La Sa Ca Da, Familia,

How art thou? It’s officially 3 weeks since I’ve been a missionary. It’s been the Longest and the Fastest 3 weeks of my life. I feel as if I’m in a time warp. It’s crazy…

Tonikaku, Everything is going great. Only 2 weeks til I am in Nihon! I feel so grateful and blessed each day that I’ve cut my time here in half. I really couldn’t have wished for any better guidance or miracles than that. It has helped me keep motivated. Nihongo is coming along well and I’m learning more and more. 11 hours of class is rough! But It’s needed.

I made a goal with 1 of my comps, that we’d only speak nihongo from here on out. Needless to say, there is a lot of silence and hand actions sometimes. Haha. But it’s great benkyo. Itsumo SYL. I’ve been doing well, but still not sleeping well at all. That Tempur Pedic bed has really ruined me. These MTC mattresses aren’t comfortable at all, plus I have to share a room with 2 other chaps. And we all know how well I sleep with that. Thank goodness they don’t snore. (Yet another tender mercy)

I really enjoy gym time here 5 days a week. I usually go out to the field and we throw a frisbree around and I run around. It really helps relieve alot of the stress from being so confined in this area. I am eating alot and rather well, (not like your cooking though mom).

PLEASE!!!!! Don’t send me anymore candy, I’m eating waaaay too much of it. haha. I think I’ve gained 7 pounds so far, so it’s time to cut back on the sugar a bit.

Elder Bennett and Elder Provost (my 2 friends I’ve made here) are golden. They are always there to help me out when I’m in need, sharing a scripture to lighten me up, testify to me. It’s so great. I know that NOW is the time for me to serve, not when I was 19. I have so much to learn about life, and this is a stellar experience for me to go through in order to learn it. I have also realized the power of influence that I can have on people. I testified to a bunch of the young kids (a.k.a. everyone besides me) 2 nights ago about what missionary work means to me. How everyone needs to sacrifice something for missionary work, regardless of what it is, we all sacrifice and no one’s sacrifice means more than another elders’. The fact that we came out here to serve for 2 years is what matters. It was a great experience for me to hear the words come out of my mouth without 2nd thought. it was like I actually believed what I was saying, it was really cool to have that moment of realization. I’ve gotten letters from a few friends and it’s been lovely to hear how they are. It brightens up my day to receive mail. All the other elder’s in the district are jealous that I get so many packages, I tell them that I’m just a better person and that’s why I receive them. (Only a joke….. sometimes)

My district is good, it’s nice to be surrounded with motivated people, there are a few missionaries that aren’t motivated in my district (9 people) and it frustrates me at times, because we only have 2 weeks left, I would want to cram in my little brain as much nihongo as I possibly could. But I’m also really opinionated. So I’m getting through this process and learning about how I can be more charitable.

I love you all so much! 2 weeks til I hit the homeland and I’m stoked! Keep me in your prayers. Stay faithful & Lead by example. Until next week,

– Elder Purcell