January 4, 2010

It is amazing the difference in the temperature between Chile and Minnesota. We told Jeff that we are experiencing bitter cold, as low as -18 so far, while he is in the middle of summer, out in the hot Chilean sun all day

Hey!I really think that God made me for cold weather, not for the heat. But this last week it wasn't too terribly bad, but it was still hot. -18 is definitely very cold though.

We have been asking about the progress of a woman named Rosa, who had committed to baptizm, then moved to the south for awhile. She recently moved back to Jeff's area and he had this to report:

So I have some exciting news..I had my first baptism on Saturday! Rosa finally got baptized :) She is great, she has such a strong testimony. I had the privelege of confirming her yesterday, which was really cool. I was nervous,lol. But it went well.

I also had to lead the music for church and teach Gospel Principles. It was a busy day. I also did divisions with the Zone Leaders yesterday, I was with E'Robinson in his sector in Peñaflor. It was nice, he is a really cool guy. I've been here in this zone with him the whole time so I know him pretty well.

I had asked Jeff about the traditions in Chile for Christmas, if they were much different than here. He seems to have quite a different schedule than the Elders here in MN at least.

The Christmas traditions are a lot different here, thats for sure. Most families eat dinner at 10:30 or eleven and once it's 12 open all their presents and are up till 3 or so. People are weird here. Same thing with New Years, late late dinner and partying all night, lol. We had to be back in the house at 10:30 New years..lame. Oh well.

This looks like the mission holiday party. I see that Jeff has found his two former companions, Elders McKay & Salinas.

The bishop and his family have taken good care of Jeff during his time in the ward.

I will miss the bishops family a lot, but I gotta leave sometime.

Have you and dad thought any more about coming down to get me?

Jeff had mentioned that he thought it would be a great idea for us to come to Chile at the end of his mission and meet him there. Hopefully we will be able to consider doing this when it is time.

Well, I'm gonna wrap this up but I have no doubt that this is the Lord's work and (even though I miss home) this is where I need to be right now. I hope that I will be able to help a lot of people this year :) The Lord always provides a way to accomplish what He wants, our part is to have faith.

Chao,

Love and am praying for you all!

Love,Elder DeLong