Week 17: MERRY CHRISTMAS from Africa

Well this week has been crazy! Looking back it feels like last Tuesday was a year ago.

So last Monday we went and played laser tag and drove go carts. Then during the week we went and did service for a member who fed us scopo and magodu for lunch. Scopo is the meat on the head of a cow and magodu is the intestines of the cow. It wasn't that bad to be honest.

Sunday was Christmas Eve and I got to Skype home. It was so good to see and hear from you all. It feels like I just saw you guys though lol. Mother's Day may be a little different.

So following skyping home we headed back to our flat and our whole district took our mattress' and put them in one of the flats. We had a giant sleep over for Christmas. That night we stayed up kind of late playing games, including ping pong, and sting pong. It was a lot of fun and left a lot of welts. We even played connect the dots with the welts on my back. We then woke up at 6 am Christmas morning because the Boyers, Elder Blackburn's grandparents, arrived at our flat complex. While the other missionaries skyped on their laptops, Sis. Boyer began preparing lunch. She prepared the best meal I have ever had in South Africa! We had gammon (ham), mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, and so much more! It was great having the Boyers over for Christmas. Following lunch we opened up presents. Elder Reynolds ended up having me for the Secret Santa and he got me a speedo and swim cap! It was hilarious. We may have had a little fun with it that day lol. Also I opened my gift from mom and dad. Thank you so much for the ASU shirt! I needed a new one bad. I also got a "soda pong" set from the white elephant gift exchange. Let's just say we had a lot of fun and had quite the Christmas hangover that night. Everyone that has been on mission for more than 1 Christmas said that this Christmas has felt the most like Christmas. Our district is amazing and so close. With transfers coming soon it'll be sad if one of us leave.

Well I love you all and know this gospel is true. Talk to you next week.