December 19th- Jesus Once Was a Little Child, a Little Child Like Me!

Merry Christmas Friends and Family,

    

Sorry if you got a random e-mail from me earlier this week. My email has been having problems recently so I apologize.

There is so much good news to share with you this week!!! Lance was baptized this Saturday and it was amazing! He is truly converted and I know that those who attended his baptism felt the spirit and was changed by what they experienced there. 

Lance is the Tall one!

Also this week I got a chance to see some old friends (aka RM's that I used to serve with at the beginning of my mission). Instead of Elder Stratton and Sisters Child's and Redford they are now Taylor, Mindy, and Shayla... but their happiness and strong spirits haven't changed a bit! I love them! 

Working at the Temple for Christmas Lights has been so fun! Everyone who does not have the gospel feels the missing piece in their lives. Those who come to Christmas Lights begin to feel what that missing piece might be and are given the opportunity to receive answers to
their questions as they refer themselves to be taught by the missionaries the beautiful message of the restored gospel. That is why so many miracles happen... thousands of people attend... and we have what they are all looking for!

I love serving the Lord. Once we give ourselves to Him, He has this great way of molding us into something so much greater that we ever thought we could be. I am always amazed at God's love and care for me!

Here's a couple more thoughts for week:

The Boy and the Christus

This week in Sacrament meeting a woman told a story of a young boy who ran into the Visitors' Center and right up to the Christus (Large statue of Jesus Christ). His father called to him and told him to stop but he boy replied by saying "Don't worry daddy, He likes children"

That little boy knew the Savior well and felt of His love. Isn't it great how even children can understand God's love. No matter our level of understanding we can all feel of God's love and have a personal relationship with Him because He does love us and is our father. We
can all learn a little something from the children around us who see the world with pure and accepting eyes. Children are humble and meek and forgiving. We should all strive to be a little more childlike as the Savior taught us in.... 

Matthew 18:3-4
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

NO EFFORT IS WASTED

“Father, where shall I work today?”
And my love flowed warm and free.
Then He pointed out a tiny spot
And said, “Tend that for me.”
I answered quickly, “Oh no; not that!
Why, no one would ever see,
No matter how well my work was done;
Not that little place for me.”
And the word He spoke, it was not stern;
He answered me tenderly:
“Ah, little one, search that heart of thine.
Art thou working for them or for me?
Nazareth was a little place,
And so was Galilee.”

--Meade McGuire

We may feel that because our service and kind efforts are so unrecognized that what we do doesn't matter... but I know that God knows everything we do and will add to us His blessings and strength as we continue to serve Him. An English speaking stateside mission
seemed to be very "small" and unworthy of praise and recognition when I received my mission call. But I know that this small corner of the Lord's vineyard is mine to tend and that the praise and glory of the world mean nothing to God. I try to serve HIM every day and express gratitude for this opportunity to serve where He needs me... and I would never want to be anywhere else than where the Lord wants me to be.

MAKING ROOM FOR CHRIST

"On that night in Bethlehem there was no room for him in the inn, and this was not the only time during the thirty-three years of his sojourn in mortality that there was no room for him. Herod sent soldiers to Bethlehem to slay the children. There was no room for Jesus in the domain of Herod, so his parents took him to Egypt. During his ministry, there were many who made no room for his teachings--no room for the gospel he taught. There was no room for his miracles, for his blessings, no room for the divine truths he spoke, no room for his
love or faith. He said to them, “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head” (Matthew 8:20).

Even in our day, although two thousand years have passed, there are many who say the same thing that was said on that night in Bethlehem. “There is no room, no room” (see Luke 2:7). We make room for the gifts, but sometimes no room is made for the giver. We have room for the commercialism of Christmas and even pleasure-seeking on the Sabbath day, but there are times when there is not room for worship. Our thoughts are filled with other things--there is no room.

While it will be a beautiful sight to see the lights of Christmas … , it is more important to have human lives illuminated by an acceptance of him who is the light of the world. Truly we should hold him up as our guide and exemplar."

I am so excited for Christmas and I hope everyone has a wonderful
Christmas Season!
With Love,
Sister Zimmerman