Christmas Eve in Guatemala - - Nochebuena

I never thought I would be waking up to Christmas Eve with the sound of poor pigs in the process of becoming the pork for tamales. Or a gecko climbing over my head, or cockaroaches in our cold bucket shower. I also never thought I would have the honor of being asked by a woman who has no way to communicate through computer or phone, to inform her son serving in Nicaragua that his parents were married and baptized early Saturday morning. It was a day I will never forget as we walked out of a small lawyer's office and walked straight to the chapel, with white clothes in a plastic bag, ready to be worn for their baptism. Their second son was able to baptize them, being a convert of two years, and waiting for more than two years for this date.  (photo of is the N and V leaving the lawyers office after getting married - they are on their way to the church and baptismal font.)

 Before my mission, I had the thought that since God has blessed me with a beautiful life, I could sacrifice 18 months to serve my Savior. I realize how naive I was. I thought a mission was a sacrifice and it would help me to "pay back" a tiny bit of the "debt" I owe to him. But these last ten months, I have only grown into way more "debt" with him. These last ten months have changed me, the blessings are so grand that this time cannot, in any way, be considered a sacrifice. It is easy to get lost from the real meaning of Christmas, but it's impossible to forget the real meaning this year. As much as I long to be with my family today and tomorrow, there is no place I would rather be than here. I will spend the day teaching humble people about the real meaning and inviting them to follow a path that leads to true happiness, so it's not a sacrifice to be here. This is a Christmas I will never forget.

After our lessons finish at 9 p.m., we are allowed to stay out until 12:30 tonight in the house of a Priesthood leader. Tonight is a bigger celebration than tomorrow and they switched P-Day to tomorrow, so I won't go out to work until 5 in the afternoon. And we will be spending tonight in our Branch President's house with his family. Everybody is super excited for "Nochebuena" and we have been invited to eat tamales at about 23987235 different houses. There are Christmas lights up and music playing everywhere. One little thing I've noticed is that I haven't heard "Santa Clause" mentioned all week, but I have heard "Christ" mentioned every single day. Their focus is strong in this pueblo in Guatemala.

We did get packages last week and I want to say a very special thank you to Angela and Mom (I got both of yours , the Garry family, and the Roberts. I received your packages and as far away as I am, I don't feel far away from you this week. You guys aren't allowed to miss me until the 27 of Diciembre, because every day on my mission has become a gift and there is no better way to spend Christmas and my birthday. I love you all and miss you, but I will be home even sooner than I would like. Have a FELIZ NAVIDAD!