A couple of cool letters...

We got these two really sweet letters last week from some recently returned missionaries and I wanted to share them with you....they make all this hard work worthwhile when we see them applying the principles they have learned through their missionary service!


Querido Presidente,

It has been a fast couple of months. I can hardly believe that I have been home that long. I guess I should apologize for not writing sooner, life just kinda gets crazy. I am doing very well, I have been working on road construction doing the chip and seal coat stuff. It pays very well, but the language is a little harder to learn than spanish. haha. There are some colorful words, but it is neat to see how some of the guys start to notice and show respect by talking differently around me. I have been able to share some pamphlets and talk with a few them about the church so it has been good. Also we work with some Guatemalans and Mexicans so I get to practice my spanish little bit. Life isn't as easy as I thought it would be. It's actually very frustrating trying to figure it out. As a missionary I learned so much and became someone who as I came home the world didn't want me to be. So as you know its been kinda hard, but I am doing fine. I am soooooo grateful for all I learned and the discipline that is now starting to take effect in my future. I know and have had a few experiences where I can see why I was called to serve under your direction. one story about a month ago. We had a very busy job going and had worked about 70 hours in a week and we were making good money because it was a federal job so the wages were high. Our boss informed us that we would probably be working on sunday, everybody was happy for more overtime hours which was something like $40 an hour. For me, I felt bad cuz I had learned so much about keeping the sabbath day, since we had to teach it real good in peru, also I had promised so many people blessings for not working on Sunday and going to church that I knew I couldn't. I work with three other rm's whom it didn't seem to bother. One justified his actions explaining that how he felt it was alright as long as he was paying tithing and going to the temple. Not to me, all I could think was "obediencia con exactitud", and 1 nefi 3:7. So I talked with my boss and got the day off. They made jokes and said stuff but I have seen many blessings come to me for choosing not to work on sunday. My co-workers often speak of their lives and all they have and I am so grateful for the lessons I have learned. I am very excited to go back to school which starts sept. 8 at byu-i. How is the mission doing? Is the goal to double progressing? Are the missionaries becoming more converted and better Preach my gospel missionaries? My prayers are always for you and the mission. May the lord continue to bless you with success and revelation. Send my best to your awesome wife, sister elmer. take care. JF

Dear Pte. and Sister Elmer,

Well I promised that I would write you guys and so hear I am! Well, I just want you guys to know how much I miss and loved the mission. I thought coming home would be cool, but its not as easy as everyone makes it out to be. I can only tell you that the devil is making things worse in the world every year. And it's so hard coming off this great spiritual high for 2 years and then dropping back into the real world. But I am so happy for the great blessings that I am receiving from the mission. If it wasn't for the habits that I picked up in the mission I would be a lost cause. I can just say that studying the scriptures, and daily prayer unto the Lord has helped me more than anything. If I wouldn't have put an honest effort into my studies in the mission it would be really hard to do it now. But I am so glad that I learned how to be obedient in the mission because when you are placed back into the real world the little things make a huge difference. I'm so greatfull for the mission and for what it has taught me because if your not a "ruler" here in the real world your going to fall and fall fast. I am happy that I learned to obey the Lord on the mission and His rules, because now I have the strength to be strong in the real world. I think a lot on that, and if I would have justified myself in the mission I would be doing it here. Thank heaven for the mission!

Well, I have some great news! I am going to be playing ball for the University of Utah! I made the team, I am a walk on and I will be red shirting. Which pretty much means that I will be practicing on the team but I won't be playing. But it saves me a whole year and it doesnt take a year of eligibility away. So I'm pretty happy about that. I can honestly see how much the Lord has blessed me for my service, it was amazing to see how the Lords hand was in this. When I came home the U of U basketball team was completely full--they didn't have any spots. But 2 weeks ago one of their walk-on players went to play at a Junior College and a spot opened up with just 2 weeks to go! I have no idea how it all worked out but I know the Lord was right there and he helped me get on the team! So I'm pretty happy and excited!

Well, I just want you guys to know how much I love you and apreciate your work. Remember that your always in my prayers and that I'm thinking about you guys and the mission a lot. Keep working and giving your all and the Lord will bless you when you return, I can testify of that! -BB!

Ps DyC 58:3-4