Dear Mom,

Let me know what the title of that book is. I did read one book that's called Chosen Soldier. That was the last book that I finished before I left on my mission. I'd love to have a good book to read when I get home.

Too bad Kyle didn't want to take a language. I was looking forward to helping somebody with a language class when I get home. I can image that it was hard to get a class with Mr. Embley. I don't think he teaches very many other classes besides German. From what I remember, he taught all German one day, and other classes the next. What are the names of Kyle's teachers? I'm wondering if he has any of the same teachers that I had.

Grandma told me that Roy's new sandwich shop (Quiznos, whatever it is) already opened. I'm really curious to how similar it is to Quiznos. Grandma told me that the some of the Johansen kids went up to help it open up. Grandma is impressed with Josh! I can't wait to see Josh again. It's been so long!

How often does Julia play as goalie? Is that her favorite position?

That's really cool to hear about Kelsie. What kind of leadership position is it? Is it like student government for the college or what? When does she start?

How did you end up getting a pull-up? Haha! That's great! Have you and Kelsie been keeping up with P90X?

I'm excited for Julia and the piano. I was talking to another Elder this last week. He's way good on the piano. He's like Brother Drake that plays the organ. You give him a sheet of music and he'll had a million notes onto the music. This Elder also can just make up music on the spot by knowing the chords and what notes go well with which chords and knowing all the minor and major chords and scales and stuff. I want to work to be like that. He said the secret is just hours and hours on the piano. He was taught a little bit, but he just spent hours and hours on the piano just messing around. I think that Julia is going to be the same. She's just going to be ridiculously good at it.

I'm looking forward to Skyping as well!

Yesterday we had the confirmation of Jenny. She was really excited. We had a lesson last Wednesday about missionary work. She wants to start inviting her friends to hear the Gospel. She does have a friend in mind that came to her baptism that is willing to chat with us. Jenny told us that her friend doesn't want to convert, but is willing to talk to the missionaries. Jenny is excited to do missionary work. Then on Saturday, we had another lesson with her to teach her more about the Holy Ghost. It was a good lesson. She's going to be a good member for a long time. After she was confirmed, she came up to me and told me that she felt the same feelings I was talking about when I go into the temple. She felt really calm and quiet and a really good feeling. It is experiences like that that you want to have, because when hard times come you can always go back to those last spiritual experiences. Jenny should be going to the temple in the next few weeks to do baptisms for the dead for the first time. She's really excited to go. She has a good friend in the Church that's studying at BYU-I right now. Her name is Christine. She should be coming back to New Jersey soon to visit, so they'll be going together. Pretty awesome!

On Friday, we had a zone conference. President and Sister Jeppson were there. They both gave great talks and there were a couple other missionaries that gave great talks as well. We all learned more about what it means to be a good missionary. We also really focused on the Gospel of Jesus Christ and how to teach it. It was a really good conference. It took up most of the day. We had lunch there provided by the local members. I love these conferences. They're always so spiritual and kind of a quick break from teaching all the time. We get some instruction instead of giving instruction.

Later on that night, we got to visit the Robles family. They are a great little family from Peru. The two little kids are 6 and 8. The mom has been a member a long time, but went less-active when she moved the United States. She's been wanting to come back into the church for a while now. She really likes the church. Her husband isn't a member but wants to learn more. Unfortunately, he's extremely busy with work and it's really hard to get in contact with him. We're still trying though. The kids really like the missionaries. They always look forward to when we come by.

After that, we met up with a couple other missionaries at the Bishop's house. Every once in a while, we all visit with him to talk a little bit about the ward and some other things. His wife loves to cook for us. She cooked what are called Baleadas. It's a tortilla with scrambled egg, meat, a really good Mexican cream cheese, and avocado. It was a good night.

Then on Friday, we went out to lunch with some other Elders. One of the Elders comes from a richer family who sent him $50 in gift card to Red Lobster. So we went to eat at their lobster fest. I tried lobster tail and crab legs. Not bad at all! Very expensive, and I don't think that I would pay for it, but it was good. Lots of butter! I guess you can't escape the sea food in New Jersey!


Q of the W:

1.  Do you want me to find a cord for your camera for you and send it to you?  Let me know and I will.  I want you to be able to take pictures...

I had a really nice member buy me a cord by surprise. Unfortunately, it's not the cord that's the problem. I don't what it is. I'm going to go to a Radio Shack today to see if I can't fix the problem.

2.  Have you ever heard from people about a ice cream shop called Jersey Freeze?  I saw it on Food Network and it looks like the best.  They serve soft serve ice cream only but lots of different flavors.  They are in Freehold NJ which is south of you.  Just wondering if it's that famous or not...

I've never heard of it. I'll keep it in mind if I ever go to the Freehold area. I know that there are missionaries that are living in the city of Freehold.

3.  Seth e-mailed Kelsie today asking about you!  What other friends have you heard from lately?

I've been in light contact with Seth. He seems to be doing okay. Tanner is great at emailing. All my other friends aren't. Tanner wants to talk to Jesse. So we're trying to figure that out right now. Other than that, nothing.


Love you mom! Talk to you soon!

-Justin