Letter from 12-14-11

Dear Mother,

  Thanks so much for the e-mail.  It's almost time for another transfer to end, and we've been spending a lot of time with some of the Elders who are going home.  I was talking with one of them and we realized that that's what makes Elders trunky, when they realize that no one else in the mission remembers who older missionaries are.  I've made a ton of friends with them and I'm going to miss serving the Lord with them.  But, they've got another work calling them, so it's time to move on.

  Elder Dennison and I have been doing great.  We hope that we stay here for Christmas Day, but we're really learning that in the service of the Lord you go where and you go when HE wants.  I kind of think of Jonah for a little bit.  He didn't go to Ninevah when the Lord wanted him to go, so he had to learn that the Lord has things on His timetable and we need to learn to stick to it.  All I know though is that I'm going to miss dearly the members in the San Diego 1st ward.  They are awesome members and I've made friends with all of them.  In fact, we're going to the Temple today with a couple named Steadman.  Bro Steadman is our Ward Clerk and Sister Steadman is the ward Primary President, and they are just AMAZING!  I love them!  But, once again, I've got to listen when the Lord calls my name and be willing to respond promptly.

  I SO GUESSED THAT PRESIDENT CANNON WOULD BE CALLED TO THE STAKE PRESIDENCY!  The minute ya'll said you were moving and that Dad was going to be released I knew he was going to be it.  I love the Cannon's and President Cannon will be a wonderful second counselor to President Riding.  Thanks for letting me know that everything will be good with my records and everything.  I can't lie and say that I wasn't thinking about it at all, because I was, but thanks for assuaging my worry.  As far as calling goes for Christmas we have Sacrament meeting at 11 and I believe it's only going to be about an hour long, so I'll probably be calling about 1 my time or so.  I'll make a set up call first to make sure everything is ready, I won't be able to Skype this time though.  The Brethren have come out and said that Skype is to be used only for International missionaries, I say that I qualify, but I think that'd only be if Texas seceded from the nation.  So, I'll only be calling, you'll have to rely on pictures to "see" how I'm doing.

  I love everyone very much, and I hope that everyone really keeps the "Spirit of Christ" this Christmas season, because that's what it's all about.  The presents and traditions are nice, but it's really all about the gift our Father gave to us of his beloved Son.  I hope we keep him in our hearts always, not just at this time of year.

 

Love,

 

Elder Sean Wise