***Here is Ben's Email. He sent his memory card home from his camera so I will try to send some pictures in another email. You will have to wait for them until I can get them copied to my desktop. He includes the letter he wrote to President Berry at the end of his letter. (President Hall went home and President Berry just started July1st.) The "FOM" is the Florida Orlando Mission. Enjoy!***
Hey Fam!
Sounds like you guys are lovin' life! I always love reading your emails and seeing pictures of you! How blessed am I to have the best family in the world? I love to see that Gold helmet on you Nate! It gives me the goosebumps!!! God loves Football and especially the Warriors. That's doctrine! I also love to see you guys wearing my shirts and stuff! I need to send a lot of stuff home!
Man life is so good here. I AM IN LOVE with my mission. (knock on wood) but there is a rhythm that you can attempt to get in... 7 months later... Anyways the people I meet here, the places I see, the corners I bike around, looking at the ocean, teaching these people and feeling the spirit, it all feels like Deja-Vu to me. Like I know I'm supposed to be here. This is Gods plan for me. It's really amazing how the spirit can guide and confirm.
Me and Elder Galindo are really becoming good friends! He is a great companion! It's crazy how close you get to your companions! I had no idea Colby was companions with Curtis! Ben is headed to Tennessee and Gabe Germany and Pete Nebraska..... I'm sure I'll get someone from Nate's grade in the FOM! It really is a great mission! I was thinkin' I could probably be companions with someone like Chase Jenkins or one of Nate's friends, man that would be fun! I wish I could have been companions with Elder Gubler. Oh well, anyways.... Did you guys get my pictures?!?! My letters?
What has been the biggest differences you've noticed since I've been gone? You've had a while now! Besides not being loud? haha
How are your family home evenings? Matt your assignment is to teach FHE tonight or sometime before next Monday using the new Mormon message for youth. You can find it on lds.org or Mormon channel. It has Richard G Scott and I really like it and want you to teach it.
Life has really just been awesome! No I have not met President Berry yet! I will Wednesday. I hear he's real personable and not as coachy as Pres Hall. He is a big business man though and that's pretty sweet.
We have grown a lot this week. kinda working on cycling investigators through. Mary will be our next baptism! July 20th! Yes I try to line up baptisms with your birthdays. Hahaha
OK next box I could use a few white shirts. Mine are all yellow. It's like Ben Smith cursed me..... This is the sweatiest mission in the world. Elder G is the man but I think he tore his ACL. I think the way he bikes sitting down hurts it worse because of the angle of his knee. I try to tell him. He really is a stud about it though. Dad could you copy that motor article and send it to me?
Not gonna lie, this time of year I literally dream about football. I dream a lot about seeing your faces through a computer screen. Elder Galindo tells me I testify in my sleep as well! That's about my life these days! You boys roll some heads this week! I'll be praying for you! Fight for every inch! You got one season with that Gold helmet! Learn some discipline! You'll be fine! It's in your genes man! Just take every opportunity you can to hit! Practice catching balls til you are sure and confident! You'll be blessed! Football is true to life. Go flip some tires for me!
Nate you're the Senior Tight end for the Warriors and you have the Helmet man. Game over. You're a sexy future missionary who magnifies his priesthood. You are in charge! hahaha
Matt keep up the good work my man! Life is so good. Read Preach my gospel maybe just a paragraph a day! Learn to work son! That's the secret to missionary work! That's how I have overcome homesickness. Qualifying myself for the spirit. I am happiest when I am working, that's how life is! You're just a stud!!!
I love ya! Gospels true
Elder Gottfredson
***Letter to the new mission President***
President Berry!
It's good to hear from you and I am excited to meet you Wednesday!!! I'm excited to serve with you! This mission is the best in the world and the most obedient! We know your calling is inspired.
I definitely have a testimony of unity. For us we are communicating more to improve our unity. I think communication is critical because you can't afford not to be on the same page. I also know that serving your companion and working hard with them strengthens bonds! If you have been through the wars with them, you can't turn your back on them.
1. My companion knows how to love the people! He has taught me so much about how Christlike love can really bring the spirit! It's a tremendous quality, he has a big heart and the pure love of Christ written all over him.
2. My companion is very Obedient. He shows his obedience and faith by keeping all the rules and being diligent in trying his best every day.
3. My companion is very Humble. Humility is key in missionary work and he understands and knows the Master who he is working for.
To bring the spirit in our area we are going to work harder of course. "If a missionary works he will get the spirit". I think also we can use our time wisely and have an eye single to the glory of God.
We had an experience this week where the questions of an investigator were all Plan of Salvation focused. We had planned to teach the restoration but we both knew that we needed to switch the lesson. As a result Mary is getting baptized.
We are seriously hitting our members and ward council hard! There is too much from the General Authorities for them to not step up. The bishop and ward council has really caught on and the members are on their way.
Elder Gottfredson
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