feliz navidad!

This week was AWESOME! And the reason it was so wonderful? On Tuesday we had changes and despite rumors and last minute changes, my companion is now Hermana Lopez!!!! Yup, my MTC companion and I are back together for at least one change and we are so, so happy! Everyone said we would never be companions and so we were hoping our last transfer would be together, but instead we are together again, now, in her first area. It is great because she already knows the area, knows the members and we too, already know one another. We had a bit of a rough time in the MTC but we got past it and I consider her one of my best friends. She is family and I know we are going to do so much together in this area and I am so excited! So thanks for all your prayers—they worked!

Katherine, reunited with her MTC companion, Hermana Lopez.

So this last week we spent lots of time introducing my companion to recent converts as well as investigators, and of course, saying hi to all the members. Every single member that saw her got so excited and they are all thrilled to have her back here again. The members love her and trust her and I know that as we work with that we will be so much more unified as a ward and that we can help more people. But this last week we went crazy trying to find Christmas decorations and a real, live tree. Walmart had them but for 600 pesos and we weren't about to do that! On Thursday we bought lots of lights, ornaments and tinsel for the tree and on Friday on our way to lunch we spotted some people selling live trees. We stopped by and talked to the vendor and he gave us a price of 350. We told him we'd come back after our appointment and he told us he'd give us a really good price. And sure enough when we got back, without even asking, he dropped the price to 250! He might have been really flirty but well, we'll never see him again and we got our real tree! We actually carried it home—it took nearly an hour walking—but it was 100% worth it. It is all decorated and our apartment feels a little bit happier with it! We just love it!

Carrying their miracle Christmas tree home.

I don't know what more to say about this time of year. I adore the Christmas spirit that permeates the world and it is just so fun to be here with my new family to celebrate this holiday. I love reading the scriptural accounts of Mary and Joseph and of the birth of Christ. While he wasn't born at this time, I love that we focus solely on his birth, on the miracle and the hope that he is to all the world. As it says in John 3:16, "for God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." I testify it is true. Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to return to him. He loves us so much he let Jesus come to earth, to suffer and pay the price for our sins, so that we can have eternal life. It truly is the greatest gift ever given to man. This is why I'm here in Mexico. That is why there are 88,000 of us sharing this message. Our Father loves us, our elder brother, Jesus, loves us, and it is thanks to them that we are here on the earth at this time. I know He has a plan for each of us and I pray that we will always strive to find that purpose, to believe in him and receive that gift, that chance, to live with them once more, forever. 

I love you all so much. And I hope you have a very happy Christmas!!

Love,

Hermana Bennett

Merry Christmas from Hermanas Bennett and Lopez!