Christmas in the Mission Field is amazing… that is all.

Nah jokes.. but this Christmas was sooo much fun!! On the 20th we had our Mission Christmas Conference which was so cool, because ALL the missionaries in the ASSM came together for a great conference with yummy food and we got to watch a movie! (WHAATTT? President Back is so cool…) It’s called “The Spirit Of The Game”.. it’s about missionaries serving in Australia in the 1950s and how they helped the Aussies compete in the Olympics! So good.. I don’t think it’s out on DVD yet, but when it is.. watch it 🙂 And I got to see my beloved Clarks!!! (Pic below) love these humans. Also, I’m really trying to send along a video of the missionaries performing the “haka” at the Christmas conference.. I hope it works.. because wow.. this is powerful y’all. Such an incredibly beautiful expression of culture, power and respect! And then on the 24th we had an amazing Christmas Eve. We cleaned our flat and then went over to the Boogaards for yet another movie night!! (Did I mention President Back is awesome?!? what missionaries do you know, get to watch 2 movies for Christmas?!) This time the feature film was “THE LION KING”! YUUSSS! So of course I wore my Lion King PJ pants.. 😂 It was so fun and we had a little gift exchange with the Elders and the Boogaards. Love them!

And for Christmas Day on the 25th, we of course went to church where I completely slaughtered my musical numbers… my voice has been so sore from the last few weeks haha and Elder Agreda is totally sick so even he couldn’t save me.. awk lol oh well hopefully the spirit covered the rest! And after church I got to go online and talk to some of my absolute favorite humans!!! look how cute we all are 😉 I was so blessed to talk to my mum, dad, grandmum, siblings and my momma #2 and best friend!!! woohoo! Happy camper am I(: after skyping, we went to lunch at our beloved Fisk family’s home! <3 so much fun and good times! and then we got to go to dinner that evening at our beloved Child family’s home! good grief, all these humans are the bomb.com! They each gave us little surprise gifts, of an Aussie flag, a hankie, some fancy smelling soap and candle and heaps of chocolates and lollies. too much goodness.

I think my absolute favorite part of the evening was when we were all seated around the Child’s table and Bro. Child (who is actually not a member of our church) read out the Christmas story in Luke ch. 2 as well as scriptures out of Isaiah and Matthew and also the Book of Mormon. It was so beautiful. And we had a lovely discussion about why we give gifts at Christmas and what the true meaning of Christmas is. It was beautiful, such a strong spirit of love and joy surrounded us at that time. The Church is so true folks, and Christ truly was born, lived and died FOR us. And it is because of Him that we celebrate.. it is because of Him that I am here in this beautiful country meeting all these beautiful people… it is because of Him that I have each of you in my life, and I’m so grateful for that <3 I love my Savior, I love His gospel. I know it is true with every fiber of my being, and I know that you too can find that joy and love in His arms. Just take a chance and learn more!

I love you all! And Happy New Year, I’ll talk to you next year 😉
Love always,
Sister Swan
Australia Sydney South Mission

​PS Transfer calls are in.. I’M “DYING” IN BATHURST!!!!! Woohoo!!! I get to finish my mission in paradise! <3 Unfortunately, Sister Heimuli is leaving me… so next time I write I shall have a new companion. #bittersweet​