76th Week

Merry Christmas Family!

Whoops! I fear that might be a bit late. I guess that is how it is...


Either way, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! It certainly was an interesting one for myself. Most interesting is when we I hung up with my father and said, "Talk to you in five, see you in six." What an interesting experience it is to have a last of something. A last phone call, a last Christmas, or even a last day. It makes you think and ponder such things as, "Why did I say that," or even, "What did they mean by that?" We come and go into other people's lives so quickly that it is amazing the impact we can have on one another. I was thinking about my experience at the University of Oklahoma before my mission a bit ago and realized that by the time I returned many of those people would be gone. Perhaps moved somewhere else, or at least changed in a way that made them different then how I left them. I guess that means we have to seize the day, Carpe Diem, and never live with regrets as to what could or should have been. This has become particularly meaningful to me these last few days.

On the 19th, we were in St. George's for p-day when we went and looked at a store that sales all sorts of Grenada things, flags and such. The owners also happen to be the landlords to the Elders that live in St. George's. They gave myself and the Elder I was with, Elder Hunt, a free calendar. Which is pretty cool to be honest, I like it a lot. The calendar is for the year 2012. The rest of the day, Elder Hunt was staring at the calendar it seemed. I asked him why but he just mumbled some reply when I realized he was staring at a date in August. He realized his own demise you could say. He realized that it had to end. He realized that the end was soon.

So it is with us all I guess you could say. We were born with expiration dates. Some of them longer then others. Some would allow us to fly, swim, dive, and explore. Some would barely give us enough time to come to earth to receive a body. The same is true with our experiences. Everyone has a working expiration date, a school expiration date, and even a sports expiration date. We do our best to hang on and to play on but in the end it has to end. Thus we go on, some too cautious to accomplish anything, some too reckless and thus they lose everything. I like to think that I've been doing my best in terms of my mission to have fun within the boundaries set by the Lord. Thus, I feel like I've been able to accomplish everything that is requested on me, to this point.

As I look forward to the New Year that begins Sunday Morning/Saturday Night. I look forward to new opportunities to play, to love, and to cry. I look forward to the end of things and the beginning of others. I look forward with as much faith as I possibly can have. I know the year will be a great one and one which we should treasure and love. It will bring happiness, sadness, losses, and gains. Loved ones will leave us and loved ones will come. I hope and pray for you all that you'll look forward to this year with faith and not fear. There is great things to happen. I guess ultimately, when you believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ there is no true end, there is only a continuation for eternity.

My love for you all has grown immensely since our separation on that fateful day in June 2010. It will continue to grow and I cannot wait to see you again. Whether it be in Heaven or here. Heavenly Father loves you and me. I know that my family, that means you and I, can and will be together forever. Through our Heavenly Fathers beautiful plan.

I love you all,

Love your Elder,