Swinging Through Life: Feliz Navidad! *Feliz!!!* *Feliz!!*

Feliz Navidad from the Sunny South!

This week was probably the most different than any I have ever experienced. But I´ll talk about it next week. This week is Christmas! Although thats hard for me to realize as I am literally dripping in sweat.

haha

A few stories…

Days here are hot hot full of sunshine but nights get really cold. One night we were bustling home through the frozen streets- I was rubbing my hands together realizing just how close to Antarctica we are here....When we came across a man. He was a usual of that part of town. Always hanging out near the bar-shouting at passerbys-sometimes asking for money or food. This night however he didnt seem drunk like normal. So when he called out to us and half ran/limped towards us...I decided to talk to him. It started out as a normal contact...telling him who we were, asking his name,,,and then I started on a little correr of how God loves us. I looked at him and said "And God loves you Juan". When I looked back up at him huge tears were rolling down his cheeks. His eyes held so much sadness and despair. It was painful to look at. In almost a whisper he said "no one has ever said they loved me before". This man must be in his 60´s. How sad! How heartbreakingly sad! To have lived 60 years on this earth without ever believing that anyone loved you. That someone somehwere cared about you. And he is not the only one who is desperate for love-for someone to care and reach out a hand through the darkness. No, sadly there are countless others like him. Who need Love. We must start looking outward and develop an unquechable desire to help everyone we see. Everyone needs help and love. Its hard to tell sometimes- who needs some extra care. So just assume that they do. Everyone needs to be reminded of God´s care for them. Of their purpose...and of their Savior.

As President Monson has invited us- we must RESCUE our fellow brothers and sisters. "The world is in need of OUR help! There are feet to steady, hands to grasp, minds to encourage, hearts to inspire and souls to save."

Last week my dear companion was taken from me. And after a few days of not understanding anything around me and feeling suppressed and stamped out...I became discouraged. Well thats not really the right word for it....Something deeper than that. And my days filled with endless prayers of emergancy transfers. I know its only been a week in this new situation but if feels like 10 years. And this week, God did not give me what I wanted..no emergancy transfer for me. And I was reminded once again that God does not always answer our prayers in the way we want or think we need. Instead of this trial being taken from me- I was given the strangth to live through it. And the reminder that God´s timing and infinite wisdom is where our trust needs to be. It´s sometimes a painful and long lesson..but I learning and TRYING to be grateful for this opportunity to grow more.

Sometimes it is so easy to feel alone. To get so discouraged in this fallen world we live in. There is so much evil, sandess, hurt and anger. So many are suffering. Can I remind you of my favorite Christmas hymn (I sing it every morning).

"And in despair I bowed my head. There is no peace on earth I said. For hate is strong and mocks the song..of peace on Earth goodwill to men."

But we are not alone. And there IS hope and we DO have a Savior and a way to escape from all the darkenss.

"That we are lifted up into life because He was lifted up unto death, that He bore our griefs and carried our sorrow and with His stripes we are healed. That He came from God as a God to bind up the brokenhearted, to dry the tears from every eye, to proclaim liberty to the captive and open the prison dorrs to them that are bound."

And as I sit here in Chile..in the heat. Lacking my family, Christmas lights, trees, hot chocolate, stockings, fudge and everything else I thought made Chritmas...I am finally able to see what Christmas really is. I mean I´ve always known..but its never really struck me this deep beofre. Because of Jesus Christ- and his birth some 2013 years ago? We have hope. That whatever hurt or sandess, despair, stress, worry and wounds we have now...will one day be taken away and replaced with a perfect healing and joy. Oh I am so thankful for my Savior and Redeemer.

"Then pealed the bells more loud and deep ´God is not dead nor doth he sleep´. The wrong shall fail the right previal, with peace on Earth goodwill toeards me. Till ringing singing on its way..the world revolved from night to day. A voice, a chime and chant sublime of peace on Earth goodwill to men."

So today, tomorrow, and the next day. Try to remember who and what we really are celebrating. But dont just think about it. Go and out and do something! Give someone the greatest gift possible- HOPE in Christ´s LOVE for them.

Love you all! Eat some extra fudge and rolls for me!

I´m excited to talk to yáll wednesday!

Feliz Navidad!

Hermana Orchard