Yeah, like 50 of 'em! They kept trying to attack my cousins, what the heck would you do in a situation like that?!!

First and foremost, I would like to give a shout-out to my humble brother, Joseph, for continuing the theme with the last email he sent me.

Phew, that was hard to get out.

Now that we've got the formalities out of the way, the fun can begin.

So, I hear that I am the perpetrator of a serious crime, namely that of getting my father called as a counselor in the bishopric. Well for a formal apology to be proposed, I must use his own words: I am deeply apologetic that I "make you look as if you possess a shred of compitence." (I don't know if that was exactly what you sent me, but I think it's close enough). I suppose, though, that you'll have a fun time with the calling. Perhaps, by the time I return, you will be the ward's Bishop! Boy would that be something. I actually think, though, that if this calling is connected to me in any way, it is simply more punishment for you attending the PAC-12 championship game without me. That's just my opinion, however.

So, you'll be pleased to here that we were, indeed, allowed to attend the temple this morning. We did a session, and, while (for obvious reasons) I won't be including any details, but I would definatley reccomend that you go to one. And, not to be outdone, the temple cafeteria produced another smashing performace. I'm telling you, those cinnamon roles are true works of art.

What else...

Ah, yes. My district (or those of us who don't have to wait for visas) will probably be getting our travel plans this week. I'm not positive, but I might be able to email them to you when I get 'em, so be on the lookout. 

And now, I must relate, the tragedy that has befallen us this day. Let be back up. Our first week here, we became aquainted with an elder. This elder, a tall, dark haired young man, had no seemingly abnormal qualities when we first met. To be brutally honest, he seemed a little generic. As the old saying goes however, looks can be decieving. Upon conversing with this elder for a short space of time, we learned that he would be serving his mission in Denmark. "Big deal" you might think, much as that fool that I once was thought. Then, we asked him who his companion was... And we were sent on the ride of our lives. As far as my memory goes, the conversation went something like this:

Us: "So, is your companion going to Denmark too?"

Him: "No, I'm a solo missionary."

Us: (somewhat confused) "What?"

Him: "I'm the only Danish-speaking elder."

Us: "Ok... but who's your companion?"

Him: (Visibly becoming annoyed) "I don't have a companion. I'm a solo missionary."

Us: (Very befuddled, to say the least) "So... what does that mean exactly?"

Him: (sits up streighter in his chair) "I don't have a companion. I'm the only missionary in my classes. I stick with the Finnish speaking missionaries outside of class, but they're still not my companions. I am the only one learning Danish, so I don't have a companion."

At this point, we were all done with our food, and the conversation was getting slightly awkward anyway, so we all packed it up and left for class. And we thought that would be the end of it. Just one bizzare interaction with this elder, and that's it. Boy were we wrong. He started popping up everywhere. In the cafeteria, at devotionals, around the campus... Seemingly everywhere we looked, he was there. This was, at first, an odd and amusing thing, to see this missionary pop up everywhere around campus. Occasionaly, we would talk with him. The strange thing was, as time passed on, we saw this elder slowly transforming into our friend. We saw him at a workshop, once, and him (Being a solo missionary) was able to occupy the one vacant spot at our table. And guess what... He told the workshop leader that we were his district. We had a nice conversation with him that day. Our friendship continued progressing until last night, when he told some other missionaries that we (referring to the elders in our district) were his companions. We even got a picture with him by the big map (With all of us pointing at Denmark, of course). And this is where the tragedy occured. He is gone. He left the MTC this morning. He's off for the field. He was our favorite person, and he left.

And that's the story. I'm not putting any deeper meaning into it, but you can feel free to turn it into an allegory if you'd like.

While I'm sure you feel like your eyes have watered your pillow enough for one day after reading that, I've still got more to say, so deal with it.

The package you sent (With the shoe horn and puzzles) arived safley, and is much appriciated. Needless to say, while free time has hardly been in abundant supply (I would go so far as to say non-existant) it is certainly soothing to clear my mind with a few quick algorithms before bed.

I was dissapointed that I wasn't able to catch a glimpse of my humble brother, Jacob, when he visited the MTC this week. I did see several groups of youth walking around, but I was in class when he came 'round. As my companion's grandma put it, I was in one a' them "high-rises." 

Well, I suppose I will now say no more. (exept for what I'm going to say right now, of course). I am simply going to close by saying that I am surprised that the eagles won.

Bye-bye!