Aloha Thanksgiving

ALOOOHA

My mom sent me a Christmas CD with the absolute best version of "Away in a Manger". I'm not sure how they made that song so incredibly cool but it sounds JUST like an Islander song. I guess it's a cool song right off the bat because it's about Jesus... anyway we listened to it about 8 times today. So far. I'm sure we will listen to it at least a few more times. 

Things are going great here in Revere, MA! This is the longest I've ever been in one area and it's really nice being able to be planted in one place. I've had 4 companions here and things are always changing but I have stayed nice and tight since September! Since this transfer goes till January it means that I'm guaranteed to be here for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. Huge blessing to be able to spend the holiday with such great friends and all of my "abuelitas" and "hermanitas" here in Revere. 

I'm so excited to be here with these people! I love them so much. This past week I have learned how much God loves all of his children. I know that we are supposed to love everyone. Everyone. That's a lot of people. It's clear that the best examples we follow are those that genuinely care for others. Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., Mr Rogers, even the Terminator had his heart set on helping that little kid. I've been trying to learn how to truly love everyone. Finally things were happening and I was finding myself with opportunities to strengthen my relationship with others. I was making a lot of friends, telling jokes, laughing, helping, serving, and finding out how wonderful everyone actually is! I finally felt like I understood how God can love everyone.  I had an experience this week that really put this to the test. We went to someone's home for dinner and they were rather upset with us.  They were upset with us and they shouldn't have been. We hadn't done anything wrong. I tried helplessly to apologize and plea our case, but was unsuccessful. They were determined to being right. With a final comment they nodded with satisfaction and left us at the table to eat. They were only sitting a few feet away on the sofa and as I began to eat my throat seized up and my hunger was shot. Bite after bite I fought to hold back tears until eventually, like a stinkin' baby, they began to flow down my face.  I couldn't believe it. I was so sad that I had just got hounded by someone that I have tried so hard to respect and serve. Someone that I've prayed about, and studied for, and prepared for. They clearly didn't see the love that I had for them. I began asking myself questions. But it came down pretty quickly and within a minute I knew that I was in the wrong. It went like this:

Would they yell at Christ like that?!  -- NO

Would Christ have done something to offend them -- NO

So then... am I being Christ-like? -- NO

For the rest of the time that I sat there and ate I searched through my scriptures for something to share with her. I had to apologize. I had to tell her that I loved her. I had to share with her my testimony so that she'd know why I'm here, and hopefully forgive me for my faults and allow me to serve her still. Being with her is seriously a blessing; she is the sweetest lady and her home has the softest spirit in it. I WANT to keep coming back.  But how could I tell her all of that? I said a little prayer and found a scripture. When we shared it with her there was a sweet sense of peace. After I spoke she responded by telling me a few things she's been thinking about lately. She started to tell us some things that she's been struggling with, and she started sharing with us her goals. From crying over potatos, to looking eye to eye in pure love and gratitude for one another, I can promise you that I LOVE love absolutely love this dear sister. And I might not have, had I not asked myself a few questions. 

Christmas is coming up soon! And thanksgiving!!!!!! I found this cool list of ideas. Maybe you'll like some of them, or all of them. I'm going to write them all down and check them off one by one as the days go by. 

Know that I'm thinking of all of you and I love you all very much! 

You're the best team I've ever had, and I feel your support daily. 

MUCHISMO AMOR

Hermana Hileman

This Holiday Season, 

Mend a quarrel. 

Seek out a forgotten friend. 

Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust. 

Write a letter. 

Give a soft answer.

Encourage youth. 

Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. 

Keep a promise.

Forgo a grudge. 

Forgive an enemy. 

Apologize. 

Try to understand.

Examine your demands on others. 

Think first of someone else. 

Be kind.

Be gentle.

Laugh a little more. 

Express your gratitude.

Welcome a stranger. 

Gladden the heart of a child. 

Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. 

Speak your love and then speak it again."