We talk of Christ

 November 28, 2023

Dear family and friends, 

 

The weather is beautiful here, not hot, not cold. I went shopping today and they are just putting out Christmas. They play Christmas music in English in the airport and the malls. In the airport I heard quite a few religious Christmas songs. Too bad they don’t understand the words and the meaning. That is why we are here! Our little band of missionaries are working hard. We are proud of them. 

I decided that this year I wanted to celebrate Christmas with our missionaries, our returned missionaries and our leaders. Because we have 2 locations an airplane flight apart it is 6 parties. Poor President Hughes, he’s so nice to let me do this but it is totally out of his comfort zone. I’ve asked missionaries to plan the parties in the North and the south. I’ve been trying to do some preparations everyday. Freezing cookies and cookie dough, buying food, buying cards and gifts for the missionaries. We are going to share about creating Christ centered traditions at Christmas time. Christmas is still pretty simple here. I hope they can keep it that way. 

The missionaries don’t get packages here so I want them to get something memorable. We take them to a rice field when they arrive and talk about the fact that they are laborers in the field. We read in the scriptures that the field is white and ready to harvest. So earlier this year I worked with a craft shop and they helped cut out an ornament with a Vietnamese lady working in the rice field and it says Christmas 2023. Thanks to my brother bringing us pictures of Joseph Smith I was able to get those framed for each missionary as well. There are other things but I most excited about those 2. 

December is going to get crazy! 6 parties and  We have a weekend district conference, a 3 day YSA Conference, quarterly training in the North and south, interviews with the missionaries and zone conference in the north and south as well as weekly Friday devotionals. That is a lot of speaking! We are so blessed to be given so many opportunities to train and testify of Christ. 

2 Nephi 25:26 And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophesies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins. 

Dec 4,2023

Wow I wrote that letter a week ago and I thought I sent it. 

Something wonderful that has happened since I wrote is that our driver got married and our mission counselor. They celebrated on the same day in Hanoi and Binh Duong which is outside of Ho Chi Minh City. We went to our driver, Noi’s wedding because next week there is one more celebration for our counselor in Hanoi. President Hughes’ counselor, President Vuong and his sweet wife are also getting sealed in the Thailand temple in 2 weeks. We are so happy for them! We wish we could join them. 

I hope all is well with you. We love you and miss you. You are in our prayers. 

Love, 

Janece also known as Sister Hughes and Ba Hughes





















 

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