December 22

Sing NOEL!! CHRISTMAS IS HERE!!!

HOORAY! It's the most wonderful time of the year here in NYC! People are smiling and music is playing and lights are making the City just GLOW! I still can't believe it's been a YEAR since LAST Christmas. This time last year, Elder Linford and I were in the MTC together- both of our first Christmases away from home! So strange to think that already a year has flown by.

Hooray! Tomorrow evening, a wonderful lady we are teaching- will be Baptized at the Kingsbridge Chapel. Her name is Maria- she's amazing. She has such a foreknowledge of the Bible and its teachings. She is very excited to be baptized- her little girl (2) and infant son were presented and blessed a few Sundays ago- and they are such a wonderful example to the ward.

Baby it's cold outside, but people sure are being so much warmer! Elder Mitchell and I have been working hard and talking to everyone! We have found several new families that we are teaching- mostly from Mexico!

Last night, the stars were shining brightly- but the moon was NOT! Too bad we were sleeping.. we heard from a bunch of people that the Lunar Eclipse was pretty cool!

We are all going up to Scarsdale for a wonderful Christmas morning Lunch/Dinner party! The whole Mission! I'm so excited to see a bunch of old friends and spent time with the other Missionaries. We have a big slide show of funny photos from throughout the year to watch- and each Zone has prepared a special musical number!

From my planner.........

Bus used most frequently this week: Bx9

Number of times I used the word "Wonderful" in this letter: 6

Number of points I received this week in "BronxTrash Soccer": 13

Number of Carols I've sung on buses and trains this week: 49

Christmas lights on our tree in our apartment: 350!

Money spent on postage to and from our apartment: You don't want to know.

Iced Hot Chocolate w/ face caramel and cinnamon made this week: 5

Allusions to Christmas Songs in this letter: 8

I'm wishing you all a Feliz Navidad! I hope it's wonderful and white and cozy!

Merry Christmas!

Love,

Elder Hellberg