Labas Visiems!!

This week was a little slow, but showed signs of next week being better. First to answer questions.

Yesterday, Sunday, we went to Church, then took the sacrament to an old woman, ate dinner, and called potential investigators trying to set up appointments for this week.

My favorite person to meet with is probably Ainis, because he's just a bit younger than us and reminds me of myself, and he actually keeps his commitments, most of the time.

The funniest person in the branch is probably Pres. Blindaruk. He's about 24, served a mission in Wisconsin, and speaks very good ENglish. He's way cool.

Christmas traditions. Christmas is the 25th, they might have some holiday on the 6th, they have so many holidays, I don't ever really know what or when they are. One tradition that I have heard of is for Christmas Eve. They have a huge twelve course meal, without meat or dairy, originally to represent the 12 months or something about nature, but when Lithuania was Catholicized, it was changed to represent the 12 Apostles. I think most other traditions are fairly similar to ours. But for us as missionaries, we have to be in our apartments way early on Christmas Eve, Christmas, and New Year's Eve- due to the partying and drinking that occurs.

On Christmas, you can call me at 10 AM your time (7 PM for me). The number, with area code and everything, is 011-370-606-78579. Should be sweet!

Aight, now for the news of the week. So, we started the week off with a bang. Elder Sanford and I were going to go harvest. Up ahead in the distance we saw a shimmering light, it wasn't the HOtel California, but it was a giant dome, that we thought would house many prepared people. So we headed towards it. The front door was open, so we walked in and got in the elevator and headed to the top, 19 floors up. We then looked out over the city, which looked way sweet. We began to harvest the building. Turns out it was new and people hadn't really moved in yet, so we made our way down to the third floor, where some people lived. A woman answered and then asked how we got in to that floor, we said it was open and then the elevator. We left and went to the 2nd floor. Got off the elevator and looked for any doors of people. The elevator doors shut behind us. There was nothing, except a door to a balcony that was locked. We then tried to open the elevator, but to no avail. The button was broken or something. We were stuck in a tiny little space with no way out. Luckily we had our cell phone, so we gave the other elders a ring and directed them to our location, which took a while since we just kinda wandered trying to get to the giant building we saw. After about an hour they arrived. They door was locked. Miraculously a couple showed up and asked why they were there, they said they had friends on the 2nd floor, and eventually they got in and came to our rescue. The elevator doors opened and we got in. This kind man then told us that the only way out is via the third floor, so we then went to the third floor, but to avoid having a similar experience, Elder Manning and Elder Nelson left to test the exit, while Elder Sanford and I held the elevator. Everything was great, so we left and escaped from this Dome of Doom.

We met with Ainis this week, mostly answering questions that he had. It was a great meeting and shows that he thinks about spiritual things often. Hopefully he stays strong until his birthday or his mother allows him to be baptized.

We also met with Viioleta with the other Elders. She was still not really understanding that their is only one church that is Christ's church, so we read a little from 1 Nephi 14 with her. Was quite direct and perhaps a bit brutal, but we had tried everything else, so hopefully that helped her realize the truth. She came to Church on Sunday and the members were quite friendly and welcoming, which was sweet, so maybe she'll finally get it.

We were able to help push a couple cars out of the snow, since it has snowed a large amount. which was awesome. usually when we offer to help people say no, but it's great to actually be able to help people.

On Saturday we called every phone number in our Area Book, trying to set up an appointment. We didn't get any set up for that day, but did for this coming week, which should be excellent. I felt like a telemarketer though, but realized that if necessary, I could do that for a short bit. Talked to one kid in English for a long time. He mostly wanted to practice his English, but was also interested in just talking to us some about God, he is a very strong Catholic and said he wouldn't change his faith, but was open to talking some time. It's great when people view us as real people instead of some type of machine that lived a perfect life and doesn't have any interests besides Church.

Well, that's about it. The snow is way beautiful and it has stayed at a much more tolerable temperature, still cold, but definitely livable. Lithuania is the best. I love every bit I'm here and tyr not to think about leaving, which is hard since time just seems to be zipping by. Good luck to all of you in your endeavors this week. Hope the holidays treat you well.

Su Šventomis Kalėdomis (Merry Christmas, or more directly With a Holy Christmas)

Love,

Vyresnysis Kanoris Hiltonas