letter!

Hi family!

Sea food? Yuck! I can put it down now, but I still don't care for it. I'm glad that you guys had a good time. Thank you for continuing to try on the Line of Authority. I'm excited to find it out haha.

I got the sweaters you sent and I really like them. I wore the black one to my interview with President Macdonald on Friday and he really liked it. The church building is too hot to be able to wear the brown one with my suit, but there is plenty of winter left! Thanks a lot for sending them.

It has been raining a lot here. I guess that fall and winter here means constant rain with the same moderate temperature. It really makes you grateful for the sun. I'm afraid that I'll have seasonal depression and so I asked some members about it. They said that doctors tell them to make sure they increase the amount of vitamin D they take in and it prevents it. I'm going to look for a good multivitamin today and see what my options are.

I got your letter today that had Elder Parkin's letter in it. I have to tell you that I am not as good as that letter makes me sound. Elder Parkin loves to exaggerate my strengths. I sure do miss that guy though. I just like to give him a hard time by saying that all we'll ever have is a facebook relationship. It makes him so upset haha. In truth, I see myself being friends with him through eternity. President and Sister Macdonald both commented about that at interviews. It's interesting what others can see simply by how we interact with others. Did I tell you last week that I met Elder Parkin's parents in person? They were visiting a bunch of temples all along the west coast and to get down to california they had to use Highway 101 which passes right through North Bend. They stopped by the apartment and I talked to them for a bit. His family is so nice. All they could say was how grateful they were for me and how much Elder Parkin loves me. I couldn't help but laugh. I learned way more from him than he did from me.

I'm really enjoying the piano. I transposed "Praise to the Man" this morning and it sounds so cool. It has a little bit darker tone that I think fits the second verse perfectly. I practice before studies, for 15 minutes during personal study, any spare time at lunch, and when we come in at night usually for 15 minutes. Not a lot of really focused time, but God consecrates and blesses those short periods. It is also relaxing. When I play all the stresses just disappear and I'm ready to take on the day. It's also a time when I think I feel the spirit the most. It really sets the stage for the rest of my study. It's going to be sad when I have to leave it, but I'll be okay.

Well, I have some sad news, but Susan won't be baptized this week. Her family wouldn't be able to make it. I was so devastated. We are refocusing though, and we have reset the date to Nov. 14th. Happy Birthday to you dad haha. I'm confident that she'll make it though. I just hope that I don't get transferred because If I do it'll be a week before her baptism. But we also have another baptism set up for Nov. 7. His name is Jim Cates and he is so solid. He keeps all his commitments and comes to church. He always reads and is always willing to accept the commandments. He is 78 years old. Can you believe that? He reminds me a lot of Grandpa Driever.

I don't think I have any other news for this week. Take care. I love you all.

Love,

Elder Mullenax

10-12-09

I had a good week. It was also tiring, but not that busy. We found a few more people to teach and taught the people we have been teaching. We attended a baptism yesterday and Kris and Tifanny came with us. They both felt the spirit and really want to be baptized. They were supposed to get baptized on the 17th but it's not going to happen because they won't get married. It is very frustrating. Especially to think that I've been here four months and haven't helped anyone recieve baptism. So many of them get so close and right and the end they have one issue that keeps them from being baptized.

It looks like Susan Olson's baptism is going to go through. She just has to meet with bishop on wednesday to get the "all clear" but I don't forsee any problems. It's pretty exciting because she asked me to baptize her. We tried to get her less-active husband, Richard, to do it but he didn't feel comfortable. So I guess I'll be getting wet on the 24th haha. I'm so glad that she finally gets to be baptized. Out of everyone we've been teaching, she deserves it the most. She is so in tune with the spirit it's ridiculous.

I think you'll be proud to hear that your son is at least mildly musically gifted. I decided week ago that I wanted to learn to play the piano. I wanted to be able to play when we tour the chapel with people because it really brings the spirit into the room. Well, I've been working pretty hard and really pressing forward. I can now play the entire right hand of "Praise to the Man" (that's for you, Lindsey) as well as several other hymns. I just have to work on the left hand and putting it all together. I can't believe how easy it's becoming to just pick a song and start playing it. I really feel like God is blessing me with the ability to learn it quickly because of my purpose in learning. We also found an old electronic keyboard at the church so we took it to our apartment and I practice every day. I really enjoy playing the piano and it's very relaxing. I always start out my personal study by spending a little time practicing. Who knows, maybe when I get home I'll be decent?

I'm sorry to hear that dad got sick. Everyone around here is getting sick too. Luckily I haven't caught it yet. It may just be a matter of time though. Things are getting better with my companion. I wrote on a sheet of paper and tacked to the wall my new "Plan of Action." It outlines what we do every day and what things are inappropriate to talk about and it really seems to be helping. I'm just trying to be the best I can be serving his needs above mine. It's hard, but I've seen it working so I have to just continue doing it. Just as with all things, some days are better than others and I don't always have the best moments, but I quickly apologize and do what I have to to make it right.

I don't really have much more to write about this week. Like I said, not a lot changed this week. It's kind of funny because people always ask us what we've been up to and being that we do the same thing every day there's not much to talk about haha. It also makes it kind of hard to find interesting things to write home about. The days just kind of blend together.

I love you all. Have a good week and I hope everyone stays healthy. Thanks a lot for the letter you wrote, it came on a day I really needed it. Lindsey, I'm sorry I didn't reply to your individual letter, but I want you to know I read it. I sure do love hearing about my boys. Coleman sounds like he's becoming a big boy. Little pence sounds like a tyrant haha. I can't believe gray is crawling now! Crazy! Tell Mark I said hi and not to take Stan's offer unless it's a really really good one. Also, put in a good word with stan for me for like 2 years from now haha. How is everything going with Elder's Quorum? I'm sure you're doing a great job.

I love you guys. Stay healthy and happy!

Love,

Elder Mullenax

10-5-09

It sounds like everyone had a good time on the train. Mmm steamworks sounds good. Coleman is an interesting little boy. I bet he had a lot of fun at the pumpkin patch. I've been thinking about the boys a lot lately. They've got big things ahead of them. I was also thinking about how much they are going to change before I see them again. The conference talks really make me want to be a better example for them because we are preparing the way for them to receive Christ.

Thanks for doing the socks for me. Everything from missionary mall has a 2-year guarantee. They should last. Wait, they limit what gifts you can give for christmas? That's odd. I think the phonecall would be better on christmas day because we are asked to call from member's phones and we will be proselyting on christmas eve. I did find a coat. I got a columbia with a zip-out liner that is also waterproof. It was $160.00 but I also bought a belt because the one that I had broke this morning. The total ended up being like $190.00. I have not gotten my tooth rechecked yet. I'll do it when I can find some time to breathe.

My companion is definitely a lot different than Elder Parkin. I miss him. Everyone we're teaching has been dropping us since he left. I'm having a hard time keeping Elder Rupp focused. Mom, I don't know what to do. He's a great guy and all, but he has become way too casual. He doesn't take the work seriously anymore and he feels spiritually capped out. I feel lost. I'm trying to make sure North Bend stays in a state of growth, but I can't devote all my energy to missionary work anymore. This isn't meant to be a complaining session, I'm just trying to explain my situation and explain how I feel.

I have some exciting news about Susan Olson though! Since Elder Parkin works in the office now he's around President Macdonald a lot more. Well, he talked to him about Susan's situation and not being able to come to church because of work and President felt strongly that she should be cleared to be baptized even though she can't always come to church. We are so excited! She'll be baptized on the 24th at 5:00. She is so ready and she will benefit so much from the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

So how did you all like conference? I loved it! I love being able to receive so much counsel and direction. I was so impressed with Elder Holland's testimony of the Book of Mormon. I wish I could make copies and just hand it to everyone I meet haha. It was powerful. I also really liked Elder Scott's talk about inspiration and being led by the spirit. I've been working on being able to recognize and understand the promptings of the spirit lately. That talk, as well as others, helped me feel the spirit and be able to have a reference point for developing discernment.

Well, I don't really have much to say this week. Don't forget to work on the line of authority! Dad, I love you. I want you to know that I'm sorry I didn't ask for advice from you before my mission. The priesthood session really opened my eyes and I want you to know that I plan to take the advice to return missionaries when I get home. Keep up the good work and know that I pray for you and your calling. I love you too, mom. Stay safe and I'll talk to you next week. Love you all!

Love,

Elder Mullenax