated any different? I count myself lucky to experience hardship and trials while doing my best to talk to everyone I can about what he means to me and what he can be for everyone who is willing to listen.

This past week we were given some pretty hefty challenges regarding English course and we are working hard to fulfill them all. Anziano Coe and I already invited two new people from our course to begin meeting with us and talk more about the gospel. The invitations went well and I believe we will begin to see the fruits of that after the new year. We are trying to publicize our English course a lot more so this week we took a morning and put up 30-40 English posters around Piazza Garibaldi.

With Christmas approaching I have really only had one thought on my mind, “time is moving so fast, am I keeping up with the pace that my mission is going at right now?” I don’t know about all of you but the past 4 months seem to have zipped by in a blink and it makes me nervous about the rest of my mission. I don’t want it to go too fast.

I still have so much to do, so many things to learn, and so much growing to do. I guess I’m just worried about coming home and being the same person as when I left. I want to be so much more.

This season of the birth of Christ brings so many emotions. I miss my family, school, home, and friends as much as anyone would. But above all other emotions I can’t help but feel so grateful. What an incredible gift we were given two thousand years ago. A Savior.

Someone absolutely perfect, who loved so completely, came down to earth to endure everything and feel everything that we feel for us.

There just are not words to describe how beautiful of a gift this represents to me. It means everything.

This week as you all celebrate with your friends and family take a moment and remember what this gift means to you. If you’re someone who would normally not do something like this I invite you to give your heart a chance to feel of this incredible love.

I pray for all of you every day, I hope this week brings you happiness, peace, and joy.

You all are an inspiration to me all the way on the other side of the world.

Love you all,

Have a Merry Christmas

Anziano Friedman

Please take time this holiday season to visit
A Savior is Born at www.mormon.com/christmas