Hello world,

 

So it's been a great week.  I'm a little sick, but we're doing good work here.  We have a goal of getting 40 progressing investigators by the end of this change.  We are in a very good area and, if we work hard we fully believe that we can do it.  We've seen a lot of miracles as we've worked our heads off.  I'm back to feeling exhausted all the time (partly because I'm sick) and I couldn't be happier.

 

Élder Carver.....he's a great missionary that is very devoted to the work.  He has found a lot of happiness in serving and obeying with exactness and he's a joy to have as a companion.  He loves soccer (midfielder), we are planning on going running every morning, and does good missionary work.  He's from Fort Worth, Texas and went to school in BYU Idaho (Ydaho) :).  He is also the only boy and youngest of five.  We have a lot in common and a lot different.  I'm excited :). 

 

That's all that's really new.  We had a mission-wide leadership council with President Chávez.  He talked a lot about exact obedience and I realized I had rationalized letting a few things slip.  I had the wonderful opportunity to recommit to being exactly obedient.  My mistakes were never huge, but I've found, as one general authority said in conference, "it's easier to be obedient 100% of the time than 98% of the time."  I've felt especially blessed as I've done so.

 

We moved into our new house all the way this week.  It's an extremely secure house with a lot of bars on the door, windows, and even the back porch.  We'll be very well guarded there.  The other elders are also settling into their new house.  All is well.

 

Well, today and tomorrow México celebrates the Day of the Dead.  In Cuatro Vientos it largely just amounts to the shrine to the dead ancestors and trick-or-treating but one of the elders in my district just called saying that in his rather small town people are shooting pistols into the air to celebrate.  Because of the rather dangerous situation I just told him to stay inside for as long as he felt he had to. :P  México is a crazy, rather unpredictable place.

 

This week's letter has been brought to you by I Know that My Redeemer Lives.

 

I know that my redeemer lives

What comfort this sweet sentence gives

He lives, he lives who once was dead

He lives, my ever living head

 

He lives to bless me with his love

He lives to plead for me above

He lives my hungry soul to feed

He lives to bless in time of need

 

He lives to grant me rich supply

He lives to guide me with his eye

He lives to comfort me when faint

He live to hear my soul's complaint

 

He lives to silence all my fears

He lives to wipe away my tears

He lives to calm my troubled heart

He lives all blessings to impart

 

He lives my kind, wise, heavenly friend

He lives and loves me to the end

He lives and while he lives I'll sing

He lives, my prophet, priest and King

 

He lives and grants me daily breath

He lives and I shall conquer death

He lives my mansion to prepare

He lives to bring me safely there

 

He lives all glory to his name

He lives my Savior still the same

O sweet, the joy this sentence gives:

I know that my Redeemer lives

 

He lives all glory to his name

He lives my Savior still the same

O sweet, the joy this sentence gives:

I know that my Redeemer lives.

I add my witness that I know that my Redeemer lives.  He is my great King and Lord.  I will follow Him and love Him forever for He first loved me.  I know that He suffered, bled, and died for me.  I know that He will always stand and comfort me.  I know He is with me.  A good friend recently wrote me and said that she had begun inviting God to walk with her and talk with her.  I know I've had that privelege as a missionary.  I hope that, my whole life, I'll always invite God to walk with me, and that I'll always walk with Him.  I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Church and Kingdom of God on the earth.  It is the only one.  It is unique.  I know it is hard for some to believe in that, but I know because God Himself told me.  I invite all to ask Him and find the Joy and Happiness that comes from knowing and living that Truth.  I know that we are led by a living Prophet, Seer, and Revelator.  I know that God wants us to live with Him and be Happy and has provided me with a way to do so.  I KNOW and that makes all the difference.

 

All My Love,

Élder Sudbury

 

PS Mom, Dad, yes it was me who sent you that, no worries.  It's an emergency channel I learned about a while ago.  It doesn't always work but it's a way to get a hold of you in an emergency like when my card gets stolen.  Melanie and Tim, I wish youthe best of luck in all your teaching and working endeavors.  Looks like Zoë and Ryan had fun.  Matt, SalleeAnn, Hannah, and Sammy, sounds like you had fun in Zion for halloween.  Noella, good luck in the upcoming scrabble game.  JuleeAnn and Chris, I have a quote here from President Hinckley for you.  "Things will work out.  Keep trying.  Be believing.  Be happy.  Don't get discouraged.  Things will work out."  :)  I love you all!  Happy Halloween!!!!! ;)