Well Christmas was really great even without snow. It was really neat to have Christmas from a different point of view, 1. In México and 2. as a missionary. We woke up in the morning and I opened up my packages which was really awesome. I woke up Elder Reyes by throwing a flying screaming monkey at my companion (Thank you Hansgen Family!). Elder Reyes recieved his package 2 days later so he was kind of bummed that he didn't get anything on Christmas. I made sure to put a little package together for him while he was showering in the morning. The package consisted of; a red stocking, about 10 carmel apple candies, hot chocolate (that I bought but don't like), gum, and a Nerf gun. He was pretty thrilled to find he was a good boy after all this year and that Santa didn't forget about him.
During the Day we met with a few families, shared some mensages [messages] about Christmas, and then went and had lunch with a family and Elder Byrd and Elder de Los Santos. It was really fun and we ate really good "Lonches de Pierna" (sandwiches of leg) ;) I also happened to bring the screaming monkey to the lunch and I scared everyone pretty bad shooting it off after returning from the bathroom. We had a few good laughes and it was really fun.
Dad, Sadly no I wasn't able to have tamales. I thought it was a little strange that everyone makes tamales for Christmas as well. Here almost every family either makes tamales or pasoli (basoli? quien sabe). But Elder Reyes told me that he doesn't like tamales because in Puebla everyone does tamales for
every thing... so it's not like it's a special treat for him... so although I was upset we didn't have tamales for Christmas, he was thrilled.
We then went to go Skype with our families. It was super good to talk to everyone and it was really good to see everyone. The only person that looks a lot different is Buzz... he looks older and almost looked like a normal person ;) Just teasing Buzz love you. It was good to hear from you all and it was pretty nice to be able to have a translater or few over there... because let's be honest, my English is garbage. Elder Reyes also said it was good talking to you Dad, he said your Spanish is actually really good... you have an accent like a North American but he said you didn't sound like a Gringo. So... I guess you should take that as a compliment ;) And Dad I only talked "Gospel Spanish" so it could be easier for you to translate... de nada. The only thing that I wish I could erase from my mind from the Skype call was the Dark Abyss of Hair... it's good to know that Uncle Rich hasn't changed one bit ;) Christmas was great and it really was good to hear and see from all of you. Isn't technology cool?
Elder Reyes talked with his family as well and I had a chance to see them a little bit too. His mom joined the Church when Elder Reyes was 3 months old. His two older brothers have both returned home from their missions and have been really good examples to him in his life. His 2 brothers and his mom live in
Puebla, Puebla. His dad lives in Philidelphia and is working in a Restaurante named Sampson. He hasn't been able to see his dad in 5 years until he skyped him this last Christmas. His parents are together but his Dad is living in Philidelphia to supply [provide] for his family back in Puebla. It was really neat for Elder Reyes to see and talk to his dad on Christmas.
Con Amor,
Elder Summers