a christmas package from elissa!

By Bethany: Last weekend I got a surprise call from Elissa's mission president's daughter Molli! She had gone to visit her parents for the holidays and came back with a package for us from Elissa! I met her in Orem to pick up the package and then my family came into Provo that very night to bring Kendra back to BYU, so we all treasured the package together. She threw in some treats for each of us and for several of her friends. We got a few sweet Argentine pop CD's, some of her favorite artificial sweet bread, and lots of Alfajors. The most special gifts were the 2 little nativities made by her and Lily (which you read a little bit about in this post). We took a few pics and sent them to Elissa last night before she checked her e-mail this morning.

Elissa's response:

Yay! I am sooooo happy that your little package of love got there! I love Molli!!

I have the prettiest family.

you will have to make me pretty when i come home.

i love these pics. oh my gosh!!!

man i miss you all sooo much.

good job casey with the cool cd

Isn't Molli just great? she rocks. and she is going to be the best missionary ever.

I cannot believe you all did a fun little road trip. Jealous. I miss that drive lots.

Currently it is hot. It is really hard because we just walk for hours in the heat and I just want to be in a pool or our really dark cool basement. But thankfully God sends His missionaries little tender mercies. Yesterday after walking for HOURS trying to find some new people to teach, offer service, help, whatever they need, etc. we decided to stop by a members home (also because we wanted to use the bathroom), Maria (Love her!!!), and she gave us some orange pop. We also had a really great experience as we shared a scripture. It was a little pick-me-up. Sometimes our little blessings are orange pop and a warm feeling that doesn´t come from the dead heat.

Something that I have been so amazed at is how important the members of the church are. We don´t realize our own influence sometimes. The members, on their own, made a little basket of food/goodies for Gloria and Diego and their babies. One family had them over for New Years. And they have made them feel completely welcome at church. It is not "missionary work" it is the work of the Lord. It is people helping people come unto Christ. Others helping others realize that they are children of God and what we should do Because of that.

Anyway, I am just grateful for tender mercies. I love you and I love the Lord.

Hermanita Urban