MissionLetters

13 November 2003

Hi Dad,

Well, I have finished my first week at the MTC. Things are going very well and I am learning a lot, but I am getting very anxious to get out into the mission field. But, the Lord has his own timing and I will get out there soon enough.

After seeing the front lobby of the MTC, I do, in fact, remember visiting it with Jon. I guess your memory is just better than mine.

Speaking of memory, I was wondering if you would make a file to put all of my mission letters to you in. I am pretty sure that anything that I tell you is already in my journal, but we all know what happened to the plates of Lehi.

Oh! On Tuesday night my district met with the second counselor in our ranch presidency. His name is President Taylor, he's a really cool guy. Well, anyway, while he was giving a spiritual thought, he mentione3d his wife's cousin, Steve Covey. After he was done speaking, I asked him if he was talking about Steven R. Covey, the author, and he said that's who it was. So he and I talked about him for a bit and the rest of my district looked at me like I was crazy for knowing who this author was. So I just thought you'd find it neat that Steven R. Covey is the cousin-in-law to my branch presidency's second counselor. I found out some neat stuff about him that I will tell you about later.

I have two companions now. One of the missionaries in my district, Elder Yantis, had to be sent home for medical and psychological reasons. He was a great guy and we miss him very much, but I hope he gets the medical attention that he needs. So now Elder Aken and I have a three-way companionship with Elder Morgan. He's a really cool guy from Boise, Idaho. H's the strong silent Elder in our district, but when he does talk, it's always worth it to listen.

Well, it's going to be lunch time in about six minutes so I'm going to go now, but I love you and miss you and I hope you write soon and often.

Love,

Elder David Mayer

Sunday, 16 November 2003

Hi Mom,

First, business. I really hope that you and Vati have sent my full immunization records, or asked Dr. Barth's office to fax them. Of course, so far, I have no way of knowing if anyone is receiving my letters. This information is urgent!

Our district has been going through some hard times, and contention is running high. You know what a peace-lover I am, but just like with my family, I can't make anyone get along. Nevertheless, the Spirit is with me and comforts me hourly, and I have been able to help. Any advice you, Vati, or my sisters have would be appreciated.

I also bought a Mach 3 razor, because I was tired of having a 5:00 shadow by 11:00 am. My face is adjusting. Ok. Business is now over.

The real reason I am writing right now is to tell you of a very sweet, special experience I had yesterday. A short version is in my journal, but this letter is the fuller account. I invite you to share this with the others, Mom, but I sent it to you because as a mother, I thought you would appreciate it the most.

Yesterday, (Nove 15, 2003), I was doing work at the RC (Referral Center) answering phone calls. Because of the problems that our district has been having, one of our teachers, Brother Snyder, was speaking to each of us individually in turn so he might get an idea of how to t help us overcome our problems. After working on the phone for about a half of an hour, Bro. Snyder called me in and we spoke of the problems in the district. I did not lose the Spirit from talking to him, but the subject matter made me sad and I was not very excited to get back on the phone.

I said a short prayer, asking Heavenly Father that during the next call I would have a chance to testify and thereby feel the Spirit encourage me. Then I clicked the button to start receiving calls again.

After waiting for about forty-five seconds, a call arrived and computer prompt told me that it was a request for the missionaries. I stated my name and said the prompt on the computer, asking for he person's phone number. After giving it to me, I asked for her name. That was the last prompt I used from the computer for the rest of the call.

The woman told me that she was already a member of the church, but she wanted a Bible sent to her son. Because of the rules of the Church, I told her that third-party orders were not allowed and gave her the Member Referral phone number and suggested she might try that. She then began to cry and exclaimed that her son was in prison and soon he would die. He would die before she could see him. He was alone and without friends or any comfort at all. She was in California, he was in North Carolina, but she thought that a Bible might be some comfort to him.

My heart went out to this sweet, poor mother. I asked her if she would hold while I got a hold of a supervisor, and she said she would. I quickly found a teacher and told him the situation, then went back to the phone. I thanked her for waiting and she told me that she was sorry for getting so frantic on the phone, but I assured her that it was not a problem.

The teacher brought me a special form that I could fill out by hand, and I began to take down her son's information. She told me that her son's name was Nathanial Dickson and gave me his inmate number and address.

She thanked me for trying to help and told me that the hardest part for her was that her son would never know how good and valiant he was for being on this earth. I then told her that I had recently learned that weapons used in the war in heaven were testimonies and her son must have used his testimony for the winning side because he came down to earth, he just couldn't remember his testimony because of the veil. She said that that was a comfort to her.

She then asked me if I was a missionary and I told her I was. She told me she loved the missionaries. She was a convert to the church and the missionaries brought her the truth she had been looking for all her life. She bore her testimony of the Church and the Gospel and expressed love and gratitude for me. I thanked her for her testimony and told her that it gave me strength. I told her that although I love being a missionary, it can be hard and her testimony was great comfort.

We spoke of the Atonement and its ability to heal and comfort both the spirit and body because Christ has felt all those pains. She told me of her son's cancer and how she believed he was innocent. We spoke of temple work for the dead and the wonderful chance that her son would still have to join the Church. She told me about her father, how he had his work done in the temple. She said that her father and her son were so alike in temperament and manner that she was sure they would be friends in the life hereafter. She felt bad about raising her son as a Jehovah's Witness and confusing him. During all of this, she called me David.

I realized that I had not yet learned her name and asked her what it was. Her name was Christina Dickson.

She told me that when she asked her bishop what she could do for her son, he replied that there was nothing she could do for him, but she must strengthen herself. I told her I guessed she could tell her bishop that there was something she could do after all. She liked that idea, and I felt that I could feel her smile.

My supervisor gave me a phone number to give to her which was for the prison related calls. She accepted it gratefully and said she would use it.

I told her that I wish I could do more and personally guarantee that the Bible wuld get to her son before his death. I wished that I could say words that might comfort her, but I had none. But I testified to her that the Lord did know how to comfort her and He was aware of her.

Once again, I bore my testimony of the gospel and the church. Again she shared her sweet testimony with me and expressed love and gratitude towards me. We then said a tearful goodbye and ended the call. The electronic records would show no information

on her except that the call lasted for over fifteen minutes and the caller did not want the missionaries to come and visit. I am sure that the records in Heaven will show something very different..

What a marvelous work! I had prayed to the Lord for an opportunity to testify and I'm sure this woman had been praying for some degree of effort, but the Lord blessed us both with more than we could have expected or hoped for. By our faithfulness and through His love, our afflictions were healed.

The Lord truly does have a plan for us and keeps us as close to Him as we allow Him to. I love this work. I love my calling, and I so look forward t getting out to the field. Please share this with those who you think will appreciate it. It was a sacred experience for me, but it is one that also bares a wonderful message, so please share it with the family. I would also like you to make a copy of this letter and give it to Todd so he can maybe feel a part of the joy here at the MTC.

I love you all and miss you all very much. I am struggling here at the MTC. I am struggling with my district, my companionship and (mostly) myself. The Lord has been kind in blessing me with humbling ex it is one that also bears a wonderful message, so please share it with the family. I would also like you to make a copy of this letter and give it to Todd so he can maybe feel a part of the joy here at the MTC.

I love you all and miss you all very much. I am struggling here at the MTC. I am struggling with my district, my companionship and (mostly) myself. The Lord has been kind in blessing me with humbling experiences, but they never seem to stick. Any advice for expelling pride would be appreciated. Please don't wait until Sunday to respond to this last part. Even if the letter is short, I need help.

Love,

Elder David Mayer

PS: Please call Todd and tell him that a letter from him would do a lot of good.

27 November 2003

Elder David Mayer

1464 S. Stapley Drive

Apartment #1019

Mesa, AZ 85204

Hello Everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving! Well, this is my first letter from the mission field, and so far all is well. I am in the Pioneer zone and the Pioneer district, which is located in the city of Mesa. It's a great area and I've heard we have the nicest apartment in the entire mission, but we also have a very high percentage of members. The hardest part will be finding enough members. I look forward to the challenge.

My trainer's name is Elder Hill. He's from Alberta, Canada and has been out a little less than a year. He's an awesome guy with a good sense of humor and a love of the gospel. He's responsible, but worse with names and short term memory than I am.

:P!

I met President and Sister Wappett on Tuesday. What wonderful people! Sister Wappett is one of the kindest and funniest person I have ever met and President Wappett is the greatest Mission President I could have. He is a nice person, but his attitude towards both the letter and spirit of the rules makes me grateful that I was raised to value obedience.

When we (there was three Elders and three Sisters) arrived in the Phoenix Airport we were met by President and Sister Wappett and the two APs (Assistants to the President). While we were all dealing with our luggage, Sister Wappett was talking to the Skycap who was he3lping us, and inviting him to the Mesa Visitor Center to come see the Christmas lights (they light up tomorrow). What a great example to all of us.

The rest of that day was filled with orientation stuff, but we did get to go tracting with the APs for about two and a half hours. We then had dinner and slept at the mission home, which is lovely by the way.

We woke up at around 5:45 am to go on a hike with President and Sister Wappett, the APs, some other missionaries, and another member of the mission presidency. We hiked to the top of Squa Peak (less than a mountain, ore than a hill), which was a great climb. I was a little more used to hiking than the others so I made it to the top first. :P

It may sound a bit prideful, but I really did try to let others go ahead of me.

Once at the top we were given a history of the area and the mission, watched the sun rise over the whole valley, and then dedicated the next two years to the service of Heavenly Father.

After that, we went back to the mission home, had breakfast, and then met our trainers. Elder Hill and I are both new to this area so we are going off the records left to us and blazing our own trail. And that pretty much brings you up to speed.

We had Thanksgiving dinner with a member family, the Flores family, who are very nice. We were very full and I accidentally fell asleep at the dinner table. They were very nice and just let me sleep until the grandma (great-grandma to many there) woke me up so I could nap on the couch. I then thanked her and accepted her offer. (Don't worry, it was a short nap).

Tonight we are going to meet with all the ward mission leaders and bishops in the area. We figured that tracting wouldn't go well with people just wanting to be with their families.

Speaking of families, I am thankful for all of you. I love you all and miss you all. But I know I will see you all again soon enough. Please keep me in your prayers and write to me often. I put my new address up at the top.

Remember D&C 31:6.

Love,

Elder David Mayer

HI DAD!

Well, I've decided to use your odd month / even month idea to save on postage (but most importantly on time). And because this month is an even month, it is your responsibility to get a copy of this letter to :

The family at Laurel Lane

The Palshikars

The Carlsons

The Lingmans

Nana and Granddad

Anyone else that is curious!

Thank you for doing this. It helps a ton!

Love,

Elder David Mayer

1464 S. Stapley Drive #1019

Mesa, AZ 85204

December 1, 2003

Hello Everyone!

Well, Mondays are usual P-days and any other day I have NO time to write letters, so you can pretty much plan on me writing all of my letters on Mondays from now on. I also set up my missionary email account today, but I can only check it on P-days and Mom and Dad are the only ones that can email me since it has their addresses as my parents, so I still expect snail mail from everyone.

An interesting thing happened Saturday afternoon as Elder Hill and I were riding over to meet the Bishop of 45th Ward. Just as we were rounding the corner on to his street I heard a man's voice say behind me, "Elders!" It wasn't very loud and my companion who was in front of me didn't seem to hear it. I turned my head around, but didn't see anyone looking us. I continued riding and heard again, louder this time, "Elders!" My companion still didn't hear anything, and I still didn't see anyone, so I kept riding, but slowly. The third time I heard the voice it was very clearly saying, "Elders" so I stopped my bike and told my companion that someone was calling us. Well, I might as well tell you that it was not the Holy Ghost yelling at me, it was the First Counselor in the 45th Ward bishopric. It turned out that they had two speakers cancel for sacrament meeting and he was wondering if we would talk. So I guess instead of stopping my bike I should have started pedaling faster.

Anyway, we both excitedly accepted the assignment (we thought it was a great way to introduce ourselves to the members). Elder Hill gave his talk on charity and I gave my talk on being good conductors of the Spirit. I started by giving a childhood account of sticking a paperclip into a wall outlet and talked about how as small as the paperclip was, it could act as a mighty conductor of electricity. (Special note: I made it very clear that I discouraged all children and young people from trying this out themselves). Then I talked about how we can be conductors of the Spirit.

Both talks went very well and were well received. I kept the paper that I wrote the outline on, and maybe I will send it one of these times.

My companion and I are getting along pretty well, but we do disagree on a few things. One of the major ones is the importance of writing letters on P-day and keeping a daily journal. Actually, I think he's just jealous of my superior writing skills. Anyway, I try to not let our differences get in the way of the work. He doesn't use unrighteous dominion too often, but when I think he is, it really gets under my skin. Nevertheless, I am learning a lot from him and I look forward to learning more.

When I first got here the air was so dry that my hands began to crack and split and it hurt a lot. On Sunday they were bleeding more than usual and it was really bad when people would shake my hand, so I finally broke down, humbled myself and borrowed some of my companion's hand lotion (Todd would be so ashamed!). Actually, I don't feel too bad because that was the first time he told me he had hand lotion. Anyway, my hands are much better now and they don't hurt or bleed anymore.

The work is good here, but you need to stick with it. Does anyone remember that movie,

"Labor of Love?" There's a part when these two Elders knock on a door and the guy answering basically says, "Thanks, but I'm not interested," and the Elders are like, "Oh, okay," and walk off. What a joke! It's darn near impossible to get rid of my companion, and it's taking more than a little effort on my part to get comfortable with that. But, this is the Lord's work and it's important to share the message. "It's the most important message they'll ever hear, even if they don't know it yet" in the words of Jeffery R. Holland.

I love you all and miss you al and hope to get lots of letters to this address because I'll be here a while. See you all soon. (D&C 31:6)

Love,

Elder David Mayer

**D&C 31:6 --

8 December 2003

Hello Everyone!

Well, it's been a fairly eventful week here. We are meeting some wonderful people, both members and non-members. It's all hard work, but I feel that we are really doing some good. One member described this area as "just burned out," and I think that's fairly accurate. The church has been here for so long with so many members that everyone has not only met missionaries, but has neighbors who have introduced them to the church. It seems like nearly everyone is already a member or dead-set against becoming a member. Nevertheless, the work continues to go forth and through hard work, we are productive.

One couple that we are very hopeful for is Hugo and Kimberly Ruiz. They are both in about their thirties and this is the second marriage for both of them. They have an incredible little family and I love visiting them. It is the high spot of my week. Kimberly was baptized during her last marriage, but she is very inactive and still has a little trouble with the Book of Mormon, but she is very nice an is trying very hard. Hugo didn't even pray or go to church until a few months ago, and right now they are going to a non-denominational Christian church. The funny thing about meeting them is that the missionaries before us had been talking with them and even set an appointment for us to meet them, but our second day here we tracted into Kimberly anyway. They have some wonderful little kids and I have taught them a primary song at the end of all the end of every evening that we meet with them. That has been an awesome way to leave the house with the Spirit. I am glad that I bought a mini children's songbook at the MTC. Also, I give the credit of the song idea to Julia (thank you for the idea!).

We are also meeting with a lot of the members to share a message that we have prepared especially for them (actually it was mostly my companion's idea, but I helped prepare it a little.) It's a really neat message where we share a few scriptures and then read a story called "The Empty Box." At the end we give them a little paper box that we make and ask them to pray and then put names in the box of people that they, or we, can share the gospel with this Christmas season. Other than just flat-out invite them to church or even to Family Home Evenings, there are two great missionary tools that we have here this season. You're probably familiar with the "Joy to the World" video since a free DVDD of it came in the Ensign. If you have not yet had time to watch it, watch it. If you can think of anyone you can share it with, do it. It is a great way to feel the Spirit of Christmas no matter what faith. If you don't have a pass along card, the phone number to get a free copy delivered to you is 1-877-300-8000.

The other missionary tool that is wonderful is sadly only available here and that is the Christmas lights at the Mesa Temple and Visitor Center. They are gorgeous and I wish you could see them. Elder Hill and I worked at an information booth ther on Wednesday, the 3rd and will do it again on December 16th and 30th. It is a great way to get referrals and provide a peaceful atmosphere for both members and non-members. I will try to send you a postcard sometime.

It was seriously awesome to get a letter from all four of my sisters in one week. Thank you to everyone that has been writing to me. I am still surprised at how it brightens my day every time. Those letters cure my homesickness and just get me so much more excited for missionary work. I wish I could write letters back to all of you individually, but with my schedule six days a week we are literally either working, eating, studying, or sleeping every minute of the day (with little emphasis on eating and sleeping). The one exception is P-Day, but even then time is very sparce. This letter has been written in the car, at the District Leader's apartment, and during a haircut appointment, among other places.

I say this in every letter, but it's because I want you to know it. I love you all. I miss you all. It is hard for me to be away from all of you, but I know that this is worth it. It gladdens me to know that I will see you all in a little bit. (D&C 31:6).

Love,

Elder David Mayer

15 December 2003

Hi Everybody!

Another week has gone by and things are going well. There are still a lot of things that I'm learning, but I suspect that I'm going to be learning a lot every day that I'm here (that's the hope anyway). Being a Greenie is definitely a humbling experience, but I don't think I'm doing too bad. I am able to help out quite a bit and everyone in our area seems fairly pleased with us. I'm still very excited about the work we are doing here.

One thing that I really want for Christmas is for everyone that gets this letter to do something for the missionaries in their area. Whether it is giving them a referral, making cookies for them, or even just telling them that you're glad they're there. The other thing I want from everyone is a little more selfish. I want an individual letter from every person that reads this letter before 1004. Then I want forgiveness from everyone because it will be a while before I will be able to write everyone back. A couple notes on these letters: First, I don't care if you think you don't have anything interesting to say, just start writing and don't stop until you've filled up at least one page. Second, if you procrastinate your letter writing until after the first of the year, I will forgive you, but you still need to send a letter. My letter anticipation level will remain high until I have received a letter from each of you, regardless of the date. Third. I know that winter break is coming and that it will provide some excellent letter writing time. Last, I would like to note that large print and/or small, wimpy paper is breaking the spirit of the request, but I'm still forgiving and so will accept two such letters from any given person. Anyone that ignores this request will still be loved by me when I get home, but will probably be greeted with a wimpy, fish-like handshake.

My hands are in much better condition, and I have learned to wear gloves early in the morning and evening while riding my bike, and it is a big help. I am still in very good health and expect to remain so as long as I am obedient to all of the mission health rules.

Speaking of obedience, Elder Hill and I were asked to speak in Sacrament Meeting again yesterday, this time for the 40th ward. I gave my talk on obedience and recounted my experience of being interviewed by President Wappett for the first time. During the interview I bore my testimony to him, and after I did so he asked me how I gained that testimony. I had to think for a few seconds, because nobody had asked me that before, but the answer soon became obvious, and I answered that I had gained my testimony by obedience to laws I'd been given and the covenants I'd made. Then, in the way that President Wappett does, he smiled at me and gently said, "Well, good."

The talk went very well. Elder Hill spoke on prayer and his talk also went very well. This time we were asked on Thursday if we would speak (but of course we didn't have any time to write them until Sunday morning anyway!).

This is probably the last letter any of you will receive from me until after Christmas, so I hope that you all have a very merry Christmas and give everyone an extra hug from me. It's going to be pretty hard for me to be away form you all at this time of year, but I love the work here and as long as I stay focused on that, I know I'll be fine.

I love you al and miss you all, and think of al of you more often than my companion allows. I know that the Lord is with me here even though things get tough at times. I know that I am doing good here and that there is no place better for me right now in my life. Please keep me in your prayers and please keep the letters coming. I will see you all soon. (D&C 31:6).

Love,

Elder David Mayer

"David Mayer" <eldermayer22@myldsmail.net> 01/06/2004 9:49:29 AM >>>

Wow! I just read Todd's email, and WOW! I can't believe he's going to Albania!!! I am still in shock, but I guess I need to keep writing because I'm short on time.

I am happy to say that Elder Hill and I will both be staying in the same area and same apartment for at least another six weeks. If you want to send packages, send them to the address you've been sending letters to. I repeat: We are in the same apartment.

Also, I don't know if the email was the same letter that Mom told me Todd sent off on the 15th of December, but if it wasn't, please let Todd know that I haven't recieved that letter yet, and it would be great to get another copy (he usually types out his letters and saves them.)

I don't really know about any blank DVDs at the house for Steve, although after getting all the news from Julia about how the kids still love and remember me, he certainly deserves them. Also, if he's wanting a copy of the Sleepy Time Video DVD, Dad has a copy and I'm sure would make a copy for him, but because I'm so desperate for mail from his family, I am requesting that the DVD be held hostage until I recieve said mail. Dad, I would appriciate it if you would make a DVD copy of the Sleepy Time Video for Steve, but give it to Mom. Mom, don't give Steve the DVD until I send you an email telling you to, or until he absolutely promises that everyone living at his house has sent off a letter. I will include more details on the hostage situation in a postcard to Mom. Please let Steve know that I do feel kind of guilty about this, as I appriciate his help so much, and that this is not any sort of punishment. It is a desperate attempt at getting mail from his family and him, and I have confidence that if anyone can persuade his family to get on it, he can!

Mom, if you are still planning on sending me a care package sometime soon, in addition to other things, I could really use a package of good, long-lasting batteries, as the digital camera drains them very quickly.

Dad, I was hoping you could send me a DVD copy of the Sleepy Time Video. I don't know if mission rules would even allow me to give a copy away, but if they do, I know some families that would really like it here.

Last of all, please let everyone know that I love them and pray for them every night. Please let Todd know that I'm VERY excited for him. And please continue to write to me often.

Love,

Elder David Mayer

6 January 2004

Hello Everybody!

Sorry for there being no Large Group Letter last week, but you know how it goes. Actually, I guess you wouldn't really know, so you'll have to take my word for it.

Things here have been crazy busy. Now that the Holidays are over though, things should be calming down a little bit and we can get into a bit of a routine. I still haven't written to everyone that I wanted to for the Holidays, but I'm working on it, so please be patient with me.

Also, speaking of letters, I want to thank all of you that sent me letters and cards during the Holidays, they helped a lot with my homesickness. For those of you who still haven't sent anything, I'm sure I'll forgive by the time I come home.I'll try anyway.

I'm writing this letter in a pizza place called Eatza Pizza. It's all-you-can-eat and only costs $3.49, so we come here sometimes. Actually we just left, but you got a little taste of a genuine, Mesa, Missionary P-Day lunch. Did you get excited?

Ok, now for the news. Um, actually, I still don't have a lot of news for all of you. I'm not getting transferred tomorrow, which I'm happy about, and neither is Elder Hill. I'm glad because we have some really good people here, and we've made some really good connections. There is one thing that will change tomorrow though, and that is the fact that Elder hill will become our District Leader. He's nervous about it, but I think he will do a good job.

Please pray for our investigators here. We had many that were interested and even committed to baptism, but Satan keeps throwing in obstacles that keep us from being able to teach them again. These obstacles are as small as sick children and as big as losing their house. We are doing our best here, but I'm sure that your prayers would help.

It's hard to believe that I've already been on my mission for over two months. It's even harder to believe that if I had gone foreign speaking, I would still be in the MTC (*wink, wink* Todd). At times it seems like I left last week, other times it seems like I left last week, other times it seems like a lifetime. I am glad that after tomorrow, I won't be the newest Elder in Mesa, even though I'll probably still be the newest Elder in our district and zone. Oh well, being a greenie for a while longer will keep me humble.

I was excited to hear about all the snow there in Oregon. I just really hope everyone kept safe, but knowing my family, of course they did. Everyone here is blown away when I talk about the rain in Oregon. It's pretty funny. Also, people here continue to tell me horror stories about the summers that I'll be experiencing here and look at me with sad faces. Well, I'll show THEM!! HA!!

I continue to devour all of your letters with great zeal and gratitude. They are the highlight of my week and brighten even the darkest, most discouraging day.

I love you all and miss you all, but the time is going faster, and I'm sure I will see you all in a "little bit". (D&C 31:6). Please keep me in your hearts, prayers and letters.

Love,

Elder David Mayer

12 January 2004

Hello Everybody!

Well, it's finally that time again. Another week has gone by (though it hardly feels like it) and it is once again P-Day. I'm doing all that I can to keep my letters from becoming short, but the time is starting to go by really fast.

There's a great guy in the ward by the name of Bob Bowden, and he sometimes gives Elder Hill and me rides on P-Days and he would like to say some words to all of you.

Your son is doing so very well. It's easy to tell he has bee prepared well. We have a big time with him and his companion having them over to our home and taking them wherever they need to go. It's an honor to know this outstanding young man. The Lord I'm sure is happy and we are tickled.

Bob & Jorri Bowden

So that's the words of old Bob Bowden! He's a really great guy, and I'll try to send you a picture of him (and many others) soon. I'm trying to find some time to get the pictures transferred to a CD, but it's a bit difficult at times to get things like that done. One thing that I've learned so far on my mission is that there is no such thing as "free" time!

Because we had Transfer Day last week, we had a zone activity today. We played soccer, and let me tell you, it was hot! There is on logical reason for me to believe that it is still January. I think I have been lied to t and that it is actually July. The response that I get whenever I say that to people though, is that once I experience a real summer here, I will know that this is Winter.

Elder Hill has me on a diet right nowa mail diet that is! All this last week he has had me on a "mail fast" and I have to admit that it has helped me focus more on the work during the last week. Besides, the only thing that I need to check the mail for (although there are many reasons why I want to check the mail) is so that my letters home are up to date with all of you there.

Now for news of investigators. We are teaching a young Hispanic girl named Patsi, and things are going well with her. She is 18 years old and serious in her study of the gospel. She is developing a wonderful testimony., We are also teaching a 16 year old girl (also Hispanic) named Morgan. She is dating a member boy who is also the son of Bro. Flores, whom we work with a lot. Tonight we get to go to the visitor's center with her and the Flores family, which I am greatly looking forward to. We are also working with two sisters, Rosio, 16, and Jasmine, 20, who also happen to be Hispanic. Things were going really well with them, but Jasmine left for a military school on Sunday so we will continue to work with just Rosie. All of these girls have Catholic backgrounds, so it's kind of interesting. We have other investigators (they're not all Hispanic

young women) but I will save them for other letters.

Now I want to tell you about an amazing young man that I met this last week. His name is Daniel Agne, and he is dieing of colon cancer at the age of 19 (his birthday was this week). His mother stopped us on the street one day and asked us to come by their house and see him some time. I had heard from members of his ward that this guy had a great attitude, but I wasn't nearly prepared for what he was. He was at complete peace with himself and his situation, and even anxious to begin his mission in the next life. In the spirit of missionary work, I told him about Blanca Toral as a referral. It is amazing to see the faith of this young man so close to death. He is going to be a great missionary. As we left his house we sang "Called to Serve" and the Spirit was very strong. I wish you could all meet him.

One last bit of news then. I will be singing a solo in one of our ward's sacrament meetings this coming up Sunday. I will be singing "I Heart Him Come," and I'm very excited. I hope and pray that I might have half of the impact that Jeff Parkin had when he sang it as a missionary. I also hope that I can finish the song better than I did at my farewell.

Well, that's all the time and news I have this week. As always, I love and miss you all (yes that means you too!). I am very happy here, and wish I could share that happiness with all of you. This truly is the greatest place on Earth that I could be at now. Please keep me in your hearts, prayer, and mailing lists. The Gospel is true, the work is great, and I'm just trying to keep up with it all. I'll see you all in "a little bit". (D&C 31:6)

Love,

Elder David Mayer

PS: Please pray for me that this darned cold will go away soon.

19 January 2004

Hi Everybody!

Well, this has certainly been an eventful week. I'm quite happy to see that I've survived until P-Day. I believe I will begin by sharing the bad news. Because of the severity of this bad news, I would advise all who read this to first sit down before reading this terrible news. Also, the faint of heart may want to just cover their eyes until the bad news is over.

The bad news is such: Strider (my beloved steed and bicycle) has been stolen. This atrocity happened on the 14th of January sometime between 8:30 and 8:45 pm. All efforts to recover Strider have been in vain, and I am coming to grips with the fact that Strider is forever lost to me.

Now (although the pain is still very near) I will give the sad details of how Strider came to be stolen. I would first like to say that I am usually very diligent about locking up my bike and helmet, especially after my helmet was already stolen once. Well, we stopped at a woman's home once night to schedule a future appointment. We were not planning to go inside so we did not lock up our bikes, but the Spirit prompted me and I asked my companion if we should lock up our bikes anyway. He just shrugged his shoulders and made a grunt knid of sound, so I decided not to worry about it. When the woman, Michelle, came to the door, she invited us in and again I was prompted to tell her that first I needed to lock up my bike, but again I ignored the prompting. Now, I should mention for the sake of honesty that we shouldn't have gone into her house in the first place, because she is a single woman and we are not supposed to go in without another male around. When she invited us in however, we did not want to offend her (what a silly thing, to be afraid of offending her, but not afraid of offending the Lord). Well, we spoke to her for about fifteen minutes (during which, I ignored another prompting to go check on the bike and lock it up). When we went back outside my helmet was there and Elder Hill's bike was untouched, but my beloved Strider was gone. As soon as we were out of Michelle's presence, rage, negative feelings and a bad mood ensued.

But all is not lost! The rage passed, in time I stopped feeling sorry for myself, and I learned a very valuable lesson. Of course, I learned to ALWAYS lock up my stuff, but I learned an even more valuable lesson. You see, I have always been proud of myself for not being very materialistic. I've never been the kind of person who wanted a lot of stuff and I've never judged others by what they have. But what I learned is that I'm much too attached to the things I already have, and that can be just as bad, if not worse. I am now working with the Lord to overcome this weakness. And so ends the tale of the Bad News of Strider. (I have also learned not to ignore the promptings of the Spirit).

On a light and happy note, I got to sing a solo in the 40th Ward's Sacrament meeting yesterday. I sang "I Heard Him Come" and (despite getting over a bad cold) I thought it went very well. I didn't know it until I read the program, but I sang it for a missionary's farewell. But the really cool thing about that meeting was that Rosio, one of our investigators, finally came to church.

Speaking of investigators, I am sad to say that Patsi (whom I was really hopeful for) moved away last week unexpectedly. She was living with her aunt, uncle, and cousins, but now is living with her mom again, but I hope she finds the missionaries in her new neighborhood. I would hate for her to fall through the cracks.

Jasmine also left home, but we were expecting that. She has gone to some kind of military school and will be cut off from the world for about six months. We are also continuing to work with Yerem, which is going pretty well.

I would like to apologize for the week when all I sent was a postcard. I must confess I was not short on news, only short on time. Such is always the case. If I had the time, I could undoubtedly write twice as much as I do. Unfortunately, I do not have that kind of time, and until I have a companion who enjoys writing letters as much as I do, I will probably never have very much time for letters. As it is today, we are going to be very busy. Among many other things, I need to start looking at options for replacing Strider. But despite the odds, I will continue writing as much as I can.

I've really appreciated that in many of the letters I get, I've been informed of being included in everyone's prayers. This is very encouraging for me and I want to let everyone know that their prayers make a difference for me. I, in turn, want to let all of you know that you are all in my prayers as well. I love and appreciate you all. I greatly enjoy your letters and I hope they keep coming regularly. Please keep me in your prayers, and I will see you all "in a little bit". (D & C 31:6)

Love,

Elder David Mayer