December 8th

DEAR HOME!!

GOOD MORNING from the Bronx!

We had a great Multi-Zone Conference down in Manhattan yesterday at the Temple!

So... funny story.

Last week, we were trying to empty the baptismal font.... (I bet some of you can see where this is going...)

And the design on these fonts, man, needs to be re-done in future chapels (somebody take note)... The plug for the drain is right in the middle of the font, so when it's full, you actually have to climb down in to pull up the plug. Well, I being VERY clever, balanced a chair with another chair so I could reach down and grab the silver chain attached to the plug with a long bent-out metal hanger. (Now I'm sure you see where this is going...) I, AGAIN being VERY intelligent, was, OF COURSE, still dressed in my church slacks, WITH my suit coat on, WITH my wallet, planner, and camera. Epic fail. The chairs collapsed, and I gracefully pulled a classic "Alma Sr." and baptized myself in the font. LUCKILY everything was salvaged- all except my pride... especially when I had to run around the gym for 45 minutes to dry off my soaking slacks, and then walk for 15 minutes back to apartment in 30 degree weather with no socks on. :)

We truly are being blessed right now with people to teach. The whole Zone is doing great. We've committed ourselves to some really high goals- and we received some incredible promises from President Smith- and we are all excited and working hard to meet them! We are working right now with some incredible people. Angie, a sister of one of the Members has an incredible story of how she got to be in the Bronx- and how she feels like God is helping her right now through this time in her life. Last Sunday, we presented and blessed her brand new baby and 2 yr old girl in Sacrament Meeting. It was so sweet, and Angie said she loved it. She has expressed her desire to be baptized. We are also working with a friend of Maria and Maggie- she's 18 and she's incredible. She has a strong testimony and we love being able to visit with her and see her progress in the Gospel. She easily understands everything we tell her and has strong relationships with a few members already and, most importantly, with Heavenly Father.

Let's see... what else is coming up...

Interviews with President are tomorrow! We realized that they only happen every OTHER cycle now instead of cyclically, so I only have 4 left! Crazy!

All the Missionaries in the whole Mission are going up to the mission home for Christmas for a wonderful Christmas Luncheon! Then, we all get to ride Metro North back into the City and call our families! Yay!

The Kingsbridge Ward Christmas Party is on the 17th!

I am so excited for Christmas. I LOVED the First Presidency Devotional- all the Missionaries got to watch it at the Chapel. Afterwards, we went home and read in St Luke- I have truly come to appreciate and love those precious versus. Yesterday, we went over to Maria's house and shared them and a Christmas message with her in her doorway. The Spirit was so strong- you cannot help but be filled with Christmas Spirit when you get to Verse 11- "For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord."... We left her house, and looked through the Window and saw their beautiful Tree, all decorated for the season. It warms my heart! PLUS, many people do the cool Christmas-light-choreographed-to-music thing on their apartments and houses! It looks so neat to see the City GLOW with Christmas!

I love you all so much. Thank you for all being so incredibly supportive. I hope your coming week is full of Hot Chocolate and playing in the snow and singing Christmas songs!!

The Church is TRUE!

B safe! B happy! B full of CHRISTMAS MAGIC!

Always,

Elder B Hellberg