Pongo mi Confianza en mi Salvador (I put my trust in my Savior)

Happy Holidays everyone!

I hope everyone is enjoying there few weeks off of school! We had a decent week this week here in Tepoztlàn and San Andres. We worked hard amidst the crazy celebrations going on in Tepoz. Right now the catholic church is doing what are called posadas. Every night they have a program in all the churches where everyone goes to get candy, light fireworks and in some cases to get super drunk. So it was tough to find success as most people are not in their houses. So we have tried to work with the members more and with the less actives a ton. But of the few lessons we were able to teach, the Spirit was so strong as we bore testimony of the Savior and His restored Gospel. We did a fun stake youth activity on Saturday morning in Cuernavaca where each missionary took 4 youth from the ward and contacted the local park. We did so for 2 hours and I let the youth take over in my group to bear testimony of the Gospel and then write down the information of the people so the missionaries could stop by another day. It was a huge success even though of the hundred references we got, none are in our 2 areas. But we were happy because we saw the light in the youths eyes light up as they were able to share their beliefs with complete strangers. They are going to become great missionaries! On Thursday we had a special Christmas mission conference with 3 zones and President Spaanaus. It was super fun!!! We started by playing white elephant with the 50 elders and sisters that were there and I got a sick hammock!!!! Tooo bad there isnt room in our little house but hopefully ill be able to use it in others areas. Then we had a talent show where we saw a ton of AWESOME talents!!! Our district did a skit of the Scrooge story Missionary style. I was Scrooge and my companion was Elder Cratchett. I was a missionary that had a terrrible first Christmas in the mission and I didn't like the mission anymore. Elder Cratchett was an enthusiatic new missionary. I brought down his spirits by telling him how bad Christmas is in the mission and how he wasn't going to talk to his family or get presents from family or friends. Elder Cratchett gets discouraged and in the night the 3 ghosts visit me and you get the picture. I turn everything around and we have a great Christmas as we work hard bringing souls unto Christ. It turned out really well and we had a lot of fun. President Spannaus then gave a talk that changed my life. He talked of all the things that people put their trust in or the things that bring people happiness. A great loving family, a successful career, lots of money, lots of assets, skills in sports, social skills. He then snapped his fingers and said all these things can end and be taken from us in an instant. The only thing that cannot be taken from us is our relationship with our Savior Jesus Christ. I want everyone to know that I am here on the mission, inviting people to come unto Him for only one reason. I am not here to impress my friends. I am not here to bring honor to my family. I am not here to learn another language. I am not here to travel the world and get to know different types of people. I am here because I love Him and I put my trust in Him. His Atonement has changed me completely and I am the person I am today because of Him. I love Him and celebrate His birth this year by inviting people to follow His perfect example.

Have a Great Christmas!!!

Elder Stutz