family,
So it was wonderful to talk to you all on Saturday. It really reminded me that you all still exist and you're more than just emails. Every one of you told me something I needed to hear. It was great. I don't know what I would do without such a super family helping me out. I love you all so much.
Thanks for the package as well, Mom! It turned out stellar because I live with three other elders, two gringos and a short little guy from Lima. So I ended up being able to give a shirt to everyone (picture evidence included). We had a pretty fun Christmas. On Christmas Eve we met up with the four other elders and two sisters of Jaén and the Pensionisto (yep, he's a guy) dressed up as Santa Claus and sang us some cool Peruvian villancicos (christmas carols) then we played a really fun game where we drew a random name of another missionary and drew a picture of them in five minutes. Then we went around and guessed who was who. After that we drew each other as an animal, a movie character, a random object, a weapon, etc. Everyone always guessed who was me really easily because they always drew me as something long and skinny (giraffe, pink panther, ridiculously tall tree, and a spear). It was funny. After that we played a white elephant gift. There was no ugly cabin painting, but I ended up winning a sweatband/visor combination (called a beach bonnet) and a japanese mulan-style fan from Hermana Barlow (Sandy Utah) so that was definitely a good gift. Speaking of gifts, we found a rad store last p-day which is basically the "D.I." of Jaén. I bought a few sick ties for about $1.80. I was pretty proud of myself. Oh and on Christmas Day we made macaroni and cheese.
On Thursday we sang a musical number with Elder Shelley and Elder Espinoza in the ward talent show; we sang "Angels We Have Heard On High" in spanish and english. That was pretty fun. Elder Zaugg and I sing in a lot of houses because he's basically my first companion who can carry a tune (no offense previous companions). I still love singing as much as ever--Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
A couple weeks ago we stopped to talk to an old man who always sits on the side of the road. His name is Juan. I love that guy! He's not too interested in the gospel since he goes to the Jehovah's Witnesses but we always stop by to visit him. He calls us his "gringo nephews." So I started calling him "Uncle Juan." We met his niece who owns a hair cutting place down the street. We went to visit her even though she didn't show much interest and there we met her daughter Gina. Gina is studying law and seems really really interested. I love how sometimes the first person we contact doesn't really progress, but we end up finding someone else who leads to someone else and through this "person chain" we find someone who actually ends up showing a lot of promise. God is over all.
Well, that's about it. I love you all so much and testify once again that I have hope for a better world, a world made possible through Christ. Sometimes the world we live in isn't the greatest, but there's a much better world waiting for those who are willing to work for it. Like Mom said, I know Christ lives and that because of Him we can live forever.
elder bassett.
