things are booming up there, and spirits are high! To start out, I want to
give a shout out to my brother from the same mother, Dusty crusty rusty
busty lusty! Parabéns Bro Dog! You’re a freaking dad man, way to go, you
have made it! Like I seriously am awed at your perseverance and determination
throughout this whole process man. You both, have serious from the beginning
fought odds, and have come out triumphantly! What a miracle. I remember when
I came on the mission, and I prayed in your guys behalf, until today. It had
become a habit, but the Lord heard ALL of our prayers. I know that I was not
the only one praying for years for the two of you...and little Gage.
Question, what is his full name? Another one I have to see, and hold man.
People here flip out when I tell them how many little nieces and nephews I
have. I love having such a big family, and seeing all of you grow up, and
have sweet families. It is something special, and moving. Hope the best for
you two until I get home man. You get to bless him at my homecoming dog that
will be chill!
I thought it was so sweet seeing the video that you guys made for me of the
October birthday party. I thought it was sick too how you got a recent
picture of me, and framed it, and made it part of the whole flick. My
companion and I laughed our heads off when we saw it. Then, I got the sound
working after a little bit, and watched it again. It was so WEIRD hearing
your voices there, or whatever. You are real! Yippy! Sometimes I feel
like you're just long lost pen pals or something. Ha. It was weird to hear my name
too; I don’t know how long it has been since I have heard it. That will take a little getting used to that is for sure. But thank you for
everything. I really enjoyed it, even seeing Jon get his head smashed in the
cake twice. One for me and one time for him. Wyatt was the smart one, and
took my bite for me, it was one fat bite too, and I think he bit a chubby
hole in the cake! Ha! You guys are so freaking comical!
This week we baptized again. I sent a picture of the baptism last week, and
we will baptize two more this week. We will baptize a woman, and her son. It
has been a month since her husband past away, so she is totally sad.
But, one of the most open and spiritual investigators I have ever
baptized. It was funny, when we were teaching her the second lesson about the
plan of salvation, because, at the end, she asked us where she buys tickets to
go to the temple in São Paulo. She learned so much about the temple, and the
opportunity that she has to do the ordinances in the temple for her husband
who passed away that she freaked out, and wanted to go that instant! We
explained to her that she has to wait one year, and that during this time
she will prepare herself for these special experiences. Making a
long story short, she will be going to the temple the 17 October 2010. It’s already marked, and she is totally pumped about it.
There is nothing that explains the happiness that
you feel when you teach your fellow men, and you see them make such
essential decisions like this. They don’t understand the importance of the
decisions that they are making, but they will reap the benefits of it for
eternity. I love preparing so many people to enter the temple. So many have
already had that opportunity, it is miracle indeed.
This week when I was at church we ran into a couple that was visiting from
Utah. Rebecca and Danny. They had spent a week here, seeing the sites,
and running around. Anyway, they talked to us for forever, and we became pretty
good friends. This chicks dad is super cool, has a huge hunting ranch thing,
I don’t really know, in Africa. I told her how my dad always has
wanted to go and whatever, and she said that that would be no problem. She
gave me her number and said to call her, and she will get a fat hook up for
us! Oh boy, we got hook ups for like every part of the world man. So, Dad,
if you every want to go, now is the time. The chicks number is in my hand.
Another cool thing is that the guy that is in the picture gave everyone in
the ward a shirt. It is from the Olympics of 2002. He participated in 02´and
in 06´ in the bob sledding American team! Can you believe that? That is so
sweet! I talked to him forever about hunting and everything. He passes all
the time in CDA on his way to Canada. He is from Austin, TX. Anyway, cool
experience.
I will have the opportunity to give a couple more trainings this next
Tuesday. The last ones that I will be giving to the mission before I go
home. It will be awesome; I am looking forward to it, and will include the
pictures that you guys sent me of when I was young and fat, and ugly. Hope
everyone has a good laugh with it. I love serving my fellow elders and
seeing them each grow. It feels like yesterday I just got here and I did not
understand anything people were saying, but I am so pumped to be where I am,
and to be helping those around me so much. Sometimes you really don’t really
realize the difference you make, but after, you feel it. I love these guys so
much it is nuts! The mission is indescribable!
I love you guys so much, and I cant wait to see you all. Sometimes I wonder
what my life will be like after the mission. I am on a spiritual high, but I
don’t want that to change when I go home. I know that it will be hard, but I
know that when we keep the commandments we are blessed and the Lord provides
the way. I know that Heavenly Father loves each of us dearly, and that Jesus
is the Christ. This is his church; we are in the correct way. I love you
all, and can't wait to hear from you all next week! Until then I will go to
the 9 birthday parties the ward members have planned for me. I cant eat too
much though or I will go home fatter than a cow! Love you
Elder Gatten
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