Drew's Rendition of Since You Been Gone

Letterino

Hey Family!!
Mom i was hoping that my mail got to you already. fear not you'll probably get it today. So Thanksgiving is going to be sweet. We are going to have like 3 dinners. If you sleep between each one it works out nicely. I got transfer calls today and i'm staying through Christmas. I really enjoy this area. There are some good folk. Well this past transfer has been a transfer of miracles for sure. I'm constantly seeing the hand of the Lord throughout my day. And it is all because of faith... Elder Hansen has naturally had a huge amount of faith and as it has boosted mine i've been able to see the tremendous strength of the Lord. In one of the conference talks this past conference, one of the general authorities shared the knowledge that Christ's parables are so simple and plain that a child can get all he needs out of it and so complex that the most intelligent on the Earth cannot grasp the fullness of it unless he humbles himself. This knowledge applies to missionary work and in our everyday lives. There are certain things that God wants to give us but it is based upon our faith and will. We need to align our word with God's and we need to align our will with God's. He expects us to keep learning all throughout life and with added knowledge He will give us more responsibility and stewardship. But He will do that based upon our faith and action. God loves us more than any of us realize and wants us to succeed but we need to show Him that we want to succeed. Show forth your faith, try your faith, and take advantage of the oppurtunities that He gives us. We are His soldiers and we will receive the due reward as we march forward. I feel like i'm preaching to the choir but I've learned alot lately and thought i ought to share some of it. I'm doing very well and i can feel the strength of all of you supporting me. I thank you all for all that you do. I hope the holidays go well with everyone I need some addresses so I can send some cards. Picture cards! so if you want one/want me to send one to someone, give me the address! Love you all!!!!
E. Baum

Look! ooooooooo

So that is the Sport Center edition...

So basically I just got thru writing you a good size email and the computer shut off. So I'll have to give you the Sport Center version now. E. Hansen dislocated his finger playing football today. It was sweet. The baptism was way nice. One of the most spiritual experiences of my life. I have yet to take my bike in. Mom I have a letter to send out to you for your b-day so be expecting. There is a guy that we're teaching that committed to baptism on the 6th. He is way nice. We have been finding people to teach like crazy. I'm doing great. There are some pics included. I'm having loads of fun. There isn't anything really that I need. I did buy a coat for the winter that was pre cheap but super nice that the Pendleton's found at Cosco. My long one doesn't really work on the bike. Transfers are coming soon. A week from Tuesday. I'm having tons of fun. Dad there aren't too many people that give us crap for the whole Prop 8 deal but on occasion there are some crazies that will "speak their mind" to us. We have district meetings every week and since they live in our same complex we see them almost every day. Scubaing in sweet! I'd love to join you all when I get back. Mexico Should be sweet. So that is the Sport Center edition. I love you all and Hope that you have a grrrrrreat week!

E. B!

So this week was a grrrrreat one!

So this week was a grrrrreat one!
I found out, while we were up in Gridley for Trainer/Trainee meeting, that Bailey that I taught up in Gridley is getting baptized on Sat. So I've decided to go. You can do that once in your mission so I figured that now would be as good a time as ever. Also one of the investigators that we have here has decided to get baptized. Heavenly Father is definitely softening the hearts of the people here. I can't believe how many people are opening up to the gospel. There are alot of people at the same time lashing out against the church about prop 8 if you haven't heard already. We don't get bothered too much. Many people respect the church for standing up for what we believe in. I hope it helps people see that a true church of God will not back down on true doctrine. So this week we were teaching this family and I broke down while I was speaking about Heavenly Fathers relationship with us in comparison to our fathers that we have down here on Earth. I love you Dad, I owe most of who i am to you. And you owe most of who you are to mom! I hope that i'm making you all proud. I am trying my best. I think thats the first time in my life when I can honestly say that. So there are a few items that I need for the bizike. Sorry I feel like i'm sayin that too often but my brakes are done for and my chain is rusted over but yeah. I'll prob take it in next week... Sorry i'm lame this week. I don't have much to say but I love you all and thank you all for the support and such. Much love
Elder B.

Heavenly Father's hand is in all that I do

Hey Family!
Things are going great. I have gained a firm testimony of modern-day miracles. This week I was able to participate in Mariah's baptism into the Church. Beforehand I knelt down and offered up a prayer to ask Heavenly Father for the spirit that my efforts may be consecrated in Christ's name. As I did so the spirit overwhelmed me. Heavenly Father's hand is in all that I do. I'm very blessed to have part in His work. I testify to you that I have seen and felt the strength of Christ lifting me up. He is the way and the light. He will give us anything according to the desires of our hearts if we seek the building up of His kingdom first. Halloween was pretty fun. We played risk. I hate risk but it was fun to hang out with the district. The holidays are rapidly approaching. I love Christmas time because no matter who you are, your thoughts turn to the Savior at some point during Christmas. It's awesome in every sense of the word. So BYU... yeah. They're doin great haha. So the rain is back. I enjoy it for a little and then it gets a little annoying. I need to get like a wind-breaker or something to keep the rain off. So Bball today was intense. I still suck but i'm getting ok. I get frustrated. Sorry there isn't a whole lot to report this week. I'm havin' tons-o-fun. That is whats so great about the Lords work. You work hard at it. He strengthens you. I love doing the Lord's work. That is sweet that you had the missionaries teach the class. Strengthening the members' understanding of the doctrine will to more to increase their trust in you and excite them to do missionary work than anything else you can do. (Strait out of PMG, not word for word but you get it.) We right now are trying to teach lessons 1,2, and 3 to every fam in the ward. So far it is going well. Welp my time is running thin. I love all of you! Have a grrrrrreat week.
Elder B.

"The Lord will work mighty miracles in your life according to your faith."

Hey,
It is good to hear from all of you. I hope as i email that you do not receive any misconception of the respect that i have for all of you, my companion, my leaders, and myself. Let's face it i love all of you! I heard about the Y game. They're struggling for sure. They will be good though I have full invested faith haha. So the work is going well. I really feel the faith that comes from my companion. E. Hansen is a great guy. As we have sought out the elect of God we have seen many miracles this week. Mariah is getting baptized this week on Saturday! I'm way excited. man I cannot believe the faith that she has as well. I think alot about the word faith and all that it includes. I think so often that Heavenly Father could just tell us the list of people to see and we would go teach them and the work would just skyrocket. There is a certain amount of faith that is needed to do it this way though. In true to the faith it states, "The Lord will work mighty miracles in your life according to your faith." Daily i see the Lords hand in the work. Like i've said before, I'm nothing out here without his helping hand guiding me along the way. I can't believe the miracles that i've see by His hand. Some are too sacred to casually speak of over email. I have a testimony of faith and the necessity of it down here. Heavenly Father loves us so much that he gave us the ability to choose for ourselves to follow him. I saw symbolism of this throughout my life growing up with the best parents in the world. I still don't know how you pulled it off. I did receive the money cards and honestly it was more than what i could've asked for. thank you so much. You all are an amazing example to me. I'm grateful for all of you and the Love that you've shown for me. So for Halloween the other elders in our complex bought a fog machine and we're going to play chess that night in the fog haha. Stupid I know but we have to be in that night by 6 pm. I want to let all of you know how much i'm loving it out here. I've grown alot. There are so many things that i would've missed out on if it weren't for all of you and your guidance and example. Much love!
Your Missionary