New Year in New Jersey

Good morning!

Had a great Christmas out here in the field. It's nice to have a Christmas where you are mostly focusing on sharing the message of Christmas. I really love Christmas. I was worried that I wouldn't like it on my mission but I actually did.

Also we had two Christmas dinners. Now that doesn't sound like a lot but actually IT IS. Yes I'm sure all who have been missionaries have done worse but I honestly felt like it would have been a blessing to throw up. Then later that night we ran home after eating these two Christmas dinners because we parked super far away and had to get home on time.

NOT GOOD.

Never do that.

But it's fine that is what the mission is ALL ABOUT :)

Highlights from the week:

Talking to the fam! It was great to see all of you (although I didn't figure out how to get skype to work til the last five minutes...I'm definitely losing my touch with computers these days)

Getting great packages!

   -My favorite gift: missionary journal from my sister Alison! I honestly never thought I would want one of those because that's a nerdy missionary thing but now that I'm a missionary I LOVE it. It has room for my companion and areas and everything else could ever dream about in it! Love it.

   -Getting the most candy I have ever received in my entire life

   -Got a present with Justin Beiber wrapping paper. Thanks Alison :)

Committing an investigator to baptism! About that... AWKWARD STORY OF THE WEEK:

Walked into an investigators house to find that he is in the shower. This made us VERY uncomfortable so we decided it was time to leave but she (meaning his roommate Rosalina) WOULDN'T LET US. So we just sat there on our investigator Luis's couch waiting for him to get out of the shower. SO. AWKWARD. So finally he gets out and we start our lesson with him and we have the most spiritual lesson EVER. He read the Book of Mormon, was prepared and asked questions and we could tell that he was ready! So we committed him to baptism. And this isn't just a "maybe I'll get baptized thing." This is a pull-out-your-phone-and-write-down-the-date-and-time-of-your-baptism-on-your-calendar thing. Overall, one of the most awkward/spiritual lessons I have ever had.

One of my favorite things about this area is the viejitos (old people) that live here. We work with an 89-year-old man named Jose. None of his family are members and he really wants them to be! He is the cutest grandpa man you will ever see. We call him Hermano Uva because in Spanish one of the meanings of "uva" is "cool" and he says it all the time. We're like best friends with him now.

Another adorable viejita is Hermana Santina, who is the sweetest and nicest old lady I have ever met (except for my own grandma of course :). She let us teach two investigators in her house and says that we are "angelitas" (especially my companion because she has blonde curly hair. kinda looks like a halo I guess). 

Nelson, our other investigator who is set for a baptismal date is on board still! I seriously love that man. We walk into his house and he says, "Enough chit-chat, tell me about the GOSPEL." Which is great, because that's our best subject. He really wants to learn! I love it when people want to learn.

That was basically my week. I hope that everybody had a good Christmas. It is my favorite time of year. And not just because I get so much candy. I love you all!

Haz lo justo (choose the right) and know what you stand for!

Hermana Reed