From: Elder Joshua Freeman Subject: Christmas week Date: 27 December 2004 11:14:14 AM EST ÁHola! Hey, howŐs everybody doing? It was great talking with you (those who I talked to) on Saturday. This week was pretty action-packed with all sorts of stuff, Christmas being one of those things. And lots of running around the entire zone. But we still managed to get in a lot of charlas, so thatŐs good. On Monday, the entire Zone came and we went to JavierŐs house to watch the mission video. It was pretty good. We only had a half P-Day (to be able to have a half day on Saturday), so we went and visited Clides, and then went and talked with the Flia. Quintana and then with Martina. Those both went pretty well. After that, we went to the Flia. LargostaŐs, and the Hna. told us that her sister-in-law (EdgarŐs aunt that we visited last Sunday) had passed away early that morning. So then we went to the Fern‡ndezŐ house to see how they were doing and then went to the Flia. G—mezŐ and had a Noche de Hogar with them, and that went pretty well. On Tuesday morning, we had the Zone Meetings like normal. After we were done, us and those from Yaguar—n and Paraguar’ practiced Christmas hymns to sing in the hospital in Paraguar’, which we were doing on Wednesday morning. That went alright. In the afternoon, we went out to the Flia. EstigarribiaŐs, but they were busy. So we went and visited Liliana. Her husband came home this week, so weŐll finally get to meet him and really work with them. After that, we went to BlasŐ to see how Elder LloydŐs stuff was going and also talked to him about Joseph Smith. He hadnŐt ever really heard anything about him after the First Vision. So that was good. After that, we went to Villeta for their baptism. The ladyŐs name is Mar’a, and the baptism went really well. SheŐs really motivated to help the rest of her family too, so thatŐs always good. After that, we came home. On Wednesday, we went to the Hospital Regional in Paraguar’, and went around to various rooms singing Christmas carols and sharing scriptures. It went pretty well, and we got a lot of references. So that was good. After that, we came home and had lunch. In the afternoon, we went to MartinaŐs and had a good charla with her. SheŐs doing really well now, and is pretty excited for her baptism. After that, we went to the Flia. EstigarribiaŐs and shared a little with them. Then we went to the new capilla (thatŐs still not done) and talked with Pte. Silvero. We want to do MartinaŐs baptism there (to not have to go to Yaguar—n), but they donŐt have the water pump in the font yet. So Pte. Gavarret said heŐll tell them to get on the ball. After that, we went to JavierŐs to get the TV and stuff and then went to the church for Consejo de Rama and Noche de Rama. Not many people came, and it rained. But oh well. On Thursday, Javier came with us and we visited the Flia. Vega and another inactive lady and her daughter that came to church on Sunday and asked us to go visit them. I wish they all did that. After that, we went and explored a little down where she lives, which is a part of our area that I had never been to. Then we came home for lunch. In the afternoon, we went to Paraguar’ to meet one of their investigators that isnŐt sure if/when he wants to get baptized. We had a pretty good charla with him, though. Then we came back and went to the Flia. OlmedoŐs. They have a 13 year-old daughter that lives and goes to school in Fernando de la Mora, but she came for Christmas, and we talked to her. SheŐs not a member yet. After that, we went to the Flia. TaboadaŐs and shared a little with them, and then came home. On Friday morning, we went to Yaguar—n to do a baptismal interview. While Elders Lloyd and Fern‡ndez went to do that, I went with Elder Graff to clean the church and the font and stuff. Then when they came back, we came home. We talked a little bit with Edgar, and then went and had lunch with the Flia. Largosta. In the afternoon, we went and talked with „a Rosa a little, and also Daniel y Lourdes. Then we went to the MarecosŐ (Liliana and her husband, Mariano) house, but they werenŐt there. So we went to BlasŐ and talked with him a little before going to Las Piedras to visit the Flia. Silvero. After that, we went to the Flia. Fern‡ndezŐ and they made us dinner and it was really good. Then we went to JavierŐs house, and they also made us dinner, and we watched some church videos with their non-member relatives. It was good. Then we came home and went to bed. There were a lot of fireworks and drunk people all night, but we slept right through it. On Saturday, we got up early and wanted to play some basketball, but there was no place open to do it at. So we just kicked around a soccer ball. We mostly just chilled all morning and talked with you guys. In the afternoon, we went out to work, but my bike had a flat tire, so we had to walk. We went out to the Flia. OlmedoŐs, which is pretty far, but they werenŐt there, so while we were in the area, we went to visit the Flia. Garrido. After that, we went to the Flia. G—mezŐ and had a good charla with the Hna. and her brother. Then we went to the Flia. CaballeroŐs and talked with them, and then finished the night with the Flia. Mart’nez. That was fun. Yesterday, there were a lot of people missing in church, but Martina and Francisco came, and so did the Hno. Quintana. So that was good. The meetings were all pretty normal, and after they were done, we came home to eat and study. In the afternoon, we went to JavierŐs house and talked to Francisco. Their sister was getting married, so they went to her house to help prepare, and we went too to talk with Martina and prepare her for her baptismal interview. Then we went by the Mart’nezŐ to get a tie that E. Lloyd had loaned to Estiben. Then we went and visited the Flia. of Nilson, and also their inactive friend Nicanor that was there. And we passed by a couple other members and then came home. Today, all of the zone except for GuarambarŽ came in bright and early to play soccer. Plus there were members that came, and it was a lot of fun. As’ es. This is Elder LloydŐs last week, and itŐs changes on Thursday and the branchŐs end of the year dinner is on Wednesday, and so is MartinaŐs baptism. So it should be a good week. Thanks everyone for everything. I really appreciate all of the love and support that you give me and all the letters and stuff. You guys are great. I Love You All!!! Love, Josh P.S. ÁÁÁHappy New Year!!!