Madre,

I got the package! Thank you! And yes, I left some things to be opened on Christmas day.

So far the girls from El Rey haven't come to church. We are hoping to get together with them this week, also Dinora's uncle may be interested as well so that would be great! I hate when people work on Sundays, because you can't really say much to that. It's one thing to get a sorry excuse like "I was sooooo tired." But it's another to have someone say "I work from 7 - 3" because that's a pretty good excuse for most people out here. But, we'll keep praying and tell her to tell her boss she needs the day off!

Nora and Gabriela are doing great! We had an awesome family home evening with the Argueta family in our ward. I don't know why the other elders in this area didn't use that family because they are SO missionary minded! They are amazing!!! Herbert and Alba are sealed in the temple and then they have 5 kids, 2 active (their youngest daughters). Alba calls Nora all the time to see how she is diong and takes her to all the activities. She even sits with her during the investigators class!! That's above and beyond the call of duty! Gabriela (i don't know how to say this in english) cayó muy bien (eww, the guy next to me just ripped one) with the young womens and two of them went to her house to pick her up for a firside we hosted last night. So great!

Last night we had our first annual ward fireside and I spoke! The theme was reverence, really stupid haha. But it went well. I was prayerfully preparing my talk a half hour before the fireside ;) and I asked one of the kids that was there early "What do you think of when you think of reverence?" (mind you, he's 7 years old) and he said "Behaving and being quiet." I then asked, "Why are we quiet at church?" and he responded "Because God is watching us." It was such an amazing response I used it in my talk. I read 1Kings 19 ( i believe) where it talks about God's eyes being open upon His house... This child in 5 words said a profound statement, words of a prophet, in a way everyone can understand. It was really neat!

We got a new baptismal date this week! Her name is Anyela and she is Dominican. We have taught her mom a little bit, but her mom literally told us "I don't like to think" so we kind of dropped her. But Anyela is awesome! She has sincere questions, and really reads! She picks apart the scriptures. She's a really driven girl, she's a senior in Highschool and she is just great. We're really excited for her. I told her "Anyela when you pray, be specific; if you want to know if we're just lying to you or not, ask!" So in her prayer she said "Padre, por favor dime si lo que estan diciendome son un monton de mentiras o no." Which means "Please tell me if what they are saying is a mountain of lies or not." I smiled to myself, it was such a good prayer. So she has a date of Enero 15, she just needs to read the Book of Mormon and talk to her parents! Her mom thinks we're great so I don't think it will be much of a problem.

We had our Christmas party this week which went really well, it was a lot of fun. We got the whole mission together and spent about 5 hours together. We played Christmas songs with Kazoos and we had a small Christmas special which I sang in. Elders Phillips, McLellan, Hansen, Larsen, Me and some others, sang The First Noel. It sounded great.

For Christmas, since it's on a Saturday, we will be able to call you from our cell phones. Elder Phillips and I will probably be at the Argueta home all day as they have invited us to come over and pasarla with them.

This week has gone well, I have had my ups, my downs, but I feel like we're doing a lot of good here. We have had some good successes. I would be lying to tell you I'm the perfect missionary. That I am anal about everything. But I'm happy to tell you that I feel like I notice where I need help, Yes, I need to stay off the couch in the morning! But at least I know I need help and I ask the Lord to help me. I love the atonement. I hope that each day, I can grow my testimony and share it with all that are willing to hear. I love you!!

p.s. Don't worry about Pete. He's happier now!

-Elder Conner Allred