Christmas Eve Activity at the Temple Visitors' Center

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A Very Merry Hawaiian Christmas!

Aloha!!

What a great week!

First!  We had interviews with our Mission President - President Warner - which I always love.  They are only 15 minutes and only happen every 3 months, but are so uplifting.  He is so nice and him and his wife get to come to the Temple Visitors' Center so we get to see her too.  They are always happy.

Second! Christmas Eve! My companion and I put together the Christmas Eve Activity for our Zone  Elders and Sisters.  We worked really hard to get all of it done and I was so happy that it all worked out.  We decorated the VC according to different events that happened in the life of Jesus Christ [more pictures on sisterlindsayevans.blogspot.com] because that is why we celebrate His birth isn't it?  Everyone got to walk through the different places and become "witnesses" of Jesus Christ.  Although he was not actually there, the spirit was very sweet as we all walked through.  I am so thankful for Him. 

Third!  Christmas!!  We got up. Studied.  Skyped family - this only happens twice a year and I loved it so much.  It was so good to see them all.  My family is the greatest!!  Then we caroled to people in our ward.  We did some missionary work.  We had dinner with the VC Sisters [yumm].  We had a gift exchange and each gift was related to an attribute of Christ.  Then to finish the night we watched a film of a play called Forgotten Carols.  The music was great and the message was even better.  I highly recommend it.  

My thoughts this week have to do with Peace again.  Peace is just so powerful.   My thought this week were how water is related to peace.  Many know that Christ is also called the Living Water.  Peace comes from Him like it comes from a peaceful river.  I love 1 Nephi 20:18 that says when we keep the commandments we will have "peace ... as a river".  

I love you all and a very merry Christmas too you.  I have such a strong testimony of Jesus Christ and I am so blessed that imperfections and all, I have the opportunity of representing and serving Him for these precious 18 months.  I love my calling.  How will YOU represent Him??

Much love and aloha,

Sister Lindsay Evans

Photo 1 - On our way to deliver some "Good News" if you know what I am saying.  If you don't... Gospel = Good News

 

Photo 2 -  A kind member who fed us Christmas lunch! These are my Visitors' Center Sister Friends by the way. 

 

 

Mele Kalikimaka!!

Aloha Everyone!! And Mele Kalikimaka!!

Can you believe it is almost Christmas?!  This year has been so wonderful and I am so grateful that for me half of it has been on a mission and serving Jesus Christ as well as the wonderful people of Hawaii.  What part of 2015 are you grateful for? :)

In YSA right now the wards are combined because so many went home for Christmas.  The work is going well too.  We had another of our wonderful friends to whom we always teach lessons come to church.  She is so sweet.  I think something that helps people to keep commitments is to read the scriptures with them.  The scriptures truly invite the spirit into our lives and they help build a desire in us to follow the Savior.  

Christmas insight?  I heard in church that everything about the Savior is humble and it all started with His humble birth.  Humility is an attribute of His that I am always trying to acquire.  I know it brings joy.  

Many members of the church here have been so kind this season and blessed us with gifts and love in so many ways.  They are so kind and such a wonderful example to me.   Help someone else this Christmas season and experience the joy and love that Heavenly Father has for His children.  

Also I have been thinking a lot about virtue.   I have the strongest testimony that when we have virtue we will have the ability to be confident in the presence of God.  Virtue can have a lot of different meanings, but I want to invite you to come up with a definition for YOU.   For me it is having thoughts and desires that are worthy, positive, uplifting, loving, and so much more.  It is thinking as our Savior would about our daily lives and this wonderful Plan of Happiness and Redemption.  

I sincerely wish you all a Merry Christmas from Hawaii!

Aloooooha!!

-Sister Lindsay Evans

Photo 1 -  Christmas cookie decorating!!

Photo 2 -  One of those beautiful Hawaiian mornings from my backyard.  

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Six Months of Life-long Lessons

ALOHA!

Oh man, missions are the best.  I hit my six month mark this week [December 10th]! Crazy!  I have learned so many lessons during this time period and I am being prepared for my next adventure post-mission.  Don't get me wrong though, I am SO glad I have one more year to serve.  I am thankful for all that I have learned and will continue to learn. 

Some things I have learned are...

-Humility

-Diligence

-Obedience

-CHARITY & Love

-Patience

-Faith

The list could go on.  Am I perfect?  Far from it, but I am so grateful for Gods help in learning these important life-long lessons.  Also, you may notice that this list is very simple.  The gospel is simple too and oh so beautiful.  We all have different ways of learning the same wonderful lessons.  How has God taught you??  What is He teaching you now??

Yesterday a women walked up to me a few minutes before the VC closed and started talking all about one thing - peace.  I will never forget it.  She said that Satan can imitate so many "fruits of the spirit" such as joy and love, but he cannot imitate peace.  "That is the one thing, he cannot touch," she said.  She told me that she realized this on her mission in France and that she has studied it ever since and gave me a few insights such as three different aspects of peace.

1. Peace with God - This comes from knowing who you are, a child of God, and knowing your purpose.
2. Peace with Yourself - This comes from applying the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
3. Peace with Others - This comes naturally in relationships when the first two are in place.

I am sure there is a lot more two it than that, but I just thought that was amazing.  Giving me peace has been one of God's greatest gifts to me and I loved her wonderful insights.  

How will YOU become more like Christ this Christmas season??

I promise you it will bring you more peace and happiness than anything else.

I love you all!  Mahalo nui loa [Thank you very much] to you all for supporting me on my mission.  I am truly loving it. 

-Sister Lindsay Evans

Photo 1 - I am losing my wonderful German companion this week!!  She is done with her mission and returning with honor. I will miss you Sister Merkel!

Photo 2 - Written by a little boy who came into the Visitors' Center.  On the topic of children, this week we were having lunch with a family who has a little boy named Ethan.   Sitting at the table, Ethan put his hands under the table.  "No hands!"  he said.  And then he would pull them out and start laughing.  He got such a kick out of it!  He kept laughing and laughing and before I knew it, I was crying.  It was the most pure sound I have ever heard.  There is no other way to describe it than pure joy.  I love children.  This season may we remember that the very founder of Christmas was a child himself.  

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