Hi Mom,
So I can't believe that the summer is already over. The girls are going back to school and the temperatures are still dropping for some reason...at least for us. Yesterday was a hot one, but right now it is overcast and only 68 degrees. Nothing like last August in Rivne. That is cool that you were able to go up to Bear Lake and have a good time there and then make some yummy jam. I do hope you save a little for me :) I can't believe that you let Chelsea do that much driving and especially if it was the first time in the van. (She drove the 50 miles around Bear Lake and then all the way home.) You must be a lot less scared than when I was learning, because you definitely would not let me do that. I am glad that you got to do a little more family history work too. That is pretty exciting and it is always so interesting to learn more about your ancestors. People here think it is incredible that I have some of the pioneer heritage in my blood and it certainly is a blessing to know that our ancestors did sacrifice so much for us. We need to do our part to not give up, but to give all that we have ourselves to the Lord's work. We even make that promise in the temple. Anyway, on the other end of the spectrum, we have a different kind of pioneer with Dad, and I love sharing his conversion story too. The members love it, and in turn, I love to hear what sacrifices they have made to become members too.
I hope that the girls can get all they need done and be ready to go back to school. That is so crazy to think about how fast the summer went and that they will be back in the school routine in no time. I hope that they have fun and don't take too long to transition back. Let me know how Chelsea's soccer goes too, because she probably won't tell me. We will see.
I love the Gallis and I am sure they gave wonderful talks. There truly are so many different ways to serve and the Lord will find a way for it to happen. I know that one of my life goals is to serve a full time mission with my wife some day. It would be incredible to return to Ukraine or Russia if possible. Tell dad that he is going to have to make the sacrifice some day. (He's talking about Rob having to be clean shaven if we serve a mission.) Heavenly Father will probably just make it happen by calling him to the bishopric or stake presidency or high council or something. Honestly, I think he will just have to shave it sometime and then once he gets used to that, he will be just fine with it. The problem is that he hasn't been clean shaven for 20ish years ;P
This last week was dubbed our snorkel week, the week that we are able to come up and get some air, but there ended up being a ton of crazy stuff and it was just as exhausting as the week before. We had some missionaries go to Bulgaria, another missionary come into the mission, and I had a huge project that I had to get finished. Plus we went out and did service and spent time working with the members and all sorts of other things and come Sunday night, I was just dead. This week is going to be just as exhausting, but really that is ok, because that is what the Lord asks. We are supposed to serve with all of our might, mind, heart, and strength, so being exhausted is just fine for me. Plus I am getting the best sleep of my mission so it is totally worthwhile. The ward council is still working really hard with us on bringing back the less actives and we are continuing to have success. Yesterday a little girl was baptized in the ward and it was a way neat and spiritual experience for her and her mom. The work is definitely going forward and the Lord is blessing everyone that is getting involved in it. As we all show our faith and live worthy of the blessings that are available, the Lord is opening up the windows of heaven and letting a little more light shine down on the missionaries and members here. We love the ward here so much and it is such a pleasure and privilege to work along side them and help them bring their lost brothers and sisters back. We are blessed to have a large ward and a lot of great missionaries in it too. It certainly makes the work a lot of fun to have so many people to work with.
I know that this is the Lord's work, and that all of us must make certain sacrifices in order to do all we can in this work. God is our loving Heavenly Father, and He has sent each of us here for a specific purpose; so that we can receive a body, learn to become like Him, and dedicate ourselves to helping others to receive eternal life as well. Jesus Christ is our Savior and has made it possible for all of us to return to live with our Heavenly Father. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the way and as we follow his example, we are promised eternal life, along with those that we love.
Love,
Elder Jones
p.s. Wow! The family keeps growing....how's Caitlin doing on helping you become a grandmother? What are her thoughts towards marriage and whatnot? I am pretty sure that I will beat her to it...anyway, that is not important yet ;)
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