Dear Family,

It's been a long week here. So much has happened. And yet so little has happened. haha. It's weird.

First of all, I'm feeling mostly better. Not 100%, but I'm coughing much less and my energy is returning. I fear I may be allergic to something in the apartment. I've had a cough ever since I've been in Webb City. The other day another missionary was here with me on exchanges for the day and he noticed that I would cough way more in the house than out of it. So I'm really curious about that. Pretty much the only thing I know to do about it though is clean the house very thoroughly and continue taking some over the counter drugs and see if things improve.

We had interviews on Tuesday with President Merkley. It was good. No Mom, they don't make me nervous. I love getting to visit with him for a few minutes alone. It's nice. He's a wonderful man. I didn't get any indication about if I will be leaving or not. Last night President Merkley called me and asked me how things were going because he was pondering about what to do with transfers and wanted to get an inkling of how things are going. But he didn't say what he's going to do. He doesn't know yet. But he said that there are "a lot of possibilities." Whatever that means.

Yesterday was Stake Conference. It was quite fantastic. Bishop Keith B. McMullin, 2nd Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric spoke. He touched on many topics. He even talked about the whole, we can become gods thing, interestingly enough. One of the more interesting things he spoke about was a prophecy in Doctrine and Covenants section 1 verse 35 about Satan. God was speaking and said that Satan did not yet have full power over the earth but that that time was nigh. Bishop McMullin said that that prophecy has been fulfilled and that Satan does indeed have all the power over the Earth that he will ever have. He is unrestrained. Bishop McMullin also blessed the congregation in the manner of an Aposolic Blessing. I didn't know he could do that. That intrigued me as well.

Pres. and Sis. Southward of the Oklahoma City Temple were also present and spoke very briefly. I shook his hand afterward. It was neat because he remembered me. I met him once before. I was in Cleveland Oklahoma on exchanges for a day and he was driving us around that evening. So, he recognized me yesterday. Some day after the mission I need to go to the Oklahoma City Temple and ask to see him. Maybe I'll get to chat with a Temple President in his office for a few minutes. I would love that.

Yesterday, a member had us over to teach a friend of theirs at their house. It went very well. That will be happening with 2 other people this week. One tonight and one on Thursday. Three member referrals. That ain't bad.

So anyways. It's been quite a week. I don't know what will happen. If I will leave or stay or whatever. I should know by next Preparation Day, so I'll let you know. :)

I'm sorry to hear that about Granny. I will definitely keep her in my prayers.

As far as smokers go, I don't know too much more than you do. I talked with Bishop Kolb a little about his. After using several different types over the years, the one the have settled on is an Electric one. I'm not sure entirely how it works, because it does still require chips. It is actually only the 2nd most expensive one they've owned. It cost like.... $225 or something like that. I don't remember exactly. But somewhere in that range. So I don't know. You might do some research on that sometime. It's hard though, because you won't find an expert on it out in Utah, haha. I will still continue to try and learn from people out here all I can. In my spare time of course.
The Church is true. I hope you all have a wonderful week! Keep reading the scriptures, going to the temple, and sharing the gospel!

Love,
Elder Bracken