Email of Dec. 22, 2008

Dear Mom,
Sounds like you guys had a great weekend! That's awesome that you got snow. One of the other missionaries here in Fort Myers is from St. George and he showed me a picture of the snow at his house. For us yesterday, the first day of Winter, it was 75. I really miss the snow but I won't complain about the Florida weather. This week was pretty good overall. There is some pretty exciting things going on right now. We are working with some really good people and the branch is doing well too. Peter is still doing really well. He told us this week that he knows the Book of Mormon is true because of a dream he had. It was way cool. He is a really good kid. Marie Fadael, who was just baptized a few weeks ago, has been in the hospital the last week or so. She went in because she was having problems with her breathing and they found some problems with her heart. They had a couple operations and did some work on her heart only to discover that she has pretty extensive nerve damage on one side of her body as well as thyroid cancer, high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and some sort of brain problems. Right now she is in a drug-induced coma and things aren't looking too good. Her family is struggling but they are strong. Another of our new members, Evelyne Charles, just got a calling as a counselor in the new Relief Society presidency and gave her first talk on Sunday. It is great to see her continue to progress after her baptism. Last night we were able to go to a Christmas fireside put on by the Spanish ward. I helped me remember how much I love this time of year. We have some good plans for this week. Including; eating at a couple different member's houses, caroling at a nursing home, delivering gifts and cookies to all the members and some of our investigators, a branch Christmas party on Saturday, opening presents with the other Kreyol companionship, and we even get to watch a movie. Oh, and by the way I got your package. Thank you for all the wonderful gifts. Well, It was good to hear from you, I look forward to talking to you on Thursday.
Love,
Elder Larson