In the end I listed to what the spirit had been telling me all along. Talk to many people, consider what they say, educate yourself more on both options, use this opportunity to get an increase due to your diligence to help you get out of debt faster, but in the end, both are good and both will serve you well if you put God first in your life. So that is what I did. I pulled out on Friday and late Friday night they set up interviews. Just in time to not waste people's time.
It also has been a busy week doing regular work. Lots of meetings at a high level I am getting ready for globally, major program reviews that we have to clear approval for before we can move to the next major step, and big agendas for upcoming trips to Europe and China.
Saturday was a special day..... Last week we discovered a major oil leak in the Mazda. I was very concerned. That could be more than the car was worth. Not what we wanted. I took it to the shop and they wanted to do nearly $2500 worth of repairs. Even when I whittled it down they still wanted over $600 for just the most major items. I am grateful for the gifts God gives me in knowing how to, or being willing to try other things. As you might guess I bought the parts myself, had the Elders over who one of. Them has done a lot of engine repair, and we did the work for $130 flat. We changed the valve cover gasket (oil leak that was the worst) and replace the brakes and rotors on the front. I actually had to use the sledge hammer on the old rotors they were so rusted on. I banged and banged so hard but eventually they broke loose. If they are not that bad they will just come off after
you remove the caliper with just a few hits with a regular hammer to free it up. What a blessing.
I also fixed a zip line brake to be more smooth and less jerky, pulled out a bunch more honeysuckle, replaced some zip line blocks that they neighbor did not like how they "stuck out" whenever they looked out their window to some logs that matched the color of the truck (they are happy now, it does look much more natural), fixed our light and Lys light that did not work with the remote, washed and waxed the Mazda and Truck (the others were gone) and cleaned out the furnace filter. It was a productive day.
Ty won first place in WIDI at the regional science Olympiad tournament and he was very happy. He got 3rd and 5th in the two others he did. He is awesome. State is next but he will have to see if they put him on the team that goes. Probably not since he is still a sophomore and mostly seniors and juniors go. But he is amazing. He loves it. He also took another higher level math exam (voluntary and only 2 people from Centerville HS qualified to take it at this level, one of them being Ty). He said he answer 6 of 11 questions and the exam was 3 hours. I would not find that fun but he was very excited. It is designed to be very hard so he actually did well to answer 6 of them.
Gavin tried out for a smaller version of forte and hopes to make that for the rest of the year. And Friday nit he went to a lock in at the school for symphonic choir. They stayed all night with activities etc. then of course he came home and slept. I think most exciting is he met with Bishop to start his papers for his mission. Very cool. He is also doing so good.
I love you tons, and always want the best for you.
3 John 1:4
As you could guess I send this same letter to Skjelse also to share my spiritual feelings and such to keep her knowing I love her and want her to be with us forever, but she has to decide. So usually I just send the same to both of you, I will do the same for Gavin, and I use this as my journal also. But today, you get a bit more. Thanks for telling us of the struggles as well as the awesomeness of the mission. Keep the positive attitude and telling the good, but when you are a bit down, tell mom and dad. We love you and pray for you daily, multiple times daily really. I am soooooo proud of you. You will eternally be grateful for what you are doing. And you have already had so much more success than I ever had. Way to go!
On the challenging motivation of companions. I had one just like you described. Not rebellious, but difficult to motivate. He listed to the same tape from his girlfriend daily if not multiple times daily, whined about home etc. when I look back the thing I remember the most, and wish to change the most is, I wish I had worked harder. When she is challenging, plan more work, try to get more appointments, even with members, strengthen them and you will also be happy. See if you can get appointments when she tries to be on the phone. Mom gave you great advice, use the distraction of conversation to turn it to more positive topics. And above all love her and let her seeing you try to go above and beyond what is required. You will NEVER be sad for doing more. Even if have more sometimes is only in your apartment. Study more, plan more, pray more. Do your daily and weekly planning with more depth and ask her things like how she thinks you can reach xxx better when you talk about such and such a principle. You probably do, but do your own plan, then ask her open questions about very specific topics so she turns her mind to those you serve.
You will do awesome, keep it up. And know if you are doing your best, you are successful as a missionary!
I love you so much, you epitomize 3 John 1:4! Thanks.
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