Wednesday we got up at 4 to pick up some Elders in the zone and arrived in San Antonio by 8 am. Christmas Conference was super fun. it happened in my first transfer last year, so I didn't know anyone, i just followed my trainer around and chatted with the people I'd met in the MTC, but this year I felt like I'd at least met the entire mission. There was a lot of sweet reunions and some crazy good texas barbecue. It was better than Rudy's which is notorious for the being the top of the line barbecue chain. President Slaughter talked about the infinite and intergalactic reach of the atonement, and then after the talent show he shared his 2015 vision for the mission.
A big theme for us these past few weeks has been consecration. I went on an exchange with the District leader Elder Wilson and his companion Elder Fuentez on Thursday. We had a good day, taught about 5 lessons, They both have less than 4 months left on the mission and are pretty well known as the funny guys. They're great elders, I was surprised by how much they talked about the girls they were with before the mission. It wasn't a particularly edifying conversation. The thought that was impressed on me was that the full giving of oneself to Christ required more than just penitence for past transgression. Like we learn in the steps of the repentance process, it is not only to ask to be forgiven for a past wrong, but also to commit to never do it again, and then to never do it again. That last step is abundantly required in consecration. That was the step I felt like I needed to go through myself, and that was what I encouraged those Elder to do as well. In that final decision does the lasting change occur, and can the purifying and sanctifying power of the spirit burn away all past impurities. In that decision to be forever changed by the atonement of Christ will that releasing feeling of relief wash over you.
I pray we may all benefit this Christmas season from the infinite and intergalactic atonement made by our Redeemer. I pray we remember and worship him as we celebrate his condescension to mortal birth, from which he, God, overcame all things, and made possible that we may too.
I love you very much! I'll miss you at Christmas! We're pretty happy here all crammed into our house.
Elder Tyler Meidell
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