22 september 2014

September 22, 2014

Hey everyone!

This week was pretty slow, but transfers are coming up and it seems like this transfer has gone faster than usual. Both V. and M. are doing well. I have a feeling I'm going to be transferred, so I have to make this last week count. But who knows? It looks like a whole lot of people are going to have to move around for things to work out.

The weather has been cooling down this week, which is great. I'm excited for winter and weather that's not over a hundred degrees. Maybe some rain.

I guess you could say that our week was pretty uneventful too. I've been hearing about some crazy stuff going on the world though, like some new strain of Ebola in Africa and problems not the Middle East. It made me think about my mission scripture, Ether 12:4. I remember one day in high school thinking about all of the stuff that was happening in the world, and what kind of environment I would have to raise my kids in someday. I remember thinking that things were looking pretty bad for the most part. When I did my scripture study that night before bed, I found that scripture and it was a bit of personal revelation. It reminded me that as bad as things get, if we have faith we can have hope. That's all that matters. And the more people who have faith, the more "good works" get spread around.

So that's my spiritual thought for the week. I'm glad we have the gospel, and that we were chosen to share it with everyone. It's an awesome responsibility, and one that I'm grateful for. It's taught me so much in these past 15 months that I would never have been able to learn at home. It's crazy to think that I only have 6 transfers left. When did that happen?

There are a lot of things I miss about home. I miss Mountain biking in Dutch hollow (something we should do when I get home Dad), and video games, girls, and yes, I even miss you lot.

But my mission has helped me grow so much that giving those things up for two years doesn't really seem like a sacrifice, or even a fair trade. It's been a huge blessing to me. I'll have time to enjoy college when I get home, but for the rest of my mission I'm going to focus on the things The Lord wants me to learn.

Sam, you look like quite the stud in that there Homecoming picture. Way to go!

I hadn't heard anything about the Ogden temple, but that's cool that you saw the dedication. I'd like to go there when I get back.

Keep me updated on BYUs season will ya dad? Here's hoping they go undefeated!

Love you all, and have a great week. I'll be on for a bit

Jake

Mom,

I did get my package :) the food is really good, as the homies will agree. They've partaken liberally of the toffee. I'm hoarding the granola to myself though.

Also, thanks for being such a great mom. Not all missionaries get packages from home. Plus thanks for preparing me to be a Spanish missionary. I think if it weren't for you thinking Spanish is so cool and helping me understand the value of other cultures I wouldn't have been as prepared as I was.