HAPPY NEW YEAR! Hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year. It was quite awesome out here. Christmas Eve was good, all the missionaries in the city got together and played games, had a gift exchange (I got the Japanese version of chess...) and a delicious dinner, then went to carol in this big park. Sang all our songs then decided to head down into the subway station. We got settled and about 30 seconds into the 1st song before some cop ran over and started yelling "where did you get permission?!" We all turned and looked at the Mission President, who shrugged and said "Its Christmas Eve, who cares?". They didnt like that answer and kicked us out! Christmas morning I got to talk to the family, then we had an apt Christmas with our small tree, hand made stockings and gifts from the local church members (the box from my family came a little late). That night we got together with a few other missionaries and a member and a friend at the church and made some delicious Christmas curry. Yesterday we had a mission wide "Book of Mormon" day, we stayed in the apt all day, fasted breakfast and lunch, and just read. All day. I made a goal to finish no matter what. I started 630 am and finished at 11 pm, and other than an hour for dinner, about 20 mins for planning and a bathroom break now and then, It was just reading. But I got through all 531 pages, and it was MIND BLOWING. I mean ive read it through a few times, and study every day, but reading it all at once... I finally get it. I mean I understand the flow and who is who and the time line and all, But I get how it relates, why I invite people to read from it and know for themselves that its true. I got my transfer call, I am heading down to the coast to a small town called Muroran, becoming senior companion (as in the person whs been out longer) with a missionary from Gilbert! Ive only talked to him about twice or so, but he lived about 10 minutes down the street from me, went to Mesquite High School, and we know a few of the same people. Should be a blast! 

Elder Andrew Kade Jones