(Let me, his mom, preface this first paragraph for those who didn't know, Adam spent the night in the hospital on Friday night because they were worried he was having appendicitis!  Turned out not to be, but they kept him overnight for observation.  Getting those calls from the mission president is not fun!!)

 

I know! It was definitely not fun. I stayed over night but got no sleep because they come in about every hour checking on me and all that good stuff. I will be sure to give him (Elder Park)some (of the peanut butter balls) and everything! I'm sure he will love them very much. Yeah they said if it got worse or I had it again to come back in. I got the card of the doctor that took care of me. They were all great except one was a little odd and just something about her I didn't like too much. But plenty of people came to see me ha. The other elders came and also Bishop, our Ward mission leader and J who lives above us. Well taken care of for sure because then when I got home the L's brought some great soup and stuff. Hopefully everything will be fine! 

Yeah I'll check everything out on SKYPE and it should be good. I'm excited! 

Yeah so transfers again which is nice because I wanted to be here for Christmas and everything. Everyone is doing good! R was able to go back to work for now but is going to get something better soon which is awesome and also A is just working. He has been pretty busy with that so he can serve a mission so that is good. Also we have two dates for baptism! Their names are G and R, and it was funny. So R is like 21 or something and she loves the temples a lot and wants to go in so we were like well you have to be a member first and all that. Bishop was there too and he was so excited. So we invited them both, and R was like pues vámonos entonces! Which means like well let's go then! Haha so we are super excited for them. Everyone else is still progressing well. We will see what happens with H who is the husband of a member. His whole family are members and they even have a nephew names Nefi. Which is Nephi in Spanish haha. Also had another reactivation here as well! Her name is L and idk what happened but she just started coming every single Sunday. Idk exactly why she was less active. She actually served a mission and is awesome so it is good she is coming now. Also that is L (different person here)! She has been super busy and we are trying to get with her. We will see what happens. I hope she can get baptized sometime soon! But idk still. However, her other daughter is getting baptized next month! So we will see. But it is going well and Elder Park is awesome. We get along real well and he is hilarious. Really good at basketball. 

I'm excited for my packages but I'm thinking and idk how I am going to carry them haha. Also it is going to be a fun Christmas because we are having a sleepover with the other Elders. That will be interesting. It should be a good Christmas. Tonight we are actually having a big family night with the stake at the temple site. So I'll be taking pictures there and all of that. Really trying to get the gospel to everyone.  This is going to be a very good way cause it is right in the city. 

I can not believe Michael (Moon) is coming home so soon! I remember saying bye to him late at night hah. That's crazy. I'm sure the Moons are all excited about that.

 

I think we are getting together this coming Saturday but I doubt that I'll see Jake because he is so far north. Hah yeah it is going to be awesome when I see him for sure. I just can't believe he is here honestly. 

Always love good quotes. You never know whose life you are going to touch and the way you find people is funny. Just a few minutes ago as we were heading back here.  We were waiting for the bus and talking Spanish and this one girl about 25 was like who are you guys? She thought it was very interesting that we speak Spanish. She works at City Hall and is interested in us passing by. Awesome! So you never know and it has been great being able to see how people change. I just always look back at R and A and their lives now. From where they came from and now? Wow. You'd never think that could happen. But I just know this church is true and it is funny cause I have no issue now just telling someone they are wrong and just walking off because if they aren't ready to hear the gospel now then you just need to move on and search out for the elect but you do that by talking to people to find out. Well I can't wait to see everyone because it has been a while! Well I'll have pictures next week and everything so be looking forward to those and I love and miss ya mom! I'll talk to ya soon! Idk that I'll have time to email dad this week cause we were busy but tell him he can read this and that I love him too. Talk to ya soon!! 

Love, 

Elder McArthur

Well this week went alright. Had a few appointments that canceled and things but it still went ok. Yeah I thought I told you but it was great! Few dinner appointments (for Thanksgiving). One at Ronald McDonald, the church, then some members. It was real great but however I was sick so I did not eat too much. I still played football though because I could not miss that! (Of course he can't!)

Anyways but the rest of the week went pretty well. Poor R though. He just lost his job but he is getting with the stake people or bishop to find something. But he told us he can come teaching with us hah which is nice. He came with us the other day and did awesome! We are also going to be able to go to the temple next month because they just changed a rule that we can go once a month to do baptisms for the dead if it is the persons first time that we have been working with. So excited! Also went on an exchange with Elder Hopkin and that went great. It was weird being with someone who knew less Spanish than me though hah but turned out great. He is a great missionary. So yeah! 

Haha we are so excited for Christmas here because we have so much coming up. It is a great time here and also J that lives above us surprised us by putting a little tree in our place! Haha we came in last night and were like um did we leave a light on? But turns out it was the tree haha so we have pictures. That is crazy about Jessey (killing his Thanksgiving turkey)! Poor Courtney (car in the ditch) lol and That is good for Ryan (all the good things going on and getting better in Germany)I'm sure! Good to hear all of that from them. I can already tell a difference in myself as well for sure. I'm excited to skype! 

I can't believe she (Kayla) is leaving and then she will be heading out on her mission! We are getting older hah! I'll be 19 soon! And when does Michael (Moon) come home? I've been out 5 months like that is weird. My 6 month mark is coming up already! Time flies out here that is for sure. 

Scripture study is coming. I was  just read about Ammon teaching the Lamanites.  And they were scared of him because of his strength that the Lord gave him. Then I'm reading about Abraham in the bible right now. So yeah it is going well. 

Also that He is the Gift video is getting everywhere! We got special pass along cards for it and everything and we have showed it to so many people. We are having a big thing at the temple site on the 15th about that and it's going to be a big great way to share the gospel. You never know who it will touch! I just see how it blesses people.  I just know it is true and the gift of tongues is sure real. I've seen it for sure! Well I have some pictures and I'll keep ya updated! I love you mom and I'll talk to ya soon! If ya need to know anything or need something let me know! 

Love, 

Elder McArthur

Hey Mom! It is crazy that it is December now. I am coming up on my 5 month mark which is so weird! Everything is going well except this past week stunk cause I got sick again but not just me. Like I was sick on Thanksgiving and stuff but it ended up to still be ok. We had three or four dinners set up with some members and it was great. I just realized though I did not get like any pictures! I'll have to get them from some of the families. I have plenty of pictures to send though from when we went into the city this past Monday. A and R are doing super great. We had a great lesson with them again this past week and everything is going good. They are going on the temple trip this weekend actually so I am super excited for them. Also, we are getting close with some investigators hopefully to a baptism date, and we do have one finally but I think I told you about N. Everything is still going well. We will see! It was definitely weird not being with any family this Thanksgiving for sure. Like it was just a little different but still good. But everything is good and we might be having another reactivation also.

Looks like it was a great Thanksgiving from all of the pictures! Did you guys not get a picture with the Borckis? Looks like everyone was there and the also running into the Ballingtons like what are the odds. Megan also said y'all saw Ariana there too. I would love to see all of them when I get back for sure.

Goodness all of the family was there! Well just about. Idk when we have ever had everyone like that, but I hope it went well. Sure looks like it. That is a very long trip! 

I'm already pushing a 6 month mark which is like super weird. I didn't know everyone was gonna be out there hah but good to see. 

Skype is coming up so soon! That is for sure. It's weird! Jordan and Daniel better be there. Also Matt! Hopefully I don't look chubby. It's weird that I have even been able to put on weight but it's cause I'm not nearly as active as I was that's for sure. Not playing basketball all the time and football. Oh! That reminds me. We had an awesome turkey bowl in center city at this awesome field. I'll have to get some pictures. And Kara's niece was there but I did not know it was her after until I was talking to our new AP Elder Watt and he told me. I'll see her soon enough though! But the turkey bowlwas so awesome and we played with another zone. Had a pretty good one hand snag lol. It was pretty cold though. So that was super awesome like the field was so sweet. 

And that's ok (I didn't have any quotes for him this week). It's been pretty cool because I have been reading in Alma and actually found a scripture I wanted to share with Jordan and Daniel but I can't recall exactly where. I just know it talks about being grateful with all you have and stuff. Also it's funny cause I just always talk with people who know so much about the bible and I just kept thinking how I don't know enough about it. So! I'm reading both. I'm about finished with Genesis and getting closer to finishing the Book of Mormon. I love reading them. And I've learned a lot about Noah and stuff and it's super interesting about the ark and how big it was and everything. Just stuff I want to learn more about that I underline and everything. I just know it's true. Just the feeling while I'm reading it is just you know it is all true. I would love to go to General Conference! Anyways well I'm trying to make sure I don't forget anything but I don't think I did. Well I love you! Glad it was a good trip! I'll talk to ya soon again! 

Love, 

Elder McArthur

 

                                                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                                

Hey Mom!

We (he and his companion) are getting along great. He is awesome! We are getting lots of work
done for sure. The area is only getting better, and we are really
trying to work with everyone. We had a couple of exchanges with the
district leader and also with the zone leaders so that went real well.
I went to our district leaders area who is Elder Bloomfield and then
Elder Park took over hear with Elder Hopkin who is brand new! I think
one of the best lessons we had this week was with A and R the
other night, and I just had an impression to have them bare their
testimonies so we had a little testimony meeting after the lesson of
The Restoration. They are truly amazing. R is actually now the
second counselor in the young men's presidency and also blessed the
sacrament for the first time yesterday! I was so excited for him. It
was just such a great thing to see. I just think back on where he was
and how far they have come. Also I think the best and funniest thing
this week was a lesson with N. So we have been working with her
for quite some time now and lately she has been acting more and she
actually just came to church again yesterday for the second time this
month which is awesome. She loves it. So anyways we were in a lesson
and we have had this goal set for the end of the transfer to have a
"white night." We want to have people being baptized then and so I was
really feeling the spirit after and invited her and told her we know
she can make it if she does all she can. She really stepped back and
was like wow well you dropped the bomb on me today! I was like yup!
And talked and she was really getting emotional and said she wants to
but she wants to have her family support her and all be there. So she
is going to talk to them all and let us know. We already know they
will and it is funny because she has this son and man he is
interesting and is super cool. 

Anyways so he never everrrr would sit in on a prayer or lesson but the
other day he sat in and listened! I was like idk if something is
softening in the kids heart or what but who knows! We shall see. So it
was a great week. Just flies by!

I need more pictures when ya get them! Sounds like it is going to be a
very good trip. 

We are going to members houses all day and also for breakfast we are going to
the Ronald McDonald House because the lady really wants us to come so
it'll be good to hopefully get to talk to some people there. We will
definitely have to go up there when I get back! I can not believe I am
getting closer to being 5 months in. Getting close to that 6 month
mark.

Wow he (Jake, best friend from Georgia aka Elder Weisler) is wayyyy up North. Well that sucks! 

I am not sure when I willget to see him cause he is like over 3 hours away from me so that
sucks. Now Kara's niece I will definitely see because she is like 20
minutes away from me so probably soon. But I could still maybe see
Jake at Christmas conference.

Everything is keeping me pretty warm for sure! I appreciate them very
much. It is only going to be getting colder and colder here that it a
fact. It has been a little bit warmer though the past couple of days
which was nice. 

One thing I am doing is reading lots of talks and also I actually just started reading the
Bible from Gensis. I am going to be finishing the Book of Mormon
before this transfer. I am in Alma now and once I start reading I do
not want to stop. I have found though when I read it out loud or in
more of a whisper that I retain more and things stand out more. So I
do that every day. Also I write down things that really stood out and
some crazy revelation I have received. So I am enjoying that!

I am very excited to skype. I will talk in some Spanish or something
lol. J who is the member that lives above us told me how much it
has improved. I sat next to him in church yesterday, and he said he was
not singing because he was listening to me and said it is great which
really made me feel good. It is funny though cause he does not really
speak like any English. He is about 26 or so. He was just reactivated
too but I think I told you that. He said it was funny cause he
remembers when I first came in the first day and met him and how I
spoke like nothing. But now I can carry a conversation with him. The
Gift of Tongues is real, and the Lord will bless you but only if you
put forth your effort. Just let me know when it is all set up and it
is getting closer and closer! Well I love you mom and tell everyone
hey there and that I love them and miss them! Be sure to take pictures
and send them! Talk to ya soon!

Love,
Elder McArthur

Well my first week through taking over the area! Man it has been pretty stressful, but I am getting into the swing of things. I do honestly miss Elder Newbold. He is a super good missionary and just knows what he is doing, but my new companion's name is Elder Park. He is a big tall guy too and played basketball out at BYU Hawaii for a year before. He is from Mesa, Arizona. He just finished being a zone leader and now is with me. Lots of changes were made. We now have three sets of missionaries in our ward and so we split the area a little. I was a little scared about losing some investigators to them, but it turned out fine. He is a chill guy and a hard worker also though. I'm excited to see how it goes! 

 

I did not see Jake (his best friend from Georgia who just got to the mission) however so I was pretty bummed but hopefully soon! At least he is here now. 

 

Also, A and R just got confirmed, and I was talking to them afterwards about how they felt. She said she was a little scared, and they both felt just a very warm feeling in there shoulders and everything. It was powerful. I told them it was the Holy Ghost for sure just maybe letting them know it was there. 

 

I forgot to send the pictures for that 5k cause there are plenty. We went into the Phillies stadium and everything. It was super cool. 

 

All of our other investigators are doing great. We have one guy H who is the husband of a member who should definitely be getting baptized soon. All their family is mormon, and he just got back from his trip from being in El Salvador, and while he was there he went to see the temple, went to church and read a lot of the Book of Mormon. He is totally ready! So we will see.

It is definitely colder. It snowed the other night and is supposed to later today I believe. Also, we had freezing rain last night so that was so fun. I can't believe y'all got snow there already! Well looks like it is going to be a cold winter. You should see the leaves here! All the colors are gorgeous.

I loved it(package I sent)! I eat it too quick lol I mean I haven't eaten it all but the hi chews and stuff. Um just anything you see that might be real good. I did like the sour patch a lot and stuff so yeah. Also all the clothes are great and I think those socks work pretty well actually. You can always just send some thermals as well. That might just be easier. 

Some of the couples that work here in the mission made us a Thanksgiving lunch for our new zone and it was soooooooo good. Turkey and all. 

I remember watching that same talk (from Elder Holland that Ryan talked about in his e-mail last week). He is so powerful, and I love hearing all of them speak that is for sure. I am excited for the temple here! It is going to be an awesome experience for sure. Hopefully I will be here but not positive! 

Sounds like you might be hitting some snow up there for sure! But it'll probably be alright. Better bundle up though! 

Well I am sure it is nice to have a little relief and just relax a little bit (since being released as YW president). I definitely understand the stress now! There is soooooo much that goes into missionary work that is for sure, but it just teaches you. I heard there was one missionary that President Andersen told us about the other day in our district meeting. He said that this missionary would pray and pray everyday saying, "I don't want to plan, I don't want to go out, I don't want to study, or anything. Lord please help me." Everyday he would pray but ended up being one of the best missionaries. I thought that was interesting. 

Well I think and hope I am doing an ok job now! Seems like it. I'm excited for the holidays and to skype! But for now everything is going great. I guess some big testimonies I would say recently to me is thinking about Joseph Smith how he wouldn't deny what he saw no matter what and I was just reading about Abinidah and how he would not deny what he knew no matter what King Noah was going to do. I mean he ended up being burned and everything. It's just they can't deny it cause it's true. Well I'm doing good and I love you so much mom!

Love, 

Elder McArthur

 

                                             Subway with Elder Villaba and Elder Tyler

                                          Elder Taylor heading home.  Elder Story photobombing.

                                             Elder Mower headed home too. 

Hey Mom! 

So wow this week was crazy and went really well. Everything went great with the wedding and baptism! We are printing out the picture for them so they can always remember it. It was such a great experience and it was very spiritual. You'll see pictures! Also Elder Newbold is getting transferred so I am taking over the area. I am a bit scared! But I think it will help me a lot and help me become more of a leader. We will not know who are companions are going to be until Tuesday. I can not believe all that is going on and that I have been out 4 months! Also Jake has a very big chance of coming here because of all the Elders that are leaving. So I'll tell you about this week! 

So we had lots of great lessons but some of the biggest things is we did this 5k walk starting at the Phillies stadium. It was a great opportunity for all of us to talk to people and be seen. We talked about it and who knows what kind of impact we had.  Right after that we went to the temple site with L and the L family. It went awesome! The spirit was definitely there. She is doing great and we are trying to get her other daughter to be baptized soon as well. We had another exchange and I stayed in our area again. It went awesome cause one of our investigators is the husband of a member and he just returned after being gone for forever in El Salvador. He was down there with family who is also members and went to church with them and even to the temple! So we taught him and it was super awesome. He ended up coming to church with his wife and staying the whole time AND also for the whole baptism! He could definitely be next to be baptized. So we will see! His name is H. Super awesome guy. He is like 60 something. Anyways. So all of our investigators are doing real good and we also had 2 more reactivation said of less actives. The work is coming and I hope I can keep it going! The wedding went perfect and they were so happy. After the baptism they posted stuff all on facebook about how happy they are to be a part of his church and they want to be sealed next year and said they will invite us for sure. So that was the week! I will also get my package tomorrow. I'm so excited to get it! 

 

I love the holidays and I hear it's so fun out here! But all the food. I weigh about 180!! Like what?! I need to start working out a little bit harder and not get fat lol. 

 

Also I love the book of Jacob. I am trying to finish the whole Book of Mormon by the end of the next transfer. That does make me think a little bit of us as missionaries. It has gotten a lot better honestly. Time is flying! I mean it is still only 4 months but that is a decent amount of time! 

 

Definitely go out with them (me going out with our sister missionaries) cause we love having the members come with us. That's a great opportunity to see what it is like also. That 3rd testimony is always better. 

 

Idk where I am going to go yet for the holidays! So we will see.

 

I appreciate the support of everyone and it is good to hear what others have to say about their mission and everything. It is not easy! But this is preparing me I know. Brother A who we just ate breakfast with this morning said this is crucial for the rest of our lives. Obviously there are tough days but after baptizing R and A something has just changed. They are going to be some of the best members and I just think it is so cool they want their kids to serve missions and everything. You have to meet them.
 

Also just send me some deserts you think would still be in one piece! So I'll take whatever honestly! I'm super excited that is for sure. It is going to be weird not being with everyone for the holidays but it'll be fun! Well I love you mom very much and thank you for everything! The church is true! 

Love, Elder McArthur

Hey Mom! 

So A and R passed their interviews and are ready to go! We have their wedding next Saturday and then the baptism on Sunday. I have never seen them so happy after coming out of that interview. We had a lesson Saturday to go over the questions and everything and then ate dinner with them. We talked to R for a long time and he really opened up. They are going to be such great members. He wishes he could serve a mission, but he wants a calling cause he wants to serve. He said he really hopes he brings his kids up to be able to all serve missions and have a much better life than he had. It was funny cause we were talking about the baptism and decisions they have to make on who they want to talk and all of that. He pointed right at me and said, "I want you to do it." I was just super happy I get to participate in being able to do that and then Elder N is baptizing A. So be ready for those pictures next week! I have plenty for you today. We could not be any happier for them. So that is their update! Also we are going to the temple site with the L family and L this coming Saturday which should be great. We ended up having a super good lesson with her this past Monday. We ate and then had a lesson with the guy J that lives above us. He is a member but was less active cause he was going through difficult things like with his dad dying and stuff, but he is coming back now, and it was crazy cause he does not get emotional but he definitely did with talking about his dad cause it happened when I first got here. So he is doing great. A is doing awesome of course! Just trying to find him a job so that he can go on his mission and move afterwards. He comes with us basically every day and also the other elders. He can go with both Spanish and English since he is fluent in both. So he is great. We also had some crazy surprises of people coming to church! N who we have been trying to get foreverrrrr finally came and loved it and will be back next Sunday she said lol. She is hilarious. She is from Puerto Rico and as well has great English. Spanglish is so real! It is its own language lol. Also A and M. We have been working with them for forever, and they actually have a nephew serving a mission, but A ended up coming and brought family! M was sick I believe, but it was so great to see them. So that is what is going on there. We have had a great week with people attending things. So that is mostly the main things on our people! 

We had an awesome Halloween Party at the church. I got some great pictures of that of course. It was good to be able to spend it with them. Who knows what I will be doing for Thanksgiving, but I know I'll be getting fed a tonnn. I can not believe how soon Christmas is! I am very excited for that. Oh speaking of food though so I know I have gained weight. I went to put my jeans on the other day and talk about filling them out lol. We just get fed all the time! Anyways it is also getting pretty darn cold here now that it is this time of the year. We should probably get snow sometime this month I am sure. 

I cannot believe Jake will be coming in so soon. I have a good chance of being in the same zone as him that is for sure, but we will have to see. It is just crazy he is coming out here in the same mission. 

I am sure Sam gave a great lesson. I wish I could have seen him before I left, but hey it will be soon enough that I'm back. It is weird I am going to be hitting my 4 month mark soon. Does not feel like it. Soon enough it'll be at 6 ha but anyways. I feel like I am learning a lot and the Spanish is coming pretty well. Little by little it is getting more fluent and my grammar has improved. It was funny cause I was looking at some of my stuff from the MTC and wow ha I see I have learned something. I just see a lot of the older Spanish missionaries and I think will my Spanish ever get to that point. But I am around it all the time and so hopefully so! But it helps me a lot cause I mean I just learn a lot of my own and by listening to how people say phrases and words helps a ton.

Also it would be nice to have a beanie soon or a scarf because it gets super windy and my hood is not the greatest for that hah. Jordan told me he would get me some tanks and flip flops.  I hear last year the wind chill got down to -20 here and they said if you had open skin and stayed out for 5 minutes then you would get frost bite. That was a nice.  Everyone had to stay in. So who knows! But yes I did get my sweaters and I love them so thank you very much!

I have plenty of pictures for today so do not worry about that. We just took lots of pictures and messed around really. ha! It was fun as always. It is so cool to see all the history here. It is a very busy city though that is for sure. Jake will love it. Also I can't believe Samuel is about to go in! He will enjoy it down there I am sure.  It'll be awesome to share all the stories we will have from here in our missions when all of us get back speaking different languages and stuff. It is funny how similar Portuguese is to Spanish. We actually have a couple who is from there and speaks it that is in our ward. So I could probably talk with Luke, but the accent is way different.

 

Temples are the best, and I wish I could go. I am just so excited to see next year when A and R get sealed with their family. That is what they want so badly. So who knows if I will get to go through with them then. I have just had more of this sense of a lot of peace recently and excitement. The spirit has really worked on R because the funny thing is is that he said the first time we came was just to please A, but as he kept coming he said he just felt something telling him this is right and what you need to do. We have been helping this ward grow. Lots of less actives are now coming back and now we have the baptism. Just seeing the work hastening. I love it! I just know that the lord can work miracles, and we just can not give up. I try to push hard every day, and I know I will be blessed as I do so. I love you so much mom! And I'll talk to you soon.

Love, 

Elder McArthur 

Hey Mom! 

 

Now we have a baptismal date for A and R! Two Sunday's from now! We are going to their wedding and everything, and I'm so excited and just the happiness that I get from it. There is something about that that got me real motivated. I can not wait! We also have L slowly getting closer. We are going over tonight, and she is fixing us a very big meal and everything. So excited. Lots of little miracles have happened. Also A is working now to save up so he can go and move.  I reallllllly hope he can. He has such a desire and he is so knowledgeable about the gospel. He reads and prays all the time. Also comes teaching with us a lot. Also lots of less actives are coming back. J is now saying he is coming back along with his whole family who has been less active but now we have been working with all of them and we see the ward growing. It was crazy last night cause my Spanish is really improving I feel like. I was able to just talk for a few minutes on eternal families and I mentioned nanny and pawpaw. Just feel 1000 times better! 

 

My 4 month mark is coming up on the ninth which is super weird. That is what has been happening! 

Courtney would do that though! (Telling her parents that she and her companion were going to have to be Spanish speaking missionaries.) That would be so hard if someone had to and I know people have but wow you literally have to learn everything in the field. Idk what I would do! 

I'm super excited that Jake is coming here. He could easily get out here in Philly with me cause lots of people are ending their missions or should be getting transferred. So that would be like crazy. I just can not believe he got called here. We will see! 

I am so excited for the Holidays also, but Halloween being this week we have to be in early, at about 6 I believe. 

 

We are going down to center city today again so that should be fun and I'll have more pictures to send later and I made sure all my batteries were charged so I could take pictures! Well I love you very much mom.  So I'm so excited and be ready for baptism pictures from A and R!! 

 

I love you so much and Dad!! I will talk to you very soon! I just know that God is there helping me! 

Love, 

Elder McArthur

Hey Momma! 

Wow 100 days ha that's actually really weird how fast that goes. Doesn't feel like it! Everything is going well here. Slowly working with all of our investigators and it's just frustrating sometimes when it takes so long or you feel like someone is totally going to accept it and they do not. However, A and R should be setting a date super soon! I'm so excited. They are like the best family ever. 

 

As well we are going to the temple soon with L who has been our investigator for a while. I've talked about her. We just have to wait till the L family gets back. I hope she will get a date very soon as well. Also just preparing lots of reactivated members to go to the temple. We have a lesson with one today. Her name is MV. Such an awesome lady. Well actually she is a recent convert but anyways. Lots of people have been coming to church and we see our ward growing. I know I have since I have been here. As well our less active A has totalllllly turned his life back around. He had been going through lots of struggles and didn't want to come to church or anything. So we continued to meet with him and then last Saturday night he was like, " so, I got a scheme about coming to church tomorrow." So we were like well all right let's see. He ended up coming, meeting with the bishop and now we see him every day for 3 weeks. The other day he came out with us. He is reading his scriptures a ton and praying all the time. He has such a strong testimony and is opening up so much more. He came yesterday to church clean shaven and in a white shirt and tie. The whole deal. I was like dude this is a first. I haven't a ever seen you clean shaven lol. And also he changed all his music as well as downloaded just about everything on gospel library. It's crazy to see the change in him of how he was when I first got here and how we have helped him now. I am actually sharing our lesson with him today about a change of heart. Other then those we are just trying to get more people progressing but we are getting closer and closer I feel. Super busy week again as well because we had about 22 lessons. 

 

Oh! Also I had two exchanges again this week and one I actually stayed here. It was scary cause I had to make sure I knew where we were going the whole time and when we needed to do certain things. Also ended up getting caught in the rain. Oh gosh and directing someone in Spanish is the hardest thing ever! Wow. But it ended up going well and we taught like 5 lessons that day. I stayed in my area with Elder Villaba, and the other transfer was with the zone leaders so I went with Elder Stubbs to his area. That kid is a true genius. So we had zone conference recently and President had a question on math and asked, "Who is the smartest guy here?" Everyone pointed and said Elder Stubbs lol. He went to BYU a year before actually. So it went well! 

 

Also, that is awesome that you were able to go out with them. We always need help sometimes to teach and the members are a huge help. That's good as well that she kept her commitment. That's when you know they are willing to actually do something. Getting them to church is one of the best things you can do. 

 

Here I've just noticed that all people do is work and nothing else like at all. Like lots of the lives of people here is just idk. They know nothing but here and go nowhere. Like A told us he wants to get out and try to move to Utah or somewhere so he can have a better opportunity and be around more people of the church.

 

I saw his (Jake Weisler) picture the other day at zone conference! I was like wow that's insane. He is going to love it. I can not believe that he will be going in so soon. 

Also, if the peanut balls are melted then I can just put them in the fridge or whatever when they get here. Oh I really like Baby Ruth's, also the watermelon sour patches are real good. Stuff like that.

I am super excited about Skype also! That'll be interesting. I'll have to talk in some Spanish to y'all. I'm trying to work on my accent still lol.

The members here always bring us food or want to feed us. Alllll the time lol it's crazy. Always rice and beans but super good. I love it! 

Again thank you for all of that and everything mom! I love you so much and love being out here! It's just crazy to see the gospel completely change a person for the better and bless them. Miracles happen. Also I believe I have some pictures so I'll get those out today! Love you so much and talk to ya soon!! 

Love, 

Elder McArthur

Hey Mom!

So her papers went through! (This is the couple he has been working with since he's been there.) Things are going very well for them right now. Lots have changed just in the way both of them are and they are so close as a family. We went and saw them with the bishop, and he was like all right let's do the marriage now! Haha it was so funny. They are thinking do it on a Saturday and then that Sunday they will be baptized. 

 

Also, just got this new lady who is related to someone in the Ward who we set a baptismal date for. She accepted, and it was funny cause she said she wasn't going to come to church and ended up coming. Also bringing her husband which was like super surprising cause he had never been before. So we will see what happens there. 

 

Other than that nothing real new. We had like 20 lessons this week which was crazy. Most we have had yet. 

 

And wow so one of our less actives Angel is totally changing again. He got baptized about 5 years ago and was going strong then fell off. But just yesterday he had an interview with the bishop and we are going to be seeing him every day for about 3 weeks. He's really wanting to change. 

 

Also, the guy that lives above us who is inactive showed up out of nowhere, and we talked to him that night about it. He said he just felt good again especially being there. 

 

We had about 5 investigators at church. Also, we are going to the temple sight soon with Linka who is one and also with the Lopez family. We fasted for her this Sunday and broke it with them. Found out he served with my morning teacher from the MTC actually so that was cool. It was a pretty good week I'd say. 

 

As well it is starting to get colder here and the leaves are all changing so it's beautiful. I actually just bought a coat today that's real good. Double layer and everything. I'll need scarfs and all that cause it gets wayyyy cold here, and the humidity makes it worse. 

 

Yea! I've heard all about that (Ebola being here) cause people know I'm from there obviously, and they said to tell y'all to be careful and everything. Like that's crazy. 

 

I'm thinking I'll get to go to the temple with Awilda and Roy or maybe a less active sooner actually. We are working on getting less actives and active members to the temple to at least do baptisms for the dead and work towards being endowed. It's interesting the experiences that people have in temples though like things they feel and all. 

 

Time out here flies by honestly. I've been out over three months now.

. 

Yeah I can't wait for Christmas! I already can tell my Spanish is becoming more fluent. I just know that it takes time. Just have to be patient and it's hard sometimes cause understanding can be tough. Just gotta pray and have faith and it'll come I know. Was so great to listen to conference and all the talks. Just a big boost! Loved it!

Crazy that's everyone is all gone and on missions. So awesome! Can't wait to tell stories. I'll have more pictures next week! I love you so much!

Love, 

Elder McArthur

Hey Mom! 

That's actually really funny actually that you had that prompting because it was definitely a rough week. I had strep throat this week actually. Had to go to the doctor and all and it's been a slow week cause I've been sick pretty much. So Raul our Ward mission leader and Elder Villalba and Elder Bair came and gave me a blessing and brought food. So not fun! So that's why I went to Walgreens was to get the medicine. 

 

Yeah wow conference was super super awesome. I don't think I've ever been so excited actually. Thank goodness we did get to watch it in English and we went up to the church cause they had it all set up there. Although Sunday we did watch the morning session in Spanish and also those who spoke Spanish for their talks. But I understood. It's interesting being able to just know what they are saying and how your brain can make the switch of just knowing the word instead of trying to translate the whole thing in English always. Elder Bednar is always awesome. Lots of powerful messages. I really enjoyed President Uchtdorf's talk where he quoted saying, "Is it I Lord?" All great talks though and took some good notes as well. We also did have investigators watch it. We had about 6 I believe so that was super great. 

 

Also been finding some really great investigators recently which has been nice. Also, I am so excited for Awilda and Roy. So we had a great lesson with them the other day.  They want to go and be sealed in the temple a year and will just have all of that then and have a party then. That's what he told us and they have been seeing blessings with better job opportunities and everything in their lives. So I would get to go with them next year which would be so awesome. They have come a long way that's for sure. And they both want their kids to grow up in this gospel. They are all young. No older than 6. 

 

Then we have this one referral who we are seeing tonight from Sister G. in our ward who has been so prepared. We talked to him last week and just hearing his story about him and his family he is way prepared. Very excited. It's funny I could see Sister G. and Aunt Anna getting along very well for some reason. Every time I see her that's who I think about. 

 

I am sooo excited to see Jake! As long as he takes care of himself! That's crazy that he got called here like wow. 

 

And Christmas is so soon. The weeks fly here honestly. 

 

As for winter stuff if maybe you could even take Jordan with you to get me some scarves and maybe a couple more sweaters. I actually might use this brand new mister Mac jacket that is here in our apartment. Very nice and specifically for missionaries. As well I might need gloves and I'll have to get my boots. I'll get those here still. Also I need a beanie! Ha maybe I'll just find that here as well. Cause it's supposed to be bad weather. I'm already wearing my sweaters now actually. And I wouldn't mind another pair of casual pants because of yeah they fade for sure no matter what but it's fine. Everything is holding up great. Especially the shoes. I'm still thinking of maybe stuff I want or need so I'll write them down and let you know as well! 

 

Dang it! Alabama better make it to the playoffs. They can't lose then. He (Elder Milligan, the LSU fan) probably won't let me live it down. lol. You'll definitely have to meet him after. He's so funny and it's funny cause I haven't heard a yes ma'am or no ma'am in so long until he said it the other day. So funny. Cause we actually had tons of food in between sessions from our ward and they were feeding him and he would say it. 

 

Hard to believe Christmas is so soon honestly! I hear Christmas here is an awesome time but very very cold always. This winter is supposed to be so bad haha like it feels like negatives a lot. So we will see! 

 

It's crazy it has been about 3 months! After this transfer my training is over and anything can happen. That's so weird. I can't remember if I told you Elder Mask was getting transferred. Kinda bummed cause he was awesome but he did stay the night here as well as two others that got transferred as well. But now he is training! He was excited. I could have to train down the road of course which is so weird ha like idk if I could handle that. I see how hard it is but who knows. 

 

Oh well, as for Center City! So awesome. Saw everything. Liberty bell, Rocky steps, all of it. We actually raced up lol. We went with our zone leaders. They are so funny. It's Elder Stubbs and Elder Lundberg. So we did that and ate at this awesomeeee place. Idk why I can't think of the name but food galore. Every place. Adam from Man vs. Food went there, and I actually got exactly what he did. I can't remember what is it caledl but I took a picture and wow it was amazing. As we ate we actually talked to this couple from Australia. Tried to talk about the church but they wanted nothing at all to do with us. I even told them to check out the temple site but they said they wouldn't be doing that. Anyways still talked to them though just getting to know them a bit and a little about Australia. It was so funny. 

 

So it was a good time for sure. I'll be able to go again that's for sure. But anyways yeah I enjoyed all the talks.  It's true that they are called of God. They are some of just the greatest people and hearing their powerful words is just a huge boost. Can't wait for it in another six months from now. Who knows where I'll be then! Ha well I love you mom so much and I'll keep ya updated and send pictures a little later! Love you!! Christmas will be so exciting and Jordan and Daniel better be there! 

Love, 

Elder McArthur

                               He and Elder Newbold in downtown Philly seeing the sites!!

                                                      The Liberty Bell!

                                                         Food place!

                                               Elder Stubbs, one of his zone leaders.

                                                     Something yummy he was eating!

                                                            He just liked the view!

                                                            Independence Hall!

                                              The Philadelphia temple under construction!

                                  At the top of the "Rocky Steps" after they had raced up.

                                                      The library at the top of the steps!

Hey mom! 

Idk where the time goes. So like when Kristyn emails me she just numbers them and I was like wow has it really almost been three months? Crazy!

 

It's been going well. It has been really good cause recently we have been having some good success for sure. We had 4 investigators at church which is pretty great. I am just super excited for whenever Awilda and Roy can get baptized. We had a lesson on temples which they loved a lot. We finally got Roy coming to church and he said he will be there every week. They have come two weeks in a row together now with all three of their kids. It's awesome.

 

Also, we almost and most likely will have another reactivation if not 2 more. Things have been great for sure. 

 

Lol it was so funny so this lady Noemi that we are teaching who I feel will get baptized for sure I guess loves how I speak my Spanish haha with the accent I have. But I thought that was a good thing because then I know I have an ok accent! 

 

Hope you enjoyed those pictures from the party and everything. So much fun. 

 

Oh so we have these two investigators that are related and so we have been trying to get them to church. So yesterday they were like alright you guys come to our church and right after we will go to yours. So we did!  It was nice and all but I just didn't feel right. Then after when we went to our church like wow such a huge spiritual difference for sure.

 

He (his companion) is an awesome guy honestly.  He is from South Jordan, Utah. Six siblings and has a little brother who is getting ready to serve a mission. He is pretty tall and is pretty good at basketball cause he played, but he is a little bit more into music and has a real good voice. So singing in the morning is alright haha cause he can and is trying to teach me. So that's interesting! 

 

Oh so in the other church we met the minister and talked to him for a second.  That was interesting. He was like so Mormons huh? He was like oh you guys are building a temple outside of my office.So funny but nice guy really. 

 

Jordan emailed me as well saying I should have to pay him to even be talking to him right now. (Gotta love the big brother giving little brother a hard time.)  

 

Also, I am super excited for conference! We have some investigators coming I believe as well which will be great for them especially. Just love hearing what they all have to say for us. 

 

I cannot believe Michael is coming home so soon and then has to go to school. I remember when he came and said goodbye to all of us like wow and I've been out about 3 months already. 

 

Yeah Christmas is coming up so soon and it'll be crazy to get to see y'all and talk! 

 

So how are the sisters in our Ward? I'm sure great. It's funny seeing all that they have to do now and allllll that they have to plan out (now that he's a missionary too). It is crazy. But rewarding and has helped me learn a lot. Kind of sad to see these two missionaries leaving that I got close to in our zone. Like going home leaving ha oh and Elder Mask got transferred! So bummed about that. He was like literally the only one! So that's a bummer. 

 

I fasted yesterday as well for all of that. Gosh fasted for about 26 hours actually cause we had to see someone ha but was not starving. Seen a lot of things in the power of fasting and in praying with others. 

 

We have been teaching about temples a lot lately and it is really making me want to go so I hope sometime soon! 

 

I'll have plenty of pictures! We are going with our zone leaders today to central city. 

 

We are staying busy. Been a slower week but it'll pick up. I love this work and the Lord. Love you so much mom and thank you for all that you do for me!! I love you!!!!

Love, 

Elder McArthur

Hey Mom! 

Oh my it was a great week this week actually. So let's see. We did have two people drop us this week actually for reasons are completely unknown especially this one Junior. Like we went over yesterday and he was home but didn't answer and then texted saying he could not receive visits from us anymore soooo idk. But! We do have an investigator progressing with a date! Super excited about that. Her name is Linka and she is the wife of Plinio who is in our Ward. He goes out with us a lot and is soooo funny. Kind of older guy. 

Also yeah wow I have plenty of pictures to send of the multi cultural night. I feel like I gained a good ten pounds cause there was sooooooo much and they just kept feeding me and feeding me non stop. Some interesting drinks that were amazing and wow and also we had lots of investigators and less actives come out so it was a great experience for all of them. So that went great. 

Then! I went on splits and taught this guy Jorge. He works with the bishop and his wife is a member. We are working hard on him. He always comes to church and everything but he just needs more time he says. He speaks Spanish and when I showed up he was surprised I was alone but I did it all in Spanish. It's really coming along well like more fluent I can tell already. But takes time takes time. 

Then we had a Golden retraining for all of us new ones so I saw Elder Hillstead and Elder Minnich again which was great! Such great training by President, his wife and the Assistants. And they fed us like the best pizza in the world. Also, the AP's drove us back, and we got to drive right through central city so it was awesome seeing places of when we go where we want to go. That was super cool and interesting lol. There names are Elder Toilolo who is older. He played on a full ride to the university of Hawaii for football. He is about 6'5" and weighs about 260. Then Elder Terry who is a little shorter but a big guy as well. Great great missionaries. 

Anyways so we had to run from there to get to three lessons. Ended up have about 5 investigators at church but also less actives who have been coming. So happy to see Roy! That is Awilda's husband who finally came and stayed the whole time. He loved it. 

Our ward is only growing in size. It is a decent size right now but adding more slowly. And two sets of missionaries. Us and them the trio with Elder Mask in that. Great week. 

Also, I did get my package and thank you soooo much! Love all of it that's for sure. And Lizzy and Megan did great with there stuff. I love getting pictures always! And yeah it does kind of stink that we have to wait honestly cause I would rather just have it right here but I don't want it to get stolen. 

Also, our Ward is from all over. Uruguay like the bishop or Dominican, Puerto Rican, Colombian.  No no we are definitely good on transfers for another 6 weeks if not 12. 

Lately we have seen him (mission president) often with all of this stuff which has been great. He is an awesome guy. Funny guy too. 

Just had some allergies really. Yeah my stomach is much better here than it was there actually hah because idk. The food is different though like that is one thing is all of them have their own different types of food. 

Yeah we just randomly got invited last night actually to a members house and it's funny cause the guy reminds me of JJ lot. Like the way he looks and everything it's so funny. We do occasionally cook for ourselves yes, but the members constantly give us food. I have already filled out I think a little bit. But anyways.

Haha Ryan is going to be awesome and good thing he got a tall companion. That's super awesome. I'm excited to see how he will do. 

So looking forward to general conference. I'm sure it'll be great like always. Can't wait to hear from them but I believe it will be in Spanish but oh well. 

Elder Lundberg who is one of our zone leaders did mine (cut his hair) when I went on an exchange with him. He did a great job actually too so that was nice. 

Well things are going pretty well here and just ready for it to get all cooled down though! It has a little but not where I would like yet. Like I say I love being out here. It has been rough and gone through a bit but I push through and always start a new day. Super excited for Jake! I know I will see him for sure, and I can not wait! I'll just start speaking Spanish to him haha. Yo se que este iglesia es verdadero( I know this church is true) y también que josé Smith fue un profeta de dios( and that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God.) I am excited to hear from President Monson so soon. No where else I would want to be right now. I love y'all and I love you mom! Talk to you soon! 

Oh! Also pictures will come today as well. 

Love, Elder McArthur

                                          Multicultural night

                            This is a counselor in their bishopric and his wife.  Adam loves them!

                                              He's a happy boy.  Finally got his package!!

Hey mom!

Yea, it honestly is going so fast. Every week just goes and goes but it is just because we are busy all day every day.  Things are going pretty good just struggling getting people to church. But! We have a couple people who we should be able to give a date to soon which will be awesome. And since we have been getting a lot I think we only got about two new investigators this week. We actually just reactivated a lady this week. Her name is Blanca. We are trying now to get her focused on going to the temple and so we got her an interview set up and everything because she wants to.

 

I am doing well just trying to learn from Elder Newbold. He helps a lot and just corrects me, and I'm trying to get it down quick so he will speak it to me a lot of times, and I know Jon who is the member above us recognizes I have picked up a lot cause he doesn't speak a lot of English.  

 

The general authority was so great. He was also an Elder Anderson hah and so he and his wife shared some remarks as well as President and Sister Anderson. Really great and smart guy. He talked about a little about don't think they are perfect cause he was like I always thought general authorities were perfect until they called me as one lol. 

 

 We try our best to do all we can out here that is for sure. But yea the weather is cooling down now and feeling soooo much better cause it had been really hot!  Today some missionaries are coming down to play basketball that we don't see often. 

 

Oh! I got to see Elder Hillstead during the mission tour! I didn't even know I would so that was awesome. They are in a much more open country side area with about 2,000 people there.  

 

It's weird taking subways also like I just don't like public transportation. Idk why it just is not for me. But oh well. Who knows where I'll end up next. I would actually love to be in a place like Elder Hillstead in jersey.  

 

Yea, I have pictures that I got on my desk cause Kayla also sent one which was nice. She said she will start sending me stuff now that I am in Philly lol. 

 

It's hard to believe it has been so long since nanny has been gone but I know they are here watching over me. (We were spending the last week with my mom this week 11 years ago.)

 

We have been able to have a great week this week and meet some potential investigators. Nothing real big happened this week although we did invite two people to baptism, and one lady whose name is Ramona did except, but we have no date for her. She has been very sick, but she seems to love this gospel although her husband is as hard headed and stubborn as they get. He doesn't want anything to do with the lessons although he has to sit in on them because we have to have a man with us. But oh well maybe something SOMETHING can get through to him cause he needs it. I mean he is a nice guy I guess but idk. 

 

Also just really excited for Awilda because everything is coming up soon for them so she can get baptized and hopefully Roy as well. We called them the other day, and they said they had been praying every night as a family which has been tough for them, but they really have been doing it all the time which was awesome. Just trying to help everyone grow! 

 

 

Oh also it was Elder Mask's birthday this past week and so his mom ordered us, a tonnnn of people, Philly cheesesteaks, and stuff like that. Well actually I guess it was this lady that works for his dad cause she called giving him a message from them since they couldn't talk to him. It was great. 

 

Just having good times and sharing the gospel. I'll continue to keep everyone in my prayers for sure, and it's been so great being out here except an hour for personal is not enough time at all in the mornings to do and read all I want but oh well I try to fit it all in! It's funny I just have liked reading everything and continue to read a lot and watching videos and stuff so it's going real great. 

 

Lol also hearing about Blake cause I am in his email and he is out on the USU campus and everything. He said he actually saw one of his friends so it sounds like he is doing well also. Well I hope everything is going well there and I'll keep everyone is my prayers! Love you mom!

Love, Elder McArthur

 

                      Reunited with Elder Hillstead with photo bomb by Elder Minnich!!

Elder Milligan was having nothing to do with that Alabama flag.  He is an LSU fan!!  He says he loves Elder McArthur but not that flag!!

Love you too mom! That is awesome to hear about just all the missionary work and how it blesses people and how awesome it is. This has been the quickest two months ever and it is weird that I have already been out for that long. Still just so much to learn and it is funny how being out here has changed me and how every morning I want to read and learn and gain more knowledge so that I can better teach the gospel and better help my investigators and less actives. I am just gaining a stronger testimony and I am getting really excited for general conference coming up soon and being able to here from President Monson and all his apostles and everyone else. Just seeing the change in some of these peoples lives but also how hard headed the world can be as well.

So I went on two back to back exchanges this week and one was with one of the zone leaders and the other with Elder Bair and Elder Villaba. We had a few very interesting experiences so with Bair and Villaba we went and taught these kids and their family that should be getting baptized next month. Afterwards we waited for Raul who is our ward mission leader to pick us up and go to dinner. In that time there were people out and then some other guys came and walked up to us with a huge thing of 20s and was like "yo y'all the guys to get the bags and dope from?" And we were so confused and kind of scared and them we told him what we were doing and he was just like wooooow. He said he gives us props for what we are doing cause someone died right where you three are standing and I'm not trying to scare you mom! This is just what happened and so we got to talking about why we were out and the other guy with him was Muslim so he questioned us and stuff like that but not too bad and then the other guy was like alright you got 5 minutes to convert me andddd go. So we all kind of shared some of the restoration to him and bore our testimonies and after he was like ok now I will tell you how you did. He basically said how bad we sucked and all that. Finally that was when Raul showed up and thank goodness cause I was starting to feel kind of like crap like what happened? So we got in the car and I was just kind of sitting there like dang just feeling down and Elder Villaba started talking to me and said don't even worry about it. You did exactly what you should have done. I just kind of thought about it and it was rough because that was my first encounter with something like that. He was just some drug dealer who just was trying to make us feel crappy so oh well. Anyways good stuff now!

So we had a lesson last night with Awhilda and Roy who are getting so close! Her papers will be done in two weeks and she said right after they are married as well that she is getting baptized and that there is no backing out. It is funny because they put a scripture from 2 Nephi outside there door. So she is great and finally we found out what is going on with Roy. Last night was such an inspired lesson. We took the Lopez family with us and they are soo great and funny. Just a young couple with no kids yet who have both served missions and he is our 1st counselor I believe. So we got to the end and he hadn't said a whole lot and she asked something about what we read and also why he hasn't come to church and everything and he ended up opening up so much and basically said he is afraid. Because he is feeling it will be such a change but a good change for his family especially for his 3 little kids who love us and so she shared a great story about her conversion and it went so well. So we are focusing hard on him and Awhilda is helping the best she can as well so look forward to seeing pictures of their baptism. That was probably the best thing this week for sure.

Also about Carmen who is the one you asked about. She is going through a little rough time with some sickness and she thinks that maybe she has cancer but we are seeing her soon and other than that which did get her down cause she called us the other day crying but she said she is still doing well and wants to see us soon.

Lots of good lessons and we have been doing better. We got 18 this week. Slowly and slowly learning more Spanish and understanding more.  Like we saw a lady the other day who I haven't seen since the work week and she could tell I have picked up a lot for sure. Just pray every day and I never realized how important it is. So many great things and we had 4 more new investigators this week. Only 3 investigators at churcthe.   I don't know why but everyone just had something come up so we are trying to get them there as best we can. Also we almost have one reactivation which is great.

Yea, we get fed very well as you can see cause all of that was just for us.

I'll get my package this week because we have the mission tour this week where a general authority comes out and go all around so I'll get it Friday!

Haven't got Kayla's yet but hopefully soon and yes I got yours thank you! Yea I like getting those (letters) for sure.

And shoes are holding up just fine. Everyone has Ecco's like all of them ha and they do really well. Also, I could possibly not even use a bike the whole time I am here because there are not very many areas that use them. It's mostly cars or for city walking, subway and busses.

Also it's funny to just think about how time is passing at home for like you or the girls, Kristyn and my friends because here it flies by. I know that everyone misses someone when they are gone that long and I miss y'all but it's funny how I have realized how short it really is and how next thing you know I'll be home and it's like I had never left. I mean two months have passed and I'm going into the third. As long as I get to write and hear from y'all once a week I can live with that.

I've had my rough days cause Elder Newbold can be a little tougher because he gets pretty stressed but he is working with it and I am trying to help him with it. But he is a great trainer that's for sure and I am still loving it. Also, he is the example of a hard hard worker for sure. I know there is a reason I was put with him and I think it is to benefit me and make me work hard and study more because I know that is something I needed and I am gaining and something I need to hasten the work.

Tell everyone at home I love them and do miss them but it's not that long. 

I'll be thinking of things for Christmas cause it is coming up again! I have thought about dish rags already and maybe another watch something like that. I'll keep thinking and I'll keep everyone in my prayers and thank you for everything mom! Love you very much and I will talk to you soon!

                                                  It's so hot here.

                                            At least I'm cooking for myself!!