From Braedon

hello everyone,life on the mission continues to be amazing. dont get me wrong, i still miss home and such, but missions just rock. the ward and work are doing so well right now. yesterday we confirmed socorro and her three daughters alexis, naomi, and andrea. the son in that family, christian, is getting baptized this coming sunday. hes been coming to church for 3 weeks now and fits in perfectly, hes a rad guy. plus, he digs classic rock like led zeppelin and such...its a huge relief walking up to a house that isnt bumping rap or mexican tunes. also going on this week is natty's wedding and baptism! were filling out the papers with her today and the actual marriage is going on thursday. then she gets baptized sunday. and shes also asked us to come over to teach her husband (to-be) this saturday. he hasnt been super receptive so far, but she really wants us to try. its been so much stress trying to figure out her situation. on saturday we went to the temple with her and valeria (our recent convert from a few weeks ago). they loved it. but afterwords she was telling us about how she wasnt sure that she should get married because she was thinking of leaving him and going to mexico because she only got to see him one time a week on saturday mornings, and that he would usually go exercise or work anyways. so she didnt want to seperate because she wants it to work out with him, but didnt want to get married if she was just going to leave him in a month or so. that makes sense but at the same time it was ridiculous because she received a very strong answer that she needs to be baptized, and she couldnt do that if she didnt marry or separate. so, we finally got them to sit down together and lay things down hard. natty said what she wanted (baptism, marriage with him and more time with him, kids) and told him that if he couldnt help her with that then she was gone. well he promised to drop hours once the car payments were done (in february). so, we finally got all the madness figured out. married thursday and baptized sunday. woot. im stoked for her, she rocks. earlier this week we went to the temple too with two recent convert families (gaitans and castros). it was a blast and they loved it. on the fifth theyll be a ward temple trip to do baptisms, and we should have 7 of our recent converts going. woot! awesome stuff. then wednesday night and thursday night we practiced for the ward christmas party play. that happened friday and was a hit. we had a bunch of investigators come and they loved it. good food, music, dancing, and the christmas story in a play (i got to be one of king herod's priests...it was fun and everyone loved seeing the missionaries dressed up weird). plus, one of our members brought a non-member family to it! the family is so solid. weve stopped by a couple times already and they came to church yesterday. the mom already received an answer that this is the church she should be going to, and all of her kids love it. she just moved into her apartment in our area and she was telling us about how she didnt buy a phone for it on purpose because she doesnt want to get called into work on sundays because she wants to come to church hahah. rad. theyre super ready and they members are already helping us out with them big time. they got presents for the kids for xmas and were showing them to classes and all. bonita 3rd is definitely the best ward in the mission. what else...mission christmas party is this wednesday. members are having us over all week long for christmas dinners(tamales) /family nights. tonight were going to the temple again with a less active family. lifes just good. i played some football this morning and that was a blast. things are just going really well. now, christmas with you guys....i get the family present on tuesday, so im thinking im going to priority ship it so you should get it wednesday or thursday. ill probably have to use my credit card to do it so just be aware that ill have charges on my card after christmas. now, calling. so heres the thing about skype...if we did that wed have to use a members computer, which would be fine or whatever but well have 4 missionaries with us all christmas day. so, in order to have everyone calling home were going to have to go to the church and use phones there. so i dont think ill be skyping this christmas. if president donaldson gives you the ok, then ill do it for mothers day. is that ok? sorry, i just really dont want to feel rushed with 3 other missionaries wanting to call home too and not letting them because im skyping at a members. i really want to, but i just dont want to cheat the other guys. ill probably call around 1-2 your time. what else....i think thats about it. if you want, make a list of questions and ill answer them. what else...tell everyone merry christmas for me. get fun pictures to send me. i really hope im not forgetting anything essential. the rest i can tell you this friday when we talk! enjoy your week, dont get stressed, and im super stoked to talk to you on friday. love you all!!!!!!!!!!!! elder roney