February 16, 1997 - Sunday

Well I took about a week off from missionary work.  We just didn't do any proselyting from a week ago last Tuesday through a week & a half.  On last Thursday we did some work.  Had a D and then on Saturday we went to Super Saturday for the younger kids.  It was pretty cool.  I gave a talk, not very good I'm afraid. 

I freaking suck.  So I'm going to start getting up closer to when I'm supposed to.  Then I'll get tired easier and be able to get to sleep at night and I won't watch t.v.  I'm going on splits tomorrow with the APs (Assistants to the President).  Yeah, joy.  So I'll definitely be getting up at 6:30am.  Well I gotta go to bed.  night

November 23, 1996 - Saturday

Well last night we went to a hockey game [for Culture Night].  It was pretty cool.  Then we went over to some house and a rich guy named (?) I can't remember, but he bought about 8 pizzas and we all ate it.  Then we performed skits.  It was fun.  There is a picnic today but we slept in and we are gong to miss it.  We didn't get in until about 12:30 am. 

Well I haven't had to give a talk yet in church, but I better be prepared for Sunday.  I'll write to you after we go tracting and stuff.

November 11, 1996 - Monday

I've been pretty bad at SYLing the last couple of days.  The rules are very lax.  It's after 10:30pm and I'm still up.  But I'm loving it.  I'm sure that I will be a little nervous right before I leave but not right now.  I'm loving it.  I went around tonight and got a bunch of people on a tape recorder [which by the way - I have no idea if I've ever listened to it after my mission]. 

Well I gave a talk yesterday [last Sunday in the MTC ] - I had better record it in my journal.  I got up and did a little dance [in front of the podium].  It was my feet shuffle.  Then I related it to the Restoration.  The dance looks hard, but to me it is so simple.  Everything that J.S. revealed was simple...

1. God - all about him - not some big floating nebulous thing.
2. Jesus Christ - His role in the Plan our Father gave us.  Then my favorite
3. Prophets - The dance looks hard but it is easy.  Then I showed them step by step how to do the dance. 
4. Nobody was there to show the people how to dance.  Joseph [Smith] was called as a prophet.  That is one of the most important things that can be said of him.  One of the most important truths - that he revealed was that He Himself [God] led the Church - the true church.  There were now dance instructors back on the earth.  Then next came the most important tool.
5. The Book of Mormon.  It taught people how to dance more directly and easier than the Bible did. 
6. And Moroni's promise - first read, then ponder, then pray and by the power of the Holy Ghost - all things would be made known.

Did this sound familiar?  It was the first discussion.  That is what the restoration is all about.  What we go out to teach is the simple dance moves of the Gospel.  Then I just bore my testimony of what I had taught.  I don't know if they felt the Spirit - but I did.  I felt calm after I had got going and the thought of doing the dance as an example came to me as I sat on the stand.  The Holy Ghost gave me inspiration.  I love to talk - it just makes me feel loved when I get inspiration and I love to relate things to the Gospel.  love/night

October 21, 1996 - Monday

It's morning wow.  I've started taking my showers at night but then I don't think I need to get up earlier than six so it usually like 6:30 or so before I start my BOM read.  So I have to continue getting up at 5:45 AM.  But I switched around in bed so that the light from under the door won't keep me up.

Now it's after lunch.  In my interview we talked about how to love everybody.  I am just getting negative thoughts about everybody and negative feelings.  I fasted yesterday and I felt good throughout the day except a little after dinner when I broke my fast.  Maybe it was because I wasn't fasting very much.  Is the only way I am going to feel good is by starving myself?  At least I'd look better. 

Yesterday I wrote little notes for everyone and now I have to write them so that someone else can read it.  I wonder if there is something in my past that I haven't repented of.  I'm sure there isn't because I would know.  The Spirit would tell me. 

Yesterday we had a talk and the guy had several good suggestions.  One was to compliment people more often.  It worked.  I just complimented Ст. Parks & I feel better.  Bye for now - bye

[Okay embarrassing part again.  It seems that I had a little crush on Sister Heaton]
Okay after class, end of night, I feel great again.  It's awesome here.  I think Sis Heaton just brings the spirit out in us, especially me.  I testified on the way home from class and I feel radical [that means cool to all you youngins].  Just glowing.  Plus I gave my letters to Sis. Heaton so she could write them up & send them to us.  Well it's time to go to bed.  I'll probably write a short something after praying.  night.

In my prayers I just talked about this love to me & I hope I can show others His love & my love & how important His love was to me.  night

September 1, 1996 - Sunday

One week before my farewell.  I still haven't gotten completely ready yet.  Anyway, Eric Garner stopped by my house and we talked for about 45 minutes.  It was good to see him.  I had to go to work at 8-Midnight.  Well the truck [delivering Frozen] didn't come in at 10pm like it was supposed to.  So I had to come home from 10 until 12am and go back for two more hours.  So right now I am preparing my talk.