Curtis' Letter July 8, 2011

Hello Family,

I won't be reading any of your emails this week, it looks like.  I forgot to tell you all last week that in my new area we had moved P-day from Saturday to Friday, but that's okay.  It's been a busy week.  Changes are this upcoming week.  The way things are looking, I will likely have changes.  If so, then it will be my time to leave.  I leave it in God's hands.  If I have changes, you'll know because I won't be able to write until the next Monday.

Well.....the house.  We met with the owners of the house we wanted this last Monday.  They seemed nice, but we still had the problem of fiscal receipts.  They said that they could indeed give us fiscal receipts to explain the cost of the house, but they wouldn't be specifically for rent, but rather for something else, but they insisted that they were completely legal.  After hearing that for a half-an-hour we smiled and said we would talk it over with the church accountants.  The church accountants started talking and it seemed like it could work.  We went to work Tuesday and found the number of another house.  We called it just to see the price (it had become a habit) and it was a little high in price.  We didn't think much of it as we had already decided on this other house.  Wednesday rolled around and it turned out that the receipts they wanted to give us would not work at all.  They were indeed fiscal receipts that showed the proper taxes, but instead of being for rent, they wanted to give us receipts claiming that it was for medical treatments.  Perhaps it is legal, in Mexico, but it wasn't right.  We remembered the house for which we saw the number.  We called it and set an appointment for that afternoon.  We saw it and it was beautiful.  The person who showed us the house was one of the owners, can give fiscal receipts, is alright with our alternative to a cosigner, and is willing to negotiate the price.  We put the brethren at the church office building to work on it this morning.  We expect to, in the end rent this house.

The hand of God was clearly in all of this.  We had been spending too much in the mission in the account we use to rent houses before I became financial secretary.  Because I came and cut down the costs, we have enough money for this slightly more expensive house.  We felt we were going to get one house, but we didn't.  Because we were near that house we found the number for the house whose owners we met on Monday.  Because we thought we were going to rent that house, we went to work.  Because we went to work, we ran across the number of a house that isn't being adverrtised anywhere.  God carefully led us down the right path.  When it seemed nothing would work out, He arranged an answer to our prayers in a greater and more wonderful manner than we had imagined.  I am very grateful.

We have been focusing on really loving our investigators.  I've felt for a long time that that is the real key to missionary work: true, pure love.  We have had a marvelous week.  We only have a few investigators in this area right now, but we love them dearly.  In the space of just a week, we have made great friends.  I am happy.

That's about all the news we have.  The work goes on...

This letter has been brought to you by the song Count Your Blessings:

When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings; name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

Count your blessings;
Name them one by one.
Count your blessings;
See what God hath done.
Count your blessings;
Name them one by one.
Count your many blessings;
See what God hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings; ev’ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.

Count your blessings;
Name them one by one.
Count your blessings;
See what God hath done.
Count your blessings;
Name them one by one.
Count your many blessings;
See what God hath done.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold.
Count your many blessings; money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven nor your home on high.

Count your blessings;
Name them one by one.
Count your blessings;
See what God hath done.
Count your blessings;
Name them one by one.
Count your many blessings;
See what God hath done.

So amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged; God is over all.
Count your many blessings; angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Count your blessings;
Name them one by one.
Count your blessings;
See what God hath done.
Count your blessings;
Name them one by one.
Count your many blessings;
See what God hath done.

In my "conflict" of life, God is most certainly over all.  Angels have attended me.  Christ has blessed me.  I have, more than once, thought that the load was too heavy to bear.  I have felt tempest tossed and that all was lost.  God has shown, time and time again, that He is indeed in charge of my life.  I put myself in His hands and He takes care of me.  Sometimes I cannot see the way He will make things right, but He always does.  I know He lives, for I've heard His voice.  I know He lives because I feel His love for me and those around me.  I know He lives because He has guided my path even when I didn't know where I was going.  God Lives.  Jesus Christ is the Son of the Eternal Father, my Savior, and my best Friend.  I hope, at the end of my life, He will be able to say that I was His Friend as well.

All my Love,

Élder Sudbury

PS Mom and Dad, I'll write you a short note seperately.  Melanie and Tim, your kids are getting so big!  Ryan is huge!  Zoë looks just like her mother at that age.  You are blessed.  Matt and SalleeAnn, I imagine your kids are getting huge too, but I haven't any recent pictures of them, could you send me some?  Noella, when is your trip again?  JuleeAnn and Chris, I hope you enjoyed your 4th of July in Boston!  I love you all dearly!