02/06/2012

To whom it may concern,

 

Hello the greatest people on earth! Its Elder Lakey! Uhhh...Im not in Brazil yet. I know, I know. I promised the next one would be from Brazil. Well, I lied. Im still going, its just the flight doesnt leave until this afternoon! So, I have some time to email. My emotions are pretty strange right now. Im so excited, yet so scared. Im so happy, yet so sad. My mind is going Ballzerko (Thats for you Adam Robert C.) So here me out...Tyrone was supposed to be baptized on Saturday. It didnt happen. It was going to happen all the way up until Saturday morning. We checked in with him on Friday and he was so excited and ready to go. Then Saturday, the weather decided to dump a bunch of snow making it unsafe to drive. What a bummer, huh?! So, I wont have the priveledge of being here to be a part of it. That was a very hard day for me. When I found out I would be leaving 2 days after his baptism, I was certain the Lord kept me in Nebraska for this reason alone. WRONG! The Lord sent a storm. It caught me off guard. I was confused. I was lost. Ive found out, that I dont have to worry about everything the Lord has in store for me. I dont have to worry about His timing and His plans. So, the past few days, my testimony of the Lords Will has been strenghthened . I just have to give my life over to Him.

Ive been running a lot more. We went running Saturday morning in the snow. And then this morning in the 10 degree weather. Its been fun! Not a ton happened this last week. Mainly just transfers. And with my companions being Zone Leaders, I tag along with them and run all the errands they have. For example; Thursday we were driving from 1-10. Yeah, it was a lot. In fact, we had to stay the night up in Sioux City (Which is in Iowa) Yep, Ive been to another state! and South Dakota was right there. Never went over, but I saw it!

We have had some pretty good lessons. And some not so good lessons. Im learning! I took out a new missionary on Wednesday and went proselyting. Uh, hello?! Im 4 weeks in! Im a new missionary myself! It was really good though! I loved it. And it's good to know the President has enough faith in me. Now, if only I could get better with my own faith! I think we could always strenghthen our faith, right? The Super Bowl was yesterday. Everyone was drunk. I was teaching one of the coolest guy ever during the game. He loves sports..but he turned the game off to listen to the truth. WOW. He was drinking a little, but I was touched by his willingness to sacrifice.

I dont really have a ton more to say. Ive been busy this week and not a ton of things going on. EXCEPT IM LEAVING IN A FEW HOURS!!!!! I have really been touched by this area and these people. I love them. Some of my best friends now. I will probably shed a few tears. Scott and Laquesa and their family have some gifts for me. Laquesa told her mom that her best friend was moving. I love them so much. I wish I could be here for their marriage and his baptism. These people have taught me so many life lessons. The biggest one is that we are all children of God. No matter your background, you are still a child of God. We need to love everyone! We dont have to be their best friends, but certainly love them. I hope my love continues to grow. I hope you all have the desire to change if you need to. It brings so much happiness. Love everyone. It will bless not only their life, but yours as well.

 

I love you all! Te-Amo muito!

 

(ps. This awesome black guy is sitting next to me making up his own rap. I thought you would want to know!)

 

~Elder Lakey