THANKFUL

Well, I've lost track of which week it is, but let me tell you, I'm ready for this beard to go.

I have a super dark goatee, but the rest is kind of sad.  I definitely have a pube beard.  The only thing I like about this thing is that I can twist the hair on my chinny-chin-chin.  I feel like a Disney villian haha

This week took me home for Thanksgiving, and let me tell you, I am thankful.  I have the very best family that anyone could hope for.  I have supportive parents and loving siblings that make life worth living.  Thanksgiving was the day that I would have gotten home from my mission.  It was very difficult for me, but I am glad that my friends from the MTC made it home safely.  Although the life I have lived since February hasn't been what I wanted, nor was it ideal, but I have learned valuable lessons that I probably wouldn't have learned on my mission.  One of those is just to love.  It is easy to love the people that you teach on your mission, and the people as a whole, because you are serving them every day.  You interact constantly with every person on the street.  This is more difficult in "civilian life." People don't give you a reason to love them, and for that same reason, they don't want to love you.  In the field, damaged goods can be reworked, but out here, damaged goods are generally left in the landfill. I am so thankful for all of the people that saw me as someone worth reaching out to and loving.  These last months, and the next couple would have been and will be impossible without them. 

I am grateful for Christmas.  There is nothing that brightens the spirit more than the sound of jingle bells and the sight of lights.  I spent the last couple days of my break decorating my parents' house.  Here is a picture of the tree:

I put lights up on the outside as well, but the light wasn't good when I took this picture, so you'll just have to come over during winter break to see them!  It was great just listening to Christmas music and getting everything out.  This will be my first Christmas home in two years.  Although it will be hard to to Christmas in the MTC and with Elder McGuire in the field, I think that this will be a Christmas to remember.  I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!!

Well, I think I'll wrap it up here.  I have some sleep to do before I get up to run, so I better get on that!  I'm thinking that on December first, I'll shave the beard off, but keep the 'shache.  Anyone have any suggestions?

Peace.