Hey Mom!
So I saw the Star Wars model kits. They look really cool!
Can't wait till when I get the chance to build them. You already know I have
patience......most of the time. Just look at when I build all of my Legos.
Although I do feel bad about the one Christmas when I got the huge Millenium
Falcon and you were on the small ladder cleaning or doing something with the
tree and when you stepped down you had lost your step a little and stepped on
part of it (it wasn't finished yet). I am sorry. :(
But so it sounds like it is really great you have the
opportunity to share and teach about the Priesthood to the Beehives. Yeah it is
true that they are only little 12 year old girls. But at the exact same time
the Priesthood revolves around them. It affects them hopefully everyday, if not
at least every week. Some really cool and spiritual thoughts about male and
female, the one not without the other. It actually makes me think many times to
things Dad has shared or discussed with me about. Very much women are much
stronger than men. I would say if us men 1) didn't have a sexual drive and 2) didn't
have the oath and covenant of the Priesthood (women don't have anything of that
sort that they have duty and obligation towards) then we would be off up in the
mountains or sea or beach hunting, goofing off, playing, and just not really
caring about much in the world. As well as the girls are too young yet for
initiatories and endowment, but do you ever stop and think to realize when
women go to do initiatories, there is not any men in there doing the
ordinances. It is all women.
So very much women have power and authority, I think even
greater power than guys. We have the calling of the Priesthood to keep us
focused. To keep us devoted. To keep us faithful. Very much we fill a huge
responsibility to lead, guide, protect, and provide for our family. The
Priesthood is there to strengthen, empower, and bring about the greatest
happiness and peace any soul can find.
I think you make an interesting point about as well that you
cannot receive a blessing from yourself, but must seek it from others. One this
says how Heavenly Father disperses His power and authority so that no one is
better than the other. I think two it makes so as to humble yourself more. To
realize and come to understanding when you are not all that, you don't have all
the answers, you don't have all the strength. But you willingly come and seek
aid, strength, and understanding from the ones who have or from the being who
has all knowledge and power, Heavenly Father. For me I have asked several times
from my companion to get a blessing of comfort. I never felt so much comfort
and peace as I have from when I got a blessing by the Priesthood. Or there was
a time when I was in Fengshan that Sister Packard and Sister Lin called upon
and asked Elder Barson and I after English to help in giving them blessings of
comfort because the night before while tracting they had run into some old lady
who ended up speaking some weird language (not anything either of the sisters
knew) at them as well as already knowing their names and things about them (they
had never tracted their before) as well as mentioning that a Dai Zhanglao and
Chen Zhanglao (me and Elder Chen) had just been on that street the day prior
(which I don't think we were). Very much left them with a not good feeling. But
after giving them a blessing and how much faith and trust they had in us, in
the Priesthood, and in Heavenly Father they felt much better.
Even think about it, if we didn't have the priesthood people
could not be baptized. With the girls only being 12, they should hopefully
remember their baptism only 4 years previously. If the Priesthood were not on
the earth, then we could not return to Heavenly Father. Baptism is necessary
and essential to return to the celestial kingdom. Even for families to be
perpetuated beyond the grave, the Priesthood is needed. Without the Priesthood
a man and woman who kneel across the alter could not be sealed for time and all
eternity. So what does this have to do with 12 and 13 year old girls?
Everything! They should have the goal and vision forming within their very
fibers right now to go to the temple, to marry in God's temple, to raise a
family unto God, and be perpetuated beyond the grave with their husband and
children to live together forever.
Cool cool news happening in the ward. So many already
getting married, or now getting ready for missions, or moving. Crazy what has
happened with Sister Brynne Lindsley in Mexico. I will always be thankful and
remember their family, especially Steve. He has been a great support, a great
example, and a great friend.
Yeah I notice more and more sometimes how that where I have
been called to is actually fairly safe a place. The gun laws are pretty strict.
And people are actually fairly friendly and willing to talk. Except some also
already have prejudices or dislike so they really don't like to talk much or
anything. But still can. Just not as fast of progression like other places
(like Mexico, or Kevin in Indiana with 51 lessons in a week). We plug along at
about 12 or so lessons a week. We would get more if people didn't stand us up.
Mom, you know it is kind of funny you sharing about your
little bike scare and car incident. I must just be super used to it or
something because I think you would freak out and the kind of biking we do
here. Super busy streets, tons of scooters and bikes that really everyone just
drives like it is a free-for-all. There are no stop signs here so intersections
without lights you have to stop and make sure. Even scooters run red lights a
fair amount of time. And then even on the road you ride and are going probably
about 15 mph and you get cars going by you faster at like 35 or 40 mph.
Literally I have a bus going that fast on my left and could reach out and touch
it with my hand. Definitely Elder Oldham and I agree that we have become very comfortable
on a bike and pretty much ride just about anything.
I will try and get the package out today. It is Dragon Boat
Festival today, but nothing really cool or special celebrating. Mainly how they
celebrate holidays here involves eating food. Oh well... :/ It's still all
good!
I love you so much and miss you all the time! Can't wait for
the time when we can do stuff together again!
Elder Roo
