Merry Christmas To You All

Dear Family and Friends,

The Christmas season is here as it is all around the world. It doesn't feel like Christmas time in South Africa though, due to the warm weather. At the time of this writing it is 27 degrees in Pleasant Grove and 75 degrees here. We think we can stand the weather but sure do miss you all and spending the holidays with you, our family and friends.

The Lord is blessing Africa in so many ways, preparing the Saints for the wonders He can perform, and has promised that He will perform to these humble and kind people. We could see how the gospel had grown in this country before we left Africa the last time, but since then it seems to have accelerated at break neck speed. We can see in the future new temples being built as the people dedicate themselves completely and can support more temples in this country. We won't see it but the day will come and all here will be blessed.

We are only a small part of the Lord's work here but we have found that as small and simple as our contribution is, it is sorely needed as the number of Senior Couples seem to diminish. There is so much work to be done in so many areas and so few to do it. It is a blessing to serve and we are grateful for the opportunity and the joy this mission brings. The Lord has truly blessed us and we are touched by his kindness and mercy.

As we ponder our Savior and His birth we need to re-dedicate ourselves to be the best people that we were foreordained to be. Our eternal lives are dependent on what we do today, tomorrow and forever. In God's gift to the world, His beloved son, we with gratitude, celebrate the giver and the gift. Kindness, service, humility, forgiveness and mercy are only a few of the attributes that we have inherited from our Heavenly Father, within us we have these traits which the world desperately needs.

We send our love and will be missing you, have some turkey for us and some pumpkin pie YUM!
Love,
Elder and Sister Taylor (Jan and Bob)