Well the weather outside is not so frightful here in Colombia Bogotá. It is sitting at a perfect 70 degrees and I love it. I miss the snow a little but I think I can survive haha. This week I got to know our area and our investigators a little bit. We have a couple people set to be baptized this month but the one that is doing the best is this 24 year old woman. I have no idea how to spell her name so I am going to spare myself the pain of trying. Her original date to be baptized was December 23, but she wants to meet with us tonight to see if she can get it moved up for next week because she feels she is ready. Which is awesome. Usually it is the missionary that is trying to get the investigator to move their baptism date.  Life in the offices is boring but fun. The nice thing about it is that I can receive the rest I need and it is actually helping my knees out a lot. 

This week we had our Christmas party. We got to visit the Temple with 3 other Zones and after a lunch and movie at the Church. We ate chicken and rice, (of course) and watched Moana. It was a great time and I was able to see my friend Élder Saxey at the party and we caught each other up on how the mission is going. Life is going well and we are slowly fixing my problems finally. So that is great haha. Remember to serve one another this Christmas season and always.

Ilumina El Mundo!!!!!!

Hello, all!  I am sending Garrett's update and will share from our google chats and family emails. You all probably read the Monday email stating that he would be seeing additional specialists to determine how he is and what is next.  He has met with a couple of doctors and they have seen improvement in his original issues and some residual strain because of those issues.  They have also found some additional things they will be working on through physical therapy, medicine and he will have additional tests performed.  We have discussed the power of being positive and so I am going to share all the good things that he said.  Elder Graybill also sent this 

https://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/mormon-messages/the-music-of-the-gospel  (you'll have to copy and paste) and invited Orin and I (as parents) to find more ways to teach Colton and Grace about the gospel.  I truly love getting spiritual advice from this kid.  

I've been transferred again!  I am now a secretary to the secretaries.  I pretty much do anything they tell me to.  I am enjoying it.  My new companions are Elder Cox and Elder Christiansen.  My new schedule is.....wake up, do our studies, work in the office and then if we have time, we run errands for the President. This companionship has 3 people on date for baptism.  One of my most spiritual experiences was seeing Elder Thompson last week when he said good bye to his investigators.  I could tell that he had a huge influence on their lives and I want to to have that impact on people through the mission.

I am in the most pupi house in the mission.  Before you start laughing, Linda, pupi here means rich or wealthy.  The only thing is I am sleeping on a couch that is smaller than our love seat.  But I'm not complaining!!  I got to see President Hansen at the CCM yesterday as we were running errands. That was awesome.  And I just watched all the videos for Light the World.  Day 15 or 16 was awesome about Jon Schmidt.  But I have definitely become more of a crier since I've been here.

I am so excited for my Christmas package.  I can't wait to have skittles and peanut butter.  It's funny the things I miss.  Like the MOTAB is awesome but I miss Green Day.

I love you all!  Keep the prayers and letters coming.  They really help to hear peoples stories and testimonies. I feel bad that I can't respond to all of them but hopefully this covers most questions.  My new P day is Thursdays so I'll talk to you again then!

I feel like we've been on a #prayforeldergraybill roller coaster for the last twelve weeks.  Thanks for sticking out the ride with us.  He didn't have a lot of time today and so his email is short and he said he would try and respond to everyone as soon as he could.  He also told me he received a LOT of emails of support this week and he was very grateful to feel of the love from everyone.

A few things he shared with me that he said I could share.  I'll just share it as if I am him:

It was a REALLY great week.  I am definitely not homesick anymore.  But the pain is worse.  But I worked hard this week.  We have two families and two adults on track for baptism.  With everything going on, I still feel really calm.  My Spanish is not great but much better than it was.  I understand about 50 percent of what is going on.  I had Pizza Hut today and even though it's not the same as what we eat at home, it gets the job done.  Everything is so dirty here.  I have a new companion from Washington, Elder Beals.  He goes home in 6 weeks.

This last week was really weird. Two of the Elders in my district including my comp finished their missions. That was hard to deal with. But I spent a lot of time with Elder Thompson this week and I learned a lot from him. He was the Zone leader and a great leader. He has helped me so much with my desires and testimony for a mission. We did not miss Thanksgiving and I know all of you were super worried. We had intercambios and made food and ate and talked about what we were grateful for. I am grateful for my Savior and all that he has and will do for me. 

As for my health, I talk with the specialist tomorrow to see if I am being sent home. It is the final step. But whatever happens, is all apart of the Lords plan. So I am mentally prepared for whatever. Sorry for no pictures but I forgot my camera at my house. Talk to you guys later!!!!!!!

This week was awesome! My new companion and I worked pretty hard. And our District is amazing. Elder Thompson and Elder Trelles are the Zone leaders and they have a comp who is having some struggles Elder Primo. (Elder Cousin lol) We did not get the baptism from last week because he moved to a different area. But we might have one this week, we just need to pray and see if he is really ready. But this Zone is the most baptising zone in the mission and there is a possible 25 baptisms as a whole zone this week. 

It has been raining a ton and my umbrella an only keep me dry from my waist up. The highlight from my week was my first successful contact I did all by myself. We were in line ordering some empanadas, and there was a couple standing behind me. I had a prompting to talk to them but was very scared. As Elder Braiden ordered our food, I turned to them and just opened my mouth. They told me they were Chrisitians that believed in God and I told them we have a message about Jesus Christ and the family. They gave me their numbers and address and we have an appointment this week with them. I was so terrified that I would mess up but, I was able to be the Lords instrument and a conductor for the Holy Ghost. And that is alll we are as missionaries. We are the median God uses for his other Children to feel the Holy Ghost. 

For my health, I have no updates just that the medicine did not work. But  we are still working hard to fix it. Hasta luego amigos