Okay, so before I just start talking, I want you to know that Tuesdays are P-days, but that only matters next week cuz I'm shipping out two weeks from today!!! Also, I have had the awesome pleasure of sharing this experience so far with Elders Justin Wait(left yesterday for Spokane, Spanish) Dalin Earls (Esco, leaving when I do to Indonesia), Bobby Shuster(Institute, SLC Spanish), David Riddle, Brandon Hernandez, Linnea Harris, and Stanton Kennington! SOOOOO cool!!! My District is full of some of the most devirse Elders I could have possibly imagined, but we all love each other so much and love the Lord's work and we all love to have a fun, positive time. We were at the fireside, and the conductor was announced as "Mack Wilberg" and I leaned over and said "You hear that Elders?! Mark Walberg is conducting the MoTab!!!" (That one's for Maxine) Thank you all so so SOO much for the Dear Elders! I couldn't BELIEVE I got two letters my first day, and was even MORE shocked at the FIVE I got two days later and then the few that have followed since! I love hearing from you so much, and I hope you don't forget about me!
I used the story of Samuel in the bible to incorporate into the dispensation of prophets, and how he too was called as a young boy, directly by God, just as Joseph Smith, and about the importance of speaking directly to our Father in Heaven and the invitation to pray! I can't hear enough from you that you love me, it brings me so much happiness to be able to hear from you and to know that I'm in this great nation and have the priveledge of being able to communicate so readily with you.
I have learned SO much about how I will always lack any ability to teach, only to invite investigators and invite the Spirit, especially with the message of the Restoration. My comps name is Elder Bassett from Westpoint Utah! He is a quirky little guy, but I love him. Me and all three of my roomates got locked out of our appartment yesterday! They were all in their towels and I didn't even have mine, but I was fortunately able to borrow one! It was so funny, we eventually got a key brought. On a more somber note, we had one of our favorite missionaries in out 5-comp District get sent home yesterday. I have such an intense love and respect for him especially after he took the most difficult steps of his repentance. we gave him a blessing and prayed fervently for him, and he told us if it wasn't for our strength and spirit, he probably wouldn't have done the right thing, and also that he will be right back here in a year when he is ready! I am so excited because he will have grown so much and be so strong and pure. His Spiritual strength will match his physical stature (6' 4" 250lbs). It is a darn good thing for Africans that rain doesn't result from people missing me! I can't wait for all of your letters either. I love hearing about missionary experiences you guys are having! And yes, Mike, my teachers (Brother Hawkins and Sister Lamplugh) are AMAZING! I love them both so much, they are so sweet and teach so well. I AM keeping a very good journal, so if I miss anything, you will hear about it eventually. The Provo Temple is amazing, we got to go through today, and I love the Spirit that is there. OH! MOM! President Brady is Brandon Hernandez's Branch President! Isn't that weird?! I am trying so hard to be obedient, every time I learn or read a new rule, I make sure I apply it immediately so that it becomes a part of what I do. There are a LOT of rules. I read in the Health Manual that we need to floss at night and brush before we go to bed and before we leave our apartment, so now I have to do exactly that! I have SO much more I want to tell you about, but, alas, with obedience, I have to get off in a minute or it will be over 30 mins.
