Send Me Mail!

7/8/2006

Hi Mom and Dad,

So, you guys are in trouble because I haven't heard from you yet. Erica has written me a letter and so has Lael and that is it! (I have written her, twice so now I am wondering what has happened to them, plus I sent her a copy of the blog. Monte has even written once.) Everyone else is getting tons of mail! I can't believe I haven't' heard from you yet! I guess it is probably my fault for asking for things in the last letter. So, what did you guys do in SLC? How was hanging out with the Finlay's? Anything new going on? Has LeAnne come up with a name yet? When is she due again? She better be named after me! :) How was Allie's wedding? You should be there right now or on your way there as I am writing you. How have you guys been? Is it weird having me gone or are you a-okay? I know I've been gone before but this time it is really different because I can't ever call you. I heard though that when we travel to Chile we can call you at the airport. That would be cool!

So, I have been keeping notes all week so I wouldn't forget everything I wanted to tell you. First of all, we have had a lot of speakers talk to us. They have emphasized the fact that the Lord has called me as a missionary. He chose me before this life to go and preach the Gospel in Chile. That is pretty cool to think about. I'm supposed to go and find my best friends in Chile that I promised to find before we came to this earth. They are people only I can effect. People who are waiting for me because somehow I can touch their lives differently than anyone else. Pretty powerful to think about I would say.

One other thing while I am thinking about it, if you go to Dear Elder.com you can write letters to me and they will be delivered same day or next day. Just to let you know. (We did use Dear Elder.com last night and it is a great web site and she get the letter the next day. You have to create an account and you make donations to the cause but the site is free and they deliver the letters for free. And it is so quick)

We heard a clip from Elder Bednar. He said that as an Apostle they can never have a bad day or be in a bad mood. The reason for that is because our message/Gospel is supposed to make us happy, that is what is supposed to set us a part of everyone else. As missionaries we have to be the same way. Nobody wants to listen to us if we are in a bad mood. Which I struggled with this week.

It is amazing here. I have never prayed, sung, testified, studied, and felt the spirit so much in my life. We live, eat, and breathe the gospel of Jesus Christ. I don't understand how people can go on missions and fall away. You can't deny the power that you feel! I just don't get it!

Oh yeah, so I haven't stopped since I got here. We are working constantly. I did get a nap last week (Sunday), which I needed more than anything. My point is that we work so hard there is no time to do anything for Jamie.

So, I also need your help. I wanted you guys to rack your brains. I want to know what you all remember about my blessing and my setting apart. Could you ask everyone what they remember and let me know. I want to record the blessings and then at the end of my mission see how the Lord has blessed and helped me on my mission. That would be great!

The bookstore here has everything. We have $8.00 a week to spend. They even have the scripture marker refills, so if you haven't gotten any yet I can get them here. They even have my chapstick, which makes me the happiest person ever! I also wore the thigh highs the other day and they weren't' too shabby. I put them over my underwear and they were good.

So, that first week was really rough. It was so hard and so overwhelming. It has gotten so much better. We are in classes all day and study so much. Yet I still have the motivation to study and memorize as much as I can on our personal time. I'm having a hard time clicking with my companion. I know it is my fault, it is my pride. She is 100% obedient, we cant do anything wrong, like chew gum. I feel like she knows everything and I know nothing. She sings all the time, which none of us are all that bad. I have been praying for help with that. Everybody was right about me, I guess I don't get along with people. We taught the 1st discussion twice yesterday and I felt like it drew us closer together. Usually when we teach I feel like she overpowers and doesn't trust me that I can have anything good to say. She finally did and I got more time to share my thoughts and it went great. It pumped us up, I think it helped us a ton. The discussion and lessons are so powerful. I want you guys to read "Preach My Gospel". You will then know what we are studying 24/7. We also work in the referral center and the #'s you call from a pass along card or order free Book of Mormon and DVD's from the church website. That is cool. I haven't' sent the missionaries yet by many people who are right there on the fence. It is powerful.

I saw Lindi today. She is so amazing! It was amazing to see someone I know and love. She stalked me and looked up my schedule. It felt good just to hug someone close to me. She is an amazing girl. I don't think she knows how much it meant to me to see her.

I miss home, I miss you guys. I get tearry every once in awhile when I slow down to think about it, luckily we don't slow down very often. Thank you for taking me out here and seeing me off. Thanks for supporting me and allowing me to come. Thanks for your love and your great examples, to raise me valiantly and faithfully to help me make right decisions. I have so much I still need to work on but I know this will help me work on those things. You are all in my prayers every night. I hope selling the house goes well. Tell everyone hello and I think of them often.

Don't worry, I'm learning lots of Spanish and lots about the Gospel. I 'm working hard, don't worry I'm already tired.

That's all for now, I hope you are great. I miss my teddy bear! :) I'm wonderful. I know the Lord wants me here, the Spirit tells me everyday. He is taking care of me. He is opening my mind and helping me learn.

Oh yes, when I finish my journal I will send it to you to read. So, if you are missing out, you wont be. I write a lot everyday.

If you want to come to Chile, I'm sure we could work it out. (She has been worried about us coming since it will be Christmas time)

Love, Jamie