Week 4/104

April 4, 2016

Hello Everybody!

Before I get started, you were asking about the Isaiah verse I
included in my last letter (Isaiah 61:3). The reason I loved it was
because the Provo tabernacle was burned down, but because the walls
were still in tact, the church was literally able to make "beauty
[from the] ashes" of the tabernacle, and repurpose it to become a
house of the Lord, "that he might be glorified". I apologize for not
making that clear last time, and I hope that, now that I've explained
it, you were as touched as I was.
Now, Goodbye MTC, and hello Tempe! I've been out only a week, and I
already love it here. My mission president, President Toone, is a
giant teddy bear! And by giant, I mean 7' 2" teddy bear. When he
hugged me at the airport, my head was resting on his chest, and I was
standing straight! He and his wife are some of the greatest people
I've ever met. The saddest thing is that they're being released in
July, and being replaced by a new mission president. I'll just have to
make the most of the time I have with them.
My trainer is awesome, too. His name is elder Hemsley, and he's from
Georgia. He's been out 21 months already. He doesn't like being
reminded of that, though. He and I have been assigned to what's called
the San Tan zone in Chandler, and our area includes the Grove 3rd and
Lindsay 1st wards in the Chandler South stake. Chandler is about half
an hour away from the mission home in Tempe. There's all sorts of work
to be done down here!
We were both whitewashed in to this area, so we don't really know
everyone. Elder Hemsley served here about nine months ago, but since
then, the Chandler South stake has gone through two boundary changes,
and most of the people he knew are now in different wards. We have met
some awesome members though. There are some Grovers down here! We
haven't met all of them yet, but we have an appointment set up with an
investigator, Paige, to be taught at their house. Also, we already
have two investigators on date for baptism! Evan is getting baptized
on the 16th, and Shianna is getting baptized on the 30th.
I have mixed emotions about having general conference on the first
weekend in the mission field. On the positive side, I get to start off
my mission on a spiritual boost, and I'm starting to see how much the
brethren really care for missionaries. However, from a logistics point
of view, it makes things really tricky, because you don't get to meet
all the members until you're two weeks in. Sacrament meeting is a
really important part of getting to know the members, and using their
resources to find and teach investigators. We've already met some
solid members in both wards, though, so we've got some great help.
What was your favorite part of general conference? I absolutely loved
Elder Holland's talk (obviously), and even though I am just starting
my mission, I feel the counsel he gave will help me in the coming
months and years. I loved President Uchtdorf's talks, too. I encourage
you to reread them. I especially appreciated President Uchtdorf's
comment on the celestial language. I knew there was a reason I am so
fond of German. :) Seeing President Monson in his condition is
humbling. Even in a life full of service to God, the best of His
servants are still susceptible to the ailments of life. I have loved
studying the words of the prophet, and ask God to bless him with the
strength he needs to finish his work on earth.

I love you all, and I hope you know that you are in my prayers every
day. I have felt your prayers, and I appreciate all the support I have
received. It means the world to me.

Love,
Elder Grover