5 November, 2012

Calvin has been on his mission for over 5 months now. He is in his 6th month! Wow! 1/4 of the way through! The time has flown by (for me, at least). We miss him a lot, and we pray for him every day that he will be safe, and that he will love what he's doing. I really enjoy his letters and I can tell that our prayers are answered. His love for the people that he's serving shows in every letter home, and I am glad that he's kept safe as he drives! So here is this week's letter. YAY!

Hey momm,

Im glad to hear that you guys pulled through ok. Everyone here has been asking how you are all doing. I wasn't worried because we are up on a hill. Here, we didn't get it too bad. I was dissapointed. But I guess its better than having everyone  here in more need. This week has been going well. We have a few people who are super interested in the gospel. One is pretty much a definate for baptism, it's just that her mom doesn't like mormons. We got our baptismal committed to church this week, even though our investigator church attendance has been at an all time low lately. We still get 4 investigators to church, so we are still feeling good. My biggest concern now is keeping our new converts in the church. PLEASE make friends with the investigators, and have them over to our house, and be their friends, and most of all LET THE MISSIONARIES know that you are doing these things. Members give you the best info ever. Members have the most important role in missionary work ever. The members here are really good at that, it's just that there are so many of them, it's hard to choose. Anyways, we are trying to work hard, and use our time the most effectively. However, I feel great because not a day goes by that I dont see at leaast one miracle in it. I feel very blessed. I think back on Jeffery R. Holland's talk this past conference, and think I can never go back to my old nets. I will need to be, and will be changed. Totally changed.

[I am giving a talk in church this coming Sunday on repentance, so I asked him if he had any input and any messages for the branch]

Anyways, as for your talk, I  would stress the importance of the bible dictionary. Also, stress that repentance is CHANGING your life. It's not just not doing the bad things anymore, it's completely changing how you think to cut those bad things out. You try to not even think about doing bad things, and your mind and thought process becomes focused on good things, and uplifting thoughts constantly. 

oh, I loved the package!!!!! I loved that one sheet of paper that everyone [in the branch] signed. That meant a lot to me. thanks for the Book of mormons, but why did you send them? I can get 50 billion of them free if I want. But I'm sure they will come in handy sometime. Thanks for the package, it made my millenium!!!! I didn't have to pay anything, but I dont know if the office did, I havent gotten notified about anything. 

Any tell anyone anything messages? Well, I got stamps, so tell the girls there might be a few things coming to them soon. As for ward members, tell everyone I think of them and they are a huge source of encouragement and support to me. 

Thank you for all the support you give me mom, I love you so much, and I know the world is a tough place to live in, but keep going! Keep your mind on the Gospel, and the principles of it, and how you can help the Lord first, then look everyday for at least 2 miracles. Then tell me about them!

Keep it up!

Love

Calvin

[Wow. My missionary son gave me an assignment! Guess I'd better work on it! I sent him a note asking how he liked the package, and attached a picture of his friends' Halloween costumes, and he sent this back:]

oh my gosh, [she] would. [be Rosie the Riveter]

[He's] the pumpkin head, right? Pretty cool, and the other girl is the main charecter from adventure time, right?

That's pretty awesome!

So the ties i liked , the letters too (Sophies' story was so cute!) And the candy was amazing!!!!!! I got so much candy this week from members, it's like "Who needs trick or treating??" We had a lesson, so we couldn't do all the fun things the other guys were. but we were real missionaries, and did real missionary work, so that's ok.

and the organ CD is awesome!!!! I love it!

For christmas. D&D miniatures. and lots of love. and letters, and drawings. but mostly love and D&D minis. Its a tradition!!!!!

I love you sooooo much!!!!!
Calvin

PS. So, we have an american family who already signed up for thanksgiving, and another family already signed up for christmas. so sign up for the missionaries now!!!!!!!!

[We usually get new D&D miniatures for our stockings. It is a fun tradition and after 10 years of doing this we have quite a collection!!]