Merry Christmas!

So this week has been really great. Elder Edward and I are getting along really well. He's from Billings, Montana and he's been on a mission for just over a year. I've been getting to know my area a little better so that's good. East Long Beach is really nice compared to North Long Beach. In fact, most people I talk to about where I just came from gasp is disbelief, haha. One lady said that her job doesn't let her go there without Police escort. She's a social worker. Another asked me semi- jokingly if I had to do drugs while I was there. But it wasn't really that bad, in fact I liked it a lot.

It has been really amazing to feel the guidance of the Spirit as a missionary. On Saturday we had a lesson with a guy who hasn't gone to church in awhile. His name is Chris and I didn't really know much about him so I just opened up my scriptures and shared what I saw. It was in Alma 59 I think and I just talked about how the Nephite army was facing an innumerable enemy and the first thing they did was pray. I told him that even though they were already afraid and thinking about what they needed they had to pray to God to receive strength and comfort which they did. It was just really great because afterwards Elder Edward said that Chris wasn't really sure why he had to pray formally because he thinks about what he needs all of the time. So the Spirit definitely leads missionaries to do certain things sometimes. It's really important to try and listen to what God wants us to do all of the time.

My apartment address is 5551 E 23rd St., Long Beach, CA 90815 so you can send things there now. I like my apartment. It's a lot smaller than my first one but it's nice enough. I'm excited to talk to you tomorrow! I can't wait to hear how old Ella sounds and just how everyone is doing.

It kind of stunk to move right before Christmas but the stress is leaving so that's good. I just wish I would've had time to write everyone a Christmas letter. Hopefully my voice will be a good enough present, haha.

Love you!