Cookies, Cookies and More Cookies

We decorated sugar cookies at each Christmas party. The gringos were excited to do this because it reminded them of home. The Latins weren't sure of what to do with the frosting because they don't have it here. But everyone enjoyed each of their cookies. They were yummy.

Sorry there are no captions. Enjoy all the pictures.

Merry Christmas from Hoven

The sun in this mission is very intense and the missionaries need to wear sunglasses. We were fortunate to acquire sunglasses from the United States and surprised all the missionaries with an early Christmas present. Below are pictures of the missionaries wearing their new Hoven Sunglasses. They all think they are really cool now.

The Arica Zones.

The zones of Copiapo and Vallenar.

The zones in Antofagasta and Calama.

Iquique and Alto Hospicio zones.

The Wagon

I know I've talked about this restaurant before, and I have to say it is still one of my faves. Going to Iquique is such a double treat because besides spending time with our missionaries, we also get to eat at The Wagon. We took the Assistants with us this past trip and they loved it too.

December Zone Leader Council

Each month we host a Zone Leader Council and all of the Zone Leaders come in from around the mission for a day of training and instruction. Many of them are on buses for 9-11 hours and then spend the day with us before returning home for another long bus ride. They are all studs and great leaders. We love our Zone Leaders.

Here they are in the training room of our home ready to be taught by Presidente.

Lunch prepared by Nery. They could keep eating and eating as long as the food keeps coming.

The missionaries are exhausted from a big lunch.

They love having their pictures taken.

One final shot before sending them on their way. Thanks for all your leadership in the mission.

Copiapo and Vallenar Zone Conference

Traveling south to Copiapo for our last Zone Conferences. Our Assistants, Elder Z. and V. were exhausted.

The Zones of Copiapo South, Copiapo North and Vallenar

Arturo's Baptism

Hermana M. and Hermana Q.had a baptism last week in Los Origenes. We first met Arturo at Daily Dose English Classes a few months ago. It was so exciting to see him baptized. Arturo is a shy, quiet man with a huge spirit. His two children accompanied him to the baptism. .

Antofagasta and Calama Zone Conference

Back home from Arica and then the Zone Conference in Antofagasta for La Portada, Antofagasta and Calama Zones.

The Zones of Antofagasta, La Portada and Calama