Craziest Week

Dear friends and family:

This may have been the craziest week I have had in my mission. It started off slow, for the first few days before Christmas. In general people were less and less willing to open their doors to missionaries because of the business of the season, but we saw many miracles despite that.

On Christmas Eve, we had two meal appointments. The first one unexpectedly turned into a service project because the members forgot to mention they wanted us to stay afterward to do something, but luckily we could cancel all of our appointments and we had a fun time. Later that night, we ate over at Hma Posas' house. (A mi me gusta las baliadas!) Then we slept over at the AP's house so that we could spend Christmas morning together. (I may or may not have opened all of my presents over the last few weeks due to impatience. Regardless, it was fun.) Thank you all for your packages and letters and everything you have and continue to do for me!

Another member offered to feed us all breakfast on Christmas day. (She feeds us at least once a week, sometimes more.) It was delicious. Later that day, we skyped with our families. I saw Britney for the first time in more than 2 years, and Becky and Jeremy and Thomas and Claire for the first time since I left in September a little more than a year ago. It was really fun.

This is where things get really crazy. I haven't mentioned it before, but Elder Hunt has a medical problem that has been bugging him for a while. We had an appointment with President Richardson to talk about it on Saturday. The conclusion that they came to was that it would be better for Elder Hunt to return home for a few months, resolve the problem, and then return and complete his mission later. President made a few calls, set up a flight on Sunday morning, and we were obliged to spend the rest of Saturday packing so that he would be ready to leave on time. Now, Elder Hunt is gone. My area is temporarily combined with Fort Lauderdale South, a Spanish area. We'll be a tri-companionship for the rest of the transfer. (All of January and into February.) My new companions are Elder Allen and Elder Reno.

Surprised? Me too.

Another thing that happened this week, in a galaxy far, far away, is that my family went to the temple and was sealed together again because we adopted Nathan a while ago. I forgot which day it was exactly, so I couldn't celebrate at the same time, but I'm just as happy as all of you!

Wow, typing emails takes a long time. I'm about out of time, until next week.

Thanks, Elder Slade