Soccer, baptism and cross bearing protesters....just another week at the MTC

Hey family, what's happening? I finally got your package yesterday - the jerky is really yummy, and It's nice to have something else to do during my down time - you know, the five minutes that I have a day. It's nice to hear that my painting ability helped Phase II to win an award. I guess my cleaning ability also helped, since I cleaned the place the day before the photo shoot. But hey, what can I say? I bet Dad did a great job accepting the award. I expect Jonah to kick butt tomorrow night. Old testament is hard, but he can do it. Isaac almost has his bear badge already? Dang, he's growing up too fast. I miss the father son campout and the fun times we had there. And honestly, I miss helping out at the carnival. It was always such a great challenge. Please have Isaac take some dance lessons - I can imagine the moves he had at his party. What is the Mariner's record now? Are they doing better than last year? They don't tell us much here. We have had some cross-bearing protestors outside the MTC during our temple walks on sundays. I guess some people don't have anything better to do than to tear down other people's faith. The food is still good, and we have started playing soccer every other day for Gym - you know me, I have to have something to run after, like a ball or a frisbee. Our investigators are doing okay. One won't get baptized because his family doesn't want him to even meet with us, and we had to explain to the other one that her baptism was technically invalid in her church, and she needs to baptized in the same way that Christ was. That was a very touchy subject. But she understands now. This past week we have had L. Tom Perry of the Twelve speak to us about the priesthood, and the President of the Provo temple talk to us about the temple. It's really weird, because I feel like I'm at an extended EFY, but It's going for two years.

I miss you all so much, and I will leave you with the Words of Lloyd D Newell from music and the spoken word:

"Peace be with you, this day, and always."

Elder Hjelm