From an e-mail dated July 2, 2007

Dear friends, family, and xangans,

How is everyone? I'm doing pretty well. Things have been a little stressful, but also fulfilling. Our baptism fell through last week- it's an involved story, so let me know if you want to know what happened. In any event, we are really working our butts off.

I hope everyone has a great Fourth of July. The Fourth has always been my least favorite holiday, but I am anticipating a good one this year. I guess it is just always hot, and all my friends are always gone, etc. Last year wasn't too bad.- Elder Pitcher and I had a pretty good time.

Speaking of hot, it was 103 degrees yesterday. Do you have any idea how terrible that is on bike. At least I have quite the tan-- On my face, lower arms, and half of my hands. (Since my fingers curl around the handlebars, the lower half of my fingers are still white).

I'm really enjoying my time with Elder Smith, and am a little nervous/anxious about transfers next week. I have one more transfer left. One more. Wow. Time is just flying by.

So, in conclusion, I am very happy, having moderate success, and am starting to think, just a little bit, about home. I love and miss you all,

Elder Embree

The Forgotten Father:"For behold, the time ... is not far distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay ... And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning..." (Mosiah 3:5-9).

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Dear friends, family, and xangans,

Yesterday was my 22 month mark. That's pretty intense. I can't wait to see all of you when I get home. Please mark Sunday August 26 on your calendars- that is when I will give my homecoming talk.

When I come home, you will discover that my life for the past 2 years has been immersed in something that is very important to me- my faith in Jesus Christ and in His restored gospel. You should know that that will be all I will talk about. It is all I talk about now. It is all I think about now. It is what I am. I hope that you will be interested in me for who I am. I don't ask you to conform to it or to accept it as your own, but please take interest if only because it is important to me.

We are preparing for Jeremiah's baptism this Sunday. His mother and 2 siblings have been baptized within the past few months, and it has made them really happy. They struggle, however, because the husband has not been as excited about it as they are. What can they do when they have found something that they love and want?

Elsewhere in this area, there are two people who want badly to be baptized. Their mothers forbid it. One will be disowned. The other is a minor, and simply can't get consent. Tough situation.

Elder Smith and I continue to be really busy. We taught 26 lessons this past week. We didn't find new people, however. That is our goal for next week.

Frankly I was a little discouraged this past weekend about some of the frustrating things missionaries go through.

Someone threw an open can of beer at us yesterday. Made me laugh.

It was also really really really hot on my bike all week. Made me sweat.

Well, I don't know what else to say. So many things happened this past week, but I don't know what to write. My roomate Elder Coxson is really sick. I went on exchanges with Elder Davis who is really cool (we swapped partners to spend a day in eachother's areas). I got to teach Sabina, which was very very fulfilling. I am working with some cool people who are learning about the church. We played sand volleyball today and the hot sand ripped up my feet.

Well, take care,

Elder Embree

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"And in that day that they shall exercise faith in me, saith the Lord ... that they may become sanctified in me, then will I manifest unto them the things which the brother of Jared saw, even to the unfolding unto them all my revelations, saith Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of the heavens and of the earth, and all things that in them are" (Ether 4:7) "

Teach them that redemption cometh through Christ the Lord, who is the very Eternal Father" (Mosiah 16:15).

Dear family, friends, and xangans,

I am still in Chino, actually a surprise. Last week was transfers. Elder Fernandez went to Glendale, and I am now companions with Elder Smith. We cover two wards now, the Chino Heritage (where I was) and the Walnut Park (where he was) wards. He's a bran new missionary from Washington State. We have a lot in common- he went to BYU and lived in 3rd floor of R Hall, 3 doors down from where I lived. I asked him about his door, and he mentioned that the varnish was ruined on it. I laughed, and explained how that had happened. Some friends of mine *cough* were involved in a paintball fight and their door got hit up really bad. They didn't clean it fast enough, and it stripped the varnish. It was really funny to relate the incident he had wondered about- it's a small world.

Covering two wards is a daunting task. Our two wards had the highest numbers of the zone last transfer (I was leading in number of lessons taught, they were leading in baptisms). Between our two wards last transfer we had 4 out of the 5 baptisms in the zone. I am struggling not to loose any of that momentum. Each ward was able to acheive 15 or 20 lessons, but we discovered last week we couldn't teach 30 lessons, so are not sure how it will work. We are trying to prioritize. I am learning a lot through this new challenge. It is fun. Let me put it this way, we never had a down moment last week. We never said, "what should we do now?".

I have felt a lot closer to the Holy Spirit as we have depended on the Lord. My new companion is very spiritual. There is so much to do, also, which is a great fulfilling feeling.

Friday, for example, we stopped by a contact even though we only had 10 mins to spare before the next lesson. It turns out that she had had a hard day and had been praying for something-anything- when she looked up and saw us walking up to her porch. We taught a very powerful lesson on the Restoration and invited her to the ward picnic the next day. She came to the picnic with a friend and 3 grandchildren. There she talked with us and Sister Grow (whose sister is a friend of my family's from Chicago, Sister Leiberman) and we had a very spiritual conversation. She told us that she had really felt the Spirit when we had met the day before and that she missed the feeling when we left. It was touching.

I love being a missionary and am sad that all this work is making time go so fast. I will blink and it will be August, time to depart for home.

Take care, I love you all,

Elder Embree

"How long can rolling waters remain impure? What power shall stay the heavens? As well might man stretch forth his puny arm to stop the Missouri river in its decreed course, or to turn it up stream, as to hinder the Almighty from pouring down knowledge from heaven upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints" (Doctrine and Covenants 121:33).

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Well its been a fairly successful week. We taught 21 lessons, 12 to investigators, including 7 new investigators. As a mission, however, we are a little behind our goal of 97 baptisms.

One of the new families we started teaching is a couple from Mexico. We found them last Sunday when we ran into the father. He approached us, had a nice chat, and invited us to his home for dinner the following Sunday (yesterday). Since we teach them in Spanish, my companion does most of the teaching. We had a great lesson over dinner. As we were teaching, I felt the distinct immpression that we needed to share 2 Nephi 31:20 with them. I turned to it and asked my companion to read it. It says:

"Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life."

It really impressed the family and fit perfectly into the conversation, even though I could barely follow what was going on. It was really neat to have felt the Spirit directing me in teaching this family even though I didn't speak the same language. To me it was an indication that it is the Holy Spirit that can and should lead these lessons and not the wisdom of man. Of myself my talents amount to nothing- something that is clearly recognized when you are robbed of communication and language. With the Lord, however, lives are touched.

I have been particularly touched this week with a feeling that God has revealed things to us as a people. I want everyone to be a part of it. It is so wonderful- to have the voice of the Lord on earth. It is beautiful to have prophets who can once again testify, "Thus saith the Lord ...". I close with the words of such a Prophet,

"Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. Let the earth break forth into singing ... Let the mountains shout for joy, and all ye valleys cry aloud; and all ye seas and dry lands tell the wonders of your Eternal King! And ye rivers, and brooks, and rills, flow down with gladness. Let the woods and all the trees of the field praise the Lord; and ye solid brocks weep for joy! And let the sun, moon, and the morning stars sing together, and let all the sons of God shout for joy! And let the eternal creations declare his name forever and ever!

"And again I say, how glorious is the voice we hear from heaven, proclaiming in our ears, glory, and salvation, and honor, and immortality, and eternal life; kingdoms, principalities, and powers!Behold, the great day of the Lord is at hand; ... Let us, therefore, as a church and a people, and as Latter-day Saints, offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness; ...

"Brethren, I have many things to say to you on the subject; but shall now close for the present, and continue the subject another time. I am, as ever, your humble servant and never deviating friend, Joseph Smith" (Doctrine and Covenants 138:22-25).

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Thus saith the Lord: "For I deign to reveal unto my church things which have been kept hid from before the foundation of the world, things that pertain to the dispensation of the fulness of times" (Doctrine and Covenants 124:41).

Dear Xangans,

I forgot to tell you all something last week. A short while ago, all the District Leaders were invited to Zone Leader Counsel. We all went to the Arcadia Stake Center in our suits, and met as a council with our Mission President, his wife, and his assistants. During the meeting, we reviewed the progress of each of the zones and discussed the state of the mission. We all contributed to making plans and goals. We discussed problems and created solutions. We set the ball rolling in several instances. It was very professional. At the end, I realized that we had just participated in the aministration of an effective organization. President Owen told us that his peers could only dream that their 20 year old children could participate in such an experience. Most men his age would die to have their kids learning how to lead a part of an organization and be a part of a team in the professional world. It's true, I think of other college students drinking and eating three day old pizza while skating through classes. What an experience this is.

As I reflect on the experience I learned as the Vehicle Coordinator of a large fleet, as a Missionary who plans out his own day and is accountable for his successes, as a disciplined representative of the church - an ambassador really, and now as a District Leader, I realize that this mission really has been invaluable if for nothing else than the skills I developed. Then add the realization that in the process lives have been saved- people have turned to Christ because of my efforts. I am forever grateful for the Church for extending to me these blessings. What a magnificent Church. There is nothing that compares.

I miss you all and love you all,

Elder Embree

Dear friends, family, and fellow xangans,

Things are going great here in Chino/Pomona. Yesterday we confirmed Rose, who was baptized last week. It was a very beautiful baptism. As the Bishop welcomed Rose to the ward, he told her that her next step was to prepare to be sealed with her husband and little girl in the Temple as a forever family. She started to cry. The closing song was Families Can Be Together Forever, with made her just burst into tears. Her husband hugged her as she just rocked back and forth sobbing. She later said that she just felt overwhelmed with a spiritual feeling that she really could be with her family forever and that she was finally doing the right thing to make it possible.

Yesterday Daniel was baptized in another ward in the district. He was the first person that I interviewed for baptism- a humbling experience in and of itself. The baptism was very spiritual. He had been attending church for more than a year, and had wanted to be baptized for a long time. His parents, however, would not give persmission. He finally got the consenting signature he needed after writting a three page letter to his parents on why it was a good thing for him to be involved in this Church. We all prayed a lot for it, and consider it a miracle.

Yesterday was also particularly sacred and spiritual because I was fasting, among other things, for Sabina. I first met Sabina in Walnut at the institute. She is a young adult- a beautiful black girl who has lived all over the world, and she was hanging out with friends there. I was at the institute to teach a lesson to an investigator we had found knocking doors, but we were stood up. I felt inspired to walk into the commons room and ask who had not had the lessons before. Sabina raised her hand. Elder Fillerup and I proceeded to teach one of the most powerful lessons on the Restoration I had ever taught. We set up an appointment for another lesson, and soon we had taught her the Plan of Salvation. She believed it all, acknowledged the Spirit, and had a desire to be baptized. We turned her over to the missionaries where she lives, which turned out to be the same ward that Daniel was just baptized in.

While I was on exchanges in that ward, I got to teach another lesson to Sabina- after maybe 4 or 5 months of not knowing what had happened to her. As it turns out, her mother told her that she would be disowned and would have to move out if she takes lessons from LDS missionaries. As a result, she has been unable to be baptized and has been taking the lessons in secret. I have a special sympathy in my heart for anyone who is excluded from their families in any way when they express interest in another Church, no matter what church it is.

We talked a lot about miracles, and dedicated our fast to a miracle for her so that she can be upfront with her mom. We will see what happens. She was also at Daniel's baptism, and depending on when she is able to be baptized and when I get transfered, it may be the last time I see her for a long time.

Today we had fun playing ultimate frisbee against the Walnut/Hacienda Heights Zone in Walnut, which brought back good memories. I also got to hang out with Elder Gershbach who is cool. For breakfast I made everyone crepes from a recipe my grandma had sent me a while back. They are not on my diet, but I felt a need for them. It was very nastolgic and soothing as I thought about childhood Saturday mornings when my dad would make everyone "roll-up pancakes." Those were the best. Besides, I enjoy other people enjoying something I have made.

Well. It's pretty hard to believe that I am almost 21 months old. "woahhhohhohh, twenty one and invincible ..." (Something Corporate). I need to apply for my classes- I think I will just follow the classes that the Fine Art department recommends for sophomores, I remember seeing a flow chart about it. Maybe there is a course book my dad can send me. I can't wait to talk to my family on mother's day.

I don't know if any of you watched the PBS documentry "The Mormons". Most members of the church were dissapointed. I didn't see it all, but what I have seen actually wasn't too bad. They displayed both extremes- pro and con. What they did not show was the middle- mainstream moderate Mormons (which are the most common Mormons). I don't believe there is such thing as bad press, though, and I think the general public got the message that we had transformed from outcasts to something beautiful, and yet something real. We are something truly beautiful, and I will forever treasure the unique spiritual gifts that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provides for its members.

Love sincerely,

Elder Embree

I am "Vindicated, I am selfish; I am wrong. I am right, I swear I'm right, swear I knew it all along, and I am flawed, but I am cleaning up so well. I am seeing in me now the things you swore you saw yourself" (Dashboard Confessional).

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Dear Family, Friends, and Xangans,

I am stoked and filled with enthusiasm for this next transfer. I have a new companion, Elder Fernandez. He is from Chile and is learning English. I am now the District Leader in Chino. These next six weeks are just filled with oportunity and promise.

Our goal as a mission is to baptize 97 people before May 28 in honor of President Hinckley's 97th birthday. I feel like it is obtainable and is revelation. Our ward has been asked to supply 2 of the 97 people. So far we have one investigator committed for April 29.

On Sunday Martha bore her testimony. It was simple, sincere, beautiful, and really revealed the feelings of her conversion. I could hardly sit still for it. It is amazing to think that only four weeks ago she was entering the waters of baptism.

I am at the sprint of my mission. Tomorrow is my 20 month mark. With 4 months left, I have nothing to hold me back. I have taken off and will not put down the landing gear until it is time to land. (random fact: All of the missionaries that I was very close to are now home. Several are engaged. 2 or 3 are married.) I can't wait to join them and think back about the good old 24 whole months I speant working my tail off for the Lord and watching His miracle unfold.

I love you all and miss you,

Elder Embree

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"Our Heavenly Father is more liberal in His views, and boundless in His mercies and blessings than we are ready to believe or receive. God does not look on sin with allowance, but, the nearer we get to our Heavenly Father, the more we are disposed to look with compassion on perishing souls. We feel that we want to lift them upon our shoulders, and cast their sins behind our backs" (Joseph Smith).

"Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee; let the water and the blood, from Thy wounded side which flowed be of sin the double cure, save from wrath, and make me pure. . ."

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Dear friends, family, and xangans,

Sorry I have to make this kind of fast. General Conference was great the other weekend. Elder Holland spoke on the power of words and their potential to harm or help. I felt it was some of the most timely counsel I've ever heard. The prophets are definately up with the times. President Faust was very tender in his talk on Forgiveness. You can watch/ read/ listen to those speeches at lds.org.

Easter was also great. It was a great time to reflect on the Savior's atonement and resurrection. Everything went well, though admitantly I was a little homesick.

Our mission President has set a goal of hitting 97 baptisms for next transfer in honor of President Hinckley's birthday. I feel it is an inspired goal that we can hit, even though our highest acheivement is 63 so far.

Sorry to be abrupt,

Elder Embree

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"Not the labors of my hands, can fill all Thy laws demands; could my zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow, all for sin could not atone; Thou must save, and Thou alone." (Agustus M. Toplady).

"And when I think that God, His Son not sparing, sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in. That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin ..." (How Great Thou Art).

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Dear Friends,

You know you are getting old when e-mails and letters casually end with the words "look forward to seeing you soon."

Tuesday was a stirring zone conference. I love President Owen. Elder and Sister Johnson, area medical advisors, trained us on physical and mental health. I've taken it to heart and have implemented a new diet. Essentially I ...

1. Eliminate transfat; it is, quote, "The Devil"
2. Limit enriched or bleached flours, choosing instead whole grains
3. Reduce sugar intake, particularly white sugars
4. Increase anti-oxidants by eating at least 5 servings of bright fruits and vegetables every day.

To give you an idea of how uncharacteristic this is, I went to Wendy's twice last week, and both times I got a salad. And I enjoyed it. *shock* It was the cranbery pecan one with the rasberry dressing. To be honest, I feel like I am already more energetic, cheerful, and lighter. And the food is good- my cracked whole wheat bread is actually a lot tastier than the white bread I was getting (thats thanks to honey and brown sugar). Red peppers and tomatoes have really enhanced my scrambled eggs. Granola and vanilla yogurt with fresh fruit is convenient. And grapes make better candy than chocolate. The only draw back is that all this fresh produce means I have to go the grocery store more often- things don't last. But, I am assured that it will make me stay young longer, and I have met enough old people on my mission to know that I want to stay young.

Martha was confirmed on Sunday. It was beautiful. She has really captured the spirit of it all. As we were taking the sacrament, I was overwelmed with a vision of her twenty years down the road active in Church with a husband and kids that are hers forever. She didn't know that such a future was obtainable, but now she is learning. Thinking about her and other converts being active down the road filled my soul with joy. I quickly envisioned them growing old in the gospel, and then in the sacred quiet of the sacrament, I saw them entering the Kingdom of Heaven and being enveloped in the arms of a loving Savior. I broke down in tears.

I testify of that Savior, that His merits enable us to return to our God. The way He lived His life will compensate for the way we have lived our lives when we turn to Him. His gospel is the only thing worth proclaiming as far as I am concerned, and I will proclaim it will all the energy of my heart. I love Him, and I cherish His redemptive atonement.

I encourage you all to listen to His message through modern Apostles that will speak to us at a world wide conference this weekend. You can watch on the Internet, or on TV, or via a satelite broadcast to Churches near you. Just go to www.lds.org for more information. I promise that any concern, fear, question or you have will be addressed by an Apostle of Jesus Christ this weekend. If you will take the time to listen, you be blessed. If you will take the time to follow what you hear, your life will change. I so testify in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Love,

Elder Embree

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"I testify that the Savior's Atonement lifts from us not only the burden of our sins but also the burden of our disappointments and sorrows, our heartaches and our despair ... If you are lonely, please know you can find comfort. If you are discouraged, please know you can find hope ... If you feel you are broken, please know you can be mended" (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, April 2006 General Conference).

From a letter dated March 19, 2007

Dear Friends, Family, and Fellow Xangans,

How is everybody doing? I can tell from the consistent stream of mail I get that absolutely none of you went and read "Missionary Mail" in the March New Era. Hehehe. I am at that ancient point in my mission when I'm not so much concerned about it, but don't let that stop you. This past St. Patrick's day I celebrated 19 months of mission bliss.

Yesterday Martha was baptized. She asked me to baptize her, and it was very fulfilling in many ways, though anti-climatic in others. Frankly, there was so much nervousness about it all that I found that many of the moments in our lessons were actually more spiritual than the time in the water. The fact that she asked me is what was really the spiritual experience. Over all, however, the baptism service had a strong, steady Spirit about it that confirmed in all of our hearts that this was right.

What I enjoy about teaching Martha so much is that she really grasps the concepts of the Gospel and applies them to herself. Her mother had passed away, and when we taught the principle of baptisms on behalf of the dead, she asked us if she could be baptized in the Temple on behalf of her mom. We hadn't even thought about that application. She is so excited that her mom can have the same blessings she can. On an earlier occasion she had remarked to us that she believed that God had placed her in the home where she is so that she could find the Gospel. She now has wondered if her deceased mother, waiting in the world of spirits, had been taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ, accepted it, and wanted so badly to become a part of it that she was praying her living daughter would find the Gospel and do her Temple work on her behalf. That is such a mature grasp of restored truth!

Another aspect of the baptism that was tender for me was that Jose and Maria from Walnut came to see the baptism. They were telling everyone about how I had been the first Missionary to knock on their door and how I was the angel who rescued them. I told them that it was the Savior Jesus Christ who rescued them, and Maria agreed, but she insisted that without me finding her son, she never would have formed a relationship with God's Son.

And so, I feel, in my old age, a great sense of accomplishment. My purpose as a missionary is to "invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end." (Preach My Gospel). I feel that I have done that, and I plan to keep doing for as long as I can. I love the gospel, and I love missionary work. I may at times struggle in an area or with a companion, but I know that this work is God’s work and that it is the only thing I want to do. I testify of Jesus Christ and of the eternal truths that He restored to living prophets in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Sincerely,

Elder Embree