Our Favorite Missionary

What’s up everyone? Another week down the drain! I hope that everything there is going well and that this letter finds you in high spirits! I heard that it has been getting colder and colder as each day passes there in the good old northwest. The leaves have been turning colors and falling at a brisk pace. Mom and dad have been making the ritual trips to the dump hauling the leaves in the back of the truck. Oh the sweet experiences that life gives you. Believe it or not, I miss racking leaves, and bagging them up. Jumping from the balcony into a huge pile of soft leaves, and wrestling, until your lungs burn from the cool fall air. Memories. The deer have not really hit the rut yet. A couple more weeks it sounds like and they will be going nuts. Dad saw a couple scrapes, and a couple nice bucks so far. The mission this year is getting Brynne a nice buck! That is something that I have been trying to do for a couple years now, but I was the one who ended up getting the shot. There is no question that the mountains are full of trophy hangers, just have to spend more time in paradise. Like they say you’re more likely to catch fish, or shoot a nice buck, if you have your line in the water.I did not hear anything from anyone about the elections coming up. I have heard from everyone here that the African American is going to win. Also, that his campaign has been funded by the liberal pinko Hollywood stars. They have funded like 75% of his campaign! What a joke! Its not the peoples vote that win the election, it is the stupid money and publicity. The more the pressure is put on the people, the crisis, and everything in-between, the more it pushes me away from casting a vote. It is ridiculous. So things here in the jungle are doing well. We are teaching a ton, and continue to find new people to teach, and baptize. We continue to teach English, and have weekly activities within the two wards that share the building. Integration is imperative here. You always have to have tons of activities or the whole population of members will fall. We are constantly coming up with new ideas, and helping the members, recent-converts, and leaders stay active. It’s half the battle. I made a cake the other day for our Monday family night at the stake president’s house. It was super fun. I made the chocolate cake for everyone that mom had sent me. Everyone is asking for the recipe, but I have to explain to them that it comes in a box and then I just add some eggs and water. It is far out to them, like they don’t get it! Also they want the chocolate chip cookie recipe mom. So if you could send that that would be nice. It is something that is unheard of here. They are defiantly more into greasy things than sweet things. They love tapioca too. What is funny is that they have already started decorating for Christmas here. They actually have people who have lights and stuff. Far out! They do not celebrate Halloween. If they do it is just a few people who have a party. They call it DIA DAS BRUXAS, or day of the witches. It is funny. They love it though, even if they don’t celebrate it because they get a day off. Every little holiday they take time off work and find something to do. They are true partiers, Lamanites, it’s in their blood.I love the gospel. That says it all. I think you know that I can write a book about my thoughts, my feelings, my love for the scriptures, and prophets, but that would never catch the essence of the love I have for it all. Love is unexplainable as many philosophers and poetic writers have made clear. It is a feeling, it is a certainty, it is an assurance, and conviction: I love the gospel. The happiness it brings in my life, the endless hope, and calming to my nervousness. It answers questions of the soul, and withholds eternal glory and glee. I have found out that the rule that you have to study your scriptures two hours a day is not a rule, it is an opportunity. I take the chance that the lord has rendered me to pour over the scriptures, the doctrine, and the principles. I don’t just read, but I ponder and I pray. I find the spiritual nuggets withheld in the scriptural references, and the prophetic counsel. What I like to say as I have heard many times said by elder Bednar…I love getting spiritually juiced! Now I have the questions for you guys….do you, personally as a family as a couple sealed in the house of the lord, do you take the chance the opportunity that the lord has given you to read the scriptures daily? Why does each apostle and prophet teach so much about read your scriptures everyday? Because it is the power from god given to you to help you combat evil in your day to day lives. How awesome is that. It is a commandment. Should we keep the commandments of god? Yes! I know that as we do the lord will bless us in all the aspects of our lives. Like it says in matt. 6: 33 when you put your heavenly father first in your life everything else will be increased also. I love that promise. I love the scriptures. I challenge each of you to read ponder and pray, not only personally but as a family and as a couple. Moms and dads, read together and pray on your knees together holding hands. I know that as you do this your lives will become spiritually enriched. It has helped so many lives here in Manaus. This is my promise. I love you all. Have an awesome week, and know I am praying for you. Don’tforget to pray for me and my area that I can find the elect people the lord has prepared for me. Thanks!A BIG hug,Élder Gatten