Dear Family,
How are you all doing? Did you love the Christmas devotional
as much as we did?? The music in that program just moved me. I love that the
Christmas hymns we sing remind us of our Savior, and why he has that title. He
is the way we get back to Heavenly Father and how we have eternal families. He
is the way we have hope and happiness. "Glad tidings of great joy" -
that is what the Gospel message brings to everyone.
Something I have noticed lately is just how purely the Book
of Mormon testifies of Christ. "And then shall they know their Redeemer,
who is Jesus Christ, the Son of God." (3 Nephi 5:26). I feel that I cannot
get enough of this book - nowhere else have I read things that state so simply
and so frequently of our Savior and His purpose. I have heard that the more we
come to know Christ and His Atonement, the more our desire to share it with
others increases. I've seen it - the more I study the doctrine teachings of
Christ found in the Book of Mormon, the more I want to share it with others.
Everything about the Savior and His Atonement gives us peace and comfort, and
hope for the future. It gives us strength and reassurance, a sense of purpose
and belonging, and helps us realize was really matters most. I love the Book of
Mormon. I love my Savior. He lives! I know He does - and my faith in Him
strengthens me daily and makes me so happy. Maybe I sound like a broken record
in always talking about the Book of Mormon, but there's a reason I keep
bringing it up - it will bring us closer to God more than any other book. Read
the introduction, read the book - and find out for yourself. It won't
necessarily take away our problems, but I promise you that you will
find comfort and strength that you didn't think was possible before.
I love this Gospel and I love the work we are doing. I said
I would talk about who we have been teaching but things are starting over again
- my last companion went home this week, and I now have a new companion and
trainer. I am seeing the Lord's hand in all of this and I really have been so
blessed and am so grateful for how things have been and are now working out.
The Lord loves us so dearly and cares about us more than we realize - He wants
to hear from us, and He really does answer our prayers. He has done that for me
- He will do it for you. I am so grateful for His help and strength
in my life.
I love you all so much. Thank you again and again for all
your support and prayers. I have felt extra love and blessings lately and I am
just overwhelmed by it all. Mom, thank you for the Christmas packages for my
companion and me (they are under our little Christmas tree!), you are SO
thoughtful and generous - we feel like gold!! :) And Dad, thank you again for
sending those notes to me and for making such a good impression on the mission
office staff! (Even though I didn't see you, of course!) They all said how
impressed they were with the great spirit you had about you (wasn't
surprised!). Also, I hope you have a great birthday tomorrow - Feliz
Cumpleanos a ti!! :) Speaking of Spanish, thank you Mom (and the rest of
the Brinton women in Utah) for the darling Feliz Navidad card - I had
the opportunity to study Spanish during my last companion's language study
time, so it was fun to get that in the mail and brush up some more on my
Spanish. :)
Thank you thank you for all you do for me. I love being here
and I love this Gospel!! :)
Love,
Sister Brinton
P.S. Here's a little taste of Wisconsin hahaha :)
I love the people here!!
