Dear
Family,
Thank you for your
love and support. This week was a really rough week. We taught no lessons this
week. I can see the Lord's hand though because we found 16 new potential
investigators. So that's a bonus. It's really disappointing when your
investigators are really busy and don't make time to meet. I feel like some of
them are just falling through the cracks. “L” is slipping away from us. She
really doubts her decision to learn about the church. She is hanging out with
the wrong crowd. We met one of her friends and he was just really
disrespectful, rude, and obnoxious. His name was “T”. She tells us that she has
temptations with drugs, sex, and bad language. She's only 15 years old. That's
Aaron's age. My heart breaks for her.
Sometimes it's really
hard to watch those that you care for make all the wrong decisions. I took a
step back and realized that at one point, I was Lexi. I wasn't making the right
decisions. I teetered back and forth between wanting to change and being afraid
to change. It took lots of love and support from good friends, leaders, and
parents. I keep praying for her. That's all we can do for right now.
I'm glad you had a
good Thanksgiving. We had Thanksgiving dinner at the Church. It was sponsored
by the VanQuill's for anyone in the ward that had no family in town for the
Holidays. Bishop and his wife were there. There were a few other members there
as well. Sister Mitchell came. It was really good too! It was a great
experience.
Thanks for sending a
sweater! I look forward to it.
Thank you so much
Grandma for the money. I love you so very much. I also had a question about
music. What is the difference between time signatures like 2/4 and 4/8? Are
they conducted differently? Do they differ in tempo or expression? In 4/8 do
you conduct 2 or 4 beats to a measure? I hope you are doing well. I keep
meaning to write letters home, but it's really hard to find time on P-day. I
will be writing handwritten letters today though.
Jessica and Aaron,
Mockingjay 2 sounds awesome! I hope you two are doing well. Jessica, send me a
picture of you with your braces off! I want to see your beautiful face!!! I'll
be sending some pics from Elder Samuels' camera. Also Jessica, I was wondering
if you would send a copy of your patriarchal blessing. I was excited to have
you read my blessing. I wouldn't show it to anyone else.
Sarah, I love the Saul
to Paul conversion story. I've read it a few times before. Some of my favorite
scriptures are in the epistles, after Jesus leaves and the apostles are leading
the church. I love how devoted they were to missionary work and how patient
they were in trials. There is so much that you can learn from their examples. I
wish that I could go to the temple every day, but we only get to go once a
year. Cherish those moments when you get to do baptisms for the dead. Then
you'll be prepared for the day when you get your endowment. It is a really cool
experience.
I love you all so
much. I know that we'll be together FOREVER!
Love,
Elder Herbert