Funny thing about missions- they are awkward

Well as far as Christmas goes, I'm not really homesick. I dunno, I never really have struggled with homesickness, and I keep busy out here, and I figure I'll have plenty of time to bug you when I get home,so.... Yeah, good stuff :) not a problem here. I'll miss you, for sure, but... That's not gonna be a problem :) plus I feel like I have a lot of "home away from home"s here.

This week was another really awesome week. One day we had 4 lessons planned-- they all canceled. The next day we had 3 lessons planned -- they all canceled. But on sunday night, we had 3 surprise lessons! So it made up for it :) 

Friday, we had our little temple/Christmas Day. We went as a zone to do a temple session in the morning, which was really nice (as always). I always just feel so spiritually recharged and ready to go, which helps a lot :) then afterwards, we went to the Woodburys for a Christmas dinner for lunch (delicious) and a little devotional and story telling and singing and white elephant (I originally got cologne, but traded it with an elder for a chocolate orange) and some spiritual thoughts from the Woodburys. (And elder ray dressed up like Santa again) The Woodburys are so awesome- they really are like your parents on the mission. And I always feel so much love and support from  them, which is really awesome :)  president Woodbury gave us all a challenge to read the Book of Mormon, starting now, by April general conference, and mark all references to Jesus Christ, and all references to his atonement. I'm super excited for it :) 

Yeah, I don't really have much else to say other than that I just loved it. I love the Woodburys, I love the temple, I love food and Christmas. Hna buys left on a total spiritual high :) I can't even put it into words, so I'll stop trying. :P

To make Friday even better, we got packages and we finally got my bus pass in the mail :) BEST DAY EVERRRRR....

Hna buys and I got Ecuadorian food this week, which included some random thing called guata, which we ate... It's cow stomach. Check that off the bucket list!

I haven't had too many weird things on the mission, but let me just share one thing- if you don't know what it is, the only weird part is really just the texture. Other than that, it's fine :)

We had a lesson this week with an active member In the ward. Hermana buys shared Ether 12:27 about weakness becoming strength, and we had kind of a cool experience. There's a quote that says something like, "I always know I am under the influence of the Holy Ghost because I learn something from what I said". After hermana buys shared the scripture and her thoughts, I said a couple things about how we have weakness so we can have  the blessing of seeing and experiencing the power of the atonement in our lives. I dunno,I thought it was kinda cool :) and it was something that definitely didn't come from me because I'd never really thought of that before, and I learned from it :) 

Funny thing about missions- they are awkward. I spent the first few weeks trying to NOT be awkward or socially weird, but it's impossible if you want to be a good missionary. Walking up to random people and talking to them about Jesus or god is weird. Wearing long skirts is generally socially unacceptable. Being Bold and telling people to repent is kind of absurd.... Etc. 

but it's something we gotta do :) we constantly are crossing boundaries and being pushed out of comfort zones. 

Sister graham talked about how her name tag gave her the permission to be socially unacceptable. It was the best.

Then I started thinking about the bible and the Book of Mormon. Ha it's never really been 'hip' to believe In Christ. It wasn't socially acceptable for Noah to build an ark. It was weird and kind of absurd for Moses to lift up a staff with a serpent and tell people to look and be healed. It was never 'cool' for Nephi to be righteous. Abinadi preached even when the whole city hated him. Captain Moroni very powerfully told his enemy very bluntly that The Lord would deliver him into his hands. It wasn't ok for Paul to sail and travel around telling people of their false traditions. Jesus Christ was hated and plotted against and killed for saying things contrary to what the people wanted to believe. It wasn't socially acceptable for Joseph Smith to testify that He saw God the father and his son Jesus Christ. It's weird when you leave the party because of drugs or alcohol. ETC

ha long story short... Being a representative of Jesus Christ, or following him, has never been cool or socially acceptable. And... It never will be. Being righteous has a history of going against the grain. You can't live with the world and live with Christ. Doesn't work like that. Chose one and stick with it. Ha it's kinda funny how that works. I hope that came across in writing the way I've been thinking and feeling about it. If not,oh well :) 

Wel, Christmas time again.. I'm excited for it :) Hna buys and i have Christmas presents for people were going to be visiting in the next couple days- got loooots of people to visit. But it will be fun :) I'm grateful for my raw and simple Christmas that is focused on service and others, and the birth of our savior. It's a beautiful thing :)  

Thanks to those who sent packages and cards- I really appreciate all of them :) and sorry I've been so lousy at writing people cards and letters the past couple weeks.i promise I'll try to get better. But know that I love you all and am so grateful for each and every one of you :)

Tell liv I thought of her on her birthday, and I'm sorry I didn't get a postcard off to her. Sorry I haven't sent you Christmas presents. I'm working on it :) I kind of forgot about Christmas until last week, so you'll probably get more of an awkward mid-January present package. It's the thought that counts, right? :) and I kind of have an excuse... Kind of... 

Love you all so much!! 

¡Feliz Navidad!

Hermana walton