This week was heavy in events-- for one, it was my birthday! It was also the Ward Christmas Party, and we did a fun skit from a popular missionary song among South Americans- "Querido Juan". OHHH Porque no me esperaste??? Con esto menso te casaste!!! Amor amor amor!!" It was awesome, and we have it on video, but I don't think it'll send over email. The original's great, too, but you pobrecitos who can't speak Spanish might not understand it, haha.
It was the "multi-zone" yesterday, too, for Christmas. Zones presented skits, and ours was pretty good: a "Missionary" video game where we had to battle snakes (the girls who try and flirt with us missionaries), cholitos (the crazy old women here who dress up like munchkins), contentious investigators, and stray dogs (you literally can't look down any street here without seeing four or five.)
And this week is Christmas...the commencement of the greatest life lived. One so important that it would echo into the fabric of countless other stories. Someone of humble circumstances rises to the challenge, fights for what's right, ultimately sacrifices everything he has for others, and triumphs in glory. But not even fictional characters can do anything greater, or more powerful, or more noble, than what Christ did. Which means, really, that we're living in the greatest story ever told. Many don't understand this and are determined to live weaker stories, with thin plots and trifling themes. The imagery of the scriptures is powerful, that we're waking up with the Atonement of Christ. C.S. Lewis used something similar by describing life here as the Shadowlands before we reach the Reality of Heaven. People sleepwalk in routines, but as they awaken they realize our most wonderful part to play in this story is the Emissary. Show the message, more than anything, in how you interact. Speak thoughtfully. Meet people's eyes when you talk, and share confidence. Live like Christ.
Merry Christmas!