January 22nd 2013

Dear mom and Dad,

I'm glad to hear gabe came home safely and was able to express himself clearly as he bore testimony of the work, its always a great thing to see how god can transform someone to becoming better and more well rounded, i'm sure thats exactly what happened to him, and i'm glad he's doing well.

I'm sorry to hear that dad still isn't getting much slack with his schedule, I can't imagine how tough it could be...keep it up dad!!

As for me and the work here, everythings going great...its amazing what can happen when you take the time to consider the feelings of another and then act on it. As I mentioned earlier, I was worried about my companion because things weren't exactly going well....but throughout the week we spent a considerable amount of time working things out...safe to say things are better than they were...and it makes me happy. Its one thing i've learned more about god...Sometimes he has a different plan for us, then we may have expected. And I'm thankful for that. I know its true.

Well i gotta get going...

Thanks for everything! Love Elder Farnsworth

January 14th 2013

Hey Mom and Dad,

This week was a good one. We were priveldged to have a mini missionary!!! His name was Bernard Pula, and he was from the ironwood ward in moreno valley. So yes, I already knew him. That made things a lot of fun. One of our first days together Brother Pula taught me a great lesson about charity, it was very inspiring. We were at jack in the box and he offered to pay for us...with his insistance we graciously accepted! it was great, we were having a good time enjoying our food, when we watched him go talk to a homeless man, he bought the stranger a burger and walked him to the bus...as I watched him go I got a clear glimpse of the saviors love...and it sunk deep within.

Lately its been difficult to stay positive, much of the weight seems to be layed on my shoulders due to my companions lack of enthusiasm to be on a mission. I'm not giving up on him, but having an extra man was very nice this week. Every appointment seemed to be filled with the spirit, I've been discovering more about the spirit and the role that it plays in teaching others...well I could see its influence take full effect on those we were teaching throughout this week. Every day was a miracle, and you could see it. We invited ralph rodriguez, one of our newer investigators to be baptized, we also invited fernando again...and both accepted. We found 2 new investigators this week. We were also able to help an excommunicated man, he hadn't said a prayer for the past 10 years, and the spirit was able to influence him and help him pray once again. All these things are a small outcome of the lords will and I'm glad that I was able to take a small part in conveying gods love to those who were in need. I know that all blessings of god are predicated upon active faith in his teachings, its something thats hard to describe with words, but I can feel it within my heart and i know its true.

I'm Glad to hear that things are continually going well at home, I'm sorry that your tooth is broken...but hey its the small and simple things that go the longest way, maybe now it'll be easier to drink with a straw...haha. at least until your tooth comes back!! Well anyway, I've gotta get going..Thanks again for everything and have an amazing week!!

Love, Elder Farnsworth

January 7th 2013

Dear mom and dad,

Thats great to hear that it snowed!!!! Those days were the best!!! To wait by the window anticipating snow to stick, as you see each snow flake get bigger and bigger...that was always exciting, haha. Now i do the same thing!! Except i wait by the window anticipating rain to fall...i see it in the distance as I watch the mountains...but it doesn't usually come...I guess thats okay though, because i never really liked rain in the first place. haha.

Its always fun to ponder over the simple things of life....It makes me think about the gospel...and how simple life can really be, as long as we give it a chance. Everyday i'm learning more and more about society, we have so much information, that we lose sight of the simple truths. It points directly to the gospel, and its role as our foundation for life...I can see how the lack of understanding can cause a dramatic downfall in the world. Because a world without god is a world destined to fail.

I understand why we need more missionaries, and its exciting to hear that they're stepping up to the plate, because every testimony counts, and the world is in desperate need of the truth, I know its true, and i'm glad to be a part of it. I'm grateful for the time you put into helping out in the ward, what you teach goes a long way. I know it did for me, the silent teaching always left a lasting impression. And dad, I'm glad that you do what you do, you're a prime example of diligience, you never give up and you always press forward, you've taught me so many things about being christlike, that I never even new. haha. But time is always honest, and my reflections have helped me see.

Thank you both for all that you do!!

- heres a quote:"..why do we fall bruce?...so we can learn to pick ourselves up.." I've seen that happen out here, its been hard for me. But I know its because God loves me, and i'm gonna finish strong!!!

I hope the both of you have a great week,

Love, Elder Farnsworth

December 31st 2013

Hey mom and Dad,

Thanks for the message! That sounds like loads of fun going out to eat all the time...yum!!

I'm glad I was able to speak with you guys too...it made my day. This weeks been a good one, with christmas and all...and now its practically new years!!! Holidays are great! Thanks for all that you do!!! Love Elder Farnsworth

December 17th 2012

Hey mom and dad,

Thanks for the letter!! It really is crazy to think how fast time has flown and how people are coming home from there missions. I'm glad to hear about the good things happening at home.

As for me, things couldn't be better. As I've been on my mission i've learned that life is all about perspective. I want you to know that I know the gospel is true. When it comes to the work, I sometimes feel overwhelmed, sometimes its hard for me to press forward. Having said that, I know that trials give us strength...and the atonement helps us find it...I know that the spirit is real and that it is constantly influencing me and others for the good. I feel happier when I'm following the savior and when I follow the savior things feel right. Jesus is pretty smart :)

But yeah, thats how i'm doing!! thanks for everything.

Love Elder Farnsworth

December 10th 2012

hey mom and dad,

I'm glad you had a good birthday!! Thats great that maureen was nice enough to take you out, that sounds like lots of fun. And I'm sorry to hear that about dad having to work, sometimes work just doesn't seem to fit with life very well.

Hopefully everythings going great with the both of you though, its exciting to see the approach of the christmas season...only good can come of it. We're probably gonna start caroling to different people, so i'm excited about that. Maybe missionaries will go caroling there as well, i'm sure that'd be a treat!!

But yeah, i'm doing well, no complaints! This week was actually much better than last, I feel happier all around. Its weird to think that I've only got 5 months left!!!! its Crazy!!!! I've gotta step it up...cuz times just flying by.

BUt yeah, sorry I don't have much else to say either....just know that, the works moving forward....I'm learning everyday, we're finding new people to teach, and I wish the best for everyone at home :)

Love, Elder Farnsworth

December 3rd 2012

hey mom and dad,

Thanks for the message, thats great that you were able to attend the temple and make it through the week...even if it wasn't all that eventful.

As for me, things are going well...Thanksgiving was nice, we had dinner with our stake president. President morris and his family. Then for chrisrtmas i'm sure we'll find somewhere to skype. Elder Austins a great guy, he's got a good heart. He struggles to find motivation at times, but we're working on it together and I'm sure we'll have a great time. The beginning of the week was a little hectic, considering the transfer changes.. Elder Figueroa had a nice gps and he took it with him to his next area. Luckily one of the other elders let us borrow his gps for the transfer, Using a map isn't all that fun...haha.

One thing thats kinda interesting about this place is the attraction it has for its golf courses, Throughout the week I was reminded by some members how often famous people come to play golf. And quite a few general authorities visit on a yearly basis...that was pretty awesome to learn about.

When it comes to the actual missionary work, we're kinda at a stand still at this point...we're basically back at square one! So most of our week will probably be dedicated to finding new people to teach. Our investigator fernando has been faced with a difficult choice to make, his parents our catholic and don't exactly approve of him getting baptized...so he needs to make a decision whether or not he will move forward...so we're in the process of helping him know what he wants.

But yeah, thats what happening right now...so in the near future I'm sure we'll be seeing a little more success.

But I gotta get going...Thanks for everything!! Until next time....Love, Elder Farnsworth