December 15

HELLO!

CAN YOU believe that CHRISTMAS is in 10 DAYS! AHHH!! I sure can't!

I absolutely love it! The Spirit of Christmas is in the AIR! People are dressed in festive greens and reds and the lights are all being set up- there are big Christmas Tree Stands on every other street selling hundreds of Christmas trees- and the Music of the Season is playing everywhere! I went all crazy and decked out our apartment with Decorations sent to me by my dear Mama- and drew Christmas pictures on all the windows with my window markers! Hehe!

Nelson was Confirmed this last Sunday! It was such a special Sunday for all of us. The Spirit was so strong- he had a lot of friends there to support him- and his friend Alma (like the Prophet... but in Mexican Woman form!) held a big feast for him at her house after church. It's so touching to see such love and integration with ward members and new converts. It can be such a change in people's lives once they choose to accept the Gospel- and a warm and welcoming Ward can make a huge difference in their first precious experiences with the Church.

We went down to Harlem today for P-day and I bought a warm coat for winter! All the Members were getting after me for not having a big hefty winter layer. "Elder! That doesn’t keep you warm! You need a bigger coat!"

SOOOO... yesterday (Dec 14) Elder Mitchell and I were walking down Anthony Avenue, and the FREEZING New York wind was slicing our faces- and we had a few appointments fall through- so to keep spirits high I started to sing "Walking in a Winter Wonderland." Within minutes I was singing at the top of my lungs- pulling the patented C.M.Bean "voice pop and slide"... when this gangster-looking guy all decked out in bling came up from behind me and said "Yo son, you got sick vocals!"... I was kinda shocked and embarrassed but he shook my hand and introduced himself as DJ Madness- and said "gimme yo number, I'ma producer, and I'ma hook you up." Haha I explained that I'm a Missionary and couldn't be ‘hooked up' but he gave me his card and number and said for me to call him in a year when I’m done with my Mission... SO just in case I decide BYU isn't for me, I guess I'll come back to the Bronx!!! Hahahaha!

I wish you all a wonderful week!

The Church is TRUE!

B safe B strong B WARM!

All my Love

Elder Brandon Hellberg

MERRY ALMOST CHRISTMAS!