Feliz Navidad!

Been a busy week! Like I said last time, I went back to my first area, Talavera de la Reina, on exchanges last week. I ran into a couple of members that I haven't seen in forever, and Elder Landheim and I taught some cool lessons. The only downside is that I got sick while we were there and was half checked-out the rest of the week. We didn't have to stop working at all, but it's just annoying to be sick. We had a great week though!


We taught our friend Nataly about priesthood authority- she's known about the church and attended pretty consistently for almost a year buts still isn't sure if she should get baptized, so we've been focusing on the 'why' of what we do in the Church and the 'how' of receiving answers from God. And we focused on how our message means nothing if Joseph Smith lied about being a prophet, translating the Book of Mormon, or receiving the priesthood. Specifically, getting baptized without priesthood authority is taking a bath. But if Joseph Smith truly did receive the priesthood, that means that someone baptized by a priesthood holder in the Alcorcón branch made an authorized, binding covenant with God. I love teaching about the Restoration of the Gospel.


We got transfer news on Saturday, and I've never wanted to stay in an area so badly. Wasn't in the cards though. I'm getting sent to the north, (again) this time in Santander by Bilbao. The Santander ward has two missionaries now and we're about to make it four. To top it off I'm training a new missionary so it's going to be wild. I leave in three days and it's going to be a wild ride.


I can believe I have to leave Alcorcón though, it was tough to say goodbye to everyone. Paula's family are coming along great, I know these members better than ever, and we just put Pedro, our awesome Spaniard buddy, on date for baptism. I know Elder Nebeker's got it, I'll just need to Zoom in to a ton of baptisms. My place is in Santander.


Christmas has been pretty low-key, we ate dinner with a cool member family last night and hung out with our district today. I love this season and the reason we celebrate: the Son of God came to earth to show us the way back to heaven with His example and open that path by suffering everything for us. That's the "good news" of this season and the gospel I share every day.


Do yourself a favor and read The Living Christ, it's a simple and powerful statement of who are Redeemer is and why he's so important. 


"His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son."


Feliz Navidad!
Elder Curtis


Talavera throwbacks:
Basilica del Prado 
The Gang with the Talavera sign
Got to eat pupusas with the Galan's again
Susana
How knocking doors usually feels
Church where we went to mass this morning 
Christmas tree (thanks Nana)
Christmas eve with the Chuquimuni family
Peruvian foooooood...
How to announce you're leaving









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