Monday, December 14th

Hello all!

Well, a lot has happened this week. Elder Velez got ET'd
(Emergency Transfer), so I have a new companion. His name
is Elder Peterson. He's from Pleasant Grove, Utah. We were in
the same district when I was back in Weslaco. He's been out
one more transfer than me. We're excited to be working
together.

Yesterday was District Conference for Laredo and Zapata.
Before the conference started, President Miller asked to
speak with Elder Peterson and myself. He addressed the
importance of Zapata, how he needs it to succeed, and that
he trusts us to make it grow.

Elder Peterson and I have been working extremely hard. We
are finding some wonderful people. It's amazing what the
Lord does for us when we are willing to put ourselves out
there and work as hard as we can. He will always make up the
difference, no matter how big it may be.

So, this last week we had Zone Conference up in Corpus
Christi. It was a three and a half hour drive each direction.
We had to wake up at 4:30 in the morning to get there on
time. It was a great experience. It was our Christmas
program after as well. I played and sang my own
arrangement of the First Noel, and then I sang with another
group We Three Kings. It was a great experience.

Well, this is a random tidbit. Elder Peterson and I have been
lifting weights in the morning. I'm incredibly sore, but I'm
excited to see results. I'm still on my health spree, which I
guess is a good thing.

I'm attaching several pictures: A couple are next to the Rio
Grande (our area), a huge cactus we found while tracting,
A Christmas Tree in Zapata, and a funny sign we saw on our
way back from Corpus Christi. Enjoy!

I love you all!

Elder John