dec 21

Hey fam and friends!
> Jord here from the literally frozen tundra of maryland! It snowed like 2 feet on friday and it has just been a crazy time. haha i have pushed more cars out from being stuck and dug so many houses and cars out but it really has been some of the funnest times of the mission. Thanks for all your support and love this week. Grandma hammer thanks for the package, and grandma hafen too. Aunt shelly thanks for the cards and just thanks for everything i really appreciate it! Back to the snow though. We woke up saturday morning and our place was just covered in snow everything was just getting dumped on and when that happens in maryland, pretty much the whole city shuts down. And when that happens the missionary work gets a little interesting. So we basically said alright were gonna go walking and just try to help and serve and see members and carol to them and that's what we did. It was so fun and it was such a blast we would just walk down the road from place to place and carol and push cars out, shovel peoples driveway and people looked at us four missionaries like we were on crack it was kinda funny to see there reaction as we came along and asked if we could help. We got lots of Hot Chocolate though and some stranger invited us in for some homemade Chili that was so so so good. Ha i haven't been in the Christmas spirit much lately but man this storm and serving others and caroling has been so much fun and it really has helped out a lot. So it just getting back to where people are digging themselves out and the sun in shining but man it Dumped! but it was a fun weekend and a fun experience.
> We got to the temple this past week and do a session! It was such a blast and a much much needed temple trip! The washington dc temple is absolutely amazing outside but wow the inside is so sweet and we had such a good time there. And then later that night we were out in the parking lotas people came in and directing traffic. It really was such a blast and such a fun time to just be out and wishing everyone a merry christmas and talking to random people. Christmas time really is a blast to be serving the Lord.
> This past week we found some sweet new investigators and just have been so so blessed. The work is a lot tougher than i thought it would be serving espanol in the states because finding people ahs been the tuffest part for sure, but this week just being out and about we have talked ot people and they have let us come over and teach them it's been so so sweet. We have this lady named MARIEL and she is about 45 and she is catholic but is really strong, ha those catholics man they are tuff people haha no offense but they are just so set in their ways, but she said she has nothing to read in spanish and we gave her a BOOK OF MORMON in spanish and i know she will pick that thing up and get taken away by the power of that book. And then our two 18 year old kids who are way sweet luis and jorge, were going over there tongith to teach them but they didn't have any snow stuff or gear so thank you grandma hafen we gave them w whole load of scarfs and mittens and caps but they are progressing and the work is going really well. With the snow this week church was only from 1 to 2 and a ton of people didnt' come because of the snow but we walked up there and got to have a little sacrament meeting and that was really nice. It's cool to see some of these members just do all they can and shovel who ever needs and whenever.
> Ruben and Manuel and Jose are doing ok, i'm a little worried about them. they just aren't understanding it all and the importance of it and i know we have to be patient and just keep teaching them, but this past week we had a sweet lesson about quiting smoking. We got the cigarette out and put in our hand and just said can you believe that something so little has so much power over you and were just holding it there and they were feeling the guilt and we just broke it in front of them and said you can quit with the lords help! It was way sweet and i hope they took it to heart.
> Fam at this time i really just want to say how much i lov eeach and everyone of you in my life. You all have played such a big role in where i am today and i really am so greatful to be here. I know that our savior lives and that he is with us at our highest and lowest times as well, especially when we don't think we can go on. He's right there with us and i know that with all of my heart. I'm so grateful for this gospel and i hope you all have a merrry Christmas! I know that you all will but i just wnat to say thanks to you all and my pen pals. I really am so grateful for all of you! Thank you so so much Have a great week! Next week when i'm writing you i'll know if i'm getting transfered or staying. Hopefully i stay i'm not ready to leave this place yet. Merry Christmas everyone!
> Singing off from the WHITE DIRTY
> Elder Hammer