December 13 update

We were sad to hear that the elders are still not feeling well!  Elder Kenison indicated:

we'll be contacting the doctor again because... I am sick of "home"

Unfortunately, there has been a setback with the young woman named Fanny they were fellowshipping along with the branch members.

She didn't come to church but we did pass by in the week and she told us that she can't be baptized. Her parents are really really evangelical and she doesn't want to go and do all this behind their backs. We told her that that was a good idea. But we asked her to also remember the importance of it and try to talk to her parents about it soon. I hope everything works out. She's really an awesome person.

The other good prospect, familia Salinas (the family that tried to return the Book of Mormon but Matt insisted they keep it and read it) also is progressing slowly:

but with us not being about to work much and the dad of the family working a lot it's been hard to set a time. but we're still working with them

One of the things they've been emphasizing in the mission recently is working closely with the local leaders in the branch, and recognizing their stewardship.  We thought this was a fascinating approach:

Working with the members and the leaders, we've read 1 Nephi 16:23 with them. It says:
"23 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did make out of wood a bow, and out of a straight stick, an arrow; wherefore, I did arm myself with a bow and an arrow, with a sling and with stones. And I said unto my father: Whither shall I go to obtain food?"
Then we told our branch president that he has the authority to tell us where to work so we asked his where we should work. He told us that he would need to think about it.  A couple days later he told us that he thinks that we should work in "La Palma" which is on the left side of our area. The place that doesn't have a map made yet. We told him that we'd start working there, which, with our investigators all kind of stopping progressing will give us lots of time to do so. The only problem is that it is really really far from where we live. So it'll be hard to work all of the way over there for right now. But we'll just have to go forth with faith. haha Luckily there are a couple of good members over there. haha I just hope they like missionary work. They'll be getting lots of opportunities haha

What a great way to involve the branch leaders and use their insight and inspiration to strengthen the efforts of the missionaries!

We asked Matt if he had any Christmas decorations in his apartment.  In response, he sent the series of photos that follow, along with these descriptions.  (Click on any photo to view larger.)

just getting ready. haha we found a couple of Christmas things in the closet :D

Elder Hassler remembering how stupid Christmas lights are.

struggling to put the lights on

attempting to top it off with a star. First Elder Hassler tried

then I tried

shoot failure

both trying

I think we're missing something else

darn... nothing... still. haha Elder Hassler is crying. haha

Well at least the lights work haha woot!!! We'll just have to be patient till we can "finish"

We were sad along with them to look under the tree and see nothing!!  The packages are in the mail, and we're praying for safe and timely arrival — we don't want Elder Hassler to keep crying!  We also noted that they appear to have identical ties on... new mission uniform???