Hey Mom,
Here we are with just another normal week. I wouldn't say that there's a whole lot new from me, but I'm glad to hear that all keeps going well back home. I am surprised to hear that Dad and I will be speaking on the same day. I think I've just been getting too lucky with my mission talks. I gave my farewell talk when Jared gave his homecoming talk, and I'll give my homecoming talk when dad is assigned to speak. That'll be fun.
Well, sounds like girls camp was a success this year. I hope Kara had the time of her life. Do you have any fun stories of wacked up things that happened? I didn't know Kara had an iTouch. I'm glad that she's making use of it. Maybe she'll have to teach me how to use one when I get home.
I think its funny how you mention the District 2 dvds. Dad mentioned them to me a while ago and I told him that its the same stuff that we see here in capacitations. We're supposed to use them on a weekly basis in district meetings, but we don't always have a tv nor dvd player available. But knowing what'll come to the mission, they'll become a little more available. But I'll be gone by then. Its all good though. I'm quite familiar with all the stories that you told about these investigators. It is kind of funny to see the reactions of some missionaries to these dvds. I think I told you that so long ago the first thing I noticed in these videos were carpeted floors. I would make a joke that I was getting 'trunky' when it would show downtown San Diego shots before the video. Elder McMahan asked me if I recognized where the missionaries lived. I told him that I didn't, but that I recognized all the bay shots that they do. I'm also convinced that one of the missionary companionships is located in La Jolla, but I don't know.
Well, things are going normal here in Barahona. I did mention that I was going on an intercambio back to Neyba last week. It was an unreal experience for me. I remember this area just about as well as the current missionaries. I went and contacted some old streets that I contacted and I taught in a house or two that I did when I was here so long ago. I did get a little gypped on the member visits though. I told Elder Vilorio that if there was time I would have liked to visit a couple specific members. When I thought that we were going to have time Elder Vilorio pulls out of nowhere an hour and a half lesson on tithing to 3 kids who aren't older than 10. I was a little bummed about that. But it's just what happened. I at least had the opportunity to see the area and see a couple of familiar faces.
Yesterday we had two guys from my group go to the office (who are going home early). Elder Grant and Elder Pratt are in the office right now waiting to go home. Elder Grant asked me if I had the chance to make the decision again if I would go home early or not if I would change anything. I told him that going home 2 weeks early would be convenient...but not needed. So here I stay in Barahona working out my last 2 weeks. These will fly like no other. Not to mention that I'll only be able to write home one more time. There isn't even enough time for me to send hand written letters home. Anything I send now will get home later than myself. We only had one mail visit so far and it was last week. So, I imagine that there are a lot of people wishing for a letter from me. But I'll make it up to them with a personal visit before that letter could ever get to them.
Anyway, Elder McMahan and I are working hard to find new people to teach. We have a few people of interest and we'll see how they progress. We are having a bit of a problem with one of our baptismal candidates who has been busy for the last 2 weeks. His dad, who is a member, is going to visit him today to try and motivate him a little more. After all we can do, the missionaries can't do more.
Well, that's all I got for now. Hope everyone is having a great summer and I can't wait to see you all soon.
Love,
-Elder Bird
