3-18-13

Family,

You know that helicopter I told you about that I got at Christmas time? Well it is on it's way to San Diego and a very very very very very late Christmas gift to the family. So 5 very's. "2 times devoured!" Last week was an up and down week and the quote that you put in your e-mail, Mom, was something that I've been thinking of last week. This life, and especially this mission experience is a very small portion of our eternal existence and as our zone leader says: YOMO: You only mission once.

So, last Monday, we had one of the most powerful lessons that I have probably ever taught in a while. The spirit was there and really strong and she committed to come to church. She is kind of shy and apprehensive to new things so it was good that we were able to teach her like that. The member that we brought was perfect for her. I tell more about her later. On Tuesday, we had another pretty darn good day. Even though an appointment fell through, we still taught several other kinds of lessons and got a new investigator. So, I heard that you are going to Breckenridge again this summer? That is exciting to go to the same place as we were 2 years ago and to know what is there and what we can do. Anyways, back to my week. Wednesday was a pretty long day. Even dinner fell through so we had to go out to eat. I was starving because I didn't have lunch but had a very good burrito at Pancho's. We had a zone meeting in the morning which reminded me a lot about the atonement and how Christ suffered FOR us. President Eyring said something like: "Whenever someone needs my priesthood service but my body begs for rest, I give to myself this rallying cry: "Remember Him". That quote really stood out to me as I would need it later in the week. Elder Holland also talked about how we as missionaries should never expect a mission to be easy. Why would we when it was NEVER, EVER easy for Him (meaning the savior)? I love zone meetings because it gives me a chance to learn and grow so that I can apply each one to me and the work that I am performing. We have a zone conference this coming Friday and I can't wait to receive new instruction. On Thursday, I had a baptismal interview and appointment with a single guy who to me seems that he can never commit to anything. And anything he does commit to he forgets about it the next day. It's frustrating but that's okay. He has a date for the 20th of April so we'll be working with him to reach that date. Friday was maybe the worst day in my entire mission. Definitely in Elder Andrus' entire mission. First, a young man that always holds his tracting appointments with us fell through (we saw him later and he was just playing basketball). Then all 3 of our appointments fell through not including dinner. Then 2 of our investigators either called us or left a note saying that they're not interested anymore (that was the most painful. One of them was really promising too. If you look back to what I said about Monday then you'll see who it was.) So that whole day on Friday I was thinking of that quote from Elder Holland about how missionaries at times take a step towards Gethsemane. Christ suffered for all of us. Not only for our sins but for our trials and mental grievances. What the one guy said in the note really disturbed me. He said something like: "Stop seeing me please. You and I worship the same God so why should I change?" That really hurt me to read. But most importantly, however, is that it hurt Elder Andrus. I could handle it because I've gone through that before. Come on people! Can't you see that you need to be baptized by proper authority and that salvation is not cheap!? See Mosiah 28:3. This guy had a baptismal date at one point. When the day was over, it was finally relieving just to sit down and take a deep breath. I can already see the results of that day's trials. I have become stronger and will continue to do so and help more people come to a knowledge of the truth. Saturday was a good day. We did our single Saturdays in Kansas City and actually got one person to commit to church too! It was great. Although that person called us later that night and said that she is in no way shape or form going back to church. That's her agency and I'll leave it at that. In KC there was a huge St. Patrick's day parade so it was funny squeezing through tight places to get to our destination. That night we had another lesson where she threw all of her life problems at us again. That was fun. Sunday was also a good day. Elder Andrus and I gave talks in Sacrament meeting in the Fleming Park ward. There was 30 minutes for 3 speakers and a musical number. So time was short. Elder Andrus gave a 10 minute talk and I a 15 minute talk not even bothering to check the time. The high council speaker, brother Cooper, gave the most powerful 5-minute talk I've ever heard. He is one of those members that should be an apostle. But that's up to the Lord's discretion. He's an Elder Holland type. Just a bit less intense. For dinner, we had the most amazing dessert I think I have ever had. It's milk-chocolate cake with egg-less cookie dough batter on the top. It was so unbearably good that I just couldn't compare it to anything I've had in my entire life. Sorry Mom. You've been beat. I still love all of your desserts, though, haha! Later that night we had a less-active appointment where we gave the guy a blessing. He was really grateful and wants to go back to church but just doesn't for some reason. Well that's just about my week in a nutshell for you.

I can't wait to hear about your trip to DC and hope it goes well. Mom, thanks for sharing that stuff. It was great. I'm glad that you love Penny, the big fat lard (not Kenny). I love her too. "I love dew too, eh." Oh, Elder Andrus and I have started playing this car game where if you see a yellow vehicle that isn't a penske truck, construction vehicle, or school bus you yell "BINGO!" and hit the other person. It's fun but I try to not get into it too much because I'm the driver. Last week, I also hit my 9-month mark. I feel really experienced now. I felt the same way at my 6-month mark too. But this time, it's real. Hey that would be great if you could e-mail the Chandlers in Wamego and say Hi to them for me. I would love to hear about them because they were one of my favorite families there. 

Thanks for the family updates. Keep Jayce in baseball and help him get better. Because he will be a great player one day. Keep up the good work, Cody I know you will accomplish great things in school and on the track. 

Dad, to answer your question of how I'm doing, I'm doing great! We are getting work done and even though every week brings a difficult challenge and trial, I am learning a lot and hope to continue to do so. Just for Dad: How's Cody doing with his stuff? I want to be able to help him. End just for Dad. The weather here changes literally everyday. Last week was really nice but then got really cold yesterday and rainy. And now today it's nice again. There proves the saying about the weather here: "Wait 5 minutes and it will change." Gas here is about 3.35. It shot up about a month ago but is slowly going down every day. Thanks for all that you do for me and the story about Cody's little league coach's daughter. I think I forgot about that until now. 

Well I believe that's all for now. I hope everybody has a great week and works hard. Love,

Elder Sutherland

PS: "Auto, Earth is amazing! You see, there's these places called farms. What you do is you plant seeds in the ground, pour water on them, and they grow food like pizza."