I had my mission reunion last week. It was a good experience although I was sad that I didn’t get to see some of the sisters like Jerelyn, Krisha, or Shelly. What were you gals up to? I did get to see Sister Clawson who I got to know in the MTC, and Sisters Turner and Andrus although we didn’t take a picture together. Hopefully I will get a copy of the group shot from someone.
President Wondra and his wife spoke to us. They both had very interesting things to say. Sister Wondra mostly talked about the love of Christ and how if we read the Book of Mormon we need to gain a sense of the love of Christ through this book. She said that she is now teaching a Book of Mormon institute class, I assume in Vienna.
President Wondra talked a bit about how the saints in the areas that we labored need to realize that they need to stay in their native countries to build up the church there. He said that too many of the converts are leaving to come to the states and they are not returning. He said that he was once tempted to move to Salt Lake. He said that he was getting a tour of Salt Lake from the missionary who baptized him. He was showing him where a few of the apostles lived. There was a house for sale next to an apostle’s home. He said that he thought about how he could sell his two homes in Vienna and buy this house. He imagined that he would go out to get the paper in the driveway and see this apostle and then tell him that his wife had just finished making breakfast and that he would love to have him over. Then he realized that the church needed him where he was at.
He also spoke about the love of Christ. He said that as members of this church we need to feel this love, and we need to extend this to others.
There was a woman there from Bosnia and she asked if there were any plans for the gospel to be preached in Bosnia. President Wondra said that they had plans to open up Bosnia for teaching the gospel. When they were working to move the work forward, there were air strikes and the plans had to be postponed. He said that this isn't war against the Bosnian people it is war against the Priesthood of God. Last time we meet he talked about the challenges in Serbia. He said that right after the full translation of the Book of Mormon was complete, and the first shipment was delivered, there were air strikes and everyone had to be pulled out of Serbia. There is a strong force working to keep the gospel from these people.
I saw Elder Murdock who I haven’t seen in ages and he was up to his old antics. This is him with his wife when he was supposed to be taking a picture of me and Clawson.
Attention runners and supporters of runners! My dear friend Brooke is planning a half marathon that will go from the Draper Temple to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. It is surprisingly about 13 miles. September 26th is the date for this event. We need some friends along the way to cheer us on, shuttle people back and forth and help with water. If you are interested in more information let me know and I will hook you up.
It is official. I have closed on my place at long last. I signed the documents last night after work. It feels really good to have that done because the closing date had been pushed back over and over again. I now feel like I can really get settled in and start pounding nails in the walls and get some furniture. There is a house warming party in the works, which may be in as little as one week depending on how the settling in goes. I BIG thanks to all of you who have helped me in this process!
A BIG Thanks to my dear friends Brooke and Whit who came to cheer me on, took some photos and brought me a treat at the finish line. Also to my brother Moe, DJ and Julian who came out to show support. 
President Wondra and his wife spoke to us. They both had very interesting things to say. Sister Wondra mostly talked about the love of Christ and how if we read the Book of Mormon we need to gain a sense of the love of Christ through this book. She said that she is now teaching a Book of Mormon institute class, I assume in Vienna. 
