Hello Everyone!

Another day in Paradise for Elder Bracken. Nothing to report for transfers. We are totally unaffected. Which, in a way, is kind of nice. Much less hassle, for sure. And Elder Lybbert and I are just starting to really figure out how to work together. It's interesting how you click so quickly with some people and with other people it's like fitting a square peg in a round hole. I don't know why that is. But, the Lord provides and things work out.

We are emailing at the Neosho Library. One of the Librarian's is a member named Sister Moser, she just came over and said to tell our mom's "Hi" for her. So Mom, "Hi."

We had a really great experience yesterday. A member of the Ward brought a relative of hers to church and he really enjoyed it. He believes in God but doesn't really go to church. He sat in on Gospel Principle and it was a lot about the Celestial Kingdom and Exaltation. It didn't even phase him. He also thinks that the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants make a lot of sense. He wants to meet with us and learn more over donuts. :) He's a very hard-working, humble man. I'm very impressed with him.

Tonight we're going over to teach some stalwart Church of Christ members(some of them are Pastors even). That should be interesting. Wish me luck!

The Spoonbill was really good. Deep fried with Louisiana Fish Fry. Dipped in a French Tartar Sauce. Fantastic. Their really convenient to eat, because they have no bones in their body. I also had Fried Rabbit this week. It was great. Hard to get to the meat though. Definitely not as convenient and a Chicken Leg. I also had Catfish. It was good. It's not my favorite fish by any means, but it was very edible.
That's pretty crazy about the Volcano and Earthquake. When I read that in your email, the Toy Story Song "Strange Things Are Happenin' To Me" popped in my head. The Second Coming is imminent, and life is only gonna get crazier. I am so glad that we have the guidance of Apostles and Prophets to give us shelter from the storm. We won't make it without that Divine help.
I've seen so many welfare cases lately. It's driving me crazy. I'm so tired of people who do nothing but sit and complain about their problems, hoping that if they complain loud enough and long enough that someone else will solve them. I've heard every sad story in the book it seems, and I just don't care any more. People need to grow up and take care of themselves. True are the words of Elder Holland when he said something to the effect of, "There is no problem in this world big enough that complaining about it won't make it worse!" I know, I know, I sound like a hypocrite right now. I am a complainer by nature. But I'm getting better and I'm putting forth honest effort to improve. These people are not. And also, I don't get what these people expect from me. I have no money, no resources, no connections. I have no advice. All I do is teach the Gospel. That's it. Nothing more, nothing less. I can't solve your pocketbook problems. But I can teach you about Jesus Christ. And the Law of Tithing, on that note.

On a very similar note, I'm tired of excuses. I'm so tired of people feeding me their sad stories of all the reasons why they couldn't read or pray or go to church. Poor them. Boo hoo. President Monson has the greatest responsibility of any mortal person on Earth, and he still finds time to do all those things. He even does his Home Teaching. I've heard many stories of people who go to school full time, work 60 hours a week, run a family, and STILL go to church, read their scriptures, and pray. President Seal, our previous Mission President used to say, "Excuses are like butts. We all have them, and they all stink."

Sorry about that rant, but I really had to get that off of my chest. Phew!

Now I'll brighten things up by telling story of a Miracle. I don't know if I've even told you about the whole story, Mom and Dad. But I may have. Anywho:

Once upon a time I was a very young child. Probably 8 years old I would guess. I got a HUGE(it was huge to me at the time, but it was probably about the size of a Penny) Plantar Wart on the bottom of my foot. It was so nasty. My parents recall that it hurt badly enough to cause me to limp, though I don't remember it hurting. So, my Parents informed me that they had set up an appointment with the Doctor for a few days away. He would have to freeze it off of my foot! Ow! That MORTIFIED me, small child that I was. I couldn't handle that. Freezing it off of me? No way! So, I used the beautiful faith that every child has and I prayed. I begged and pleaded with my Heavenly Father to remove the Wart, so that I would not have to have it frozen off. And guess what happened! Overnight, it disappeared. Completely. As if it was never there. I never had to get it Frozen off. I am so grateful for that experience. Yes, it allowed me to escape great pain, but more importantly than that, it gave me a tesimony-building experience that I've been able to hold to for my entire life since. I felt like I should share that with you.

Well, I've probably rambled enough for you this week. Have a good one!

Love,
Elder Bracken

PS, Go to the temple!