December 15, 2008, Elder Milner

Paneton‏

Hey, I can´t believe that mom, dad, Bryan and Carli are all going to Utah. Didn´t you guys just get back from Hawaii? Man alive, its like you guys can´t sit still! No, that is really great that you get to go to Utah and temple square at Christmas time. I think that would be one of the most magnificent sights.
And to answer your question, no I have not as of yet received the package yet for Christmas. I am praying that it comes this Saturday, as it is the last chance, but if not, then it will still be okay. It means a lot that you sent one (sentimental moment), and that is really all that matters. But I will still be a happy camper if it comes this Saturday.
Things are going well as always here. Its also above thirty degrees here, surreal to think that it is below thirty degrees in Canada! Oh well, I will be having a brown Christmas, and you will be having a white one. But it is still Christmas, and we still celebrate the day that the world received it´s light, Jesus Christ.
We are working really hard this month to reach our goal in the ward of eight baptisms. We have another set of missionaries in the Ward, and our Bishop and President Fierro set the goal of 8. We know that this goal is inspired, and that if we do all we can, miracles can happen. Especially during this time of year when the Savior is so close to the hearts of the people. We are hoping to have Victoria Torres and her daughter Stephanie, Felipe Huallanca, Marcelina de Vega, Patricia Quispe be baptized this 27, and we are praying really hard for them. Yes, we have started doing a little bit of cooking of our food now, but in the microwave. Ha! But we will probably have to start making our own suppers now, so we will work on that. I can´t believe how time is flying here! We are only ten days away from Christmas!
We had an interesting lesson with a less active member named Juan Alvalos the other day, and we received a little bit of a inspiration for this work in total. We were having a hard time reaching into the reasons for why he was not coming to church, why he really didn´t have a desire to change, and why he didn´t care to live like a member of the church. We were teaching the message of the restoration, and he was pensive, and listening pretty well. Then we taught about the Book of Mormon. The Spirit was really strong at this moment, and we realized that he had a need in this. We asked him about the Book of Mormon, and listened. It turned out that he did not really have a testimony of the Book of Mormon, and really never had. We committed him to read and pray about it, and he accepted. What a blessing from the Lord! We were able to discern his need, and teach with the Spirit. It was a grand experience.
I know this church is true. I know that the Priesthood really is the power and authority of God on the earth. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior, and all this is possible, only through Him. Love you all, and have a great week.

Elder Milner