The TEMPLE!!!

 The temple!!!

Hello friends and family, I hope everyone is doing well. It's been a while since I've written an email and so many exciting things have happened since my last email, especially in just this last week. 

Our mission President Stapley and his wife took the mission to the temple!  The Mexico City Temple is OUTSIDE of our mission boundaries so it was a big deal to go there!  There are so many missionaries so they had to split up the trips into zones. So, on Tuesday Dec 13, we went to the México City Temple with two other zones. It was beautiful! It's been almost two years since I've been to the temple and it was such a beautiful experience to go through again for a family member. That night we got home and my family's Christmas package got to me which was AWESOME!  We got some cool ties from it too haha. 

This week has been full of hard work finding new people to teach. After our baptisms, we've had a few people progressing but a lot of people leave on vacation for Christmas and a cute couple that we were teaching had a baby and haven't been able to see us for a while. We had a goal for four baptisms this month so we're fasting and praying for the Lord to help us reach that goal. 

I have to tell you guys about this one Friday night. It was just a great day and ended with a bang. While we were walking, I saw a guy putting up string for a piñata and I felt the spirit tell me to ask him if he needed help. He thanked us and said he didn't need help, but he invited us to come to his posada, which means like 'inn' but really it's just a party with food. So, whenever we missionaries get a chance for free food and meeting new people, we of course say yes. After a few hours of working and the day was almost over, we headed back up the hill and found the party. We thought we arrived at the wrong party at first because they were all chanting/singing catholic songs while walking towards the guy's house.  Soon we realized it was in fact the party but it was just a catholic tradition to sing about Mary and Joseph and the inn they couldn't find. And the guy we met, Juan, was actually running the party. Then the feast began. We got tacos, ponche, and taquitos dorados, which are basically tacos. We got some fireworks from a dude selling them from his wheelbarrow, which was super cool. After eating, they pulled out the piñatas and started to go at 'em. My comp and I watched for a little bit, then decided that they'd probably not let us play, and it was getting late anyways. But, as we walked away, we heard a loud whistle and we turned around to see ALL the people staring at us. Juan's daughter ran toward us and we couldn't leave without hitting the piñata. So, in the video you all can see how that turned out. I felt like it was a nice way for those people to get to know the missionaries without feeling any pressure.  After that, we went home and saw some of our best friends on our street who are these little kids. 

This is my second to last week and I'm cherishing every moment. I'm working hard and giving everything I got. I know that the Lord will bless us if we give everything we have and consecrate ourselves to His work and His will. I love you guys and am so thankful for you. 

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Elder Spencer Chamberlain