Sister Michelle Clark: 12.23.13 Merry Christmas

Melakamekimaka, Felis navidad, bueno Christmas?.. Christopher might be mocking my Spanish but nonetheless happy Christmas! This week was very different then normal but it was a lot of fun! Christmas is great! We’ve had a lot of snow and then in an instant (yesterday) it was all gone and it was 70 degree's with humidity... so strange but awesome!

First off thank you so much for the letters and e-mails this week, they were just what I needed to hear! Thank you for your testimonies and faithfulness you are all so wonderful. I can’t wait to talk to you soon!

So this week involved lots of random acts of unplanned service. A lot of people here in Paterson are struggling with some big trials. It's been a very humbling experience for me as a missionary to realize that I can't fix everything, how much this is the Lords work and how much we need to rely on him. Please keep the people of Paterson in your prayers. I've spent lots of time on my knees this week seeking for counsel and strength from my Heavenly Father. I've seen the power of prayer in action. It works, I know it does.

So our teaching this week was a little out of the ordinary and more focusing on the branch members and their needs but I'll tell you about Friday... ALL MISSION CONFERENCE! It was so incredible. So we got there and all sat down ready to start then all the sudden I look up and there is Alex boye.. just sitting on the stand.. No big deal.. : D it was so awesome. We had a devotional by all the stake presidents in our mission then we sung them 'This is the Christ.' As we sung the spirit was so strong and I just had the thought 'How could I ever leave this?'. Yes missions are hard but it has been the greatest thing I've ever done. I'm so blessed to be here, so incredibly blessed.

I love this Christmas Season and for the chance we have to remember the Birth of our Savior. And how remarkable the story of his birth truly is. Every time I see the Christmas lights of Paterson (yes they all have Christmas lights and the big inflatable blow ups everywhere) I think of that night in Bethlehem and how.. Magical it must have been. The star in the sky.. in a stable.. so amazing. That is defiantly going on my list of things to watch when I get to heaven. Long story short I'm grateful to be here and to testify of my Savior.

So after the Devotional for the Stake presidents we went to the cultural hall and it was all done up with lights and a tent.. It was beautiful (looked like Amanda’s reception) we ate lunch while Alex sung some songs. I wish I could send the videos. He's so funny, and he sounds better live in person then on a C.D. Then after all silliness he gave a devotional about the Power of Expectations. When you come to the Lord and ask for something He wants to give it to you, and how if you have faith and confidence in him. You can achieve all the goals you set. He also talked about the qualities of the mentally strong. He is a great speaker. I learned a lot and set some new goals for myself.

The other Highlight event would definably be the Christmas Fireside us missionaries put on. I got to sit and sing with the members of my MTC district. Oh how I love them, we sang Christmas songs and enjoyed in the Christmas spirit. It was a great week but I'm sorry I can't convey it through letterform. But life is good! I love you all so much I'm going to leave some ammo for my skyping adventure. I love you all and I'm so excited to talk to you on Christmas! It is the most wonderful time of the year!