Travis's letter dated 12/22/2012

 

I finally have pictures to send.  So, the picture I sent here include myself and all of my companions that I've had since arriving here in Washington.

So, the picture of the four dorky missionaries includes Elder Kimber (transfer 1, trainer), myself, Elder Woody (transfer 3, present companion), and Elder Annand (transfer 2, trainer). We're outside of the mission office during transfers, which occurred this past Tuesday, Dec 18. That's when I changed areas and am now serving in the Everett Spanish area! Things have been great here! It snowed a bit this week, which was the first time I've seen it here actually.

I am really enjoying the new area and the new district! The Elders are super great and I look forward to teaching and learning from them for the next transfer. We had our first district meeting this Wednesday and it was super great. We learned about living up to our potential and privileges as missionaries and magnifying our callings from a talk by Elder Bednar from last year's General Conference. I like our new living space. It's a duplex and we live next to members which is cool.

I'm driving now and being extra careful of those snowy days. They don't have us drive when it's real bad, but still, even a few inches of snow is something to watch out for of course. We drive a nice Ford Fusion; every time I get in it, the start up noises it makes reminds me of dad's truck which is pretty funny; it makes me think of home quite a bit!

 I want to bear my testimony of the Restored Gospel and the convincing proof of that which we can hold in our hands; The Book of Mormon. I know it's true and that Jesus Christ, though perfect and guiltless, chose to suffer unspeakable pain in order to know, perfectly, and just exactly how you feel. I know that the application of atoning blood is the only way to attain liberty from the burdens of sin and guilt and everything that continues to be unfair in life. I give that testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.