I am completely overwhelmed..

by the love and spirit of this holiday season... The Season to REMEMBER... remember our Savior Jesus Christ. I have been studying.. In the Book of Mormon recently.. and realized.. the people that were affected by the famines and wars where the ones that forgot there Savior.. Nephi counsels them to never forget the Lord. I was thinking to myself.. "How often do I forget the Lord?" It is a question worth pondering.. "How often do we forget the Lord?" It may not seem very often.. but.. How often do we feel like we can accomplish things on our own, or we are to busy to pray.. or read and study the scripture? It is so important for us to rely on our Savior.. In every thought, in every action. He will lead the way for us.. If we Remember
and follow Him. Those of us who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints... even covenanted to ALWAYS Remember Him. This may be my new years resolution.. to Remember more fully my Savior in all things.

So for the Miracles this week:

We had a really good appointment with our investigator Arlene. She is a neat lady and has been reading the Book of Mormon a lot.. every time she talks about it she tears up. She told us she knows it is true and that she wants to be baptized! :) It is so incredible to see the spirit work in peoples lives..

Sally another woman we have been meeting with has been also studying the Book of Mormon a lot as well.. She really desires to come to church.. so first of the year she said she would be able to! We had a member lined up to come teaching with us .. she let us know that her little girl would be coming with her because she forgot that she got out of school early that day... come to find out Sally's grandchildren got out of school early too! The two girls were the same age in the same grade at the same school in classrooms right next to each other! They played and had a good time while we were teaching the lesson! :) It was a miracle.

We stopped by a less-active member of our ward (who I have stopped by at least 7 times since I've been in this area and never found her home) She was HOME! We weren't able to speak to her long but talked to her daughter who lives with her. She was really interested in learning more and so we talked to her all about the BOM and invited her to church! She said she would like to come! I love when I am able realize.... that we are going to places sometimes not for just the people we plan to see.. but for all those in our path.

Also... Yesterday at church there were 4 less-actives and 3 investigators at church! 2 of the less-actives are ones we have been working with! It was pretty great to be able to see them there and I know the spirit was just so strong during the Christmas program.. ... It was the best birthday present ever... :)

I have just recently decided to start reading the BOM over I am excited about it and I am learning a lot.. I got a new blue book.. and Iam highlighting... the verses that have to do with "OUR PURPOSE"... faith, repentance, baptism, holy ghost, and enduring to the end... I'm also highlighting... warnings, and blessings.. and references to the Atonement... The book is new to me.. I love it! I get excited ever day to read. I was thinking about the things we learned in our Zone Conference this week it was all about the Book of Mormon.. We talked about how it is KEY in our conversion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and how without the Book of Mormon we have no religion! But Luckily we do have it .. and we can read about it ponder and pray about it every single day! So I asked myself the question... "Do I believe that the BOM is true?" YES.. the answer is yes.. So now I am pondering everyday when I read.. "Why do I need this book in my life every day?" "Why is this book true?" It is changing the way I think and they way I study the Book of Mormon. I am on my journey of figuring out why I need the Book of Mormon.. I know that I need it.

I love this Gospel.. Yesterday.. we sang in the choir.. we sang the song "Because I have been given much" Which was the same song that was sung at my mission farewell.. It brought me to tears to think about the words. "Because I have been blessed by thy great love, dear Lord, I'll share thy love again, according to thy word. I shall give love to those in need; I'll show that love by word and deed: Thus shall my thanks be thanks indeed."

That is why we are here... to try our best to show Heavenly Father our thanks to him for all that he has given to us.. Which is so so much. Incredible... So Incredible.

I LOVE YOU ALL! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Sister Kaitlyn Pallas

I am so grateful for you all!

It is quite an experience being away from home around Christmas time. I don't really know how to describe it or explain it. BUT just know that I am learning a lot. There would be no better thing to be doing then serving the Lord, as I am away from my family and friends this year. I have thought a lot about my Savior lately.. about His life, His sacrifice, His example, and His Love. I am so grateful for Him. I am grateful that I wear His name over my heart everyday.

So some updates:

It is really cold in Pennsylvania... mostly lately.. it has been around 35 degrees outside. The humidity makes it like freezing. But.. Luckily I have one of the best dads in the world, he really took care of me while I was preparing for my mission and bought me a giant black marshmallow for a jacket that keeps me so cozy!

It has snowed about 3 times.. little snow flurries.. I really enjoy them a lot... because my companion Sister Soolefai gets really excited! (Being from Australia and seeing snow for the first time)

The other day I was studying about PEACE... It was just what I needed to study that day.. (Everyday I am more and more convinced that Heavenly Father knows exactly what I need and all of us need and will guide our thoughts and our actions... IF we let Him.) I asked myself the question.. How do I gain greater peace in my life? This is what I came up with... keeping the commandments, giving service, caring for family and friends, and sharing the gospel. The last one I liked pretty well... seeing is I'm blessed with the opportunity everyday to do just that... and what is the gospel really? ... GOOD NEWS, PEACE, HOPE.. LOVE. All the good stuff! Just do it... share the gospel of PEACE..

John 14:26-27 "The comforter, which is the Holy Ghost the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you my Peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

D&C 6:36-37 "Look unto me in every thought doubt not fear not. Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven."

John 16:33 "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have PEACE. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of GOOD CHEER; I have overcome the world!"

It is in Our Savior that we find peace in our lives.. in the gospel of Jesus Christ.. we can find real JOY!

Jesus

Others

Yourself (learned this from my mom.. her favorite word is JOY!!)

May we all remember our Savior.. at this special time of year!

Sister Kait Pallas