December 19, 2016

First off I want to say that I have the BEST FAMILY EVER! Thank you for the package and sweet letters! I will admit dads letter in Spanish made me tear up a bit.  I seriously love the spanish language! Sure loved yours too mom! I loved all of them! Loved the drawings and the letter from Matthew.  I still cannot believe that Matthew is 17 and Adam is 7.  Hermana Córdova and I love our stockings, calenders, and the goodies.  Hermana Córdova was seriously so stoked!  We also have a ward christmas party and an activity with our zone this week! THE GINGERBREAD MEN! Totally forgot that they were a thing haha The people here LOVE the candy canes! They don't have them in Paraguay!  Christmas here is really different, but of course a good different! Also I loved recieving a christmas card from the cahoons! 
We had zone conference on Saturday.  We were able to hear from President Evans.  He talked a lot about faith, repentance, and baptism - not only for our investigators, but for us too. He also talked about how we need to go about doing our best.  This is the Lords time.  He mentioned the promised blessings that are to come from the dedicatory prayer.  Now is the time for more baptisms.  We had 2 baptisms this week.  More miracles!!  So earlier this week we got a call from Ramon (the father of Almiris) saying that MariaHelena wants to get baptized!  This was such a shock not only for us, but for our rama as well.  She finally was willing! We touched on the lessons and made sure she was ready....and she was! I know that through Almiris, MariaHelena was able to have a change of heart. She got called this Sunday to be in the Relief Society Presidency.  What was really neat was that President Evans, his family, and the elder assistants were able to come and be apart of their baptism. The spirit was very strong. President Evans spoke and specifically told them that thier next step was to prepare to enter the Temple.  Hermano Ramon was beyond happy to baptize his daughter and wife.  
We also had a great lesson with our less active.  He wants to change, but is having a hard time.  His wife wants to be baptized. She attends every sunday with their son.  She is being such a great example.  He was able to recieve a blessing to help overcome his addiction with alchol.  Please pray for him. We also have a new investigator, Fatima.  She was a bit difficult at first to talk with, but she has completely changed.  She attended church this Sunday and loves this gospel. She knows that this gospel is what she and her family needs.  She is hoping that her husband will be able to attend next Sunday.  We also have Emy.  Emy and Fatima live in the same housing.  
Hermana Córdova and I are excited to skype you guys this Sunday.  We have church at 9 and are only doing Sacrament Meeting.  I love you guysss so much! Best wishes to everyone and hope everyone has a Merry Christmas.  This time is sure special, because the world remembers their Lord and Savior.  I am grateful for my Savior.  I know that He lives. Through Him, we can change and have eternal salvation.  He is our ultimate example.  Let us remember Him always. 

Love, 
Hermana Alexander

Almiris and Maria Helena's special day!

Yummy Candy Canes!