April 25, 2011

I sent Jeff a picture of his grandpa and grandma Marje at a 90th birthday cellebration for grandpa:

Hey!
Wow, thanks for sending the picture of Grandpa and Grandma! That was so great to see them. I didn't realize that Grandpa already completed 90 years! Thats great, he looks great still. I'm excited to see both of them and just talk with them. Thats cool that you were all able to eat with Uncle Pete and Aunt Angie, and that they invited one of their new neighbors. Haha, I remember that wood duck house. I wonder if there are any still standing in the park. How many years ago was that? Like 4? I don't even remember, that whole time period from after high school up till the mission is easy to get confused with.
But yea, so that was pretty weird for me to have to give my testimony. No, it wasn't hard to give it but it just wasn't expected yet. I have had to give a lot of talks and classes these last 9 months. So I really have gotten used to it, it's not a big deal to me anymore. So I guess thats good :) Yea, this change will have a lot more of those "last time" moments.

Oh right, so for the big news...I will be ending my mission in the same sector.  Yep, I will be dying here in Ochagavia, but the sad part of the story is that my comp and good friend Elder Clark will be leaving me.  I'm really sad to see him go, I was hoping that he'd be my last comp.  I have to train in a new zone leader companion so he can carry on when I leave, and my comp still isn't quite ready.  But he'll be there soon enough.  I am happy that I won't have to do another change though, that would
have been tough.  So now I'm just anxious to see who my companion will be and I'll find out tomorrow.
 As far as being trunky goes..I'm really not very trunky.  I'm just gonna keep on going hard these last few weeks, then when I'm on that plane I'll relax ha. 
 Thats what the Lord asks of us in life too.  That we are faithful and obedient until the end, not 99% but the whole 100%, then when we pass to the spirit world we can relax.  There are many different people who will read this letter, all in different parts of that journey.  Don't ever give up, there are always many challenges and trials but I know, I really do, that if we stay strong in the gospel we will make it through.  I just look at our family, we've passed through lots of trials, and we are still going strong.  And I know it's because of the gospel, without it who knows where any of us would be.

Yea, I'll let you know what day and time I'll be "Skyping" (is that a word).
 Ya know, I'm gonna be honest, I am looking forward to the college life again. I know I have to work my butt off and study hard, but it's a lot of fun too, especially with all the firends I've made here on the mish. SO it will be a blast. But thats a ways off still so..the summer will be great to relax!

Well, I'm happy to report that it has been getting colder here in Chile! Finally, I'm not walking around soaked in sweat haha. I just hope my shoes don't get a whole these next 6 weeks, because it's been raining a bit and will probably conitnue to rain here. But even if it does I'm just gonna put on another pair of socks haha. But I'm holding up fine, it's funny I think the Missionary Mall clothes are designed to hold together exactly 2 years. Because after these next 6 weeks I'm pretty sure that they are just going to fall apart! Oh well, I'm leaving most of them here in Chile, not worth the weight.

Well, I don't have anyhting else to say really. Today we had a big barbeque as a district, it was a lot of fun. I didn't eat much (I'm going home in 6 weeks can't get fat!) It was yummy though.
Ok well hope you all have a great week!
Love you all!
Elder DeLong