Great Week!

Okey dokey. How is everyone? I'm doing wonderful. No complaints this week. haha. So I thought it was funny last week how I said that I didn't expect mail from anyone because I got Grandma's package, mom's letter, and a letter from Nate so that was funny. Also ironic from last week when I said we weren't teaching as much as I'd like- this week was the best week as far as teaching goes that I've had so far in the mission. Maybe I should complain more often in my emails. haha. just kidding. But yes, this week was a good one. We taught a lot and extended a lot of baptismal dates. Not all of them were accepted, but one was so that's good. I don't think there are any amazing stories from lessons we had this week, just the overall good week is a good enough story, I think. There were some cool things that happened this week, however. The first one being that it snowed again. This time it was about 13 inches, I think. haha. I don't know if every winter snows this much, but it feels like we just keep getting pounded and pounded, and I love it. It makes for really awful parking situations, though. The broken mirror on our car would be evidence of that. Someone must have nailed our mirror as they drove by, and luckily the mirror is still good, but the back shell came off and was broken in pieces. We have to get that fixed. But the snow piles are about 5 to 6 feet tall on average, and there is really nowhere else to put it so the roads just keep getting narrower and narrower. And, we've heard that it's supposed to snow again this week, but we've heard like 4 different forecasts for when it's coming so I'm not sure when it'll hit or how much it will bring. But, I'm all for it to keep coming. I think it's awesome!

Another cool thing that happened this week was the blood drive we helped out with. It was easily one of the most tiring days of my mission so far, partly because we had to wake up at 5 to get to the TD Garden (which is where the Celtics and Bruins ((the hockey team)) play) by 7:00. The Red Cross does blood drives all the time, but every year, the 3 biggest ones are at Fenway Park(Red Sox), Gillette Stadium (Patriots), and TD Garden, and the missionaries help out with all 3 of those. Well, we got to the arena and got our assignments for what we would be helping with. I was in charge of getting empty packs to the nurses, taking the full packs to the storage area, and walking the donors to the snack room. It was pretty fun. A pack is the thing that the blood goes into, so I got to carry around a bunch of peoples' blood. haha. We volunteered for about 3 hours, and then we got to go upstairs to where they had a bunch of cool activities and stuff set up. We got a tour of the Celtics' and Bruins ' locker rooms. That was tight. I saw jerseys from Garnett, Rondo, Allen, Pierce, Shaq, and all those other guys on the team! Then, we got to go to the courtside club seats and we got a bunch of candy and stuff. One of the players from the Celtics was giving autographs too...Betcha can't guess which one. No, really, you've probably never heard of him. haha. His name is Dana Barros. ? But, whatever. He has a championship ring, so that's cool. I got a picture with him and the championship trophy. Nice. We also got these way cool volunteer t shirts. So overall, it was a really good time. I also got an autograph from some dude who used to play for the Bruins, I think. He might be a coach or former player, but I don't know. And after we got home, we had just enough time to eat lunch before going to 5 appointments, so by the end of the day, I was ridiculously tired. I was so happy to go to bed that night. haha.

One last cool bit of info for you, that we actually just found out about an hour ago. As of July 1, 2011, the Massachusetts Boston Mission and the Connecticut Hartford Mission are combining! Crazy! We were all so surprised when we got the announcement. It will still be the Massachusetts Boston Mission, so that's good, but we will have a way bigger mission, and way more missionaries, and it will be completely different. I'm excited for it to happen though, that will be way cool.

I was so stoked to hear that BYU beat SDSU too! too bad they had to lose their next game though. What is BYU ranked, by the way? Great to hear that Jimmer is still going crazy. that's great.

Also, congrats to Dax on the mission call. I am hoping that from dad's hints that he's coming here, but I guess I'll have to wait to hear from him. I'd go crazy if he comes here. That would be so tight! Then David can come here too, and it will just be awesome. haha. Tell David he'd better write me when he gets his call. That's one thing I am expecting. Any news on Jared Bodine's call? Or anyone else I might know?

Ok, well, I'm all out of stuff to say for this week. I told you all I'd follow up with you on the challenge from last week, and I haven't heard back from anyone about that, so I am hoping that you're all just still working on it and will let me know when something cool happens.
Alrighty then, I hope you all have a marvelous week. Love you all!

Love,
Elder Hammer

PS Oh yeah, and as of January 27th, I officially have less than a year left... Where does the time go?