"Unwearyingness"

Dear Mom, Dad, Eric, Belle, and Coffee,

Thank you for handling all of the logistical aspects of the returning process, I imagine those answers and information will be very beneficial come next week.  I essentially am going to dump almost everything.  I may take one white shirt for commemoration, but the others are going in the trash.  I'm leaving all garments and likely the pair of shoes destroyed in the Taiphoon, and things of that nature.  I'll probably leave a lot of my exercise apparel and other related things.  If there are any oppositions to these matters, please inform me immediately, I'll try to make sure that I take them home.  I will dump all that I feel are unessential to ensure that I make the required weight requirements.  I will be bringing a few little doo-dads home with me, but don't get too excited, because I have a lot of specific weight requirements and a lot of things here are very fragile.  If there are any requests, please bring them up soon and I will see what I can do.  I got my itinerary today actually.  I know all of those details:

It's essentially the same schedule as coming here.  

9:40 a.m. (Taiwanese Time) - Leaving from Taibei to Tokyo

3:25 p.m. (Japanese Time) - Leaving Tokyo

10:15 a.m. (Oregon Time) - Leaving Portland

The flight duration is 1:41.  I imagine that I'll get in around 11:56.  We'll have the entire day ahead of us after that.  

My companion just showed me an email that President sent to him and the line said, "I hope you're grateful for the time you've had with your companion.  You've had an opportunity to serve with one of the greats."  I'm so grateful for my mission president.  He is so loving and kind to me.  I want to do whatever it takes to be the righteous person that I need to be for the rest of my life.  I really worked hard on my mission.  I'm so grateful that I had righteous parents that sought to raise Eric and I in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It has changed my life and I will always know these things are true.  I worked hard on my mission because I have a testimony of the truthfulness of these things.  I know that this Gospel has changed me and will change many others. I just want to be enveloped in this gospel for the rest of my life.  It is the only true route to lasting happiness.

Christmas sounds like a distant thing still.  We have our mission-wide Christmas activity this week. It should be a blast.  We are going to famous place called Sun-Moon Lake.  It is breathtakingly gorgeous.  It was in one of my former Zones, but unfortunately while I was there I didn't have time to go.  I'm excited to go see the sights, but also will have a chance to buy some last minute things before heading that way.  I hope that you all aren't expecting too much.  I'm going to prepare some small things, but don't get too excited.  I wish I had more time to give you all something really valuable for Christmas.  You're going to have to settle with a raggedy, stinky 21-year-old burden.

The house is a go.  I imagine we'll move in that week following the events.  All of the people for it are also confirmed and such.  Don't fret about that part.  The living conditions are prime.  We have a kitchen, living room, and three small bedrooms (two per room).  It's going to be pretty choice setting for our studying and such.  All of the missionaries living there were amazing, obedient missionaries while they were here so I imagine that things will be smooth.

Oh yes, the phone call.  I will call on the morning of the 23rd in Taiwan, so the 22nd in America.  I will call around 8-9 Taiwanese time, and so 5-6p.m. in America if my calculations aren't incorrect.  Please plan accordingly, and if this will not work out, then please notify me immediately.

I'm sprinting as fast as I can.  My Mission President sent me a hilarious email this week about fearing that I'm not working at top speed because my numbers were slightly lower than the week before. He's a hoot.  You would ADORE him.  I hope you all get to meet him someday.  He loves the Lord.  I've learned so much from him.  I have every intention of working until I collapse on the 29th.  I love you all so much.  Talk to you on Monday.

- Elder Woolsey