What a week it has been!
I guess the craziness all happened because it was the week after the nice Thanksgiving holiday. I'm sure your week was crazy too, being in a new place and all, and probably pretty crazy because of the weather. We don't really have to worry about that here. It has definitely gotten colder, but as of now, when the sun is out, you still get hot, if you can believe it. It was overcast one day last week, and we needed a light coat, but once again, nothing like what you are experiencing, or rather, what the whole of most of the US is experiencing right now. I live a sheltered life, I know.
How are you? I am looking forward to hearing about all the interesting stuff about your new area and companion. I hope you are doing well with him, and that he's not a downer. He's probably cool, since he's a newer missionary. I loved serving with newer missionaries, for the most part; probably my favorites would have had to be Elder Yorgason, or my trainee, Elder Holman, but I didn't spend too much time with him. I have been wondering if, like you said, you might be there for the rest of your mission. You are just a few months away. I can't wait. But I'll be patient.
Sarah and I? We're doing good. We celebrated our 11 month 2 days ago. Fortunately for us, it was on a Friday, because we got to do date night. The week before, when a brother and I were taking tithing to the bank, he mentioned that the Fish and Chips joint next to the bank, called Pete's Fish and Chips, was super good. We went, and while we had a good time, we weren't that impressed. We tried a bit of everything. There were things like crab, shrimp, and just fish. I liked them in that order. But we probably won't go back again. Afterwards, we had the idea to visit the shops next to apartment complex, which are really close. We were pleasantly surprised by a store called Bookman's next to where we live. It's like a LIBRARY. But not just any library. It has other things besides books, like DVDs, CDs, and even musical instruments for sale, and odds and ends. If you can imagine, we had the same feelings that Belle from Beauty and Beast felt when the beast showed her the library. We looked around for a while, looking for TV shows that we liked, playing some of the instruments, we even started reading the Fantastic Beasts 2 screenplay that came out with the movie, but stopped because it was dry reading (not that the story was dry, but we just couldn't get into reading something like a play). We went to the Goodwill (yes we have a goodwill next to our house). I was unimpressed with their book area, though. Sarah saw a piano/organ and said we had to have it, but I told her no, not yet. It was only like $35, but I don't think the organ part worked, and lugging it up three flights of stairs would've been no picnic either. I did tell her someday, though. I mean, we have to get a piano, it's just the Mormon way. It was a fun night.
Had the pleasure to work with my wife all day Friday. Why? She was told that she would be working with our classroom the whole day friday and for a period on Thursday. She got the whole experience, I'm telling you. Our resident runner, ran. Let me explain. We normally take the kids out each day at around third period, when a teacher comes to teach us about Science and Health. His name is Mr. Leaf. Well, every Monday and Friday, we go out to walk around the track. Well, I was in the back with Brady, who normally is pretty slow, talking to Sarah who was pushing Keenen in his wheelchair making the last turn around the bend of the track, when I noticed Gavin, who was ahead with Celia, start a full on sprint and Celia comically chasing after him. As soon as I noticed, I told Sarah to watch Brady and I called out to Celia (who is relatively older) to stop and that I would go after him. The funny thing is that Gavin was running the lines of the track so instead of going straight out towards the street, he followed the lines of the track. When I finally did catch up with him, I talked with him, saying, man, Gavin, you are probably going to be a track star.
Sarah sat next to Keenen and Jenna throughout the day. She did a good job with them both.
On Tuesday, I did an all day training in NCI, or Nonviolent Crisis Intervention. There were probably about 30 or so other teachers or aides in there and we were taught how to take care of ourselves in the instance that a student would go into crisis. The first half of the day we learned about what the schools believe are ethical, and the latter half we were shown examples of how to get out of binds, such as holds and punches or kicks. I was partnered up with a girl named Amelia that was an aide in a GUS 1st and 2nd grade class. I don't know what GUS stands for, but when the other teachers heard that, they all groaned audibly. I guess it has something to do with special needs kids that are active and the trademark is they throw things. Anyways, she was very nice. I learned that she was the president of a specific Argentinian dance club at ASU. Anyways, we practiced how to get out of different holds, like when a child is holding your wrists really hard, or pulling your hair and won't let go, or choking you. They asked for volunteers. Well, I was one of the last to volunteer, and they put me into a child hold or something, where the teacher or aides work as a team to prevent the child from doing harm to others or themselves. It was the biggest display, they took me by the arms and made me bend over so my face was to the floor and I couldn't do anything with my hands or legs. It was funny and a bit embarrassing. Most people said I was a good sport.
Well, breaking news for BYU happened today. BYU was unsure if they were going to get into a Bowl Game this Year with a 6-6 record, but we got into one. We are going to the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on Friday, December 21 at 2PM against Western Michigan who have a 7-5 record. In case you were wondering, the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl is at the Albertson's Stadium, where Boise State plays. So, blue turf. However, if what I heard might come true, maybe we won't be able to see the numbers and color of the field due to snow (which is what happened in the Boise State vs Fresno St. last week) Fresno won in overtime. Utah's bid went to San Diego.
I was able to give Gracie a ride to her school, I think on Wednesday. It was nice to help out. She's doing good. She's still in a boot, healing every day. We listened to the new Imagine Dragon's cd on our way to the school.
We had our family council this evening, along with an FHE since Sarah is going to work at Amazon tomorrow night. In our council, we decided on what our plans were going to be for Christmas. We have decided that we are going to head to California on Sunday, December 23, after church and spend the day with Mom and Dad and Sarah, and stay at an AirBnb that night. Celebrate Christmas Eve the Peruvian way the next, and go to Sarah's mom's that afternoon and spend time with whoever is there visiting her, and go home the next. We are looking forward to it for sure.
For FHE this evening, Sarah shared the list of things we can do to #LightTheWorld. We made a list of stuff we are going to implement. Sarah decorated our Christmas tree (which is the white one from our wedding last year, the green one was given to the teacher Sarah works with) while I wrote your letter. It looks good. I am happy to be in the Christmas season again. I can't wait to talk to you.
I love you so much. I hope you are doing well, brother. Thanks for everything you do for our family.
Love,
John
I forgot to tell you about DAREDEVIL. Oh my goodness, Jacob, Season 3 is so INTENSE and so good. I am so impressed by the filmmaking. However, the series has been cancelled on Netflix. Since Disney has Marvel rights people think they are going to incorporate him into the MCU, which wouldn't be bad, just as long as it is the same guy. I am loving this season though. So many reasons which I won't enumerate because, spoilers. I can't remember if you are into it or not. But if you aren't, you should. That is all, haha.
