Week 25: For unto US a child is born!

Navidad with Familia Hernandez

¡Feliz Navidad a todos!

I hope this email finds all of you well this Christmas day. For some, Christmas is a difficult time– but thanks to the reason for the season, we can receive comfort and hope in our difficult times, pains, guilt, and sadness. I know that Jesus Christ lives and is my Savior and your Savior. And that is why we celebrate!

This week was incredibly up and down but here are some things I learned.

---Prayers are answered. It may take a long time and a lot of prayers, but God always fulfills righteous desires in His time.

---When circumstances are inconvenient, try laughing with God and then accept the challenge He has given you with a growth mindset.

---Faith is everything. As missionaries, we often teach faith without works is dead. This applies for those first learning the Gospel. But for those of us who are familiar with the Gospel, we must remember that works without faith are dead.

---I have the best mission president in the world.

---Christmas Eve in Honduras is wild. Legit sounds like an active warzone on all sides. I love it.

---I am a pro at making tortillas by hand.

We saw a Christmas miracle this week and Rebeca's mom gave her permission to be baptized! However, she is facing some struggles with friends and the Word of Wisdom now so please keep her in your prayers so she can overcome this challenge and be baptized January 3rd!

Christmas on my mission has been incredible and filled with so much joy as I have been able to focus more on Christ this year and help others do the same.

Alma 11:40 “And he shall come into the world to redeem his people; and he shall take upon him the transgressions of those who believe on his name; and these are they that shall have eternal life.” Believe on His name this Christmas! (And always!) I also invite everyone to give a gift to our Savior this year. Think about what He wants this Christmas and then watch how much your life will improve as you strive to give our gift to Him.

Merry Christmas! I love you!

Élder Snyder