HE REJOICES WHEN I OBEY

FAMILY:

Oh boy...
The news from Mt. Vernon... Well, there's not too much so far. The town is very laid back. I find myself approaching each day in a similar manner. Though I love the lack of tension and stress, I find myself going about the day more sluggishly. I believe another factor is the lack of lessons we've seemed to have. It hkind of bums me out. Few things are more motivating to me than the spirit that remains and uplifts me after a lesson--successful or not. Thats when you know you're doing something.

I'm still trying to plant both feet on solid ground here in the area. We have an abundance of people we could tract. The amount of work is not bad at all. But there are so many other factors I have to keep in mind still - where we're going, who they are what there background is again, what we know about them, how to make my way in they're general direction. The roads, etc. So it's very hard to just focus on the people.

Sorry, by the way, I don't mean to sound less cheery, but I know that's kind of how it sounds. Inside I am surprised how happy I really am and very much at peace. I owe much of that peace-of-mind to my continued devotion to obedience. It's become hard, I won't lie! So many seemingly pointless or insignificant rules that many just pass over. It is always easy and justifiable to disobey those rules here and there but I have come to realize how the cake can look so delicious, I always feel sick afterwards and I wonder why it does, but I know all those little things matter to Him whom I love and serve. He rejoices when I obey. I can take the time for those little things, and I know I won't loose my reward.

So there is your spiritual thought.

I love you ALL, more than I can tell you. Every day brings more valuable and priceless memories. And like James Berry said, quoted by Thomas S. Monson two Conferences ago, "God gave us memories that we might have June Roses in the December of our lives."

Thank you for so many good memories!

If you think of any good ones, let me know!

Con mucho Cariño

Elder Juárez

P.S. Speaking of Flowers, The tulip festival is coming-up here! Someone Wikipedia "Mount Vernon."

MT. VERNON, WA

Thursday, 10 April 2008

He heh... wait... okay, no it's probably been two days by now. Anyway, yesterday went great! We met more of the ward leadership yesterday, printed and copied the papers we usually stable to the backs of the pamphlets.

You should check out this area on Google Earth again. It's such a smaller town than the "city"-like area I was in before. It reminds me of the part of Provo around Timpanogos Old, small houses. I think I'll really end up liking the area. It's weird to be constricted to such a small area. ☻ Thankfully, because the city is small, the Value Village, Wal-Mart, and Safeway are all really close to each other!

So, here's the current breakdown of Spanish elders: There's quite a bit now!



Two more were called to speak Spanish, E. Herrin (my comp) and E. Ainscough. The dotted green are those that were called a transfer ago.

Wow! I just got back from P-day! It's a lot different up here landscape-wise. It's not really mountainous (I don't think Mt. Vernon is named after a Mt. Vernon around here.) It seems much more laid back and casual. I like it a lot. We played dodgeball today, then went out to "the rope swing". It was a huge (or long) rope swing in front of a member's house. We had to drive 15 min or so to get there, on a Provo-canyon-like road (though flat.) But it was the kind of stuff they just didn't have down in "Rothland" (the name of my old zone: Redmond, bOTHell, kirkLAND) It was tons o' fun.

We just came back from some outlets they have up here, we just stopped at a Vans outlet and I picked up a pair of new shoes! My poor Pumas had taken a beating and were very much worn out. They match my towel/bed spread. ☺ Oh! If you could actually send that comforter cover back, I would much appreciate it!

So that's all I have for now. My Spanish is better than I've really taken the tie to realize! Though, I know I can't slack off now. I know there are things I'm still doing wrong, but that are small enough to slip through the cracks. I want to be speaking as correctly as I can, though it's hard when I'm vomfortable enough to speak freely without much trouble. I feel very blessed to be able to speak as well as I can!

So querida familia, I am very happy, I am very happy! Much of the burden and stress of before seems lifted, and I am eager to work! Though I loved "the South" I don't think it will be long before I love it up here too!

¡SER EXCELENTE EL UNO AL OTRO!
WHOLE HEAPS OF LOVE,
ELDER SEAN!

TRANSFER 5

9 April 2008

Family,

I've been transferred! I was really hoping to have one more transfer with Elder Mose, at the end there we were teaching some fantastic lessons, practically straight out of PMG, asking questions, teaching to needs, etc. But, I guess I'm needed up here, in Mt. Vernon.

My new companion is Elder Herrin from Corscicana, Texas. He plays all kinds of sports, played sax, second youngest in his family (youngest is 7, and a girl!) and there are 3 boys and 4 girls in his family too! He's been out on his mission for 13 mo. now, a transfer less than Elder Cole. He was just called to speak Spanish, so I'm training Spanish again. But I think we'll get along without problems.

I miss the Lake Washington Ward. But hopefully the Spanish group up here will be a branch soon! I feel so lost driving. I'm now in a small area in a small town. Crazily enough, I'm not scared or worried at all! I feel much more secure and confident, though I still don't know what I'm doing. Maybe it's because we "whitewashed" in. I don't know. But I feel very comforted in my situation and my surroundings.

Okay, enough for now, more coming in 2 days! Write soon! I don't think the worry-free-ness will last long! :)

I LOVE Y'ALL TONS!

-Elder Sean

P.S. How 'bout Conference?! I loved Bednar's talk; members are full-time finders! Also Ballard's on mothers! I listened to Session 3 (4, technically) in Spanish! I understood a bit less than I thought I would; it's hard expanding outside the gospel vocab when you don't need it to survive! (like, to buy groceries.) But hopefully I can do that this next transfer! I'm so excited! At the same time, I know I'm scared somewhere, deep down, but thankfully it's drowning right now in the excitement! Pray for me! (More than usual ;)

BIENVENIDOS

Hello everyone who loves Sean... now you can all be as proud as we are. We enjoy almost-weekly decorated evelopes and plenty of cartoons illustrating his feelings and experiences. This is our attempt to share a bit of our joy.

Not to mention, this is for his sake. A few months ago, Sean asked Mom how the 'mass e-mail list' was going. Sean can't email, so it isn't so easy for my mom to just forward the news. But I'm home now (Olivia), and I have high hopes of making Sean's wish come true--that you all might be a bit more informed of his incredible-ness. I think Sean will get a kick out of it when he gets home, too.

We're going to do our best to fill you in from the last 6 months as well... but for now we'll start with the latest. Let us know what you think--or let SEAN know. Write to Sean via the blog, and we'll print it and send it to him via snail mail. Deal?