Christmas gifts...

Christmas dinner

waiting for Santa...

Hello my family,
It was great talking to you all, and I hope that you all had a good Christmas.

We baptized the two kids that I told you about and it was great. The little girl went right under without a problem. The first picture is in front of the Temple, the second in front of the manger. More on the way,

the first picture is of me and my

companion getting ready to paint a house,

the next is me after we had talked

Christmas tears...


Your handsome son
and the last is of a tree with some cool flowers
like I was telling you Mom

He told us on the phone he would be sending more pictures today, but writing less because we talked on Friday. He did not title this email, so I did. So many Christmas gifts this year, we got to talk to him for an hour and 13 minutes:), he got to baptize the day after Christmas, and I think it was at the Temple, on Christmas day they painted a blind ladies home, the manger, and the Christmas spirit that is always present there, that amazing smile and tired eyes, and the flowers he sent us for Christmas, (the picture of course:))

I will blog our phone conversation some time this week, emotions still very close to the surface:)

Christmas Calling!

Okay, the plans for calling you guys will be on Friday at 6:00 here so 5:00 there at home,
Mexico a U.S.A. 00+1+telephone number
U.S.A. a Mexico 011+52 +telephone number
I am going to call from a members house,
you never told me about my pin number and I still don't understand if there is a problem with the card or no. I am thinking about buying a new camera.
I am really excited to talk to you guys,
This week we are hoping to have a baptism, it's a ten year old girl named Brenda, the only problem we have is that she is afraid of water.
Above I have the numbers you need to call to Mexico, I will call first so that you guys can have the number, then when you get it you can call me.
I don't have much to write this week, probably because I am going to talk to you all soon. I don't have any pictures to send this week either sorry,
Today we went and played basketball at the church, it was a lot of fun.
I have been doing good this week, and all of you, whats up in life? Is there a ton of snow at home? What is the matter today, I don't have anything to write you guys and I have been here for 40 minutes writing the little bit that's on the page.
I am really excited to talk to you and I have nothing to write because I will be talking to you soon.
Sure do love you all and hope all is well.
Call ya Friday at 5:00 for you guys.
Love you.
Elder Weaver

Here is the number that I will be calling you guys from...

I think he is just as excited as we are to talk to each other,
AT THE END OF THE WEEK ;)

This year for Christmas...

I skipped the sales after Thanksgiving.
The thrill just wasn't there.
No pictures taken with Santa Clause,
my decorating has no flair.
His presents are shoes, shirts, and ties,
two suits and socks...no fun.
I've bought him all white clothes because...
This year for Christmas I'm giving my son.
I've spent more time in the temple,
Felt strength come from His words.
I've reread Novembers Ensign,
and my testimonys been stirred.
Our family prays more frequently
My tears are quick to run.
Abraham seems closer because,
This year for Christmas I'm giving my son.
I wonder how those Lamanite mothers,
gave their sons to war?
Or how the pioneers chose Zion,
their sacrifice was so much more.
My loss will be his presence,
I'll miss that smile a ton,
For two years we will pray for him,
I'm giving Christ my son.
I stare at his face when he's not looking.
I memorized his eyes, their shine.
He's always hungered for the part of him,
that makes his soul divine.
The stories and lessons he always heard
His choice and mine are one.
I'll put my faith in God's hand,
This year, I'm giving Him my son.
Past gifts have lost their glitter,
I think I finally understand,
Christ's birth should be celebrated
by giving Him a hand.
It's because I know Christ lives and reigns
that all his packing's done.
My gift has taken years to make,
This year...I'm giving Christ my son.

thanks to the Missionary Mom website for this poem,
I can't help but think of Mary, and her knowledge that her son was to be a gift and a sacrifice for all of us, the least I can do is show my love and gratitued to my Savior by sharing my son with the people of Veracruz...my heart is so full...we are so blessed to have Jordan in our family, and the example he is to each one of us-
We love you Jordan,
God bless you and Merriest of Christmases!

Warm Winter Wishes

Hello my cold family,
I am still doing good, losing weight and getting darker everyday. I still don't know what will be happening next week but I will let you know on Monday when we figure out a place were we can call our families.
Zone conference was a lot of fun, we were given ties with the mission logo on it, and also I received THREE packages. Two from you and one from, Sewells. It was really exciting.
One problem with the card is that I have forgotten the pin number, but I do have it and might buy a new camera, smaller and better so I will be sending some stuff home for you guys when I get the chance.
If was fun going through the temple, it's the same just like in Utah, only in Spanish. I wish I could go more often, because the spirit there really charges the batteries.

Yes I am getting the pictures from Dad's phone, but they come up blurry, but I really like them.

Thanks Sewells for the package,

and to all those that have put

Christmas money in my account!

Jace, Justin, and Jax, how are you three doing? I hope that you are all helping Mom and Dad this year. And also doing your best in school and also doing your best in your church duties. Remember your prayers and your scripture study. Every night I try to say my prayers at 10:30, if you guys want, get permission from Mom and Dad to have family prayer at home at 9:30 so that we can all pray together. I sure do love you guys and am surprised by how big your getting. I am going to be the smallest of you three when I get back. Be good, and be examples to your friends, and help one another.
The first picture is of me with my three packages, the second is for Dad. It's publicity for construction workers, hope you still have our pail and shovel. The third is of me and my Christmas stocking.
If you can let me know how much I have on my card, and the pin number, I would appreciate it.
Sure do love and miss you guys,
Elder Weaver, Jordan Ross

"Construction workers, hope you still have your pail and shovel!"
(Ross and I are seriously looking into moving to Mexico,

it's warm and looks like they need construction workers-perfect!)

Thanks Sis. Hoopes for my Christmas stocking, I love it!

Mom's note...Just wanted to say thanks for all of your love and support, and for keeping in touch with Jordan, you know who you are!

Can't wait to talk to him next week, he sure looks good, skinny, but good:)

Have faith not fear! For with God nothing is impossible!

Lighthouse

Hola mi familia,
Como estan? Estoy bien come siempre, trabajando como es mi proposito. Este viernes vamos a entrar en el tiempo para Navidad.
(Hello my family, How are you? I am fine, as always working as it is my purpose. This Friday we will enter the Temple for Christmas)
The first picture is of the baptisms we had last week. One brother from the ward helped us baptize left to right, Bro Salas, Neila, me, Valentin, two youngsters and my comp. I baptized the short guy, my comp baptized the kids and Bro. Salas baptized the lady.

The next picture is of the Temple, and the last picture is of a lighthouse that we have out in our area, just only half a mile out at sea... I haven't been taking my camera around because it's to big for my backpack that I have, and I don't want to be robbed for looking like a tourist.
We eat eggs for breakfast, whatever the members give us for lunch, tacos with pigs intestine, turtle and fish, then dinner is a sandwich.
The unique thing about this area is that people live in real houses, not houses made of boxes or bottles like my other area. I am also near the city.
I haven't heard if my package has arrived yet, but I will find out Friday at zone conference.
I don't see Pres. and Sis. Hansen any more than what I used to, can you guys get me Landon's email account, I asked Pres. Hansen if I could email him and he said yes.
I am still getting used to having to have someone with me twenty-four-seven, sometimes it works other times you just want to return home and to your old way of life, Mom he is 21, he is not younger than me.
I am going to tell you the truth, this gets harder every day as we get closer to Christmas. I want to cry, I want to come home and I just want to live a normal life, but who wants to be normal, it's not fun.
Today we went as a zone to the stake center because our zone will be singing Joy to the World this Friday for Zone Conference, and yesterday we had the chance of going to the Christmas devotional. It was in Spanish so I didn't get to enjoy it as much, but I love getting with the other North Americans, and talking in English, it's so much funner.
Well I sure love you guys, talk to you next week.
Elder Jordan Ross Weaver
Extra photos
Your son after a hard day's work (I think this is posed, he used to have the same look on Christmas morning, trying to fake asleep...)

Our chaple in Costa Verde

The World Trade Center in Veracruz
Elders Ladausqet, Decker and Weaver, all of the same generation

Buenos Tardes,

Hola mi familia,
Estoy mucho mejor con mi salud. Pero como estan ustedes? How es cambios per Elder Hernandez y yo, ningun de los se van.
Jace, Que pasa tu, porque tienes una D en tu clase? Tienes que ser mejor que yo en todo aspecto de tu vida. Y se que tu puedes ser mejor. Te amo mucho mi hermano. Suerte
Justin, Como estas en escuela? Tambien con tu responsabilidad de ser una lider. Te amo y espero que estas tratando a tus hermanos muy bien.
Jax, mi hermano menor, Como estas? Como estas en escuela? Estoy bien y espero que tu puedos ser un ejempio para todos. Te amo.
Mis tres hermanos. Recuerdan que tienen que ser obedientes de Mama y Papa, espero que estan estudiando mucho para prepara sus futuros vidas.
(Hello my family, I am much better with my health. But how are you? Today it is changes but Elder Hernandes and I, no two are.
Jace D, in your class? You have to be better than I in any aspect of your life, and I know that you can be better. I love you very much brother, Luck.
Justin, How are you at school? Also with your responsibility to be a leader. I love you and I hope that you are treating your brothers and sisters very well.
Jax, my brother, as these? Like these in school? I am well and hope that you can be an example to all. I love you.
My three brothers, Remember to be obedient to Mom and Dad, I hope that you are studying much to prepare for your future lives.)
The Christmas decorations are the same here, just like home, only thing missing is the snow and coldness. My comp get cold when it's a little windy, and I am sitting here sweating a little, I sweat a ton when it's really sunny.
I have a new cousin, that's great! I am going to need a photo of her too. Sorry but I don't have any photos for you guys today, I haven't been taking my camera around, but I need to.
The work is going good we have three investigators who are references of their English teacher. We practice their English with them and then talk about the church afterwards. We don't have a tree, but it's funny seeing people in tree lots at big stores just like at home.
The Spanish is coming and sometimes goes. I don't have the patience with myself lately. I am going to have 9 months in the mision and I am still struggling.
I do my own laundry and cook my own food for breakfast and dinner. There aren't any weird pets here, but the circus is in town so it's cool seeing an elephant and remembering riding one in Hogle Zoo, but this one is small, or I am just tall.
Has Dad been doing any work in the basement or is the house the same as when I left?
Tell Grandma Pat thanks for the money
Well that is it for this week, hope you are all doing good.
Con Amor, Elder Jordan Ross Weaver