Monday, October 12th

Well, transfers were this last week, and I'm still here in
Harlingen. I did get a new companion. His name is Elder
Campbell. He and I were in the same MTC district, which is
exciting. We've had a great half-week together since
transfers.

It sounds as though all is going well back home. Things here
are great. I've decided that I've been gaining a little bit of
weight...not much, but I'm about what I was right before I
went into the MTC. I suppose that's what happens when you
have members feed you throughout the week. There's a
member family that moved down here from Utah (the
Hawkins) and we eat American food there every week. It's a
nice change-up from straight Mexican food (don't get me
wrong, I love the Mexican food, but it's nice to have a change
every now and then.)

We've found and have been teaching some great people this
last week. Unfortunately, none of the ones we're actively
teaching came to church yesterday, even though we had very
strong commitments from several of them.

I've been learning and growing a lot in the last couple weeks. I
feel that I have made leaps and bounds in my progression.
However, there's always more to be done. I guess that's just
the way it is.

I can't believe how the time has been flying by. It seems like
just yesterday I was here at the library emailing. I'm doing my
best to make the most of each moment that I have as a
missionary. This really is a remarkable experience. I've never
felt closer to my Savior than I have as a missionary. There are
times, obviously, when the work is incredibly hard, but the
good times outweigh the bad. When we have even one lesson
that the Spirit is there testifying to the person of the
truthfulness of what we're sharing, makes up for all the
slammed doors, swearing, etc. that we experience as
missionaries.

How I love each of you. Thank you for all of your examples to
me in helping me become the person that I am.

Love,
Elder John