ROSALBA'S BAPTISM

I asked Elder Dussan and he said that he is from Bogata North which is right by the temple! But you guys are so lucky to be in Hawaii in the warm weather! I was just laughing about when we went to Hawaii a few years ago and I flew home early for the championship football game with Dad hahaha! But yeah I got the package and I was confused about he tie because I didn't see one in there but I love the keyboard I! It makes everything so much faster and easier! Now I don't have to type everything on the ipad #firstworldprobs. I love that you got fried on one side! Classic Newport for all of our family haha.

But this week has been great! We had another baptism on Saturday! It was the lady, Rosalba, who Elder Gomez and I were teaching and then asked for the sisters. I was so happy to hear that she was going to get baptized because it made me feel so much better about her asking for the sisters to teach her! I was so happy to hear the news and then earlier in the week we got a call from the sisters and she had asked if I would baptize her! I was so happy I was going to start doing cartwheels in the middle of the street but Elder Dussan told me not to. So on Saturday her and her son were going to get baptized and when they showed up the son didn't want to get baptized anymore so it was just the mom.  My heart was so full of love for them and The Lord! I had to baptize her twice because I accidently messed up on one of the words so I felt kind of bad but hey she is baptized now and has the gift of the Holy Ghost! I never realized how important this gift is that we have because investigators are always like it is hard to understand the scriptures and then when you guys come and are teaching it makes them seem so simple.  This is because we always have the spirit with us and the spirit testifies directly to our needs in the way that we most effectively learn.  I love Rosalba and her son so much! One thing that made me so grateful that during their baptismal interview, we went with the district leader and his companion because they needed another man, the sisters were talking to the son and were reviewing the questions with him and they asked him what God means to him and he responded that he means so much to me because he's like my dad right now because I don't really have one! It was the shortest but most sincere testimony I have ever heard. I am so grateful for you guys all as a family, especially dad and Sam too for always having the priesthood in our home! I never knew how important it was until I got here and I am going to do all I can for the rest of my life to live worthy of it so my family can live worthy of it too.  My heart is so full of thanks for them and for The Lord right now in my life. I know this gospel is true!

But Liz and Oscar found a dog the other day outside in the snow and it is so cute! It is just a baby and it looks just like Carol! The girls named it tiny Browny and it is funny because their other dog Butterball looks like a mix of Kev and Box so it makes me feel like I am right at home! I took a picture with it, and don't mind the hair because I just barely took my beanie off.  But I hope that you have a great time in Hawaii. I love and miss you guys but there is nowhere else I would rather be! Oh and me and Elder Dussan are staying together again this transfer.

Rosalba's Baptism 

BAPTISM IN THE WINDY -- BELOW FREEZING -- CITY

We are supposed to stay inside all day but we may run to the Church so we can be with some of the missionaries! I always cover myself to keep warm!  The only part of my body you can usually see is my eyes.  We will be safe - don't worry.  But I will send a better email in a little while!  Love you!

Okay so we are at the church now! We made it just fine! I wore two hats, a scarf, my big coat, a sweatshirt, sweats, long johns, 2 pairs of socks and my long gs.  -40 below isn't as cold as you would think it is haha. We played sports at the church for a long time today and are going back home to rest!

But I loved your pictures. That is so nice that Kev let you and dad sleep in her bed, such a sweet dog.  And I think that is one of the first times I have seen Dad in a suit in forever! But I would love to meet up with Jim if I can! But yep I made the Christmas cards! It took me like 10 minutes to do I just went to Walgreens and had them done on one of our p-days! I also have a funny Christmas card that I just haven't sent you guys yet, it is written and sealed and stamped I just need to send it.

Liz's baptism was amazing! It was funny though because our ward mission leader doesn't really help us that much and our bishop gave him the keys so we were waiting before the baptism at the church to fill up the font and he arrived late so we were stressing out that the font wouldn't be full and that we wouldn't have the jumpsuits because they are both locked. Finally he gets to the church and we are like thank goodness but we still need to hurry. He is sitting there for a second and then he is like I forgot the keys in my temple pants because all of the members go on Saturdays to the temple here. I am so stressed so the other missionaries helped us take off the locks for the font so we basically broke into it and luckily he had another key for the jumpsuits. After that though the baptism went great! Her husband did baptize her and it was amazing! Oscar's dad confirmed her on Sunday and we were talking to her after and she was like today is the happiest I have ever been! She said she was overwhelmed by the spirit and that she could feel it enter her when she was confirmed. We reminded her that that feeling is hers forever now! It was absolutely amazing and it was nice for our other investigators to see! President and Sister Woodbury came too.

And then yesterday I was fasting for help to find new investigators and then one of our part member families walked in! The husband (the investigator) had been out of town for all of December and he finally came to church! It was an answer to my prayer and he looked up all the scriptures during the classes and his son got ordained the priesthood! It was a miracle!

Everything this week has been so great! Love you guys all! I will send some pictures in a few minute too when I am back on my iPad.

ELDER DUSSAN, LIZ AND OSCAR AND FAMILY, ELDERS EICHERS AND GOMEZ

ME AND MY DAD WITH OUR FAST SUNDAY TIES ON FOR OUR FIFTH FAST SUNDAY:

BEST WEEK OF MY MISSION

So this week has probably been the best week of my mission! I loved talking to you guys so much! I surprisingly wasn't homesick at all! It was so great to see and hear you guys again! But everything is going great here!

I have changed my whole mind set. The last few days have been the best of my mission.  I am thinking more of the people here rather than what is back at home. I am so grateful to be a missionary and find those people who are ready for the Gospel!  My testimony and the spirit has grown so much in the last few days it is crazy and I haven't had any homesickness! I love being able to share this gospel with people every single day! I have realized that through faith everything really will be okay, if we do our part and be bold and share, The Lord will bless us. With this blessing I received the strength to find people here and realize all of the blessings in my life!  I love being a missionary!

But Oscar received the priesthood yesterday so he will baptize Liz on Saturday! I also have been thinking about how grateful I am for Dad and Sam because we always have had Priesthood holders in our house. The blessings of the priesthood really are huge. Liz is doing absolutely amazing though and she is so prepared! It's amazing because our ward was one of the highest baptizing before they got split so they haven't had a baptism in like 7 months so this is the first one in a long time! It really is the Lord’s baptism! All that we have done is be the instruments of The Lord and the spirit did the conversion!

I love the people here so much and I know I am called to be here in Chicago for a reason! My testimony is stronger than ever and I know the Book of Mormon is true with all of my heart and the Book of Mormon contains all of the ideas of this Church so I know it is all true! I love you guys so much and families are forever! I love you guys more than anything and I am attaching a few pictures!

Love papi

 TRYING TO KEEP WARM

UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATER

A LITTLE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

CHRISTMAS DAY SKYPE

Elder Eichers called us at 3:00 and we Skyped our conversation.  He looked good and sounded like he had found his home in Chicago.  Here are a few of the things he told us:

The cold weather.   It is so cold!! The day before he wore thermal garments and ski long johns.  And he still froze.  He said they’re supposed to talk to people on the bus, but by the time they get on the bus all they can do is try to warm up they are soo cold.  The weather will be like 10 degrees, but then the wind brings it down another 15 degrees.

His District and Zone.  Their area goes into the city, so they are able to go right into Chicago without going out of their area.  Their spanish district is assigned to one ward, and include 6 elders and 2 hermanas.  Elder Dean is his district leader and he has been there 19 months – Elder Eichers loves him and says he is the funniest kid. Their zone is three districts, and includes about 24 people.  Every Wednesday they have a district or zone meeting. He said most of the people they talk to have the line they are catholic (maybe they are).  He also said it’s hard to talk to families, because the parents’ work schedules are so random with shift type work.  In our Salt Lake area most parents work during the day and are at home at night.

His Mission President.  Elder Eichers loves President Woodbury.  He says he is the nicest and most inspired man.  He said every time President Woodbury talks to them he feels like it was for him – just what he needed. 

Spanish.  His Spanish is improving.  Elder Dussan is from Colombia and is learning English.  So during lessons for an hour they both go into rooms and talk out loud.   His language is improving, lessons are good, but regular conversation is harder. 

The food.  His former companion Elder Gomez weighed 100 pounds when he got there, and when he left in the last transfer he had gained 30 pound [Elder Gomez was transferred up to the border of Wisconsin, in the farmlands and cornfields.]  Garrett said they really have to watch their weight.  Elder Eichers said his favorite food is ---- and then probably Giordorias.  He loves the ice cream and cake shakes at Portillos.  He said for breakfast he eats cereal and for lunch usually a quesidillas or some chicken and spinach…but for sure a lot of quesidillas.  There is a new Café Rio in a suburb, but it’s too far and out of Garrett’s area.  His least favorite food has been brown/chocolaty mole and marinated pork skins.

Sleep.  He sleeps great.  He said he hasn’t been sleep talking, though he did a lot in the MTC.

The Apartment.  Garrett did a tour of the apartment on his I-pad.  It was a nice apartment and he loves living there. The bishop of the other Spanish ward lives below them.  He can do his laundry there and he says that saves him at least $20 a month and they can stay in their apartment while they’re doing it.  There’s a food pantry, but Garrett says he doesn’t go in there because all the missionaries have left creepy stuff.  Haha.  There is a nice big closet that Garrett showed us that is filled with stuff from missionaries who left stuff behind before they transferred.  His bed was all made with the bottom sheet turned over his comforter at the head of the bed. – Wow, we were impressed.

The City.  Elder Eichers loves the City of Chicago.  His favorite place is Magnificent Mile, although they have no money they love to walk there.

Baptism.  On January 4^th they are baptizing the mother of the family he has been teaching.  The father is getting the priesthood on December 29^th, so he can baptize her.  Elder Eichers is so excited about this!!

Best Friends. We got a chance to call his friend and have him face time Elder Eichers while he was skyping. 

Christmas.  They had a district meeting in the morning where they were going to bake cookies.  They were still opening gifts gradually.  Their 1:00 lunch appointment cancelled because she was sick. [They probably loved the time to just have a breather].  Elder Eichers and Elder Dussan each skyped on their own i-pad and then were going to dinner at the downstairs bishop’s house. 

CHICAGO TEMPLE AND MISSIONARY CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES

Yeah this week has been great! We have done a lot of stuff for Christmas! But I did get a package on Friday from Grandma that was sent to the mission office! I got it and I am waiting until Christmas to open it! I also got one from Ellis family and from Shirley and their family! But I love all the packages they are so nice! I have also gotten a few Christmas cards that I love! The letters are my favorite! Also I am sending a few cards home to you but I don't know the addresses to them so can you deliver them from home?  But on Christmas I can skype you guys! I just need you to send me your skype information so I can call you because I have my account I just need to call you guys! But it will probably be at like 4 o'clock because we have a district meeting/ making cookies in the morning and then we are eating dinner with the Gandera family at 1! The Gandera family is the one that Eric knew from his mission who was in this ward!   But the family downstairs just invited us for Christmas dinner so Christmas will be busy!

But the temple was amazing! It was so awkward in English though for my first time again. But it was amazing to go through and one of the workers there was brother hicken who I stayed with on my very first night here so that was nice to see him again! But it's crazy, the temple is like a home to me. I feel like you guys are right there beside me when I go through! I love that feeling and that peace that I feel there!

Also we have been wearing ugly sweaters to some parties and things like that so that has been way funny!  We got the ugly sweaters at Good Will so it was like 4 dollars! But I did make some holiday cards and will send those out too!  We had a Christmas party at the mission home with our zone on Friday and that was way fun too! But Liz is going to be baptized on the 4th of January! I am so excited for her! Her testimony is so strong and she loves the Gospel and is sharing with her parents! Oscar is going to receive the priesthood too on Sunday! We are so excited!  Their oldest girl is Jayleen (like jaylin) and the middle is Kayle and the little boy is Andrew! But Jayleen turns 8 jan 31 so she wants to get baptized soon too! Since the ward split in February it has gone through a little bit of a baptism drought because it's hard to get everything figured out again so it will be the first baptism in like 6 months in the ward! I love their family so much!

But the members here gave us tons of stuff here too! I got 2 ties, free meals to chipotle, and a big box of stuff! They really love us!

Everything is going great here! Keep me updated!  Love you though and I will talk to you on Wednesday about 4 or 5 your time! Love you!!!

WARD CHRISTMAS PARTY with the Ugly Christmas Sweaters:

 SELFIE with our "Big Box" from the ward members: