Zone Conference was great

Caro Família,
Well... the cold weather died. After Wednesday, things pretty much turned back to the normal hot. So, I guess I know how you guys are feeling there in Mesa and Cleveland. Que shique! Although, things have gotten a lot better since I stopped using sunscreen. Elder Syndergaard (my comp from the MTC) said that he stopped using it about a month ago, and I stopped about 2 weeks ago. So far, nothing has happened. I haven´t gotten sunburned or anything. The difference is, now my shirts won´t turn yellow from the gross sunblock stain! Oh, and some other fun news: As you have probably noticed, I´ve got a farmer´s tan about equal to the one that I always had during cross country. BUT, now my hair is starting to turner light brown/blondish in front. It´s really weird to see when I look in the mirror.

Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to JENNERS! 22 and still kickin! Buy yourself something nice for me. And I got the package and... 10 letters!!! Everyone in my district was mad at me because I got quite the haul, but I was really happy. Thank you family and friends!
Hmmm, some news about Elder Santana. He´s got a pretty crazy story. So, his sister got baptized when he was 12, and then he followed her example not too much later. Anyways, he went to Church and everything until he was 17. Then, he had this non-member girlfriend (who was 12 at the time) and they did some things that we will not discuss here. Anyways, he had like a period when he was drinking every night, partying, and doin crack-cocaine. But, he was sitting at work one day, when he had this really strong impression to return to the Church on the mission. And he followed it! So, he went and talked to the bishop and got everything taken care of (this is about 1 year ago), and left for the mission field this February. I´ve actually been on the mission 8 days more than him, but he´s had one more transfer in the field than me because he knows Portuguese. Anyways, he´s about 5´5" I think, turned 21 last May, and he knows Ju-Jitsu. I´m trying to get him to teach me some. He kind of left his house with everything that he had, and just acted on faith. He´s cool though. He´s a bit more relaxed about the rules, so I´m trying to be a good example. I realized the other day how much of a change that it is for him to be here on the mission, and how I need to understand his point of view. The most important thing is that we are working and getting people ready to baptize!

Opa! So, we had our Zone Conference last week, but I left my notes in the apartment. Here were some of the highlights: Elder Itinose talked about how the Lord has a purpose for everything. Also, how the Book of Mormon was being prepared for many years before Nephi was even born. He talked about how it was written in Reformed Egyptian and about how the Egyptian language came about in the first place (many, many years before Nephi). I didn´t exactly understand all of it (he used lots of big words), but the important thing is that we have this sacred book today, and that we CAN´T take it for granted. He gave us lots of tips about little things we can do in order to teach more effectively and help solve investigator´s problems. I think my favorite part of it though, was when he talked about how these 2 years are the Lord´s 2 years. Not ours. And how we need to use them to the fullest. Sister Itinose talked about each of the Apostles and First Presidencies´ talks from the last Conference and how we need to incorporate their teachings in our lives. So, I´m working on reading all of them again. It was really cool though! I´m pretty sure that every missionary left the meeting humbled because he is a pretty intense guy. I got a picture with him and his wife, but this silly LAN house doesn´t like letting me send pictures.

Well, all is well in Zion! Have a wonderful week and remember to read your scriptures and pray morning and night! The Lord is preparing people for you to find and hand over to the missionaries, so don´t be afraid to open you mouth!

Com amor,
Elder Carpenter