Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas. I have to see this has been the least usual Christmas I have ever experienced in my life. However, it was still one to remember!
First of all, the tradition here in Guatemala is that everyone does all of the celebrating on December 24th, which is called Noche Buena (Christmas Eve for us Americans). This is the night where all the fun happens. That evening the people set of tons of fireworks; as if it was Independence day in the states. Most of the people also spend the whole night at home with their families or in pubs drinking all night.
On Christmas Eve we went to a member´s house to eat some American snacks, like chips, brownies, and icecream. After that, we went out with them and visited a non-member family and a less-active family. We sang Christmas hymns and gave them gift baskets with food. It was an awesome experience. When we finished there, we went back to the members´ home and did a gift exchange. I ended up getting a new watch, which was cool. After, we had a classic Christmas Eve dinner with a turkey and mashed potatoes. Overall it was a great time. Later in the night, we decided to celebrate Christmas Guatemala style (minus the drinking, of course). We set off some little fireworks and at the end of the night we lit a lantern and let it fly.
On Christmas day we got together as a district and made waffles (the kind that come frozen in a box) and hot chocolate. Each of us also had the opportunity to call our family through Skype. It was nice to finally speak face to face with my family. When we finished the call, I definitely felt refreshed.
On Saturday we had the opportunity to hear messages from Elder Alejandro Lopez from the Seventy and his wife. They shared messages with us about how we should conduct ourself as missionaries and how we should take care to not waste this time since it is the Lord´s time. They brought their family as well, and one of the sons has his call to serve in Utah on his mission.
Overall this week was great. It´s always a wonderful time when we can reflection on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, our Savior. I´m looking forward to the new year and where it brings all of us.
I hope you all have another wonderful week and that the new year brings you all prosperity.
Elder Taylor
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