December 23, 2013 - Franklin Park, IL

Hey hey hey!  Feliz navidad a todos! Is it just me or has this month just flown by? Crazy, huh?

I wish I had a lot to share this week, but i don't :( *small wimper. I guess I'll just share two of my highlights. First. Christmas party with President & Sister Woodbury and my zone at the mission home. Que chèvre! We sang songs, had a nice little lesson, white elephant gift exchange, and ended with lunch. Best part? Going to the temple afterwards! I haven't gone since August or so. It was awesome!

Second. Eduardo, of course! I wish all of you could meet this man. Let me say If I could teach Antonio (back from my days in Mundelein...I'm sure y'all haven't forgotten him) and Eduardo all day long, I would be one happy camper. So on Friday, we taught him about the law of tithing and fasting. Easy. Towards the end, we were explaining where the money goes and what the church does with it...he threw in that it doesn't really matter what we do with it. All he cares about is that it's a commandment, so therefore he'll be paying. Nothing else matters. Ha, why can't it always be that easy? Did I mention that he said he usually studies the pamphlets and other listed study material/scriptures on the back somewhere in between 10-15 times. I didn't even know that was possible. He also asked us for the Doctrine and Covenants, True to the Faith, and the Gospels Principle books, just so he can study more. Uh-hum, he may have also mentioned at the end that we're the best things in his life right now. I included pictures of him, just so you all could have a face for the name. Sometimes I get awkward, and don't want males to put their arm around me or anything, so I stick my thumbs up. Safe call, right? I don't think Hispanics do thumbs up? Anyway, he was curious as to what I was doing - and figured he'd do the same. Mind you, this is Eduardo cleaned up nice. He's come a long way! Also. Please note the rings. Especially the 'Apple' ring on his right hand. Man knows what's up.

I finished el Libro de Mormon y Doctrina & Convenios this week. Which is perfect timing, because President Woodbury has challenged all of the missionaries to read the Book of Mormon by April general conference, and while doing so, mark all of the references to Christ and also his atonement. Hecho. I've been doing that the last few days, and more than anything, I know that the Book of Mormon is another testament of JESUS CHRIST.

Here we go. I'm about to extend two invitations. First. I already extended this one on Facebook, but for all of the Mortensens NOT on Facebook, those that can't understand Spanish, or those who ignore all of my Facebook posts. Here we go again. In the last general conference, Elder  M. Russel Ballard invited everyone to reach out to ONE person by Christmas. As a result, thousands and thousands will feel the love of our Savior.  Whether it be a phone call, text, Facebook message...it doesn't matter. DO IT. You have two days left.

Next. Do as I already explained, and start the Book of Mormon, marking all of the references to Christ and his atonement. It's about 5 pages a day, if you want to finish by conference. Easy. I can promise you that as do so, or try to do so, you'll find the time for it and enjoy EVERY MINUTE OF IT.  As my good friends on the Disney channel say...Si se puede!

I hope you all have a great Christmas, and more than anything, I hope you recognize how blessed we all truly are--all thanks to our Loving Heavenly Father and perfect Brother, Jesus Christ.

Much love,
Hermana Mortensen

                             Havin' some Papa a la Huancaina!

There's this cool buildings and it has stones from every state, and other historical sites around the world. Looks to me like they used Aztec ruin rocks for the whole building. Haha. Interesting fact. Utah has stone from the SLC temple.

Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier.

That one time we were on the city...took the wrong train, and went a little south. Not happy. If you look closely, you can see the Sears Tower.