That was really fast!

Dear Mom and Dad,

Another week down! That was really fast! I get my travel plans next Thursday, August 25th. Next week is my last full week of classes and then I'm gone! Time is so weird here because the days can seem like forever but before you know it's P-Day once again. I'm trying to think about the past week and it's all kinda blurring together.

Few notes: My shoes came and fit great, but Elder Tamale's shirts are too big. He's kind of picky about his shirts so I'm not sure what to do... With my scripture, you can just use verse Alma 26:12. Thanks so much for the package!!! What a treat! Sounds like everything is good back home! Congrats mom on the WW! I'm so proud of you, keep up the great work! Dad you've become quite the popular person since I left! Who knows you may become Charles Krauthammer's Wally Pipp if you know what I mean.

It hasn't been the easiest week though. We haven't been able to teach our Progressing Investigator as much as we would have liked because our teachers been gone and the schedule's been a little crazy. It's by far the best practice we get, in terms of teaching and it's frustrating not being able to do it as much because I think it's is way way way more beneficial than some other activities we do here.

We met with our teacher to talk about our progressing investigator. It's tough because we haven't taught him in over a week. We got to ask him some questions as if he was the investigator and we were shocked by what we heard. We thought he had a testimony of the Book of Mormon but he wasn't anywhere NEAR where we thought he was. I'm so frustrated because I'm trying my hardest and trying to teach as well as I can. I know I'm not a great teacher but I am trying my best. I have found that as a companionship we need to teach with unity in order to have that power and authority, it is something we work on every day.

On Thursday night we watch a video of talk that Elder Holland gave at the MTC about 10 years ago called The Miracle of a Mission. It's legendary around here. I love Elder Holland so much, but I have never seen him more animated ever. He talks about his mission, and how it meant so much to him. He said, "My mission means everything to me. Everything. Every blessing I have received since is because of my mission." About halfway through the talk he stops, and just stands there. Then he says, "There is someone here tonight that is thinking about going home. Don't you ever go home. It will ruin your life." Wow! Strong, strong words. You can really feel how important serving a mission is to him. The part that really struck me was when he started talking about the Savior. Elder Holland said, "Salvation is not a cheap experience." It certainly wasn't for the Savior, and it won't be for us. This is why missionary work is so tough. The Salvation of a soul is not an easy experience, and was never meant to be easy. He said "We will never be able to feel even a fraction of what the Savior felt in the Garden and on Calvary. However, sometimes we need to venture near the Garden, near Calvary, and feel some of that pain." Missionary Work is tough. I knew that coming in, but didn't quite know the extent. The Savior knew when he rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday that in the next week, he would bear the heaviest and must painful burden ever known to man. Yet, he pressed with conviction and determination. He was here to fulfill his Father's will, not his own. So in the greatest exhibition of love and charity, he bore all, for us, for you and me.

I want so much to be like Christ. I will never be able to remotely comprehend the pains he bore, but I can commit myself to help others come unto him and use his atoning sacrifice, in order to bring about the salvation of a soul. Even if that means venturing in the general direction of the Garden and Calvary, the joy that comes with this work and this Gospel far outweigh that trials, discouragement, and tough times. I know my Savior lives. He loves us, and has restored his Gospel to the Earth today. All we need to do is come unto him, feel the prints in his hands, side, and feet. If we follow the path he has laid before us, we will find the true happiness and joy that comes with keeping the commandments, and one day returning to our father in heaven. I love love you so so so much!!! Stay true to the faith.

Love,
Elder Yost