January 10, 2012

Hola mi familia! (that's Spanish, haha)

So, how is everyone doing?? I'm so bummed! I forgot to bring my notes like I do to organize my thoughts! So, I'm sorry if this is a lame email haha. 

It sounds like everyone had a fun New Years with the cousins and stuff :) Well, mostly everyone! Mom, it sounds like you made a pretty nice grab!! Nice catch! (Mom leaped to catch Deklan who was falling off the bed and tore a calf muscle) Those reflexes are probably where Dallyn gets her volleyball skills! :) I'm sorry about your calf :/ That's no fun. Then you got sick?? I'm so sorry! I am praying for you though, I hope you are doing better.  At least you had Erin and you could both be injured together haha! Idk if you knew this but Lauren wrote me saying that she and Luke were throwing up all New Years, too! It seems as though this family has started the New Years off rough!! Same with Deklan :/ Is he still sick? Poor little guy that breaks my heart! It is going to be so weird when I get back to see him!! It could only get better from here :) It's too bad it snowed after the cousins left!

Thanks, Dad, for your words of wisdom :) You also seem to be doing a pretty good job of taking care of everyone! Nice work! You get the super Dad award haha :) I'm not going to lie, I'm loving those sports updates!! It's interesting! Same with the politics haha, I never fully got into politics before. But it's interesting seeing where everyone is and how they're doing. That made me laugh that Jake and Dad talk to each other about politics!

Oh boy, I just remembered how you put the golf videos on and deleted my videos! That made me laugh, too! hahaha, good story! (We put Alek's videos on a thumb drive for Katherine. Steve didn't know and delieted the videos to put on some golf swing videos. When we gave the thumb drive to Katherine she was confused why we gave her golf videos instead of Alek's video!!) Thanks for sharing that paragraph with me from Braden's (Elder Cottle) letter. Wow! He is a strong Elder! I was mostly interested with how he said that he noticed whenever things get down, they always pick up, like it's a pattern.  The down moments always make us recognize the good a little better, don't they? He sounds like he's doing a great job down there!

I wanted to share something that I learned yesterday.  It opened my eyes and I thought it was super cool :) Since I didn't bring my notes I don't remember the scripture :/ but I'm sure you'll recognize it.  It's in the New Testament when Jesus said that he is the Vine and when we follow and cling to him (as branches) we bear fruit and grow with fruit. And when I read that I was like hey that's cool! And I remembered Lehi's dream, and how the fruit in Lehi's dream, which was the most desirable thing on earth, was the Love of God.  Which in itself is interesting because I would have thought it was like eternal life or something. So I related that to the scripture I read and realized that when we cling to Jesus Christ and stay connected to Him, then we bear fruit which grows, or the Love of God grows in us. And it was interesting how later in the scripture it talks about love and how much our Savior loves us!! That was neat :) So I just know personally, that this is true.  Whenever I feel close to my Savior, Whenever I repent or grow closer to Him, His love and the love of Heavenly Father are almost overwhelming at times.  And it just grows in me, and it really is something that I desire.  Love is the most powerful emotion, and I feel like I've grown in love for so many people. you, my family, Katherine, my friends here, the investigators I teach here and the people of Argentina.  I want to share this love with others, because I know it will bless their lives, and fill them with so much joy. I'm so excited to go to Argentina! 3 weeks left! haha. In 2 weeks you'll all know my flight plans! I still have a lot more to learn :P I'm working my hardest though, and I feel blessed because of it. Also deeply humbled... because I'm so so far from being a great missionary. But this already has been an unforgettable experience. I'm so grateful for my loving family :) the support you all are to me :) you are the best!

Thanks for sharing your personal experience with the spirit Dad :) that was really nice. I don't feel at that level... but I do feel the Spirit.  I'm so grateful for the Spirit :) you inspire me to be a better missionary!!

I love you all, I'm sorry I wasn't able to write everything that I wanted! I hope everyone is doing well, I feel perfectly fine now, so it's your turns to feel better! haha :) I got the socks and alarm clock, and the snacks!! Thank you so much! :) Well I'm praying for each of you, I hope you are all feeling fantastic and that the Spirit is abundant in your lives. Because that's how we feel God's love! :) I love you!!