Sun, Sep 1, 2013 mom wrote a letter from Idaho Falls:
Good morning. It is morning to me anyway. It is Sunday and we are just waiting for 1:00 church so I thought I would write you a note. Sorry I don't have any paper and typing is easy today. Grandma called me Friday to tell me I had mail here in Idaho Falls. Oh man, I couldn't believe I had to wait to get there to read my mail. Did you send it earlier? Can't believe it made it Friday. I was so happy. I searched the whole house trying to find the mail at 1:00 am. I found it though. 
I was wondering why you challenged Tyler's family to read the Book of Helaman. I have taken up the challenge myself. I read at least three columns a day. So yesterday I was reading chapter 5:11. So "angels" are sent to declare the conditions of repentance. There you are again mentioned in the scriptures. Also read vs 18 I know you do have power and authority given to you. I know you are watched over and it gives me so much comfort. You are so hard on yourself. Is it because you are so close to the Spirit and trying to save people from their sins that you see your weaknesses. As far as being able to choose to be happy or be good. You do choose it. Everyday you get up and say, today will be a great day and I choose to be happy and do what is right. Just because things go wrong or unexpected things happen, doesn't necessarily mean it had anything to do with your choice to be happy or not. Unfortunately, we all have free agency. Maybe somebody else didn't choose to be happy and you cross paths with them. We are all human and are not expected to be perfect. As long as we are striving for perfection or just trying to be the best we can each day. That's all we can do. So be patient with yourself. You know what happens when we get to that perfection stage? Heavenly Father removes us from this world. I don't want that to happen to you. So a few weaknesses that need to be improved is a good thing. Right??? Heavenly Father wants us to know what our strengths are or what we are good at. It isn't prideful to recognize the good in ourselves unless we post it on facebook and brag about it everywhere!
I never did feel like you had anything but pure love for Sister Fink. I'm so glad she is such a good friend for you. How are things going with your new companion? It takes some time, but things in the mission field are sped up. Think how long it took you in Logan to make friends or even say hello for the first time. When you have to part from Sister Hansen, hopefully you will be sad too. Not that I want you to be sad, but it will mean you have another great friend from your mission. The blessings we are receiving from you being on a mission are that we are focusing more on the gospel and making sure we are reading our scriptures and saying prayers. Dad seems to have a little more time home and the business is still doing well. Rick is doing well the the job and has now started school. He was a little side tracked the week after the baby was born. Hopefully he can focus on all that he has on his plate. I feel closer to the Spirit, probably because I am relying on Him to help me get through every day and be the kind of mom you and your brother and sisters need. I am learning so much from you. The scriptures have more meaning. Our lives are just good. |We are happy and have a missionary spirit in our home. You are constantly on my mind. Wondering how you are and what you are doing. So many times the things you write home about are things that we are being taught in Sunday School or Relief Society. Just another witness that we are learning and thinking common thoughts. I love the story about the red house and Brother F. How are things going with Sergio? Hopefully his parents will see the good in the gospel and support his desire to be a better person. Brother O will continue to progress in the gospel. You gave him a great base and push to move forward. You were on of the angels placed on his path. 
Nic's family hasn't heard from him since he came back to the US. His pday must be on Monday, the day he came back and so he hasn't been able to contact them yet. No call from him at the airport or even since he got back saying all was well. It really makes me appreciate your mission president and the first pictures and note saying they received you and you made it safely there. There isn't any word on Braken either. I know they got a phone call at 5:20 am the day he left, but no new posts on his blog. Do you have both of their emails? I do understand you have lots of people to write and email, so every once in a while it you don't get to me, I will be fine. just don't make it a habit. lol. I love D&C 31:3-13 you shared from your studies of the preach my gospel chapter 6. It is so good. See it reminds you to be patient in affliction and be steadfast. 
Cooper is walking all over the place. He still falls and crawls, but is walking so much. I wish i could send you a little video clip of it. So cute and he has so much energy. Wish i could borrow some. Well, i better go get ready for church. My thoughts and prayers are with you daily. Thank you for serving your Heavenly Father and his children. You are such an example to us all. Love yourself! What's not to love. Hugs and Kisses. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox. Mommy

Emily wrote back:

I didn't send the mail earlier, maybe it just gets to Idaho faster than to Utah or something? We challenged Tyler's family to read the Book of Helaman because we wanted to get them in the habit of reading scriptures daily and the book of Helaman was small enough that they could do it before Sister Fink left. But Helaman is a great book!
I am hard on myself but I don't know why I just think I always have been. I just get annoyed that people say you can choose to be happy because I was trying to be happy and I wasn't. When I don't understand I get annoyed and I honestly don't think I can choose to be happy. I can try to be happy and have a good attitude but I am human and negative thoughts are still going to pop into my head. . . I don't know it is one of those things that I need to study more so I can understand better. I am far from perfection, so I don't think you need to worry about me being taken from this world anytime soon! I definitely need to work on recognizing my strengths because i forget to do that a lot.
Things with Sister Hansen are much better. Heavenly Father definitely has things  that we need to learn from each companion we receive. I have a lot to learn from her as well as I think that she can learn something from me (hopefully)  and we need to progress together to improve ourselves. I like her a TON more than I did last week which I am very pleased with!
We haven't met with Sergio since cause school started and he has football practice a ton and what not but hopefully he will keep his appointment with us this week:) 
I have Nic's e-mail but not Braken's. . . I can't believe they haven't been heard from! ahhh! I would have been a basketcase if I didn't get to tell you I was here! Thank you for your support and Love. I will work on loving myself more:) I Love you so much mommy and I really do LOVE being a missionary. It is doing good things for my life now and in the future!
Love, Em XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO