December 27, 2009

We were able to talk to Jeff on Christmas Eve. Fortunately, all of our family was able to be here for his call. Greg & his wife Laura flew in from UT a day early to try to miss some of the big snow storms that were heading our way. It was the best to be able to hear his voice and just confirm in person that he is alright and doing well. Jeff and Greg talked in Spanish for awhile, and carried on a good conversation. Greg served a mission in Venezuela & is still fluent, so he reported that Jeff's Spanish is coming along very well. Having his two last companions be Latino sure helped.

Hi!

It was awesome to be able to talk to you, not to mention everyone in the family! It was really sweet! Glad to hear that you are all doing well, there was a lot more that I wanted to talk about, but there just wasn't enough time..oh well at least there is Mother's Day too ;)

Everyone opened the Chileno gifts that Jeff had sent us:

Glad everyone liked the gifts! Did you and dad like the sweater/ponchos? I thought that they were pretty sweet, I almost kept dads for my self haha

I definitely missed you all this Christmas, it sucked to be away from you. It was a lot different expierience, but the plus side is only one more and then I'll be home to be with you all for the next Christmas.

Maybe just a touch homesick? We sure missed having him here with us, but his selfless service to his Heavenly Father is one of the things that make Jeff such a great guy.


More companion updates:

I'm able to work with my companion, so thats what is most important. As a person though I don't like him, but I guess you just have to learn to deal with it sometimes.

Here is how Jeff describes spending his Christmas -

Oh after I called we went back to our sector and worked for a while. Then at 9 we went over and celebrated with the Vargas Family(I'm forwarding the pics) So that was fun.



















Then the next day we went over to a family at 6 an 8 (and we did get a few gifts haha. Most deodorant spray, I guess I smell bad haha.) But the Bishops family gave me this nice smelling cologne. And yea, thats about it. Today we had a fun zone activity, water balloons were involved. Haha, hope that you all have a great new year!











Miss you all and am praying for you!

Chao!

Love Elder DeLong


Also since we have had so much snow lately, we sent him a picture of some of it, so maybe he can feel a little cooler as he looks at it on his hot days there.