Late

Dear Family, I am sitting here in a car, driving to Kalispell while I write to you this fine day. We are going to be spending our Pday driving almost 500 miles. I would rather take a shower with a bear than drive to Kalispell on my pday. I would rather go on a date with Rosie O’Donnell than drive to Kalispell on my pday. I think you get what Im trying to say. I wish I didn’t have to drive to Kalispell on my pday.

LAST WEEK: We had our east side leadership meeting in Billings and drove to Helena the next morning for our west side meeting. The Helena meeting ended early afternoon. Elder Goff and I then spent the rest of the day visiting old places and old faces. We went from house to house from 3 to 9:30; and we could have spent another week or so seeing others. It was a splendid day. . The next morning we had district meeting with the Helena district and saw another couple of families then headed for Billings. On our way home we stopped in a place called Big Timber, which we are actually passing through RIGHT now, to visit a man named Rumple. Here’s a little background on our friend Rumple: He is a 55 year old un-wed mystery man. He got to know some of the Elders up in Great Falls and started getting attached to some of them. He later moved to Big Timber to move on in his life. In a much unknown way, he got our phone number and started calling Elder King, asking him when he was going to come see him. He would call several times a day sometimes over 60x a week. It was getting ridiculous. So, Elder King and I decided to go see him one evening. After a visit that can’t even be described, he never called us ever again. Elder Goff and I decided to do the same thing this last time through Big Timber and the calls are still at a minimum. I will have to show you a picture of Rumple and us. He answered to the door in long, red, woman’s night gown. I’m so glad to have these great spiritual memories of my mission. I will never forget the big, red, long, night gowned Rumple.

After our meetings, we were able to get in 3 lessons with the Cs, J and M, and K. They were all good.

We had a really good fast and testimony meeting yesterday. One of the better ones in the past year. There were times when we had 6 people waiting up on the stand to share testimonies. It was good.

In our meetings this last week, there was a time allotted to role play the first vision with each other. We had all done it a million times before but, we did it once again. I know, personally, I have recited the 1st vision thousands of times. Even though this might have been the 3000th time, the experience was just as spiritual as ever. It was a really special experience for everyone. It made me think about the night of my setting apart and talking about the first vision. For most people, concerns might arise about polygamy or doctrine, etc but what it all comes down to is if Joseph is a prophet. It’s as simple as that. And I think that that is why the spirit is always very present when sharing feelings or testimonies about the first vision. Apart from the Atonement, its seems to be one of the most important things we can bear testimony of. Even now, when talking about it. It is a blessing to know that.
I am sorry for not sending you my letter Monday evening. We didn’t have time and went right to bed. We got to stop in Polson and see the Burninghams, the Atchleys and Bro Heskiel. It was good to see Emy again. She acts, walks, and talks like a normal member. We talked about her and Earl getting sealed to their parents. We talked about how lots of her kids have been interested in the Gospel. We talked about a lot of things. It was good. I haven’t seen them in over a year. Since 2009.

Bye