Jan 22nd

Jan 15th

Jan 8th

Jan 1st 2013

hey!
im doing great i think! busy as usual but pushing forward. this last week was rough on me, and i felt really discouraged but its all good now :) im glad to hear josh's progress. you and the family need to really stick on him about reading; its very important. you guys should be reading it daily as well :) its an amazing book! and i know its true. the words written inside will change lives. is he doing okay though? mentally, physically, spiritually?     Yep, p-day is today! doing laundry right now :) everything is holding up. all is well. idk about the bike though.
Thats awesome that pam is doing good! cant wait to see :) and thats great to hear about the temple! its such a blessing that we have temples so close jaja! enjoy it!
Dont worry about what i had to go through. It was hard, but necessary. Those experiences are what have made me strong, and that have helped me know that Jesus is the Christ. My patriarchal blessing says why i had to go through those things; you can read it if you would like :) i wish i could share my testimony in person. i probably will when i call you when im at the airport at the end of this month. a testimony is a beautiful thing, and the power behind it is undeniable. Sadly, i think my testimony is not enough for some reason.. like its not strong enough. I dont know why i feel this way. But i am nervous for whatever is ahead of me on my mission; i believe it will truly bring me to my knees. I am perhaps a little scared, and a little excited. But i pray that the Savior will help me during that time, because i know my own strength and faith isnt enough. I need Him... So thats why im continually building my faith while im here. I wish i couldve started a long time ago instead of last year. Thats why i desperately want josh to be as prepared as possible.
I will write a handwritten letter tonight or tomorrow. the mail schedule is messed up because of christmas and new years jaja! Love you :)
Con amor,
Elder Santiago

Dec 25th

so much has happened recently! I  dont think i sent that letter i wrote.. i must've lost it! oh well. i will write another one today and send it! i really wanted to answer your question that you had about how to help josh prepare for a mission. i think i can help him somehow. so i will write that.

i hope you're christmas with la familia has been great. i miss you guys so much. its hard not to think about all the past christmas we've had spent together. yo estoy triste.. but the Lord wants me here. he will bless you while im gone :)

we have learned so much.. work work work! i could probably write you a letter in spanish but my grammer is aweful. its so much easier to speak a language than to write it jaja!

anyways, today has been great so far, and im really happy that i get to email my family. i never have much to say and im sorry for that. its just that nothing "interesting happens porque everyday is almost the same jaja! wake up, work, eat, wooorrkkk, etc.. sleep. repeat. i just dont think you guys would wanna hear about my classes jaja but teaching investigators are usually the highlight of my days. they either make my day really good, or really bad, depending on how it went. investigators are simpre in our prayers!! and yes, our families tambien! but teaching is so fun, even though its hard. we can understand almost everything in class that our teachers say, but we cant really reply perfectly because we still have a lot to learn. exciting :)

well, i hope today has been good to you, and the family. Dont let them forget what the true meaning of christmas is!

 

Love,

Elder Santiago

Dec 18th

This must be quick!!

I wrote a letter for you guys but havent had time to send it, btw. i should send it today. i received your package :) We love the oranges, and i love the razor jaja. We dont usually like receiving food because we have so much junk food already and stuff, but im always happy to receive something from my family! :) por favor, keep writing "dear elders." Most of my zone gets a letter every other day, and so sometimes i get really discouraged when i never get emails or letters written back to me... But its okay :)

im glad to hear all the good news! tell jill im proud of her and that shes awesome! its also great to hear about josh's progress! tell everyone i said hello :)

The spanish is coming great. We havent really learned how to communicate very well jaja (haha in spanish...) but we know how to say our testimonies, pray, give some lessons, etc. But its progress. We really are learning at such a fast rate, its crazy! if i write in spanish, please dont reply in spanish using google translator, because its rarely correct jaja :)

gracias por the prayers, it means so much to me. the mural is coming along great :)

sincerely, elder santiago

Dec 11th

Its okay, mine are short also. Not much time!
Our investigator, Karla, isnt our investigator anymore. (our investigators are our teachers but they pretend to be someone they actually taught from their mission so its a spiritual experience.) Pero we got 2 new ones! Its so awesome to see them progress and come unto Christ!
Im excited for the package! i dont know if we can print pictures here so i need copies of the pictures :( my companions and i really want pictures of our family, friends, and.. all the girls ive dated hahah. That would be an awesome gift!! also, need another pair or two of gym clothes :(
Its really hard not to type in spanish! some of my journal is in spanish because we simply cant help it.
I will pray for my family, especially those who are sick (pam). I hope all is well this Holiday. Remember what Christmas is all about :)

Love,
Elder Santiago

On Tue, Dec 11, 2012 at 6:29 AM, joan james <joanjames2@mac.com> wrote:

How are you doing?   This is going to be a little short!  How is your investigator doing?  I'm trying to send some pictures and not sure if it will work!  We will probably be in Utah Thursday and we will have a package for you.  Thursday or Friday :)  Sorry this is all running together!  I'm headed to the hospital Pam had surgery and she had a little set back and I'm going down to let her Doctor have it!!  I will let you know how she is doing :)   Your u=in our prayers always!!  We love you so much, Mom

Its okay, mine are short also. Not much time!

Our investigator, Karla, isnt our investigator anymore. (our investigators are our teachers but they pretend to be someone they actually taught from their mission so its a spiritual experience.) Pero we got 2 new ones! Its so awesome to see them progress and come unto Christ!
Im excited for the package! i dont know if we can print pictures here so i need copies of the pictures :( my companions and i really want pictures of our family, friends, and.. all the girls ive dated hahah. That would be an awesome gift!! also, need another pair or two of gym clothes :(
Its really hard not to type in spanish! some of my journal is in spanish because we simply cant help it.
I will pray for my family, especially those who are sick (pam). I hope all is well this Holiday. Remember what Christmas is all about :)

Love,
Elder Santiago

On Tue, Dec 11, 2012 at 6:29 AM, joan james <joanjames2@mac.com> wrote:

How are you doing?   This is going to be a little short!  How is your investigator doing?  I'm trying to send some pictures and not sure if it will work!  We will probably be in Utah Thursday and we will have a package for you.  Thursday or Friday :)  Sorry this is all running together!  I'm headed to the hospital Pam had surgery and she had a little set back and I'm going down to let her Doctor have it!!  I will let you know how she is doing :)   Your u=in our prayers always!!  We love you so much, Mom