I just wanted to wish everyone a merry Christmas. This is my first Christmas away from home and it was different for sure. 

We were invited over to have Christmas breakfast with a couple who serve as  missionaries that help coordinate all the mission vehicles. 

Then we got to talk to our families and I was able to see that they were enjoying the nice California weather lol. It was nice to be able to see and talk to everyone and still feel like part of the family even though I wasn't able to be there in person. 

Things have started to slow down a little bit but we are still teaching people. We are also doing english classes with some people and that has been really cool to help them learn because I can understand the struggle of learning a new language.

 Also thank you for all the birthday wishes it does feel strange to be 20. 

I've almost been out for a whole year and it's crazy to think all that has happened in the time that i've been out. Most of it doesn't even feel real because things went a little crazy soon after I left in January. 

All I know is that through it all God has a plan and he knows me personally. When it comes to Christmas I love how even if you don't really celebrate the birth of Christ as the focus of Christmas you cannot deny that at the very least He is the cause for a holiday that makes people happy and that brings family together. 

I hope that everyone has a great Christmas and that we can see the change that the holliday has on those around us.

Elder Ethan Amata

For the pictures it's just some random things and some food lol.

Happy Thanksgiving

 Happy Thanksgiving!

This week was a little slow but we got to have 2 Thanksgiving dinners so that was fun and I got absolutely stuffed lol. One was with our mission president who is a really cool guy from Idaho so we sat at different tables and talked and had a good time. The other one was with a family in the congregation who invited us over later in the evening. 

Covid cases are going up in Kentucky so it's possible that we have to go back into shelter in place but for now we are still able to safely visit people. Honestly the thought of going back to shelter in place scares me a little because I love getting to talk to people face to face but all I know is that whatever is in store has a purpose. 

There's a scripture in the book of Mormon that is one of my favorites, that says 

"But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things." 2 nephi 2 :24 

So I am trying to have this scripture be the motto or theme or something like that for my mission because I definitely didn't expect covid when I signed up for a mission but I did sign up to do what God wants and needs me to do so I guess there's probably something that can be learned from all this. Have a good week .

-Elder Amata 

Sorry this is the only picture I took this week but let me tell you, that cat was fluffy