Day 11 of my full-time mission
Area: Missionary Training Center, Provo, Utah

Man, 11 more days. This is real!

I had a good day. Elder Pitcher and I were investigators this morning and missionaries this afternoon. We had a pretty good experience teaching. I felt better prepared than he did and I kind of dominated the discussion, but he did his part too. I had to deal with an obnoxious investigator, but eventually, the spirit was there and two guys were committed to being baptized.

We played scripture chasing and hangman tonight. We had fun. Sis. Bradley is a good teacher.

I had some good time to read the scriptures today too.

By the way, I got a letter from home today! It almost made me cry and it would’ve had I been in a private place.

Our district had pizza tonight. Yes, that’s illegal. But, it’s illegal because we’re not supposed to order and pay for it. We didn’t. Elder Marquis’ brother bought it, put it in a different box and dropped it off as a package! So, we didn’t feel we broke any rules. But, we won’t do it again.

I also couldn’t stand it anymore… I’m listening to Michael McLean’s “Celebrating the Light.” Elder Pitcher bought a tape player and that’s what I’m listening to. It’s church music and it really lifts me.

You know, it rained today, this evening, and a big rainbow appeared right up by the base of the mountains. It was beautiful. You could see both ends and there was even a lighter rainbow around that, about 6-feet apart. It was beautiful and reminded me of how wonderful God is! Heaven must be amazingly beautiful!

Sis. Bradley’s cousin came into our class tonight with a friend from his district. He was retarded in some way — he couldn’t speak clearly and he can’t move around easily. He might be deaf. You know, I looked at him and how happy he seemed, even though he’s afflicted in that way, and I started to cry.

He’s on a mission and it’s taking a lot more of his effort than it is mine to be here. I think I have it rough… wrong! There are so many other people that come from less desirable circumstances than I have. I thank my Heavenly Father so much for my parents. I love them.

Yes, I’m crying. There’s a great song on, “I can’t do everything.” It’s so true. I must rely on my Heavenly Father to help me learn to love me and then everyone else.

This life isn’t about how to make money and beat out the next person. It’s about how to serve and love the next person!

Man! Jesus Christ is wonderful and this gospel is so true. I’m about my Heavenly Father’s work now and it’s the best thing I could be doing, I know it!

Well, I missed getting to bed at the right time, but I had to write these feelings down. To a certain extent, this curfew isn’t that realistic. It’s important to me to be able to write stuff like this down and I haven’t had the chance lately. I apologize to you for not doing my best at expressing my feelings at this precious time in my life.

But, I do love it here and I love Heavenly Father and His son, Jesus Christ with all my heart!

My scripture: 1 Nephi 19:23 — Liken all scriptures unto us