On December 7th the country of Colombia observes the Dia de las Velitas.
This day is the unofficial start of the Christmas season in the country
(however Christmas decorations have been in the stores since the end of September!)
On this day, starting at dusk, people place candles and paper lanterns on their windows, balconies, porches, sidewalks, streets, parks and squares...true to the strong Catholic tradition here in Colombia, this is in honor of the Virgin Mary and her immaculate conception, which is remembered as a Colombian holiday the following day, Dec 8.
But it made my thoughts turn to the prophecies in the Book of Mormon...
In 1 Nephi 11:15-22 we read:
Nephi, what beholdest thou?
And I said unto him: A virgin, most beautiful
and fair above all other virgins.
And he said unto me: Knowest thou the condescension
of God?
And I said unto him: I know that he loveth his
children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things.
And he said unto me: Behold, the virgin whom
thou seest is the mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh.
And it came to pass that I beheld that she was
carried away in the Spirit; and after she had been carried away in the apirit
for the space of a time the angel spake unto me, saying: Look!
And I looked and beheld the virgin again,
bearing a child in her arms.
And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of
God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father! Knowest thou the meaning of the tree
which thy father saw?
And I answered him, saying: Yea, it is the love
of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men;
wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things.
And he spake unto me,
saying: Yea, and the most joyous to the soul.
I am grateful to this faithful woman who "found favour with God" Luke 1:30 and who through her example taught us that "with God nothing shall be impossible"Luke 1:37..."Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word" Luke 1:38
Here are a few pictures from our Noche de Velas in front of our building
(okay...a few on the back row did not move so we could see them...
but it is a miracle we keep trying to get them to line up!!)
Love these missionaries...
they are miracles in my life...
always helpful and ready to work! One of my favorite Christmas songs comes from the animated movie 'Twas the Night Before Christmas (wise old father mouse!)
Even A Miracle Needs a Hand
Miracles happen most every day
to people like you and me
but don’t expect a miracle
unless you help make it to be
You hope and I'll hurry
You pray and I'll plan
We’ll do what’s necessary cause
Even a miracle needs a hand
You love and I’ll labor
You sit and I'll stand
Get help from a next door neighbor cause
Even a miracle needs a hand
We’ll help our maker
to make our dreams come true
but I can’t do it alone
So here’s what we’re gonna do
You hope and I'll hurry
You pray and I'll plan
We’ll do what’s necessary cause
Even a miracle needs a hand
We’ll help our maker
to make our dreams come true
but we can’t do it alone
So what are we’re gonna do
You wish and I'll whittle
You drip while I dry
Lets all try to help a little cause
Even a miracle needs a hand
Help miracles come about in your life and in the lives of others and then count your Christmas miracles this month!
Elder Stutz, Elder Uceda, Elder Carillo, Pres. Prince
He arrived with his darling daughter and wife!
Olga Inez and Hermana Uceda
He taught, inspired, directed, loved, and cheered us on.
The spirit he brought to the mission was incredible and we all left wanting to be a little better.
Here are pictures of each zone with the Uceda Family
(so sad that our flight to Pasto was cancelled and we had a skype conference with our
Pasto and Ipiales Zones...thus no pictures of them)
Tuluá Zone
Paraíso Zone
Palmira Zone
Calima Zone
Villa Colombia Zone
San Fernando Zone
Popayán Zone
The Office
Our mission couples....The Olivers and Torgersons
The greatest of THANKS goes to this behind the scene kitchen crew who helped shop for, prepare, and transport to the chapel - lunch for 132 hungry missionaries!!!
Maria, Ana, Luz Mary, Miriam, Pres Trochez, and Ramon
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