Merry Christmas 2017

December 25, 2017

Dear Mom and Dad, Family and Friends!  Merry Christmas!  

7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and

laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn .

8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch

over their flock by night.

9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round

about them: and they were sore afraid.

10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great

joy, which shall be to all people.

11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour , which is Christ the Lord .

13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising

God, and saying,

14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace , good will toward men.

I love these scriptures and the principle that Hna. Pressgrove taught me.

I have always wondered what it was like to be a shepherd or a wise man who saw the

Savior and these glorious signs of his coming.  But we were there!

On this glorious day when our Savior, Jesus Christ was born, we proclaimed triumphantly

in this heavenly host.  Glory to God, that His son, our Savior and Redeemer, our friend,

our rock and protection from Satan, our example, was born!  

Merry Christmas Mom and Dad and all my wonderful family and friends.  I am so grateful

for our Savior and His birth, His life, His atonement.  He lives today!! And through Him we

can live together as family forever!

Love,  

Elder Matheson

Hamburgers with Olga y Ernesto.  We got permission from President, and we were able

to stay up until 12:00 celebrating Christmas.  They ate a yummy pork and Hna. Olga made

us these delicious burgers and fries (since we are not allowed to eat pork) right before

midnight as we were getting ready for bed.  The glorious chorus of fireworks then started.  

I think the fireworks were maybe almost as loud as the heavenly host but not quite as

beautiful. But it sure was awesome!

Intercambio with Elder Chapman to Catoca!  This is a huge Catholic church there.

And...A little from the Christmas Skype conversation with Elder Matheson:

Today for Christmas we were able to visit Familia Escobar (a wonderful family we taught and baptized during the early part of my mission), and it was super amazing. Elder Harris and I are in the 8th ring and the Escobars, are on other side of the city, but we were given permission to take a taxi and visit them. Our drivers even gave us a ride for a very good price or free. The Escobars made us a huge pescano – a huge fish Christmas lunch. They also do the very best chicken. We learned that the Escobars are expecting a 2nd child. Hermano Escobar is the ward mission leader, and his wife is serving in the Relief Society. They are both super strong and active and have helped 4 or 5 more families in their ward area get baptized. They are going to be sealed in the Temple as a family in May. It was wonderful to see them doing so well!

Singing Noche de Paz For My Family

The people of Bolivia think I am 30 years old!  Here people who are 40 look like they are 27, and the people who are 20 look like teenagers.

People really watch what we are doing.  When we live the standards of the Gospel of Jesus Christ we can help prepare people to receive the gospel.  Alan, one of our new investigators, asked to meet with the missionaries because of the super good standards of his girlfriend.

If you see someone at church that is new, please go talk to them!