Massachusetts Boston Mission-Elder Cameron Rasmussen

  Dear friends and family,  I hope all is well with you and those you love during this holiday season.  Here in Connecticut it was a little different, nonetheless, one to remember.  It started a week before last, when my companion, Elder Olson, all of the sudden had an idea. "Elder! Let's go to a Christmas mass!" I willingly took up his idea and we started research immediately. As we called around to the local churches, most told us they were full on the roster. Try after try, we were just about to lose hope, when we found out one was open. Now, this was no ordinary Christian church we came across, it was, in fact one of the largest church buildings here in Waterbury: The Saint Anne's Roman Catholic Parish.  Upon waking up Christmas morning, I'd have to say, I was more excited going to this Christmas mass than to open my few gifts. We hurried and ate breakfast to be there an hour early, just to be safe we had a spot. Upon arrival, we were the only ones there for...

Happy 12 days of Christmas,  This week was a bit more upbeat now that we've graduated from all the disclosures and orientations of mission work here in the Boston mission.  More time now for members visits and teaching. We still have to pace ourselves because Elder Olson is still getting used to the mission grind and schedule but we're getting into our groove.  We've set up our Christmas decorations and they sure do bring a nice spirit. It was also some good bonding time with Elder Olson. It's kind of strange, this is my last Christmas in the mission, so I'm trying to make it memorable and soak it all up. It's nice, Elder Olson is quite the cook so we've been making cookies for all of our members in appreciation for them. We just want to make sure everyone feels loved and included this season.  We recently spoke with Linzey about setting a baptismal date. She was ecstatic! We explained that in order to proceed, she needs to speak with her parents on the matt...

Saludos a todos,  An interesting thing happened last night. At an unknown hour of the night, I was awoken from my slumber by a very loud crash from outside, and then moments later, a plethora of sirens.  On our way to the store this morning, to our bewilderment, a car had crashed into a powerline pole and the entire road had to be blocked. This resulted in a few hours without power, but it has since then repaired. Waterbury always seems keep us on our toes.  My new companions name is Elder Olson and he's from the factory (la fábrica as Hispanics say, aka Utah). He's brand-spanken-new here in the mission. That means I'm going back to the  basics of the gospel and the language. It takes me  back to when I was new and how I acted. It also makes me feel kind of old in the mission.  And though time was short with Elder  Barbee, we had a great time getting to know each other.  This last week we got some tough news. We've been advised to no longer work i...