Monday December 25th, 2017  

FELIZ NAVIDAD!!!!!!!

I felt so weird in the call home, sorry about that. We're having some problems in the zone with calls to families for Christmas, so I was a little worried about that, and I could hear Elder Antonio talking on the phone in the background with part of the zone trying to fix the problems without bothering me. It was also quite hard for me to think, talk, and get my thoughts together in English, so sorry for that.

Elder Radmall putting his Spanish to good use. 

Holly drew Forest's name for Christmas this year.

This week was pretty good! Ever and Teresa keep progressing more and more. This week we were able to commit them to baptism! Their baptismal date is for the 27th of January. We put it a little far off because they have to get married first.

 

Traditional stocking stuffers from home, thanks to Claudia Grover.  Lifesaver book, crayons, and a stuffed animal.

A  stocking for Elder Antonio too!!

Dylan playing his violin for Forest.  Dylan started playing the violin 4 months ago and asked Forest what his favorite hymn was so he could play it for him for Christmas.

We also have these other investigators, Raul, Gloria, and Marta. Raul is almost always working, so we haven't been able to talk to him a whole lot. We've invited Gloria and Marta to church these last two weeks, but they haven't been able to go. This week we were determined to have an appointment with them when Raul, Gloria's husband, would be there. Well, it worked out. We had an awesome lesson with the three, and we were able to answer many questions that Raul had. All three of them went to church yesterday, and all three really liked it! It made us really happy! I feel like they can progress pretty quickly, but Raul and Gloria have to get married before they can be baptized. We have an appointment with them on Tuesday night, hopefully Raul gets home from work in time for the lesson. It's the last appointment we have for the day, so we're praying and crossing our fingers and toes that he'll be able to make it.

Pizza is a Radmall family tradition for Christmas Eve.

(We get to open 1 present on Christmas Eve, it is usually pajamas.  We were able to send presents to Forest with Claudia Grover at Thanksgiving time.  This one was labeled "open on Christmas Eve". )

My companion and I had a pretty good Christmas. We ate pizza, ice cream, and drank Pepsi while watching Meet the Mormons. It's crazy to think that I'll be home for the next one. I don't think that I've completely wrapped my head around the idea that I'll be home in about 5 months. The time has gone by so fast!

John 3:16-17

I love you guys! Have a great week!

-Elder Radmall

Elder Radmall telling of a spiritual experience in Cabo San Lucas.

Questions:

Dad: Yep, Christmas Eve is the big day here.  (I heard from a Mexican waitress here, that in Mexico Christmas Eve is Celebrated, have you found this to be true in your area?)

Mom: Here there are a lot more fireworks and gunshots. (What is different about Christmas in Cabo San Lucas versus Christmas in Culiacan? )

Holly: It can sometimes be hard to accept that not everything we want, is what's best for us in the long run. When you want something really badly, pray to Heavenly Father to help you make the right decision and to do your best, and if you don't end up achieving the thing you wanted, it's because it wasn't the will of God. Which is where trust and faith really come into play. Just remember that God knows you personally and knows what's best for you.  (Why is it that when we work so hard for something, it doesn't turn out how we want?)

Sam: The "right" way to pray is how Jesus taught in John 14:13 which is praying to the Father and closing in the name of Jesus Christ. What you say is up to you. Just remember that it´s a conversation, not a list.  (Is there only one right way to pray?)

Dylan: Reading the Book of Mormon daily will really help you avoid temptations.  (How do I avoid temptations?)