Hey everyone!

I feel like it has been forever since I wrote last. I think it was about 3 weeks ago.

The last few weeks have been fun, with Christmas and New Years. This being my first Christmas in the mission field, I realized two things. One, Christmas is a whole lot different when it is 90 degrees outside. And two, from about December 20 through January 2, almost nothing happens as far as progressing in the work. We haven´t been able to work very much because at night on Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Years Eve, and New Years, we couldn´t leave our pension. It´s too dangerous to be just walking around. People are drunk, or light of fireworks, or both. On New Years here in La Plata there is a tradition where they build these huge Muñecos (dolls) shaped like famous things (I saw Ice Age characters, Plankton from Spongebob, Spongebob, Winne the Pooh, dinosaurs, Santa and his sleigh, Quilmes Beer bottle). They are built with wood and wire frames, then they do a heavy-duty paper-mâché. Then they paint them. The best (or maybe the worst) part is that on New Years at midnight, they BURN THEM ALL! I didn´t get any pictures but if you search on Google you can probably find them. I would search ´´ muñecos la plata ´´

(I couldnt find a good one burning)

Also on New Years, like I described in the picture email, we slept on the roof, and enjoyed the war-zone fireworks. That was fun, but a little scary.

As far as missionary work, we had a wonderful baptismal service for Gabriela on New Years Eve. We went early to get the font ready, and set up all the chairs, and get the refreshments and everything done. The baptism was scheduled for 4:00, and most of the members were there by 4:00 (the ones who were coming). But the most important person, Gabriela, hadn´t arrived. We called her, but got no answer. 4:15, 4:25, 4:35.... nothing. All the members who were returned missionaries started talking about the times on their missions when investigators just didn´t show up for their baptisms, which didn´t help our worrying. But finally, at about 4:45, she got to the church, and after that, it didn´t really matter what time it was. The service was beautiful, the baptism was perfect, and we ended it all eating cookies and drinking soda, like a good ol´ Mormon get-together. We have really been able to see the change in Gabriela´s life as she has learned and applied principles of the Gospel. I know that what we are teaching and preaching is true, and the that this Church is the only true Church on the face of the earth.

Ok, Mom, I just did something bad. My glasses fell on the ground without me noticing it, and I just stood up to loan another missionary my flash drive and stepped on my glasses! They are all bent, and right now, unusable. I will take them to a glasses shop

on Wednesday, when we have to go to another city for a dentist appointment for my companion. I have been faithful in wearing them up until now. I just take them off to use the computer, because it hurts my eye. And that´s what got me. That one hour a week of taking them off. Oh well.

Dad, yes I have my drivers license. Let me know if you need anything with it. It is being kept in a safe in the mission office right now.

Mom, that was a cool story you told me about Whitney and Steve Hughes. The names sound familiar, but I can´t really remember them.

Whitney and Steve, if you are reading this... Hello! When I get home we will have to get together and talk. I feel humbled with what you did with my name. I hope to me Scott and Daniel, too. haha. I hope you are both doing well. Please feel free to write me an email, that would be awesome! My email is written here on the blog, but here it is anyway: scoty.stobbe@myldsmail.net

Hunter, thanks for your email about Christmas! It sounds like you had so much fun. When I get back I will take you sledding one time and we´ll find a HUGE hill to go down, ok? I am glad to hear you gave good presents to your mom and dad too. It always makes you feel way better to give presents than to get them. I have some more Castellano to teach you. To say ´´My name is Hunter´´ you say ´´Yo me llamo Hunter´´ (pronounced SHO MAY SHAHMO) Ask grandpa to help you, he knows Castellano too.

I love everyone, and I will talk to you all next week! I am sure I am missing things but time is up, and I can´t think of anything else.

Stay Strong.

--

Elder Scot Daniel Stobbe Jr

Argentina Buenos Aires South Mission

***DONT MISS THE POST BELOW WITH PICTURES!!!!