The End

Well, I guess this is it, huh? Pretty weird. This transfer went by WAY too fast. And with all the changes that will be happening from transfers, I wish I was staying one more so I could be part of the awesomeness. haha. So this week was Sophan's confirmation. I got to do it. It was awesome. I had all these things in my head of what I could say to her in the blessing (even though we aren't supposed to do that) but then when I gave the blessing, I didn't say anything from what I had thought of before. It was a pretty cool experience. It was really spiritual too. She is so solid. We have been over twice this week, once to meet with the Relief Society President to talk about visiting teaching, and then once just so I could say bye. She feeds us every time we go over, and it is always greatly delicious. This last time was no exception, except it was probably the weirdest thing I've eaten on my mission. She brought out a big bowl of rice, like always, along with some weirdish looking soup stuff with small noodles and green onions in it. It smelled awesome, so I was excited. Then she went back into the kitchen and brought out a plate of "meat" with various hot sauces and powders to go with it. Well, the meat turned out to be cow stomach and pig intestine. I've had stomach before, and it wasn't amazing because it was cold. This time it was cooked and warm, and it was actually really good, apart from it being really chewy. Pig intestine was new for me. haha. It was really good too. It had an interesting flavor, but it had a hint of ham/bacon, and it just kinda melted in my mouth. It was good. Then in the soup/noodle stuff, there were little chunks of something, so I asked what they were. She said it was pig skin. So I ate the same thing a football is made out of. hahahaha. It was all really yummy though. I liked it. It was weird, but after I got over the fact that I was putting that stuff into my own stomach, it was easier to eat. haha. Kurtis requested in his letter that I make something for dinner when I get home. Well, I think I'll have to go with that one. :)

Speaking of food, I made it to the Haven Bros. Diner on monday night. I accomplished all 3 of the places Dad told me to try out, and they were all amazing. I got the triple murder burger, with an egg on top, as seen on Man v Food. It was well worth the $10. Mostly because the Elder I was on exchanges with bought it for me, but I would pay ten bucks to eat it again. haha.

Also very good news is that the other lady, Cynthia, that we are teaching that has a baptismal date is still the most solid investigator I've ever had. Her and her husband (a returning LA member) read the BoM every morning, and when we go over to teach them, we start out by letting them ask us questions or share what they learned from their study. Yesterday when we taught them, they taught us. haha. It was awesome. She is super excited to get baptized. She will be baptized the same day I give my talk. I'm gonna miss them. But it's not time for the mushy part of my email yet, so I'll hold off on all that stuff. haha

Oh yeah, it snowed again. about 5 inches this time, so I'll officially say it snowed now. haha. But, it's been up in the high 50's low 60's yesterday and today, so it's all gone now. I don't understand the weather this year. hahaha. It's great though, I'm not complaining.

As I mentioned earlier, there were a lot of exciting things happening because of the transfers. The biggest, most exciting part of it all is that the other Elders that are in our ward are both being transferred, so our area is taking over all of the work that they were doing. I don't really know why they are doing it that way, but it's cool for this area. They're going to be ridiculously busy now, which is cool. They are inheriting 1 investigator that will be baptized the same day as Cynthia, and they have a bunch of other people that they'll be working with. That's why I want to stay for one more transfer, because there are 3 really solid people that will be baptized next transfer. It's going to be awesome. I'm jealous. haha.

My birthday was cool too. On my birthday, we ate at one of the members from the Single's Branch. She's really cool. It was us, her, and 2 other people from the Branch. Then the next day, we had a big party for me and another Elder at one of the family ward members' houses, along with 3 other families from the ward, and Desmond & Cynthia, who we're teaching. It was really fun to be with all of them. The family that hosted the "party" is the Edwards, who have gone up about a million points in my "cool people list". They feed us frequently, they were some of the very few that attended Sophan's baptism, they are fellowshipping Desmond and Cynthia, she made an awesome homemade carrot cake for me, and she is flying to utah today, and took a box full of stuff for me, so she'll either be in contact with you, or I'll have to meet up with her when I get there so I can get it from her. So anyway, yeah the Edwards are sweet. And yes, I got all your letters. I liked Kurtis' where it said "Our family is cheap, we make our own cards" haha. It made me laugh. Thanks for those.

Well, I can't think of anything else from this week to mention, so I guess its that time. I can't believe my mission is over. Today's Pday, so I'm going to say bye to all the cool people, then tomorrow we have our transfer meeting, after which I will get to go to the temple with President and Sister Evans, and all the other departing missionaries. After that, we go to the mission home to eat dinner and have our departing interview with President. Then Friday morning I fly out and get home around 4. I know I sound like all the other RM's that say that it flew by, but it really did. I look back on when I first went in the MTC, and it feels not too long ago. I've had so many wonderful experiences, I can't even count them all. I've been more frustrated and more happy then I've ever been in my life as I've served the Lord. I have made some amazing friends out here that I hope will continue forever. I'll probably cry tonight when I have to say goodbye to Don. I have grown more than I ever thought I would in my knowledge of the gospel, my testimony, and ultimately who I am. I don't want to be the same person I was before my mission, and I hope that is evident when I get back. I've seen the gospel change peoples' lives, and I know that it has changed mine too. I know that Jesus Christ is everything. Without Him, there is no hope, no light, no life, nothing. His atonement helps us be relieved and forgiven, and I can't think of a better gift to have in this life. I love Him. I'm going to miss my mission a lot. I will look back on it and learn from all of the examples I've had, both good and bad. I love seeing people accept and apply the gospel into their lives. It is real. The Book of Mormon is true. I love that book. Joseph Smith is a real prophet, who was chosen by God to restore the true Church of Jesus Christ. Following the prophet brings us happiness and peace. I love the gospel. I love all of you who have supported me over the last two years, and hopefully I'll be able to thank you enough. Thanks. Seeya on Friday.

Love,
Elder Hammer