Merry Christmas!

Olá!

I´m writing today because we decided to move our P-day to today instead of yesterday, so that we could work a little bit more on Christmas day! 

This past week was a good week for us. I am with my new companion, Elder Franco! His parents are from Angola, but he was born and raised in Lisbon, Portugal, so I guess that would mean that he is my first "Portuguese" companion! He is a very nice person and very funny. I am really hoping that this next transfer we will have a lot of success and good memories together. 

 As we were out working yesterday, I realized a few things. I realized that Christmas really does bring a special spirit to the world. The spirit of Christ seems to just come down like a blanket over the world, and most people act differently. Especially here in Madeira. There was not one store open, and practically no one on the street. It was the calmest day that I have seen on my mission. It hit me a few days ago that this would be my last Christmas as a missionary, and I decided that I wanted it to be memorable. Not because of presents or because of fancy food, but because of my service to the Lord. I felt priveliged to be able to walk outside and represent Christ on this special day. Unfortunately we weren´t able to teach anyone yesterday, but I was happy that I was able to at least walk through the streets giving people Christmas pass along cards and DVDs, and wishing them a merry Christmas. I was happy that we could  ring the doorbells of a few buildings and at least wish people a merry christmas through their intercoms. There were a few times throughout the day where I could just feel the sacredness of this day, and the miracle that it is that we have a Saviour and Redeemer! 

On Christmas Eve, our branch presidente and his family invited us, the other elders, and a couple of other members over for a Christmas lunch. Imagine my relief when I saw that we were going to eat chicken, haha! It was a nice lunch and a nice visit. At the end of the meal, one of my companions volunteered me to give the spiritual thought. I thought a few seconds about what I should say, and then I realized that the perfect thing would be to read the Christmas story in Luke Chapter 2.  I decided that we would each read two verses until the end, and as we read, that we should really imagine what was happening that calm Christmas night in Bethlehem so many years ago. As we finished reading, there were a few people in tears because of the spirit that we felt. I didn´t have to say anything, the message was already given by the spirit. 

What made my day even better was the fact that I could see all of my family through Skype yesterday. They are truly my biggest blessings, and my best friends! If I could choose between all of the presents in the world, or my family ,I would definetly choose my family. Nothing can replace them.

I love this time of year! I love Christmas, and the special feeling that we can always feel! I´m grateful that I could spend one more Christmas here on my mission. I hope that we can all try to bring the Christmas spirit with us into the new year!

I love and miss you all lots!

Love,

Elder Barker