Elder Pullan in Jamaica: week #2 -Kingston

Hey Fam,

This week has been an interesting one. Mission Christmas happened this week and I would like to thank you all for the presents. It has made for an awesome Chrismas! I have been enjoying a plethora of candy and treats ever since Thursday. So, Thank you all for the treats. I am enjoying them. The homemade cookies are wonderful, and I have been rocking my new gym shorts every night since. Thanks guys. Merry Christmas!

So, this week... This week started with a couple of Family nights on Monday night. We shared a message about Jesus Christ and His purpose in coming to the earth. We wrapped up and with me having a draw-off with one of the family members while the teenage son played guitar. He is incredible at guitar, so it was fun to hear. We will be seeing the same family tonight!

On Tuesday, the Mo-Bay (Montego Bay elders) were in Kingston for some meetings, so they spent the morning going around with us. Elder McGregor and I went on splits with them. We walked around, talking to people for most of the time, so it was good. We have been doing a lot of that lately because we are whitewashing (trying to find investigators).

Wednesday, Elder McGregor caught a ride with one of the Kingston Zone Leaders to go to his uncle's funeral. I spent half the day with the other Kingston Zone Leader, Elder Adams. We had no solid appointments that day, so we walked around and talked to people. It gets rough sometimes.

Thursday was Zone Conference and mission Christmas. Elder Martinez of the Seventy was there. We got to hear from him. He is an amazing teacher. He teaches with such simplicity. We talked a lot about setting goals for the new year, enjoying the present and doing better in the future, and helping others come into the gospel so that they can feel included and welcome. After Zone Conference ended, we had a wonderful Christmas program. A lot of the Elders and Sisters in our the Kingston and Spanish Town zones (the zones in attendance) played instruments and sang songs. The talent displayed was incredible. I don't know how we got such great talent in such a small mission. We then went to another room and had a Christmas meal of rice and peas, chicken, ham, macaroni salad, and dessert of ice cream and cake. The meal was prepared by a few of the members. After that, we cleared up, and President Brown put on his Christmas hat and began to hand out presents. The office couple had wrapped every single package that came in, so we all enjoyed unwrapping our gifts and reading letters. When things wrapped up, us elders from Boulevard rode to the Bishop's house and had a meeting with him discussing the ward.

Friday was a long day. We super-planned for the week in the morning, and then headed out in the afternoon. We had solid appointments planned for every hour, and EVERY SINGLE ONE FELL THROUGH. So it was another day of riding around and talking to people.

The ward had its Christmas party on Saturday, and we were invited to attend. We elders played soccer in the falling rain in our proselyting clothes (suit and tie) with some Jamaicans for over an hour. It was a lot of fun, but I wrecked my pair of shoes… Don't worry, it is one of the older ones. I think I will make it through the rest of my mission.

Sunday was good. We were actually able to see some people. That was a relief.

Last night, we pulled all of the mattresses into the same room of the house and had a sleep over. Our house consists of me, Elder McGregor, Elder Guereirro, and Elder Davidsen. Elder G and I had a great time telling stories while the other two passed out. Haha. It was great.

I am hoping that this week is a little more productive than the last, but things are improving. I can't complain. The only thing I can do is work hard and be patient. Things are going to take off soon.

I am glad that you enjoyed the Christmas carols. I thought you would.

The things that we put on our Who is Jesus Christ Wall in Linstead was anything related to Him. Nothing too picky. We had everything from His purpose, to deep doctrine of how the atonement works, to the origins of His Name-Titles, to instances that show his character. We had it all organized around a lot of different pictures of Him, each one relating to a different topic, like; the atonement, the priesthood, His miracles, His character, etc.

Anything you can find about Jesus Christ that isnt common knowledge that really doesnt deserve to be stated went on the wall.

I would make a nice statement for you on Christlike attributes, but I fear that time is running short. Just remember Matt. 5:48, and John 14:8-10 ( If you have seen me you have seen the Father. I think that is the right reference.) Christ shows us and provides for us the way back to the Father. He is the only way. Our goal should be to become as He and our Father is. Perfect.

I love you all. I hope that you are having a great Christmas season! Please, take some time to focus on the past year and pick out what you are going to do better in the next. Focus on Christ. He is our Heavenly Father's greatest gift to us. In Him lies eternal life. He is the Gift. I know this to be true.

Love, Elder Pullan