Week 43

Brothers and Sisters, it's been a wild ride. I thought I'd start this email off excitedly, so prepare yourselves. I'm gonna be honest, nothing has really changed since last email. But, I'd like to say my attitude has. Life will continue to throw us curve balls. We're getting new missionaries, weekly, for the indefinite future, and I was thinking about how much of a turn that would be for them. We've talked a lot about humility with our mission President over our conference calls, and I also had an interview with him this week. Humility, the gateway attribute, is defined by gratitude and perseverance. One who is humble, is resilient. One who is humble, is strong. One who is humble, is Christian. This week I made a goal to humble myself and bar down on the work. Sometimes it's hard to push through the 3.5 hours of calling and texting and using Facebook every night, but we've seen fruit. We contacted plenty of friends this week, and though it's hard, I'm grateful that I can see the work moving forward before my eyes. We've had lots of time to do family history, which is still kinda cool. I've been practicing my Spanish, and it's growing very slowly. We got to do a bunch of service this week, we cleared some land and buried squirrel holes. Last Monday I won the final round of ping-pong and became this week's reigning champ, we'll see if that lasts haha. We also had exchanges this week, I went with the greenie Elder Wilson first, that was cool, practiced my Spanish once again, and then a couple days later with Elder Wallis. That was fun, he and I get along, we had some good study sessions and talked about making goals and being good missionaries. We spent Saturday morning at a nearby river, we had personal study along the bank, it was nice to be in the sun and to contemplate the world without the confines of our apartment walls. A cop showed up too, but he must've saw me reading the Word and decided he didn't wanna get confounded or struck blind or something, cuz he left shortly after. The days are getting hot and it's hard to believe summer is approaching, I think of where I was 1 year ago, I know for a fact, that I didn't anticipate being where I am now. But that's okay. I'm converted to the doctrine of growth. I know things are going to go wrong. I know we are allowed to make choices. I am grateful that the Lord trusts me enough to put me through hard things. I'm grateful He sees me as someone capable of overcoming those trials. There are many of you who have overcome much more than I have. The Lord trusts you. Heavenly Father loves you. I wish I could go on, but I'm sick of soap-boxing. There's this place called Super Burger and they make this chocolate oreo shake, and it's insane. I've had 4 since I've been here. 

DISCLAIMER !!: DRINKING THAT MANY SHAKES IS NOT GOOD FOR YOU, MY EXAMPLE IN NO WAY CONDONES SUCH BEHAVIOR

Happy Mothers day, by the way, to all the mothers and those who are grateful for their mothers. I love my Mama. I am most grateful for her. My mission plaque back home quotes Alma 56, which has been a motivating chapter for me as I was preparing for, and now continue in, the mission field. Please read that chapter. I am grateful for my Mama's example and her ability to kick my butt when I need it, and also to comfort and console me in ways no one else could. I love you Mom.  

Eat your vitamins, get your rest, cuz when this quarantine ends, you will either attack the day, or it will attack you. Take control of your situation while the reigns are still in your hands.

Elder Gneiting