Happy New Year!

Hello world,

The best part of this week was that I got to talk to my family. Christmas was really good. This country is wild so they made us go home early, but it was fun. We have to go home at 4 o'clock today for new years haha. But we went by a few people's houses and gave them candy canes. I don't know if they don't have them here or what, but they all got excited about the candy canes.

This week we focused a lot on commitments and getting people to commit to come to church. I felt like we were really able minister to some people and help them understand how going to church will help them have more peace in their lives. We committed at least 14 people to come. They all said yes. In the morning, we went and passed by people's houses and called to remind them, and... nobody came. The mission is sometimes hard. The people don't understand what they are missing out on. But this week we will work hard and all of those people will be in church this Sunday.

Going on a mission is the best decision I have ever made. I know that Jesus lives and that he knows us and loves us.

No pictures this week sorry.

Elder Eliason

A Christmas Miracle

This week was awesome!

First off, we went to Santiago for our Christmas missionary party. It was fun and we watched a movie haha. It was just fun because I got to see all of my friends. I love the mission.

We had our branch Christmas party on Friday. It was so unorganized omg. But it was super fun. Johan and his little sister and her friend came. I'm so grateful for them. Bonao isn't as loving as some of my other areas have been, but they are super good people. We had some good food and music but missionaries can't dance...

We found this really good guy during the week. We had passed by his house like 100 times probably, but never contacted it. He let us in and was very nice. He said he would go to church on Sunday. He didn't, but he did read the BOM and thats better than 98% of the people we talk to! He told us Saturday that he couldn't go but still says him and his wife will go.

On Sunday, we invited so many people to church. A lot of them had to work because it's close to Christmas. We had 3 people come to church on Sunday and I really feel like it was a miracle. Everybody backed out of their commitments, but we were still blessed. 

I'm very grateful for this Christmas even though I'm far away from my family and its not even cold here. The best CHRISTmas present we could ever get is Jesus. He gave us a perfect example of humility and love. I feel honored everyday to be able to wear his name over my heart and preach His gospel. This Christmases Christmas miracle is how much my testimony and love for everybody has grown. I hope that we can all remember the true meaning of Chirstmas and why that is important to us this year!

Pictures, 

Me and The Divine Child

Like 5 weeks ago I said we met a dude that said he was Jesus. Yep, this is him.

Me and Elder Call from Utah

Branch Christmas party

Me and Johan!

Santa delivers in the DR

Feliz Navidad!

This week was good.

We are teaching this family that has talked to the missionaries a lot. We put a goal with them to read the whole Book of Mormon and they are going to read one page everyday. The dad's parents live in Brigham City. Yes, Utah. They said that they went to visit last year and went to a Jazz game. AHHHHHHHHHH! I haven't even seen a Jazz game in so long and they went to one... oh well.

We saw these two dudes reading the bible so went to talk to them. We started talking about the Book of Mormon with them. He asked me to tell him about one of the prophets in it then this dude comes up to us and starts preaching. He was so crazy omg. He was talking in vosotros which is like the way they talk in the scriptures. Turns out he is from Great Britain and knows 5 languages. He said, "sopla espiritu santo" and started blowing on us. I was thinking about fake passing out like I got struck by the spirit or something but I don't think it would've looked good for us. If I wasn't a missionary I would've totally done it haha. He told me and my companion that we were in the wrong path. I decided to pray about it because that's all I invite people here to do. Long story short, I'm still here and La Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Ultimos Dias is still the true church haha.

We also found this really good guy. He reminds me of one of my best converts. I feel really good about him.

I have been reading Jesus the Christ. It's a great book. I've learned so much about Jesus and his atonement. My testimony just keeps getting stronger and stronger. If you have time to kill, read it.

I love you all! FELIZ NAVIDAD!

Pictures,

Merry Christmas from Bonao

Good Week

This week I went to a surprise birthday party, watched a pig get murdered, BAPTIZED MANUALA, talked to my family, and found out I'm friends with the bishop's daughter that lives in Utah!​

 With Elder Larson, my MTC companion.

Flamboyanes Ward Christmas Party

 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄