Two Weeks of Email

Here are Nathan's emails from last week and this week.

Last Week:

HI Mom,

How did you get out of that black hole? I'm shocked! I thought only I could leave that place alive once one entered into it.

Yeah, sorry about the mess. I do try to be clean, but it's hard...I'm doing a much better job on my mission however. The house is clean...and we're making sure of that later today. You're welcome for the money by the way. I didn't even know about that Wal-Mart visa...I could've bought a game with that!!!!!!!!!

You're welcome for the pictures! I knew you would love the color of the Ocean. And yes, that goat was special. Yeah...about the address...I'll get it to you next week. I have enough deoderant to last me, so I'll get that to you really quickly.

Good on Daniel! Hey can you send me his email address? I would really like to stay in contact with him on the mission, now that we can email friends. It might help him to know what it's like. I know it did for me having Braden and even Payson helping me out.

Oh hey guess what? I don't have allergies!!!!! I have never been so clear in my life! I can breathe normally! Even more awesome: I'M LOSING WEIGHT!!!!!

Hey Dad!

Yeah, I got the eyejot messages. My trainer doesn't know, so I'll have to ask President or the AP's next time I see them...or something. It is cool, but I don't know if we can do that (Eyejot is a free program on line that allows you to create a video email and then send it in an email for someone like a missionary to see. Problem, if the missionary is homesick it might not be a good idea but I can see it as a way to communicate in the future once guidelines are established).

Thanks for the Epistle. It helps.

Yeah, the weather sucks. It's getting warmer and more humid. I'm sweating a ton of weight off. I'm down 20 pounds, from walking and working out in the mornings. Man, I'll be thin when I get home.

Finally the Seahawks are back!! Get ready Dad, the Niners days are numbered, as well as the rest of the NFL, specifically the NFC!

Thanks dad for everything! You rock! Hope everything goes according to plan.

Love ya!

Nathan


This Week (Get Ready for the Tears and not from my email. The email from Nathan to his mother made me think of the Stripling Warriors, where they say "We do not doubt our mothers knew it." and "Now this was the faith of these of whom I have spoken; they were young and their minds were firm, and they do put their trust in God continually."  This is what I see from Nathan and the other missionaries that are going out. They are like the army of Helaman, they have been taught in their youth and they are the Lord's missionaries!)

I have had a really good spiritual experience, but I want to tell both you and mom, so wait for a bit for that.

Well, since Father's Day is Sunday here come my Father's day letter to you.

Dad, you are amazing!!! This week, while reorganizing my desk, I went through the "Dear Elders" I got from you at the MTC. I always tend to forget what a spiritual giant you are, and then I read something from you that just brings that to my rememberance. I don't think I'll meet anyone like you again in my life. You're knowledge has helped me by making me want to increase my own knowledge of the Gospel to rival, and eventually surpass, yours.

I gotta thank you for your example. Don't beat yourself up on the things you should've done, you can't change that. But you did let me figure out what I needed to to get through my life, and your example of a righteous priesthood holder means more to me than you know. I can't be like you, but I can emulate certain things I like about you. That is one.

Thank you for the advice you continue to give me, it helps a lot. You don't know how often I turn to your teachings to me, and how often I read the story of your conversion. I don't think I would be where I am without you making those choices, and then helping me understand them.

I love you Dad.

Nathan.

To his Mom;

Hey, I got a really good spiritual experience to share with you, but it'll come with a combined email for Dad as well. Patience, I'll get to it soon.

Glad to know you're doing better.

Mom, this is going to make you worry, but it does end happily.

I've really missed you these last few days. I woke up on Monday, went through the motions, and then I realized, around dinner time, "I miss Mom". I don't know why that thought came to my mind, but it just did. I can't really describe it...I just missed you. I still did the work, but I just had that feeling the entire time. I couldn't shake it.

So, I thought about it before I went to bed, and I think I realized why I miss you so much. I don't have you to rely on, or teach me anymore. I have to start doing things on my own. My own laundry, my own shopping, cooking, etc. and I don't know what to do half the time. Mom, you've taught me a lot, but you never taught me how to deal with missing you, and that kills.

But, after I thought about it, I prayed for you, and I definitely felt better. I know that I'm doing what I should be, and that you helped me to get ready for this work. You taught me more than you know, not only in teaching, but by your example. The only reason I am so helpful, patient, and all those other good things that people see in me, is because I have you as my example of those things.

Mom, you are awesome. Don't let anyone tell you differently, and don't let thoughts opposite to that truth get you down. You've been a huge example to me, and I love you for that. Keep strong, and I'll see you in two years. I got a big hug with your name on it.

NaNa