Baptisms This Christmas!

    Hey family!! I miss you all this Christmas and hope you are enjoying the spirit of the season. This Sunday we are having 3 baptisms!! The H and C kids are so excited and so are we!!! This will be the best Christmas present for everyone!
    I forgot if I mentioned how many times we make beans and eggs. It is now a Sunday night tradition. Elder C loves them! Now, when we shop, we always need to get our Huevos Rancheros supplies. I hope that Norwegian pancakes will be a hit as well.
    To update on other investigators....J came to church again without her girls!!! Yay! She was there before we were and waiting patiently for it to start. We taught her about donating tithing and fast offerings and she is gung-ho about it. She wants to pay now even though she isn't a member. I guess we can't stop her from donating!
    I was super bummed that we dropped an investigator and got dropped by another investigator, but the one we dropped more that the other. I prayed a bit for him and a few days later, he called. He apologized to us and told us when his schedule is free.
    I love you ALL!!! Thank you so much for the cards and gifts!! I have saved most of them for Christmas day...you know me, I love Christmas! Remember what it's all about and it will be that much more special!!! Merry CHRIST-mas!!

I Stayed Put This Transfer

      Hey family!!  I wanted to let you all know, I stayed put this last transfer.  The only difference for our companionship is that E. Coulson is the new district leader. :)
    First off, I had some elote last week....the corn on the cob stuff that Stephen is always eating on Nacho Libre!  It was very good, but it’s un enfarto esperando a pasar (a heart attack waiting to happen).   On Wednesday night I taught the English class, which was super fun; I think it helped my Spanish a bit.  I thought Spanish was hard, but English is even more confusing...;) 

       J came to Relief society and Church all on her own this last week!  Her daughters are in Mexico, and she used to only come with them!!  It made my heart leap when I saw her!  This week we attempted to contact a new referral but couldn’t get past the two devil dogs to knock the door, so I found a piece of pipe and banged of the door from over the fence :)  No one answered, but I asked the neighbor girl about the referral, and she and her parents gave us so much information that we knew we couldn't drop the lady.  We were starting to think we’d been given a false address but now we know it’s legit!  We'll try back soon.  We set up a Visitors Center trip with the C & H family.  We will go on Saturday.  They again came to church -- the parents drove them and everything!  They are still way excited and the kids in the ward seem to be friendshipping them.  I am so happy for them!

December Already?

     Crazy to think it is December, no?  Hearing Christmas music in sunny weather is not how it was meant to be!  On Friday we thought there had been an accident, but it was really Santa being given a police escort!  We had two recent converts in our area sealed in the temple on Saturday and we also attended the baptism of another investigator who we helped to move out a while ago.  Pretty crazy weekend! 

      I finally made beans and eggs last night!!  It was very good and it reminded me of home.  I almost felt like I was getting ready to go to the church for activity night.  Y and C, the daughters of J, left for Mexico today so we are unsure if we'll be able to teach J, but hopefully. We have three new young investigators that are super excited and want to be baptized on Christmas!!!  They love lessons and are very eager, plus they came to church!!  I will let you know more soon.  The group letter [at Thanksgiving] was much appreciated!

Holiday Time

      Last night was SO AWESOME!!!!  We had the baptism of K and L!  I did not baptize them but I still felt so special being able to witness this miracle.  When they finished changing in the dressing rooms, Elder C and I sang Asombro me Da (I Stand All Amazed).  We both had solo parts and it was so scary.  I have never really sung a solo just standing there.  Musicals are different because you are in a costume and it is not you.  When they bore their testimonies, the spirit was so overpowering!  Most people cried.  I did.  It was so crazy to know how much the Gospel has already blessed them.

     On Thanksgiving we cooked a turkey for one of the families in our ward.  Hermana C didn't know how, so Elder C led the way in teaching her (I didn't know that much either).  We also picked up trash around a park for two hours that day, and that was actually fun being out with our entire zone.

Los Angeles Temple

Thanksgiving Week!

    Hey Everyone!!  I love you!  Mom, I think you asked what we are doing for Thanksgiving, but we don't really know.  I know we have a service project in the morning, and I think several families have invited us to dinner....fat time!  Which brings me to my weight.  This Mexican food is very fattening and it’s really hard to say no to the families who feed you.  We eat with a family almost every night and I have gained about 5 lbs since the MTC.  I can feel my pants tightening around my waist which has NEVER happened to me before.  I am getting chubby!  Don't laugh too much ok.  I am trying.  It is pretty inevitable to gain weight.  I just need to keep it as low as I can.
     The other day we knocked a door that was answered by a French woman named M.  She was very nice and had had good relations with "Mormons" before.  She was impressed when I said "I don't know" in French.  She also guessed that I had Swedish blood in me.... Crazy huh, Dad?  We will go by again to see if she wants to learn more, because she kind of shrugged us off.  She did give us a referral though, which was very unexpected.
    I taught a blind man while on splits with our English zone leaders and that was cool.  He was making herbal tea (instead of coffee!) and being very efficient.  The weird part was turning off the lights as we left his house.  It made me realize how horrible it would be to live in complete darkness for a lifetime.  That is what the Church is for!!  To bring light to people’s lives!!
      We finally made contact with a referral we almost gave up on. He is 44 years old but looks 24; he wants to know more and wants to come to church.  When we gave him a Book of Mormon (given to me by the Primary...:D) he asked "Well, ..where do I start?"  I have never had an investigator ask me that in the first meeting!!  Super cool!  We assigned him Moroni 10 for next time!  We also found two new families who seem to have lots of potential.  The C. family let us in on the first contact last night!  The work is going forth and I love to be on the front row!!!! 
    On Saturday we served a member family by hauling dirt.  The funnest part was making our own lemonade and orange juice right from the trees afterward.  They are baby trees, but the fruit was pretty sweet.  We had a blast!  The LA Galaxy also won the cup yesterday so it is fun to be a part of the city.  Actually not too many people are fans of MLS here.  It is all Chivas and other national clubs.  Having played soccer really makes a connection with a lot of people out here.  I hope to play with some members or investigators one day. They'll probably school me.  I know the Lord blesses us in ALL we do.  Que les vaya bien!  Les quiero!

"Christ's love is for ALL, but He NEVER loses sight of the one"         -Elder Jose L. Alonso

A Jam-Packed Week

    I am approaching my third week here!!  Crazy!  I have not been bitten by a dog, but we ran into several drunk people -- one of which accused Elder C. of doing bad things.  Every day I learn something new; it's great!  I am feeling a lot more at home and the Spanish is coming bit by bit.  I have had several conversations where I just started talking and took NO thought what to say.  It's awesome!  I saw Elder Matheson at zone conference this past week and we stayed together for most of the conference.  It was fun.  I would never have guessed we would be in the same mission, let alone me be receiving training from him as a zone leader.

      I am so happy to hear about Sister B. and her successes (and bites).  We have seen some nasty looking pit bulls here.  It really is a lot like Mexico;  most people drink soda and if they drink water, it is ALWAYS bottled.  Recycling bottles is another big thing, too.
    We had an awesome lesson the other night. We watched the Joseph Smith movie in Spanish and talked about the Restoration.  Y. (who never used to come out of her room when we taught) straight up said we could teach her now!  We were tap dancing in our hearts it was so cool!  Her mom is also praying to know if she should be baptized. :D  AND another incredible thing happened... Hermana M. and her son L. will be baptized on the 27th of this month!!!  We are so happy for them and excited!  My first two baptisms!  We also got a return appointment from a man we met fixing a car anoche.  My new goal has been to talk to everyone and not be afraid.  Last night it worked awesome!!  P.S If anyone is keeping up with MLS, Galaxy is in the finals!!  I hope they win!
      I had a cool experience on Saturday.  We were talking to a drunk man named M.  He asked us to pray for him, so I said we would.  He didn’t believe us, so I said a prayer with him and Elder C. right there in the parking lot.  It wasn't weird at all actually.  It was kind of fun!

Turkey Bowl 2011

The CA-LA central zone team

Nacho Time

Hey everyone!  Can you believe I have been in L.A. for almost 2 weeks now?  Time blows by!  This past week was super cool.  Hermana M. chose her baptism date for next Sunday.  Her son was just waiting for her to commit, so we'll hopefully have his baptism soon, too.

I have felt an immense amount of love from the members here.  They treat me like family.  The R. family has us over for dinner occasionally; they fed us the second night I was here.  I can't explain my love for them and the 2nd Ward!  My companion and I have fun working together; we are a lot alike.

The reason this email is called Nacho Time is because of the awesome Nacho Libre experiences I've had here lately.  The other day a member offered to buy me some elote.  Elote is a cob of corn on a stick with mayonnaise and chile -- like what Stephen throws into that one dude's eye in the movie.  The next time the elote man comes around, I'm going to buy one and take my picture with it!

Another time we were stopped at a red light and I saw a legit Lucha Libre sign on the light post!  The last Nacho-like experience was a toothless crazy lady.  I was on splits and she swore that I knew her and had given her a Book of Mormon.  Yeah, I was a little creeped-out, but not too bad.

Greetings from the CLAM!

We all made it here!  My trainer is Elder C. from Garland, Utah.  I have had several awesome meals here already, so don't worry about me not being fed!  I spent $21.35 on groceries today, which is right on my budget.  Laundry is free because the C. family lets us do it at their home.  The manager of our complex is the Bomba.  He is helping me raise my desk so I can actually fit my knees under it.

We don't tract much here; I guess it is discouraged a bit.  We work mostly on reactivation and strengthening new converts.  We have four investigators now, too. Today being Halloween, we need to be inside by 8:00 p.m.  I guess it can get pretty crazy around here!

I loved attending the Spanish ward yesterday.  We (the missionaries) sang in sacrament and it was great to look out in the congregation and see those I know and have begun to love already.  Five of the people we've been working with came to church -- we were SO happy!  I get to practice my Spanish pretty often and I'm learning a lot.  I actually understood almost ALL the Gospel Principles class today (Principios del Evangelio).

On Saturday night we had a ward Trunk-or-Treat party at the church.  It was really cool.  I loved the egg salad sandwiches -- they were like a piece of home.  Elder C. also won a cake and we finished it off earlier today with some other missionaries.  The other day I bought some of that Manzana soda we had in Mexico and that was like going back in time!  Most families here drink soda and I usually take it, but if they ask me what I want, I request water.  Otherwise I might come home looking like my Aunt Roberta . . .!!

Greenies Galore!

These are the 14 new missionaries who arrived in Los Angeles on Wednesday.  What a big group!  You might get the idea that the work is booming there!  Thanks to President & Sister Baker for posting these on the Cala mission blog.

Airport Phone Call

Elder Bham called this morning at 7:15 from the SLC airport; it was nice to talk to him.  He is traveling with a group of 14 missionaries, 12 elders and 2 sisters, who are all going to L.A.  He sounded excited!  By now he's been in Los Angeles for nearly 12 hours.  Hopefully we'll hear soon about his first assignment and his first companion!

Last Preparation Day

Santa Vaca!  We only have six days left in the MTC!  Today was our last P-day and it was insanely crazy!  Elder R and I went off campus twice (for doctor's appointments) and we felt the awkwardness of the real world -- seeing people without name tags and hearing music in waiting rooms.  It was way weird.

Last night we got to teach the new missionary experience (for the new missionaries) and it was cool.  The first investigator we taught was pretty good and we felt the Spirit a lot.  The second, however, was kind of spastic.  She would ask a question and then ask another before we could finish answering the first -- like "Do you eat pork?" or something like that, just randomly thrown in there.  It was fun to see Julia there.

Elder Scott spoke to us on Tuesday night.  It was awesome!  My favorite part was when he said "The power in this room cannot be DENIED!"  We have been incredibly blessed here at the MTC; I can't believe time has gone so fast!  We leave the MTC at 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday (Oct 26) and our plane takes off just before 9:00 a.m.  In less than six days we will be in Los Angeles!  Woot!  Time to serve and talk to everyone!

Curb Duty

Well, look who Elder Bham and Elder R. welcomed to the MTC today!

Solomente Dos Semanas

Still super busy here at the MTC!  This last week had a lot of changes for us here, but we keep moving forward (name that movie) and pressing onward.  Por ejemplo, we now have a 3rd bunk bed in our room and three Mandarin-speaking Elders have moved in.  Their former residence hall is in the beginning stages of renovation.  Yes, I did use some of my phrases on them.  I asked them who their daddy was, to which they responded "Heavenly Father."  It is really fun to pick up phrases from other languages!  I know a little German, Spanish (he, he), Portuguese, Tongan, Romanian and Mandarin.  I think my favorite saying is Tongan: "Faka tomala honga hala."  It means "repent sinner."

On Tuesday night for devotional we heard from Sister Julie B. Beck and it was way cool!  She spoke a lot about loving the people you serve and those that you serve with.

Our district made a sweet awesome goal last Saturday.  We are only allowed to speak English in la residencia, el gymnasio, y en los Domingos.  Every other place is Espanol!  It really helps a lot.  We decided that since our investigators will be real in 2 weeks, we need to man-up and learn as much as we can.  The hard part is that, after I write in English or listen to someone in English, I tend to forget the rule.  Every time we mess up, we must do 5 lagartijas (push ups).  This way we also work out a bit (emphasis on the BIT).

Another piece of exciting news is that we will receive our travel plans this afternoon!  We're really excited to get some evidence that we really will be leaving.  With all the construction and winter coming, it will be nice to leave.  These next two weeks will be review weeks, where we will try to hone our Spanish skills.  There is still a LOT left to do!

Just to make you smile, I had a few goof-ups a while ago.  In one lesson I switched the tenses and told an investigator that if he prayed and I studied, then he would receive an answer from the Lord.  I also told an investigator that I had four children instead of four nieces and nephews.

This past week we received 15 new missionaries in our branch.  With the 17 we received last week, we have doubled our normal size.  One of our districts also left, making our district the oldie moldies of Branch 48.

I hope all is well!  Buenas suerte con todos haremos!

Conference Weekend

This last week was la bomba!  I think my favorite talk was Sister Dalton's talk.  I also loved Elder Neil A. Anderson's talk as well.

 This last week Elder R and I checked out 4 districts and, as of next week, will be los viejos en nuestra rama.  Our district started out with 10 and we are now down to five, with three weeks to go!  We have all become extremely close and the best part is that most of us will be at BYU together after our missions.

The MTC will be adding another bunk bed to every residence room on the first two floors [of each building?].  This means that every room on our floor will have 6 missionaries in it, instead of only four.  Crazy!  [This is to accommodate for the renovations going on at the MTC.]

We baptized our two investigators here at the MTC (M and R), and have begun teaching P.  Our second lesson with him went really well.  We tried to explain that the Book of Mormon does not replace the Bible, but provides a second witness.  They both teach the same doctrine.  We challenged him to read Matthew 3 and 2 Nephi 32, and compare their messages.

The work is abounding and I love being a part of it.  It is an incredible honor.  As Sister Dalton says, "Be loyal to the ROYAL in you!"  And as Elder Uchtdorf says, "Strength comes not from frantic activity, but from being settled on a firm foundation of truth and light.  It comes from paying attention to the divine things that matter most."

Craziness

Time keeps moving faster and faster here!  The last time I wrote seems like yesterday.

I have come to appreciate lds.org and all the tools it offers.  I especially love the Mormon Messages.  This past week I watched one called "The Small Things That Matter Most."  It has slow-moving images and quotes throughout the entirety.  It's based on Elder Uchtdor's talk from October 2010, I believe.  There is a quote by Elder Maxwell in it that I LOVE!  He said, "Moments are the molecules that make up eternity."  So treasure up those moments and record them in your hearts.  Record them in a journal or photo album!

God loves us!  I know without a doubt that this Church has been restored by the power of God.  Jesus Christ suffered the sins of his brothers and sisters so we can live with Him again.  Two years of my life is a small price to pay in return!  Not to mention the changes (in me) that will come about from these years of service.

Busy Week

Hey!! The week was crazy busy!  Three missionaries from our district left for Peru yesterday morning and will soon finish their first full day in the country!  With only six elders left in our district, we'll probably get a lot closer.  With so few missionaries left in class, we teach every day now -- sometimes twice a day!  It's great practice!

We had a lesson with R about five days ago and it was a great experience.  Elder R and I kept to the basics.  We shared el Plan de Salvacion in simple sentences -- I loved it!  When we keep to the point, the Spirit is able to direct everything freely and testify in plainness. 

Our other investigator, M, threw us a curve ball the other day.  I learned from this experience that it's sometimes okay if you don't cover anything you had planned to.  We scrapped the plan and taught specifically what she needed at that time.  It was a little hard but I kind of enjoyed being guided on the spot like that.  At the end, as I prayed for the things she needed, my Spanish came very easily.  Mi espanol fue muy bien y hable como un nativo!  Fue increible!  Prayer is one thing I want to do well.  I want to be able to express my gratitude fully, instead of being limited by my knowledge of words.

On Saturday evening I prepared a talk for Sacrament meeting; it was on enduring to the end.  This was an awesome experience!  I learned so much more as I read my sources in English and tried to think about how to say it in Spanish.  One quote from President Eyring that I loved was: "Every time you feel the Spirit, you KNOW the Atonement is working in your life."  I'd never thought of this before.  Even when we're not repenting of our sins, the Atonement is at work in our lives.

I don't want to kill you with quotes, but Elder Holland had another good one: "Missionary work is not easy because salvation is not cheap.  How can it be easy for us if it was never, ever easy for Him?"

Leaving My Mark On Eternity

Hullo!  This week has been incredible.  I've had a blast with our teachers -- Maestro R. and Hermana J. have become our best friends.  We have also revamped our teaching style.  We plan our lesson in simple but powerful phrases, then switch off teaching and testifying.

There is a Mormon message we watched the other day, about Lot's wife turning into a pillar of salt when she turned back to face Sodom and Gomorrah.  The quote was: "Lot's wife probably didn't consider that her future could be better than her past."  What I take from this is that what God has planned for me is bigger and better than whatever I have going on right now.  So don't look back!

The past fireside with President Wilkins was awesome.  He spoke about seizing the day.  On my mission there are no problems -- only opportunities.  These opportunities may include service, friendship, tracting, and/or working out problems with my companion.  Whatever the opportunity, "IT'S MY TURN TO LEAVE MY MARK ON ETERNITY!"  I was so pumped!

To make it even better, Elder Russell M Nelson came and spoke on Tuesday night.  He spoke about the Book of Mormon and its importance in conversion.  He also told us that our job is very similar to his -- we are all called to devote our lives 24/7 to the Lord.  I'm honored to be in that category -- a servant of the Lord!

I was selected to speak on Sunday.  My talk was about faith; it was hard to prepare in Spanish.  (Now I really appreciate English talks and lessons!)  I was half-way through it when I realized I was not nervous at all, and my Spanish kept coming!

Week Two

Olo!!! I cannot believe how much time has gone by already!  I only have 7 weeks left until I leave the MTC.  I have a hard time keeping the days straight; I feel kind of like I'm at the Lotus Hotel (Percy Jackson allusion) . . . but in a really awesome way!

Three elders from our district are leaving on Tuesday and Wednesday to the Peru MTC and our district will be down to six elders and a solo hermana.  I am really not looking forward to this because we are very close.  Some might say "Ajustado com un vaso!"

 
I love the language and hope to start speaking Spanish all of the time.

Our lessons with our investigators are going very well.  Our last lesson with R was quite amazing, but the lesson with M was INCREDIBLE!  Elder R and I were both so amazed at how well it went.  Neither of us had notes with us (we have learned to avoid that crutch) and we had all of our points in the right order!  Both he and I were transitioning into each others parts of the lesson and Elder R repeated the whole First Vision from memory!  I then tried committing M to baptism after the first lesson, but she said she needed to think about it more.  I told her that we were here for her and that we'd try to answer all her questions.

I feel for the first time that I am really being led by the Spirit while teaching.  Maybe it's because I'm worrying less about the language and more about the investigator.  As they say here, we teach people -- not lessons.

I have also come to appreciate how tired Dad was when he was bishop.  I get back to the residence hall at the end of the day and just yearn to sleep.  I remember all the times I saw Dad passed out on the couch after dinner on Sunday and I smile to myself.  Now I'm in those shoes a bit.  The Spirit and the work really do drain a missionary, but hey, they don't call it missionary WORK for nothing!!!!

First Week

 Love and thanks from the MTC!

My first week here was awesome!  I arrived at my residence hall and discovered that I knew half the people on my floor, basically.  It has been awesome having friendly faces wherever I go.  My companion is Elder R from Colorado.  We work well together and have a good time laughing with each other.  He is also going to LA!  I have met a lot of missionaries going to southern California.  Probably the thing I love the most is the comradery and automatic love I feel for everyone here.  I am so excited for all of us . . . for this amazing honor and opportunity to represent Jesus Christ and spread joy to the entire face of the earth!

We taught our first lesson in Spanish on the Friday after we arrived, and since then we have taught four more times.  The first lesson was really rough, but the second and third were amazing!  The biggest improvement I have seen thus far in the language is that I'm getting the rhythm, and I get on a roll sometimes.  Sometimes I can understand a lot and other times I'm completely lost!  I'm just happy to be here and to understand a little bit.  I have started to be able to express my love for the gospel in Spanish, though.  Elder M also told me that last night, I tried to get him to commit to being baptized in Spanish, while I was asleep!  How come I can speak it in my sleep, but not when I'm awake! 

Elder Holland came and spoke to us Tuesday night and blew everyone away.  I hope you saw me in the choir Mom, cause J got the camera right in my face!  I love you all!

Temple Trip

First Day in the MTC

Today was a crazy, crazy day.  I feel really good, though -- I love it here.  The teachers say you'll be in the classroom more than in the residence hall.  Every time I introduce myself, I look at my name tag!

My companero is Elder R from Colorado.  Actually, all of my roommates are from Colorado except me; two of them leave in three weeks for Peru.  Elder R and I both want to be good at Spanish so we're going to work hard.  It's fun to be around friends again, even if they are new to me.

I love you, the Church is true.  The Lord has blessed me with peace.  I know he'll bless you, too!"

And . . . he's off!

Elder Bham was set apart as a full-time missionary on Tuesday, August 23.  On Wednesday, August 24, the family dropped him off at the Missionary Training Center at 12:40 p.m.

Pre-mission Family Portrait, Vancouver WA

Numbered

Well, last night I started stressing out a bit. O.k. it was more than a bit. I cannot believe I leave a week from today....almost exactly according to my clock. I only just realized as well that I need to put everything in order at home. Of course I want everything to be organized at home so that I can find everything when I get back. There are just so many things that a missionary needs to do so that everything will go smooth in the MTC and in the field. So one week left. 7 DAYS!!! I had a woman in my ward tell me that I was like Moroni after the huge battle. The only one left of his kind....well kinda. I am so excited to join the rest of my friends out in this incredible work! Make sure those of you who remain do not grow too old. Two years seems like a very long time ago, but two years ago from today I was starting my senior year of high school. That was not very long ago at all. The time is now. The beginning of my mission. Boooo yeahhahahahahaha!

Mission Talk Before Entering the MTC

          Hello Friends and Family!

     Just a reminder that I leave on my mission in 18 days (August 24th)!!!! As I no longer have my Facebook account, I scrounged up some email addresses so I could contact you. I will be speaking on August 21st at the Canyon View Stake Center on 600 E. 800 N. in Orem. The meeting begins at 11:00. I would love to see you there if you can and would like to come! Please also let your friends know, because I have very few email addresses as technology has moved away from such things...at least in the most recent years. I would love having you there as I embark on the greatest and hardest two years of my life in Los Angeles California. If you would like to come over to my house after the 3 hour block, we will have light refreshments and visiting for those whoso desire. Thank you for all your support and love!

Dwindling Countdown

       Well, the countdown is beginning to seriously move. I only have 28 days left!!!!!! I am starting to wig out a little bit. We almost have all of the supplies gathered and the list of things I have to finish and get done is still very, very large. It is almost August though! Craziness.

Called To Serve

Crazy happenings most recently! As of today, all four of the Bhams have been called to serve. Today my sister J received her mission call to the Columbus Ohio mission. She reports to the MTC on October 19th. My parents were also called to serve in a Spanish branch presidency in the MTC. They will begin ASAP. This means that, at some point, all four of us will be in the Missionary Training Center at the same time! My parents and I will be in the MTC together for all 9 weeks, but J and I will only overlap for a week.

I also cannot believe it has been two months since my old roomie M has been in the MTC. He leaves on Monday for ROMANIA!!!! Two more of my ward friends are also going into the MTC next Wednesday! Oh dear! 43 days left for me. I hope I can last until then! With J receiving her call, we are both in the same boat. It never occurred to me that we would both be serving a mission at the same time!! It is a great blessing!

Back in Action

As of yesterday I am not on any pain killers!!! My mouth still hurts but is slowly getting better. The thing that kills me is not being able to eat the way I like. I can't take normal bites. I have to chew really slow, and swallowing really, really hurts. I ran a little bit this morning which was good, but I am afraid I lost a bit of oomph in the last week and a half. Not to mention, I LOST 17 lbs in the week after my tonsillectomy....yeah, CrAzY! I have the hardest time putting on weight, but then I go and lose a ton. Wow.

My latest hobby is genealogy. It is not my fault however....because my mother got me HOOKED!! It is super fun and addicting. I spent hours on Ancestry.com today, looking for missing pieces of the puzzle. It makes me feel like a real sleuth. The reason I like it though is because of the feeling I get when I discover a new child or death date. I feel a connection to the people I am searching for and I barely know a minuscule piece of their lives. It really is the prophecy of Elijah coming to pass. My heart is being turned to my fathers, and it feels great!  I am stoked!!! This is one of the many ways I believe I can prepare for my mission. When I do genealogy, I get into the spirit of the work and that makes me even more excited to get to Los Angeles!

    

Fallen Among Cutthroats

I got my tonsils out this morning...yay... Mom and I watched Wimbledon until they came to take me away. All I can remember was breathing deeply into a gas thingy and them giving me anesthesia through my IV. When I woke up, I started to sing along to the music the nurse was playing in the recovery room. I remember singing to Rascal Flatts and Lonestar. I hope it didn't scar anyone.

I was also super happy. The guy next to me in the recovery room had knee surgery and I said "What up dude?". Then we talked about our respective surgeries and wished each other luck. I pretty much said hi to everyone I saw and surprisingly, I remembered a lot of the nurses names! Mom told me that I was slap happy and answered every question very optimistically. The first thing I said to Mom was, "I am your Space Dad". I think I also told her I had blessed her with unfathomable powers, but that part is all a blur. Now comes the recovery. I think it might be time for a Lord of the Rings marathon!

Time Goes Fast!

I cannot believe that time goes by so fast! Most my friends have left or are leaving for their missions all across the WORLD! I wish that August 24th would come faster. It doesn't help that Ian got his call almost 2 months after me and leaves 2 weeks before me. Oh dear. One year down of college and track, the mission on the way, I feel ancient! Time sure does fly!