Move Out of the Comfort Zone

6 February 2012

Dear Family,

I loved the package you sent me. It had a lot of fun things in it. It was probably my favorite package. Grandpa's stuff was all great and the iPod is nice to have. I love the Spanish music and George Dyer (he was my primary teacher)! It was nice to see grandpa's book again and to be able to read the memories of grandpa from his kids. I read those and cried all morning. It was cool to see the love that all of Grandpa’s kids had for him and all the things that he taught them.

Wow, I am glad the Giants won the Superbowl! Everyone hates the Patriots here and think they are overrated. We had to be in our apartment at six that night just for the Superbowl. Was the halftime show good with Madonna? You didn't have a Superbowl party with mom’s family? We usually do. Is it because I am not there? (Go my favorite sports team!)

Is Nathan Powell going to be ok? Does he have a really bad form of cancer? Colby Howt is going on a mission!? Wow! Good for him. I think Calgary is the same place where Jeremy Furner is but I’m not positive. Speaking of missionaries, Elder Tanner Morris was in Elder Rudd’s Zone and Elder Rudd got to know him really well. It was weird, I was looking at Elder Rudd’s pictures and Tanner was in some of them.

They are almost done remodeling our new apartment and we'll be able to move in soon. I didn’t get a new mattress either but, mine is fine though. As long as it doesn't give me back pains I'll be fine.

I have not given the recipes you sent to Loannva yet. She is not answering her phone or door so I hope she is ok and hasn't quit the church. She needs a friend in the church and I think the fact that she is the only black lady in the ward makes her feel uncomfortable.

Chester was not planning to get baptized on the 11^th because he is on probation for the next five years. He needs to be interviewed by President Topham and then he will recommend Chester to the First Presidency to be baptized. So, it might take a while but he loves it still.

The best part about last Friday was that I was able to teach the 1st lesson in Spanish all by myself to a man named Manuel. It was great! I have never spoken Spanish so fluently until that moment when I needed to. I have been studying Spanish a lot lately too so that I can be able to teach lessons by myself.

I found confidence is huge out on a mission. In life, if you don't believe that you can do it then you will never do it. If you feel like other people judge you then you will live in fear and never try new things. We have to move out of the comfort zone and be confident in doing so.

Love,

Elder Mouritsen

P.S.  I did get a new ankle brace so I can start being a little more active.