September 16, 2014

Dear Family,

I leave next Thursday. I swear I haven't learned anything. Just kidding...but really though. It really did go by so fast. So many things have happened that it's so hard to keep track. 

I'm loving it here at the MTC. I'm leaning so much EVERYDAY. And I've grown such a stronger relationship with my Heavenly Father. I love my disrtict and my zone. I have both zone leaders in my district (that's how awesome my district is) and with me being the district leader there has been so conflict hahaha. Because I'm the district leader and both zone leaders are in my disrtict I still have power over them therefore I have power over the whole zone. I have given myself the title, "District Leader of the Zone." I mostly by fear and intimidation. Hahaha it's so funny. Everyone finds it really funny and respects my authority. When I say I run this place...it's true. I'm not perfect with the language yet but I've learned that the Lord doesn't want "perfect misisonaries" all He wants is "committed missionaries." And that is something I can do. 

And for me calling next week. We get at the Salt Lake airport at like 6:30am and our flight to Oregon doesn't leave until like 11am. (so probably like 1pm for y'all) and then we have like an hour layover in Oregon, then we fly to Japan. So I'll probably be calling around 8-10am around that time. I'm still really not sure how everything is going to work. And I can only call 3 times so I have to make them count. So I know the kids have school so I don't know how you're going to work that out but I'll let you know if I have any more info. I'll probably call Dad's phone because I know he'll actually answer. 

It's really hard leaving my family and friends. But here's a cool qoute that you can put on my blog if you want. ;)

                            "...a missionary leaves his family for a while so others can be with their families forever..." 

Something like that. I love you all and I can't wait to talk to you soon! 

Your Valiant Missionary,

Elder Strader