Christmas in Comparison



This Christmas season I have been reflecting a lot about my Christmas as a missionary, and how I can make this Christmas just as special as last years. My mind draws a blank for a few seconds but then I remember why last year was so great. I was focused on my Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. He is why last year was awesome. I am still dedicated to him. I am still striving to be a disciple of Christ, so Why can’t this year be just as great!?

 President Henry B. Eyring said it best:

"Many of you will in the Christmas season find ways to give food to people who are hungry. As you do, you bring joy to the Lord. Yet He taught us that there is a way to give an even more priceless and lasting gift. He said, 'I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst' (John 6:35). With all the kindnesses we give for Him, the greatest we can offer is to point those we love and serve toward Him, the only source of eternal life."

 —Henry B. Eyring, "The Gift of a Savior.” Christmas Devotional Dec. 2010

I love that Christ is in and can be in everything that we do, in the season and during the year. I am so grateful for the mortal Life that He lived, the example that he was, and the Life that He lives now, for He does LIVE! I KNOW IT!

I love the words that the Angle spoke to the shepherds on the day of His humble birth: (Luke 2:10-11)

10 “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you agood tidings of great bjoy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is aborn this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Fear Not! We have good tidings of great joy for ALL PEOPLE!! We have a Saviour!! We need not fear things in this life! This brings so much peace into my heart knowing that this Gospel is for me and everyone!

I hope this Christmas season you will feel the Joy as you remember Christ our Savior!

 

All My Love,

Shannon Durr

Hello- It's been awhile. . .

HEEEYY!!!! Remember me??! My last post was almost two years ago. .Feburary 2011. I can't believe it!

I have been on a mission and now I am home. Trying to get back into the swing of things. The adjustment has been good. The only hard parts is not crying at night cus I miss being a full-time missionary, teaching and serving the Lord's children in Florida, and getting back into the groove of having a social life. Social life includes dating even though I have already experienced a post mission heartbreak. Yay the joys of life!

Here’s a little update of what it has been like three months of my post mission life. A lot of things have taken place. I am working full-time as a front desk manager. I’m keeping up the good habits of reading my scriptures, prayer and attending my church meetings, listening to the promptings of the Holy Ghost most especially about school where to go, where not to go, when to go and such. It hasn’t been (and still isn’t) the easiest transition but the Lord is blessing me with trails and experiences that are teaching me and helping me grow. I love it!!

So my job. It is the most perfect job for me right now. I am able to interact with all sorts of people just like the mission. I have even been able to share my beliefs with a few people. Missionary opportunities are still all over the place! For example: There is a student named Scott. When he first came to the college he had on a couple CTR rings. The other night he noticed my CTR ring and we started to talk about it. I asked him if he was a member of the church, “No, I am not.” He said. So I asked him “why do you wear multiple CTR rings?” “I like what is means. It helps me.” We held a great conversation and I learned that he was baptized as an eight year old but hasn’t been to church in a really long time. I invited him “to go back”, “that he needed it.” I learned some more vital information and invited him to “start reading the Book of Mormon”. After a good five minutes of him thinking, he agreed. He had never read it before. I told him that I would start reading it from the beginning as well. SOOOO COOOL!!!!  He is going to come back into the fold! I am also working with a high school friend, Marcus, in hopes to get him to agree to meet with missionaries . . . again . . . and for the right reason ;-) It isn’t easy in Utah but it is possible, and there are people that are prepared and I am praying that I will find them for the missionaries.

Needless to say, I wanna get back into blogging, probably one post a week! So great ready for my adventures! 

 2013 is going to be AN EPIC year! So Stay tuned!