December 26, 2022

 ***Elder Blankenbiller’s mission has a mission-wide activity Tuesday, so they had their p-day on Monday.***

¡Feliz Navidad! 

Christmas was definitely the highlight of this week, so we'll just get right into it! 

So on Saturday, being Christmas Eve, we had tried to get lots of appointments set up to go visit people. And wouldn't you know it, it worked! We had three family home evenings and two lessons that night. And we probably ate enough for a week between the two of us. :P 

It was really cool to see all of the different ways people celebrate Christmas here! One of their traditions is called 'pedir posada', and they sing a whole song about Joseph and Mary looking for room in an inn. Sort of a call and answer thing, with half the people outside, and the other half indoors. Kinda cool, I hadn't seen it last year, so it was new for me. 

We also got a lot of Ponche, which is a sort of hot fruit punch? I think that's the best way to describe it. Imagine Apple cider with a few more fruits and spices, and you'll have it pretty spot on. It's very good. 

Church on Sunday was a bit under attended, but that's just how it goes. :P I did get to play a little musical number though, an adaptation of 'Angels we have heard on high'. And I got to open presents from my family on Christmas morning, so no complaints from me. :) 

I hope you all have had a wonderful Christmas! Don't forget to take advantage of the season and keep spreading the message of the Gospel! 

- Elder Blankenbiller

Photos:

- Christmas Sushi 

- My family sent me a countdown chain, so I can keep track of how many days I've got left. Time to be trunky, I guess :P

December 20, 2022

 Hey everybody! I've been running around a lot today, so this is gonna be a shorter email. Sorry about that. 

Lots happening these weeks, what with Christmas and all. Christmas, as mentioned in last years' emails, is crazy here. Everybody starts partying on the 12th, and it just kind of keeps going until mid February, more or less. It's a blast, haha. 

Last week we spent a ton of time trying to get people to come to our ward's Christmas party. It seems to have worked, because the chapel was packed. Oh, also, they started at about 5:30, and kept on partying until about 11:00 or so. We were already long gone at that point. :P Still, fun party. 

And today, I got a visit from Santa Claus! Well, kind of. Some friends from home who happened to be visiting Mexico City were enlisted by my parents to bring me some Christmas presents! So super grateful to the Hunsakers and Maddy Edwards for making my last Christmas in the mission a good one. :)

This week is going to be pretty full, we've got a ward temple trip, Christmas, and the mission Christmas party is next week. So I'll be sure to let you know how the holiday went for us! Hope you all have a great one!

- Elder Blankenbiller 

Photos:

- Some snacks for the Ward Christmas Party

- District activity: sushi 

- The Hunsaker Family

- They took us out to sushi for lunch!

December 13, 2022

Hi again! Welcome back. On this week's episode: My last transfer call, Zone Conferences, and a baptismal date!

First up chronologically, Zone Conferences! This Zone Conference in particular was kinda emotional, a lot of my friends gave their farewell talks this time around. And I'm up next cycle. Plus, they put together a really powerful video of all us old missionaries talking about our missions, for the newer missionaries to watch. Very spiritual stuff. I'm gonna miss those guys. :/

On Sunday evening, we all got together as a Zone to receive the transfer news. Always more of a party that way. When all the dust cleared, I ended up staying in the same area, with the same companion! And it's here that I'll be finishing my time as a missionary! 

And lastly, we had the opportunity to extend an invitation to one of our friends, Carlos, to be baptized! He's got a date set for January 7th, and we're super excited for him. 

That's all for this week! Enjoy your Christmas break!

- Elder Blankenbiller 

Photos:

- Temple lights 

- Temple lights photoshoot (it's convenient, having access to the nice camera in the offices ;)

December 6, 2022

 Hey everyone! 

I've been crazy busy this week! So I'm gonna have to keep this one short. This week, I simplified, changed, and translates A Christmas Carol to be a ten minute missionary skit for the Stake Christmas activity. We also got a bunch of referrals to visit, reorganized the ward missionary meetings, and somehow found time to squeeze in a bunch of lessons. Things are heating up for the Holiday Season! Enjoy your Christmas, I'll try and get a more coherent email out next week, haha. 

¡Feliz Navidad!

- Elder Blankenbiller 

Photos:

- Watermelon Bug

- Don't have too many photos from this week, so here's a Christmas meme *shrug*