Family,

Gosh I am SO excited to talk to y'all in a couple of days. There's so much I want to tell you. 

It still blows my mind about Mackenzie getting married. Can't wait to hear the details. 

So transfers....Elder T was transferred and President called me and said that he wanted me to train. HA are you kidding me? I just got done with training and plus the fact that I can't speak the local dialect haha. Of course I told President that I would do anything he asked me to. So next day, I went to pick up my new companion/trainee. I was the only American and missionary that was there, that just finished training and now is training. I'm going to be honest I felt really out of place and a lot of inadequacy. My new companion is Elder R and his awesome. He's half Filipino and Chinese but he grew up in the Philippines. We have a unique companionship because I know how to be a missionary and the area but Elder R

know's Tagalog. Hahahaha I think it's so funny. But honestly I'm so grateful that my mission president trusts me enough to train. It has been making me rely more on the Lord and taught me so much more of how to be a good missionary. I love how it's pushing me to better.

Other then that things are going really well. I love my area and it's so beautiful here in December. The group in Sta. Cecilia is growing and I really have high hopes for it. 

I'll Skype ya'll on Dec. 26 but it will be Christmas for you. I'm probably going to Skype at around 6-7pm here so I don't know what time that will be for y'all. Sometime in the morning. And if Skype doesn't work. I'll call Dad's cell phone as a backup. 

I love my family. I love being a missionary. I love these people. I love this gospel. I love my Savior. Can't wait to see your faces this week. Merry Christmas and I'll see you soon!

Your Valiant Missionary,

Elder Strader