Email of the Week

Hey guys.

So, I guess according to some people (don't worry, Jenny, I won't name names ), my letters haven't been enough about me. They've just been about what baptisms are coming up. Well, BAPTISMS ARE KINDA ALL I'M CONCENTRATING ON RIGHT NOW!!! haha I'm just kidding. I've been doing great. It's a really fun area and I'm getting into the swing of things nicely. This morning I got up and ditched my companion (don't worry, he was with other elders and so was I) and hiked up Camelback Mountain. It's this random mountain all by itself in the middle of the valley. You can see the entire mission except the northern areas. I got some pretty cool pictures, but you only get the one. I'll send the rest next month (by the way, January's pictures are being mailed today, Jenny).

The other picture is of the baptism we had Saturday. Her dad and step mom are less actives that we've reactivated. They're a super cool family. One of the little girls is so awesome. So We tell Nick the Dad that he should say the opening prayer for the lesson that night. He agrees, and then sits there thinking about what he wants to say. Marrisa (the seven-year-old) asks him, "Daddy, do you need me to help you?" It was so hard not to burst out laughing! This family has pretty much adopted us. There have been some nights (I am ashamed of this) that we've been super apostate and just spent 3 or 4 hours there. And we sat next to them in church, and I'm also sorry to say that I spent all sacrament meeting playing with their little girl. Oh well, I need some friends while I'm out here. haha

Also that day we were attacked. Don't worry, we weren't hurt. We were stopped at a stop light when suddenly we hear this loud crash. It was kind of funny the two different reactions between Elder Shupe and I. I start looking around and am about ready to get out of the car. I see that there are these two homeless guys fighting with each other (so they didn't actually attack us) and one threw a rock at the other, completely missed, and hit our car. I don't know why, but this made me super mad and I was about to get out and start yelling at both of them. But the next thing I know, Elder Shupe is pulling away!! It was probably a good thing though. After we got out we looked at where the rock had hit and amazingly there was only a small scratch on the bumper. It was pretty impressive considering how fragile new cars are. Maybe mission vehicles are protected just like missionaries? haha

Anyways, thats my week. I love you guys so much!! Hope to hear from all of you soon