The Lonely Drive on Christmas

Christmas morning 2011 at 3:00 am! I couldn't sleep because I was so excited for Christmas morning. Finally when 6:30 rolls around we hop out of bed, run to the tree and tear open presents. Always a good way to start the morning. I have never been able to sleep the night before Christmas because growing up my older brother and I shared a room so there was more talking and that has continued and probably always will. I don't think the lack of sleep came from the presents but more from the spending time with my family all day and just sitting around watching our new movies or putting together the new toys or fixing the scooters that we just got because they couldn't handle the jump! But it has always been a day to spend with my family. Since I have been on my mission I have spent Christmas with other missionaries so it has still been like having a family there with me.

However, the thing that stuck out to me this Christmas was not only that it was Sunday but that on our way to church (at 8:00 am) we saw so many people driving, driving either alone or with their dog. And for some reason that really got to me, to see so many people not with their families made me realize just how blessed I am. Seeing all the people driving and knowing exactly what my family was doing, which was watching all the nieces and nephews open presents and sharing that joy together and there I was sitting there driving to church and seeing all of these people alone on this holiday. That sight really made me want to share the gospel even more! I wanted to stand on Cafe Rio and yell the plan of salvation and that we can be with our families for time and all eternity! I realized the great need for temples on the earth today and the need for a Prophet to lead and guide us in these troubled times. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a huge emphasis on families. We believe that families are the most important social unit in society. We learn from our families and in them we grow physically and spiritually and we can become closer to God as we study together and pray together. It breaks my heart to see people alone on the holidays because that means they are alone most of the year! Lets end this and bring our families back together! We can do it with the Gospel of Jesus Christ!