Updates

Today our missionary newsletter came out. Justin Thomas' mom(hereafter referred to as Momma Thomas), gets emails from several of our missionary friends and compiles into a nice little newsletter. I'll just throw up my favorite quote from each of them. This is the highlight of every month for me. I love how spiritual and personal everything is in South America.

Elder Lusty
Guatemala City North Mission

"So there it is... In my first four months I have participated in baptisms, weddings, funerals, house and grave dedications, blessings, and much more... The Lord truly is leading my path."


Elder Thomas
Brazil Sao Paulo East Mission

"They teach us the language but its very basic stuff. But through that studying that we do I’m really starting to understand that the one thing that’s going to help me learn the language is faith in Christ."

Elder Steffensen
Brazil Goiania Mission

"I ate 14 slices of pizza which amounts to almost 2 pizzas."

Elder Ashby

Chile Osorno Mission

"I had done nothing for them, the lord had done everything but she had expressed an amount of love that was incredible."

Elder Tyler
Jackson Mississippi Mission

"I speak to you all as my friends, but also as my brothers who I wish to rejoice like the Sons of Mosiah who were filled with Joy when they met. Not only because they were safe and alive, but because they were still right with the Lord. WE ARE THE WATCHMEN!"

Elder Pieper
Germany Munich/Austria Mission

"I know that this church is true and it brings more joy to our own lives as well as the lives of others when we do what is right."

Elder Natter
Guatemala Quetzaltenango Mission

"Everyday I hear at least once or twice "Don't leave Elder Natter" I'm the funniest person here and even the teacher told me not to leave."

Farewell Elder Natter

The Crossfire of Heaven and Hell

Brandon Flowers

The band 'The Killers' hold a special place in my heart. Their songs all have deeper meaning, and trying to figure out what they mean is like looking at a rubik's cube for the first time. Many people see it and just pass. They say, that's not for me. But when I listen to their songs something in me just connects with them. The songs are personal to me and many of them represent special moments in my life. Both good and bad. But no matter what mood I'm in I can listen to The Killers and feel better.

I first heard about The Killers from my brother and his friends. We were driving around and I wanted to hear more from this band. Then their next album 'Sam's Town' came out and I fell in love. I later learned that the lead singer, Brandon Flowers, is LDS. That added a new dimension to their music. As I listened closer a lot of the lyrics sounded more important.

"I’m gonna climb that symphony home and make it mine
Let his resonance light my way
See, all these pessimistic sufferers tend to drag me down
So I could use it to shelter what good I’ve found"

-Sweet Talk

It's little things like that that make me smile. Maybe none of their lyrics are supposed to mean what I get out of them. But I listened to an interview with Brandon once and he said, "It's special when each person can take the song and apply it to their lives." This is exactly what I do. Each song has a specific meaning to me and it's how I interpret it. It makes it special.

The Killers decided that spending years touring on the road was a little much and they decided to take an extended break so that they wouldn't break up. They'll be back together within the next year and a half. But Brandon wasn't quite prepared to be away from music so long. So he decided he wanted to come out with a solo album. The first single from it called 'Crossfire' debuted only a few days ago. It's an absolutely beautiful song.

"Tell the devil that he can go back from where he came
His fiery arrows drew their beat in vein
And when the hardest part is over we'll be here
And our dreams will break the boundaries of our fear
The boundries of our fear"

Brandon has done it again. I love the new song and I'm so glad I got to hear it before I leave. :-)

Painata

Bafana Bafana

I've been waiting for four years for the FIFA World Cup to come back to my tv screen. And it's finally here.

Watching South Africa play last year in the Confederations Cup I was extremely excited. Their passing and overall style of play was just fun to watch. Unfortunately today's opening game of the tournament wasn't the most exciting game. But it was still a great game and I'm glad Tshabalala of South Africa was able to get the tournament's first goal. It was a great goal and with every great goal comes a great celebration.

As exciting as this was I can't wait for tomorrow's game!!!

Glory Road

Ladies and Gentlemen, be on the lookout for the next great film from Glory Road Productions entitled:

"PAINATA"


Coming soon to a computer screen near you.

While traveling...

Hollie - "Did you know the remote is the grossest thing in the whole hotel room? It never gets cleaned."

Michael - "Germs scherms."

Hollie - "Sperms?"

Michael - "What?"

Hollie - "Just sayin... that's probably what's on it."

Florida and Such

So, I've been slacking off lately. But not a lot has happened lately. Once Elder Thomas left I decided to cope with the loss by going to Florida with my Father to see my Grandmother one more time before I leave.

Grandmother just got a new car. Guess who got to drive it :-)

It was a really good trip and I got to spend some quality time with Father and Grandmother. We did a lot of cool stuff, like going to a Patriotic concert at the Naples Philharmonic. During the 1812 Overture they handed out brown paper bags and we played the part of the cannon by blowing up the bags and popping them. It was really awesome.

So like I said not much else going on. Elder Natter leaves next week. It's all coming up quick. I hope I'll be ready in time :-)