We went and visited the M's. They were home! We haven't been able to visit with them for a few weeks. We talked about life and stuff. It was fun. We talked about music, and they have these 5-foot-tall speakers that they showed us. We were talking about bass and Lil John got brought up. Elder Laudie didn't know who that was. We played the first part of the song on the speakers, and I knew every word of the first part. I knew mom was preparing me for my mission. I brought up the fattest bass I've ever listened to was at an A$AP Rocky concert. She was like, you didn't strike me as someone who listens to A$AP Rocky...haha, yea. We talked about beer pong and drinking in high school for a long time. It was funny to try to swap stories with them because Elder Laudie and I were like, yea, we were the sober ones in the back. And they're like "bro, that's sick." No, no it wasn't. But it was super nice. He was very open and we talked a long time. We invited them to stake conference. He said he really wanted to go to a service. He seems prepared. He said his drinking days are behind him. He’s neat. She told us she used to work as an exotic dancer at Racks, Casper’s local strip club. He worked as a bouncer and that's how they met. I am still sick but I'm feeling better tonight. I rolled my eyes to the back of my head when grandma sent all of that cold medicine and stuff, but that was straight manna from heaven. However, there are these white, flat pill-looking things. I thought you were supposed to plop it in your mouth and chew it or something. I was like, I'll give it a shot. I put one in my mouth and bit down on it. It began to bubble up and then I swallowed part of it. I spat a mouth full of foam into the sink and was like “why!?” I read the package: put in water and dissolve. I put one of them in a cup of water and it carbonated a whole lot. Well, to put it short, my stomach felt a lot like that drink looked. It felt like a soda volcano before eruption. The drink helped soothe my throat though. As Ronald Ollie would say, "lesson well-learned too." Also, last night, I had trouble writing. There were loads of good stories to tell, lessons learned, and interesting experiences to share; however I was feeling sick and wasn’t in a great mood and that diluted the great experiences yesterday. I am learning that by becoming disengaged and letting annoyances become a priority, the lessons, the beauty, and the intrigue of the mission experience become monotonous, restricting, and angering at times. However, true of any endurance sport, living in the moment and allowing oneself to feel, and hence bathe, in the pain is key to having fun and succeeding. You know, one of those things that begins to bother me is when I am writing and I’m not flowing like I'd like to, I worry that I am not properly fulfilling my artistic duty fully in recording these events. However, I am reminded of a story Fall told me. In a book by John Irving, he writes from the perspective of someone going through a very difficult time. Now, in the beginning and end of the book, he is eased from this burden and the book is easy to read. During this character’s trials, however, the book becomes very difficult to read. I suppose I am doing a method-acting version of this style of writing. When I am struggling, the better writing does come, but it comes only after I have dealt with or have put in perspective the trial at hand. A witness only comes after the trial of one's faith. I find it pleasing that I am learning to clearly articulate myself through very difficult trials. There is a scripture in 2 Nephi 11:4 that reads: Behold, my soul delighteth in proving unto my people the truth of the coming of Christ; for, for this end hath the law of Moses been given; and all things which have been given of God from the beginning of the world, unto man, are the typifying of him. Now, before I lose you. I do not mean to say that all of my work is strictly and literally about Christ. However, one of my most earnest prayers is that my dad’s films will show Christ’s love for His children, because if that is true, he has created the most beautiful stage in which people can choose to play with compassion; and being compassionate, or charitable, will bring people closer to Christ. I know that certainly sounds like something coming out of the missionary haze, but to further that thought, Joseph Smith said that when he was a young boy, he looked up at the stars and it testified that there must be a God. I feel that. It's one of the reasons my last night before I left for LA to go to the MTC, I was in Joshua Tree with MRKL. I feel a connection there, and when I am able to take astrophotography, I feel I am sharing my love for Christ. Now I get a new way of sharing Christ's love. I am no longer photographing the stars of the sky, but the stars of the seed of Abraham (oof, transition game on lock). I am here to photograph and depict a new beauty; a new and interesting view on an inner development in myself as I become molded; an outer development of the people who God has asked me to serve fully; the connection between the two; and the relationship I have with God. All of these wrapped into the Wyoming style burrito that is this Book of FOCO. I am growing in my love for all people and for God. Can there be anything more entertaining than watching matter unorganized becoming something great? The most interesting and thorough definition of time I have ever heard is that it is the act of matter unorganized becoming organized. In the perspective of our spiritual well-being, when we rely on Christ and become perfected, become complete, all of the skills and gifts given to us will be wholly organized, and we will become eternal (total deep doc, I don’t think that is accurate at all but it sounded cool when I was thinking about it.) Anyway, I was worried yesterday, just slightly, that my journal entries weren't going to be good; they would damper out and would not be usable for the blog. *Henry has never read the blog, but he knows some of his journal entries will be posted with his pictures. However, I learned just by relaxing, and being myself, I will more fully show Christ’s love for us, because Christ loves me now, not for who I think I should be. By being myself, I feel a closeness with myself, an honesty I am able to build upon to create earnest writing and photography. We went and knocked doors at an apartment complex. Someone said they weren't interested, and out of pure curiosity, I asked what show he was watching. It was Law and Order. I said enjoy the blue tint (by the way, the entirety of Law and Order is shot with a blue tint on all of the frames!) He laughed and closed the door. This reminds me of something Elder Delgado said in District Council. He actually referenced something I forgot I said to him while we were on exchanges. He said, Elder Whiteley said, "I wish people could hear what we said once the door closes." That caught me off guard. I was like, wow, that sounds way more profound than what I meant. He continued, "it's true, we go up to people's door and say, hey, would you like to hear a quick message about the Book of Mormon and Jesus Christ?" They say no, shut the door, and then we’re like, "did you ever watch that Rick and Morty episode?" Elder Wong, when he came to help our mission, told us to stop being robots. People already know why we’re here and what we represent, at least on the surface level, so just be normal. Be yourself. Plus people like when you're yourself, and it's so much more fun. Yesterday, someone had Gravity Falls playing on their TV. After telling them about the Book of Mormon and asking them to read, which they accepted and we are to return to meet next week, I asked him what show it was. He admitted, kind of embarrassed for some reason. I said, "I love that show." When we departed, I said, "have fun at the Mystery Shack." I have always seen and had a sense for the "raw matter" that I was growing up. When I did the space project and finally was able to show all of the teachers I had pleaded with and attempted to explain my vision to, it was so satisfying to see how they liked the books and understood who I was. It seems my best outlet for explaining and showing people who I am and how I struggle is through photography, film, and now, writing. I never thought I would add that to the list. In a blessing I received before I left, it said to "listen more than you talk." I could be misinterpreting this just a little, however, I think a piece of that is referring to just this. I really wanted the gift of tongues, however, I was advised to shut my mouth. As I've been humbled and put this to practice I have found a lot of beautiful and unusual blessings sprout. For example, when I am focusing on what I am saying, I seem to choke on my words. However, as I listen, gather, and ponder, I am able to articulate my thoughts, feelings, and observations more thoroughly; whether that be through writing, photography, or another form of communication. A lot of what I'm writing has been contemplated throughout the day; not necessarily as if I think to write it, but naturally through asking questions and listening and observing the beautiful world around me. It's like my dad said, be a fly on the wall. Also, I asked my dad once, what if I were to tell you when you were a kid that you'd be texting a Seattle Seahawk receiver before a game? My dad said, "I wouldn't have thought any differently." Arrogant? Cocky? Maybe. But what I saw was something different: he saw what raw matter lay within him; he saw a glimpse of what God saw. And my dad, with only his style, got after it. We are all given such wonderful gifts, so get after it, and have some fun. See the RAW matter, not what others see. When someone sees me taking photos, they don't seem to see what I see. But when I take the raw files back to edit, only then do they see the wonderful picture that was there. We all should be praying to act on that good, raw matter God has gifted us. We can, with divine guidance, be blessed to make it even more wonderful. Saturation 200, lol (a joke for MRKL).
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So, I had a great talk with my dad. I talked to him about how the people I've respected in the church are a little critical of church culture. I told him that is not true of my companion or all others, so I'm learning to be respectful. There is so much good with church culture and I should appreciate that good. I had that long talk with my dad and my mom later and I feel like I'm set straight after talking honestly with them and confiding with them. It's my piece of home that helps me stay grounded. I love them. So fun to talk to them. Scout was joking with Elder Delgado and Elder Laudie and said they could take her on a date when they finished their missions. My mom told her to stop trying to pull hoes. I asked Elder Laudie if I made a little more sense to him after that call, and he said I did. It's truly great to be a missionary. It's also a little draining and you hit soft pockets where you kind of drop. I forget so easily to ask for forgiveness and mercy; to help me do better and be better. I have been praying for inner development. I have also been praying for Scout. I hope she is well. The more I meet and get to know people, the more I appreciate how interesting, fun, and absolutely outstanding Scout is. I am happy to call her my sister. A guy who signed up to feed us asked what we wanted for dinner that he could pick up and drop off. Well, we feasted on some Phó. It was Phónomenal, as usual. Anyway, being Phó-filled I write this entry with a smile on my face for both my temporal blessings and for my soul feeling filled. I just feel complete. Not necessarily finished, but I feel I am where God wants me to be, where I can grow into the person that God will be proud of. At the Missionary Training Center one of my leaders told me, "you came in here a teenager, but you're leaving a man." I really did feel so much more developed at that moment. I felt like I just cleared a wall I never thought would be, or could be, cleared. Now, I feel as though the MTC was the first round of many moldings and sharpenings; I've gone through many more since. It's been outstanding. Like my EMCC t-shirt says on the sleeve, Iron Sharpens Iron. My mom asked this week if I had any different photos. Honestly, I don't think too much about what I'm photographing. When I am living clearly, my photography simply is what catches my eye as beautiful, interesting, or something. So, I was worried today, which I haven't been in a long time. I was worried about how my photography may be an example of who I am. Am I spiritually progressing? These questions are overwhelming, naturally. And, when these times hit, the strong temptation of laziness is often a lot more enticing than being in the exciting forefront of change. Jaden Rosenthal once told me, while I was beginning to drop back in a long run on mile 12 of 13, you only run the first twelve to run this last mile; this is where the muscles are built. Well, let's put this to practice. A quick rabbit hole...I absolutely love running. It was 27 degrees, which wasn’t bad. It was pretty chilling. I was just in leggings and a long sleeved shirt. I just bathe in the pain. It feels so good. When I run, everything seems to take second place to the serenity of what is coming and going and I seem to mend my mind, rest my soul, and enlighten my body. It felt so good to push through the cold. I loved watching my breath be taken by chilling Casper winds. We had dinner at the Z's tonight, and at dinner they were talking about missionary work. They said, "we're really glad we have great Elders in our ward; we’ve had some good ones over the past few years, but we’re really glad we have great Elders right now." They also told us that the way you can tell if this ward likes you is if the dinner calendar is filled up, "so the ward really loves you guys." When we first came here, the calendar got decently filled, about 50% of the time. Now, we almost never miss a day. It is super nice, especially since we love the ward so much. *A "ward" is a congregation based on geographical boundaries. On the way to the Z's, S’s dad gave us a ride back. He told us that she has had trouble with church. Middle school was rough and her friends turned her from the church. She also got called a (I don’t even want to write it) by youth at church. I feel for her. Still, she’s super open and excited to learn. She’s reading a lot, she’s asking questions, and she’s finding the joy that is free to all people: Christ's love. I really wouldn't want to be anywhere else. In fact, I would give anything to be in Casper, Wyoming, living with a "Trump supporter," with people who casually use words that break my heart a little, around a youth program that discriminated against its own, and in the freezing cold; because, frankly, that list is so superficial, is so fleeting, is so shallow, that if we defined those around us by those qualities, we'd miss out on the wondrous people that lie just below. The list could go on forever. Their good qualities are seemingly endless. They are kind, funny, direct, different in all dimensions, dynamic, independent, and gritty. I truly love these people here, not despite their faults, not because of their strengths, but because of the way my eyes are being opened, spiritually, to the knowledge of the goodness God and Christ see in the people around me. Being open is hard. Being open with someone who doesn't listen or love what you love is hard. To quote Mr. Aguirre, "9th grade is hard, high school is hard, life is hard." Learning humility is huge. There is a bit of an endurance effort in being in a 10-square-mile place away from anything that is a reminder of home and living with someone 24/7 for 113 days. Yet, in getting to know new people, their wondrous attributes seem to be piling up, and the sour ones seem to roll off my back. Christ redeems us from hate, from our own self. I see it daily, the closer I am with following those two great commandments: love God; love others. Live by charity. I love you all, and hope to see you soon, but not too soon. Casper has a little bit of my heart left. Maybe all of it if I'm not careful. Also... Yesterday I was biking, and I biked by a yard and saw a pit-bull jumping the fence and he sprinted at me for a half-second. I didn't think about it. I just watched it happen. It was weird, it did not phase me. Mom would have been horrified. After the half-second, the leash snapped to full extension and pulled him back. It was like five feet from me. The car behind me pulled over to ask if I was alright, haha. We also played Last Days today. Last Days is a game that Elder Delgado designed from scratch that's kind of like Dungeons and Dragons, but it's set in a post-apocalyptic Casper, Wyoming. It's super fun. My character is Shorty the Pimp and he made his entrance into the game today. Elder Delgado has put so much thought into this game, it's unreal. It's so thorough and there are so many places that you can go and random objectives one can accomplish. He adds a bunch of inside jokes into it. He has Pho Saigon in it, Casper Community Meth Watch, Little Shop of Burgers, etc. He's so great. I am so happy he is staying! Elder Delgado and I were joking about making an animated movie about a man named Goober. He wants to change his name so he goes on a quest to find his long lost dad for permission. Elder Delgado wrote this idea when he was a kid and thought you needed parental permission to change your name. We are going to call it Force of Will because he will change his name to Will. We then will release a director's cut where all the characters are voiced by Will Smith. Anyway, that got us thinking about Jaden Smith and the weird career he's had. He made an anime on Netflix and one of the seasons he yells at his date, "you don't deserve this big Toblerone!" and leaves. So now I'll walk up to Elder Delgado and say that. Smaller shovel, smaller hole, am I right? I'd like to quickly talk about last night's journal entries. Yesterday, I was writing about my day. I had a small agenda in my head of events I wanted to touch on. There was a subject that was on my mind all day. In attempting to steer my mind toward that agenda, my writing lacked fluidity and didn't feel natural. At a point in the entry, I stopped. I thought, said a quick prayer, and poured out what I was really thinking about. There was an agitation in my soul as I wrote the earlier portion of the entry. But, as I went with what my soul desired, the agitation left and I felt myself being filled. What a lesson. A lesson my dad instilled and spoke of my entire upbringing. Your desires are God-given. Get after it. Every day, I feel myself changing and learning; adjusting to be the person I am supposed to be to more fully fulfill the agitation and drive inside. To quote Aretha Franklin, "Wholly Holy." How can we become more wholly holy? Well, to quote Snoop Dogg, "it seems like he's testing me again, but on the flip side he's blessing me again." Through this transfer I've carried some hate in my heart, but I have articulated the points when it enters in my heart, why I let it stay, and how it grows. It is far easier to remove a tree in its early years. Likewise, removing the seed of contention from my heart is a lot easier than letting it grow into a tree. No room in this grove. There is some quote that says it's not the mountain that kills you, it's the rock in your shoe. Cheesy. However, as I've, "forgave my brothers and drank up," I have been able to more fully love my brothers and become far, far happier and full of light. One example of this is in a quote my mom sent me from Elder Holland: "the nearer we get to our Heavenly Father, the more we are disposed to look with compassion on perishing souls; we feel that we want to take them upon our shoulders, and cast their sins behind our backs.” I had a fantastic experience today. We were supposed to go have a scripture study with J. He is a convict whose life is absolutely awesome. He has every injury imaginable, been legally dead twice, was converted to God in jail, and is now awaiting baptism till he is off probation. The man knows the Bible like the back of his hand! It's unreal. He quotes scriptures like he was reading them. Anyway, we love him and he has been struggling with not being able to be baptized because he wants it so badly. He doesn't understand the church's role quite yet. It's an interesting challenge to explain how Christ's church fits into his powerful testimony. We got in thinking it was 9:00 pm. It was only 7:15. Maybe it was because the sun set at 4:49 today. So we headed over to D's. We went in and talked. They didn't seem too excited to have a lesson; he was very tired from two consecutive work weeks with no days off. He's been busy. However, before we went in, we could feel a certain spirit of importance. We said a prayer and waited. Afterward, Elder Laudie asked what chapter we should read with him. I thought about it for a long time. In my prayer I felt I should be specific and present a plan to the Lord and asked for a chapter to read with him. I imagined myself flipping through the Book of Mormon and 3 Nephi 11 came to mind. This chapter surprised me because I haven't studied it and I have studied chapter 12 a lot. I said "11" and Elder Laudie agreed. After we started reading with him, the verse started talking about baptism. We were able to ask, very gently, about how he is feeling about baptism and how we may be able to help if that is still a desire. He seemed uplifted and very happy we stopped by. The Lord is so good to me. I have nothing to repay Him with except my effort and willingness. There's this girl who we thought was funny because she would always talk to us at Sacrament meeting, even if we were talking to someone else. Anyway, we've seen a few instances where we thought she may be struggling, but we never approached her about it. Sunday, she found us right after church ended and began talking to us. She asked if she could ask us some questions. She began telling us how she has wanted to leave the church for a few years but her parents are making her go. She said that she never believed in organized religion at all and her parents will let her leave at 16, and she has planned on that "till I met you guys, and you guys are really cool and organized religion is like your whole thing, so like, I want to give it a second chance." She also told us she is struggling with something serious and just wants help with understanding God. It was a lot. I was actually happy that we were able to talk to her and be there to help her. I felt a little odd since I'm not a counselor, because that's not what a missionary is, but I am here to listen and love. The mom called this morning and told us that her daughter told her to call. She was actually happy that her daughter was talking to us because she hasn't been talking to her. She also said that she walked in on her reading the Book of Mormon which she said hadn't happened in years. That was cool. It was so good to tell her that we'd be here another 5 weeks. There are so many people I care about and love here. How great the trial of taking up others' crosses and helping them. In the first weeks I was here, I wrote that if I listed everything I loved before my mission, it was all gone. However, I'm still happy. To quote Kanye, "switch my, switch my attitude." I'd like to add, if I were to list all the things that make me happy now: service, my companion, Kanye, talking about Jesus Christ, reading scriptures, and Wyoming, I would have never had these if I hadn't left home. I'll have to say goodbye, in part, to some of these blessings again when I leave my mission. I would have been very sad a few months ago if I were to have known that these were the things that brought me the most joy. However, if I were to feel my joy now, I would undoubtedly be comforted, exhilarated, and grateful for the overwhelming blessings given to me here. It truly is a miracle. We had a wonderful baptism yesterday. J was excited and was so happy. Gleaming. I love the photos I was able to capture. After our zone meeting, we stayed and finished filling the font and set up for the baptism. It was exciting. It was especially touching hearing the baptismal font filling in the background. There is a wonderful line in Jesus is King that says, "cut out all the lights, He the light." I love this line. When I have cut out modes of coping like music, running, media, and friends (all great things) and leaned on Christ, I have seen how that light can shine so brightly upon us; and it truly has, especially in the dark. Still, if you were to tell me the greatest highlight of my day would be watching a nine year old boy quickly run out to get a sip of water and run back before the baptismal service started in Casper, Wyoming, I would say, "where?" After the service and smiles, Brother L was leaving. He told us thank you, and then, on the walk out, he asked what time we were coming over this week. He said, "the only time that doesn't work for me is seven tomorrow because I'm going to a priesthood preparation class here, but anytime after." It brought feelings of such happiness to see a man who pretty recently was struggling and didn't care about church now being able to partake of the joy his Father in Heaven has for him, and us being able to be lifted up and rise to the occasion in helping him and his family. In a story in Isaiah, he is purified through a hot coal from an alter. After he's purified, God asks for someone to accomplish a task, and he says "Lord, here am I." Everywhere, it seems, Christ is there. Everywhere, God seems to be showing His arm. Everywhere, the spirit seems to be filling the souls I love around me. I cannot be more thankful. I love you all and seek to deepen my love for you and our neighbors. I love the work and I am happy -- no other sentence seems to describe the fulfillment I feel. Except, maybe I don't deserve this big Toblerone.
In an odd way, I lay on our couch next to the front door looking at our apartment. Elder Laudie plays the old familiar mission-approved music. I think back 71 days ago to when I first met Fort Collins and was introduced to Elder Laudie. I look at the lines of the apartment walls and the familiar plastic table and stack of bikes. As it cools below zero outside, I feel a sense of home. I have experienced so much good and I truly love the people I teach and love my companion who is baller and love Wyoming. I never rocked a WYO shirt so proud. I just feel a part of this place, an interactive piece in God's artwork. I feel serenity and joy wherever I am, even if it's -8 outside. I didn't want to. I didn't love the people around me. I went through some stages of grief in losing my life in Christ’s. In denial, just not thinking about it. Then I got angry about life and about my loneliness and my dull senses. I then tried to pick and choose, bargain, what I chose to follow and what I didn't, rather than being all-in. But after this grieving period, I have seen light that I have not felt previously. I have not felt this wonderful in a long time. In this strange pattern of depression, anxiety, and fear, I find redemption, love, and peace. I credit this to the fact I am doing daily scripture study, morning and nightly prayer, helping others, and being involved in the church. In this, I learn to help those broken, beaten, distraught, depressed, and bound. Though I don’t know what it's like to quit smoking or join the church, I can draw upon beautiful experiences that were dark and difficult and I can now use to be a living witness of the strength of God. There is a fantastic promise in Alma 23:13-14: 13 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage. 14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions. I suppose that's what Kanye and I are both finding out as we advance in our spiritual journeys in Wyoming less than an hour away from each other. I truly am learning a lot, and as Matt Robert's said, "hope your mission is hard. If it’s not, you’re doing something wrong." It is good to know that a good dad, runner, and person like Matt is confirming that the sacrifice I am making now will be of worth in the future. I'm sure when Nephi was instructed to take the sword of Laman and kill him, he didn't realize that that sword would help them hunt in the wilderness, would help them build, would help them make more swords to defend his children in another continent across the ocean, and be a testament of the sacrifices and divine guidance of our loving Heavenly Father. Attempting to see the eternal perspective, or even an overarching earthly perspective, I can see a little bit how the men and people I look up to seem to have gone through this forger’s fire; Matt, Dad, Drew, Kent. It makes me think that in what I'm doing, if I put my heart all in and put my effort in the work, I can be like them, I can be like Christ, and I can fulfill my purpose. When I scramble to find the words to testify of the truth that burns so brightly and joyfully and fully from within, I find myself touching upon words of wisdom bestowed on me growing up. Truths that were repetitively and continually taught are being brought to mind to describe the joy I feel and to exhort others to make the sacrifices to do the same. It's hard to describe without feeling cheesy. I am coming to the end of my thinking about trying to convince people and to the beginning of my attempt at total conviction toward helping others and living a pleasing life to the Lord. “Out of the furnace of affliction I have chosen thee.” By living your life in a way that pleases God, it will draw people who want to draw closer to God to you. Anyway, this week we were serving at the food bank. I was feeling better because I had confided with Elder Delgado, but still down and not wanting to be there. I then just decided to go out and work. Just go. So we got ready and headed out and it was a beautiful day outside. My bad mood was quickly lost in the landslide of possibilities for service. Like still water, if we stay inside or are not progressing, we get dirty, muggy, and sad. But like a rushing river flowing strong, we are constantly renewed and are easily strengthened to overcome challenges. We got working. The L's told us that they're all set for the grandparents to drive up to baptize their son this Monday! It is going to be wonderful! When he came home from school he was so excited to see us. When we left he yelled, "see you on Wednesday!" We’ve been helping L quit smoking. It's difficult for him. Quitting is hard. Anyway, I got a piece of tape because he's struggling to keep count of his cigarettes, and wrote KEEP COUNT, #killthecamel, and the name of his kids and "let's go!" Anyway, we talked after dinner for a long time about the temple and trials and applications of the gospel. I feel very comfortable around them. I love being there. We are currently working with five people who are struggling with smoking and/or major social anxiety, including church. They are all worried about feeling judged and how they will be accepted. How we forget a warm smile and reaching out can truly ease the heaviest burdens off one's shoulders. Next time you see someone you don’t know, go up and give them love. Anyway, we had a good talk with them and I am excited to see my first baptism! He is stoked too. We visited J in the Behavioral Institute. I love visiting with him. He is so nice and it's so nice to talk and read with him. We read about the Tree of Life and I built the scene out of pens. I love reading with animation and making it interesting. I love reading with him and his mom told us his therapist said it is really helping him. We then went to P's house. He has been hard to meet with. He works a ton. He has cement he is breaking up in his back yard. We told him we'd come and help. We did, and talked with him about life. We broke up cement with a sledge hammer. Not mentioning the gospel, after an hour-plus of smashing up cement, he asked, "so who wrote the Book of Mormon?" I told him the story of the Book of Mormon and the Restoration. He then asked where his uncle who committed suicide is now. We told him about the afterlife. We told him about eternal families. Elder Laudie said, the center of this church is Jesus Christ, but the purpose of this church is uniting families. There is hardly anything more fulfilling and exciting than watching someone come toward Christ in earnest and being able to support them in growing their faith. Weeks go by like days; days, minutes. I am simply here to live and strive to be good. Ironically, it is the only thing one can do to change someone's perspective.
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