email 12-25-11

so a lot has happened this week. we saw a car wreck, Vernon got the priesthood, i rebuked an apostasizing member couple (they tried to Anti us and we bore down in pure testimony against them so they kicked us out of their house, the bishopric commended us for defending the prophet and the church) i saw Brother Freeman yesterday at "why I Believe" its a fireside for RC's and Gators and members. but he is going to come down to connersville and spend Christmas with elder morty and I. so it should be fun. he also shared his conversion story @ why i believe and then because he mentioned me, president beamer, the old branch president from elwood and now member of the stake presidency asked me to bear my testimony too. Brother Freeman said he is going to pick me up in the morning on my last Preparation day and take me to Lebanon so i can see some people and then take me to the mission home. he also is going to be traveling to utah for his work a lot this comming year so we are going to kick it together sometime this year. Vernon shared his conversion story at Why I Believe too. it was awesome. VERNON LOVES THOSE SCRIPTURES BY THE WAY!!!! thanks for those cds too. anywho. christmas conference is this week so it should be fun. i guess i'll talk to you this sunday. i love you guys!!

elder swanson

have a englidh/portugese christmas poem from elder dearduff.


"The Noche Before Christmas"


Twas the noche before Christmas and all through the casa, Not a creature was stirring - Caramba! Que pasa?

Los ninos were tucked away in their camas, Some in long underwear, some in pajamas.

While hanging their stockings with mucho cuidado, In hope that old Santa would feel obligado To bring all children, both buenos and malos, A nice batch of dulces and other regalos.

Outside in the yard there arose such a grito That I jumped to my feet like a frightened cabrito.

I ran to the window and looked out afuera, And who in the world do you think that it era?

Saint Nick in a sleigh and a big red sombrero Came dashing along like a crazy bombero.

And pulling his sleigh instead of venados Were eight little burros approaching volados.

I watched as they came and this quaint little hombre Was shouting and whistling and calling by nombre:

"Ay Pancho, ay Pepe, ay Cuco, ay Beto,

Ay Chato, ay Chopo, Macuco, y Nieto!"

Then standing erect with his hands on his pecho He flew to the top of our own techo.

With his round little belly like a bowl of jalea, He struggled to squeeze down our old chiminea, Then huffing and puffing at last in our sala, With soot smeared all over his red suit de gala, He

filled all the stockings with lovely regalos

- For none of the ninos had been very malos.

Then chuckling aloud, seemed very contento, He turned in a flash and was gone like the viento.

And I heard him exclaim, and this is verdad, "Merry Christmas to all, and Feliz Navidad!"