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!