Elder.Connely.Packard

From the mom: Sorry, all no pictures this week Connely's new departure date is Jan 25th. If you need to write to him add this to the letter for quicker delivery:  MTC  box number, 93, Departure date 1/25 Elder Packard doesn't have travel plans yet but his companions do. His mission president shows as the California Long Beach mission, although he says that there are some major changes happening in the MTC right now so that there may be some mix up. It is very uncommon for Dutchies to not get Visas on time, although Packard has some issues with his birth certificate.  He will know more this week, either way he departs on Jan 25.  And a funny story:  I   forgot to tell you that on  Christmas  night  David   Archuletta  came and did a concert for us. He is really a small person. Some sisters were freaking out behind us when he came in until I told them that he was only sent to Chile on his mission because the people there are...

So this week we found out that our district is getting a bit famous around here. We have heard from a couple different sources that we are referred to by everybody as the Tall Baller Dutchies or something of the sort. We have been trying to talk to new people a lot but this is a little surprising because there are so many missionaries circulating, but I guess it is starting to become a thing.  I have been learning how to play basketball from my companions a lot now, so i am actually not that bad anymore. I try to go and lift for a little towards the end of each gym time so i do not get super weak. One hour is not enough time. I gained a few pounds in the first couple of weeks but I started eating just a bowl of oatmeal or plain shredded wheat in the morning, and then alternating between an actual meal and just a salad for lunch and dinner so now I am back to my original weight. We were the ushers at the devotional last night and a few sisters asked my companion and I how w...