Merry Christmas one and all!

Sunday we headed to the Tocornal Ward in the Cordillera Stake.  It is about an hour out to Cordillera.  It was a very friendly ward.  They have 2 young people leaving for missions next week, a brother and sister.  They spoke for a few minutes.  They are the last of the 5 children in the family and all 5 will have served missions.  
     We didn't have anything going on Sunday evening so we found a Hallmark movie on line and watched our first Hallmark Christmas movie.
     Monday morning we left the apartment at 7:30am and delivered the food for the snack at the Zone Conference in Puente Alto.  We set up the table, practiced with the choir one last time, and headed to inspect 4 pensiones before noon.  We did a few repairs in each of the apartments and were back at the Zone Conference by 12:15.  Mission accomplished!

     We had a repeat meal like last Friday and the gift exchange.

With more young Elders in these 5 zones than in the other 5 zones, the gifts were a little more interesting.  One Elder wrapped the photo of his ex-girlfriend and gave it away.
    Hermana Potter and I again sang "O Hush Thee my Baby" and I directed the choir.  When the Javier Carrera Zone came up to sing, the Zone Leader leaned over to me and asked me to direct their song and lead the congregation on the last verse.  Probably the shortest notice I have ever had!  It was a very special day and another great Zone Conference/Christmas Devotional.
     The Brotherson's gave Elder Thompson his birthday gift early.  They gave him a bag of brown sugar.  He was so excited!  We had ran out of brown sugar and they just don't have good brown sugar down here and every cookie recipe that we have calls for brown sugar.  So Tuesday morning Elder Thompson made cookies to give away to our office Elders and the assistants and our service station employees who take such good care of us and our truck.  He also made two blackberry pies, one for the Brothersons and one for the Potters.
    Breaking news!!!  The barricades have come down!  The mall has removed their wood and metal protection from around the building.  Dominos pizza removed theirs as well.  This is a very good indication that the demonstrations are over for now and people are going about their lives as usual.
     Happy Birthday to Elder Thompson!  We used to think that 70 was very old but now that he has reached it, it really doesn't seem so bad.  We are both very thankful for good health in body and spirit.
     As we were out and about doing some inspections and service calls, these Elders asked us to come with the truck and help them get this couch that a member family gave them.  They were so excited to have something comfortable to sit on.

Elders Beck, Altamiranda, Cazaut and Kimball

The only Christmas lights we have seen have been right here in our apartment complex.

Santa even came one evening to hand out gifts to children who live here.

This apartment complex really is a city within itself with the grocery stores, day care, mail room, and security guards.

Friday morning we headed to the PDI one more time.  We need to pick up our visa.

We now have our visas and are legal.  It wasn't as painful as the other processes.  We only had to wait in line for an hour!  

We are so thankful for our Savior, Jesus Christ.  We love that the whole world celebrates his birth at this time. It makes everyone just a little more loving and kind. There is just a special magic in the air. We pray that you have had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends.  We send our love to all.