November 19, 2018

Hi Jon!

I'm so glad you took the time last week to write Mom and me about the "real deal". I know you write a letter that goes to about 100 people and you probably want to keep it really lighthearted but with mom and me you can share the real deal and it helps us feel closer to you. She and I were both missionaries so we get it and sometimes we might have some advice for the situations you are going through or maybe just pray for you.

I've had investigators who don't progress very fast. It's frustrating but something you'll constantly be dealing with. Remember that it's not your job to convert people - that's the Lord's job. Your job is to find them and teach them and let the spirit do the rest. I'm sorry Elder Espinoza doesn't help out more or take the lead on contacting and teaching. I've had companions who weren't obedient and it's always hard. Remember that all callings in the church - even being a missionary - are volunteer callings so just love them and realize that they might not want to volunteer for as much as you or your mission president ideally want them to. Anytime you judge people for not working hard enough or not keeping one of the mission rules it just hurts your relationship with them. Best to just focus on your own work ethic and obedience and realize it's not your job to police others. You do you and let them do them and just love and serve your companion without any judgement. Being a good example to your comp and other missionaries in your area might be the best and only thing you can really do for them. I'll talk a little more about being an example later.

This week was pretty good. We did a lot of yard work raking leaves and cleaning out the gutters. Then we brought all the Christmas decorations down out of the barn and started our 2-3 week work effort to get all the trees set up and lighted. It's crazy how much time we spend on this stuff. Chance turned 16 on Friday and I ordained him a Priest yesterday. He didn't get his drivers license because he postponed doing drivers education so long. I have no idea when he'll get it done but I'm just staying out of it and letting him do his thing. The only part I don't like is that Chance wants us to give him a ride all day every day and now that it's his own fault that he can't drive I'm having less patience. I went to the BYU football game on Saturday night - it was freezing cold and didn't finish until after midnight. Still fun though and I ate a ton of food. I invited Chance, Javi, and Aimar to go to the game but Chance and Javi didn't want to go - no surprise there. Aimar thinks they are stupid and can't understand why they wouldn't want to go to an amazing football game with amazing food. 

I want to share a thought with you about being the best example you can be – all the time!

The example you set is really powerful and it will stay with every person you come in contact with. My friend grew up in a high school class that had about 2 church members out of 300 in his graduating class. Most all of them knew he was a Mormon. At his 10-year reunion, he got to see all of his friends. All of his friends were drinking mixed alcoholic beverages. 

During this time, he was drinking a Sprite with his wife. In the Sprite was a small red straw in the drink. It was the kind of straw that resembled those in the mixed alcohol drinks. He told his wife that they should remove the straws. She laughed and said do you think that anyone here actually remembers you are Mormon? He told her that even if it was just a Sprite, everyone remembered and they would all wonder if he had been true to his faith or not. 

Later that night, they had awards for all sorts of different things. They had an award for who had changed the most and who had the craziest job. When they got to who had the most kids, the MC looked over the crowd and said, "Where is Joe? We all know he's Mormon and probably has a pile of them!” Joe just smiled and whispered to his wife a quick “I told you so”. 

The real point is this: if Joe's friends would remember something like that 10 years later, what will those you meet as a missionary remember? Even if you don't meet them, and they pass you on the street without speaking to you, people have strange ways of remembering how you may have smiled or not. How you opened the door for them or not. Were you rude or obnoxious at a public place? Did you pull out in front of them at a red light? 

Just know that you are always in the spotlight and everything you do is being judged. The way you walk down the street with your companion. The way you talk, the way you dress, and the way you eat in a restaurant (like if you burp out loud and stuff like that). It’s a double-edged sword. All the good things you do often are unnoticed and anything you do that even approaches a grey area is remembered forever. So remember the power of your example for all the work you are doing and for the thousands that will go after you. We have to worry about them too!

Love,

Dad