Sounds like it was a pretty busy week for the family, nothing different than the usual. Boys camp sounds like it was a good time, definitely missed it but time really is flying by, Keeg was right I will be there next year, it has been a while since all of us were there together. Kaden looks like he was having some fun driving - it can be pretty scary to back up the suburban. Does he have his own phone? You have probably told me before but I didn't remember, that just doesn't seem fair, I got my phone at 15 and a half and I thought that was early. He is what like 13? Lucky kid. [Rest assured that Kaden did not get a cell phone yet. His letter was supposed to say we used Keegan's phone and not Kaden's. This misunderstanding was corrected in a follow-up email] I want to learn how to play nova - I guess the boys will have to teach me... I might try and make some modifications to the rules but I trust that it is pretty fair. I did hike Ensign peak once for Senior Sunrise the summer of Jr year but it was after we had stayed out all night and we were pretty exhausted. By the time we got to the actual hike it wasn't the most pleasant experience. I was opening on a 9 hour shift a few hours after the sunrise at work so I remember I was really tired. Sounds like this time was a much better experience than mine. Broken clavicle for Uncle Shane, huh? I am sure that is painful - he always seems to be broken (haha). Thanks for the Update Dad.
This week:
This is one of those weeks I don't really know what to talk about, it has pretty much been a normal week for us, so a pretty good week. :)
We have been working with the recent converts in the ward - Nate, Pera, Alyshia, Michaela, and Neil. It has been really busy because we have the ward temple baptisms at 7 am on this upcoming Saturday morning, the 4th. We have been trying really hard to work with all of them, and the bishopric, and the Family History Committee in the ward. If things go as planned as of right now, Michaela, Alyshia and Pera are definitely going, and Nate and Neil are sitting at probably going. It is a lot of work to work with all of them and I am grateful for all the extra effort the ward council is putting in to help us.
As far as our investigators go... Malia is doing really well. She is cutting back on her coffee and we are working toward the 18th with her. She went to the Ball on Friday for our ward, then came Sunday and last night she came to a YSA regional Fireside in Otara, We were able to go as well. It was an awesome fireside that covered three topics, "Mishin before Fishin, Callin before Ballin, and Dates before Mates." It was a couple that spoke to us about marriage and how we just need to not look for the perfect person. They explained the 80/20 rule, if they are good enough for 80 percent just settle. It's a big decision but it can't wait. It was another one of those times when I was a missionary but I felt like a YSA. Yes we were there with Malia, the person we were teaching, but I found out that I at least recognize most of the YSA throughout Auckland and it was fun being able to see all the people that I have grown so close to over the mission. It was cool seeing everyone. It felt almost like a high school type reunion - not that I have ever been to one of those but I imagine it would have felt like this -where I kinda remember most of the people and then I have good chats with the people that I have really had a good time with. It really was just brief little catch ups.
I feel like my luck has run out no matter how many times I pray for it. I am thinking this was my last week in the YSA ward. I have enjoyed it here and am very grateful for the people here. It has been fun serving here. We get transfer news tonight and this email will be funny if I am staying but I don't think I will be, I guess I am graduating from a YSA ward and it will be now into a family ward. :)
Love You,
Elder Summers