Dear Mom, Dad, and Eric,
I'm so happy that you guys sent me an email! I look
forward to this time each week. I would first like to address your email
because some things were a little concerning. First and foremost, I sent
mom a pretty extensive letter last Thursday with about thirty pictures in
it (I used the appropriate number of stamps), so it's a little upsetting that
it got lost. I hope it turns up on one of our ends soon. I did get
the package with everything and I was beyond happy! I mentioned it in the
letter to Mom which you obviously haven't received. :/ Bu hao. Everything is
safe though, and I haven't needed to use them. The language is coming
along very well. I'm always trying to push myself, but it is SOOO
hard. I think I can teach most of the first lesson without any notes in
Chinese, but the Plan of Salvation is tough. There is LOADS of new vocab involved. I've
progressed in that I can more readily recognize what people are trying to say
when they speak in Mandarin (meaning that I can pick out words and the general
idea of sentences). I don't know if that makes much sense or not.
It sounds like your talk went well! I'm happy for you! I love that you
spoke with Elder Findlay. Whitney writes me regularly and tells me about
their progress as missionaries. It sounds like your day as a whole was
rather busy! Keep it up though! You are never happier than when you are
serving the Lord! Question though....have you been assigned a new home
teaching companion yet? If so, who?
Ok, sorry about the rushed nature of my email
again. I'm just trying to cram things in. Now for a few updates on
this end. When I said that I wanted "my letters typed up," I
didn't mean the ones you sent me. I was more hoping that when I sent you
guys a hand-written letter that you would type it up so that it would better
preserve them (seeing as I write them in pencil). This last Sunday I got
to hear the most INCREDIBLE rebroadcast of a talk that Elder Bednar gave at the MTC this
last Christmas on the Character of Christ. It was phenomenal. He
spoke about turning outward instead of inward, even in difficult times like
death. He also challenged us to read the Book of Mormon to receive answers
to our questions. It was more involved than this however. He said
to write down one question, then proceed to to
read the entire Book of Mormon in response to that one question. Ponder a
lot, and pray a lot, and he will answer the question every time. Then
write a half-page summary on it your answer. This sounds INCREDIBLY
difficult, but a prophet said it, so....it's gotta be true. He said that you should have a couple
hundred copies by the time you're his age. I really want to do
this. I'm just waiting for the MTC bookstore to restock on cheap BOMs.
Oh yeah....I'm kinda surprised that I forgot to tell you this (glad I wrote
it down!), but I'm now District Leader. Our former District Leader and
his companion (Elder Chan and Elder Bishop) are now the new Zone
Leaders. This (the ZL callings) is kind of a humbling moment for me,
because I didn't really expect it....that's a nice way of putting it, but I
hope it makes sense. Pretty cool, huh? I'm excited to serve.
The older generation leaves this week (the people who came in eight weeks before
us). Elder Winters (the former ZL) is an inspiration to me. I have
been trying to emulate his example. He studies so hard and is so
humble. I want to be that kind of missionary.
I wrote Dad a letter, and I've been working on Eric's
letter (he wrote a TON). Dad will get his probably on Thursday, and
Eric....sometime after that. I really really hope Mom's letter shows up.
Elder Richards went home again. After coming back,
he developed clinical depression and now he is gone. For good. Zaijian I guess. :/ I
bought my own olive oil and will consecrate it tonight! STOKED!
Just one thing I never really told you: I can't listen to music
in the MTC...which has been really hard. I may send my iPod home soon so
that you can put more songs on it or something, but I don't know. We'll
see.
Brother Liu (my favorite of my two teachers) wrote a
"Valentine" for us last night about his love for the gospel and his
savior and how he has felt his Father in Heaven's love. He wrote it on
the board then had to leave. Each of us were silent for about 45 min to 1
hr. It was incredible. Half of us were in tears and the spirit was
so strong. His testimony of his Savior's love was so pure and inviting
that it was truly remarkable. We prayed together and headed to bed.
Incredible night.
Anyway...I'm once again out of time. Sorry.
:/ I'm also sorry that this letter is all over the place. I would
like to close with how much I love you guys. It being Valentine's Day,
it's only appropriate. I love you guys more than anything. I wish
that I could see you guys again, but how sweet will that moment be when we get
to embrace in two years. Totally worth it. You guys have raised me
in the Gospel and taught me its importance. You have instilled me with a
love for my fellow man and a drive to serve my King. This isn't just for
Mom and Dad either Eric, so don't discount yourself. I love you guys more
than you'll ever understand.
Love, Elder Bryant Jared Woolsey
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