Week 100: Feliz Navidad!

Hey everyone!

I can honestly say I have never felt a weirder feeling in my life.
It's similar to when I was on the plane coming out here to Spain
wondering what I was doing, what my life would be like, and how I was
going to survive. Now I'm pretty much thinking the same things. I
guess I just have to trust that in the same way that God has guided me
since I got here, He will do the same once I am home.

The week has been pretty crazy. We did a lot of traveling for
exchanges and meetings. Once we finally got to be in benidorm, it
started the biggest rainstorm in like....ever. It's been raining since
Thursday, so much that schools are canceled, people won't leave their
houses, even some stores aren't open. It's funny because in the states
rain would rarely ever cause problems but so much of transit is
walking or riding mopeds it pretty much ruins everything. We even had
our big Christmas conference for the mission postponed because of
flooding in the city of Murcia. My trusty little dollar tree umbrella
is still holding up though! Barely...

Well, my secret is out. I decided to start revealing that I was going
home on Thursday at English class and since then it has been the only
topic of conversation. On Sunday night, there was a fireside at the
church and so we went, not really suspecting anything, and it was a
surprise party for me. Everyone wrote questions down and I had to go
up and answer them all, then they had cake and sang happy birthday to
me and they even sang a special song, "each life that touches us for
good." It was a really special night. The best thing about benidorm
has been feeling like I'm doing more than just trying to find people
to teach. We have really been able to strengthen the branch and the
members; there is a notable difference in the church and I feel like
we have, in even a little part, contributed to that and it is very
satisfying.

We also had the branch Christmas party which was a big success. The
church was packed full with people, a lot of non members who were able
to be introduced to the church for the first time. I would say the
highlight was participating in the "branch choir", which consisted of
the director, the pianists husband who was obviously obligated to be
there, and of course the two missionaries who can't say no. Luckily,
like our musical number from the baptism, the congregation didn't
really get the memo and started to just sing along with us:)

This week is going to be crazy! We found out we have to move
apartments, I have to pack, everyone and their mother wants us over
for Christmas, and our conference for moved to the day before I leave.
JOY TO THE WORLD!

I am just so happy to be able to serve during this Christmas. I have
never felt closer to my Savior and have never understood as much as I
do now the importance of His birth. It is the greatest blessing to
serve Him, and to serve with Him. I hope that you all have an
incredible Christmas and that you can enjoy all the gifts that He has
given to you.

I love you all!

Elder Jenkins

My name is elder Jenkins and I like to party