Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!!! Thank you so much for the amazing gifts!!! including my CTR ring, but I think I liked my hot wheel the best! My companion enjoyed her hot wheel as well. So, as I was curling my hair for our choir performance today, I was thinking about Christmas. we watched the "nativity" video that the church recently filmed last night with the whole MTC (including west campus). As the movie played and as we watched Mr. Krueger's Christmas, I thought a lot about everything that our Savior has done for us. I realized that, even though before my mission I had to deal with so many medical issues and sickness in recovery, he has been with me through every step of the way and I feel that blessing with me every day at the MTC.

The MTC is such a wonderful place! I feel the Spirit so strongly here and I know that this is Christ's restored gospel and that his love for us is unconditional and unending. I'm so grateful for the reminder that I've had this Christmas season about how much I love all of you and how grateful I am for the examples that you have all been to me and all that you have taught me over the years. Mom, your constant care and encouragement is something that I have always appreciated, but never expressed my appreciation for, so Thanks for always being there for me even though I sometimes wasn't very receptive. Dad, thank you for always encouraging me to do better. especially waking up early in the morning. I keep hearing your voice in my head saying "you're burning daylight!" Allison, thank you for always being so strong in your values and your commitments. Your example is something that I cherish. Jon and Morgan, I love you both so much and I know that the Spirit that is being gifted to you will be blessed in your home. Andrew, (yes, I'm forwarding this to him even if he can't read it until his next p-day) you're such an example to me! Keep working hard and look out for the girls!! Jen, you are such a hard worker, but take the time to relax so you won't burn out. You truly are a gifted musician and I really miss hearing you play your cello. I even miss hearing you pound out the same 10 chords from "Waterfall" in different keys/octaves.

 I love you all so much, and in this Christmas season, my gift to Christ is gratitude. Gratitude for my past experiences, gratitude for my family, and immense gratitude for his everlasting sacrifice for us. I know that he loves us.; I know that however lost we may feel, He will always be there for us and help us through any and all of our difficulties. If we only see one set of footprints, it's just because he's carrying us through them. I love you all!

Merry Christmas!

Sister Stephanie Lee