The answer is love.

Elder Scott sent home so many wonderful photos and letters this week that it's hard to choose what to focus this blogpost on, but after thinking about it for a while I decided to copy down some of the words he sent me in my 36 page letter (You read that right. I'm a pretty lucky mom!) He started his letter talking about home and Christmas and other ramblings that were going on in his head (I loved it because it felt he was there beside me telling me about his day and chatting about life). Around the 3rd page his rambles turned to the topic of love and how grateful he was to come from a home where he never questioned our love for him and how unique, in the world we live in today, to actually get along with each other and genuinely care for one another. Here is a little more in his own words.

"I never valued love really before my mission. Like, I knew of it. I used it every now and then. But, since coming here I really have learned what real love is and how important it really is. It really is what makes the world go round. It's the foundation of everything we do. It's the base of the Plan of Happiness. Like, without it there literally wouldn't be anything. No Plan of Salvation, no earth, no Savior, no us, no world, no anything. Everything is based on love. It is so important. People don't even begin to understand the complexity and importance of love, it's really quite sad. In the world today it's also harder and harder to find. It's devastating really. That's Satan's real goal, to get rid of love. I think he understands its power. He understands the importance. That's why he tries to use hate and anger. It's the opposite of love. He tries to snuff out the power of love. 

Part of me thinks that we have the choice to let love be snuffed out. Another part of me though is thinking that it never can be. It can be diminished, hidden, even weakened, but I don't think it can ever be snuffed out. In the end, it's always there. No matter the answer, love is still powerful. It's the tool of our Heavenly Father. 

So do we treat it as important as it is? Do we value it like we should? I really don't think we do. I know I didn't. I still have a long way to go, even now. Love is a wonderful thing. When times get hard, when people make you mad, when every fiber of your being is being put to the test, we need to have love. That's why Christ was perfect. He never ceased to have love. He never ceased to care. Even as nails were driven through his palms, a gord pushed into his side, a crown of thorns placed on top of his head, his body whipped and tortured; he never ceased to have love. He asked our Father to forgive the very people that not only had wronged him, but were still in the act of doing so. He still had love. In a situation where to use it would be humanly impossible to have love in our minds, He did. He never let it falter. Love is powerful."

He ended this passage of his letter saying how it is amazing what can be revealed to you as you sit down and write. It's one of the reasons journal writing is so highly encouraged in our church. He hadn't given the topic of love much thought until he started to write to me and all these seemingly random thoughts popped into his head. But, I know they weren't random. I know who put those thoughts in his head. I know who chose that moment to teach my son the value of love. Isn't Heavenly Father amazing? He knows just what we need, and gives us the tools, often times right at our fingertips, to understand His plan for us. What a blessing it was this Christmas season to hear from our son, both through Skype and his beautiful hand-written letters, letting us know how wonderful missionary work is and teaching us important lessons about love, life, and being faithful, even during difficult times. I'm so grateful for my missionary and the thousands of missionaries around the world spreading this message. The year 2016 has been a year filled to the brim with more blessings than I ever imagined possible. We pray the same is true for you, and that 2017 will shower you with even more.

Multi-zone Christmas party and devotional 

Elder Scott's Halloween package finally arrived a couple days before Christmas.

Super cute DIY snowman decoration they made out of cups.

A yummy treat ~ Frozen Mangos

Getting a much needed haircut

Their Bishop made the Elder's a pie

The Primary Christmas Party

Someone we know and love was asked to play Papa Noel

His disguise wasn't fooling anyone

The missionaries had been praying for a White Christmas and their greatest wish came true when Hermana Bertha and Hermana Gabriela were baptized on Christmas Eve. It was a spectacular day for them. Elder Scott was overcome by the Spirit as he watched two people he had taught and grown to love enter the waters of baptism and make sacred covenants with our Father in Heaven. He could not have gotten a better gift than this. 

After the baptism they had a Christmas Eve feast prepared by Hermana Elsa

Christmas morning in Palermo

We hid 2 of these cute stocking in Elder Scott's
luggage when he left for Perú. One for him
and one for his companion.

His brothers hid a present in his suitcase, too

And of course mom and dad snuck a
few little things inside the suitcase.

He got a small shuffle with a portable speaker
so he can listen to church hymns.

A cool missionary pillowcase. 

He loved his Mickey socks.
A little taste of home all the way in Perú

Elder Parra gave Elder Scott this very cool wallet
and Elder Scott gave him a watch.

We ended this incredible Christmas Day with a Skype call. This minutes went by way too fast. We loved every second we got to spend with our favorite Elder this year. 

My favorite part of Christmas was the chance we
had to Skype with Elder Scott.
Technology is truly amazing.

Merry Skypemas

I saw this floating around the internet and thought it was perfect for this Christmas season, and for our first ever Missionary Skype day.

Feliz Navidad from Trujillo Perú

I skipped the sales after Thanksgiving. The thrill just wasn't there. No pictures taken with Santa Claus, My decorating has no flair. His presents are shoes, shirts, and ties, two suits and socks...no fun. I've bought him all white clothes because...
This year I'm giving Christ my son.

I've spent more time in the temple, my testimony stirred. I've reread November's Ensign, felt strength come from His words. Our family prays more frequently. My tears are quick to run. Abraham seems closer because,
This year I'm giving Christ my son.

I wonder how those Lamanite mothers, gave their sons to war? Or how the pioneers chose Zion , their sacrifice was so much more. My loss will be his presence, I'll miss his smile a ton For two years we will pray for him,
I'm giving Christ my son.

I stare at his face when he's not looking. I memorize his eyes, their shine. He's always hungered for the part of him that makes his soul divine. The stories and lessons he always heard, his choice and mine are one. I'll put my faith in God's hand. This year,
I'm giving Him my son.

Past gifts have lost their glitter. I think I finally understand: Christ's birth should be celebrated by giving Him a hand. It's because I know Christ lives and reigns that all his packing's done. My gift has taken years to make, This year...
I'm giving Christ my son.

I know there's One who understands the sacrifice I'm making. Who knows the gift I willingly give, the toll it will be taking. For He has done it all before-- greater love, there could be none. For years ago God gave to me,
His only begotten son.

The hands I washed, the hands I held, the hands I taught to pray; Now knock on doors to find the ones who will listen to what he'll say. Because I know Christ needs him, until all the gathering's done, My gift has taken years to make.
This year...I'm giving Christ my son.

3 months have come and gone, and sometimes you look like a lobster.

Three months have come and gone! It's surreal to think back on all that has happened these past few months. The amount of growth and change we've seen is astounding, and the blessings we're all feeling from Elder Scott's service have certainly been felt. 

Some of the highlights from Elder Scott's past week include; A district beach day for the missionaries preparation day (p-day) that unfortunately resulted in some pretty severe sunburns for a lot of the gringo's who aren't quite as use to the intense sunrays South America offers. No worries though, the missionaries thought the day was fantastic despite their lobsterisque appearance afterwards. Elder Scott's pensionista, Elsa, gave him a bottle of Milk of Magnesia to apply over the burns which helped a little and eventually the fire engine red turned into a wacky shade of orange before finally peeling off to reveal a much more natural color of milky white. Even as a Florida boy, Elder Scott has never been able to hold much of a tan. 

It's nice to see the smiles continue even
through painful experiences.

Elder Parra bought chips and peach juice to celebrate Elder Scott's 3 month anniversary on December 13th. Then, on the 15th, Elder Parra got to celebrate his 1 year anniversary with more treats and goodies and the boys kept with the tradition of burning Elder Parra's most worn out, tattered shirt as they reminisced memories from the past year. It was a nice evening for both of them.

As a bonus to the week, on Elder Scott's anniversary actual raindrops were felt falling from the sky. That was the first time in over 3 months that Kyler felt rain on his skin and  he loved it.

Happy 3 month anniversary, Elder Scott

Happy one year anniversary, Elder Parra/

Along with the up's of the week, there were also a few downs. One of which happened during lunch one day when they heard car wheels squeal followed by a large thumping sound and unfortunately discovered it was the sound of a man getting hit by a car. It was pretty traumatic, and the response was vastly different than what would happen in America. People from all over gathered around the man for quite a long time debating what they should do as he lay there withering in pain. Eventually they helped him to his feet and loaded him into the car that had just hit him, and that driver took him to the hospital. No police or paramedics were ever called which is different from what we are used to, and we're all praying that he's doing okay.

After the stress of watching a man being hit by a car, some much needed comic relief was found as they watched a taxi driver attempt to secure the largest Rotoplas they have seen onto the roof of this miniature taxi. Good luck boys.

A couple other highlights Elder Scott shared was that he was asked to lead their weekly zone training which is something he really enjoyed. He was a bit nervous going into the training, but felt it went pretty good as he taught about obedience.

Elder Scott is continuing to love his mini Christmas devotionals and his nativity advent is coming together to reveal a wonderful keepsake. A couple of his favorite pieces this week were a camel and  a wiseman. He has loved the opportunity to read scriptures, sing Christmas carols, and focus his thoughts on the Savior as they open up and reveal the new pieces. 

Sunday is a day we are all looking forward to. It is one of the two times per year that Elder Scott is able to call home. We plan to Skype in the afternoon for about 30 or 40 minutes, and we can't wait to see his handsome face. It will be the greatest Christmas present ever. 

We all hope you have a wonderful Christmas day filled with joy, peace, and a Spirit that testifies to you that Jesus Christ is your Savior. He is the source of pure happiness and joy. It is through him and because of him that we are blessed with all we have. 
Merry Christmas, and may 2017 be a year filled with many blessings in each of your lives!

Ilumina el Mundo/ Light the World

#LightTheWorld
#ILUMINAelMUNDO

If Elder Scott had to choose a favorite time of the year, I'm pretty confident he'd choose the Christmas season. He's always loved the weeks leading up to December 25th, and this year is no different. In fact, it's probably more true this year than any previous year because he is a missionary and his focus is solely on the Savior and on spreading His gospel message to the people in Perú that he has grown to love like dear family members. 

Whether you're near your family or far away, or you have to work long, grueling hours and hardly have time to breathe, let alone find time to enjoy the festivities that surround you this time of year; the spirit of the season can be the same no matter where you are. It's not about the presents under a tree or the shining lights hanging from the rooftops. It's not even about the hot cocoa, peppermint sticks and singing carols around a Christmas Tree. All of these things are fun, and many are seeped in traditions that we love, but the real reason for the season is to remind us of the miracle of Christ's birth. For without his birth there would be no atonement and without the atonement there would be no purpose for us being here on earth. "We are here to gain a physical body, to be tested to see if we are willing to follow God's commandments, to prepare to have an eternal family, to bless God's children and to become more like our Heavenly Father."

Each morning Elder Scott and Elder Parra begin their day with a mini Christmas devotional. They start by singing an opening hymn and then read the scripture verses listed on 2 different count-down chains they have. They finish their mini devotional by placing the next advent piece of a small wooden nativity we sent them. It's coming together so nicely, and Elder Scott loves that he can continue this family tradition in Perú and start his day by focusing on the Savior.

We can all honor the birth of the Savior by giving of ourselves more. If you haven't seen this cute 4 minute video I highly recommend it as a way of remembering this truth. 
https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2013-11-018-the-reason-behind-christmas?lang=eng

Even in chaotic moments, one of the most powerful ways to turn your mind towards the Savior is through hymns. The next time you're singing a Christmas hymn, ponder the words you are singing. The words are like prayers, and when sung that way the spirit will testify to you of the truthfulness of the words. Whether that be Silent Night, Away in a Manger, or dozens of other songs, if it testifies of our Savior, it will make you feel good. It will remind you of the reason for the season and help you focus your time and energy on the things that matter most. Merry Christmas Everyone!

A few photos Elder Scott sent home from the past couple of weeks in Trujillo.

Trujillo, Perú LDS temple

The spirit radiates through all of these incredible Elders.

The grounds are gorgeous.

The temple grounds

Enjoying Christmas activities at one of the members homes.

Elder Scott has always loved the decorations
that surround the season.

The Elder's simple decorations this year in their apartment.

Elder Scott loved helping a family decorate
their tree. He was tall enough to put on the star.

First broken shoelace casualty.
There will be others.

The before picture:
Look at how happy he is at the thought
of American chocolate chip cookies.

The result made them all laugh.
No worries, the Elder's found plenty
of non-burned portions to eat anyway.

Elder Scott made grilled cheese sandwiches for
everyone and was in cheesy heaven.

The reason for the season can be found here.

Beach day where they
#ILUMINAelMUNDO
and managed to get a little too much sun.

#ILUMINAelMUNDO

Merry Christmas from Trujillo