December 27 2010--9:48 a.m.

Is the time of my flight to Mexico City!!!!!!!!!!!

It came. My Visa came and I am going to Mexico.  Just when I was starting to think that it would never come. I was told on Friday and yesterday I went to sign at the Consulate. I signed, everything went well, and today I got my flight itinerary. I will leave on Monday. Elder Juker and Elder Reynolds from my MTC district will be on the same flight, along with two other elders here in Salt Lake. It is a nonstop flight and I will arrive around 3:00 local time. So, there you have it. Looks like Santa Claus came a little bit early this year right?

So that was the BIG news of the week, not really anything bigger than that haha. But as for Christmas, I don't really have an exact time for the call. It will come. Just stay by your phones. No time limit, President Winn just said that it should not distract us from our service. If I were to guess I would say it would come in the morning between 10-12 here in Utah which would be 9-11 in California. But like I said, just stay by the phones.

This is in Peace Gardens—one of several theme areas built for the 2002 SLC Olympics

As for the week, it’s been pretty good. It's been raining/snowing off and on all week. On Saturday we had our Christmas Devotional for the whole mission, and it was great. Elder Hinckley from the 70 came and spoke to us. He spoke to us about 10 "gifts" we will be able to take home from our mission that will help us for the rest of our lives. Apparently, he was the Salt Lake mission president from 2001 to 2004, which is pretty cool. There were also a number of Christmas Musical numbers. An Elder and a Sister Missionary sang “O Holy Night”, with another sister on the piano and one playing the violin as well. REALLY good. Made me miss [Bishop] Nate Aina's annual solo, even if he didn't do it this year (Why the heck not?). After the Devotional we went and did some service at a little rec center where they were having a toy drive, and we helped families get some clothes and toys that had all been donated.  It was a really good experience.

After service, we had Everds's baptism. He is so great. Elder Gomez baptized him and the program went pretty well, except for the part where I had to direct the music (still don't understand what I'm doing really).  Everds looked very happy. He received the Holy Ghost in church on Sunday, Elder Gomez confirmed him as well, and he has made a few friends in the branch, so I have no doubt that he will stay solid. He's the best.

The rest of the week, was pretty normal. Waking up, studying, and preaching the Gospel until it's time to go to bed. Then I get to wake up and do it all over again. It might sound tiring, and at times it is, but there is nothing else I would rather be doing with my life right now, especially at this time of Christmas. There's a reason we celebrate the birth of our savior during this Holiday Season. He was our Savior. He died and suffered so much pain for us that he bled from every pore. Only he could take upon himself all the sins of the world, he was perfect and was the Son of God. And it's only through this eternal sacrifice that we can return to live with our Heavenly Father again someday with our families. I am so grateful to give something back to our Savior, because He has given so much to us. I am eternally grateful for His sacrifice and for everything He did for us. And I know He lives today, He loves us, and wants the best for us as well. I am happy that I get to help people come unto Him each and everyday.

I love you and miss you all.

My next e-mail will be from MEXICO CITY. I have loved my time here in Salt Lake and I have learned so much here, and I'm excited for the next step of my journey. Wait to write me until I have my address.

And this is my joy (Alma 29:9)
Merry Christmas!!
Elder Peacock