February 21, 2011

Hey Mom,

So first off, what is Nertz?  (I told him his cousins were playing it here, it's a card game.)  I am completely confused by that.  I am glad that you had a fun crazy day yesterday though and got to see some family.  That always makes the day better, when you can just spend time with those people that you love and reminisce about life.  I think that is crazy that you were able to skype too so that Steve and Linda could be there.  (It was his cousin Lauren's birthday and we skyped with her parents while she opened presents.)  What a cool thing technology is.  By the way, how is the rest of their family?

I am glad to hear that you had fun and learned at church yesterday.  I think that is cool that everyone was together. (We had a joint young men/young women/adult meeting during Relief Society/Priesthood hour talking about missionary work.)  And the theme of missionary work is of course, incredible.  That is one thing that we try to do here - get people to invite their friends to activities and meetings.  Sometimes it is hard to invite people to church, but that is why we have things like mutual and firesides and other activities.  I wish I had done a better job at home of inviting friends to those kinds of activities.  I know that is one thing I want to focus on at home.  Oh and how often do you see the missionaries there?

So all is well here in Lviv and I am glad that I am staying for at least 6 more weeks.  Elder Shurtleff and I had a lot of fun and it was great to spend a couple of days with him.  I am now with Elder Wallis, who is in his third transfer.  He is fun and excited to work and that makes me happy.  We are going to have a great transfer I am sure.  He is from Utah, Orem I think.  He grew up in Arizona, but when he was 16, moved in with his Dad in Utah and got baptized.  I am really looking forward to getting to know him better and having fun as we succeed this transfer.  We are going to do great work together, especially as we start to find those people who are ready for baptism.  We are expecting the miracles and so now we need to go out and get them.  

Oh, by the way, look up Jorg Klebingat on the church news.  He is our new mission president starting in 5ish months when President Steinagel goes home. It was announced this last week.  He is German and it is going to be so much fun to work with him.

Well, where was I???  Well, I am super happy out here and I have been blessed so greatly.  I know that this is the Lord's Church.  This is His work and I am so happy to be here and help these people, whom I love, to come to Christ.  I can't wait to be with them forever in the celestial kingdom.  I would honestly do anything for them so that they can get there.  It also makes me want to live worthily to make it back there.  I know more than ever what I want in life and what is important and I am so thankful to the Lord that He has given me this opportunity to learn and grow and to serve others, so that my love for everyone can grow.  I know that this Church is true.  Jesus Christ is our Savior and our Brother.  He loves us and has done everything that we need to return to Him.  I honestly wouldn't be here is if weren't for my Savior Jesus Christ.  I also wouldn't be here if it weren't for you Mom.  I love you and I am so grateful that you taught me so well.  Thanks for all you do.

Love,

Elder Jones