October 20th!

October 20, 2010

HELLO MY DEAR FAMILY!

It's B!

It's a wonderful OCTOBER afternoon - and I am exhausted from a good hard day of PLAYING in Manhattan!!

Today several of our District and others from around the Mission went to the Manhattan Temple - I just LOVE the feeling inside that place - It's wonderful. There were about 6 or 7 Missionaries from the New Jersey Mission there, with the New Jersey Mission President - they were attending the Temple one last time before being released in a few days! They were glowing with excitement, but crying at the thought of not being Missionaries anymore! We got to talk to a few of them - they are just so grateful for all the experiences they had here in the field - and feel mixed emotions! I can't imagine how they feel!

Last Friday we had our famed "Noche de Naciones" in the Kingsbridge Chapel- it was SO fun! A GRAND production of fiestas and food and dances performed by the different Spanish Cultures in the ward. The Missionaries represented the U.S. - we did a quick throw together of obnoxious Basketball playing and tackling a surprised golfer... by far the most uninteresting of the productions! There were very talented members of the ward that performed many of their traditional dances from their native countries - so fun! There were SO many people there - not to mention the FOOD- it was ridiculous- mobs of ladies each with a different plate of food would attack each Missionary to try their special native food! I have SERIOUSLY never been more full. Thanksgiving? Nada.

Last Sunday we had the Primary Program! I got a letter from my Mom about the primary program back in my home ward in NSL - I believe all Primary programs, all over the world, regardless of area and culture - are exactly the same; cute and crazy. You know what I'm talking about - kids yelling and running around and playing the organ and screaming - yet it's so touching to see the little kids sing songs about their Savior. Kudos to Primary leaders and teachers everywhere! I worked closely with the Primary back in Olmstead and here in KB - I'm the pianist. :) Haha I have a special place in my heart for the everpresent personality of primary.

WE'RE MOVING on MONDAY! HOORAY! NEW apartment, ELEVATOR (our current one is on the 5th floor, NO elevator) and the ceilings and walls look sound and clean! Yay!

Transfers were so fun! Seeing all the new Missionaries reminds me vividly of when I walked into the Mission, blazey-eyed and not knowing what to expect. All the new Elders look so good! It seems like each new batch that comes out is better! One of the Greenie's lives in our apartment- Elder Ross- he's great! I love seeing the new Missionaries still on FIRE from the Greenhouse MTC!

Miguel and his family are doing so WELL! They have come to church every week, have introduced a few of their neighbors to us and even brought some to church with them! They are such a blessing. Their desire to be baptized is as strong as ever- and we are planning on it very soon!

A few days ago Elder Peine and I were studying when we heard a SNAP from the Kitchen... Elder McDaniel went and investigated- and there were TWO rats – dead - on the SAME snap trap! Bahaha We have a hilarious picture of Elder McDaniel proudly holding up the trap with the rats sticking straight out either side (rigor mortis... morbid...)! Bahah! The trap tells the sad tale of the two little rats happily having lunch and one gets greedy and steps on the release lever... oops- too late for the BOTH of them!!

I'm so EXCITED for CHRISTMAS!! then NEXT CHRISTMAS I'll be HOME! And we'll all line up and have a NORMAL Christmas! ... With Kevin! bahahaha!

I must go! Time is out and we have to run home and get our stuff for Correlation tonight at the Chapel! I love you all! Next week will be a better e-mail, promise! ;) Thank you all so much for all you do. Keep being amazing!

The Church is TRUE!

B happy, B strong, B SPANISH!

Always and forever,

Elder Brandon Hellberg

"Elder B!"