Busy July!

Mom,

It is so satisfying to hear from you. I don't think I have ever missed you like I have right now. I keep having dreams that I am home with you and with my friends. In the dream you are always surprised to see me back early from my mission. I am not really home sick but I really miss you.

Elder Welch's eye is practically perfect now but the Opthamologists say that he still has some white and red blood cells floating around in his eye so he needs to take it easy for a while. I did have the chance to meet President Summerhays face to face. He is so cool and he is going to be a great mission president. It is a bit weird to see an experienced mission president leave and then a new one come in. He came to my ward this sunday and met all my investigators that came to church. It was very nice and they all liked him a lot. I could tell that he and his wife are still in shock about being out here as mission Presidents.

I haven't had any baptisms this transfer but I know that I was working as hard as I could and I did my part. I did set a baptismal date with a man named Steve Morris. He is a big Black guy who looks like Bubba off of Forest Gump. He is so awesome and willing to repent and come unto Christ. He has stopped drinking Tea and is trying his hardest to be worthy of the blessings of the Holy Ghost.

One thing I have learned since I have been out here is that this mission that the Lord has called me to do is more than just the people I teach and baptize. I found that if the Lord wanted baptisms he would have called more experienced men to do his work. But he called 19 year old young men to do his work. That is because he wants us to learn and grow as well. This mission is also for me to prepare me for the rest of my life and to help me become the man that I want to become. It hasn't been a walk in the park, I have had a lot of experiences that have made me ponder and struggle to become better and trust more in the Lord.

I am so happy that you are not bored. Beckett must be doing his job. I miss Beckett so much. There are so many dogs here and every time I see I think of Beckett. Tell me how Beckett is doing.

I do have access to a CD player and we have a car that we listen to music in all the time.

There was a scripture in the Book Of Mormon that is one of my favorites. It is in Alma when Helaman and his stripling warriors are off to fight the Lamanites. They are few in number but they say that they trust in God and have faith that God will deliver them. They said this because that is what their Mothers told them. I don't know if you have read the ensign last month but there is a talk that is titled "mother told me" or something to that effect. I read these things and I immediately thought of you and all the things that you have taught me. I love you mom. keep doing good stuff too.

-Elder Spencer Larson