Hey everybody this week was great.

First, the pictures. Today (monday) we had the opportunity to help out a less-active family by mixing and laying a TON of cement. It was way fun. They don´t really use wood here to build stuff. Its almost all cement and brick walls. The people are like... you guys use wood? how do your buildings stay up??? It was way fun though and I got totally covered in it haha. We were up on a roof laying the cement first because a truck came and just poured it all on but when the truck was empty we were still missing a good 1/4 of the roof so we got to make it in the little mixer they had. I imagine you could make some great dough in one of those bad boys. After we had finished mixing one of the loads, I was standing right in front of the mixer and it just decided to fall over for no particular reason but it was all good because I got mostly out of the way haha. Earlier the hermana told me not to get cement on my hands because it would mess them up... Well, her prophecy was correct, only it was the mixer that got them haha. It really wasn´t too bad and my amigo in the picture doctored me up. I know I´m not supposed to say those things, but it really wasn´t that bad. Sorry mom.

Anyway, they fed us after and I don´t know if I was just way hungry or what, but it was SO good. And then it started raining and hailing really hard so I hope there won´t be any problems with the cement. Anyway, today was really great.

Well, I started the New Testament in the MTC and have been reading it pretty slowly up until about two weeks ago. I just flew through Hechos and Romanos, and enjoyed the zeal of Paul in the following books. James and Peter and John taught me some great things, as well as Jude, and I found a wonderful piece of knowledge in Titus (I call that scripture the Anti-Missionary--see if you can find it). Really, I loved reading the Gospels and I learned much from the words of the Savior. I initially decided to read the NT completely because I realized I didn´t know personally many specific teaching of our Lord. I learned so much over the past 5 months in the NT, combined with my reading the D&C, OT, PGP and of course the Book of Mormon. But then I got to the book of Revalations... Which I don´t know.. it was hard to start it. Its the last thing standing between you and the end of the NT. But I decided to get into it and I got all the way through. I have never learned so much in so short a time! It is amazing the things that we will see and experience either on this side or that of the veil. God is not a god of fire and brimstone, but of hope and joy. I know that my Savior will someday wipe all the tears from my eyes, as it says. I also gained a stronger testimony of learning by the Spirit. It really is pure knowledge flowing into you when you elect to learn God´s way. I was greatly blessed this week. Next is Isaiah haha.

This week we had 18 people (including two full families) who said they would come to church. Sunday morning as we walked to each house to look for these people, each one told us why they wouldn´t be able to come today. Walking to church was kind of a downer. But as I took the Sacrament and looked around at the various members, I felt as if a powerful testimony had been born. It was, after all, fast-sunday and many of my brothers and sisters here walked to the pulpit and bore a simple testimony. I thought of Brian, 12 year old, who we recently just baptized and how he had to ride his bike almost 8 miles just to get to church. He was there. I looked at Hermana Cazon, an elderly sister who comes to church every sunday. She can´t read, but feels and believes that the Book of Mormon is true. She was there. Celia, a 14 year old young woman whose mom is decidedly against her membership and the church and who hasn´t been able to attend for almost 2 months- was there. Yea, we had a good flow of members going up to the stand sharing sincere and pure testimony, but every single member there bore testimony that they were willing to take Christ´s name upon them, just because they WERE there! It isn´t easy for anyone in my branch to come to church, whether it be family problems, financial problems, or just getting up on time after a hard week in the fields. I took that for granted for so long, but I am greatful for that experience. I hope that I get to stay here for the holidays. Transfers are on the 21st...

On that note, I am very excited for Christmas. We know that He was not born at this time, but we celebrate His birth at this time. As Christmas is a season of giving, it only makes sense doesn´t it? Our Heavenly Father GAVE us His Son. His Son GAVE us our salvation if we choose to live up to it. He paid the price for the greatest of all the gifts of God. We can never repay Him, but we can show Him that we truly are willing to follow Him by striving to love our neighbors and family.

Anyway, I love you guys and I hope all is well. Its rained almost everyday this week, which I´m told never happens here. It rains like 2 times a year usually.. Anyway... Love ya! Elder Daybell