Start of September

Hey everyone, how's life?

Sounds like Mom is keeping busy as always and that the family is running on all cylinders. Sounds like business as usual for the Greens. Bryce will love Lacrosse and it sounds like the coach is really cool. I definitely am a little bit jealous, he'll be in way better shape than me. That play of Rylee's sounds interesting, I'm not sure if I've ever heard of it. However, 1950's sounds like a really fun theme. If they do end up doing that cast dinner like Kelly suggested with the roller skates, you will definitely have to send pictures of Mom dressed up, and then of Mom in the hospital after putting on the skates. Sounds like it's back to business though with school for the kids and work for Dad, and Mom getting to work in every helping capacity that exists.

This week has gone really well. I'm really excited for how things are going in this area. Last saturday we had the baptism of Mildred Valderrama Chavez, which was excellent. I got to baptize her in spanish, which was really fun. It's the first baptism I've ever actually performed so I was nervous but it went perfectly. Pictures will be sent, no worries.

On thursday we also had a lesson with a new investigator, Blanca Martinez, who is good friends with Alma Ramirez, who is the sister of Flor Ramirez who got baptized a couple of weeks ago. Alma also received a baptismal date that night, so we will be seeing her baptized on the 25th of September. She also should be having some very exciting news of her own within the next week, as she is going to have her baby! She's expecting a boy, and is thinking of naming it Mosias (Mosiah) or Abinadi or Moroni. The names sound a lot cooler in Spanish, and we figure she better get baptized if she's naming the baby that. Or give him a really good middle name that he can go by. But preferably get baptized.

Sorry, this week the letter isn't too long, but I wrote a good paragraph to Mom about the mission, so you can post that too.

"... turning your life over to God is a lot like white water rafting. You jump in the boat and give your life and your will over to God, and know that he is going to steer you well, like a good guide. There are scary parts, and sometimes you don't know why He takes that turn, but somehow it always turns out okay. And then, when you just thought that you were along for a ride, he asks you to start paddling. He tells you that He will direct you in your actions, but nothing happens until you actually act. And you must act according to how he directs, or else you may go into an eddy or get flipped over. But no matter what, you know that this Guide will help you make a course correction and bring you back into the river safely. Then, at the end, having rafted the river - you are better for it. You have experience that you couldn't have gained anywhere else. Tell them that it is a bigger rush, a bigger thrill and a greater joy than the world could ever give you. While it has moments where you are terrified, lost and confused, so long as you have a perfect faith in Him, the guide, and a perfect love for what you are doing, you will be so much better at the end than when you started. For perfect faith and perfect love casteth out all fear, and it is by faith which miracles are wrought, it is by faith which lives are changed. But first we have to act."

I love you all very much.

Love,

Elder J.