Week #81

Friends, family and Ben Jesse

Hi.

Life is good but I AM TIRED. This is normal.  I have so little time left.

This week we have been chasing down Inactives. We are trying to get the branch lists under control and correct. It is fun but sad because so many people have moved away.

My comp is a good guy. He is funny and quirky and I enjoy serving with him. He is having me explain Walking Dead to him, and I do enjoy that. We also do spiritual stuff, WD is just in free time.

This week I also went on an exchange with my second trainee, Elder Demille, whom I love. It was great.

The most apparent Blessing of my mission so far is the Eternal Friends that I have made. I love everyone that I serve with.

Everyone think about what it means to be ''Pure in Heart'' and email me your answers (Ben) so I can become that. Thank you.

God answers prayer. I know that. Don't forget that. He is always there for us. 

I am teary eyed right now and I do not know why. 

I am happy.

Love you all.

Week #80

I translated for President Nelson. 

Hei Hei

Life is good.

President Nelson came with Elder Martino and Elder Kearon of the 70. It was wonderful and the spirit was very strong.

The first thing he told us in our Missionary Meeting was to write in our notes to thank our families and friends.

Thank you.

You are great and your prayers and well wishes are much needed. 6 months left and still going but man oh man am I TIRED. It is normal, I think.

They talked a lot about Joy and about families and that we need to raise our children loving the Gospel. It was incredible. I was supposed to sing in the choir, but got pulled back last minute to translate Latvian to English for President Nelson and all the others and to add to my fear, they were using my translation to then translate into Estonian. I said a quick prayer and when it came time for me to translate the words came into my head in English. #GiftofTounges

I am very grateful for that the Lord answers our pleas for help. I know he does.

New area is good. We are meeting with a lot of members and having a good time.

Love you all.

Week #79

I am wearing a poncho. 

It is made of Llama fur.

WOO HOO.

This week I sat in Limbo but now I know what is happening to me.

I will open a new area in Riga with Elder Marziale in Iļģuciems. It is a fairly Russian area but will be fun. The new apartment is really nice and is above a cute Cafe and hair salon. I am excited.

How are all of you? My inbox is not nearly as filled as it was a few months ago. I commit you all to repent and start to send me some thoughts.

I went to the War Museum and I died and am in heaven. (Historical Coma)

Please remember that God loves you. Please do not forget that.

Love you all.

Week #78

Translated, the title of this email would be ''God Be With you 'Till we Meet Again'', which is directed toward the city of Jelgava.

It has been decided that the Jelgava Group (which has always been apart of the Riga 1st Branch) will discontinue to meet every other week in Jelgava and all Church meetings will be in Riga.

Also, missionaries will no longer live or do any missionary work in Jelgava. 

So now the Dream Team (E.Malmrose, E.Demille, E.Grossen, and I) are waiting for 1 week in LIMBO until transfer calls. We are currently in Riga. 

Me and Elder Demille traveled up to Riga in a rinky-dinky moving truck with a cool guy named Agnis who smoked an entire pack of cigarettes in the 3 hours we were together. Thank the heavens he is not allowed to smoke in the car. He said he wants to be Baptized in another (Pentecostal?) Church but they won't let him because he smokes. 

The leaves are turning yellow and red. 

I am happy. I love Riga. I am sad for Jelgava, but when the Lord says to do something YOU JUST DO IT BECAUSE HE IS RIGHT AND WE ARE WEAK AND FALLEN. 

Thankfully, we all have divine potential and can all become like God.

<:GENERAL CONFERENCE:>

I have seen it only in Latvian but listened to it is English.

Talks I enjoyed:

All of the talks.

My favorites:

Elder Holland- He either spits fire or provides sweet and calming words of love. This was a calm words one which was much needed. GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK!

Elder Zwick- Look beyond what you see. Try to get the whole picture. 

President Callister- He just screams pure factual doctrine at ne-sayers and I love it.

Sister Oscarson- Befriend people. 

and so many more.

I love you all. Don't be tempted to switch your Book of Mormon reading time with Conference talks. If you want to do that, read Presidents Eyring and Nelsons talks from this Conference. READ THE BOOK OF MORMON EVERYDAY!

Love you.

Week #77

Life is good.

I heard Conference was good. Sad to hear about Elder Hales, but I thought he was going to die 10 years ago!

President Monson will probably follow soon. He is not looking to good but until his work is done, he will stay. He is an incredible man.

Jelgava is good, we are working hard. I love our district here (Elder Grossen, Elder Demille (my trainee), and his trainee, Elder Malmrose)

We are from 4 different states in the USA. Utah (me), California (Malmrose), Arizona (Grossen), and Washington (Demille). We bought Latvian Scrabble and will play today (PDAY) and I am very excited.

BTW, I predicted that Elder Pinegree, Sister Oskarson, Elder Koch, and President Callister would all speak. Ask my comp, I am not lying.

Latvia is a wonderful place and I love the Latvian language. 

Read the BOM. That is the last thing our Prophet asked us to do, SO DO IT!

Love you all.