March 6, 2011

안녕하세요!
How is everybody? I hope Austin's play went super-well. It sounds like you had a fun time, bro! Make sure you write it all in your journal, so you won't forget the good times you had. I hope Grandma and Grandpa had a good time staying over, too. Hopefully as we continue to give them support and love, they'll be able to weather this storm and maybe accept the gospel, too. I don't really know how to help them do that, but I pray that I'll find out when the time comes.
This week was really good too. I'm progressing well in our mission's pass-off program, where we learn the lessons in Korean and other things and pass them off to our leaders. If all goes well tomorrow, I'll pass off the last part to the Assistants to the President on your Monday night, so if you could pray for me to do that it'd be great!
Thanks for the calendar you sent me for christmas, I have it up on my wall by my desk! I've been writing in the important days on it, which might end up being cool, but might be dumb, too. We'll see. In any case, it's a really great calendar, because it's missionary-size and has awesome pictures. :D
From seeing our leaders here in the field, in the mission and the ward, I've gained so much more respect for our church leaders everywhere. Being a leader is more than going to meetings and conducting things; you've really got a stewardship, and it's your responsibility to fulfill that calling. Holding a ward or a mission together is so much harder than i thought it was! So, I'm really thankful for the Stake Presidency, our Bishopric, everyone else in the stake, and especially you, Mom and Dad. your callings require so much energy and time, and more work than I ever imagined. So thank you for magnifying your callings, and doing your best with them. I know it's not easy, but the Lord will always reward our hard work and faith!
Thanks for depositing my tax return! 100 bucks isn't bad. If we have to pay tithing on that, do you think you could do it for me?
From being out here, I've really learned a lot about what I can improve in myself. Especially my self-centeredness. I didn't realize before how bad it was sometimes, especially between me and the three of you. I'm sorry I was such a self-centered kid! Thinking back, it really showed through with Austin when we were little kids, and even up till i left. I'm working on it here, but I'm sorry it took me so long to figure it out.
I might have to change companions at the transfer. All our leaders are leaving the field soon--actually, after this month, there will be only seven missionaries in the whole mission of 120-ish elders and sisters that have been here for over a year. Kinda scary to think about! Since my companion is one of the seven, we think he'll be promoted to Zone Leader at the transfer, which means we'd be split. I wish it hadn't taken so long for us to like each other--right when we get used to the work together, we'll be split. He's not that excited about it, either--he says it's too much work. :D but the Lord will help him out.
So, I hear that they're coming out with a new version of Preach My Gospel! It's pretty crazy! I remember that Dad told me they're changing the program, but this is a really big change. I'm excited to get it, even if it takes a while to get here.
This Fast Sunday I bore my testimony in church for like one minute, because I felt the Spirit so strongly. It wasn't a great or eloquent testimony at all, but I followed the Spirit and said what I needed to say. These past couple weeks I've grown closer to the Spirit and also Christ and Heavenly Father; I'm nowhere near close enough, but I'm working. I wish I could follow the Spirit enough to convert everyone and say exactly what they need to hear, but that takes a lot of work and time. I'll just keep on keepin' on, and always pray for the Spirit in my life.
Remember those letters you wrote to me in my Senior year English class? About advice you'd give me for college? yeah, I totally still have those. They are awesome, by the way. :D I'm excited to get the envelope with the recipes and the package with the letters; hopefully the envelope at least will be here soon.
When we go to restaurants, my companion picks most of the time. He knows what the good deals are, and what we're ordering. I still have no idea, really. :D We haven't done any sightseeing, though, mostly because there's not much to see in the big city. But I still have 1 2/3 years to do that!
Mom, congrats on how much weight you've lost and your blood tests! It's so great that you've been able to make good changes in your life. I knew you could do it. :D  About your recent depression and negative thoughts, I  know that the Lord loves you, like He always has, and He wants you to succeed. He knows your faults, so He can help you with them. Just turn to Him like you always have, and keep turning to Him, and He will help you through your afflictions. Alma 7, 2 Nephi 7,8, and 9 are really good chapters with a lot of comfort in them. I hope some of what I said helps; I'll keep praying for you. Just know that you are an amazing Mom, and that you are one of the biggest reasons I'm out here and doing well. You will always be my Mom, and I love you so much. You're in my prayers; don't ever give up!
Austin and Dad, I hope you're doing good! I hope also that you all are having family scripture study too, even if it's only for five minutes. Sorry if I'm annoying you, but I know that the blessings from it are amazing. I love you all, and I'm working my hardest out here so you can recieve blessings. I'll talk to you next week!
Love, Elder Matt Dean