Yes still here! And according to Elder Hoyt, I need to ask to stay here. He sent a disturbing email telling me to stay here. I told him to suck it up. The world is evil - we know that, that is why we are going out!!! But while I'm here I’ll give it what I got. This Saturday got a baptism and one next Saturday too!
It’s flippin hot! Hitting 100 everyday. I thought it didn’t do that in Utah? Anyway... football… I need Wun Devil and Bulldog updates please. Sheldon... what in the world?!!?!?! Flippin stick your nose in and go crazy! Now that I'm retired I wish I would have done that. Seriously what is the worst that can happen? Get a headache? Come on... if your not gonna tackle get off the field and go put on a skirt. However I am glad that you are getting a better heart. Not as much trouble at school that’s good. I'd rather hear stories of you helping Jensen and others like that than you football stories anyway.
Just so you know I woke up early this morning just so I could write Brigg and Dad. I’ll try and catch the rest next week and I'm gonna send a cd with my pics on it pretty soon. Mom, if you need to tell jack to get a move on don’t be afraid to tell her I said so. I wont be settling for second best when I get home, why would I? When should we ever settle for second best in things that really matter? I'm not talking about buying the expensive brand of bread I'm talking about cutting ourselves short. Why would we not include the Lord, the Creator of All in every aspect of our lives? Why would we compromise our standards and why would we ever ever ever strive for anything less than that of celestial quality??? If there is something that is not celestial why would we include it? Don’t ever cut yourself short than the very best. Oh Sheldon happy bday. Hope it is celestial quality:)
But seriously I've been measuring everything on a scale of "celestial" terrestrial and telestial. Kind of puts a nice incentive on things. Find ways to fit that in. i.e. a celestial son is home at least 5 min early and his parents know exactly where and who he is with and he’s completely honest about everything when he sits on the parents bed and reviews the wholesome evening with them. A terrestrial son is within the time limit or maybe just a second or two late and gave a rough outline of the plans beforehand, pounds on the door, says I'm home and jumps in bed. Telestial... well imagine, lies about who- what –where- is late, really late and doens’t even wake the parents up. Just an example but you get what I'm saying?
Good New era, the article by Jon Bytheway on the five scriptures. Read it! Good one.
Anywho, I cannot express to you the importance of being independent for the good. The scripture has taken on new meaning to me "work out your salvation" doesn’t say "have your mom work out your salvation" or "if salvation isn’t given to you blame someone" you’ve got two feet (most people) stand on them!!!! If you don’t like the way things are going- change them!! If you’re in the right, you’ve always got some one to help you along. You’re not alone but you do have to make the first step! Elijah stepped onto the flaming chariot all by himself. That’s a rough example, but I'm telling you it’s not going to be given you. Life isn’t a drive through. I'm on a bit of a rant but man; I've realized just what is possible. What I am- what I can be. Who I can help. The gospel changes people. In the short three weeks I've seen it! Dirty houses become clean. Dark people become full of light and despair turns into the wonderful blossom of hope. I know Christ lives. "Come unto me" I know this is the one true way to eternal happiness and the true gospel. If you’ve felt the spirit and are denying the blessings of living the gospel in its fullness, or in other words, experiencing the power of the atonement... I challenge you to do it; a step of faith will take you to a higher way of life. Let Him in and you will succeed, don’t and you will live an eternity of regrets.
Love you all soooo much and I pray for you---
Elder Solomon
Momma, I have no idea who that email is from but I’m sure I’ll read it when I have some time... ha! Any way, thanks for the photos they were awesome, I really enjoyed them a lot. The work is moving on, yesterday we had Zone conference and I wish I could just put it on a DVD and send it home- it was awesome. Pres. Joyce talked a lot about becoming a celestial missionary and what are the traits of a terrestrial and telestial missionary as well, it was really enlightening but what really hit me the most was a part with just our Spanish zone. We talked about sacrifice. Wow! I never really realized what an important thing that is for us. Pres Hinckley said "without sacrifice there is no true worship of God" we talked how there are obvious thing we are sacrificing right now such as cars, movies, dates, free time, money, etc. but what more is there we could really sacrifice for the Lord. Some of the suggestions were our borderline music, cutting down lunchtime and some others. Going the second mile is really where changes occur, where we really become who we CAN become. Fasting is a form of sacrifice, giving our will over to Gods will, and even repentance is a sacrifice, but as the hymn states "sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven" . Wish I would’ve brought my notes.
That night we were teaching a couple that really liked us and was listening to us but they don’t really progress cuz they think some other things are of more importance. I told them "Christ sacrificed all for us, what can we sacrifice for Him?" they couldn’t really answer even they knew what I was looking for... three hours on Sundays!!!!!! Ha!, anyway we had two investigators at church with their combined 6 kids. Oh my terror! Sacrament meeting was so rough. I even had one of them straight up head butt me so hard everyone turned around. At least their mothers enjoyed the meeting. I’ll gladly take head butts to the jaw anytime for that.
Well, you’ll be happy to know yesterday I did make some personal goals. After zone conference I decided I can be doing some thing more than I am regardless of my companions, (Elder Navarrette, and Elder Aguilar). After conference. I was so excited for the future. Even though we get fed a lot I’ve lost a lot of size from the MTC. Slimming back down and getter tanner and my dark hair is getting lighter again. I love speaking the language, it’s almost like a game to me, and in fact, I dreamt in Spanish last night. The members here are a blast, they are so fun, and outgoing except referral-wise, and giving us a ride wise. It stinks that we have to get a ride everyday to our area, we live in an urban white community and work in downtown southern Ogden. What’s worse is all the other missionaries have brand new Malibu’s!!!
Please apologize to Nana and Dave’s family, I’ll try to write them tonight, if not... sorry!
Ok, love you all -
Elder PTSolomon
Ok mom, to start off primo means cousin, I'm your hijo. Ha-ha!
Well this place is nuts, it’s not really that big but there are a lot of poor people and bums, a lot of bums. When we are out knocking doors it’s the white people who scare, me believe it or not. I just give them a pass along card and ask them if they have any Spanish neighbors. My comp doesn’t really speak English but he’s an awesome solid Elder from Ecuador. He’s a hard worker but sometimes there is a little language barrier. My Spanish is getting a lot better, I can follow along with the conversations but I don’t really contribute a whole lot! A lot of the people we contact don’t straight up turn us down. In a city with a pretty bad economy, it’s amazing how much everyone works. But then we’ll get an appointment and go and no one will be home, kinda frustrating. We were supposed to have four lessons yesterday and none of them were home, so I got a lot of walking in! We don’t have a car or bicycle so we have to get a ride into Ogden everyday and then walk, and then get a ride back to our apartments, which are like 8 miles away form where we do a lot of work. But the people are so nice they always give us water and such. On Saturday we dropped by an investigators house and they had a family party and we ended up having two dinners.
The branch is cool; they are super nice as well. I should be going to Mexico within a week, but if not, oh well, there is work to be done here. A lot of people just love the place I'm going. They say I will love it. Hope everything is well with you all. Wish I could’ve been there for Jalin’s sealing, but this [being here] is making mine all the much better; love you all pray for you. I’ll be able to send pictures over email now so I’ll have to do that next week. I'll write Grandma-don’t worry. I’ll send snail mail though.
Ok bye---Elder Solomon
Well momma, sounds like quite the spiritual week. [You] left one thing out though, patience. I’m still here and last night I decided that this is the Lord’s mission so I’m gonna stop stinkin whining and suck it up. I’m going to be temporarily reassigned now and ill find out where tomorrow. I’ll go where you want me to go right? They missed a part, I’ll go WHEN you want me to go.
It’s ok, I’ll find John today and whip his butt in shape. I saw the Reed mobile on the way back from the temple this morning and left a note on it. It was really cool to see something familiar.
Any who… mom your letter was pretty cool. I just studied 2 Nephi 2 yesterday. It took me an hour and half. The cool thing about being in the RC [Referral center] is that I’ve found the Institute Manuals online and so I’ve been using those as well. But ya verse 11, I use it a lot with people wondering why their lives are all jacked up, Elder Holland said in a talk I wish I could find (it was a MTC devotional in like 2000) ‘missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience’. The same goes for any true disciple of Christ. He asked us " it was NEVER easy for him so why would we ever think it would be easy for us?" in my personal opinion I think it a privilege to suffer for him, to take a measly two steps up Calvary, like Elder Holland said.
It sounds like good things are going on at home. I saw Justin Kelley a few times. He’s already changed a lot, down to business! Doesn’t really talk to me a lot, he’s really into preparing himself, which is awesome.
I’m letting everyone off the hook mail wise because of the situation I’m in, but still email. I think the Dear Elder letters have their way of finding missionaries wherever they are. But hey, I get to say I served three missions by the end of this. One in Mexico, Salt lake (I don’t know) and the RC!!!! yay!...
Elder Hoyt [pretty much has his first baptism, lady from England... She’s all over chat. She meets with the missionaries on Saturday. I started packing my bags today just cuz, only left a few extra shirts and my toothbrush out. It’s called "bringing your umbrella". Part of real hope. Real quick... story of a small community that was suffering bad from drought for a long time. The ward decided to have a ward prayer at the chapel. As a family was getting in the car the little girl ran back inside and grabbed a small black bag. As the ward got together and prayed it started raining so hard the ward ran inside to get cover from the pelting rain, except the little girl and the Bishop. As he walked over to her she pulled out of her bag an umbrella and asked the Bishop if he would join her under it. Moral of the story? If you want something to happen plan on it! Thus the phrase I now use "bring your umbrella" now that takes faith! Awesome well I love you all. I’e lost a lot of fat in the RC…we get sack lunches now, which are faster and a lot healthier for you, just for those of you that were wondering:) My time is up. I’ll call this week (maybe) ---Elder Solomon
[Moms' note: Preston did call today. He has been freed from the RC and will start hitting the streets of OGDEN, UTAH this Friday while he awaits clearance to proceed to Mexico, which will probably be about a week. He is excited. He helped Elder Kelley loosen up alittle by teaching him how to make lite sabers. He, John, Justin and Derek Buttars were all able to meet up today. Go QC missionaries! He sounds so good and confident. I didn't even cry, but I did beg him to call me again before he boards the plan to Mexico. That will be the last phone call until Christmas. ]
