Elder Holmquist has been in Mexico for almost 2 weeks! We are getting emails from him on Mondays now, as that is is P-day. We also have a new mailing address for him (check out the upper right hand corner of the blog for this!). U.S. mail is much easier to use, so please feel free to send letters or cards that way! It does take about 6 weeks to receive mail, so don't expect a speedy response :o) A tip we received from the mission home there is to add a picture of Jesus Christ or a cross... apparently the mail is less likely to be tampered with when religious materials are on it.
Here are a couple of excerpts from his latest email:
Well I am learning a lot and am starting to understand what people are saying better. I don't feel like my speaking ability is getting that much better but I am happy that I can at least understand a little bit of what they are saying. one day i woke up and for some reason could just understand a lot better! it was definitely the gift of tongues.
Anyways, I am good here other than tired.Ii get frustrated when I cant speak but I know it will come with time. I have faith in our savior and his atonement and know he knows what I am going through. and every time we are riding up a huge hill and don't think I can do it anymore I think of what he did and the pain he felt for us.. I can take a little soreness to bring souls home to him. I know this work is true, I know the savior is with me and that the gospel was restored through Joseph smith. I love my life here.. I really have a purpose and I love you all so much. My love has grown for my family so much now that I have been away and I miss you all like crazy. please pray for my Spanish. I love you and cant wait to talk to you at Christmas!
We are so happy for him and pray that he continues to love his mission life! We are grateful for the opportunity he has to be in Mexico and to be serving the people there and the Lord.
We wish you all a very Merry Christmas!
My Dear Holmquist Family:
ReplyDeleteI love all of you so much! Sam just warms my soul. I believe so strongly that his mission work is blessed.
Merry Christmas to each of you...I am so comforted by the knowledge that Sam is away for the true meaning of Christmas.
May the Lord bless all of us as we walk this life together. Friends forever! Connie Melvin