Dear those who have either ridden on a one horse open sleigh or greatly desire to do so,
one of my favorite things about being on a mission has been in my experiences at the end of the day when i think back and try and recall and record the miracles and blessings i have witnessed through the day. i've found that as i do so each day i'm able to recognize lessons, blessings, and miracles that i either missed or did not fully appreciate in the moment that they happened. i've learned that the hand of the lord is always evident in the details of our lives if we only take the time to look at what he has done.
one experience i had with this was after the end of a day where at first glance i wasn't sure what i could write that would be considered "journal worthy". as i thought about the activities of that day i remembered a lesson i had learned in sacrament meeting earlier that day. there was a baby blessing that day. participating in the blessing along with a number of other priesthood holders was the grandfather of the new baby. the grandfather has recently gone through a knee replacement surgery and has been literally bedridden for the last six months about. he recently became well enough that he is able to get to church and maneuver around with the aid of supportive crutches. as the brethren went forward to the front of the room for the blessing this dedicated grandfather stood up and began to slowly make his way toward the front of the room. many of the brethren recognizing his need came and supported him as he laboriously traveled to the front. in joining in the priesthood circle he was unable to support himself without his crutches so instead he wrapped his left arm around the shoulders of his brother on his left while using his right arm to participate in the blessing. i remember being touched as i watched this loving grandfather bless his grandson while literally relying on the strength of those around him. as i remembered and recorded this experience in my journal that night i was blessed with an increase of understanding about the nature of priesthood service and the love of our Father in heaven in blessing us with the opportunities to participate in this work. i then was able to remember and recall other experiences throughout the day where i saw miracles and blessings once again in the details of the day. i remembered the instruction of President Monson in the last conference where he said "the lord is in the details of our lives" i can testify that this is true from this as well as many other experiences i have had writing in my journal throughout my mission.
i wish i had the time or the means to convey all that i have seen learned and experienced this last week but sadly this is probably improbable. what i can tell you is that natalia is progressing quite well and is completely set for her baptism this coming saturday. we've seen a lot of support from the ward and other leaders in preparation for this advent and she has invited loads of friends and family members to attend as well. We're pretty exited:)
it's definitely coming up to christmas season here. the decorations are basically all up (they're going up in our flat today!), side note a surprising number are pink. . . and christmas music is once again the norm! as well it's finally really getting cold here. it got below freezing for the first time this year this last week so hopefully we'll start getting some snow soon.
i love you all and i'm grateful as ever for your support and love :)
sincerely
Elder Jarman
ps. along with the amazing uplifting experiences, some of which i share via e-mail, i also have a quite a few interesting experiences that may or may not tug at mouth corners in an upwards direction. but most of these will have to wait :)
pps. no but really though why would christmas decorations be pink? i don't really get it myself
ppps. i think i'll just say the word pink again because two apparently isn't enough
pppps. i'll send some baptismal pictures next week!
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