December 21, 2009

Editor's Note - sorry, I've been really busy, so I've been a slacker in posting for Brad.  But I'm repenting now, so here are the missing letters....

Hey everyone! I just want to let everyone know that I will be sending home my first SD card of the pictures I've taken and all the videos as well. It should be arriving probably a little after Christmas, but you'll be able to see and hopefully watch some of the things I've been apart of on my mission here in Oklahoma.


That's is so awesome that Zak is going to North Carolina. I have referral for him already. His name is Josh Hannet and he works right now at Radio Shack with his sister-in-law. I don't have much more info than that, but I'll send him the details later.

I'm going to be to completely honest with everyone right now. I have not been completely open with my emails home to all of you. Truth be told, the work has beeen very hard. People always told me that my mission would be one of the hardest things you will ever do, and they were right. There is so much to be done, sometimes I can't focus. I have felt the mantle of my calling weighing on me like a ton of bricks, and I seem to not let anyone, even the Savior, lighten my load. Slowly, but surely, I am coming to a greater knowldege of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. All he asks is that we do our best, and He will make up for our shortcomings. There was a talk a read not too long ago, and he spoke about what his family calls: The Parable of the Bicycle. Long story short, his daughter wanted a bicycle, and he told her that if she saved all her pennies she can have a bicycle. Well a couple of weeks pass by, and his daughter comes to him with a jar of pennies. She told her dad that she had saved all her pennies. Well, his heart was touched, and he took her bike shopping. When they found the perfect bicycle, his daughter looked at the price tag, and her heart dropped. It costed much more than the pennies she had saved. Once again, this father's heart was touched, and he told her that if she gave him all her pennies and kiss and a hug, the bike was hers.

This story spoke volumes to me. It let me know that even though I can never give enough or do enough, Christ will make up the difference.

I love all of you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you so much for your prayers and support. I am grateful to be numbered among all of you, "noble and great ones". I am deeply touched by the love you express not only to me, but to everyone you come in contact with every day of your live. You are all an example for me, and I hope and that I can continue to make all of you proud while I'm out here.

Sincerely,
Elder Fellows