Querida familia,

Well, first, apologies for the lack of news the past three weeks or so. I have a few letters started that need to get finished. Mom would know what I’m talking about. ;) So, in order to guarantee completion, and a speedy delivery, Wendy Engel offered her services on my behalf. I’d speak, she’d type, and you’d know I’m still alive and well. :)

TRANSFER 7

Elder Herrin and I were excited but surprised to hear we’d be staying another transfer. The recent trend has been a max of three transfers in one area, so we assumed one of us would be leaving and another Elder coming in to learn the ropes for this area. Since we’re both staying, (making three transfers here in Mt. Vernon for the both of us,) we instead assume one of us will be here for four transfers, (= 6 months) which seems like a long time to be in one place—a quarter of your mission! But, it’s just what the President told us he would do— keep us in areas for 6-8 months. So, how do I feel about it? Fantastic! I’ve loved it here. It’s been hard to believe that Elder Herrin and I got here back at the beginning of April! It’s almost scary how quickly time has been moving; already another transfer gone, with seemingly not much accomplished.

I received a letter from Elder Yeo recently that reminded me a lot of the “vision” I had in the MTC of the missionary I wanted to be. I could tell he was “living the life,” (in my opinion,) or embracing the unique opportunity we have on a mission to forget worrying about ourselves and to get lost in the service of others. It was exactly where I wanted to be and I took it as the Lord’s way of reminding me where I could be, (spiritually speaking,) and what I could be doing if I simply chose to. I realized if Elder Herrin and I didn’t pick up the ball that I would wake up one morning with six months left, realizing my mission had just passed me by. I don’t want to feel that it all just happened to me. So, Elder Herrin and I have donned our white shirts and cool ties and decided to really put our shoulders to the wheel. Unfortunately, we are still far from actually giving it our all, but we’re getting better! :) We’re definitely being blessed for our renewed commitment and have had amazing success! We have 3 with a baptismal date already, and one of them is the mom of a family we hope to baptize this transfer! There’s SO much work to be done here, so many people with so much potential. All we really need to do is start teaching—not even finding! The field is already there, all ready to harvest.

Elder Herrin and I are getting along fantastically, we’re able to speak to each other in Spanish, and we are unified in working hard—the situation couldn’t be more perfect. It is SO fun to see the Lord provide as we show we have “a desire to serve God,” and his children. Life is beautiful.

9 MONTHS

The recent changes in the district included an Elder Ellingson (who came out with me, but was in a different MTC district,) being made our district leader. So, it’s been fun reminiscing with him. He’s also training, which has only increased how much we’ve reflected on how we were way back then, but not that long ago! Por ejemplo, we remembered how, as a greenie, we’d count down the hours to the end of each day. You’d think “okay, only 2 hours until dinner…” or “it’s 7:00, just two hours, I can make it two hours…” :) It seemed so grueling back then, but now it’s no big deal at all!

I think the 9 month reality hit me hardest the other day when I realized I’d been speaking and learning Spanish not just for 6 months, which for some reason, I was used to saying, but I’d been speaking it 9 months! That’s a good long time. I should be pretty good right now. Y ya puedo hablar el español muy fácilmente, sin pensando mucho, pero si hablo muy rápido, todavía lo sale de mi boca un poco embarrado. No he estudiado con la misma intensidad como el principio, cuando vine aquí a Mt. Vernon. Pronto continuaré estudiando, “resolviendo las torceduras,” y corrigiendo los errorcitos pequeñitos en mis estudios. Estoy contento con el cuanto ya sé, y mi progreso hasta ahora. También sé que no estoy fluente. ¡Gracias por la información sobre vos! Pensaba que me hayan decido que no era diferencia de conjugar entre vos y tú.

NOTETOFAM: Interestingly enough, I guess we weren’t given the TALL book. I assumed it was the red Spanish Phrases and Grammar book. Para que sepan, I was given the standard works in Spanish, the yellowish textbook, the handy-dandy red book, and a Bantam Spanish Dictionary, (the same, in fact, that I received from you in the package. :) I was referring to the Langenscheidt Spanish Dictionary that’s thicker than the bantam one, as opposed to the pocket-sized version. My comp. has the pocket-sized one, I was using the larger one checked out from the library.) I’ll be putting in the request for that TALL book, though.

I’m so glad to hear you’re all doing well at home! Though I can’t really do much for you here, (except simply be here,) I want you to know that I am very much grateful for what you’ve been doing for me, be it letters, drawings, photos, or prayers! :)

¡Les quiero mucho!

Love, Elder Sean.

9 MONTH MILESTONE TODAY!

We miss you badly, Elder Sean-Boy... but we're pleased beyond measure with the joy you've found in serving.

This picture was taken a week ago at CJ's baptism, and sent to me by email from precious Wendy Engle of Mount Vernon, WA ("Foster" Mom to CJ - friend and caretaker of the missionaries!) Bless you WENDY.

Carry on, carry on, carry ON!