Week 60 - Light the World

Merry Christmas Everyone!

While many of you are decorating, shopping, wrapping and cooking we are experiencing our second stress-free Christmas. We will have a gift exchange at Family Home Evening on Monday but otherwise the commercial side of Christmas has been minimal. Contemplating the true meaning of the season I printed off my favorite talk by Neal A Maxwell "O, Divine Redeemer" and am studying it each morning. ....

On Tuesday we went to what is fast becoming one of our favorite places. We have now visited Abomosu every month since September. The trust is growing and we have offered specialized training on each trip. In January we have already been asked to train the leadership on setting up a Self Reliance Resource Center. This week we trained group facilitators and addressed the issue of bringing jobs to the area. The members had their own ideas too; like herbal medicine, raising guinea fowl, and forming a juicing company because of the rich abundance of fruit. Elder Lambert showed them videos on raising grasscutter, mushrooms and snails. 

 Anyway, the young missionaries serving in Abomosu (see picture below) were holding a district meeting and joined us afterwards at the Bingham's home to watch the First Presidency Christmas Devotional, recorded from the previous week. So, here's my first example of "Light the World" from this week. Being in a room with eight young people who are so dedicated to doing good was a joy, but then at the end of the program during the closing prayer a special blessing was given to "the other angels" our missionaries... and the spirit filled the room. Each of us felt a powerful witness that we are on the Lord's errand. It was like receiving a charge to our batteries so our flashlights can shine that much brighter. Missionaries give light to the world!

My second example of lighting the world occurred when a man followed us into the parking lot of Kaneshie stake center. He was in bad shape and Elder Lambert had to stand very close to him to understand what he was saying. Gathering supplies from the car I wasn't able to hear the conversation but before I knew it, my sweet husband was handing over a water bottle, snacks and some money. I feel so blessed to be married to someone with a sensitive, compassionate heart. Arriving home that afternoon I looked at Day #16 of Light the World services and there it was .... "Jesus showed compassion and so can you." Elder Lambert didn't know that, it's just in his nature to serve in that way. And that's the whole purpose of the Light the World initiative; to make these attributes part of our nature, not just a one day project. 

We are so grateful for that baby born in Bethlehem, for His life and Atonement. We love our Savior, Jesus Christ. He lived and died for each one of us. He is the Light of the World.

Sorry to have taken so long to get this letter sent.

We love and miss you all.

Elder and Sister Lambert