June 6, 2006

  • Just so you know, I don’t get e-mails, so any messages should be sent snail mail to 170 W. Duarte Rd Arcadia CA 91007


    From a letter dated May 29, 2006:


    Dear friends, family, and fellow xangans, I like to post things from my study journal up here, but I also like to let you all know what I am doing. Which do you like hearing about more? I will try to keep mixing it up.


    This past week was really good. It was busy because we had zone conferences. This will be a busy transfer in general with 20 missionaries leaving and 14 missionaries coming in. I’m starting to feel old. Soon my trainer, Elder Wood, goes home. I will hit my year mark in some 2 months, and I see more and more new missionaries come out.


    I’m really enjoying the Temple City ward right now. The missionary work is on fire here. Elder Christy and Elder Whittier, both good friends, are also serving in the ward. And though Elder Murdock left the apartment, Elder Norberg is training a new missionary who is really cool. It makes a big difference when you have a lot of fun with the people you live with. Elder Hardman (the new missionary in the apartment) is into a lot of the same music that I was into. He loves bands like "Rocket Summer"- I didn’t think anyone else would even know who they are. And, Elder Hardman can play Cavanough Park on the piano. This gives him major props. I about died when he played it for us. We miss Murdock though.


    Anyway I’m rambling. California is great. The office is great. The ward is great. The weather is intensely hot. That’s all you really need to know.


    One last thing: As a missionary I stay out of politics and things like that, but there is an issue I’m going to harp on for a moment. On June 6, 2006 the US Senate will vote on an amendment that will define marriage as an institution between a man and a woman. Please make sure your senator knows how you feel. Contact your senators today via senate.gov and let them know where you stand. This is an important issue for me.


    I am in favor of this amendment. I don’t feel like I need to soapbox on the subject. Please do everything you can do, however, to protect the traditional family unit. I hope you all know how much I love the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I believe that it is true and that we can and should find fulfillment and happiness in its teachings. Though some times I may get frustrated with the way a particular thing gets done on a local level, I have had a personal witness that Jesus is the Christ, that Joseph Smith was a prophet, and that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has authority from God.


    Well, I’m doing great (other than I haven’t heard from some of you in a while ). Sincerely, Elder Embree