Day 5

Today was probably the best day yet. You guys probably worried about me in my letters the past few days. I don't think I have done anything this hard ever.This doubles The Grand Canyon in difficulty! There are times where I think about going home but something keeps holding me back. I can honestly say I feel everyone's prayers and I am so grateful for all of the support. My homesickness hasn't really gone away but I'm learning to love this place. I love every one of my family members! Today...we had sacrament meeting at 7 and that was amazing! After, we had language study until 11 then we had priesthood meeting which was pretty awesome! (I was sad during both of these because it reminded me of my mom and dad) but we went back to get interviews from our Zone Leaders who are two companions going to Chile and leaving in 1 1/2 weeks. I bawled to them and asked if it gets any easier and they said yes. One of them suffered from homesickness pretty bad and he made me feel better by knowing that it can be better from here. My P-Day is Thursday so please give me a list of email addresses of the family after. After our Branch President taught our district a lesson about obedience on a mission and answered some of our questions. I asked him about Visas and he said it can come at any time (which sucks). (P.S. I have been living out of my suitcase because i don't want to unpack here) (P.S.S.Don't send food or candy, I have enough to eat here!:)) I was still pretty homesick after we talked to our Branch President so I just studied spanish. This is where my day got good! Some Hermana's (Sisters serving spanish missions)came in the room and asked us if we have any questions. Elder Mulestein (P.S. Everyone except me and E are going the the Argentina Salta mission)asked if it gets easier (meaning homesickness) from here? One of the sisters said "yes, I promise you after today, you will get a little homesick but you just need to lose yourself in the work". i know I've been told that before but it meant something to me today. I wasn't so scared of spanish after that! I was confident I was going to learn it sooner or later! After we talked with the Hermanas, we took our temple walk (we get to walk to the temple every Sunday at 2:30)and I think it was Heavenly Fathers way of showing me why I was here. I almost started crying because all I thought about was you guys but the spirit filled my heart and all I thought about was all of the Dominican people I was going to help and how much they need me. Another prayer of mine was answered because I saw Elder LeBeau (he told me you saw the picture of me and him and Alec), Elder Craven, Sister Dawson, and Elder Sip.(P.S. Elder Sip is my counselor here. He is honestly 1/2 of the reason I stayed). I almost started to cry when he ran up and hugged me. I already love my Dominican people already and I don't even know them yet. I've felt the spirit more in here more than ever today. I'm just bawling writing this letter in my room as Elder E sleeps (usual occurance) but Mom, as soon as you get this letter, email me and DearElder me your email so I know who to email. Dad, thanks for always having the priesthood. It means a lot to me now! Coop, keep working at football. Tough things are only making you stronger. Ky, you're such a strong sister and I hope you are a lot happier than me (you should have locked me in your closet! B and Whit and P, I hope you guys are great and I hope the baby is good! Mom, please email me or DearElder your address! I love you mommy and miss you so much! Pops, I miss your counsel and help in life, I love you so much! Coop, I miss you Bro! Love you! Ky, all my companions think you're a babe! Love you! B&W, stay strong and know I always love you! I will be emailing Thursday! Yo ustesec (?) amo! (I think that's how you say it!) Yo se que el evangelio es verdadero y yo se' Jose' Smith es un Profeta verdadero y estoy agradecido por mi familia! En el nobre de Jesu Cristo! Amen Love You Guys! (all over the pages of this letter were dried tear drops that he had labeled as such)