The colors of Christmas in Tahiti

Christmas as a missionary is going to be different no matter where you serve...you are not at home with your family and friends. But when you are living in a completely different climate south of the equator it really doesn't feel like Christmas. Outside it is 89 degrees with 90% humidity. And yet the grocery store still plays Christmas songs about snow outside and fires glowing. You can see the decorations...

Yet the colors of Christmas abound here. It is summertime so the trees are in bloom. There are many red blooms to go with the green foliage.

 

Unfortunately this photo does not do this tree justice. The blooms are beautiful against the green leaves. 

And we have added our own Christmas inside.

Complete with a Tahitian print tablecloth :)

So we may not have a normal Christmas here in Tahiti. But we can still feel the true Spirit of Christmas...in fact because we are not as wrapped up in the hubbub of the season Christmas becomes simpler, more focused on Christ. We talked about this during our last Zone Conferences. We showed this video...

We talked with the missionaries about the fact that this Christmas will be either the only one or one of two that they will spend as a missionary. It is the only time in their lives that their focus will be on Christ and His gospel during the Christmas season. Let's make it special in a different way. Let's make it a CHRISTmas.

Wherever you are and whoever you are with, may you strive to feel the spirit of Christ during Christmas. He is the reason for this season.

Love and miss you all.