Oh Come Let us Adore Him

our christmas tree 

Sweetest family of mine, I hope this email isn't too scatter brained. I just know I get to talk to you in a matter of a few hours and I may be freaking out a little bit haha.

So I am loving it down here in Illy more and more everyday, it is so obvious to me that I am supposed to be here now. I have already met so many people, that I know I was praying for the second I knew I was serving a mission. Heavenly Father has put so many people in my path and every time He does it I feel so lucky that He trusts me with His children! It is such a blessing to be in His service especially at this time of year. There really is nothing else I would rather be doing and I can confidently say that I am the happiest girl in the world this Christmas day as I have the opportunity to invite so many of my brothers and sisters here in lovely Ukraine to come unto our Savior, Jesus Christ through whom they can find real joy! Seriously I am so lucky!

Last night for Christmas Eve we had a music program in Center Odessa (it was my first time in Odessa and holy cow it is BEYOND GORGEOUS there, like incredible!) and guess who I saw?? My best friends! Sister Hunt and Sister Ford! Finally, we are serving near each other! It was so fun to be with them and catch up and see how much we've all grown and what not, it was a really good gift to be able to spend Christmas Eve with them. Sister Ford planned the program and it really went so well, of course it did, she's awesome. The whole night was centered on Christ and His birth and His life and really the true meaning of Christmas. We went with Katya, one of our investigators who is INCREDIBLE holy cow I love her, like, I know I'm here in Illy for her, for sure. And the night was especially special because my cute companion sang a song, but not just any song, one of my very favorite Christmas songs, "O Holy Night". The days before the program Sister Parish was practicing, singing the song any chance she got and I fell in love with the words.

 "O holy night, the stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth;
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
'Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn;

Fall on your knees, Oh hear the angel voices!
O night divine! O night when Christ was born.
O night, O holy night, O night divine.

 Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming;
With glowing hearts by his cradle we stand:
So, led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here come the wise men from Orient land,
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our friend;

He knows our need, To our weakness no stranger!
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King! your King! before him bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is Love and His gospel is Peace;
Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother,
And in his name all oppression shall cease,
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful Chorus raise we;
Let all within us praise his Holy name!

Christ is the Lord, then ever! ever praise we!
His pow'r and glory, evermore proclaim!
His pow'r and glory, evermore proclaim!"

Aren't the words absolutely beautiful? And you know what's cool? They're TRUE! As she would continue to sing the song over and over again the spirit continued to testify to me that they are true! Christ is our Savior, and oh how he loves us! Each and every single one of us! How special is this day, the day of His birth!

After the Christmas concert as we were traveling home Катя was talking to me and she was so confused at how all of the missionaries were so happy, she didn't understand it. To her she thought we should be so sad as we are so far away from our families at this time of year. As she asked me that and I thought about it, she made sense. I mean, how could I be so happy? And then it hit me, DUH! You are doing the best work Mariel. You should the happiest girl in the world. All missionaries should be the happiest, for the wonderful privilege that we have to serve and do the work of the Lord. Especially at the time of our Savior's birth.

I love giving presents. I love letting people know I love them. And what an awesome present I can give to My Heavenly Father this year as I am in His work. All of my time I give to Him, all of my time I give to my Savior, and all of my time I give to my brothers and sisters here in Ukraine whom I love so much. It's not much, but right now, it's really all that I have and I am more than happy to give that this Christmas.

This Christmas time please remember the true meaning of Christmas, how grateful I am for the songs that I was taught in primary that make it so easy for me to remember how special Christmas is..

Picture a stable in Judea.
Picture a sacred, silent night.
And can you hear
The angels near
And see the star so bright?

Picture the kind and gentle Joseph.
Picture the mother, Mary, fair.
And can you see
So rev'rently
The shepherds kneeling there?

Picture the little baby Jesus.
Think of his life and words so dear.
Sing praise to him;
Remember him,
As you picture Christmas this year.

I love you all so much! And... I'LL SEE YOU SOON!!!!

Merry Christmas!!!!

All of my love,

Your sister, Sister Lee