Merry Christmas

I'm feelin super Christmasy. It's my last mission Christmas! Elder Hebertson and I are playing acoustic Christmas shows in the plaza to find new investigators. I play the guitar and we sing Christmas hymns and the other elders contact people that listen to us. I'll try to take some pictures this weekend to send next Monday...it's pure legendaryism.

This week started with intercambios (exchanges). I was with Elder Tanner Bryant (Mesa, AZ) in the small town of Las Varillas. We had a good time and worked hard and it was awesome (for lack of better words). That was Tuesday and Wednesday. Then Thursday we woke up at 3:30 to get on a 4:00 o´clock bus to Córdoba for the Zone Conference. I saw some good friends and had some good times. It was a half p-day half zone conference. After the spiritual part, we all played soccer, volleyball, obstacle race, tug of war, sack race, and water fight. We had an asado, and received an engraved mate cup from the president and his wife. I also received a package from my family! However, I still have not received an SD card letter, I am assuming it is not going to make it here. I greatly appreciate the candy! And I am saving all the gifts for Saturday...mainly because Elder Hebertson is lame and won't let me open them :(. He also received two packages. One with Christmas decorations! So we have a little tree, snowflakes, and lights. This Christmas feels a lot more Christmasy than the last. He also received music so that adds to it. He also received two stockings (one for him, one for his comp). Each stocking contains twelve gifts, so every night we get to open one until Christmas and each one has a scripture reference and the scripture is related to the gift. For example a scripture about clean hands is accompanied by a bar of soap. It's fun :).

As for other things going on, although it's way hot and humid, I will see a white Christmas. How? White in baptismal clothing! We have been struggling a little bit lately, we haven't been seeing the results we want, but the Lord has seen our faith and our diligence and has blesses us with a baptism I didn't see happening till January! I'm so excited! It will be Elder Hebertson's second and he will have baptized every month of his mission thus far (MTC excluded).

Now for the Christmas call. Pres Salas recommended us calling instead of being called. So, Saturday morning I'll be calling around 10/11 my time, if you have any problems let me know, it can be later if you'd like.

Tell Kayla happy birthday and all our family Merry Christmas and I love and miss them.

Paz fuera che,


ELMX

What Comes Before Part B?....Part-ayy!

This was a party week! Wednesday there was a young men/women activity (it was Day of the Virgin) so no one had school. We are teaching a 12 year old boy and 16 year old girl (their mother was baptized last month and we are trying to complete the family). So we invited them both, Miguel and Juliana. They came...along with their mother and cousins and neighbors and nephews. The other elders invited two young women from a family they are teaching as well, well that whole family showed up. The choripan (sausage sandwich things) didn't cover all the extra people, neither did the soda. So we tried to help out, but it still didn't reach. However, it was fun and everyone enjoyed themselves.

The following day (Thursday) we had a lesson with Marcela. She is going through a lot of rough problems right now, with her husband and just life in general. Well she had an important court meeting, she was really nervous. We explained Priesthood blessings and offered her one. I have never in my life felt so inspired as I gave a blessing. I have never been so bold nor specific. I was impressed with myself afterwards wondering what happened. The next day (Friday) was the ward Christmas party. Marcela came with all her kids and her neighbor with her husband and their kids. While at the party she pulled Elder Hebertson and I aside to tell us how court went. She said everything I had said in the blessing came to pass. She said she had never felt so peaceful in such a rough situation. It was way awesome hearing that from her. The rest of that party went really well, and there was enough food haha.

Those are the two big events from this week. Thursday I'm going in to Córdoba, so hopefully my package has made it and I get it before Christmas! Also, Summer does have a home, but on exchanges Elder Hebertson and Elder Bryant found an even younger puppy that was going to die in the street and ended up giving him away too haha. We're not only saving souls, but dogs too! As for the photo of me with my guitar, that is Villa Maria, on top of our apartment complex.

Well I love you all and will write and talk to you next week!

Love,

ELMX

Lots of Work...Lots of Heat...and a Dog for One Night

Hey. So Argentina is way hot. I forgot what it was like to have hot Christmas. Christmas songs don't really exist, all I hear is Eminem and Rihanna and a type of music called Quarteto, Christmas season doesn't really start until day of the virgin (Wednesday). Everyone decorates their trees and the country stops for a day. Although the country comes to a stop about 34 times a year for all their national holidays. It also comes to stop every day for a couple hours starting at one. (ha!ha!) Generally more people do listen at this time of year, but just one time, it's hard to get it to continue.

Could you do me a favor and send the talks given by the First Presidency yesterday in the Christmas devotional. The messages were really good and I would like to be able to share them with others. One of the part member families were visiting came to the devotional! It was way awesome. It was broadcast live here so I watched it at ten o'clock and made it home around twelve. I felt so cool, and kinda like Levi instead Elder Lamoreaux walking around at that hour.

Well transfers came this week and I am here to inform I have six weeks to get to know Elder Hebertson even better. Interested in hearing a story about Elder Hebertson and I? Wednesday afternoon we heard some crying sounds coming from a weed covered field. I went to investigate. What did we discover? Five abandoned puppies! I said oh that's sad, let's go. Elder Hebertson said no, he said they were "cute" and "tender" and he "wanted to keep them and sleep with them". Well I said no but that we could call some members and see if anyone wanted a puppy. They were about a week hold. Nobody wanted one but he still was not leaving them, so we took them up in our arms and walked through town asking who wanted a free puppy. We were able to give away Che, Nigger, T-Swizzy, and Lodo. We were left with, however, Summer. She was the ugliest of the bunch and no one wanted her. Elder Hebertson was so stoked to have a pet dog we ended up taking it home for the night, then we were going to give it away the next morning, also under the condition that Elder Hebertson took care of it. Let's say he did not. The dog cried all night and I took care of it all night. All morning I took care of it and when I got out the shower my companion was just looking at the dog with hatred in his eyes. He has never had a pet and after this week I don't think he ever will haha.

That was my week haha. Lots of work, lots of heat, no changes with transfers, and a dog for a night. Also interesting side note. My two mission Christmases are going to be spend with Elder Frias (he is serving in the same branch but with a different companion). I wonder how many missionaries spend two Chirstmases with the same elder. Have a great week and enjoy the Christmas season and don't be Grinch's! (it comes from President Uchtdorf's talk).

Love you, chau,
ELMX