January 4, 2011-New Year

Elder Barton

Next 3 pictures=practicing his soccer fan skills

New Year's Eve with Elder Craig and Elder Carvalho

District Gama-Elder Lucas Carvalho, Elder Vitor Terra, Elder Denis Ferreira,

Elder Joshua Barton, Sister Lindenlaub, Sister Christensen, Sister Silva

Real-life application of Doctrine & Covenants 4
Christmas Eve BBQ with Elder Terra and Elder Carvalho

Elder Terra and Elder Barton

2 Grandview 18th Wardies!

Elder Barton and Sister Ortolano

Sister Ortolano, Elder Barton, Elder Hamilton

Sister Ortolano trying to get a picture with Elder Barton,

but Elder Hamilton keeps jumping in!

Dear Family and Friends,

To answer the questions about New Year's Eve...it was pretty much the same as last year-lots of fireworks that are way too loud and bright. It was a normal day for us, working until 9 and sleeping at 10:30. And then the rest of the night was trying to sleep through the fireworks, loud music and screaming. Some holidays are not for missionaries. But I had a good time remembering 1 year ago when I was in Ceilandia. It's pretty weird that time passed so quickly. 2 (Elder Chacon and Elder Tuttle) of the 4 missionaries that night are already home and Elder Weatherby leaves in March.

This week was very rainy. Lots of rain, rain in the streets, on my umbrella and luckily, not in my shoes.

Oh, more cards today-thanks to the Jackson family (how is Keegan?) and the Bruners-I inhaled the Skittles. The Bruners sent a great little talk by President Eyring that was really fun to read. I love getting Christmas cards, even if Christmas passed.

Elder Craig is great. I like it when he talks about the farm he lives on, because it is very, very interesting to me.

Happy b-day to Fano, I think I already said that on the phone, but just in case.

Great to hear that Chris is jumping into the dating scene. Hahahahaha. Good luck to him in that great endeavor.

These past few days have also been really cold. I have actually been working in my sweater. The weather here is so weird. Heat one day, and the next is freezing. But it has been a nice change from the heat. Also, the sweater that was somewhat tight when I bought it now fits comfortably. After using it, I could see myself in sweaters afterward. Sweaters and Tweed. And I'll get those perfectly round glasses Mom wouldn't let me buy.

I'm very pleased to hear that "Voyage of the Dawn Treader" was good. Mom, why did you cry? The ending is happy-except that Edmund and Lucy discover they won't come back, but aren't you just so glad for Eustace?

Opinion of Joshua Barton on "The Magician's Nephew"-if you are familiar with the story of "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe", I would begin with "The Magician's Nephew". Chronologically it is first and gives a wonderful start with symbolism and the creation of Narnia, Aslan's role and the entrance of the Witch. That's good to know that you bought the set for the family. I love having The Chronicles in 1 book and The Lord of the Rings in 1 book. I remembered the other day how I took that book everywhere. I don't remember who said it, but they called it my "Bible", because I always had it with me.

With Love,

Elder Barton