Hola Familia!
It was so great to talk with you yesterday, Christmas Day!!!
I loved it so much, by far the best christmas I have ever had! Apparently it takes a trip to Argentina to realize how important family is to you!! Thank you for all you do for me. I know I talked a lot to you yesterday, but here is a brief week in review…
Monday
We had a great p-day and we spent all day visiting families in our ward. We tried to share a short message about the Navidad and about the three wisemen following the star. We taught about how we can follow the Holy Ghost as the star in our life and how it always leads us back to the Savior. We tried to be as fun and very cheerful as possible because Argentines don’t really care to much for the Christmas holiday.
Tuesday
We had a zone meeting and it was super great. We practiced talking about Christmas messages since it was Christmas week! We were just ahead of the game. Then we had a lunch with a family in our ward and it was really great especially to tryout our new christmas message. Then we talked with a new investigator and the lesson went really great. We have another meeting with him later in the week and he also came to church!
Wednesday
We had a great morning, my comp and I spent a good part of the morning trying to send a package to his twin brother in Mendosa, Argentina. I colored him a picture of the free crayons while we waited in line! haha After that we went out to contact in a new area and to share our newly perfected lesson of Christmas. We didn’t have to much success in this new area but we tried our best. Then we just kept trying to contact all the streets till it was time to go home.
Thursday
Unexpectedly, I got my Christmas package!!! WhoooooHoooo!! It arrived just in time before Christmas! The package from home was in the mission home and the only way to get it to me was to purchase a bus ticket for the package. So the package happened to show up at the bus station late in the day and I was there to receive it. To my surprise the package came in a big red Santa sack! So cool! However, it was so scary caring this big red Santa sack home from the bus station, it is a long walk, and several people asked for “gifts form papa noel!” I just kept walking quickly home and finally made it safely to the apartment. Earlier in the day we went Christmas caroling at a retirement home and shared scriptures and our Christmas message with the elderly people. It was super great and they all loved to have someone want to talk with them! We sang and during every song one woman would shouted “hallelujah" it was great! I think she thought we were from another church but that was ok! They had an enjoyable time with a Christmas message.
Friday
We had to go clean the baptismal font really early cause it takes so long to drain. Then we went over to help and eat with the family that is having the baptism. It was so fun, they were all so excited. Then after we all went over and got ready and so many member showed up to support the baptism, it was super great and we had an amazing time.
Saturday Christmas Eve
My comp got really sick so we stayed home. I read all day and he slept all day. I read a lot, then ate, then worked out to curb the boredom, and repeated this cycle about five times… but it wasn’t too bad. After all, my comp and I opened our Christmas Eve traditional gift and true to form Mom sent both of us new Christmas PJ’s to wear! We both loved them and took pictures of us sporting our new PJ’s.
Sunday Christmas Day!
Best day ever!!! I got to Skype my family and it was awesome!! You already know all about that! What a great day to be a missionary and represent our Savior to share his love and message to all. It was a great day.
-Love Elder Vance
