June 6, 2013 Letter

We got a letter/email from Drew today. It sounds like he is doing really well. Here are some excerpts:

"Apparently [our district is the first one] in a long time that there has been a district with no hermanas.... My zone/branch is 44 and consists of 5 Elders from South Jordan! Elder Dawson, myself, Elder Mason, Elder Larsen, and Elder Price. Talk about a South Jordan party!"
...

"So we've been teaching our investigator, Hector, for the whole week. We gave our last lesson (#4) yesterday on el Plan de Salvacion. As the lesson progressed, I wasn't feeling the spirit. So I took my notes (which had all my Spanish phrases) and threw it under my chair. Let me tell you, there is a huge difference when you put all your trust in the Lord. I was able to say what I needed to say in Espanol and get my testimony across. If you want to be a successful missionary, listen to el Espiritu Santo. He will always guide you where you need to go and what you need to say."
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"I gave my first blessing on the mission on June 3rd. Hermana Button was about to head out to her actual mission and she wanted a blessing of comfort and guidance. She prayed really hard to know if it was what she needed and who should say it. I hardly knew her at the time she asked me, but I was more than happy to help. I said things in that blessing that I have never thought of saying before. Later she gave me a letter explaining why she chose me. She said, "...Sunday night I prayed once again about those same things and who should give the blessing because I knew I needed one. I dreamed all night waking up ever hour [or] something...well the Spirit told me that I should ask an Elder in our new district. At this point I tried to go back to sleep but I prayed once again to know which Elder. I fell back asleep (not knowing any of your names from memory). I woke up again with a[n] image of a black tag printed with a name. The next thing I knew the alarm went off and I knew it was suppose[d] to be you...thank you." Talk about cool, huh? I know the Spirit speaks to us today. I testify of this."
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"I've gained about 4 pounds...in the first week. Yikes! I guess I better lay off the doughnuts and ice cream, eh? ;) The food is pretty good, but some of it needs a little work. The best thing they have is the Orange Guava Passionfruit juice Eric and I know and love (I have to stop myself from drinking it every meal...)."
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"The new elders and sisters came in yesterday! We stood out on the curb in our free time and greeted them. It seems like yesterday that I was dropped off at the curb. Woah. I've come so far in the past week! We have a new district with 6 hermanas y 4 elders."
 ...
"I'd like to share an excerpt from my journal. 'I know I'm supposed to be here. There are things I need to do. There are lives I need to touch. Mi Padre Celestial needs me to do His work. I will never give up. I will never back down. For I am a Son of the Most High God. With His help, nothing is impossible. Nothing.'"

"...feel free to send letters using DearElder.com. They deliver them daily and they are very fun to get :) I always appreciate handwritten letters as well. I can only get emails on P-days (Thursday)." Use his MTC mailing information that is in an earlier post to send via DearElder.com.

Drew is having great experiences. We appreciate everyone's support and love!

FIRST LETTER HOME! It was really two letters in one envelope. A short one written on Wednesday after his first day was complete. He said the whole day he was smiling and grinning. He's already loving it, that's Drew for ya. He introduced us to his companion and his other roommates. The second letter was a little longer and was written at the end of day two with, "Wow...it went by fast". He is doing well and working hard on the language, enjoying every minute of it!