Missionary Friend Letter: End of Mission

March 14, 2009

Sister Bruno,

Hey, hadn't heard from you in a while. I thought I'd send you a poke. I hope things are going well. I wonder what your up to. You're probably studying your little brains out trying to learn Chinese. I wonder how that's going. Is it still difficult? (Dumb Q) Stick with it though. Nothing worth it was ever easy except for easy chease. Anyway Be strong and of good courage. (You can read that in Joshua 1) The Lord will not forsake you, fear not, neither be dismayed (Joshua is so cool!) Anyway, enough of MTC/mission drama or anxieties.

Nothing new has happened as I like. I had my last interview with Prez in the field, all I have left is the going home speech the night before I head home. I'm ready.

Today was Sunday. Church was soo long today. I was starving towards the end. Luckily we had 2 dinners tonight. Tonight is numbers night too. I hate Sundays because: 1) reports 2) meetings and 3) numbers. (You'll soon figure this out).

Anyway. I'm figuring everyone has decided to be taught by missionaries after I leave. I'm pretty upset, but oh well what do I care. I'm leaving in 24 days for home. A lot of good it'll do me to th ink of those kinds of things before I leave.

I've found what Gene Machelhue said about soldiers to be true about missionaries: "they don't die, they just fade away." I feel like I'm fading away. I'm sad my mission is ending.

But! I'm happy to begin true life (You've already heard this song and dance.) I won't go on with it. I'll simply tell you instead "Be good. Be safe." And Luke 17:32. Looking back was not the sine. Doubting what the Lord could give was. Wanting to go back is not the answer. Always remember D&C 78:17-18.

I hope this finds you well,

Elder S.

Missionary Friend Letter: Mission Will Not Be Perfect

March 6, 2009

Sister Bruno,

I've gotten your letters and now I'm the bum for not writing back. Lately I haven't been inclined to write much, but I'll do my best. I can't wait to be able to communicate through means other than pen and paper.

Not a ton has changed since I last left you. My jaw is fine now; I had a minor infection that went away quickly after I found out the diagnosis. I almost broke my big toe on the 24 of February. A church divider came and bit it with my help. Needless to say it was all black. I went in for an x-ray and nothing was wrong. I hobbled all that week. I was sick too! I puked all day at a cool member's house. I've decided that the mission wants me to leave otherwise I could be more fatally dealt with. But, I'm happy.

I'm sorry to hear about our rough times in the MTC. All I can say is hold out till your in the field. I had a rough time in the MTC, but I knew it would be just a matter of time before I was out in the field. Things just get better as you near your 2 year mark (18 months for you). Remember that. And loosen up! Don't be so tight and demand perfection out of everything. Your mission will not be perfect. The more finite points of your mission is learning improvisation and just going with what comes our way. You cannot change your mission (its taken me 21 months to figure that out) you can only change you. The Lord doesn't send you out a perfect missionary to baptize thousands. He gives you what you need to change you (I swear He's that way). He breaks you down and builds you up. But enough about that. You'll see what I mean later on. Just keep going and have faith.

I gave my going away testimony at Zone Conference. It hit me that I was going home "fa realiz. It was hard. I didn't shed a tear, but my lip quivered the whole time. My mission has changed me. I'm ready to go home a new man.

Dusty and Giselle are talking again. I don't know if they were the entire time. She was IM'ing him (at or the other way around) last Friday. That probably sounds scandalous, but I don't care. I've talked Dusty up every time I see her. Dusty needs a girl like her to keep him on the straight and narrow.

Now my thoughts are more trunky. I'm enrolling in North Harris (Maybe Cy-Fair, probably that one). But, I have to take the THEA test first. EXCITING! The problem is I have no job, but I can't fix that problem out here.

I have to say I'm not too excited to go to the singles ward. It starts at 2:30! 2:30! Honestly! I'm probably going to go, but I'm just groaning about it. I've served a mission for 2 year; I can make it to the singles ward.

I am really trunky, but there's nothing I can do about it. I can't wait to see my family. School, work, and dating are all things I can't get out of my head. It'll be a hard 30 days, but I'll make it.

I hope you're well. Keep going. Pray. He listens. Write soon and send pictures. I'll see ou around!

S.

Missionary Friend Letter: Missionaries Use Pitchers to Fill Font

February 22, 2009

Hey!

How's the MTC treating you? Hopefully you're doing well; I wouldn't know what's going on because you haven't written me. (Ooh..burn.)

Anywho.

We had a baptism yesterday. It will be the most or at least the most memorable one I've had. Travis had been investigating the church for 5 months. We finally struck a chord with him, and his baptism happened in a unique way. The font wasn't filled on time, in fact it didn't begin filling till 5 mins before the baptism. (Bad juju) Our dumb arrogant Branch (YSA) mission leader was more concerned with his girlie than his duty. 8 missionaries started filling up pitchers of water and dumping them in the font. (My idea) Then the YSA saw us and pitched in. 20 people filling a font was an awesome sight to see. We worked to get Travis baptized. It was a neat experience.

In other news my jaw hurts like no other. I've got some serious problems. I hope nothing bad is going on with me, but I'm really starting to worry. I'm going to make an appointment today. Say a prayer for me.

So write me back and remember to find me a cute one!

Elder S.

Missionary Friend Letter: Finish Happy On Your Mission

February 3rd 2009

Sister Bruno (LOL)

I hope all is going well in the MTC. I think its been about one week since I sent you a letter. I remember getting letters in the MTC and being glad I got them, but also I was thinking to myself I'm not even in the field! Maybe these will make a difference to you though!

The other day we had interviews (yesterday actually). It went alright. Me and the Prez-man came to a good common ground. He wants me to finish happy and I want to finish. We had gotten into a bit of an argument over the phone and so it was a good end.

My family got my flight plans the other day. I get home April 9th 2009 at 2:13 pm. I give my talk on the Resurrection April 12th (Easter). They also got a letter that all the parents of missionaries get explaining why (mom and dad) should not make us trunky because we are the most effective now.

I've been trunky day 1. I've just learned to live with it recently and still function as a missionary or even a human being for that matter. Prez. Munday said "it's ok to be trunky so long as it motivates you to work." Remember that.

I think I'm going to Cy-Fair College when I get back. Cy-Fair is the way the heck and there, but I've been there before and it's nice. I'm going to have to take the THEA(Pre-Texas-College Test) I'm nervous. I had to get into school as fast as I can. I'll pretty much be going a bazillion miles an hour when I get back. I've got 65 days to get myself ready.

Enough about me though, what's up with you? How's life? I hope all is well. Send me some MTC pictures! Your comp and others in your district! Who knows, maybe there is a cuties. I'd wait for.

One more interesting thing the chapel back homes has severe water and termite damage so I'm going to have to give my homecoming talk in the cultural hall.

Miss ya much,

Elder S.

Missionary Friend Letter: Missionary Drama

Jan. 30,2009

Dear Dududu-Dora,

Hey sorry it's taken me so long to get you a letter. I hate rummaging around for old letters trying to find addresses.

Sounds like your truly having the MTC experience. Drama is amplified 100x while your on your mission. Instead of dealing with just your own you get your investigators, wards, and fellow missionary/mission drama. I'm so sick of dealing with problems I could spit. Not to get you discouraged or anything. Missions are great, they are just taxing.

I was transferred to Kennewick. I don't know if I like it here or not. It's a ritzier part of town where people are stuck in their ways, but I don't care, I'm trunky!

I learned a hard lesson yesterday. I was in the wrong, but still the fact of the matter is you can still respect a person wishes even if you were wrong. All I wanted to do yesterday was go home. But still I go on.

Anyway. Enjoy the MTC. Eat lots of French Toast Sticks. Pray and listen.

Don't worry. I always said the MTC is temporary, it doesn't last forever. Now I say a mission is not forever. To be honest I crave to be home. I need a release. As time seems to slow my last 4 weeks I beg and plead to make it.

I probably need to spend more time on my knees. Hold me accountable and follow up on me.

I wish you well.

Elder S.