Feliz Natal e Bons Ferias

 MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Holy Cow!!!! It is already Christmas and also... Holy Cow!!! It is only my first Christmas. It feels like it has been both 2 weeks and 6 years since I was at home. There really is such an amazing spirit that comes with Christmas time. It is great to see people light up when you tell them Merry Christmas and also just to know that you are all having a great time way up north. My week was pretty good and really fast. Are you ready for it??

Monday (December 17th, 2018)

P-Day. Today was completely overshadowed by the fact that tomorrow we are going to have a mission wide conference. Meaning that every single missionary from our mission will be in the same place at the same time. This has not happened in at least 4 years. So today we cleaned our house the way my Mom taught me, and we got all of our things ready to leave tomorrow. We are going to sleep in the house of the missionaries of Arco-Iris tonight because it is closer to the bus stop. (Arco-Iris means rainbow so we have rainbow missionaries) (Im definitely not the only one who thinks that is funny right?) The house we will sleep in tonight has a lot of mosquitoes so I am expecting to wake up looking like that kid from the 80s that has chicken pox. Another piece of good news, we get to wake up at 2 in the morning to catch the bus to Porto Alegre.

Tuesday (December 18th, 2018)

So, today was the most fun day of the mission by far. We did in fact get up at 2 in the morning, walked in the middle of the freeway because there was literally no one on the roads because even the thiefs think it is too dangerous to be out that late. We caught the bus and what was supposed to be a 4 hour ride ended up being a 6 hour 30 min drive. But we got there and it was the best conferece ever. We had a spiritual thought from Presidente then we ate lunch which was super good. We then did a little theater thing about the life of The Savior which was surprisingly spiritual. After that, two things happened that I never thought I would do on my mission. Number one, we watched a movie. Yes it was a Christmas movie that had a spiritual message but it wasnt made by the church. It was the Christmas Orange movie. I love that movie. Then we played dodgeball. No that is not a typo. We played dodgeball. 90 missionarios from Porto Alegre vs 90 missionarios from Bage, Pelotas, and Rio Grande. Elders vs Elders and Sisters vs Sisters. You will be happy to know that our group won both times!! Then Presidente dressed up as Santa Clause which to be honest was a little weird but way funny. After that, we sang the mission song as an entire mission. It was awesome. Then we went home and got home at 11:30 at night. It really was the greatest day. An almost Christmas Miracle.

Wednesday (December 19th, 2018)

Today we started to work again. And after having our spirits lifted yesterday, we had an awesome day today. We found a family who has a ton of kids. They seem kind of interested but we will work on making them very interested. :) Also, we talked to a lady who thinks that she has to be baptized while she is smoking so that she can give up her addiction to cigarettes. That is not really the way it works. She even told us, I tried it one time and it didnt work but I think with more faith, Ill try again. Ok, you do that lady. 

Thursday (December 20th, 2018)

Remember that lady Suelen who I talked a lot about at the beginning of my mission? Probably not. Thats ok. Anyway, she is progressing a lot and she really wants to get baptized. We fasted today for her to get baptized this week. But we will see if the Lord has the same timing in mind.

Friday (December 21th, 2018)

Today we talked to a lady who already went to church in the north of the country for 3 months but was never baptised. Miracles are real! But now we have to find out why she wasnt baptised. But its all good. Dont worry. Be happy. 4 days until Christmas.

Saturday (December 22th, 2018)

We talked to Suelen today and she said that she didnt have time today to talk to us which means that she wont be baptised this week. But I know that we didnt fast for nothing. Something is meant to happen. And even if she was prepared in some small way to get baptized in 20 years, then the fast was worth it. But I think that even this next Saturday it will be great. We also found an entire family randomly that committed to going to church tomorrow. Wow what an amazing blessing. 3 days until Christmas.

Sunday (December 23th, 2018)

Today was kind of disappointing. We had a ton of people that committed to coming to church, but only 2 came. But that just means that we have to work harder right? But we did have a miracle that a lady that doesnt ever come to church came today. So God does love me. I know that without a doubt. Also, it was really cool because I got to know the families of Elder Newman, Elder Rico and Elder Inacio. There wasnt enough time for me to do it today so I will do it Monday but it was great to see them so excited to see their families. Man I absolutely love Christmas. 2 Days until Christmas.

I have no random thoughts this week, just remember that Christmas really is for Jesus Christ so lets all give Him a present this Christmas. Go out and serve. I love you all. Merry Merry Christmas!!!

Love,

Elder Allen