eMail of March 23, 2009

As far as things to send me for my birthday, I can think of one thing. Photos. Many people here especially members want to see my family. I don´t want to use the one I have in my bag so I would like another one. I don´t really need anything else, except perhaps Cheez-its. :)

Anyway, the week went very well. We taught 30 lessons this last week. Andrey wasn´t baptized yesterday but will be next week. We also have two more lined up for the Sunday of General Conference and possible five more for the week after that. I really hope things go well with each of them.

As for being fed, yes. I am well fed here. I like the food for the most part if it isn´t too strange. But I´m eating a lot more healthy now too. But the allergies are a bit of a problem with
asthma. Just in that I have difficulty breathing if I have to run to an appointment or something. If I don´t take the medication I suffer more. But I´m really okay.

I generally can´t think of anything but the people and how the gospel can help each one. Things with my companion are going well. So far I have had the greatest success with my current companion. He is great and we are teaching better and better with more unity every day. He wrestled as well but he is very good. He knows Cael Sanderson personally and trained with him. Marc might have an idea who he is but if not, he is one of the greatest to
ever wrestle. He went undefeated throughout college. Anyway after the mission my companion Elder Smith has a scholarhip for wrestling at Purdue. And yes he has a relation with Hyrum Smith but isn´t sure what it is.

As for more about the mission, really things are going very well. I have seen miracles here. I have seen families be healed after nearly being completely destroyed. The gospel is powerful. The Spirit as well. I have seen the Spirit change people instantly. One that rejected us but when he felt the Spirit and that there was truth to the testimony he changed and became interested. A complete 180 turn in his heart through nothing more than a testimony bourne with the Spirit.

I have learned a lot about teaching but still have far, far to go. I have learned a lot already but feel that I have mountains to learn still. More and more I can see how connected everything is; and how every commandment, especially the Word of Wisdom, is spiritual. There is no commandment that is strictly temporal. What we give up temporally, is treasure in heaven spiritually. The only difference is how far unbalanced the scale is. It´s exponential the spiritual
blessings and treasure we recieve when we give up things temporally. The Lord only wants to bless us when we have trails. He will never leave us in sorrow and misery unless we choose to stay there. One of the great things I remember from President Hinkley is his optimism.
It doesn´t matter what happens, just keep moving forward looking and hoping for the best. That is faith. Looking beyond the trials for the blessings that will come, that they will disolve and the solution be found. A hope for things which are true, will come to pass or already happened, that you cannot truly see in this moment. Fear is dwelling on the problems at hand and feeling despair not having an answer. There is always an answer, a solution. There is always help. Faith is really just believing it´s there when it already is, even though you can´t see it or feel it. Then will come the miracle, and because you were already looking for the miracle you will understand it as evidence of your faith and it will grow. When you have faith
the miracle will always come, because it is already there and ready. You just might not know exactly where it is.

Anyway, I love all of you and pray that each and every one of you can find faith in the
journey and happiness. The Lord is by your side and ready and willing to bless you.