Dec.12,2010

Dear Mom and Family,

Im glad to hear that your week went so well. My week went awesome as well. Im really just coming to love being a missionary even more. I love everything even the hard parts. I dont know the best word to describe it but everything i do is thrilling to me. Im excited everyday to be a missionary. Before in my mission there were times were i didnt feel that excited to contact or maybe a little scared to teach a big lesson but i dont have any of those feelings anymore. Im loving every second right now.

So i would have to call this week service week. We did service in the morning on three different occasions this week. One to move a piano which wasnt very easy but didnt take to long. One day to paint a house which i dont know if im any good at but i learned alot and got better. The last was to clean up a left over construction site by where the bishop lives. I really enjoyed that. We had to carry some lumber to a better spot (the work gloves you sent me really came in handy) and tear down this tin shack thing. I´ve got to tell you i did not realize how good i am at destroying things with a hammer. I am surprised my self at how good i did. It was actually crazy b.c i broke one of the hammers. The handle just broke in half.

I absolutely love opportunities to give service. I´ve always loved it and i think even more now as a missionary. There are so many people in this world who dont accept the gospel b.c. they have hard hearts but through service we can help soften there hearts so that the spirit can enter and testify of the truth of the restored gospel. I would like to invite all of you to look for more opportunites of service, especially in this christmas time. It will open gateways for the gospel coming into many lives.

So the big news this week is that we set a baptismal date!!! Even better is that we set it for the 25th. He´s a really cool 19 year old guy named Ismael. He understands the doctrine really well and is very intellegent but he has had some problems previously in his life so we could use as much fasting and praying as possible for help for him in his preparations and so that the baptism will go through.

The ward here is really cool but a little weak b.c they just split it 3 months ago. The bishop is awesome though and working very hard to strenthen the ward. The place i live in is called San Jose Pinula and its right outside of the Guatemala city valley but is technically part of the capital.

Im really happy to hear that things are going well back home. I always love christmas time b.c. It always brings back good memories. I love that this is a time where we get to think more about our families and about the savior. About the call im not sure how expensive it is for you guys. It might be cheeper if i just pay for the minutes and call you. Let me know how expensive it is so that i can see what will be cheeper.

I want to remind you all that i love you very much. Also that we are children of our Heavenly Father and that our potential is limitless. Also attitude is huge. How we see ourselves and life makes a big difference in how happy we are and who we will become.

Love,

Elder Vincent