Ok, I'm sitting in an internet cafe in Los Angeles, and I'm ready to get some writing-to-the-family done.
I saw the picture, it's not very good quality but I was able to make out who was who. It's good to see the family all together! I haven't seen recent pictures of you all in a few months now! Hopefully that photo album will get here pretty soon.
Glad to hear that the Christmas program went well! I'll bet everyone loved it. It's really interesting to hear about the activities of a really strong ward in the church while I'm here in a small branch in Cabrero. We didn't have any special thing during sacrament meeting, but we finished up the day at church with something even better....a baptism! Maria, the half-deaf abuelita got baptized! I'll include photos of that today. It was a really good week for us here in Cabrero despite the fact that Elder Rodriguez and I weren't in our sector for 3 out of the 7 days. On Monday I went south with President Swenson, Hermana Swenson, and Elder Kamalu to play for the mission conference down there, and then Wednesday was another mission conference in Talcahuano at which we also played. It was really cool to travel with President Swenson and his wife - I couldn't have asked for a better mission president. Anyway, we had 7 investigators in church yesterday along with 3 less or inactive members, so we're pretty satisfied! We have 3 baptismal dates for the 9th of January, and then 2 more for the 16th: Danitza, Yanitza, Diego, Diego, and FREDDY! Hopefully all goes well with them and they can keep progressing to these dates. It's so amazing to see the change that happens in all these people's lives as they come closer to the Lord. I love working with these people.
Ginger bread houses! Now there's something I wouldn't mind doing with the fam again. Well...I would probably be like Ian and eat my house as I built it. Or maybe he wouldn't do that...but he's a weirdo...so...yeah. Haha. That's nice of you to let them invite friends over, make sure Cami invites a girl! Haha, just kidding Cami, just make sure he's not dweeb.
Snow...what's that? Is that some kind of soup? Hmmmm... Yeah, so it's full on summer here - hot all day every day. And sometimes at night, it usually cools down a bit in the evenings though. I won't complain, though, I love it when it's hot outside. I know you'll all tell me about the time I called summertime a poohead, but I've changed my mind hehe.
Marriages, weddings, graduations, marriages, more marriages, AHHH!! BOOM. Congratulations to all that have gotten married, told someone you're going to marry them, and as for those that have graduated...I'll send you a Bon-a-bon or something ha. But seriously, congrats to everyone!
I hadn't heard that Nathan was in the MTC, but that's really cool! He'll do great. I didn't know Jacob was either, but I'm sure he's doing great things. Let me know if you hear any updates on them.
Yes, I can talk with Justin on Christmas, if you just want to pass along the number I gave to you that's where I should be. You can call him when we're done talking and then he can call me. Bummer that I'll be missing Jasmine and Joel...maybe next time.
I don't remember who it was, but I remember you telling me about someone who said they never felt in danger on their mission, and I'll testify to that. Yesterday Elder Rodriguez and I were walking to Freddy's house because we were going to pick Maria up for church and her baptism, and this drunk driver sped out of a street, and skidded to a stop about 2 inches away from hitting me. There was also a family with a few youngsters standing behind me, so it was a miracle that he stopped. He backed up a little bit, turned and sped off wrecklesly down the road. We wrote down the license plate number, and then Freddy called the Carabineros (police) who came and took care of it. The Lord takes care of his missionaries :-)
Well, that's about all I've got for right now - I'm really looking forward to talking with you all this Friday! Once again, thank you for the goodies, the shoes, and the presents that I haven't opened yet (Santa has to bring them to me on Friday hehe)! I'm sure you'll be there, but try to be home on Friday until I call you, and then you can go out and party. I'll probably be calling in the afternoon here, because Freddy, Carmen Gloria, Elder Rodriguez and I are going to go to Salta del Laja in the morning. But it will probably still be morning for you guys when I call. Anyway, I love you very much and can't wait to talk to you! Merry Christmas!!
Love,
Trevor
