Thanks and Giving

Lights at the Mexico City Temple

I hope you all had the most spectacular Thanksgiving!

I sure am grateful, and here are just a few reasons why:

-I am a missionary in Mexico

-Because of that I get a ton of time dedicated to studying this wonderful gospel

Piano Practice

-Although super funny Christian ladies give us lectures in the streets about how we don't know anything, it just makes me laugh so life is so good

Pumpkin Pie!

-My Bishop found the only Bakery that sells pumpkin pie and bought us some for Thanksgiving

-I didn't get bit by the crazy dog who wanted my leg for a late Thanksgiving dinner

-The Christmas lights at the Mexico City temple are absolutely gorgeous

-Drawing hand turkeys are still one of my favorite 
things to do

Her Kindergarten teacher would be so proud =)

-I have amazing and supportive family and friends

-Including my wonderfully fantastic big brother, LANDON, whose birthday is this Sunday!! 
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRO. :)

A View of the City and FLOWERS

-I have the opportunity to get to know so many amazing people and share with them how they can get closer to Christ every day

Kim's Thanksgiving Feast

-Thanks to this beautiful gospel, I live after the manner of happiness. (2 Nephi 5:27)

I encourage you all to keep being thankful and giving of yourselves in the service of the Lord. It brings greater happiness than the best turkey, potatoes, gravy, yams, stuffing, pumpkin pie combination ;).

I love you all!!

Hermana Greenwood:)

Mexico City Landscape

Masterpiece

Sisters Greenwood & Soto with Ian at his baptism

Being a missionary is a hoot and a half --

Funny story to start off this email: We were passing by for an investigator, who lives on a big hill, to go to church. We turned onto her street and saw a ton of Jehovah's Witnesses lining the whole street knocking doors. One door above them was the house of our investigator...so we RAN. We ran all the way up the hill and to her door and they were all laughing at us because we were pretty winded by the end.

Ian's Beautiful Family

I also want to give you all some homework. Go and read the talk, "I Have a Work for Thee" by Elder John C. Pingree, Jr. from the 2017 October Conference. It is amazing. It talks about us being a pencil in the Lord's hands, and how we have to be willing to be used. We need to trust in Him and the promise in Joshua 1:5, "...I will be with thee, I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."

Ian's cousin (who adores Hermana Greenwood --the feeling is mutual)

We can be tools in the Lord's hands to help make a masterpiece. We are all different shapes, colors, and sizes. Whether we are a marker, colored pencil, or crayon, we are all needed. And in the process of making this masterpiece, we will be sharpened and refined, and with His help, we ourselves will become masterpieces.

Kim w/ a VW van (her dream is to drive with her husband across the U.S. in one)

Trust in the Lord, He is there with you every step of the way, and He will not fail you.

Getting cold in the mornings & evenings!

I love you all! Have a great week!

Hermana Greenwood:)

Purpose

Headed to Zone Conference

Why are we here? 

Where can we find happiness? 

What is the purpose of this life? 

What is my purpose?

This past week I have been thinking a lot about purpose, and studying a lot about this beautiful Plan that Heavenly Father has for us. We are all aware of the scripture in 2 Nephi 2:25 that says that "men are that they might have joy." But do we believe it?

Finding happiness with salsa

In those times that we are really struggling, feeling down, swamped in homework, feeling lonely, do we remember where our happiness comes from?

Finding happiness in the street

In 2 Nephi 5, Nephi says that they 

"lived after a manner of happiness."

The reason that they were so happy 

was because they knew who they were

 and they knew their purpose.

Peeking in her Christmas package! Naughty!

You are a child of a loving Heavenly Father, and following His counsel and guidance will bring you happiness even in the lowest of days.

I know it because I have felt it!

Finding happiness in going for a run!

Through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, 

we too can LIVE AFTER THE 

MANNER OF HAPPINESS.

Go, and LIVE HAPPILY. :)

Hermana Greenwood:)

Miracles

This week was incredible. The day of miracles definitely has not ceased.

Kim's commentary: "Plot twist! Mexico can get cold!"

-I saw a Dad, who many years ago served a mission, but had hardened his heart against the church, pray with all the energy of heart for his family and for strength to return. (We now have a baptismal date for his son.)

-We found out that one of the people we are teaching isn't married. She came with us to Stake Conference where the entire conference was focused on the family. She loved every word and is currently making a plan of how to live the law of chastity and has accepted a baptismal date.

FYI - That's a BYU sweatshirt under the scarf. Haha!

-We have been in contact with our former investigator again. (The one who decided not to get baptized.) He is now on track again for baptism, and is even more ready now than before to press forward with Christ.

Sometimes it is hard to see the fruits of our labors. Sometimes we feel like we have been chopping at the same tree for ages and there is barely a dent. BUT, I promise you that with faith and patience we can find comfort through the Lord now AND see the blessings. If not now, then in the future, but I promise the blessings will come.

Mosiah 24: 16-17 -

16 And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their patience that the voice of the Lord came unto them again, saying: Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of bondage.

17 And he said unto Alma: Thou shalt go before this people, and I will go with thee and deliver this people out of bondage.

Just like Alma and his people, there will be great trials of strength and affliction, but the Lord is with us, and He will stand by us.

I love you all! Keep pressing forward with faith!

Hermana Greenwood:)