I want to tell you something! We had this guy that we tracted and gave him a B.O.M. and then we went back Tuesday and gave him and his family a lesson. The spirit was so strong there! Then he said he is going to go talk to his minister to see about us.  It's okay though, I was so happy because it was an exact answer to my prayer. EXACTLY. I had prayed that I may be able to teach the gospel to just one person at least. Then Elder M said lets go tracting and we met him. Then we walked down the street a tad and taught a family about the gospel. They are both Mennonites so who knows if they will continue listening but it was an answer to my prayers. It really helped me out. I know that God is there and does answer prayers. I loved that story about Maddi getting her wisdom teeth out. I was cracking up about it. So funny. I wish I could see that video too. That needs to be shown at her wedding and "this is my royal bed". I miss you so much! and I miss everyone else too. Is copper still living? what about those cats? Someone cuddle with copper for me because he wont have me to love him. Thank you so much for helping me with everything, I love you all!

We just had the opportunity to attend a funeral for a young girl today. It was my first LDS funeral and it was nice. I learned what "mourn with those who mourn" really means. I have never even met this girl before and during the funeral as they were giving her life story, I found myself crying. Crying like she a great friend of mine. I have never even seen her, nothing. I guess I felt a fraction of the pain her parents must of felt, but I was still hurt that she was gone. Then I started thinking about a story of Christ. Forgive me, I dont know exact details but one of his close friends died. He knew he was going to heal him. He knew he could. But he still went all the way down to his friend's family, and then wept with them. Then he brought him back to life. We should always be looking for those who are mourning. We wont be raising everyone from the dead, but we can still always be there for that person. We can always show love for them and just be there. Even if we dont understand what they are going through, just be a friend. That is what those people need. So a little thing about this girl. She had cancer and was supposed to die in 6 months. That was over 3 years ago. The type of cancer that she had was extremely painful. And I absolutely love this: She wrote a sign when she found out the cancer she had. It didn't say "I will beat this" or "I will win" or "I will survive". She just put "I will fight it." That is how we need to think with everything. Alma  34:40-41 (actually, read this whole chapter it's great) but "bear with those afflictions with a hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions." I know that she is in a wonderful place now, seeing her family and she is FREE of all the pain she was in. She is free of all her suffering. She was 13 years old when she passed away.

I miss you guys so much! I love hearing from all ya'll. So hey, if you send a package, label it as "Missionary supplies and gift." because you can send me a $20 pair of slippers and then pay a $50 duty fee, on top of the shipping.

 

The interview with my mission president was amazing. I super love the president. He was a jet tester pilot. I'm sure that isn't the name but that is what he did. He did it for 8 years. It was cool. Im buying winter gear slowly here and there. It isn't snowing yet so no need for boots. Its actually really nice here, average 8C-13C. so it's chilly but not cold...yet. No, we dont get Ipads and stuff like that yet. Hopefully by February we will have all of those.

So I wasn't always a reader of scriptures. I wish I was. I am sure you're doing it already but really, read them every day. I don't read that fast, but I really take apart the scriptures I read. It helps me so much in my life. I know it will help out in all aspects of your life.You will continue to build a testimony. I also love it because the more you read and study the more you will begin to understand (obviously). But as you understand more it will be easier to talk to people and clearly explain what we believe. The MTC taught me a lot but now on my mission I am actually understanding what I read. I am not too worried about just finishing it, I just study. I just finished first Nephi 15. I can't believe everything that I missed. It is so crazy what is in the scriptures.

I Love you guys so much!!

So... I'm in Canada now! My area is a small town and rural farm land with a few suburbs. It is so pretty! Flat land as far as the eye can see and just rolling hills. It is so nice.The church is strong and like half the population are members. I love my companion, he is pretty dope. The air port lost my bag with all my clothes in it...keep that in your  prayers. Canada is beautiful and I've decided even though I'm freezing, I'm going to move up here. When I got down here in Barnwell (thats my area) we went to an "investigator." He was a teenager working on an oil  plant. He was trying to talk all hard like he is a party-er and enjoys life as is. Then as we were about to leave he yelled "MAN! It is so hard to be mad at you guys. I cant do it!" Then my companion and him started cracking up and turns out the investigator is my District leader. They all said that I did amazing. They were really impressed. then the DL's companion came out and we stated talking. I'm really going to love it. It sounds amazing. So with that being said I'm way south, which means I'll only get letters once a month or so. So spread the word that if anyone writes me it'll be a little while for me to reply. I can email on Tuesdays, please give my email to anyone who wants it.  Well I love you guys so much. You all are so amazing. Thanks for all the support getting me out here. I can never thank you enough. I just sent this out so you know I'm here and safe. I love you guys!

I have so much to tell you about. I don't even know where to begin. I have been loving the MTC. I have learned more in these past couple days than practically my whole entire life. Its really weird how that works. You have to forgive me of any punctuation and or grammar problems. I received the opportunity to serve as a District Leader. I'm so happy and grateful that I could lead such a wonderful group of Elders and Sisters. They are all so great and so strong in the church. I have only known them for a couple days and I already love them so much, to the point where I will do anything for them. Bro Stoddard, in our branch presidency, called our zone "The Elite." It was really cool to hear. He promised us that that is what the spirit told him and he has never felt like that for another group of missionaries. I also loved this from him too, "there are no things as callings in the MTC, its an assignment." I thought that was kind of cool and different but weird because everything in the church has been "callings." I have been so busy as a DL. Even my zone leaders, Elder McCurddy and Elder Vaniman, told me DL is way harder than being a zone leader. And I can totally see why they said that. I have to get the mail and deliver it. I have to interview and solve any problems within the district. I have to lead in district meetings. Make sure everyone in the district is where they are supposed to be at that correct time. My district comes to me when they Problems. I've never been stressed being in a leadership position but this one is kind of hard I find. But I love it, love my district and they are great to me. It has been amazing here at the MTC. Another thing I learned was the MTC isn't here to teach you how to convert, baptize, teach, study, nothing. It is hear to convert yourself to Christ. Once you convert yourself to Christ all those amazing blessings will come after. I cant believe how true it is. Its random, I've been taking notes every day.. so random!  My teacher told me this silly quote... "The dullest pencil is sharper than the brightest mind." It really hit me though because I remember all the times I would love to say something meaningful, but I forget because I never wrote it down. I wish you could read my scripture notes, there is a whole lot in there. This has by far been the most important lesson I learned, and this is exactly what they want you to learn and live. Love. simple right? but so complex at the exact same time. The atonement could not of happened without the CHARACTER of Christ. His loved was unfeigned to everyone. That is the secret to being a successful missionary. As representatives of Christ we need to act as Christ, obviously, and love like him. Because the minute you love the person you talk to, you instantly connect to them on a personal level. and when that happens, that is when the seed is planted and the spirit teaches him, not so much the missionary. Pretty cool huh? I think so. That might be just my missionary side coming out already. I'm finding myself loving my "investigator" so much and he isn't even a real person. I absolutely LOVE my companion. His Name is Elder Hill. We really get along and are great friends. He's a rancher from Tremonton Utah. He sounds like he enjoys his life on the mountain. By the sounds of it, I would too.  Its been great talking and getting to know him. I love you all so much!!