Mama's boy

Mom,

I miss you! Happily, I have updates as to the conditions and circumstances of my mission thus far. When I arrived in Rockford, the Rockford 1st Ward had two sets of elders serving in the area. With my arrival, another elder transferred into the area, and we joined the two elders experienced in this area of the mission. Of course I joined Elder Noho, and the other new elder, Elder Williams, joined with Elder Davis. They are both incredible missionaries because they use each of their unique capacities to bring all others into the fold of Christ.

Elder Williams is from South Carolina, and has been out for four months now. Elder Davis will return to Montana in August, and will have served honorably for two years. Elder Davis is our district leader, and it's amazing how he is able to both control the weekly meetings and inspire all of its members. I really look up to him because we have luckily much in common. In the beginning of his mission he struggled with depression and allowing himself to change, so his advice on those subjects has been incredibly instructive.

Anyhow, what happened was that as Elder Williams entered into the area, he found that he had suffered a tear in his esophagus, which limited what he could eat, and how much of it he could eat. This began to stress him out, and exacerbated anxiety attacks he'd always had to cope with. Eventually these conditions couldn't allow him to be effective, so President Fenn had to send him home. Now Elder Davis, Elder Noho and I are in a trio. It's strange to have basically two trainers now, but with an extra person to provide their own vision, I'm learning that much more.

Another update is that my happiness has increased exponentially since we last spoke. It was uncomfortable and agonizing to allow myself to be shackled by the adversary. I could not allow him to discontinue my hope. So ultimately it was a decision to work together with my Savior so that the changed me could change others. I made that decision, but the results did not sprout over night. It's a process, and every day that I smile more and speak my mind, the day is a success. Every day I feel the Spirit and understand the miracle of introducing someone to the restored gospel, I'm happy, and I'm changed for betterment of my future, and theirs if they make the right choices.

Anyway, I'm steadily improving, and wouldn't rather be anywhere else.

Although I do miss all of you so much, and think about you all of the time. I'll have to send you a picture of the three of us. Love you all! Thank you for the package! (I think this is the "greenie" package I sent a few weeks ago!)