Missionary Christmas Letter

My apologies.  For the second time in a row I have posted the letter quite late.  This letter was actually sent the day after Christmas, but as is the case for many of you, things have been crazy since then.  So I'm getting to it now. 
A new letter will be coming this Monday and we will get back in to a normal schedule.

He has also sent a picture of him waiting by the phone on Christmas.  This drama is why we call him "Hollywood"....

If you are planning on sending him anything in the mail, wait until I have updated the contact info.  Because he has moved areas he will likely have a different mailing address.

Below is this week's letter.

My last week in my first area.

Since I got to Mexico I have been in the same area. 24 weeks in the same area.  I love the people here but I want to learn other places and meet other people.  I will always remember all the people that I had the opportunity to meet and baptize. Their families and their stories. Everything I have done here has changed me and made me such a better person. And I cannot wait to see what the future waits to hold for me.

So Christmas for a missionary isn't really ho-ho-ho and jingle bells.  It's more of nobody is home and you are missing your family. But at least this week I had the opportunity to talk with my family. It was nice. But I didn't really want to do it. Just because I knew I was going to be sad. And I was. Although it was really nice to talk to everyone, I didn't want to hang up. And it made Sunday and Monday a little rough. I miss them a ton. But after six months it was nice.  Now the countdown starts till May 10 when I get to talk to them again.

Christmas was definitely bitter-sweet though. We ate, ate, ate, talked, threw up, ate, and ate. I was so full. Don't these people know I am trying to lose weight over here? Not to mention I was a little depressed so I wasn't really in the eating mood.

But all the emails and love that I received from everyone was awesome. Thank you to the following people for their love and support that they sent: 

                  Blaine and Jana

                  Grandma and Grandpa
                  My family (which of course includes Heidi)
                  Paula
                  Blake English (my bestie)
                  Ryan Herriage
                  Noni and Virgie
                  Brother and Sister Cherry
                  "Bishop" Scott
                  Brother Allison
                  The Crisp Family
                  The Fernandez Family
                  Thomas Nilsen

If I forgot anyone I am sorry.  I love you all and I am so appreciative for the love and support from all of you.

So I am changing areas.....and companions. :) I am not going to say anything bad about him but we were just totally different. I like to joke and stuff and he doesn't. But I am going to a place that does not have a good reputation. When I tell people where I am going I get the same reaction.....ewwwwww. So you can imagine. Apparently, Compton has got nothing on this place. Its called Tlaltenco. I think that is how you spell it. I don't really know, I've called it tank for half of the day because I wasn't able to pronounce it.

I have a funny short story for you guys. So my district and I were watching a church movie about Christmas. And there is this point where this girl is talking about family, and she stops, looks right at the camera and says ¨without your family, Christmas is nothing.¨  I have never been in a quieter room of missionaries. That was just like a slap to the face for all of us. We heard it, got quiet, looked around at each other all depressed and just started laughing. It was so funny. But so depressing. But it's true. This Christmas wasn't that awesome because I wasn't with my family.  Not only is it Christmas, it's everything. No good moment is complete without family. Always remember that and strive hard so that we can be with our families forever. I love my family and I am so very thankful for their love and support. I can't wait till I can be with them forever.  I love my time here. But I wont be complete until I am with my family again.

I love you all. Be safe.

Haden