Sveiki Visiems!!!

Alright, first to answer your questions.

We are having a Christmas Zone Conference like we did last year. Woohoo. I haven't received the package yet, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to stay in Vilnius, time will tell. We have 'Zone Conferences' on about a quarterly basis, but more regularly than that gather together for 'training conferences' or other things that are exactly like a zone conference, just with a different name.

Ella- we didn't sing Christmas hymns, because we only have two, so they try not to repeat them too much. We sang a Christmas song in district meeting last week.

Now for some miracles.

First, Ainis was baptized on Friday!! Awesome.

Second, Tomas had his interview and is set for baptism this Saturday. Incredible.

Third, relating to Tomas. We had him come with us to a lesson. He was a changed person from when I taught him. He was mature and showed his true desire for baptism and also his incredible knowledge of the Gospel. He would answer questions before we could, ranging from age rules of missionaries to what tithing is used for. The Gospel changes people.

Fourth, our English class opened up. There were only a couple of people and so we talked with them during the break and they began to ask questions that led to discussing the apostasy and restoration. It was incredible. They have been coming for months and haven't ever showed interest, but finally did. They weren't quite willing to accept wholeheartedly everything, but they heard it.

Fifth, on an exchange, Elder Kezele with Elder Hyer and Elder Hengst, met with a less active in Elder Kezele's area. In this lesson they talked about how they were on an exchange and where they live. It just so happens that we live in the same area of the city as the less active woman's daughter and husband. Due to that information, she gave us their information. 2 referrals!!!!

Sixth, we were given a free ride in a marshrute. We were waiting at a bus stop with the snow blowing fiercely in our direction, when a marshrute pulls up. THe driver waves us in, I try and just brush him off, since you need to pay for marshrutes, but he continues to frantically wave us in. I look closer and recognize him as the driver who always drives us from Vilnius to Kaunas. We hope in and he took us where we were heading, free of charge.

Seventh, District Meeting. I taught about the tongues of angels. I specifically invited us all to live by the guidelines contained in the Missionary Handbook concerning language, not that we have terrible language or anything, but as a mission, the 'culture' was contrary to what's written. Everyone agreed and was willing to put forth the effort and just needed the push and direction given to them.

Eighth, we achieved Victory as a district!

Some humorous experiences form the week:

We talked to a man who believes in the one and only true god, the SUN. His reasoning- if the sun explodes, we will all die, therefore, it must be god. He ranted at us for a bit and then started into America bashing. He was so over the top, it was hilarious.

We were contacting when a woman called out to us. We stopped and she engaged us in conversation. Soon we realized that she was drunk, old, and repeated the same four or five ideas. She 'sang' to us in Lithuanian and Spanish. Using 'sang' quite liberally. She also offered to give us haircuts and told us to never forget her number, which she never gave to us. We eventually removed ourselves, at which point she called out to wait and began to chase after us, we stopped and she dug into the depths of her pockets to give us each a piece of candy. We then walked away, debating what to do with this candy that has probably been in her pocket for years, next to all sorts of bacteria and disease. Elder Hyer pulls his out to discover that it was open and nibbled on. That sealed the deal. The candy was disposed off. Hilarious.

At church, we were asked to cover, on the spot, for the valiant primary class. They were thrilled that they wouldn't have a teacher, so when we showed up they drove us out of the classroom, shut the door, turned out the lights and held the handle so we couldn't get in. We walked away and returned a few minutes later. We attempted to provide some sort of spiritual thought, while they yelled fought and one pretended to snore. Then some of the girls found a string of beads and wrapped it around my shoulders/neck, almost choking me. It was awesome.

Well, a hope you all have success this last week before break. Alistair- good luck with your finals, I know that your studying will pay off. Just make sure to take a little time to relax or your head will just explode and that will do no one any good. I love serving the people of Lithuania, in Lithuania, in Lithuanian. It's incredible.

Love,

Vyresnysis Kanoris Hiltonas