April 11, 2011

Dear Family,
Wow it sounds like a lot of adventures are happening back in humble cache valley. Robbie that stinks that you broke your foot and now you can't play basketball, oh well it will be a good time for you to master some other skill, like you could learn Spanish or something that's a way useful language or even master your mathematical skills. You have some new found free time make sure to fill it with meaningful activities that can help you and others ;). I've realized a lot since I've been out here on my mission, I find myself regretting the time that I missed that I could have done something good, but I never find myself regretting missed time playing video games or watching tv. They create feelings of temporary satisfaction but true satisfaction only comes through living the way God wants us to, and accomplishing all we can with the time we have. I'm glad I don't have to be there for the first practices of Alycia's driving ;). I'm just kidding I happy that she's having a good time. Let's just all hope and pray that she ends up a better driver than I was.
This week in the field was a really good one. Elder Gudmunson and I are back on our feet and it feels really good to just get out and work. We found some new people and taught some old people. One really cool experience is that we were able to work with a member and help one of their friends learn more about the gospel. People investigating the church want to hear about the gospel sooooooo much more from their friends than they want to hear it from us as missionaries. People can't relate to us really well (19 year olds from America that have been members their whole life) but as when we work together with members the work goes so much faster. A lady from the ward invited one of her friends and we met with them and had a nice conversation. We're hoping that all turns out well. Thank you so much for the prayers for Nina she's really doing well and still looking for an answer, but she's making all the steps so it's just a matter of time until she receives a strong answer.
Mom and Dad good luck in Italy you'll have a good time. I want to hear how it is and what cool things happen.
I just would like 2 or 3 short sleeve shirts I have a few, but one of them got ruined and 2 isn't quite enough because I'll be sweating a lot and needing to change every once in a while haha.
I'm sorry that I've been so terrible at sending pictures. I'll make sure to bring my camera next week so you can see some.
At the end of this email I just want to share a way short impression that I got from general conference. The talk that stuck out the most to me was Dallin H. Oaks' talk about desire. Sometimes our desire to be lazy or just fulfill our worldly wants are stronger than our spiritual desires. It doesn't mean that we don't have spiritual desires we just need to work on having our desire to study the scriptures, serve, and keep the commandments outweigh our worldly desires. I'm working really really hard to apply this talk into my life. When our desires change we change and soon we become our desires. We no longer find the want to watch t.v. on Sunday, but we find ourselves excitedly anticipating the opportunity we have to do our home teaching.
Thank you for all the support that you give me while I've been out here. I'm having a lot of fun. I love hearing how things are I hope to hear from you next week. I excuse mom and dad cause they'll be in Italy but I still want to hear from the rest of you ;). Frank you're in charge of telling me the events of the next week. Good luck talk to you next week.

-Elder Pack