October 13, 2014

Family,

Sorry I don't have time to type today but I want you to know that I'm doing great. Elder T and I have been blessed with a lot of success and we have some baptisms coming up. The members here really like me and the Young Women attendance in church has doubled. I wonder why. I see miracles everyday. The church here really relies on the missionaries more then in the States. They think we know everything...I'm not kidding. We as missionaries take care of issues that the Branch President should be doing but the thing is...we're (the missionaries) the only ones that know how to do things correctly. It's pretty intimidating for me as a 18 year old American teaching older Priesthood holders basic doctrine and ordinances. I honestly believe my whole life has prepared me for this. 

We have 4000 members in Aringay on paper but only 100 go to church on Sunday. That's why it's still a branch. And there's only 6 missionaries in this area. So we teach a lot of less active people. And the root of all there problems is that they don't do the little things and pride. Brennan, Maddie, Donovan I hope you read your scriptures everyday. I hope you say your prayers morning and night. I hope the Strader family has family prayer every night and daily scripture study. I promise you it will bless you and our family and give you that daily protection. Thank you for everything you have taught me. Y'all are in my prayers every night. I love you all so much. Don't worry the time will fly by fast and I'll be home soon. 

Your Valiant Missionary,

Elder Strader