Ring Out the Old (12.30.2013)

It was so, so great to talk to you too! Probably the fastest 45 minutes of my life.  For Mother’s Day we will have to try Skype and see if that works any better because I would love to be able to see you the whole time. Christmas was just a great day. It was fun to watch the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. I knew there was symbolism in that movie, but I never noticed it as much as when I watched it this time around. The members who let us watch it in their Home Theatre were really nice…and so was their theatre! There are a lot of people here who are very wealthy. I wonder what they all do for a living?? 

                 I can’t believe that he is turning 24??? He’s so old. That also means that pretty soon I’m going to hit the big 2-0! I’m getting so old too. Haha but not really. I already don’t feel like a teenager (whatever that really means) so I don’t think it will be that crazy to turn it. But anyways, that’s still a few months away! I hope Ben and Adelyn both have great birthdays. It’s probably crazier still to think that Adelyn is turning 5! Tell her Happy Birthday for me. 

                I already told you about the beautiful temple lights and our investigators. I just love them so much. In other news, I had my first MLC this week so that was cool. Some members fed us all lunch and it was delicious. We found out that Elder Holland is coming to speak to all the missions in Arizona!!! He will speaking to us, Mesa, and Scottsdale Saturday the 11^th in the morning and then will go to speak with Phoenix, Tempe, and Tucson after us. So excited!

                I went on my first exchanges as an STL this week and they were really fun! I went with Hna Lattin who is Hna Chavarri’s companion and we were in their area. It was great. We were able to get one of their investigators back on date and we got to go over to the Garcia’s house and get yummy cake because it was Kimi’s birthday. I just love that family J I have two more that I am going on this coming week which should also be good!

                Random fun story, we went over to the Garay’s house (our newly released WML) to share a quick message and follow-up on their inviting people to the Temple Open House and while we were doing that they were doing laundry and their little girl Ellie dumped it on the ground. Well, there was some garments in the basket and their son Isaiah (the one who said the most adorable prayer ever a while back) goes “THE GARMENTS! THE GARMENTS!” and rushes to pick them all back up. It was adorable and hilarious. J

                I can’t believe that in two short days it will be 2014! Can you believe it? I’m excited though. A lot of things are going to happen this coming year. I have a lot of goals that I want to set and achieve and hopefully with being so goal-focused as a missionary, I’ll be a little better and completing my New Year’s Resolution! I hope you have a wonderful time ringing in the New Year! I love you so much!

Con amor,

Hermana Baria