Hey Everyone,

                How is everything going? I am fine. I have had a fairly relaxing break. I haven't gotten to the point where I am bored yet... which is probably a good thing. I have been sitting around, watching, movies, reading books, talking with my team-mates and going on the internet quite a bit. A while ago I started to buy 12 hour sessions instead of the regular 3 or 6 hour sessions on the internet. Sadly, I used them up in a matter of 5 days... probably because of the holidays and such where I talked on Skype most of the time. I haven't slumped quite as bad into the terrible homesickness as I did quite a bit ago, but my homesickness has been pretty bad. On Christmas Eve I called my mom and had her open her present from me early because I just needed a little joy and to have them feel close. It helped a lot.

                So since the break started I have been making nice breakfasts for the guys. Quite a few times I have made French Toast, "we haven't had that since we got on this trip." On Christmas morning I made baked oatmeal, which tasted amazing. It has been really nice to make our own food.

                I have been working on two projects since the start of the break. One was the Christmas cards I have been working on for people at home, and also reading, "The Heavenly Man." I read that 350 page book in a matter of three days. It was a very good book, and I recommend it to you all if you ever want to hear stories from the China Home Church. Both projects are done now, so I have to look for something else big to work on.

                For Christmas all us team-mates decided to have a Christmas Diner, so we all did the same thing we did for thanksgiving where we all would make a different plate for everyone. We guys worked on two small turkeys for diner. Then we all got together for Christmas Diner, then we got around a television and watched "It's a Wonderful Life," and, "White Christmas." It was very nice to be together on Christmas. I got 4 letters between the 23^rd and 24^th and saved one card for Christmas Day night. It was very nice to get those letters. So thank you all for sending them. If I haven't received it already, I am sure that I will receive it between now and the end of next week. So I think my present opening will be spread out just a tad!!!!

                So now after Christmas being over, we guys have been walking up to the main AIM house, watching movies with the girls, and spending time together as guys. In a matter of a week and a half, all of us will be split into our different areas, so we have been spending time together for the little time we have left.

                Well, I think that is all for now, "and probably a relief for all of you that I haven't written yet another three page blog," so have a good New Year, and I will write back again soon!!!

In Christ,

Andrew