Elder Flores and I are going to play Santa Claus!

I loved that poem that you gave me so much! This week has been soooo amazing, but especially today. You guys seem so happy and amazing and I am so grateful for each and every one of you. Of course I miss the snow, and being with the family, the lights, and the music. But I am so happy right now. During this past week, I have really counted my blessings that I can be on my mission during this holiday and Christmas season. Let me tell you, yes it is hard, but I am so close to Christ and I am so grateful to be doing His work, for right now is my time to serve him and to bring others to Him. As your poem said that I am knocking doors, this past week, I have never knocked as many doors in my life. We contact so much everyday and really, I know we have the spirit with us because a lot of people are letting us in.

Sonia got baptized this past week as you can see by the fotos. While we were preparing the baptism, the water came out soooo dirty because the water ran out in Jaen so we had to use the left over water that there was and so it was like I baptized her in the river. But it was so amazing! After her baptism she stood up and bore her testimony. She thanked us and Heavenly Father. She also promised to Him and all the members that she will ALWAYS be in the church and she wants to serve a mission. She started crying and the spirit was amazing. I am so happy to be able to see lives changed while on my mission.

This past weekend there was a ward party and there was a dance, and since us as missionaries can't dance, well, I danced with all the kids! It was a lot of fun haha we made a train and ran around and I swung them around.

Well today was so amazing...President came to our zone to spend Christmas with us. I got your pink box btw, I plan on opening it Christmas morning! We played soccer for like 30 minutes and then we had each district do a little talent. Our district made a song and during the song, I pulled out my Evan Fast moves and started to rap (but in Spanish!) I will show you guys the rap on Wednesday though! Then we watched an amazing movie! It is called Ephraim's Rescue. You guys all need to see it. It is like an add on to 17 miracles but not really. It is about Ephraim and how he gave amazing blessings. I almost caught myself crying like 3 times in that movie haha but don't worry I didn't cry. Then we all went to lunch together. So tomorrow in the morning I am going to a members house to kill their rooster! They are letting me kill it haha and I am kind of nervous. The family here is like my 2nd family. We call them mom and dad. I am excited. Then we will eat dinner with them tomorrow as well as our pencionista.

But alright everyone, pay attention to this. Tomorrow, Elder Flores and I are going to be Santa Clauses. That helmet of Santa Claus that you see in the above picture is just a part of the costume. But we are going to a town called Niño sin techo, which means kid without roof. Because there they are sooo poor. We are going as Santa and we are going to give the kids little presents so thank you so much for all the money you have given me. I will be able to buy them all a little gift. As well we are going to the members house to sing. So tomorrow will be soooo fun!!!!! 

But I can't wait to talk to you all on Wednesday. Remember I will call around 5:30, Utah time so be ready. I love you all. He loves you.

May you all have an amazing Christmas. Se que cristo vive y que esta es la iglesia de El. Estoy muy agradecido por su vida y por este tiempo muy especial que tenemos a recordar de su nacimiento y su vida. Se que siempre tenemos que recordar de El, y si lo hacemos, vamos a poder recibir muchas bendiciones y que vamos a poder sentir de su amor. Estoy muy agradecido y muy bendicido por ustedes. Gracias por todas de las oraciones que me dan. Realmente le siento a Dios cada dia, y si fuera por esta iglesia, y si esta iglesia no fuera verdadera, yo no estaria aqui. Pero es verdadera. Gracias por todo. Que les pase una navidad muy bonita.

Elder Smith