"Hey Y'all..."

Hey Y'all,

I don't even know where to start. It has been a super busy week and it has been non stop working. But things are going a lot better. The stress level has gone down in comparison to what it was. It is not gone ha ha, but I am getting more used to things. Your week sounds like it was awesome!  Feel free to tell me anything, I love hearing about what you guys are doing. And really I wish I could respond to everything that you guys wrote! But I would be here for hours ha ha...   I guess just know that I am reading it, laughing (really hard) with you, praying for you and wishing you the best in your still crazy and busy lives. First I will answer all of the questions that y'all had for me:

Elder Gentry, the man, and self-proclaimed gangsta:
He is from Nevada and is the oldest of his siblings. He is about 6' 1" and 300 lbs. He has been our for 19 months and he likes to say that he is a relaxed and diligent missionary. Which I would agree with. He loves rap music and always wears his "I love haters" hat at night. He thinks of himself as a gangster and he loves rap music.  Normally I don't think we would ever meet, but he is a really good guy.  He really loves the Gospel and gets things done. He sees me as his son and he wants to do his best in helping me. As I am working with him I am learning to be patient and humble. I am learning so much from him and from being his companion.  It is easy to find people's faults, but so much more helpful to see their strengths.

Things have been going a lot quicker since I last emailed too. The idea that days are like weeks and weeks are like days seems very true already. There is a big difference between being busy, and being busy helping people. When you are busy, that gives you a lot of time to dwell on other things, but when you are busy helping others, you forget about yourself and focus your time and energy on their welfare rather than your own. I have had a few instances where I have had this and it is awesome! Things don't really go quicker, but they are definitely more enjoyable and so it feels faster. I feel like being thrown into the mission field so fast has helped me to grow quicker than I normally would and I am beginning to find out why. First of all, the car situation still scares me, but I am coming to terms that this will be an all mission thing, and like you said dad, I am definitely going to feel more prepared when crazy driving experiences happen to me later in life. Things will seem small in comparison. Also I am learning a lot from experiences, the good and the bad, and  that has prepared me for the new investigators we have started teaching. I wouldn't have been as prepared as quickly to help them if I didn't have these hard experiences. I have realized that having faith also means having faith in Heavenly Father's time schedule. Sometimes it is slower than we want it to be and sometimes it is faster. But in all cases he has something in store that he wants you to do. It is super tough haha, but really helpful too.

I have been able to exercise a little. It is hard to get a full 30 minutes in after saying prayers, going to the bathroom and putting my contacts in. But it helps a lot to have a set schedule and I am trying my hardest to work out hard. It has been a good stress reliever for me.   Also my bike isn't in storage. Pres. Wall has asked everybody to have a bike day once a week! So every week, or more, we get to ride our bikes and it is awesome! My bike is so cool and rides really good. I know it was expensive, but it really is worth it because Elder Gentry has kind of a junky bike and it has so many problems. He is pretty big, so his bike seat is literally almost bent in half, his rear breaks are broken and his rear rim got busted. That means that we can't ride bikes til he gets it fixed. That's a bit of a bummer, but it will all work out in the end.

Louisiana is pretty different, but it is growing on me. It has been pretty hot lately, although today is pretty cloudy. The roads really are crazy and make no sense sometimes. And Plaquemine, overall, is pretty poor. We really are in "the hood." People all of the time tell us to be careful, and really people avoid us for the most part. People realize we are "church people" and they know we aren't there to cause trouble. I never really feel that scared though.  It is sad to see how hard it is to live down here though--people are struggling.

                                         Aerial view of Plaquemine

[I've left out the specific names of people below...  to respect the privacy of these individuals as they learn about the Gospel and grow with the missionaries--note added by Kerry, Elder Soper's dad]

People are super nice down here. And we have had some really awesome experiences lately. We met with our new investigator again and he was drunk, but he was very attentive while we taught him. He told us that he trusts us and he wants to be baptized by us. We'll have to work with him a little bit ha ha but he has that desire! Another man we're teaching is 64 years old man and he spent the majority of his life doing drugs and it resulted in damaging his memory severely. He talks in circles a lot, but he really wants to come to Christ. We met with him last week and he boils pots of water to keep his apartment humid and I got so sleepy. But we started talking about the Book of Mormon and he told us that he feels good when he reads the Book of Mormon; he says he doesn't understand it all the time, but he feels good. That is the Holy Ghost! It is awesome to see his progression and we are going to go see him tonight again. After we left that meeting a a young guy stopped us before we got to our car. It was about 8 at night so it was dark and most of the time people are asking for money. But this was a different contact.  He is 19 years old and he has been working 7 days a week to support his little daughter. He opened up to us and told us that he wants to do better, but it seems impossible with all the "stuff" that he has done. We set up an appointment and came back the next day to teach him. We taught him the Restoration and he was really receptive. He kept saying he wants to do what's right and "make it to Heaven." He has such a strong desire and when we asked him about his relationship with God he just told us that he is everything to him that he is so grateful for the blessings that he has given him, the house over his head, a job, food, his car, the convenience to communicate with others and his family. It is hard to explain how cool of an experience it was. It was one of the most spiritually experiences I have had and it was in a little, dimly lit house in Plaquemine Louisiana. It was so cool! All I wanted to do was let him know how awesome he is. Heavenly Father has prepared him and allowed us to be in the right place at the right time to meet him. Miracles happen everyday. We are going to meet him again tonight and one cool thing is that he works with one of the members of our branch.

I probably need to head out. But I just wanted to thank everyone for the letters they've sent. Things have been going a lot better, but they are still hard. Friday was a really stressful day and I needed something to help me and when we got home some letters were there and they brought me a lot of comfort. They were literally an answer to a prayer. Heavenly Father works through others and I can see now that he used you guys to bring me that comfort. So thank you so much for that and for everything. I try to be like you guys everyday and in everything that I do. I am doing better and everyday learning to rely on Heavenly Father and the Savior more. Let me know anything that you want to know. I want let you know as much as possible! It is just hard sometimes to know what to write. Thank you for the prayers and I love you so much! Good luck with everything and I can't wait to hear from you again!

Love your baby-face,

Elder Devin Soper

PS A couple people thought I was 12 or 13 this week. I am getting younger and younger.

PPS I will try to figure out how to attach some pictures next time.

"I made it alive!!"

Dear Fambly,

I made it alive!! I can't believe I have only been here a week in Plaquemine, it feels like forever. It feels like there was no life before missionary life haha. But it sounds like yall had a pretty good week.  Sorry I am emailing today (P-day was yesterday). It was Martin Luter King day, so all the libraries are closed. Luckily I can do it today!

It is fun to hear about the missionaries coming over, and it is a lot like what I am doing. We actually have dinner appointments for the rest of the week and 2 today haha. My companion calls it "greenie magic." I really really hope I don't gain too much weight. Actually I have lost weight since I got here from being so anxious. And I think if I continue to work out combined with my metabolism I will be fine.

This letter is going to be pretty honest...  I have only been here a week and it really has been the hardest and most stressful time of my life. It was already a little stressful because of the plane situation [delayed for one day] and when I got here I found out that my companion is red dotted, so he can't drive. He got in a crash early last year, so he isn't allowed to drive anymore. So I got to drive the freeway, and the busy, little, crazy streets of Baton Rouge and Plaquemine, I was dying. My trainer has been out here almost 19 months, he is about 6 foot 1 and is a really big guy. He was really into hard rock and heavy metal before his mission. He is a good missionary and a good guy.

                                           The city is right on the Mississippi River

Like I said earlier, this has been the hardest thing that I have ever done. I am praying every minute that we will be safe in the car going to and from places. And MTC life to mission life is a bit of a rough transition. It is just taking a bit to get used to. I am serving in Plaquemine, which is about 15 or 30 minutes away from Baton Rouge. We cover about 3 cities, Plaquemine, Port Allen and White Castle. This area is very poor and a lot of people live in tough neighborhoods.  It is hard to see a lot of run down houses and less than desirable interiors. But there are parts of town that a pretty quaint and cozy too.  Our apartment is alright, nothing to special, but livable. Although, when the water gets hot smells like boiled eggs haha. Everything is very different down here and it is taking some getting used to. I heard that I am the first missionary in 2 years to be trained in Plaquemine, I'm not sure what to think of that haha. But it is just different and just not the same as many other areas in the mission. I've only been here a week though and I think it is beginning to grow on me. I love the branch though! There were 26 people there on sunday and the building is smaller than our chapel, a lot smaller. The Branch Pres. name is Pres. Hebert (french pronunciation, like Colbert) and he is a really nice man. He is bald with a goatee. 

The coolest guy I have met so far is Johnell. He is about 28 and has been a member for a few years. He has got 3 little kids and lives in a tough neighborhood. He is a little taller than me, has got skinny dreadlocks to his shoulder, is ripped and plays street ball. But most of all he is a super active member and is starting to show interest in going to the temple. He passes the sacrament every week and it is awesome. He came to a lesson with us and he was wearing light khaki pants (low down) a white shirt and a flat brim Miami heat hat with a red tie to match haha. New missionary attire? By the way that lesson was a bit awkward, but Johnell texted us later and told us that the woman we taught loved it! We have a return appointment. We went to see Johnell on Saturday to see if he had a ride to church and his uncle was there. He was nice and wacky, but wanted us to teach him scripture. We ended up getting on the subject of Church and we challenged him to come and he gave us his word he would. And he came!! It was awesome and he enjoyed it, so we are going to go back and teach him soon. All of the members down here are really nice and I think they think that I am really innocent, which I am haha. But every single one has asked me how old I am and nobody can believe that I am 19. One of the members, Sis Johnson, nicknamed me Elder Babyface. I think that it is pretty funny and I joke about it with people a lot.  The members here wear awesome clothes.  One guy wore a brown suit coat with a black shirt and a orange tie. But his pants... soft, burnt orange, flare church pants. Cool Biens.

                                                              
                                          Bayou near Plaquemine

Well I have to get off soon and I will share some of the scriptures that have brought me real comfort at this time:

Alma 34:41, D and C 121 I think it is 7 and 9 and D & C 122 7. Or something like that. They talk about how our afflictions will be but a short moment and that these experiences are given to us so we might learn. It is hard to see that when the times are tough, but this has really pushed me to put all my faith in hope in Heavenly Father and his plans for me. He knows what he is doing and doesn't give us anything that we can't handle.  And we need to be cut down before we can grow to be better, just like a tree. I am going to push through, and in D and C 121 it talks about how our friends and family are there right with us with with open arms. You may not be here with me, but I am going through this like you are, cause I know that you are. Things are always easier said than done and so I am trying to convince myself of the fact that everything is going to be alright and that really Christ is right here with me cause he has already gone through this. I miss you guys a lot and my feelings are like a roller coaster.  And I am not homesick for home, but homesick for family. I knew that I was very blessed to have an amazing family, but I have realized that we are SOOO blessed with our family. We have what a lot of people dream of, so thank you and I am so grateful to Heavenly Father for that. I hope that I can share a little bit of what I have got. I think a lot of this will come with time and I just need to keep swimming. Dad I don't know how you did it with your trainer haha cause it is already hard enough. You are stronger than me haha. Thank y'all for your examples, I love you so much, keep me updated. I will keep you updated, don't worry about me cause I know the Lord is looking out for me and I am nervous but excited to see what he has in store for me. Love you all!

Salutations from the South,

Love,
Elder Soper

On his way to Louisiana...

Elder Soper left the MTC this morning and caught an early flight (6 am) to Louisiana.  He had a bit of an adventure in the day leading up to his departure: He was supposed to leave a day earlier (on the 15th), but they found out that their flight had been canceled when the arrived yesterday morning at the airport.  (This news, after waking up at 2:30 am in the morning and lugging all of his luggage up to Salt Lake, checking it in, and getting set to go.)

 

Lisa and I knew that he had the chance to call us from the airport for a brief chat before his flight, and so you can imagine how distressed we were when his call didn't come before 6 am.  All kinds of fears and weird scenarios were running through our heads.  He was finally able to call for just a few minutes at 7:30 am to tell us that his flight was canceled and that he'd have to go back to the MTC for an additional day!  Initially he sounded a bit bummed out and worried amidst all of that uncertainty; but later in the day the MTC had the missionaries call home for five minutes to inform families of the new plan.  By then he sounded happy once again and was making the most of his extra day.  (They ended up sitting in on another class and were even allowed to take a long nap; probably a strange thing to experience at the MTC in the middle of the day.)

This morning he got to call us again for that traditional farewell chat, and that was satisfying for us since we've missed him so much this last month.  He reports that he worked really well with his MTC companion (Elder Black); even though they came from radically different backgrounds and worldviews, they bonded over their responsibilities in the MTC and became great friends.  He also made friends with other missionaries going to Montana and connected on a fun level with a couple elders going to his own mission.  He reports that he learned a ton while in the MTC about getting along with people and living the Gospel in a way that is authentic and sincere.

Now that he's finally on his way to Louisiana, he's excited about immersing himself in a new culture and learning quickly to love and serve the people.  His testimony has been strengthened by all the scripture study he's done in the MTC and he's eager now to move beyond classroom experiences and role-playing to the real thing.  He's also excited about the warmer weather he's heading into (temp in the 60s right now down there!).  One fun idea he has is to carry note cards with him throughout his mission to collect fun recipes from members and others that he can learn to cook himself or share when he gets home.  He started cooking quite a bit during his this last year and anticipates that this will be something he enjoys throughout his mission and beyond.

We're so excited for him and can't wait to get his first letter from the mission field.  We'll share it on here when it arrives.

"I have only ever had my mom cut my hair..."

Dear Family,

Thanks for all of the letters! I don't know if I will be able to respond as well as I would like, because this week has been crazy and time is on the short side. But it is weird that it has already been three weeks, I have almost been on my mission for a month. But it really has felt like 2 days, but also I feel like I was never home. It is weeodd. But yeah I am all better from the sickness, it was only a 24 hour bug. I had a lot of time on my hands last week though haha. But yeah you are welcome to share anything that you think is appropriate haha.  But I will keep drawing them [the cartoons] for you, because it is totes fun yo.

Thanks for all of the advice! It really did help and came at a good time for me. I thought when we became zone leaders it was going to be different, but it has been hard. We have a lot more responsibilities and it takes up a lot of time. Although, I know, that this is what I need to be doing right now and I am learning a lot. I am learning how to minister with love and lead like Christ would. One crazy thing though is we had a new district come in and we had to help them out the first day before they got their district leader. One of the missionaries lives really close and he ran away and we couldn't find him and he came back 4 hours later. A few days later he was with his district and went into a full sprint and hasn't been seen since. We do know that he is home and okay though. I am just sad that he missed out on this great opportunity to serve the Lord. But I am glad that he is okay.

The Christmas party sounded super fun and the pictures really showed how it was. It's funny because those look exactly like the pictures me and the other missionaries took on our P-day of ourselves...weird.

Elder Soper is referring to these pictures we took at our extended family Christmas party; we know how to have a good time...  (Apologies to the Lawrence Welk Show)

But I loved getting those letters from everyone and I loved the donuts. I shared them with my zone and it was fun to kind of have a little party with everybody. I can't believe the amount of food we all have combined. And still I have not gained any weight. SUCCESS!! But I have been running and playing volleyball a lot. And we have had nerf dart gun wars on P-day. So we keep active.

I will have to catch up on a lot of things, Downton Abbey, music, and movies, when I get back haha. But really I am not too worried about that, but a little excited of how we can do that stuff as a family when I get back. Music has been a little hard though. But me and a few of the missionaries sing the Hobbit song and it brings back good memories.  But it has been pretty easy to give most of that stuff up. I really haven't noticed it.

I'll share a little about my week. I went to the temple today and that was awesome. Probably one of the last times I'll be able to go for the next two years. I realized that the one of the characters in the painting in the chapel looks just like Obi Wan.  But actually it was a really spiritual experience with the whole district. My flight leaves at 6 am on the 15th. So I will be calling you really early in the morning, sorry about that. maybe around 4 or 5? I got a hair cut and it is short, but looks pretty good. I thought if I told the lady that I was nervous because I have only ever had my mom cut my hair, she would laugh... but she just said "yeah I get that a lot" haha oh well. I had a cool experience in calss, when we did a role play with the teacher and I learned that the spirit really is the teacher, not us. The best way to teach is to let the investigator teach themselves and have the Holy Ghost teach and manifest the truth of that learning. A lot more has happened too, and hopefully I can write more and better when I get the field. Keep sending letter and telling me about what is going on in your lives. It is hard to respond to it all, but I love reading about it. I love you guys, and I will talk to you next week!

Love,

Elder Soper

2nd letter from Elder Soper on Jan. 2, 2013...

Elder Soper got sick with the flu last week, so he had some extra time while recovering to write this second letter on his P-day...

Dear Familia,

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!  It is weird that it is 2013, hard to believe.  But things are crazy right now.  I got a touch of the flu yesterday and I am fine today.  But a lot of other missionaries got it too and they have cracked down.  It is not a terrible bug, but since it is the MTC, they are pretty scared.  Nothing to worry about, just letting you know. 

It has been a crazy week.  I’m not even sure where to start.  Days are like weeks and weeks are like days.  Things are flying by, but I am learning a lot.  I may not have a lot of confidence in myself, but I have 100% confidence in the Lord and the doctrine.   We have to teach the doctrine plain and simple.  I am learning now to really listen to the investigator through what they are saying and what the Spirit is saying.  Heavenly Father has prepared our investigators.  I’ve got to be calm and listen to the Spirit.  I don’t need to beat myself up too much, I’ve only been a missionary for two weeks.  I “won’t find peace in my heart until I give my whole heart.”  (Quote from my teacher.)  Good scripture: Alma 32: 28-34 (faith).  Don’t be afraid of silence.  Give the Spirit time to speak.  It’s not about what we say, but the feeling that is there.  We can stay within the rules, and have fun.  We need to act on the revelation we get.  Don’t teach just to teach, teach to apply.  We need to be effective in our planning, so we may best work with the Holy Ghost.  Listen with your heart and your ears.  Sorry that was pretty choppy.  I was just going through my notes and writing down my favorite things.  Maybe I’ll go through my journal now.

This food is rough on the insides, or some of it.  I had some chili…  [the following lines were removed by Devin’s father to respect the feelings of more sensitive readers]  … but I am so grateful they feed us and I am trying to eat healthy.  No soda, and a salad and fruit every meal.  I have gained…0 lbs.  I’m the exact same weight.  Maybe less after being sick.  So no worries.

I’m learning a lot with my companion, Elder Black.  We do a lot of Role Play and we don’t know if we are teaching an actor or a real investigator.  We got asked to do it with no notice.  We some down time, so they asked us if we wanted to and we said yes.  We taught a girl named Heather and I don’t know if she was an investigator or not, but that doesn’t matter.  I really felt how much Heavenly Father loved her.  I is hard to explain what happened, but it was really cool.  And we were not the teachers, it really is the Holy Ghost. 

My companion and I were made zone leaders this Sunday and that is exciting, but scary.  We have to enforce some rules and people don’t really like rules.  So I want to be loving, but not annoying.  And I am scared I may end up too lax.  But I will do my best. 

My branch president gave me this little stone from the Sea of Galilee and he told me it was a little boulder and it will remind me to be a little bolder.  I needed that and I will keep that on my mission.  Things have been up and down like a roller coaster.  But one of my teachers said, “If roller coasters didn’t have ups and downs, it would be a train and that is boring.” 

When I was sick I went to the front desk to get medicine and the lady was very vocal about my symptoms and there were many missionaries around, haha.  She said… “You have DIAHERREA?”  and I said, “yup,” and then she said “Here is some medicine for your DIAHERREA!”  and I said…. “Awesome!”  It was a good interaction.  But they also gave me a mask and I drew lips on it. 

Elder Soper's sister's dog, Olive as a missionary in Portlan

Excerpts from some individual notes:

Dear Mother,

            I love getting your letters.  Fun with the puns!  I can’t wait to send you pictures.  It was fun to see Sister Despain [a ward member who volunteers in the MTC].  Even though I am close I still feel so far away and seeing her was surreal.  Haha, Christmas sounds fun and pretty normal.  But still sounded super fun!  That snow shoeing sounds so fun!  I’m gonna miss that kind of stuff.  Keep waving when you go by the MTC because I am waving back.  And that is exactly it.  I love knowing what I am doing each day and I am really beginning to love what I am doing.  I love you mom and I am keeping you in my prayers.  Good luck and have fun with everything.

PS  I’ve been washing my clothes but I just want to make sure I am doing it right, with my white shirts and pants and stuff.  Maybe you could send some instructions?  Haha, sorry and thanks.

Dear Father,

I will send some pictures when I figure out how to here.  I also made some Elder Grylls videos [hand-held, first person, like Bear Grylls on “Man vs. Wild”].  It sounds like things are going good at home.  I miss indoor soccer, but I have been playing volleyball and running a lot.  The cafeteria food is average and getting old, but there is a lot of it…  [more editing of material for sensitive souls].  … I really look forward to the gym though.  I don’t really work out with weights, but I try to run and do push up and sit ups.  Thanks and good luck for this semester.

To Taylor:

I enjoyed your letter young one.  And I am glad you wrote me and your jokes pleased me.  The humor throughout graced my vocal chords with a throaty chortle. 

You are probably ahead of me when I was your age and if you keep reading scriptures and studying Preach My Gospel, you will be so prepared.  I have learned so much from that book and it really was written and prepared on the other side of the veil (my teach told me that).  You gonna be good.

My fav food is bananas… and water.  No it is essentially Cannon Center food.  So that is the stuff I have every meal.  But the juice is good.  Our days are busy.  We usually have 2-3 hour classes, lots of study time, role play teaching, meals and gym.  It keeps us busy.  But that is a normal day.  Sometimes we have service stuff (I got to semi-clean a clogged, poopy toilet) and some days are just different. 

I’m also trying to be like you by finding humor in everything and making people feel comfortable.  Use your time wisely.  We all get 24 hours but we can choose how to use it.

Elder Soper's depiction of himself after a week of MTC food and gym time

Dear Emma,

Hey, I hope everything is going good.  Are you excited for school, the play?  Are you eating your vegetables?  Well I am doing awesome and I love the picture that you gave me.  The food is good but not as good as mom and dad’s. 

I know Heavenly Father loves you.  And I also know that Jesus loves you and knows everything about you.  They want you to be happy more than anything else.  I know you can be a good example to the family and be a peacemaker.  Mom and dad love you and so does Taylor.  If you ever need anything Emma, let me know.  I love you.

Emmy in her upcoming role as the feather duster, Babette, in Beauty and the Beast at Scera Park Elementary

Letter from MTC, Jan. 2, 2013...

Fambly,

Life is pretty good right now. I got a little bit of the flu yesterday and I am feeling all the way better today. Even so I have to stay in my room and be careful not to come in contact with anyone, just to be safe. I really don't mind that much, but it gets pretty boring with no one around (they are letting sick companions be alone).  Keep that mail coming, because it really is fun to get it and read it. These individual notes are for all of you, I am just making it easier to read...maybe. But they are for all of you.

Mom,

How are things with the play? Did they move all of that stuff out of the garage yet? Oh man, thanks for sending that blanket! That really has been a life saver and makes things a little bit more like home. It has made my sleep about a million times better. Rather than sleeping under a piece of paper, I am sleeping under an elvish blanket. But yeah maybe before I leave I will send it back with a couple other presents for you guys and some miscellaneous items. But tell me about anything else that is going on. And I also included a cool experience about some of our nonmember friends in my letter. Actually I will tell you now. We are supposed to have an investigator profile for when we do role plays, and I chose to be those friends combined. It is supposed to help us feel what the person is feeling and try to receive revelation for them by acting like them. It was a really weird concept for me at first, but it has been so cool. And then hearing about them going to the Church was awesome and like icing on the cake. It was really cool. But things are going good, I am healthy and happy and everything else.

Dad,

I can't remember what your letter said right now... but thanks for it and I will answer it in my letter because I have lots of time tonight.  Me and Elder Black became Zone Leaders this week and I was just wondering how you can be loving and firm at the same time. I am having a hard being firm enough and I just want to do my job good. Do you have any advice? I love getting the updates on EPL [English Premier League Soccer], because one of the Elders in my Zone watches it and we talk about it.

Haley and Jordan,

Yoyo whats up Heck Shrub and Homeboy. Your letters were really funny and I laughed at them to myself. I am sad we didn't all get to spend more time together, but the break sounded like it was super fun! Snowshoeing especially sounded super great. We will have to plan a lot of fun things for when I return in a couple years. Let me know how things are when you get back to Portland and I am writing a letter as well so maybe I will have mom and dad mail it or somesing. Feel free to email me! Hopefully I got your email right, cause I tried to include you. Good luck with works the both of you and thanks for all of your support and advice...I needs it!

Taylor,

Sup, I totes liked your letter bro. Good luck with school and soccer. You can email me too and I would love to hear from you. It is pretty easy to send letters right now since I am so close, but once I get to Louisiana we can email it up. I will send you a letter as well and start reading Preach My Gospel, it really is an inspired guide. You are already going to be a great missionary and if you start reading it now, you will be unstopable.

Emma,

How is the play going? When does school start and have you made anymore LPS [Littlest Pet Shop] videos. Good luck with everything and email me anytime.

I love you all, a letter is coming soon and the sections of the email are for everybody. Sorry I gotta go....Onward...ever onward

Love

Delder Evin Soper