New Year, New Companions

Dear Family,
    
So I'm not sure if this e-mail will be quite as long as the others because I'm on the Mission President's laptop right now - in his house.  So the mission goal for baptisms is 6 in a transfer, and we got 10, so we got to come today and eat lunch at his house with the other missionaries that had 6 or more.  There were 4 other companionships and it was super cool.  The President's apartment is soooo nice.  Elder Currie and I stuck around a little longer and have been hanging out with the AP's and President's family.  Anyways . . .
    
Last night we got our call about transfers!  Elder Currie is going to be a Zone Leader in the closest zone next to us, so I'll still see him every once in a while - and I'm sticking around in Monte Plata and getting a Dominican companion.  I'm a little nervous about it - not gonna lie.  All I know is that his name is Elder Vargas, he is a big guy, he likes chicken, and is supposedly the fastest Spanish speaker in the mission.  So, wish me luck this week and I'll be able to give a little info on him next time!  I'm also kind of nervous to be staying around in Monte Plata.  Elder Currie still got lost every once in a while and he had been here for like 5 months.  I have to earn a little more credibility with the members too.  Step up and be a senior companion until my companion knows the area and investigators, then he'll be able to take a little more control.
    
So New Years Eve was good!  Still went to bed at 10:30, but we went to get some ice cream that night and it turns out that our blind investigator Edgar owns the only ice cream franchise in town.  So, we got some for free!  So, basically it was a party . . . :)
    
We baptized three boys yesterday.  Joselito, Everi, and Edward!  It was pretty hectic and frustrating trying to get it all organized and working, but it was all so worth it in the end.  Their mom is a member and they were never baptized even though they are active, so we figured someone had to do it.

To answer some of your questions mother . . . ya, the closest town is over twenty miles away, but we went over to one called Gonzallo last P-Day to go coconut hunting.  I have some more pics that I need to send but I don't have the cord here with me.  And this companion is Dominican, so he'll probably be used to it.  Also, no I haven't received any other packages yet.  Maybe next week?  The size of the town is pretty small, but we have two small grocery stores (if you can call them that) - so we have all we need.
  
 I feel a little intrusive on the President's laptop, so I'm going to end this a little early.  But, first a favor from Chelsea Hoy or someone else who would know.  Andrew Shelley wrote me a letter, and I need to write him back, but I lost the letter and hence his address . . . so if someone could e-mail or write that to me that would be mch appreciated.  Oh!  Also, for anyone in Light or who went to Mesa High.  Nathan Carroll is in my District!  has been for 2 transfers now, but ya, he's a really cool guy, and already training in his 4th transfer, which is pretty crazy.
    
Start the New Year off well everybody, and I'll be sure to send you a lengthy letter next week!


Love you - bye!
Elder McBride