Week 42

Querida Hermana Lutze,

We were glad to find out that you were OK last week. I finally sent an e-mail to the office on Tuesday and they responded within the hour that they had heard from your companion's parents on Monday and so they investigated as to why you had not written and found out the internet cafe where you send your e-mails had no service? 

Ian Hullinger spoke today in church. I can't believe he's already done with two years. Stephanie was here last week. I spent Thursday and Friday up at the house. Thursday we took the kids to the Train. Hannah and Jakob were with me. Dad and Natalie came up that night and we had Smores. Then Hannah went back with Dad and the other two stayed. We went bowling on Friday and out to eat at Kneaders. I beat N and J at bowling by one pin. Papa seems really lonely right now. Other than that the week was full of soccer practice, piano and guitar lessons, volunteering, and work. Hannah finished her last shift at MBK today. She's relieved to only have one job to keep track of at this point. They are all at a Stake Fireside currently where the wives of the Stake Presidency are speaking to the youth. The Weights are coming up today and will be here the entire week. We have a lot planned. We'll see what we actually do. ;) 

My thought for the week is from Elder Holland in relation to 1 Nephi 4: 10-13. I still remember to this day an investigator and his family that were completely stuck on the fact that Nephi killed Laban. This is what Elder Holland had to say on the topic:

"But there it is, squarely on page eight, where even the most casual reader will see it-and must deal with it. It is not intended that either Nephi or we be spared the struggle of this account. I believe this story was placed in the very opening verses of a 531 page book and then told in painfully specific detail in order to focus every reader of that record on the absolutely fundamental gospel issue of obedience and submission to the communicated will of the Lord. If Nephi cannot yield to this terribly painful command, if he cannot bring himself to obey, then it is entirely probable that he can never succeed or survive in the tasks that lie ahead." On Earth as it is in Heaven p. 129

I had never thought of it in this way! 

I love you!

Love,

Mom

P. S. Did Hermana Montoya receive her package yet? Have you heard?