Thursday, December 12, 2013

"I'm getting good at driving in the snow"

Dear Family and friends,
I may sound weird but i am not that excited for this holiday season. i mean what are the greatest joys of having snow, no school, Christmas lights, a fire, giving presents and all the food that goes along with this season? its really none of that. those individually don't bring all that much joy. It was for me the company that i got to enjoy all those with. i think this Christmas is harder for me than last. But this one means so much more to me. I feel that i have come to understand my savior much more because of being able to participate in this great work. It is a great time of the year to be able to celebrate his birth. It is a time of good news and of hope. I wish that this year many people will come to the understanding of the gospel.
Elder Heath and i had a great week. we got 2 people prepared and baptized last Saturday. it was a very special day. and i see the Lords work in all of it. Danny Pham's baptism was especially spiritual. he was so excited and ready for it. We had quite a few people including a member of the stake presidency who actually sang at it. He is bummed because he cant be confirmed until this Sunday due to a special stake conference. He will be a strong member of the church. in total we knew him for 20 days and he got baptized.
Then Lilly wiggins got baptized. previously she was afraid of the water. i am a little worried about her because her parents are supportive but neither are active. her grandparents live next door but they themselves aren't that active. they were not happy when i said that she needed to be confirmed in church. But they cant do it because of other things until the 22nd and so i see the lord work in getting the whole family once again to church. I talked it over with the bishop and we both agreed not to ask for an exception to the rule of getting a convert confirmed at the font. it will show an extra level of commitment from the parents and the grandparents.
But this weekend was a lot of fun. Tons of Christmas parties. But the best part was the special stake conference! we have 3 general authorities in attendance for a young married Fireside saturday night (which i still attended because it was at my stake conference). Elder Ballard was in attendance along with Bishop Causse, and Elder Sean Bowen of the seventy presidency. I didnt go up and meet them but i was very close to them. i really enjoyed that night. talked a lot about accountability and choices. Calling out the men with pornography and Elder Ballard told them basically addictions are not addictions. they are choices everytime that we as individuals give in to them. then he blessed everyone with an apostolic blessing with the ability to choose the right decision. Saturday morning we had stake conference and Bishop Causse was presiding. i did get to meet him and talked for quite a while with him and his wife. Over all it was great.
Now what is funny is Elder Rasband who spoke in the devotional was supposed to come instead of elder bowen but we heard he was "sick" so seeing him in the devotional was kinda funny. Didnt look sick to me. not that im complaining. Elder Ballard made a joke about it. Apparently the stake conference and everything was his idea and he didnt even show up.
Well i am doing great. i am happy. and im getting good at driving in the snow. haha with no hills getting around is easy. i dont know why people in utah even get into accidents when it snows.
Love Elder Salmon

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