Letter #17

My companion is still short. Just a reminder.

Also it was his birthday on Sunday, haven´t reaped the cake rewards yet, but I will. Oh I will

We had a stake conference this week, twas tight. We had new three investigators show up and I only had to make one surprise solo appearance to the pulpit. Also, our four part missionary quartet was fine. Didn´t know I could sing soprano did you? Granted, taken down a couple of octaves

We saw demon grasshoppers. They were standing on this plant, shiny black with red eyes. Very scary. Very hoppy. About five hundred of them crawling over each other, gross

Went to a members house and he has a fingerprint lock, it reads his fingerprint and the door opens. Very tight

I snapped a stainless steel ice cream scoop in half. Not my fault. The member brought out this brick of ice cream and asked me to scoop some out. I tried, gently, but couldn´t get it. Told her she should microwave it first. She was like no, just dig in. BANG.  Luckily no one was hit by either part of the scoop or, especially by the ice cream. And, after the ice cream was microwaved for a sec, came out easy.

At stake conference. while I was on the stand, there was a woman who was very intently watching the talks. Very intently. She looked more confused than anyone I'd ever seen in my life. And she stayed that way for two hours, just in this state of goneness. I don´t know how to describe it. It was hard to keep from laughing, but me and Orteney mostly managed.

And, stealing a little story from a handsome, Canananadian Elder in Hong Kong. "The first time we met, I was playing pool in the lobby, just killing five minutes. He walked in, carrying a case of water he had cranked from some activity (he snagged stuff, of course we would be friends). But, he asked me if I wanted one. I´m a thirsty man, of course I accepted. We started talking, we became friends, and now, I have some stories with him that I´m afraid to share #PotatoHill.

But, thinking about this, you never know what effect a small act of kindness will have on someone else, as well as on yourself. I´ll be forever grateful that he decided to give me that stolen water bottle, I can now say that it changed that whole year for me. And to couple with this, we often use the word 'love' as a substance or noun. I think it is more aptly used as a verb. When we 'love' someone or something, our actions are normally the first thing to show it. And that´s how it should be.

This Christmas season, this week, today, let´s all make a little more effort to show the people we love that we love them. Love, as an action, speaks louder than words ever could. But, in words....

I love you all, it´s amazing the strength I feel when I think of all of you and what you do for me. I love this gospel and for the blessings it has given me, my friends and my family, and countless opportunities to become a better person. And I especially love my Savior, and the sacrifice he made for me, the sacrifice that allows me to be clean of sins and to live with my family forever. He is my best friend, and I love Him.

Lovingly,

Elder What Happened at Potato Hill?