The Latest from Simi Valley CA

Some snippets of Jake's life as a missionary with some commentary thrown in for good measure.

so the mission is going well, i'm back on a bike which is good. we get around a lot faster than we did walking, we dont rely on people to give us rides, and we get exercise! my legs are gonna be looking good again here soon! hahaha not that anyone will be able to look at them! (Well we would hope that Jake will stay clean and pure whilst on his mission! I mean really, some young lady's eyeballs might be seared out of her head if she sees a missionaries legs!)

the ward is great! our ward mission leader's wife has taken control of the dinner calendar and we have a full calendar, and we're eating with people i've never even eaten with before! i'm pretty excited! (It really is a good thing that he is back on a bike! Wouldn't want to have to start Weight Watcher while on a mission after all!)



my new companion is an interesting character. he's pretty much a mix of me, spencer, and a little bit of social awkwardness haha. (I am expecting some good stories out of this companionship!)
 
 ....President Monson when he said "My beloved brothers and sisters, fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith." then i read D&C 122:7 where the Lord is talking to Joseph Smith about how all his trials are given to him so that he may have experience, along with Helaman 5:12 and how if we have our foundation in Jesus Christ, we can overcome any trials we have. i wrote down Ether 12:27 but i cant remember what it said in there, so i think that means somebody who's reading this email might need to read that scripture (These where words and thoughts that Jake really needed to hear at this time. His companion at this time was so incredibly trunky that Jake referred to him as being "dead." This was very frustrating for Jake as he was ready to hit the streets everyday and his companion was not.  A lesson in patience and long suffering I guess;-)
 
thats crazy to hear about megan, i guess that's why she hasn't written to me in so long. same with spencer, glad to hear that he approves of this guy, still wish i could be there for the wedding but its ok, not like i really super wanted to be at my only sisters wedding, its not big deal. haha jk. and yes i do like the idea of not just one cut out, but multiple. very good idea. make sure there are pictures of me with cute girls at the wedding hahahaha. (Seriously, Megan couldn't wait for 19 more month to get married!?!? Sheesh! What kind of sisterly love is that? Well, Jake's presences will be felt with life sized cut outs!)


so i have a question for dad. behind any activity that the bishopric does, are there two stud missionaries doing all the work behind the scenes? hahaha we had a ward breakfast and flag ceremony today and my companion and i, and one of the bishopric's wife, ended up being the ones that cooked the breakfast for everyone haha. so idk if thats just cuz my comp and i are awesome or what so i had to ask. (It's the super stud missionaries that do all the work. Those bishop's don't do nothin' HA!)
 
To my dear friend Ana and any other Mothers out there of missionaries or Future Missionaries-
 
If you are reading this please know that there is truly no space in the heart for any kind of heaviness or sadness as a young man or woman goes out to serve the Lord. What better place can they be at this point in their lives? Be joyful and glad hearted!!! These are not only the "Best Two Years" for the missionary they are the "Best Two Years" for the parents too. 
 
You may call me "cold" for this next statement but I hope that you know me better that to think that I really am:-) I was so excited for this new adventure and growing opportunity for Aaron and Jake that the time for them to leave could not come fast enough!   The only time that my heart was heavy was when Spencer decided that he would not serve a mission. But then again, not serving does not disqualify a person from the blessings that the Lord has in store for them or in participating in the ordinances of the temple. 
 

As Pres. Monson said "My beloved brothers and sisters, fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith."  So go forth and be cheerful!!!