Be wise, be happy and of a good courage!

Hello everybody I hope that you all passed a wonderful Christmas this year and are ready to pass over into 2015, pretty crazy to think that I spent a lot of 2014 living in Portugal!  Now I get to see portugal in every month next year!!   Anywho our Christmas was really fun and we got to see the differences in hoe they do traditions which was interesting!  They eat cod and octopus here instead of the Ham and turkey that we usually eat back in the USofA.  Other than that the work was kind of slow, not a lot of people wanted to talk to us and a lot of our investigators were off to other places to pass Christmas.  

The highlight of the week was definitely talking with my FAM for the first time in 8 months!  It was so good to see all your faces!  It is amazing how that time flies!  But I am glad to see that you are all looking good and had a wonderful Christmas and got some snow on Christmas Day!  

IT was pretty cool being a missionary and passing Chirstmas.  You definitely don't have a lot of time to focus on the material aspect of Chirstmas a lot.  I mean of course we received gifts and whatnot but we really got time to focus on "the reason for the season"  which is our Savior Jesus Christ.  He was the first present given to the world and continues to be the present in each and every one of our daily lives.  As you all think of your new year resolutions that you will make don't forget to include that part of your spiritual life.  Think of how you have come closer to Christ this last year and the things that you did to include him in your life and then think of some goals that will help you become even more of what he wants you to be for this coming year of 2015.  Do this in the spirit of prayer and I promise that you will find little things that you can do that will have a huge impact on your life and those around you and it will be an awesome year!  I can't wait to spend it as a missionary!  

I love you all so much and wish you all happy holidays and a wonderful new year with new opportunities, adventures, and beginnings.  Be wise, be happy, and be of a good courage!

With much love in Christ,

Elder Brandon Eldredge