Family and Friends,
Alright, you caught me, Mom. I'm going to answer your questions now so I don't forget. I got the package, and it was wonderful! The cookies were delicious, and my roommates appreciated the home-cooking greatly. And the cashew clusters have been a wonderful thing to have along with the noodle things. And I got all your letters! They usually get to me on Tuesday or Wednesday, so there's a bit of a build-up since I can't respond to them the day I get them. Sorry about that. I really do love to hear from my beautiful family though. Thank you so much for sending me all the goodies and for taking care of me so well! I have to say that I was a little shocked about your story concerning the mom who sends her son $300 to $400 extra every month. I mean, we definitely have to budget our money, but I can't imagine what in the world he would be spending all that on. He must be eating at five-star restaurants every night and be golfing 18 rounds every P-day (while hiring a caddy and eating caviar). That's a little ridiculous. I assure you that I am doing alright and I'm getting plenty to eat. Grandma is making sure of that with her priceless gifts of granola. Qua is doing well, but it's really interesting to see the difference in his progression when compared to Floretta's. Qua isn't showing nearly as much faith and commitment as Floretta, and it shows. He has felt the Spirit numerous times, but he has just been a little bit reluctant to fully commit and act on the promptings he's receiving. I think with time he will come to understand what he needs to do, though. He told my companion and I that he would write a rap about the Book of Mormon and put in a shout out to the two of us, so I'm looking forward to that. Floretta amazes me with her progress. She has changed everything she needs to in order to live the Gospel, and her light is clearly discernible. She is always happy now, and it's a really powerful experience to see the Gospel work wonders in her life. She even went to the General Relief Society broadcast and fasted yesterday for fast sunday. I'm so happy for her and really excited for her baptism on October 14th. I can't imagine anything stopping her from continuing to move forward. She just got a new job to replace the one she quit to come to church, so her faith is being rewarded!
I totally forgot to mention in my last email that the mission was visited by Elder Bowen of the Seventy two weeks ago. There is a video that features a talk by him on the youth section of lds.org, and it's really good. I recommend it. But, he completely blew my mind with the things that he taught. He knows his stuff, and I realized that I needed to really change my attitude and commitment level. He made one point that I thought was very poignant and relevant. He said that there are two things that Satan will never have: a body and a family. He then said that those are the two things that he is fiercely fighting to destroy. He related this specifically to the deterioration of the family in society and to the plague of abortions that has been occurring. I thought that was so important to realize. I'd never thought about the fact that Satan would never have a family. The way Elder Bowen said it almost made me pity the terrible condition that Satan is in. I can't imagine the agony and misery he feels, and how strongly that makes him want to drag the rest of us down to his level of woe. But he's tricky, and he makes wickedness look like happiness. It's a big blessing to know that happiness comes from living the Gospel and building righteous families. I was reading Jesus the Christ today, and I came across one of the greatest quotes I've heard about pleasure verses happiness. It goes like this: "Happiness leaves no bad after-taste, it is followed by no depressing reaction; it calls for no repentance, brings no regret, entails no remorse; pleasure too often makes necessary repentance, contrition, and suffering; and, if indulged to the extreme, it brings degradation and destruction. True is happiness lived over and over again in memory, always with a renewal of the original good; a moment of unholy pleasure may leave a barbed sting, which, like a thorn in the flesh, is an ever-present source of anguish. Happiness is not akin with levity, nor is it one with light-minded mirth. It springs from the deeper fountains of the soul, and is not infrequently accompanied by tears. Have you never been so happy that you have had to weep? I have." Sorry, it's a little long, but I love it. Everyone wants to be happy, but many people don't really know how. There are a lot of unhappy pleasure-seekers that wander the streets of New York, I've found. It's really interesting to see the contrast between those who have light and those who are lacking in light. I would imagine that when there is an absence of light in people's countenance, then there is a lack of happiness as well. The Gospel makes people happy! Floretta's progress is a testimony to me of that.
Who's excited for General Conference? It's right around the corner! I'm super excited. Apparently General Conference is better than Christmas when you're a missionary. We'll see about that, but I am really looking forward to a spiritual smorgasborg (spelling?). It will be really interesting to see what the theme is considering all the things that are happening in the world right now. Mom, I wish I could have seen the interview where Brandon Flowers had to defend his faith on that talk show. I'm proud of him! I think that the focus on the Church will continue to last long after the elections. I imagine that the Church will continue to be criticized and put in the spotlight, and that this trend will increase rather than fade away. Who knows, but it will be interesting to hear the counsel from the prophets. We live in an interesting time.
It sounds like everyone had a good week! Jacob, way to score a goal man! It sounds like you're becoming a level 7 water polo master already. I'm nervous that you're going to be able to beat me up when I get home. But, lately I've been eating Michael Phelps sized breakfasts, so maybe I'm going to grow 6 inches like Uncle Mark and still be able to take you :) I'm proud of you little brother. Jase, I'm really glad to hear that football is going well. I think that next year you should try rugby. And someone needs to give boxing a try. Tell me if the old-school, traditional boxing isn't the classiest sport ever. Ok, maybe croquet or polo would win in that competition, but I still think that boxing would be cool. So, I haven't heard a definite verdict on Clovis yet... How does everyone like it? Does it seem like a place that you could permanently call home? Hopefully the heat has abated a bit. I wish I could be there to watch all the games and join in on all the cool things you're doing! I love you guys.
Well, I have to get moving. I'd write an essay, but apparently some of the missionaries like to do other things besides emailing on their P-days. I hope that everyone has the best week ever, and I can't wait to hear from you again. Thank you for your support. It really does mean a lot to me. I thank Heavenly Father for my family everyday in my prayers. I love you all!
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