12.28.09
Well where where where to begin. It seems like so much has happened in this last week.
First big item of note would have to be the fact that we went to the temple on wednesday! It was sooo great... Not to mention how cool it was being in new york. I love that city, just like the atmosphere of everything. It was kinda funny how many random members we would see.... just hearing them say "Oh! there are some guys we know" or having a quick conversation with a confused RM, "Do you elders do a lot of contacting in Times Square?" was more than enough to bring a smile to the face :) We also went to a pretty sweet pizza place on our journey back to NJ... and I had to get some of those "Nuts 4 Nuts" things...the roasted nuts, I just love 'em ;) The next day was then Christmas Eve. And we (my companion and I) played a little Santa Clause for a family in the ward...we gave them a little nativity that Grandma had given me with the charge to give it to someone else (I'm no re-gifter....a possible allusion to a label maker for those of you that are familiar enough with Seinfeld :)). We ding-dong-ditched it and kinda failed- apparently they knew it was us because it had missionary handwriting. Also we put together a little box for a family we are teaching with random things we pulled together (food, random lil toys, a church magazine for kids and a piece of an old halloween costume lol--thx mom) and said that our friend santa told us to bring it to their house. That was super awesome, made me feel super warm inside to help them out. Without that box I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't get any gifts....its an intense situation where basically the state is taking care of all 4 kids while the father struggles to do everything he can for em. Anyways, Aunt Nicole and Uncle Darren gave me an awesome gift...it was to make a Christmas memory using a little money that they sent. And in order to do that I bought some pastries, egg nog (and some milk to dilute it of course lol) for after our carroling on christmas eve. But also I bought and suprised the other Elders with a brand new soccer ball for the mornings. They still have no clue who it could have been....they have their guesses that they are totally content with but they are not even close :) ....it is quite a sweet ball too might I say lol. It's made for some good morning fun when we play. I had it tied up with a bow sitting in the middle of our basketball court (where we play) when we walked in Christmas morning. It was perfect.... Oh speaking of Aunts and Uncles giving me sweet gifts Marsh and Carrie got me an awesome apron. Now i swear I have no problems with swinging the other way, but it has been used sooooo much already. I love having it cuz now when i cook or do dishes I dont have to worry about getting stuff all over my church clothes =D ....and the box of candies went all too fast :) Many thanks to you all. So after playing santa on Christmas eve we went and did some carroling as a zone :) It was super awesome and helped bring the Christmas cheer. We even went over to another area and sang for an awesome family that a few of the elders with us knew....turns out that 'awesome' is simply an understatement and they gave us all food (best home cooked meal ive had in a while) and made a perfect ending to a sweet Christmas Eve. Christmas day was also quite awesome....I was pleasantly surprised with a gift from Nick Platt, an old roommate, and it was one of my most favorite gifts of the day. But all gifts from family, friends and ward members hit the spot. We then had a nice dinner at the bishops house and called our families as well. It was great and there would not really be enough time for me to express how grateful I was to make that phone call home. Truly a great week and an amazing holiday....the only thing I miss is that great relaxation period that I have grown accustomed to after Christmas, because for us here on the mission it is back to the work. But all is well, I'm having a great time!
Hope your holliday season has been nothing short of magnificent! I'd love to hear about em if you can find time to scribble me a letter (hopefully more literally than figuratively lol)
I feel like that was all one giant ramble and I hope that it all makes sense....There was just so much to say and I didn't really know how so i just closed my eyes, held my breath and started punching keys ;)
-Elder Johnson
