¡feliz año nuevo mi familia!

My darling family that I love ohhh so very much!!!

I'm sorry I am emailing so late! We wanted to clean the car and so

some other stuff before we emailed today, so sorry about that. But

first off, I still can't get over the fact that I was able to skype

with you just a few days ago!! BEST Christmas present I could have

ever asked for!! I cannot even explain how much I loved it. I'll never

forget it. Haha and it couldn't have started off better. 

When I called

Abby and she just started screeeeeaming!!! Hahaha and my favorite

lines that she said, "Your voice sounds soo beautiful!!!" ... "I just

want to give you a kiss!!!!" .. and then the second she said, "I MISS

YOU!!!!!!" tears came to my eyes and it couldn't have felt better. I

cannot tell you how happy it made me!!!! Hahaha and then we both would

just start screaming again and one time gayyyorg was screaming so loud

it cut up her voice on the phone haha. Ohh it kills me thinking back

on that. It was so special. And then when we SKYPED and I got to see

each of your beautiful faces and hear all of your voices!!!! Ahhhhh

pure JOY. Just seeing everyone in their Christmas pjs, in the family

room, in front of the Christmas tree, in MY home!!!! Amazing. It

honestly could not have been a more beautiful sight!!! I loved it so

much!!! And I still think about the conversations we had all the time.

Remembering what everyone said, their advice, everything.. Haha and

seeing HENRY!!!!! My hennnny hen doggg. Ahhh I miss him!!! He could

not have looked cuter and it made me want to cuddle up with him soo

bad. Miss my little henrick. But that really was soooo much fun and

was exactly what I needed. It truly made my Christmas so special.

So as for my Christmas, you all already heard about most of it... But

after we skyped we had a big Christmas dinner at a members home.

They're a darling big family and have the cutest home, so it felt

homely and was very fun. We actually ended up helping make dinner too

and then afterwards we played a game similiar to that one we love

playing, where you have to write something and people guess who wrote

it?? Anyways, it was soo fun and Hermana Piggott and I were killing

people with our answers. They weren't expecting us to have humors I

guess!! Clean, appropriate humor of course. Haha but then after that

we visited Marcella and Estrella was with her dad at the moment so it

was perfect timing. Marcella was by herself and so our visit made her

very happy. She also expressed her gratitude for all the presents the

Orme's gave her & Estrella, etc. They really went above and beyond. I

think I already told you all they got her.... And how we delivered

them with the whole Orme family on Christmas Eve. It was so special.

But then it was so sweet because as she was saying how grateful she

was for the presents, she said how it really is so important for

people to remember the TRUE meaning of Christmas and remember what

we're really celebrating. Who we're celebrating. That was so special

to me to hear her talk about Christ with such love & admiration. I was

then able to bear my sincere and strong testimony of my loving Savior

and in that moment I truly FELT the spirit of Christmas and my heart

was warmed so much. We then watched the bible video of Christ's birth.

It's so beautiful and again, I felt the spirit so strongly watching

it. I love my Savior, I love Marcella, I love Hermana Piggott and I

love being a missionary.... So the combination couldn't have made me

happier. Which reminds me, I am SO happy you were able to meet Hermana

Piggott!!!!!!! Haha isn't she the cutest!? That was so much fun!!!!! I

got to meet the Piggott fam too and they're so cute. Haha and you got

to meet some of the Elders in my district too!! Kills me. Haha Hermana

Piggott loved seeing you all so much though and still talks about how

excited she is to meet you all in person and get to know you. She

really brings it up a lot actually. Haha probably because I talk about

you all CONSTANTLY. I am obsessed with my family!!!!! Ohh you are all

the cutest!!!! So then after Marcella's, we went caroling with our

district again!! Sooo fun!! This was my favorite thing!! I think I

told you but we went caroling twice on Christmas Eve too. With our

branch and then our district again. But so anyways, this time my voice

wasn't completely there (like how it was when we skyped because I was

getting sick) but I still sang my heart out (even with the rasps) and

it was soo fun!! We went to so many different houses, a hospital/rest

home, passed out candy canes while singing and I loved just seeing

peoples faces light up when they walked outside (or came outside their

rooms in the rest home) and we were singing. Sometimes neighbors would

walk out and listen too. And we went to English and Spanish homes so

we sang in both languages... Haha I loved it!!!! We went to Jesus's

and it was just him and little Maria... It made him sooo happy and he

started singing with us!!! Such a cutie!! He is doing sooo good by the

way. He's changing so much constantly and really growing up. I love

Jesus!!! And I am so proud of him. I can't wait to see where he is in

the future. But we sang for a good while, all just having the best

time together while feeling the spirit so strongly as well. We even

sang at our new investigating families home!!!And then we sang at the

Hamblin's last, the Sister who is obsessed with missionaries haha and

they started crying when we were singing they loved it so much. Then

they invited us all in for treats & hot cocoa. Soo fun!!!! Brother

Hamblin said he kept saying "the Spanish Sisters haven't visited

yet...." And it was super last minute I suggested we went caroling

over there so I was super glad I did!! But then after that Hermana

Piggott and I came home, at curfew haha and the Orme's wanted us to go

over and play games, have treats, etc. but it was too late for us...

Unfortunately.... So we just had some solid bonding time, I dressed up

in a full fledge Santa suit the Hamblin's let us borrow and Hermana

Piggott was Rudolph, we took a picture to send home haha and it was so

much fun. We chatted about tons and tons, pretty much everything and

I'll never forget it. Also, when we both read each other's cards we

had tears in our eyes. I love Hermana Piggott sooo much and she is so

special to me.

Okay and as you know, I was losing my voice and getting sick.. Well

the next day I woke up SUPER sick. My voice was gone and I was sick as

a dogg. I went on with my day as normal though but felt a little off.

I could barely speak and was constantly coughing. Haha I joke with

Hermana Piggott and say coughing has been my best work out on the

mission! I'm getting a 6 pack from it. Hahaha just kiddin. But my

stomach is still sore. Haha no but so after being a sick human all day

and after dinner having Idalia Rodriguez have me drink thick pink

medicine (which embarrassingly took me forever to drink) and stick

this powerful ointment up my nose.. haha what really made my day was

when we came home I had two HUGE wrapped boxes on our front porch,

another box and a package!!! The two huge boxes being from my darling

parents, the box being from Brad & Britt and then a package from

Lauren Haller!!! I loved all the packages I was able to open on

Christmas.. from mom, Abigail, Susan/little David, Lindsay Rosander,

the Haller's, the Egan's... but coming home to all of that!!! And

after I had felt so sick all day.... BEST SURPRISE!!!! My Christmas

continued on and wow..... it was all amazing!!! When I opened both big

boxes, sooooo many perfectly wrapped & darling presents were stacked

and I felt like the giddiest girl!!!! Hahaha we turned on Abby's

Christmas cd, turned on all the Christmas lights in our room, the

lights on the tree... Got in our pjs, and had a second Christmas.

Hermana Piggott got a package from her mom too and I gave her the

gifts & stocking from you mom (ps. the stocking you gave me is

DARLING!!!!!!) so we were both in Heaven. I took lots of pictures but

you should have seen the room after I opened all of the gifts!! It

truly felt like Christmas with all the wrapping paper and boxes

covering the floor. I was in Heaven. But mom & dad, you truly went

ABOVE AND BEYOND!!!!!!! Wow. You spoiled me and I love all you gave me

soooo much!!!!! I wish I could talk to you right now to personally

thank you for all of it. Too much to even get into. But THANK YOU SOOO

MUCH!!!! And Brad & Britt, thank you sooo much!!!! I loved your

present soo much too. You two are so good to me. Then Lauren Haller

gave me the best package as well. She sent me pictures of her

gorgeous, adorable, darling little ones... they really are THE cutest

pictures. You would all die. And then sent me drawings from Elsa &

Lydia that they drew for me!! Lydia drew a Santa and wrote my name and

"LVO LYDIA" haha so cute!! Reminds me of when I used to write, "FO

EMILIE" fo for from haha. And then she drew a nativity which is the

most precious thing.... She drew a picture of a blonde girl.. And then

Elsa drew a picture of more so scribbles and a person too... And

Lauren added a note of where Elsa was trying to write my name and

hers.... They are SOOO DARLING!!!! And mean so much to me. I already

have them up on my wall. So fun. And then she sent me all kinds if

stuff I can use for my mission, including these bookmarks on Christ

which I ended up passing out yesterday in Relief Society/Priesthood

because Hermana Piggott and I taught the class combined!! And our

lesson was on Christ, more specifically the characteristics of Christ.

So it was all amazing!!!! And then I've already told you about Susan's

gift since I was wearing it all when we skyped haha and then the

Haller's and Egan's gave me the best presents as well!! Why am I so

blessed!? And then the NEXT day, I received a package from Shannon

Haller which inside had homemade frames that Trey & Sophie made with

the most adorable pictures inside as well. They look like little model

children. All of Michael's nieces and nephews are sooo beautiful!!!!

But I absolutely loved them as well and have them nicely placed on my

desk. Perfection!! I had received the best gifts!!!!! And of course

these didn't all distract me from the true meaning, it just means sooo

much when people are that thoughtful and think of you. Especially

while I am on my mission and the fact that they take the time to send

something. I am sooo grateful and it means more than anyone will ever

know!!!!!

But other than that, it has been an incredible week however, a

different one with Christmas and everything. But we still got a ton

accomplished and even have a new darling family investigating who we

have now taught twice!! The mom, dad (which is rare) and their 4

little ones. I am so excited to have some new blood!! And we tracked

into them sooo tracting does have its benefits!!! Pray for them. But

let's see... What else has happened real quick, Lorenza and Antonio

both came to church yesterday!!! So BOTH of Yamara's parents came!!!

Esgar would have too but he was in Sacramento watching the Raider's

game.... But that was huge for Lorenza!! Before, she said she wouldn't

even come to Yamara's baptism and now she's coming to church!!! And we

taught her the restoration again the other night and that went

surprisingly way well! I have a feeling she's going to be converted!!

I have a ton of faith in her! And in Antonio too. But the thing is, if

Lorenza is baptized.. So is Esgar. So we're crossing our fingers!!!!!

Other than that, we've actually found quite a few more people but I'll

update you on them next week after we've taught them more. Till then I

have to go!! I am so glad you got my big package though hahaha I hope

you enjoy & embrace all that is inside!! But until then, I love you

all soooo much!!! OH!!! And tell little David CONGRATS on his

engagement for me will ya!? And Haley too!! They are so darling and I

am so excited they're getting married!!! I'm sad I'll be missing it

but I can't wait to hang out with them when I get back haha. And I got

Janie's wedding invitations!!!!! SOO PRETTY!! Wow, they are going to

be a gorgeous bride & groom. So many weddings, so exciting!! And yes!

Ariel Parry got called to ROSEVILLE!!! I just got her email telling

me!!! And what is crazy is she emailed me a couple of weeks ago

randomly asking about the mission, etc. and I didn't have time to

email back then but if I would have I would have mentioned her coming

here!!!! And she IS!!! And Elder Barney and her have been emailing and

now she's coming to our mission!!! Sooo crazy and so exciting. Little

does she know she has been called to the best mission in the world!

And to the BEST mission president!!! I am so excited! She's English

but if we ever have a sister's conference I'll see her, or if I'm

training when she comes, or who knows... We could end up in the same

district or zone!!!! Crazy!!!! Nobody gets called here. I love it. But

okay, I have to go! More to say that I'll have to say later. But I am

so happy everyone had such a magical Christmas and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

I hope we can look forward to a wonderful new year, full of new goals

and adventures. I am super excited for the year of 2014!!!! Woot woot!

Okay, I LOVE YOU.

Con mucho amor, Hermana Barth

Ps. YAMARA IS STILL GETTING BAPTIZED THIS SATURDAY!!!!! It's going to

be AMAZING and I'll write all about it next week!! Sorry this email

has been all over the place. However I am able to type faster on my

little iPad so I was able to squeeze in a lot! Okay, I LOVE YOU

ALL!!!!!!

¡¡¡FELIZ NAVIDAD!!!

Hello my beautiful family!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!! ¡¡¡FELIZ NAVIDAD!!! 

In just 2 days!! Hallelujah!!!

Haha can you believe it's already here!? And that we get to skype and

I get to see each of your beautiful faces this week!?! I cannot even

believe it! I'll give you all the skype information at the end of this

email... But I am soo excited to see each of you and hear your voices

in just a couple of days. My Christmas is already made and my heart is

already warm thinking about it.

So things have been lovely this past week. First off, we got our iPads

haha. We EACH got our own mini iPad 7. Soooo fancy I don't know how to

handle it. Haha at first Hermana Piggott and I were overwhelmed and

wishing we didn't get them, weird I know.. But we don't use the

classic missionary planners or area books anymore. It's ALL on our

iPads. So we plan and do everything on these things. The church as

created an INCREDIBLE app for it all and wow... You would be AMAZED.

If Hermana Piggott isn't skyping while I am, I'll have to show you a

little bit. It's so crazy. And now after every lesson we automatically

update our area book and report about the lesson, it calculates our

numbers and compares them to our daily & weekly goals, it will switch

from investigator to a progressing one when you've entered in the

qualifications, etc. it's honestly the most incredible app I have ever

seen. The church is amazing. And we're only the 14th mission to get

them. California missions... We're so spoiled. 

But yeah, I'll have to

show you. President just made new rules on using them too though...

Like we can't take pictures or videos on them, we can only download

the apps the church hand picked, still cannot use the internet of

course... Except for Facebook (which I still hate and refuse to use)

haha we had to create Facebook pages when I first got here, I just

made a new one and yeah... even though it's completely allowed, I

don't like the feeling I get when I am on so I just choose to not use

it. We've taught one lesson using it and used it to contact Yamara and

Marcella before when they didn't have a phone but other than that....

noooope. Not a fan. Haha we just haven't needed it yet. So I only have

it for emergency reasons I guess you could say haha. But yeah and our

emails are on our iPads so we can now email on them too. And President

said we could at our house if we have wifi!! So weird!! I don't know

how to handle all of these new changes. But the hour still stays the

same and all the rules. And we can't go on our emails until Mondays

still. So that's good haha. But yeah... Missionary work is changing in

many ways and it's crazy to be apart of it! Haha they're making some

things almost too easy. But I know they'll help the work a lot. It's

really organizing everything. We also have every Mormon message,

manual, pamphlet, EVERYTHING you could possibly imagine on one app.

"Gospel Library" .. You should all download it! Oh and so we had the

iPad conference and then a Christmas conference as well with half of

the mission!!! It was sooo spiritual and amazing and we got to hear a

ton of musical numbers. My zone sang The First Noel too which was fun

haha. But my favorite part was being able to hear from President

Weston and his sweet wife. I love him so much. And when I went up to

shake his hand I was smiling away and he said to me, "Are you ever NOT

happy???" Haha I love him!!!! I'll have to tell you more about the

conference later too... It was amazing.

And okay, other than that... Everything is going wonderful! Yamara's

baptismal date is set for January 4th... We were going to do it this

Saturday but a ton of members are going to be gone and we want a lot

of people to come. Her dad wants to have a big fiesta afterwards and

we just had our branch Christmas party on Saturday night. Ahh soo fun.

Us Spanish missionaries helped decorate and set it all up.. We made it

look soo nice with all the decorations Grace Villanueva (the one in

charge) gave us. Haha I'll send pictures as soon as I get a camera

cord! I used to borrow Sister Moultons but she got transferred... So

that's why I haven't been sending any lately!! But it was sooo much

fun. Sooo many people came and less-actives, non-members and

investigators too!! Including the entire Elizondo family!!!! Yamara's

family. And they stayed the entire time!! It was soo fun. Hispanics

love their fiestas!!! Haha but a bunch of Sisters in our branch cooked

all kinds of Mexican dishes.. We even learned how to make tamales with

Hermana Ceja! And then we got a huge star (traditional) piñata which

we hung from a pulley that was on the ceiling in the middle of the

party. It was such a success and we had a huge line of little ones

wanting to hit it. It was a cement piñata though and took forever to

break! Haha and I even got to wack at it. Brother Orme volunteered me

and then everyone started cheering me on. Haha I actually had no

choice. Before I knew it I had my Mexican Sisters grabbing me, taking

off my glasses, blind folding me and spinning me in circles haha. Oh,

and when I started going for it.. I apparently hit it and candy

started pouring out so all the children ran to grab some.. And I heard

everyone screaming so I thought they were cheering me on but they were

screaming because I kept swinging and there were little children

around me!!! Haha I am not kidding. EVERYONE made comments to me about

it afterwards. Joking how I almost killed a niño. Brother Orme said it

could have made church headlines.. "First Sister Missionary to harm a

child while hitting a piñata at a branch fiesta" haha I am not

kidding. I never heard the end of it!!! Too good, yet so bad!! But

yeah we packed that thing with Mexican candies and confetti. It looked

pretty cool when it burst. But then Brother Orme had Santa come.. Who

was Sister & Brother Smith's son.. The ones you met dad haha. Couldn't

you picture it? Brother Smith does Santa too but wow.. They're perfect

for the part!!!! He looked amazing. It was so cute to see all of the

children sitting on his lap and telling him what they wanted for

Christmas.. So precious. And Estrella, Marcella's darling little one

did as well. I loved it. And then us missionaries sang a couple of

Christmas hymns, we all sang jingle bells when Santa came in and then

of course afterwards we sang Feliz Navidad, etc. It was the best! Haha

which then reminds me... Us missionaries did a musical number in

Sacrament meeting haha and part of it was Hermana Piggott and I

singing a duet!!! Hahahaha it's a REAL thing!! We both are not singers

whatsoever but we figured we'd never sing a duet in public again like

that in our life so we might as well take the chance to!! We sang "It

came upon a midnight clear" in Español of course.. And I enjoyed it

very much haha. We also sang half of it in acapella (I don't know how

to spell it). But yeah it was actually way nice. It just kills me that

I sang a duet in front of 50 people. Hahaha better than a large

English ward, it was just my little Spanish branch whom I am so close

to and are the last people to be critical haha but it's so funny. Abs,

remember when me and you wanted to record ourselves singing a duet

dead dog serious just to see how we'd sound??? Hahaha and then we

tried to sing Tangled "I can see the light" with Ralph as well, in a

serious manner and then we all burst out laughing listening to

ourselves... Hahaha too good!!!!!

We found 5 new investigators this past week!!!! I'll tell you all

about them next week or when we skype. But we found Raymond, Ana and

her DARLING family, Esgar's girlfriend Erminia and this other new

family!!! I have a lot to say about them but it'll have to wait!!

But then let's see... Hermana Piggott and I have a fully decorated

room with a beautiful, nice sized real Christmas tree!! We went to a

Christmas tree lot nearby last Monday and got to pick out a tree!!

They're all from Oregon and gorgeous!! Ours is PERFECT too! Just wait

till you see it. It's a perfect size, bigger than you'd expect, and we

bought a stand for it, bought lights, ornaments, etc, it's beautiful!!

And we decorated it while listening to a Mormon Tabernacle Christmas

cd.... While belting at the top of our lungs, "For unto us a child is

born... unto us, a son is given.. and the government shall be upon his

shoulder.. and his name shall be called WONDERFUL, COUNSELOR, The

mighty GOD, The everlasting FATHER, The Prince of Peace!!" ... 2 Nephi

19:6 ... We're listening to it right now actually while emailing and

eating grilled cheese next to our tree!! Haha but okay... I'll give

you more updates on Christmas.. I have no time right now. But earlier

this week during personal study I studied and pondered over some

things and I wrote it down in my notepad on my iPad. I want to share

it with you......

The Light and Spirit of Christ

During this magical season I have, of course, been thinking constantly

about our glorious Savior, Jesus Christ. I have been celebrating His

birth and constantly giving thanks to our Father in Heaven for Him. I

have been studying and pondering about Christ's characteristics... His

love, His charity, His Spirit... His LIGHT. At Christmas time we see

lots of LIGHTS, everywhere. People decorate their homes in lights, we

decorate our trees with lights, there will be displays along the

streets in white or colorful lights, like we know in Salt Lake City,

we go to Temple Square to see "the lights"... etc. Well, I don't

believe there is any coincidence for this. When Christ was born there

was a brilliant and bright star indicating His birth and the

significance of it. This star was unlike any other and shone bright

for all to see. The light of this brilliant star led those, who were

seeking, to the new born baby. So like the North Star leading the

Shepard's to Jesus Christ through the dark night, we are so blessed to

have this same baby boy be our Savior, who is the light of our world,

who is here to lead us through the darkness that surrounds us now. He

is our personal light and guide to show us the path to our Father in

Heaven. As the Savior says in John 8:12, "I am the light of the world:

he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the

light of life." We must follow the Savior... follow His light and if

we do so, "we shall have the light of life" .. obtain His light.

Through the Savior, we are truly able to obtain part of His light for

it is said that he,"lighteth every man that cometh into the world." As

is said in the Bible Dictionary, "the light of Christ is just what the

words imply: enlightenment, knowledge, and an uplifting, ennobling,

persevering influencing that comes upon mankind because of Jesus

Christ." So indeed, we all are born with the spirit of Christ however,

it is our job to now let this light grow in us. This light increases

as we hearken unto His word and act on the promptings we receive from

the Spirit.. "For the word of The Lord is truth, and whatsoever is

truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of

Jesus Christ. And the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh

into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the

world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit. And every one that

hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit cometh unto God, even the

Father." D&C 84:45-47 ... And also, as we constantly seek after Him,

love Him, follow Him.. do as He would do. My perspective on the light

of Christ has been changing a whole lot while on my mission. I view it

differently now. I've always known of and noticed the light of Christ

in others but it is becoming more recognizable to me. The light of

Christ is not only something that we hold deep inside of us, in our

souls, in our hearts.. but it is something that shines, glows and

radiates off of us. It is also something that needs nourishment, "oil"

you could say. We also may not always realize it but we are attracted

to those who's light is bright. Those who are full of Christ's

characteristics.. love, charity, faith, humility (some of the

characteristics I want to obtain most) .. those who are are always

focused on the Savior and are truly trying to be like him. These are

the people who are always smiling, always happy, friendly, wanting to

serve others, wanting to be on the Lord's errand.. wanting to share

their light. With these Christ-like qualities, these people are truly

always glowing, always beaming... constantly touching people with

their light. It's no wonder why us Latter-Day Saints have something

"different" about us ... why people are drawn to us. Those who are

close to the Savior, beam. And not only do we have the light of Christ

but also the companionship of the Holy Ghost. Which is consistently

brightening our light. And along with the companionship of the Holy

Ghost, we have angels with us as well. I have recognized this very

much recently. As is said in D&C 84:88, "And whoso receiveth you,

there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on

your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your

hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up." We have

angels alongside us everywhere and I can feel them with me every day.

And what is even more astonishing is how others have noticed as well.

At the end of our lesson with Antonio the other day he said something

that really hit me.. he not only told Hermana Piggott and I that we

have special spirits, that he feels something good when we're around..

but he said he can feel that we have angels with us. That really

touched me and warmed my heart. I know that I have the companionship

of the Holy Ghost with me at all times but I myself have felt

different angels with me as well. One night after we were teaching..

my two darling Grandpa's came into my mind. Although, I have never met

Papa Dee... I know that him and Grandpa Barth were with me that night.

I've never been one to talk much of angels or think much about their

presence but this night I did. And the minute this came into my

thoughts.. tears came into my eyes. As they do right now. It's

something I cannot fully explain but I know it's true. I have my two

grandpa's along with many others I am positive, alongside me at all

times. And with this work, I need them. Ohh how that humbles me and

softens my heart... I am so lucky. I am so lucky to have the light of

Christ inside of me, to have the gift of the Holy Ghost, to have

angels... and to constantly help others receive these special gifts as

well. I love it so much. On my mission I have been able to personally

witness this light increase in people. I have seen the contrast and

have watched those whose lights were dimming, grow as they accepted

our message and embraced the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The difference is

astonishing. With all those we've been teaching I've seen their light

increase but especially with Jesus, Marcella and Yamara. First with

Jesus and Marcella, the difference I can clearly see in them now...

it's hard to explain. While we were teaching them I was able to see

their lights grow brighter and brighter each day but since they've

both been baptized and received the gift of the Holy Ghost.. They are

truly always glowing!! Their light is now radiating off of them. It's

so noticeable. And with Yamara, every single day I notice her light

increasing... it is so so special to watch the process and I cannot

wait to see her after she has been baptized and received the gift of

the Holy Ghost as well. She will be beaming. Ahh it warms my heart up

just thinking about these wonderful people. And that is one more thing

I want to touch really quickly regarding the light of Christ,

regarding the Spirit. As we know, light brings warmth and darkness

brings coldness. This is clearly why when we feel the Spirit we feel

warm.. I often blush a lot and get rosy cheeks.. I always say, my

heart feels so warm. When we let our light grow, the warmth, love and

comfort inside of us increases. It makes me think of a line from one

of my favorite Christmas movies.. dad's favorite, It's a Wonderful

Life...

George Bailey: "What is it you want, Mary? What do you want? You want

the moon? Just say the word and I'll throw a lasso around it and pull

it down. Hey, that's a pretty good idea. I'll give you the moon,

Mary."

Mary: "I'll take it. Then what?"

George Bailey: "Well, then you can swallow it, and it'll all dissolve,

see.. and the moonbeams would shoot out of your fingers and your toes

and the ends of your hair..."

The spirit of Christ is like moonbeams shooting out of our fingers,

toes, and the ends of our hair. Haha and when I feel the Spirit it

sure feels like that. And when we touch other people with our light,

with the Spirit, they can feel those things as well. Ohh what a

wonderful thing that is. And as you now know.. the lights sparkling

everywhere, the talk and feeling of the "Spirit of Christmas" and the

talk and decorations of angels now all mean something different to me.

They mean something even more. Now I know this all may have not made

much sense, I just wrote a lot of these thoughts down like a journal

entry and have now been trying to organize it all to email it to you,

in not much time at that.. But may we all try to let our light grow

brighter and brighter each day and do those things that will grow us

closer to our loving, Savior, Redeemer, Lord, Prince of Peace, Jesus

Christ. He is again the light of this world and the One who can help

us make it back to our father in Heaven. To live with Him, our Savior,

our family and all those we love so very much, FOREVER. And not only

that but may we all help others receive this as well. We need to give

"gifts of eternal value" and not only during this Christmas season but

every day of the year. "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is

on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it

under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all

that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they

may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in Heaven."

Ohh family I love you all so much. I am sad I don't get to enjoy this

Holiday season with you but I get to see all of your lovely faces in

just 2 days!!!!! Okay, and as for Skpe... My account name is

hermanabarth .... Can whoever's account I am calling to email back

their name?? And my email is emilie.barth@myldsmail.net as well ... So

if you can't find me, look that up. I hope this all works how we want

it too haha. But we're planning to call around noon?? We actually can

Skype from our new iPads so President said we can Skype from our

house!! Crazy huh?? However.... We only have 30-40 minutes.. I know,

sooo short. But it's in the white handbook and what President said so

I have to obey by it. Obedience is key in this work and I need all of

the blessings I can get!! Haha but so email me someone's account and

hopefully we'll be able to make this work!! I'll probably call one of

you when I am wanting to Skype to make sure you're all ready and that

it will work as well haha. So keep your phones on, loud, and with

you!!!! Please!! Oh, and Christmas is an all proselyting day for us so

that's why we're trying to figure out when we'll call and what not..

Plan on 12 Cali time. Oh!! And I have a Christmas package I am sending

home for you all but it's far too expensive to send to make it on

Christmas now and so it'll be a little late... It can be a New Years

gift too haha but get excited!!!!!!

Okay, I have to go but Merry Merry Christmas my lovely family!!! I'll

see you in just TWO DAYS!!!! Ahhhh seems too good to be true. I love

you all sooo much!!!!

Con mucho mucho amor, Hermana Barth