It's a Little Chile Down Here...But Kinda Warm in Brazil: La Reina -- Greatest Zone Ever

Zone Jerseys

Elder Nate Schwartz -- send him a Christmas Greeting by email or snail mail

Elder Nathaniel Schwartz

Chile Santiago EAST Mission

Cristobal Colón 6824

Las Condes, Casilla 27.144

Santiago, Región Metropolitana

CHILE

nathaniel.schwartz@myldsmail.net

Dear Family!

This week was really good! Very busy! We had a zone conference on Wednesday, a meeting from about 9am to 4pm,and our zone did the musical number `"Creo en Cristo" (I beleive in Christ). I think we did a pretty good job -- we seriously have the coolest zone ever. The zone conference was a blast -- I learned A TON from President and Hna Wright. I always do at those conferences -- they're like spiritual boosts that we get. On Sunday we did two really cool things: First, we did a zone choir and sang at the metro station -- it was a big success, and the zone loved it. But more importantly, so did the public -- lots of people stayed and watched and listened -- we took turns contacting the people, talking to them, passing out pass-along cards and such. It was a nice time, even though it was really, really hot. Second, in the evening we went to a special choir performance at the temple, with special musical guest Elder David Archuelta. We went with Mercedez, and she really seemed to enjoy it. The place was JAM PACKED, but we were actually able to find her a seat, and we stood in the back, still with a really good view of the show, though.

See a video clip of Elder David Archuleta singing at Christmas Show

On Saturday we had to do the pension (apartment) inspections. Elder Sercovich and I spent the morning touring the zone and seeing if the missionaries' apartments were neat and tidy. Of course, the sister missionaries did a much better job than the elders, as you can probably imagine. We also made zone jerseys so we gave those out to everyone, and they really liked them. I'll be sure to send you a photo of Elder Sercovich and me in our jerseys.

We found Claudio again this week, and I'll be sure to fill you guys in on his story in a little more detail during our Christmas call. We are working a lot with less actives and just trying our best to get the members involved in the work. We are seeing really good results. The members have lots of power in missionary work, and I think that many of them don't even recognize it.

Oh, also, at the temple on Sunday, I ran into Edith and Daniel from Geronimo (my first area), and that was SO SO SO SO SO SO AWESOME. That was probably the greatest reunion ever, and they actually know Elder Sercovich too. I'll fill you guys in on that too during the Christmas call. As you can see, I'm really excited to talk to you guys.

I am passing a very happy, very warm Christmas here with Elder Sercovich -- just trying our best to spread Christmas cheer with everyone here in La Reina, and help them to understand the true meaning of Christmas. I love Christmas season in the mission because I feel like as a missionary, as a representative of Jesus Christ, during the Christmas season we are closer to Him than ever. It's like all starting to click in my head, what Christmas is really all about. I hope that we can all enjoy this Christmas in the way that our Savior would like us to. Thank you all for your love and support and I can't wait to hear from you again soon. Feliz Navidad.

With much love,

Elder Schwartz