Happy new year!

It was great to talk to you guys on the phone on Christmas! It sounds like things are going pretty well there, even within all the trials. You guys are strong, and I know that you were sent there for a reason. I was reading a scripture in Doctrine and Covenants, Section 6 today, and I thought of you guys. If you would each read that, by yourself, or as a family, it helps a lot. The last of the section gives the words of Christ himself, speaking to the early saints. He says in part, "Fear not, little flock, to do good." He goes on in a later scripture to say "doubt not, fear not; for lo, I am with thee, even to the ends of the earth." I thought that was a great insight.

You guys were sent there to provide an example. Ryan and Ashley are so strong, they can have such an impact on the branch. Just "fear not...to do good." You guys are great! I love you all, and I know you guys are going to do great!

Love,
Elder Wallentine

Hello everyone,

That's really cool about the Joy to the World DVD's. I'm glad you guys have some, because every one in the mission is all out! Those videos really seem to be a heavy hitter here in Philly! It's pretty cool to go deliver them. We get in more doors when there is free stuff involved! The Muslims here don't celebrate Christmas, but the Christian people really go ALL OUT! I've never seen so many lights! It's pretty great.

I've heard a lot from the family back west. Amy and Jason sent me a really nice tie and some candy, and I got some great cards from Wendy &Kenny, Eric &Lisa, and Aaron & Carin. It has been really great to hear from them. I got the packages from the branch in Belgium, and one from Rod Hansen, but I haven't opened them up yet.

This week has been pretty crazy too. My last companion went home on the 16th, and the new guys don't arrive until the 28th.For those ten days, I'm with another trainer, and we are trying to run two areas, with one companionship, and no car. It's pretty crazy, but we are getting by! It's a lot of work trying to run between areas though!

I love the mission field, and I hope you guys are having just as great of a time there! Stay safe, and have a great Christmas!

Love,
Elder Wallentine

Hello there,

I don't have much time right now to write, but I just wanted to say thank you so much for everything! I got the package from you all, at least I think, the package has dutch writing all over it :)
Things are going really great here, and I am so excited for Christmas time. It's pretty cool here in Philly around Christmas. Some of the public buses play Christmas music. It's really great!

I look forward to being able to call you guys on Christmas, BUT, I don't have your phone number. You can call the mission office and give it to them if you like. I don't know if I can email on p-day, it's on Christmas eve. I can get an international phone card, so that won't be an issue. I should be getting my passport here pretty soon as well.

Things are going really great here, and I am really loving the mission field. I got a call from President Murray yesterday, and I am going to be a trainer for the next seven weeks! That was pretty exciting! I'm looking forward to it, but it's not going to be a walk in the park, I'm sure!

Tell everyone thanks, it will be a long time until I can get letters out to everyone, but I got some really great packages and cards from Wendy and Kenny, Eric & Lisa, Aaron and Carin, and Rod Hansen and the priest quorum sent me a great package with a tie that plays Christmas songs! Everyone's been really great, and it's so fun to hear from all of them! I love you guys! Thank you so much for everything that you have done! I hope everything continues to go well!

Love,
Elder Wallentine

Hey everyone,

Things are going very well here, again! Christmas time in Philly is different. Everyone here claims to be "Muslim", so there aren't a lot of Christmas lights up either. But, it's pretty cool to see the snow and everything! We got a few inches this past week, the temperature dropped to about 17 degrees, and today it's back up to 55.

We had some pretty interesting things happen here lately. My companion goes home to Utah next Tuesday, so I'll be getting a new comp pretty soon. We'll see how that goes. I tried to cash Grandma and Grandpa's check today, but they don't even do personal checks. I' not quite sure what to do with it.

Everything is going great here in Philly! I love the mission field, and I'm learning so much out here every day! I love you guys! Stay strong! I know it's not easy, but it'll all work out!

Thanks again!
Elder Wallentine

Yeah,

Things have been pretty good here lately. I loved the package you guys sent me. We really enjoyed the waffles, cookies, and the chocolates! Thank you all so much! The cards and the letters were so great! It really made everything fantastic!

My birthday was on a zone conference, so they brought me and a couple other missionaries up front, and sang to us. It was cool, and we got a bag full of shaving cream a razor, a toothbrush, and a load of candy. It was pretty cool. I got a really great package from Wendy and Kenny too, full of brownies and hot cocoa. It was really good!

We had a baptism lined up for this Sunday, but ghetto drama is pretty intense. She got kicked out of her home the Saturday before, and now lives in Mt. Airy, about ten miles north. We got the cops called on us when we went looking for her, so that was a bummer. But, God will provide a way for us to meet with her again. We're going back on Tuesday.

Other than that, things are going very well. I got the letters from Grandma and Grandpa Decker and Wallentine, and they were both so great. I'm going to take care of the passport information this next week, so that will be taken care of.

Thank you guys so much, keep us in your prayers! I love you all, and I hope everything goes well! Tell dad to have fun in China! We are probably going to go see the Liberty Bell, and the tomb of the Unknown Soldier today. It'll be pretty cool! Have a great week!

Love,
Elder Wallentine