I am sorry that last weeks letter and pictures did not get put up- I had foot surgery last Monday. So here is your Christmas gift of 2 letters. We are so excited to talk to Tynan on Wednesday. Thanks to you all for your love and support to him.
Cheryl
Sent Dec. 16
Hola Mi familia
This week was really great. We had a zone conference. We didnt get packages but thats fine. It was great because Elder Svec of the seventy was there. It was a really great conference and was good. I am really looking forward to this next year. As a mission we are going to read the book of mormon 4 times. I am really looking forward to doing this because my testamony of the book of mormon has grown so much in my mission and I want to see it grow more. It really is great that we know of all of these things.
We are getting ready for christmas it sort of feels like it is going to just be another day but thats fine. There are a lot of christmas lights and decorations up here which is a little surprising to be honest. Not as much as at home but still it is great to see everything because I love that stuff. We know that we get to talk for 30-40 minutes on christmas. We are going to do it in the evening at like 8 here so like 4 there.
I cant believe that you guys got tickets for the christmas concert for the mormon tabernacle choir. And you guys were so close!!
This week I had a great experience with our recent convert carmen. She has such a strong testamony and every time She shares it I feel like I am learning something new. Her son is a member and has mental problems and she has such a loving attitude to help him always. They had a big problem this week and her patience and love was something that I want to have for my family someday. She relys so much in Christ and that is why she has so much trust and love for him and his church. I am so happy to have know her and been a part of her process of conversion.
We have changes this wednesday. We dont know what is going to happen but we think that we will stay here because I only have one change here in this area and my companion only has two. We are hopping that we dont have to move to a new area right before christmas but we will see.
Time always is going so fast and every week I cant believe that It is time for p day again. But I love what I am doing and am excited for another transfer. this will be my 4th in chile. I cant believe I have been here for so long. I love you all so much and hope that you guys are having a good christmas.
Te amo
Elder Hamilton
Sent Dec 23
Hi Family
I am glad to hear that everything is going good. I have an anouncement to make....
Im a father. Yes I have a son and he is 23, from columbia, and is the only member of his family. I am a trainer this transfer. It is a little crazy to think about this but it has been good these few days. We had changes on wednesday and we have been working in our area. It is going really well. I am realizing that I am able to do much much more than I though before. It is still great to have a latino companion to practice my spanish more. I have felt really comfortable with my spanish for a while now but I still need to practice and learn more. I am excited to see him progress and learn more and more. He came pretty well trained, I think his age helps a little too. He has been a member for 4 years and is the only member of his family. He said that he believes that when he returns from his mission his family will listen to the missionaries.
Our area is really great I like it a lot. We have one investigador with a date for baptism. His name is elias and his date is for January 12. He is progressing a lot and has asisted two times. It is really good because he has a lot of friends in the church. He has such a great story with the holy ghost. I dont remember if i told you guys this or not but I will tell it again. He always has had questions about the holy ghost and what is the holy ghost. He has visited other churches before and they always say that the holy ghost is like dancing and yelling "Amen." He said that he never felt like that was the holy ghost. Because how could something so crazy almost like a fiesta invite the holy ghost. I really is so true. It made me think about the temples and how we go their and find peace and tranquility. It is something that cant be faked. The spirit is pure joy and peace in our lives. I love the temples so much and really cant wait until I can go back and visit the temple, ok thats a lie, I really can wait. It really is such a special place where we can feel the spirit so strong. It is the same with the church. Every week we can go to take the sacrament and feel this peace and comfort from the spirit. I am so grateful for this blessing of the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life and that I have this opportunity to share it with other people.
I am really excited for christmas! It doesnt feel like a normal christmas of course but still I get the feeling of christmas and I am excited.
I love you so much and hope that everyone has a Merry Christmas.
Feliz Navidad
Elder Hamilton
Made pouch with member
Snowing in Chile
Yea! It's Christmas
