March 23

So the biggest let down of the week was that Elder Perry got reassigned last minute and was not able to attend our meeting. This was slightly awkward because the whole mission gathered anyway but we were able to hear from Elder Craig C Christensen from the Presidency of the Seventy and two other members of the quorum, Elder Ward and Elder Johnson. There was a heavy air of disappointment but then Elder Christensen explained that the health of the Prophet and Elder Packer made it so that Elder Perry was needed in Salt Lake to help organize conference. I don't want to read too much into it but he did say that this would be a monumental conference and to prepare ourselves for the messages that will be shared. Drop the mic right? 

I left that meeting feeling spiritually dumped upon. It was amazing and I am really excited to read over my notes and continue to learn from them. We spoke of families, the importance of priesthood, the Atonement and how to build stronger relationships with Christ. His answer for us was to strip ourselves of jealousies and fears, to trust Him. I've been thinking a lot about how I am fighting the wrong battles sometimes. Don't get me wrong, we are at war. There are things we are fighting for and need to be fighting for, but that battle shouldn't be against a companion, frustration at our own imperfections, or simply that the weather here is bipolar. During the Q and A question I got to ask how can we keep the eternal perspective we need to fight the right battles and not get caught up in the wrong ones. The answer was simple. Almost embarrassingly so. It was forget your doubts and fears about yourself. Trust God and do your best to turn outward and do as Christ would. If you will worry about others, God will take care of you. The problem comes when we worry about ourselves too much. I know you all have been teaching me that lesson by example forever and I'm just so glad it's starting to click. We got to discus some cool doctrine, but really everything falls back to the basics. Prayer is awesome. 

I got to be back in Milwaukee!!!!!! It felt like going home in a weird way. We drove past a lot of my old bus stops and I was thoroughly enjoying reminiscing all the crazy stories and people I met and how much my perspective has changed. It also is comical to me now to see how different they are. I don't have a lot of opportunity to compliment peoples golden grills (classy teeth) in Gresham as I did in Milwaukee. It was so fun to be with the entire mission. I really think that will be what heaven is like. Walking in, high-fiving each other and asking how areas are. I got to see Sister Pope and we laughed so hard as we both pulled out treats for each other. Let's just say we ate a lot of candy together....

We stayed the night in the Milwaukee area with the Worthington family...okay I don't know how to adequately describe their home but Brother Worthington is a general contractor and there home is sort of a show home. The shower....it had 5 heads. I haven't felt that clean in years. His mom is also from Fountain Green Utah! We talked about Lamb Days, climbing the grease pole and it turns out his mother is a Cook! We tried to figure out if it was Bishop Cook but their names are Kermit and Bessy Cook. Crazy right? The world is so small but awesome. 

This week was eventful to say the least, I mean no Grandma coming to town (can I hope for that?) but it was amazing. We had "souper" Sunday which was a soup potluck, found a new family to teach, didn't crash the car (always a worthy miracle to share) and I busted out some new birthday raps for members. My companion jokes I spent too much time in Milwaukee but we have a good time. Johnny sent me an Arizona t-shirt and a scorpion sucker that scared the living tar out of me. It was pretty funny but revenge will be sweet. I don't think he remembered I have access to have access to jars of chicken feet. We had to speak briefly in Sacrament which is always fun and we got to be in Tigerton and meet with some really cool potential investigators and Grandma had a plucked pigeon waiting for us on the table when we got into the kitchen. The only way to top it off was returning home to Grandma Rekows after staying in different areas and finding a package from Mom and Cori and Sam! You guys are the best. I love this gospel and heaven knows I love you.

PS- I'm trying to send some pictures but they won't load but I'll try in a separate e-mail. Don't worry, I basically look the same. Just look at Cori.