Week 31

Tues January 22, 2013 at 12:03 PM

Hey family,

Hope life is treating y'all splendidly well.  Well, you'll all be happy to know that I had a very nice birthday.  Sis. Bernhisel, the Mission President's wife, called me up and sang happy birthday to me, and I had a wonderful package from some folks back home that love me or something.  Before I mention anything more about that, I'm kind of confused on why Tyler Brennan is serving a mission in the 5th ward...I thought he was at school...anyways...confused. 

So I received letters this past week from Kati Kamas, Rachel, mom 31 I think, grandma, Uncle Dan and Aunt Zuleica, and also a suprise that I received at zone conference.  There were two things that got shipped to Morehead after I had left.  1 small yellow envelope from mom with 27 in it and an intense grow Christmas tree and another from Grandma from the beginning of December.  Good stuff. 

So, I just want to thank you family though for the package :)  It was the best.  THAT TIE IS ABSOLUTELY THE BEST TIE THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN IN A BAJILLION YEARS!!!!  Couple questions, how did you know that I liked Paisley's so much now and how did you know that a Tie was a great gift.  Either way, I was so super excited when I opened that it.  Stinking gorgeous. 

Ok. So last week at the zone conference.  SOOOOOO GOOOOOOOOD!! Elder Paul Piper taught us, and it was fantastic.  I learned so much.  He's a funny guy, but so spiritual and wise.  I learned a ton.  The trick is to now apply everything I learned to myself and to the mission to BECOME someone better.  Knowing will never be enough...for anything :)  Overall, great meeting.  I had a fun experience talking with him a little ONE ON ONE!!!  So Elder Kilbourne was in the bathroom and I was waiting for him in the hall singing a little hymn when lo and behold, from the other bathroom emerges Elder Piper.  He came over and we talked for about a minute.  He asked me how I was doing and about where I was serving.  Great man, overall.  Definitely a special witness of Jesus Christ.  He taught me one thing that I will truly treasure for the rest of my life.  Maybe it can help you too.  Before the meeting started, all the missionaries were talking and hugging and catching up etc and Elder Piper got up to the pulpit and lovingly chastised us and then when he began his remarks, he really taught the principles behind it.  If we want to learn what we need to learn from ANYTHING!!!! we have to prepare our minds and our hearts so that the spirit WILL be present and we will learn what we need to learn.  It was great...the whole thing :) 

Overall, we are doing well.  The work is progressing and we are seeing many blessings.  The weather is still pretty warm; it has cooled down a little bit...today it's only 50 something instead of 70.  Not January weather in any sense of the word, January.  We had 1 investigator at church on Sunday, but some of the others had legitimate reasons.

It's crazy to think that I'm 20 years old now.  That sounds old, but I don't feel any older.  :)  Not a lot else to tell.  Things keep chugging along...at a pretty fast pace most of the time.  Thanks for all the love, support, and prayers.  What would we do without prayer.  I'm so grateful that families can be eternal.  The knowledge that we have because of the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is amazing.  I'm so grateful to know how important families are to God's eternal plan.  I'm so grateful that we have President Monson to lead and guide us in these days.