December 18/19, 2011

Elder Rowe and his companions at the Palmerston North Ward Christmas party

Hello my wonderful family! Merry Christmas one and all!

A hot and sunny Christmas still messes with my brain. Whenever I hear old classic Christmas songs playing, I imagine it being cold outside or even a dark, cozy, winter night. But then I look outside and my brain has a bit of spasm. But it's okay. I think I'll be able to handle it and come to a realization that Christmas is a time for Barbecues, swimming and playing rugby for people. Not sledding, snowman, and lighting the fireplace.

Another weird thing, maybe it's just Palmy, but we haven't seen anybody with Christmas lights up. Nobody at all. But maybe that just goes with the fact that it's not dark until like 9:00. yeah, that makes sense now. Lights would be kind of worthless. Most people however, do have Christmas trees, and the stores are all decorated fancily.

Elder Tukuafu and I have had a bit of a rough week, but things are looking good for this one. On Friday we went by to see some investigators who we didn't have time to see for a while earlier in the week and we found out they that had been drinking for three days straights. Apparently that's what Christmas is all about for them. But after the drinking streak and having us come by they decided they were sick of being drunk and hungover and were going to come to church, but then something came up. They invited us over for Christmas to do a Hangi (which is pretty much a Maori way of cooking food in a hole with rocks) with them and their neighbors whom we know . Maori's love a good Hangi. So hopefully, if they're not drunk that day, we'll be able to spend some good time with them next Sunday. In addition to our Christmas breakfast, and Tongan pig-on-a-spit for lunch. So it'll be exciting.

We have our Christmas conference on Thursday here in Palmy for the whole North Island (of our mission though) and Elder Tukuafu and I are in charge of hosting it. So hopefully that will work out smoothly.

I love this wonderful Christmas season for many reasons, but I think particularly as a missionary, because I've never realized so much as I have now, of the "real meaning of Christmas." It truly is all about Christ, and sharing with others the wonderful peace and joy we have as members of His Church. I've noticed people have been a lot friendlier to us these past couple of weeks. So I'm looking forward to all of the miracles that will be happening this week leading up to Christmas.

I gotta go! But I love you very very much! And can't wait for Sunday to talk to you!

Just remember:
"True happiness comes only by making others happy"---David O. McKay
Keep doing what is right, and praying day and night!
Have a wonderful week!
I love you all so very much!

Love,

Elder David John Rowe