Well,

It was a good Christmas. I talked to a few of you but not all of you. I forgot my camera at the house, so I will send pictures next week.
On the 23rd we had a Mission Christmas Conference. After lunch we had a talent show. Elder Rowley, Elder Hansen, Elder Duarte, and I sang acapella ``Jesus num Presépio``, which is ´´Away in a Manger``. It turned out good. I sang melody, Elder Rowley laid down the bass line, Elder Hansen was Alto, and Elder Duarte sang tenor.
On Christmas Eve we went house to house singing carols and reading Luke 2. When it came to the part where it says ´´I bring tidings of great joy, for unto you....`` after we talked about Christ´s birth and mission we mixed it up by saying
´´We aren´t angels, but we were called of God and we do also bring tidings of great joy...``
Then we talked bore testimony of the Restoration of the Gospel. It went well.
We were filled with an amazing Spirit. It was the best Christmas ever. There were no presents or white elephant gift exchanges, just me, Elder Rowley and the Savior. We were spending our Christmas with Him, and it felt good. When we finally got home we had bought a bottle of apple cider. We popped it open and read some letters from home, wished everyone in the Zone a merry Christmas, told em´ how much we love them, and said good night. We played a cd of Christmas music that Elder Rowley´s brother sent us and then Josh Groban sang us Chrismas songs until we fell asleep.
Then I woke to Josh Groban yelling ´´NOEL, NOEL, NOEL!`` Elder Rowley had awaken earlier than me and made pancakes and eggs for us. He woke me up with obnoxiously loud music, much like my Dad on a Saturday morning of yard work.
We ate, studied, and then the member family of Acácio and Valqueria made us a huge Christmas lunch. We then went to brother Iran´s house, where my family called me. It was good.
The weekend passed and then Monday came.
During study we got a call from the Assistants and Elder Hansen told us that Elder Rowley was transferred. He went to Hortolândia where he is now companions with my good buddy Elder Long. My new companion is Elder Latham. He is a good guy. He is from California. I haven´t got to know him that well yet, but he is a hard worker and a happy guy. I like him. I am training him as a Zone Leader, I have been one for such a short time and I am still learning so it will be a fun experience.
Yep. the mission is the good life. I am living it up out here and loving it.

-Elder Stephen Mathias Nothum