Feliz Navidad Y Prospero Ano!

Dear Family,

Well, I'll get the update on the week done quick and then answer some questions. But first off, FELIZ NAVIDAD Y PROSPERO AÑO!!!!!!!! :) I love Christmas sooooooo much! The hardest thing about being in Argentina is the lack of the Christmas spirit. Christmas here is celebrated more like the 4th of July back home. Everyone sets off fireworks right at midnight. There's lots of alcohol and a lot of BBQ. It doesn't have the same feeling as it does back home. There are very very few houses with decorations. Nobody says Merry Christmas" and it's sweatin' hot out!!! Ha ha! But it is truly a great time of year no matter where you are in the world. There is still a way to invite the Christmas spirit in our teachings and to help others feel the love of the Saviour. 

We will be having one baptisms on the 29th it looks like. Karina is so prepared and she came to church again. We found out that in about a year she is planning on marrying that friend of hers in Chile that told her to find out more about the church. She's basically a member already. For example, she paid tithing yesterday. She's not even baptized yet!!! That's what faith is all about. Just trust in the Lord and do what's asked because you know it's true. Anyway, we will be ending my "black year" (the year you never see home) with a great baptism!! :)

Claudia isn't going to make it. She wanted to stop smoking so badly today, but yesterday at church, she told us that she got depressed on Saturday and smoked a ton of cigarettes. She's really depressed and feels that the addiction is too big and strong for her to overcome. It's so sad to watch her. I really wish we could help her more, but we all know that each of us must fight our own battles and exercise our own faith.

Griselda still has the problem with her daughter. She wants to be baptized, but is refusing until her daughter accepts her decision. She will make it some day. We have not had a chance to teach her daughter yet. We just need to show her how we're not a sect and that baptism is the best thing for her mother.

The rest of our investigators are still in the same boat. No one really progressing and all needing a little push. We did have the opportunity of finding Walter yesterday. He's a little "slow" It appears, because he was not really focused on the present, but his family was very kind with us, so we are going to try to teach them. We just need to find. We compared our numbers from those of the last transfer and there's a big change! Last transfer we found 41 investigators and this transfer, with one week left, we have only found 11. We've had really great contacts, but we can't seem to find anyone in their homes. This time of year, everyone has weird schedules.

Alright, question and answer time. Tomorrow I will be calling at 2:00 Argentina time. That will be around 10:00 Arizona time. SO be prepared. I will be skypeing from a member's home. I will be able to talk to Justin also, which I'm very excited for! :)  President told us at Leadership council that he's not too worried about the time limit. He said to be reasonable was all. He wants the calls to be inspiring for us to keep working. SO if the call is too long and makes us feel home sick, then it's too long of a call. So, it depends on what we feel is right. I'm not too worried about it though. We generally keep it to reasonable amount of time.

I am fine talking to the family however you want. If someone wants a personal slot, I'm fine with that! I would like to hear from everyone at one point, and then maybe separate for a few time slots, and then get everyone back together again.

Well, I'm not sure what else to say. I'm just really excited for tomorrow! :) I love the holiday season! I love you all too! I'm so grateful for all my many blessings. 

Merry Christmas!

Elder Blake W. Cowan