Missionary Journal – July 24, 1989

Day 55 of my full-time mission
Area: Afton, Wyoming

Well, I got to sleep in today. I got up at eight and started getting things done. We did laundry, vacuumed, cleaned, and ate. Then we went and played tennis for two hours, from noon to 2. I got a bad sunburn. Smart time to play tennis, huh? Then we came back, exhausted, and I got to read for my hour today in the Book of Mormon. Then we went to the Olsons, some friends of Gatlin’s from Roy, Utah, who are visiting relatives, and played volleyball and had dinner — a good time. We got home at 7:30 p.m., and there was a message for us to go over to the Brennings. That was a blast. Their niece, Casey, is leaving tomorrow for Louisiana, her home, and wanted to see us once more.

The funniest things happened there today. First of all, Gatlin was running from Casey. They were having a pillow fight, and he opened their French doors and ran out. The only problem was that there was a closed screen on the door. Not any more! He kicked it right off! It was already broken, but he felt bad and tried to fix it. Bro. Brenning wasn’t upset, though, because he planned to get a new one anyway. Then, we were reading scriptures with the family and Bro. B was explaining something, and all of a sudden, he let out this long, loud fart. It was so funny. Everyone lost it. He said, “Oops. Excuse me.” We were rolling on the floor. The problem was that I couldn’t stop. His 11-year-old son, Roy, just kept making me laugh. I felt bad, but I was tired and it was too funny.

Anyway, it was a great day, but the last three-and-a-half hours of it should’ve been spent proselytizing. I told Gatlin he’s a bad influence on me, and he said, “I know, but I really would like to do what’s right.” I said, “I know, you’re trying, and you have a good desire. That’s good.” We’ve learned a lot from each other.

My Scripture: Moroni 10:3-5 — …I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them…