Hola Familia!

That`s so exciting about all the fun things that happened this week with everyone! I`m glad that everyone is enjoying the winter activites and that Jacob is very active in the dating circuit. ;) Dad, your Spanish is really coming along! I remember that in three years of Spanish in high school they never taught us the direct object pronouns so I think it`s really cool that you already are forming sentences. and soon you`ll have another Spanish speaker to practice with when Kyle comes home! I think that`s so exciting, and tell him to send me a copy of his return talk. =)

We also had a really busy week here. I think we can finally say that the rains have started. A couple of nights there have been light rains, maybe what we would call a regular storm in Utah, but on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday the skies opened, and rain just came down. I couldn`t believe how debilitating it was! The way the streets are made there are either lakes in the streets, or mid calf mud, and it makes getting from one side of the sector to the other quite difficult. haha

Saturday was also a very special day because the branch went to the temple together and we got to go with our convert, Gloria. We all had a great time and she was really humbled by the importance of temple work because some of her names were from the 1500s! Her children also came to see the temple and stayed in the visitor's center.

We got back around 6 PM, just in time to get ready for the baptism of one of Gloria`s daughters, Melissa. She was so excited, and everything went perfectly. The next day at church all the family even came in skirts to show their support for Melissa. (A very big step in case you are wondering. They do not like dresses at all.)

And then on Sunday, Elder Brady and Elder Lund left for Guayaquil. Elder Brady is leaving at 11:59 tonight. I hope he gets home safely. He`s been a good friend in these 4 months I`ve had in Vinces. (Elder Brady is from Payson.) Elder Lund`s new companion`s name is Elder Cuentas and he`s from Bolivia. I think it`s good we have another Latino in the house because with the 4 English speakers we were loosing our Spanish a little haha!

So much happened this week, but I`m sure that things will continue going well. Change is good, it just takes a little while to get used to.

Thank you so much for all your prayers and thoughts, and I hope everyone stays safe this week.

Jacob, good luck on your date!

Lots of love,

Elder Hales =)