Hey mom,

I hope things work out well for you with the new Principal :)

I'm glad you made it to the open house :) That is awesome :) But other than that, how's your temple attendance? :)

That's pretty cool about the gate. Bout time :) haha

My companions name is Elder Chris Perry. He is a farm boy from Parma, Idaho(near Boise, apparently). Nice guy. Kind of self-obsessed though. He is what Brian Regan would call a "me-monster." (ask amanda what that means).

Work is going very well. We teach many lessons. Rain isn't really a problem here. So far, the storms come, rage for about an hour, then leave. Nobody has sprinkling systems out here. No need for it.

Thanks again for the sweet package :) I ate the Dove's and the Kit-Kats waaaaay too fast. I'm trying to pace myself with the M&M's. :)

Keep on keepin' on. :) haha

Hey Dad,

Thank you for not spoiling Transformers for me :) I want to be completely surprised when I see it :) I'm glad you liked it though :)

The heat is pretty bad. The members tell me that it usually doesn't get this hot until August. It makes our work in the Afternoon pretty fruitless. I don't like it. I miss dry heat!

Tell the fam in St. George hi for me :)

I'm glad that you read the Chapter :) It's so great. I love leaving that one for investigators to read when we first give them a Book of Mormon. Very powerful. (when they actually read it, haha)

We are teaching an ex-communicated lady and her less active boyfriend/husband-to-be. It is so amazing to see people make the change in their lives and do what Christ wants them to do. She won't count as a convert Baptism for us, but that doesn't matter. I'm really glad that I have the chance to help her and her family. They're really awesome :)

President Merkley rolls into town today. It'll be really interesting to meet him. As I understand it, new mission presidents aren't allowed to change any rules for the first 90 days that they are in their calling. Which is wise, I think. That should be long enough to figure out what's working and what isn't. And it removes the temptation to come in and change everything without giving and of the current programs a chance to prove themselves.

It sounds like Ben is thoroughly enjoying himself in New Zealand. I'm excited for him to learn and to grow. It's really cool thinking about where he is right now emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. I was there such a short time ago. It's crazy all that I've learned these past 5 weeks. He is 10 minutes away from the temple, btw. I'm so jealous! Speaking of which, other than the Open House(which I am also jealous of), how has your temple attendance been?

I'm very glad to hear that Cambry is doing well. I'm very proud of Jake and Brandy for stepping up to the plate and taking responsibility for their wonderful new child :)

I've been studying Faith lately. I've decided that it is the most underrated Principle of the Gospel. It is so important! We can't do anything without it! It's not an accident that it is the First Principle of the Living Gospel. I really love the story in Matt 10(i think it's 10). Where a Roman Centurion asks Jesus to heal his servant, but says that he is not worthy for the Savior to enter his home. He asks Jesus to but speak the words and his servant would be healed. Jesus marvels at this mans faith. He hasn't seen such faith before, not even in Israel. Because of the man's faith, his servant is healed. That is what we all need to be striving for.

I've decided that I have a new favorite painting. If you look in the (latest?) Ensign, the one after the General Conference Addresses, and you look on the absolute last page, there is a painting of Christ walking on water, and Peter trying to walk to him but drowning. It's beautiful. As the lady on Napolean would say, "I want that." haha.

Well, I've gotta head out now! :) I love you all!

Love,

Elder Bracken