The blessings have really been with us this month. When you told me I was training again and especially with me not even knowing the new language, I was terrified. I didn't know what was going to happen. But again, as He has throughout my whole mission, Heavenly Father showed me that as long as you just "go and do," He will prepare the way for you.
Elder Cudac told me this week how President Lopez described me in his first interview with him. I laughed as he told me he was actually pretty worried to meet me. President had told him I work hard, I am competitive, I want to be the best, I am obedient, and I don't care for my companions! Everything is true except the not caring for my companions. I will be the first to admit that I have had a few companions that I have struggled with, but I really do care about them. I told Elder Cudac that I hope I have been able to show him that I really do care about him. I was having a pretty good laugh when he was telling me all about that.
So this letter might skip all over the place. I am sorry, but I will try to clearly move from one point to the other.
First, I want to talk about my personal experience with the prayer challenge. It was a little harder than I expected. I came to the realization that sometimes I am pretty selfish in my prayers--just asking, asking, asking. I realized just how blessed I truly am. Another thing I realized is all of the hidden blessings in our trials. This week was full of them for me, but I think Heavenly Father was just testing me to see if I could really do it, and I did! Another thing I realized is that by doing this, it became more like I was just talking to my Father in Heaven--not so much like a drive-thru order.
Next, I want to talk about something I realized this morning while I was studying. It is this--ENJOY THE JOURNEY! Gosh, this life sucks sometimes, doesn't it? Haha, there is no other way to say it, but we need to enjoy it. That sounds hard! As I was thinking about it, if I were to list all the parts of serving a mission, it would sound like hell. That's the honest truth, but I am happy almost all the time. I have no idea why though! The only thing I can say is making that happen is because I read and pray every day. Sounds silly and super missionary of me, but that is it. That stuff invites the Spirit and the Spirit won't give feelings of sadness. Here are a couple of scriptures to study if you want. It will be best if you study them in order. 2 Nephi 2:22, D&C 95:1, Alma 7:11-12 and D&C 58:3-4. I think you will see what I tried doing by placing them in that order!
Next, Book of Mormon reading. I heard something this week that I think could put all of our hearts at ease. let's be honest. I don't know if any of us understand everything we read in there. But I hope this story helps:
There was a grandpa and his grandson sitting by a fireplace. The grandson turns to the grandpa and says, "Grandpa, I don't want to read the Book of Mormon. I don't understand anything in it and I don't get anything from it." The grandpa paused for a second and said, "Pull some of those coals out of the fireplace and put them in this basket (the basket had holes in it). After the grandson did that, the grandpa told him to go to the pond in the backyard and fill the bucket with water. The grandson, a little confused knowing the water would drain, hesitantly did as he was told and returned. The grandpa said, "I need a buck of water, go do it again please." Without objecting the grandson did it again and returned. The same thing happened--the water drained and only the coals were left when he returned to his grandpa. The grandpa again said, "I need water, please go get me a bucket of water. The grandson then asked, "Can I get a different bucket?" The grandpa replied, "No, use the same one." Grudgingly, the grandson continues for five more trips. Finally the grandpa asks, "Was the bucket able to contain the coals?" The grandson replies, "Of course not, it has holes." Then the grandpa tells him to look at the coals. The grandson looks down to see the coals which were once dirty and dull, now they were clean and shining. The grandpa then said, "Just because we have holes in our spiritual capacity to learn, it doesn't mean the affect will be any different. We may not retain all we read, but the affect is the same. It will polish and clean us and make a difference in our lives, even when we don't see it. So that being said, read the Book of Mormon every day! Even if it is just a verse. YOU WILL BE HAPPY! I promise you that. I dare you to put that promise to the test.
Next, I was looking at myself in the mirror yesterday . . . a little vain, I know! But, I realized that sometime in the past 16 months, I became a man. I don't look like a chubby kid anymore. My face looks like a man's face, I can grow a beard in like two days, my voice is deeper, I handle situations a lot more maturely now and . . . I look like a man. It kinda freaked me out a bit! I mean, I am a very good looking man, but still I look like a man! Haha! Just a little food for thought!
Next, the monkeys! I hope you all like the photos. Yes, I did get bit by one of them, but it was my fault. I was teasing the monkey and he actually slapped me in the face first! It was the funniest thing ever. I was like, holy crap, I just got slapped by a monkey! So what did I do? I kept teasing him like an idiot and he bit the hand I was holding the bread in! Anyways, I had no idea that they were literally going to climb on me. The ran right up and jumped on me. I was so shocked that I dropped my camera. Yes, it broke and now I have to buy a new one or try to get mine fixed. Nevertheless, it was the coolest thing I have done on my mission. When we come back to visit, we are definitely going there. It blows my mind how much they act like humans! Monkeys have always been one of my favorite animals, so I was definitely like a kid in a candy store. I am sure you can tell by some of the photos.
Anyways, I love you all so much! I hope you all have great weeks. I can't wait for football to start again. Hey-16 months as a missionary and only 8 more to go. Guess what that means! If mom and dad wanted to give me another little brother I would be there for the birth! Haha--just a thought!
Love you all!
