Family comes together via Skype for Christmas!

"Families are Forever"

Merry Christmas and Happy Transfers!

I <3 Sister Gelwix

 I'll miss Jamie, even though I'll be happy to never be flashed again!

Hey y'all! We got news this morning that I am being transferred out of Opelousas. (We won't find out where I'm going until we drive to Baton Rouge tomorrow). It will be heartbreaking to say goodbye to all my family here in Opelousas. I love these warriors with all my heart and I'm sad to leave, but I know that wherever I am going there is work for me to do and Heavenly Father will give me the strength to do what he asks of me. I'm excited for this new chapter and I'm ready to go where the Lord wants me to go (even if I cry a good bit lol). 

I am so happy for Rebecca. She is getting baptized on Saturday and I have never met anyone so prepared for the gospel. She told us she wants to bring a bed to the church and just live there! Here is a sample of some of the things she has told us this week:

      "My life finally has happiness and meaning"

      "I can't wait for God to give me my mission and place in the church. I am ready. No more wasted time."

She has a strong testimony of this gospel and the Book of Mormon and she has already been doing missionary work! She has given copies of the Book of Mormon to her family members and is inviting them to come to church. This week her granddaughter Ny'asia, who we've been able to teach one lesson to, came and it was incredible! Opelousas had better get ready for Miss Rebecca because she is coming in with a bang. I love this lady and I'm really going to miss her!

MERRY CHRISTMAS Y'ALL! 

Love, 

Sister Thomas

Ny'asia, Rebecca's granddaughter at church!

Rebecca always gets silly and so so happy after church <3

Joy to the World

Rebecca with the "Holy Ghost giggles" after church. This sweet lady is ready and excited for her baptism on December 17th! (and Michael will follow right behind)

 Jazmine spilled makeup on herself and exclaimed, "Look! I changed colors! I'm white!"

Happy December y'all! Sister Gelwix have been enjoying the Christmas spirit in wild and wonderful Opelousas. Here were some of our highlights:

1. Rebecca bore her testimony in church yesterday. It was only her second time at church and she boldly told the congregation, "I know this church is true. Whatever God asks me to do, I'm ready to do it." Needless to say she is very excited about her baptism on December 17th! 

2. I know I've said this a thousand times, but we meet some crazy people in Opelousas. We were visiting a less active lady this week who was giving herself a sponge bath as we talked with her. That's not normal, but at least she had her clothes on. Not for long! We were reading a scripture with her when all of a sudden she pulled off her shirt and just sat there like that. We love this big crazy lady but she just sat there topless for about five minutes. Sister Gelwix bolted to the bathroom and I started fixing her blinds and doing other things to keep busy. It was nuts! Classic Opelousas

3. Sister Green has some bones that are sticking out of her body and making her bleed. She is determined, however, to go to church and fulfill her calling. When she was told that she didn't need to go to church if she was bleeding too bad, she responded with "Did you think I was going to not do my calling because I'm sick? Jesus didn't stop when he was persecuted. I'm going to church!" What a warrior.

This Christmas season is the perfect opportunity to reflect on our Savior, Jesus Christ. I love the first lines of the hymn Joy to the World:

Joy to the World, the Lord is come! 

Let earth receive her King

Let every heart prepare Him room

The "good tidings of great joy" we feel this Christmas season come not only because Jesus Christ was born, but because He lives. Because of Jesus Christ we can live again! There can be joy in the world and peace on earth because of who He is and what He did for us. Let us all "prepare Him room" in our hearts and focus on others this Christmas season. As Jesus Christ lifts us up, we can lift others. 

I love y'all! Have a blessed week!

Sister Thomas

 Decorating the Jarnagins Christmas tree