Christmas in Chile ~ 12/26/11

Felix navidad y un buen año nuevo! Well my first christmas come and gone and it was just quite marvelous.

So turns out in Chile they do way more of their celebrating on the 24th, but still they have all celebrations last more than one day. They really like to party here and it was easily a two day if not a three day celebration! haha On the 24th we went around delivering cookies to all of our investigators and just wishing them a merry christmas and sharing a little of our love for them. It was quite the activity and definitely in the heat! haha In the morning of the 24th we also had a zone activity where we made pancakes and then played some games as a zone! It was fun! haha Then on the night of the 24th we went and had a dinner (take note that we have eaten more food in the last 2 weeks than I have in the past 6 months! haha) with the mamita and her familia! It was a lot of fun and we brought them some presents for the kids and the parents and everyone was happy and just having a good time! Then 11 pm rolled around and we had to return to the pension. and I started to make cinnamon rolls cause it just aint christmas without cinnamon rolls! haha so I got those started so they could raise over night and I got in bed about 12:30am haha

Then Christmas day! woo! I was up at 6 and finished the cinnamon rolls, and they were AWESOME! although everyone was still sick from all the food we ate the day before; two breakfasts, lunch, food at everyones house and then a big dinner. So I think maybe Elder Dipaz ate one with me, but I am not even sure on that! haha Then we opened presents and every was very happy with their presents that my familia sent for them! and I was very happy with my "read with me" book! quite possibly the coolest thing since sliced bread! Oh ya! and I also got 3 new ties (yes!) and the movie thing that bryton made, but I still have yet to have the chance to see it. I really want to though! haha Then we got ready and went to church! Church was only an hour but afterwards we got cookies and a few little gifts from people. Such an awesome ward! haha Then we rested at the pension until it was lunch time and hmo Gomez picked us up and drove us out to his house. When we got there hma Gomez gave us some spiced milk and then they explained to us that the ward has a tradition of getting gifts for the missionaries and they gave us a ton of presents that were under their tree! like 5-6 each! it was really cool and we opened them all and took some pictures before eating lunch! it was very cool, I am definitely blessed beyond belief here but I love it! haha Then for lunch we didnt eat a ton but luckily the hma understood when we explained we have been eating everywhere we go! so we didnt have to eat too much! YAY! haha then we took off so that we could go call our parents! yaya! that went well, just had to fix a bunch of technical dificulties and I couldnt skype both my sister and my family so I did a little with brittany´´s family and then the rest with my family but all was well and WOW! Brody has changed! haha that was crazy! Every has changed some but not too much yet, im only at like month 5! haha But that went well mybe my mom will write more about that, but ya! haha 40 minutes goes REALLY fast! haha Then we went and visited a few more people that Elder Yost wanted to say goodbye too and went home to pack. This was Elder Yost´´s last day as aworking missionary and so it was a bitersweet moment, more bitter than sweet though! he said he didnt want to go home, and I cant believe the day finally came! haha Its crazy! haha

Then this morning we got everything together and I went with Elder Yost to meet with the zone leaders because one is leaving and the other will be my comp for the week! haha and I said my goodbyes to my papi and he was off just like that. A man of so few words, but such a great guy! haha and as the missionary terms go, I was his son, and I killed him! haha

Alright, my one crazy story for the week. I might have almost died! haha So I was riding a bike down a hill ( you just know its going to lead into something bad, me , bike, down hill... yup, doomed! haha But I was going, in a no passing zone when another car decided it was going to pass the other. Well it also turns out there is a parked car there two, so the road is about 3 cars wide, and I try to stop, but with no luck cause I have a cheap bike with breaks that dont work! haha so I see the gap, and my stomach ties in about a million knots, and I just stay as calm as I can and by some miracle I managed to miss the mirrors, which should have killed me. There wasnt enough room for me to fit through the gap, but clearly someone is watching over me! Afterwards my stomach straight up hurt but all I could say is "All is well" haha So I highly advise you drivers to follow the trafic laws, cause you dont know if there is a missionary flying down on a bike ! haha

That was how it went! Now this week I will be in villa alemana one day and peña blanca the others! And I will get a new comp next week! This is kinda crazy! but its the life! I am loving it and all is well! Thanks for all your love and warmth sent, and I send it right back! Chile has plenty for me to send! haha Love you all!

Elder Marvin