The Countdown Begins...

Hola todos!!!

This week was a fun one!! We spent the 24th, 25th, and 26th going from appointment to appointment singing and spreading Christmas joy, and getting wayyyy too much food in return. And, as a result, we got very sick and were not able to leave the house the 27th! But all is well, by the 28th at midday we finally were able to get out and start working again!

Hermanas (Misioneras de Nogales) with Hermana Xilo

Jessie is very excited for his baptism this Saturday! His birthday is actually Dec 31st and he happily told us that his baptism was going to be his birthday present! He has such a strong testimony already, and is willing to make whatever sacrifice is asked of him to be able to follow Christ and keep the commandments. 

The other day when we had an appointment with Jessie and his mom, his mom asked us why we wanted him to get baptized so quickly, and as I began to answer he stopped me and told his mom (more or less, I don't remember the exact words), "No Mom, they haven't rushed me. I am getting baptized because I want to, because I feel it, I know it's true. It is changing my life. I´m not getting baptized for them or for Ana (his fiancee who was baptized in June) or for anyone else. Even if things don't work out between me and Ana, I will never leave it. This is mine, and no one's going to take it away from me." The spirit was so strong. Everyone in the room had tears in their eyes.

Hermana Maru in church!

These moments are the greatest in the mission. When someone you have taught and come to love gains their own testimony. When you see the light in their eyes that comes from truth and understanding. When you see renewed hope, love and excitement for life. The moments when the spirit touches hearts and changes lives. It is what makes it all worth it. 

Love you all and hope you have a great week!!!

Hermana Naatjes

French toast (a Christmas Eve morning tradition of the Thurston family)

I am officially starting my final transfer here in the mission, which means that in 6 weeks I will be home, so I thought I'd do something kinda fun (and super cheesy) for my countdown! 

This is to be sung to the tune of the 12 days of Christmas!

In my time here in Juarez my Father gave to me....

                                                         (to be continued...)

what remains of my boot (yes the same one from the video, 100% still using it--who needs a zipper?)

Christmas cookies  (Elder and Hermana cookies and dirty snowmen?)

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡FELIZ NAVIDAD!!!!!!

Hola todos!! 

This week was awesome!!! I don't have a ton of time (they`re closing early because of Christmas) but news of the week is that Jessie is going to get baptized the 4th of January!!

I hope you guys are doing awesome and enjoying your white Christmas out there in the USA, and remember as you do, I am here in Juarez eating tamales and singing Mi Burrito Sabanero (look it up...it's great).  *link to the song below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5wnRmXw1_4

I hope you all can take the time this Christmas to sit down and remember the true meaning and purpose of it all. I hope you can use it to remember your Savior and all He has done for you. 

Love you all! Have a fantastic week and a very merry CHRISTmas!

Hermana Naatjes

*Bailey didn't send captions for her pics, but she sent a lot of them! 

(I think it was a Christmas Zone Conference).  

Broken Boots and Donuts

"Get closer to God today!"

Hola Todos!!!

Sorry the email this week is going to be super short again, but I love you all and hope you have a great week and have a fun time preparing for Christmas!!!

Enjoy the pics and video!  

Hermana Naatjes

(Click on the link below to see a video of Bailey's companion trying unsuccessfully to help get her out of a broken boot--it was too long to attach normally).  

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1p2Ryab4QtHx0qR2aUOUDqpIUrXfiI0Za/view

exchanges with Hermana Wagoner

16 months! (pancakes made by my comp)

Krispy Kreme donuts from an awesome member (brought from El Paso)

Light the World

Homemade "snow"men

  Hola Todos!!

This week was good! We have two new people we're teaching who have a lot of potential to progress! They have a lot of church friends already (they were references) and are progressing well toward their baptism! One is going to get baptized this Saturday (Diego) and with the other we are planning on setting his baptismal date this week! (Jessie)

Me and my comp on the "Ruta" in the rain

Sad story of the week:

While in interviews with my Mission President:

Him: "Hey, you're going home in March right?"

Me: "No, I'm going in February."

Him: "Oh man, you're almost done!!"

Me (crying): "I know..."

My time here on the mission is rapidly coming to a close, much more quickly than I want to believe. I love Juarez and the people here, and as excited as I am to see you all I am going to be so incredibly sad to leave this place. Just two months left! 

I hope this Christmas you can all join in with our Church's initiative, "Light the World 2019", whether you are members of the church or not. This initiative invites us to do something small each day that helps us light the world and helps us remember the true meaning of Christmas! (Mom please put the link here and the video!)

Here is the link to the light the world initiative:

https://www.comeuntochrist.org/light-the-world

Here is the link for a beautiful short film about the Nativity story:

https://www.comeuntochrist.org/light-the-world/the-christ-child

We're ready for Christmas

Have a great week!

Hermana Naatjes

Thanksgiving (a little late)

It's December...wait, what?!

Only in Juarez do they have to lock their plants so they aren't stolen.

rough translation:  It is raining a lot.  We are climbing a wall so we don't have to cross a lake...Welcome to Juarez.

Hola todos!

So yeah, it's already December. In my head I feel like it's only September or MAYBE October, especially with the cold finally coming (I now often put on a sweater and have worn a jacket once), and the incredible lack of snow. But sooner than you know it I´m going to be coming home (which someone reminds me of pretty much on a daily basis). But I´m doing my best to sprint to the finish!!

An Hermana from Peru, who isn't used to the "cold".  Bailey gave her a hat.

Just to tell you guys a bit more about Chester, our friend who was baptized last week.  He showed up at church about a month and a half ago partly because he was being taught by the Elders about a year and a half ago in a different area. He had never gone to church before, but after going through a lot of hard things, including having to find a new home, he saw the church, and decided to go. When he was being taught by the elders they invited him to be baptized various times but he never ended up accepting. But shortly after arriving here he told us he felt like his time had arrived and that it was time for him to get baptized. 

my favorite color is to see you...but not bluish

Love you all like crazy and hope you have a fantastic week!

Hermana Naatjes

Thanksgiving with Hermana Patricia