WEEK 20 - IN WONDERING AWE

MERRY CHRISTMAS, ONE AND ALL!!! This is your favorite Missionary, Elder Zachary Weber, checking in once again to report on what's been going down in the Fossil Creek Ward recently. And, I'll be honest--not much has happened recently teaching-wise. Due to the icy conditions out on the roads and the rough schedules with the families that we work with in our ward, this week just hasn't been all that easy for us and our work as Missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. However, that doesn't mean that this last week has been a total waste of our time, nor are we saying that it's been uncomfortable for us. In fact, this week has been one of the best weeks I've ever had the wonderful opportunity of experiencing so far on my mission. Though I've been far from my family during this spectacular holiday season, I have been able to enjoy every single minute of it, and grown closer to the true meaning of this happy holiday.

Christmas Eve  with Bishop Cleverly and his family

So, how did Christmas go down for Elder V and I this year?

Playing HeadBanz with the Cleverly Family

It all started out on Christmas Eve, early in the morning. After rising slowly from our beds and getting ready for the day, we piled into the Battle Wagon once again and drove off to the furthest corner of our area, visiting the families that lived there, and leaving a few loving Christmas Messages. We were happy to stop by Brother Holm, who was busy working on his house once again, and who told us that he was happy to get some help from us, if we could give it. We began a long and frustrating search throughout the Ward, searching for leftover cardboard boxes that Brother Holm could use to pack up his house for the move. Though we couldn't find any that day, we got some members of the Ward to work together this next Tuesday in helping him box up his belongings, get the painting done, and clean up his house--all things he has mentioned needing help with doing. After that, we stopped by the Camarao family, just as Sister Camarao's father stopped by for a surprise visit. After talking with Brother Camarao for a few minutes, both Elder V and I felt a bit awkward and intrusive, so we politely stepped back out of the house and headed on our way, wishing the Camaraos a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year on our way out.

 

Busting into the Christmas stockings

 

That evening, Elder V and I were happy to join the Cleverlys for Christmas Eve dinner and a few of their family's Christmas traditions. The dinner was wonderful, as it always is at the Cleverlys' house (except for the fact that they didn't have corn souffle!), and after we had ate our fill, Sister Cleverly whipped out a chocolate cheesecake for dessert, a very delectable treat, if I do say so myself. While enjoying the cake and waiting for the rest of the evening to wind down, Elder V and I played a fun game of Headbandz with Bishop Cleverly's sons. It was fun to watch us struggle to figure out what we were, when to everyone else at the table what we were was absolutely obvious (once, I had snake, and even after asking if I was a pet, had fur, and had legs, I still couldn't figure it out!). Once we'd had our fill of joking around with each other, Bishop Cleverly had us gather in the Entertainment Room for a Spiritual Christmas Message. He asked us what was our favorite scripture that talks about Christ, and asked us to bear our testimony on the Savior. I realize I usually only do one Spiritual Message each email, but I thought it'd be appropriate to mention what I said that Christmas Eve night.

 

Mini Christmas trees for the elders and presents
from the sweet members of the Fossil Creek Ward.

 

"And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities. Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me. (Alma 7:11-13)"

 

So grateful for the ward members that showed Elder Weber and V so much love
this holiday while they were away from their families.

 

What stands out the most to me with this passage of scripture is the last part; "Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh..." Christ, being born of Spirit and of Man, was able to know all things perfectly from a spiritual aspect. And, because of that, He could have understood perfectly how to help us out of our sins without having to experience all the pains of Gethsemane and Galgotha. However, Christ loves us far more than just that. He loves us so much, that even though He understood our pains from a spiritual and mental angle, He willingly took upon Himself our pains and infirmities so that He could know and understand our pains and griefs from a physical and emotional angle as well. Because of Christ's love for us, He took upon Himself all the pains and sicknesses and infirmities of this world, so that He could be our perfect Savior and Redeemer, our perfect companion during this long and terrible journey in this wretched yet wonderful world. Saying that I'm grateful for what Christ has done for me doesn't even scratch the surface for what I feel from His sacrifice. He is the reason I've given up two years of my life to spread the Gospel--because He loved me enough to suffer for me, I'm out here to help others learn of the love He has for them as well.

 

So cute that one of the children from the ward gave
Elder Weber Legos.

 

After the testimonies were all said and done, we quickly ran back downstairs to our home and slid into bed, ready for Christmas Day. That morning, Elder V and I ran off to the Baer's house for Christmas Breakfast and the chance to open a few presents. Little did we know, however, that these "few presents" were actually about a dozen different wrapped packages for Elder V and myself, nestled under our very own miniature Christmas Trees! If I recall right, I got several different Japanese treats from a Brother that had served in Japan on his mission (really glad I mentioned my love for Japanese culture when I met him), at least six different ties, and a small LEGO set from the Baer's youngest boy (don't tell the Mission President!). After the presents had all been unwrapped and the action had died down some, Elder V and I sauntered down into the Baer's basement, where we played a rousing game of pool with their eldest son, Max, who was just about to leave for college at BYU. We finally decided to head on our way when the Baers began their preparations for the Christmas call their daughter was going to give them from her mission.

 

Playing a little pool on Christmas Day

 

Speaking of which, right after we returned from the Baers' house, Bishop Cleverly called me upstairs from our basement home, saying he'd finished getting the skype ready for my Christmas call with my family. I wish I had a picture of my and my mom's face when the screen lit up, and we were able to see each other once again, for the first time in four months. Mom, Dad, Katie, Becky, Belle, they were all there, and all doing well. It was so nice to see them all again, and hear their voices. They've seemed to have grown up a bit since the last time I saw them, and according to them, so have I. They waited until the skype to open the presents I sent them, which I was very grateful for, as I was able to see their ecstatic expressions the very minute they opened their gifts. As the time wound down, I got some nice one-on-one time with each of my family members, chatting aimlessly about how things were going with me, and how things were going with them. It was really nice, but kind of sad too, because I knew that the time was almost up, and I'd have to say that painful word once more--goodbye. My mom asked if I could close us with a prayer before the call could end, which I gladly did. Then, with tears in my eyes, I closed the message, both more joyful and more hurt than I have ever been before in my life.

 

I had just learned what it really meant to be homesick.

 

However, even though I'm far from my family, and feeling these less-than-happy feelings, I couldn't be happier. I came out on a mission because I have a wonderful blessing in my life--I know that though I am separated from my family for now, I will be with them again for time and all eternity. For I have been reborn in Christ, and entered into His fold. I have taken upon me the sacred and hallowed covenants made in the temple of my God that allow me to be sealed with my mom and my dad even after we have all left this earthly life behind. I know this to be true, and so I exert every possible part of me in spreading this truth to others who seek it, that they may take part in the glorious blessings our Heavenly Father is waiting eagerly to give us. That is why I am out here--away from my family for now, so that other families can be together forever. That is my calling, and it could not be possible without my Savior, and our Savior, Jesus Christ. He made it possible for all of us to be saved, from our sins, from our griefs, even from death itself. He made this possible for us, and now I serve Him, so that others may know of His work, and might come unto him with happiness and joy.

 

That is what I was able to relearn this Christmas Season.

 

So, with that in mind, I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas Season, and a wonderful New Year. And if you have questions or concerns about your life, make it your New Year's resolution to seek these answers out. Who knows? You just might find exactly what you never knew you were looking for--absolute and eternal joy. And this I say in closing, in His name, even the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

 

--Elder Z.S.Weber