December Happenings...So Far

We've been super busy this month traveling from one end of the mission to the other and then back again. And it's only the 20th of the month. We had a fantastic time celebrating Christmas with all of the Zones during our travels. We had Leadership Training with each zone and then the party afterwards. Lunch was brought in, we decorated sugar cookies and then had gift exchanges. It was fun watching our Latin missionaries learn how to decorate cookies as they are not familiar with frosting. But many got the hang of it and enjoyed this Gringo tradition. Of course the Gringo missionaries loved the time honored tradition of sugar cookies and even starting having competitions in their decorating abilities.

Here are a few pictures from our month.

We finally took some pictures for our Christmas card, which I'm sure will arrive after the New Year. Thanks to Elder Vergara and Elder Zuniga we were able to get some photos taken at La Portada.

We visited Arica in November and visited with Elder Smith from Huntington Beach. Needless to say it was very windy that day and this picture, although very unflattering, demonstrates the weather.

The Elders from the Las Rocas sectors invited us to lunch on P-Day at TGIFridays. You might recognize Elder Skene on the left, one of our past Assistants. Elder Shim, in the orange tie was being celebrated because he was going home that week.

At each Christmas party Leland distributed gifts to the missionaries. They each received temple recommend holders personalized with our Mission vision.

Then we had a gift exchange. Elder San Martin picked my name at this party.

The Hermanas of Arica wanted a picture. What a lovely group of women to associate with: Hermana Platero, Hermana Fernandez, Hermana Ñique, Hermana Young, Hermana Olivares, Hermana Arriaga and Hermana Portillo.

We had Zone Leader Council at the house in early December and bussed all 20 Zone Leaders into Antofagasta for the day. Here are a group relaxing after lunch. I wanted to get a picture of our Christmas tree.

A group shot at the end of Zone Leader Council.

Elder Henderson and Elder Shim returned home on the 18th. We hosted them for dinner the night before. These two fine Elders were leaders in the mission and will be greatly missed.

Dinner on the road at our favorite restaurant: The Wagon in Iquique.

Another picture from the Christmas card shoot.

Hermana MacIver and Hermana Montandon serving in the Antofagasta Stake.

Presidente eating pizza with his missionaries.

Elder Ascensio learning the fine art of applying sprinkles to his sugar cookie.

Our mission was fortunate to receive Hoven sunglasses this Christmas. Our missionaries need the protection from the intense sun of summer. They all think they look cool in their new shades. Three rules to wearing these sunglasses: 1) don't walk around like CIA or FBI, 2) never wear your sunglasses on top of your head and 3) always take off your sunglasses when making a contact. What a blessing these sunglasses are to our mission and missionaries.

Well, Christmas is coming and Trevor is coming down. More pics to come....