My new companion Elder Don Key (December 5, 2011)

Hi Family!!

Ok!  What the heck?!  Why do you guys go all out on the gingerbread house making when I am not home?  It looks way cool and huge! Does it take up the whole dining room table?

I was way happy to see all the pictures you sent me.  You guys all look great!  Grandma looks great and even grandpa looked pretty good but I does look like he lost a lot of weight. 

Mom, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I am sorry I haven't sent your card yet.  I have been so busy this week and I don't even know where the time went.  Mom, you would be so proud of me.  This week we went shopping at Kohl's for clothes for a family in the ward and we spent all the money you and Bonnie sent but we got quite a bit and it said on my receipt that I saved $500.  You taught me how to bargain shop so well and I think this Christmas is going to be great for their family.  Elder Stewart was sent some money from his parents so he is going to buy pots and pans for the mother in the family but he can't make up his mind to save his life.  We were in the kitchen area of Kohl's for about an hour and half and in the end he didn't even buy anything.  I told him to get the cheaper set but he wanted to get the more expensive set so he couldn't decide because he wants the family to have the best. 

Jim’s baptism didn't happen this week.  We had to reschedule it for this week because Jim is having a hard time giving up his old addictions and so we have to start the stop smoking program again.  Last night we were able to watch the Christmas devotional with Jim, I don't know if he got much out of it because the kids and the whole family we were with were so loud.  After the devotional I was able to talk to Jim.  He said he has been having a stressful week and couldn't take it anymore so he had to smoke.  It was one of the coolest experiences that I have had.  I was in the back of the car sitting next to Jim while Elder Stewart was in the passenger seat and Brother Reyes was driving.  We were taking Jim home and while we were on the drive back I was able to give Jim a pep talk guided by the Spirit.  Words just started flowing out of me.  I don't even know how to explain it but no one else spoke, it was just Jim and me and I was able to give Jim some hope and inspiration through the Spirit.  His life needs to change or he will never progress in anything and will end up back in trouble.  He needs the gospel and the help of his Heavenly Father and I know he will be blessed when he makes these changes. 

Bert’s baptism will probably have to be pushed back too because she doesn't feel that she is ready yet.  Loannva is great.  We asked her if she would be baptized and she said yes but we didn't set a date so that will be the next thing we do.  She was supposed to come to church yesterday but didn't end up coming because her car tire was flat so, after church we went and changed it for her.  She loved that we did that for her and wants to make us dinner soon:).

This week I went on an exchange as a threesome with Elder Leavitt and Elder Ika, the newest elder who is from Tonga, while Elder Stewart went to zone council in Pittsburgh.  I think he will become a zone leader because he is not a zone leader and he got invited to the zone council.  On Friday night I helped Ika and Leavitt with a live nativity that they were doing in their ward.  It was really fun but a lot of standing around.  I will send some pictures. 

We have hardly been able to use any Spanish which stinks because if you never get to use it you lose what you had and don't progress at all.  Other than learning the language,everything is going well. 

I love you guys and pray for you!

Send my Philly hat