Christmas in Quillabamba!

 Hermana Arroyo, my companion, and I at the Christmas party we had in Urubamba about 4 hours away.
We combined with another zone and played Christmas games and had a devotional.
 It was so fun and it was great to feel the Christmas spirit! 

Wow! A year ago I would have never thought I would be in Peru let alone Quillabamba during the Christmas season! I LOVE IT THOUGH! Here Christmas is not as big of a deal as in the states which is so heartbreaking to me! It is fun to randomly see Christmas lights hanging from windows and on the palm trees… Haha! Oh, and there is a few Christmas trees but not like ours in the states! They are about half the size and they all have ridiculously fast flashing lights that are all different colors! It makes me laugh so hard! But yeah, apparently New Years is a HUGE deal here, with lots of drunken people and lots of crazy traditions so I guess I will see!

Panatone! It is the fruitcake here that is so fun to eat and enjoy with hot chocolate! The people here LOVE IT!!! We smell it randomly as we are walking down the streets and we immediately want some! 

But it is my first official Christmas away from home. I have tried imagining it for a while, but it has been quite interesting. I have not been homesick at all but being away from family at Christmas is sure different. It makes me really think about what the real reasons for Christmas are and how I plan to celebrate Christmas the rest of my life. I have realized it is in the giving. I know so cliché but really. It is the giving of our souls, our character, and our personality. I love Christmas because of the time you get to spend with the people you love. It is giving from your heart, giving others your faith, your love, your time. 

I also read a talk from James E. Faust and he said “Our Heavenly Father has given us so many wonderful gifts not knowing if they would be accepted. He has offered us His peace, His comfort, His love. All we have to do is accept His gifts is to be obedient and follow Him.” We also need to receive. We need to receive Him. The Savior. He is the way to a happier life. I love testifying of him. It brings such an adrenaline rush for me. Heavenly Father sent His son for us to feel peace, comfort and His love.

 I want to also share a scripture from Galatians 2:20 “Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” I love being here on the mission because He is why I am here. He is why I celebrate Christmas and He is the reason I get to be with my family forever. I hope you all have a great Christmas and I love and appreciate all you have shared with me. Your light, your love, your faith, and your spirit. 

Have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Hermana Frame

Hermana Marina making Aji! It is a sauce that they have that is SOOOOOOO HOOOOOTTT!! I am addicted to it though! 

limonada! We stopped in a restaurant to get lemonade and it was to die for! It is freshly squeezed and wow it was so good especially because it was such a hot day--- so funny to have lemonade during the Christmas season.