Christmas in Cali!!

 Hey y'all!! 

I just wanted to wish you all a muy FELIZ NAVIDAD!! I hope you all enjoy this special day with those you love and most importantly feel the love our Savior has for you!! 


Because of Christmas, my pday was moved to today instead of last Monday!! It has been a CRAZY week and a half!! First off, I got a new companion!! Hermana Valenzuela from Cuidad de Juarez Mexico!! I was SO STOKED when I heard it was her because I lowkey have been struggling with my Spanish and wanted a latina would be able help me lol. Hna Valenzuela actually learned English on the mission so it has been really cool to get to help her with her English while she helps me with my Spanish. We try to speak Spanish as much as we can and it has reminded me of the good old days in Argentina completely submerged in the language. I know she is the companion I have been praying for. Although technically I am training her to be an STL, she has already  taught me so much from her work ethic and example and I'm so excited for this transfer! 

Coincidentally enough, we also got put in charge of the English classes for the mission this transfer! Not going to lie, at first I was super surprised when we were assigned because we both have absolutely 0 experience teaching English and still to be honest don't  really know what we are doing haha. But it has actually been fun trying to figure it out together! A learning curve for sure though and has pushed me outside my comfort zone. But, if any of y'all know of anyone who is need of FREE English classes led by 20 year old sister  missionaries you can send them our way!!

We also found a new friend named Fernanda who is literally an escogido!! We found her just street contacting in the park one day. She told us that she knew the missionaries very well in Ecuador and her family went to church over there but when she came to the United States a year ago she had never gone back to church!! We gave her a Book of Mormon and have begun to teach her! It is so neat to see how the Lord puts people in our path who truly are ready and searching for His gospel. 

The next day we taught the Restoration to Fernanda and two other new friends named Christopher and Elia over the phone and they all accepted the message! It has been hard lately to find opportunities to teach because of the lockdown rules here (no teaching in person basically) so those 3 lessons were just the biggest tender mercy to me. I know the message of the Restoration is true and my testimony grows stronger every time I get the opportunity to share it!! 

We also have been doing a TON of service this month which has kept us SUPER busy and helped me reflect on the true character of Christ. He literally spent His entire life serving and thinking of others and constantly chose to turn outward when the natural man would turn in. As a missionary I have grown to appreciate this Christmas season like no other to be able to find joy in the small acts of service for others when we chose to do what Jesus Christ would have done. We have delivered Christmas stockings to the blind, written notes and made cookies for all our members, and wrapped probably 80 plus presents to give away to families in need in our zone. We got to do a Sub for Santa service for the Ortiz family in our ward and for another family in our stake who recently had one of their daughters pass away and it was so special! 

I just want to finish with my simple testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ. This time to remember His birth is a time of light, joy, and hope because He brought and filled the world perfectly with all of those things. He was born for each one of you and me, so that in ALL times of our lives, whether they be easy or hard, we can find hope and peace. He truly is the light of the world. This season I have been pondering and searching for Christ not just in the big picture but in the very details of my life. I have never felt closer to my Savior as I have felt Him around me and noticed Christlike light and attributes in all those around me!! 

Love you and Merry Christmas!! 
Con amor,
Hna Tate 
















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