Feliz navidad

We rode in a car with seatbelts this week. First time in over 15 months that I had put a seatbelt on. My mind was absolutely blown. I felt like I was going on a roller coaster. So weird. I cannot belive that is a normal thing back home. It seriously blew my mind. Its weird how used to a culture you can become and how fast your body can create habits. 

We stood in the town center and sang carols every night this week. It actually worked incredibly well. Three white guys singing. Who wouldnt want to watch. We probably sounded horrible, but it is probably all over tik tok. 

I absolutely love paneton. Dont know why so many people dont like it.

One evening this week things were not going for us. A bunch of stuff fell, including a baptismal date for 3 days later. I was absolutely beat. We had been walking around to little towns all day and I was absolutely exhausted. We were standing in the street trying to figure out what to do because we literally had nothing. While my companions were calling someone I went and knocked the door we were standing in front of. A lady opened up and said she was busy. I asked her if she would have 3 minutes to talk about Christ’s birth. Another no. I asked her if she knew that the authority that Christ had and gave to his apostols to do miracles and do his work had been restored to the earth once again. The door opened. We went in and she told us how her daughter was having bad health problems. She asked if we could give her a blessing. We did it and it was incredibly powerful. I dont even remember what I said, but when we finished, everyone in the room was crying. They told us the classic "there is something special about you guys". Cool experience. Something that I have changed as a missionary is that every single time I talk to someone I mention a restored truth. This was really hard for me to start doing at first but I have seen huge results from it. Everyone down here knows that God loves them and that Christ died for them. What they don't know is that there are prophets on earth again, the preisthood is again on the earth, Christ came to the Americas, God has blessed us with another testiment of Jesus Christ, families can be together forever, etc. 

I still no sabo espanish. Said "hermano, vaya a el iglesia para que puede sentir la amor de Dios" this week 🤯🤯🤯🤯 im locked in. No wonder a guy thought I was crazy when I told him joseph smith was called "para que tradució" el libro de mormon. 🤯🤯🤯 I think I've realized my problem. I need to stop thinking about what I say and just talk. On a more serious note, I am fine. I havent forgotten how to speak, I am just way too up tight about it and because of that I make errors. Ill be ight though. 

The only thing I remember from my high school spanish class is the burrito sabanero song. Little did I know that that is litterally the only song I would hear for a month straight 5 years later. And cholito jesus. Banger. 

Got asked to speak right before sacrament meeting again this week. Kinda crazy. Second year in a row down here that they have asked me to speak at the christmas sacrament meeting. I actually have a recording of my talk and will throw that in here so that you guys can listen. Talked about christmas and baptism. There was a huge lady breastfeeding on the front row smiling at me weird. Definately won't forget this talk. 

Last night was absolutely insane. The whole city turns into an absolute war zone. So many fireworks, parties, and just craziness. We went up on the roof and were almost getting drilled by fireworks. We bought like 4 panetones, a few chocolate panetones, a bunch of empanadas, some besos de moza, inca kola, you name it. It was a blast. Definately one of the best nights of my life

 

Missionary work during christmas is magical. The peoples hearts are softer. My whole life I thought that Christmas on the mission would be hard. I figured that being away from family, friends, food, traditions, culture, gifts, snow, santa, etc would be hard. I was thinking last night about how these two Christmases I have spent in Perú have probably been the two best ones of my entire life. How is that possible? Because I have not put one thought into any of those things. I have had the privilege of spending christmas spreading the good news of Christs birth with the Peruvian people. I seriously love this place so much. I love these people so much. There is no place I would rather be than here this Christmas. 

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

May we all remember that he is the reason for the season. He is the king of kings. The lord of lords.