Thanksgiving Pizza

28th Nov. 2011

Hola familia,
whats up? whats new? how was the cranberry jello on Thursday?
well thanksgiving here was pretty much like a normal day. i did get some dinner and it was pizza. it was awesome because we taught this inactive member and his family and then had pizza with them. other than that is was really normal.
weather is starting to get colder. our house doesnt have a heater so the house is colder than it is outside. today will be really warm but yesterday was chilly.

Christmas is definitely coming. i see some members putting up their trees. from what i have heard, the 24th is bigger than Christmas. they eat a lot and do a lot of stuff with family. oh sometimes they celebrate a kings day or something like that. its on January 6th. just like the kingsmen came late to Jesucristo when he was born. so they open some more presents. i havent seen many houses with lights, only two! i also cant listen to christmas music. it has to be in the hymn book in order to listen to it.

los investigadores are progressing somewhat. we had so many people that said that they were going to go, but they didnt. some had baptismal dates but now that they didnt go we have to postpone it. so now we wont have a baptism this week. this is the part of missionary work that is hard. people dont come to church and dont realize the importance of the things we are inviting them to do. at times i feel like i am not doing my part. its really frustrating. also the president said (after the other 4 missionaries left) that very few missionaries can say that they are true missionaries. so i am trying to obey with exactness and do everything that i can. the president also said that we have to read the whole book of mormon before the new year starts. so i have restarted the book of mormon and i am en 2 Nefi. hopefully i will make. i encourage everyone to read everyday at least one chapter.

I dont think i will have tranfers this dec 7. Two of the missionaries in this ward are leaving, my companion, Elder Christensen and Elder Hatton. this week we had a ward surprise party for them. it was really cool. quite a few people went too. I am sure that i will be here through this next transfer to show the next person the area and the investigators. but i think i am ready for a transfer. i havent had much success here. :( i really want to go to juarez!

oh mom i read 1 nephi 5. maybe this will give you comfort about my safety. please read that! i am safe and i will return home(not in a casket).
Janae thanks for the awesome letter.

mom i will ask for my letters and packages as soon as i can. i havent gotten any letters forever. last time i got a letter was a long time ago.
well i need to go.
Les amo mucho y les extraño tambien.
Elder Barnes