December 1, 2014

"Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas."

- Calvin Coolidge

We all know what this time of year brings, feasts with family, shopping all day to get the best prices on gifts, trying to finish a semester of school, rushing around trying to get our family together time all set up and planned. This is great. However, let us THIS Christmas Season rather than trying to buy and receive, let's slow down for a few minutes and remember WHY we have this time of the year. What is the true purpose? What does Christmas really mean anyway? As a seminary teacher once said, "It means 'más Cristo.' It means that it is a time to let Christ even more into our lives." A less than 3 minute movie that the church is releasing this time of year is called, "He is the Gift." It can be found at christmas.mormon.org. I encourage all to watch it and then think about it for a little time. What are the 3 things that you can do THIS Christmas season?

Well, this week was amazing. We had a baptism this week of a wonderful little 11 year-old girl. She has been such a pleasure to teach. We found her due to the baptism we had like a month ago or so. She came to us and asked if she could be baptized too because she said that she had felt something very special about the baptism we had. I have loved every appointment that we have had with this little girl. She has been such a pleasure to teach. I’m so glad that I had the opportunity to be able to teach her.

This week, I had the wonderful pleasure of becoming legal again in Chile. I went to get my visa renewed, and it was really interesting to have that happen. I went to bed at 11:30 like normal here in Chile, woke up at 4:30 to get ready really quick, donned my white shirt and tie, placed my name tag which bears the name of Christ on my shirt, and headed out the door. We arrived to the area to start the process at about 7 in the morning and began waiting. This is after about an hour of walking, taking the subway, and just getting around. We got there and waited for about an hour, and then we went to get the visa renewed. We got that done and then walked about 15 minutes to go and get registered with the police. Then, we went to the main building to get my fingerprints taken and get my ID card for Chile. Well, I’m finally in the system. I've never had my prints taken before.

I have had such a wonderful time here in Chile. I love going to help other people. I have never felt such a thrill to help serve other people. I know that this work is true, and I know that I’m here for a reason... that is to help share the news that Jesus Christ IS our savior and is both WILLING and ABLE to help us. I love you all and look forward to hearing about how YOU shared the gift this Christmas Season.

Elder Gale