E-mail home, 2/1/10

Hey Family!

I'm super sorry to hear about grandpa. I read the second of your two emails and I'm glad to hear that he is on the track to recovery. I can't say that I know what meningitis is off the top of my head, but I can take a guess by how you described it. Let grandpa know that my prayers are with him, and how I understand it, missionary prayers are like the extra strength kind.

I miss you all like crazy. I try to keep busy so I don't have to think about it.

So about the mission itself. My first area I have been called to is that of Albany. Albany is a town just outside of Corvallis. The areas we have been working seem to be of humble circumstances. All of the doors that we have knocked on or people we have visited have lived in trailer homes, duplexes, apartments, or very small single story homes. It has been humbling for me to see this. I never quite realized how blessed I was (and still am). People make due with so little ... it amazes me. I guess these people from humble circumstances are the ones humble enough to receive the gospel. We have two progressing investigators, Jesse and Casey, who are a young couple living together in a trailer. They aren't married which poses a problem, but we intend to address that. They smoke too. But Jesse (the guy) is super interested in the gospel. He almost teaches Casey as much as we do. It is so awesome. I have learned since I've been here to never *ever* judge anyone again. These are two people that I never would have previously thought would have been interested in the gospel. They are super kind and just plain wonderful, yet I would have just written them off before my mission. I'm ashamed to say so. Yet, now I can see them through Christ's eyes and feel overwhelming love for them. All I want to do is teach them, love them, and show them Christ's love for them. We have another woman we just met the other day tracting, Linda Roper. She was a Jehovah's Witness, but she left that church and has lost all of her friends as a result. She is acting super receptive to what we have to say, but she is wary at the same time. We're trying to take it slow with her. She is super sweet and just has that glow about her, the glow of someone who belongs in the gospel. I want her to have it so badly. Oh, and yes I've been tracting. Yes, I've knocked on doors. And yes, It was *terrifying*. I'm a little more used to it now, but you still get butterflies every time.

My companion and trainer is Elder Johnson. He is from Logan, Utah and has been out 8 months. He is sort of quiet but he knows what he is doing. I expect to learn a lot from him. We get along pretty well so far.

I have received mail from a few more friends and let me tell you, it is the highlight of the day for me when it happens. Sometimes even the week.

As for health, I'm feeling about the same as I've always felt. I'll be honest about that. I'm able to deal though, don't worry.

Let me know how everyone at home is doing. How is Hannah in school, Mom in work, Dad at school/work, Michael with everything. Tell me EVERYTHING. Oh, and to anyone who reads this, goodies/mail are always welcome.

Well, God bless. Alma 26:12. LIVE BY IT!
Miss you all a ton and love you twice as much.

Love, Elder Ferguson