Week 15 - Christmas this week!

Christmas Conference was great! All the missionaries got together and we had a conference where the Presidency spoke and then a few missionaries and there were some great musical numbers too. Then we ate lunch and then we all played bingo (which I won :) ) and then we had a mission talent show which was way fun. Our branch party turned out pretty well too. We actually had American food haha. We had some sloppy joes, macaroni and cheese, and mashed potatoes, but it was all very good! The branch probably has about 200 people, but there are a lot who don't attend church. It's actually really close to becoming a ward. 

On Christmas day we are going to the branch president's house and then to a member's house later. We will probably skype you from the member's house. What time would work best for you? We'll probably be over at her house from 5-9 so I guess that'd be 3-7 your time. Mexicans celebrate Christmas on the 24th so we have dinner at a members house on that day too :)

We haven't been able to meet with J. again ever since we set her on a Baptism date. We have gone to her house a few times this week, but she never answers. She hasn't responded to any of our texts/calls either. So we'll keep on trying.  

I haven't heard anything about going to the temple yet, but it would either be the Louisville Temple or the Chicago Temple depending on where I am when I go. But I am super excited to go again when I get the chance!

It's super weird and really hard to be away from family during the Christmas season, but I have found that this year I am more focused on Christ than ever. It's so amazing how great Christmas can be when you focus on the real reason for our joy. Everything we have is because of Him and when I focus on that, it helps me  be so much more grateful for the things I have and it helps me to be happier. 

I love you mom! Thank you for everything! Let me know when would be the best time to call. Feliz Navidad!

Love, 

Elder Thayne

Elder Thayne in downtown Indy

Elder Thayne and Elder Schoeneman with Christmas Stockings