12/20/2011

Feliz Navidad!

I hope all is well with you all on the boat, cruising along, island hopping. sounds like fun!

I dont have much time this week. Yesterday morning we got up super early, and caught the first bus to Quito. 7 hour bus ride..so yeah. we got there, ate lunch and walked to Presidents house in the pooring rain. It was super fun, but super cold too. In the coast, they dont celebrate Christmas really, so I havent felt like it is Christmas time, with the cold, and the lights and trees and just the stuff that comes with Christmas. but in Quito, dang! its christmass. Pretty Cool to see a big city at Christmas time.

We had dinner at presidnets house. Ham, potatoes, veggies, salad, rolls. It was really good. Being there was great. all the missionaries from 3 zones, about 40 missionaries, it felt like a family. We read from Luke 2, and then went outside and Christmas caroled for about 45 minutes. Luckily the rain had stopped. We went back to the house and had a closing christmas thought. It was Elder Hollands message to the missionaries a few years back, describing his first Christmas away from home. It was a great thought and the spirit was very strong. Every time Im in Presidents home, I think of how Mom and Dad would make the best mission president couple. Dad with his powerful and inspiring way with the scriptures and talk, and mom with her loving and unbelievable home making abilities. Remember what Elder Holland said this last conference...just a though i had. :)

Anyway, this past week was great. We had two baptisms, Adrian and Alba Pascal. It was a tender mercy how everything worked out with them, and the baptism turned out great with a lot of support from the ward. So humble, they invited us to dinner on Christmas day with Alba and her daughter, and all the little kiddos. It should be great. We have a good message to share with them.

Ill call you on Christmas day. I dont know when we are going to skype so just be ready on Christmas day. Ill call before hand obviously. Prolly around mid afternoon?? No se todavia. We´ll be in touch though.

Have fun on the cruise! Grandpa gave me the rundown on the All state ceremony. Sounds like it went really well and that it was a great experience for him. Once again, Good work Josh.

Merry Christmas!

JAGE