April 6, 2015 from Sam

hey mom!  Alright well I only have about an hour so ill just get right to it... So i talked to President Crapo last Tuesday.  It was about some stuff I hadnt cleared up with Bishop Scholl or anyone before.  It had happened a long time ago almost two years, but I knew because I had to wait until April to get my papers in, if i had told him about the other thing i wouldve had to wait like 5 months longer so I never said anything and just thought time would heal it all.  So I decided to talk to President Crapo about it on Tuesdaybecause i wanted to make sure i was 100% clean and worthy.  I didnt think I would go home for it really when i told him, but he said theres a good possibility I could.  Its not his decision and I should get an answer today from the general authorities in charge of the mission department.  I was scared to tell him at first because I knew there was a small chance I could go home and i was scared of the embarrasment just because of what happened with BYU and every other consequence ive paid for the stupid decisions in my life.  But I read a talk by the area seventy Elder Alonzo to missionaries about a year ago. He said, you should fear more not being able to enter the kingdom of God more than you should fear man.  I also studied fearing God in the scriptures and read the story in DandC about Oliver Cowdery when he lost the pages and how God was upset with Joseph because he had feared man more than God.  So I decided to talk to President.

I know this may seem like Im just writing somewhat unemotionally, but its been a long week of waiting and now Im absolutely content with my decision I made to talk with him and I know i did the right thing.  I dont know yet if Im going home, but Ive set a ton of goals for if I do what I need to do to actually prepare this time for a mission.  I want you to know Im 100% confident in my ability to come back and do it right.  I know youre probably very sad reading this, but I want to serve my 2 years 100% worthily and I have plenty of things to do in the work if I do come home and a lot of things I can do to better prepare myself for the last 17 months of my mission.  Im not scared and do not care what anyone thinks except for Heavenly Father.  So do not be sad.  Have faith and I will too to be able to do things right.  I love you with all my heart

April 5, 2015 from Mom

Hi my favorite missionary!

Wasn't conference soooo great?!  I started crying when Elder Renlund spoke about the two missionaries... the companion who wouldn't work hard.  Did you love that?  I felt like that was for you:)  I always feel a little sad when conference is over.  Where did you watch?  Could you hear it in English?  And, yes... why the FLDS rainbow? I have no idea but it never fails that at least one choir is going to wear those "special" colors. 

My favorite part about conference is thinking that we are doing the same thing at the same time. Even though we are 1000s of miles apart, our whole family is watching the same thing.  That makes me so very happy!  When the ensign comes out with the conference talks, I'll mail one to you.

I was really sad to hear the voices that would not sustain the prophet.  Could you hear that?  I read an article about it this morning and the writer suggested that those who sustain Pres. Monson take it a step further. After we raise our hand to sustain him, we should take away one thing that touched us during conference and use it to make a positive change in our life this month.  Something that will bring us closer to the savior.  So, I've decided to focus on serving each day.  In my morning prayers I'm going to ask Heavenly Father to help me see the need of someone and be able to offer service to one of his children each day.  It has been something I've been trying to do more but I know I'm not doing enough.  So that is how I will sustain Pres. Monson.  How about you?  Is there something that really struck you during conference that you can work on this month?  What were your favorite parts?

Did you get my easter box yet?  I got together with some other Prosper Missionary moms this week.  It was really great.  We met at the Argyles house and we each brought one small thing to put in each missionary's next box. So... I have another box for you:)  It is just some small items but I'll get it sent out this week.  Do you need anything? 

How has your week gone?  I'm so anxious to hear.  Did you do the things I asked you to?  1. Study Daniel  2.  Look for tender mercies  3. Pray to have more love for your companion and the others you work with and serve.  How did that go?

Are you working with any investigators?  How is Marvin doing? 

I wrote you so much this week so I won't make this too long.  I just want you to know how much I love you and miss you ... as always!  Have an amazing week, my sweet son!

love, infinity plus infinity,

momma

p.s. Karlee Winters mission call is going to Oakland CA to work in the temple visitors center.  She leaves in May!  Other people that are getting mission calls aren't leaving until August so it seems really quick! 

[p.s.s. We had a family get together today for Easter and watched a home video of you, Abby and Gray.  Such great memories of that culdesac.  We watched one of you 8 year old baseball games with the Astros:)  xoxo  You were a beast:)