We used to dream! Now we worry about dying

Então, gente. How are you all doing?

I guess I should let you guys know that I find it difficult to think of things to say each week. Maybe I should just send you guys my key indicators and we'll call it a day.

This week was pretty good, I guess. We have been teaching the message of the Restoration to a lot of good, new people, but it seems like no one really wants to progress. Many of the people we taught were more curious about the Church than interested in joining it. A lot of them agreed to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it, but as soon as we brought up making a visit to the Church, they all started giving excuses about why they couldn't or wouldn't go. I don't think I'll ever understand why it is so unbelievably difficult to get people to go to church.

In the end, it all worked out, though. I suppose this was a seed-planting week, because we have taught quite a few people who we're definitely not going to teach anymore because they aren't progressing. Although it's always hard to stop visiting people, it's necessary sometimes. Hopefully they will all have another chance to accept the Gospel in the future.

For the second time on my mission, my retainer broke. Can I maybe have a new one, Mom and Dad?

I think I mentioned it last week, but I'm the ward pianist again. I haven't done this since my first area, but it's been good for me to see how much I've changed since then. I remember freaking out about accompanying the congregation in Mococa, but now it isn't as big a deal. I still get a little nervous before we sing, but I'm putting myself out there and trying to get over my crippling stage fright or whatever it is. Lack of confidence, I guess.

I can hardly think of anything to tell you guys. We are working a lot and teaching people. I do my best to teach by the Spirit, which is very real. I love studying the scriptures every day, especially now that I have a nice new quad. I don't know if we'll baptize anyone soon, but I'll try my best. My companion is a really nice, upbeat person, and he's fun to be around. I talk a lot more because he's still in the early stages of his mission, but that's all right. I'm all just like tanta faz about it, sabe? Então tá bom.

Eu amo vocês com todo o meu coração! Tenho muitas saudades de vocês, mas não estou deixando-as me atrapalhar, viu! Eu nem acredito que já faz mas que um ano que estou aqui, gente. Só quer dizer que daqui um pouco a gente vai se ver novamente! A gente vai conversar logo (Natal está chegando)! Amo vocês! A Igreja é verdadeira! O Livro de Mórmon é a palavra de Deus! Estou feliz, então não fiquem preocupados comigo, tá?

Abraço,

Elder Wings

ps seriously what am i going to do about my retainer