To Maisie, Love Emma

Dear Maisie,

I had the chance to serve you this year as your Christmas present. When I was thinking about what to do for you I was drawn to your talent of art. I am honestly the worst artist in the world so I couldn't do anything in that respect but I thought of what I could do with my talents.

I chose to expand upon my talent of singing. I know that you use your talents to help others feel the spirit. I decided to try and help others draw closer to Christ and feel his spirit and his love. To do this I joined the Lehi Family Week choir. I sang two songs: For the Beauty of the Earth and Amazing Grace. We spent two hours every Sunday for three weeks and learned the songs as well as the meaning behind the words. We performed these pieces at the Lehi Family Week devotional. Hank Smith spoke and three families in Lehi were recognized for impacting our community in great ways. I think that our choir was able to bring the spirit to this devotional and I really enjoyed being a part of it.

As I learned and performed both of these songs I gained a deeper understanding of Christ and his undying love for me. My favorite verse from these songs comes from Amazing Grace. It brought me the feeling of peace and love and I would like to share it with you.

  Through many dangers, toils and snares 
  I have already come, 
 'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far 
  And grace will lead me home.

This line, to me, testifies that this life is hard. But it continues to say that we have already overcome so much and it is with Christ that we are able to do that.

I have a great feeling of gratitude whenever I read that line. Christ is here for you and me and he will guide us through these trying times.

As I participated in this choir I was also able to make new friends in my ward. The week previous to joining the choir the Bybee family moved in down the street. They had two girls around my age, Makyia who is 12 and Eva who is 14. They attend a school in Salt Lake where their mom teaches and so they don't know very many people in our ward. I invited my best friend Lexi and the two Bybee girls to sing with me in the choir. In that simple act we have become good friends. Makyia is a beehive and I have found a friend that I can hangout with in Young Womens and in Sunday school.

Even though this was not supposed to be part of your service I couldn't help applying it to you. You have recently moved from Hawaii to Sandy and from Sandy to Eagle Mountain. As the "new girl" you didn't know anyone in your ward and I'm sure that was rough. After meeting Makyia and Eva I have noticed how much I needed their friendship and how much they needed mine. I am grateful that I was able to get to know them because I was serving you.

I am so grateful that I could focus on serving you this year because I have learned about the love of Christ for all of his children. Thank you Maisie for being an amazing example to me and a great cousin. I love you!

Love, Emma