Stripling Warrior

Jake to Dad 8/20
More exciting news, as it stands now, we have Hannah and Catherine scheduled for
the same date, Sept 8th, and the other missionaries in the area may have
someone who can be scheduled for that date as well!
Thats good that your classes havent been keeping you too busy, have you had
much time to practice with the drumset?
John playing the cello? Way cool! Tell him to listen to some Steven Sharp
Nelson, especially "Praise to the Man" I heard it from some other
missionaries that were giving us a ride and it was waaaay cool cello stuff.
Something to aspire to!
I realized after I finished emailing last week that I didnt say Happy
Birthday to John, I cant believe hes already 11! Hell be a deacon when I get
home! He must be pretty tall now as well.
I really enjoy my scripture study! Ive been trying to read through the
entire Standard Works since I got out here and im in Section 104 of Doctrine
and Covenants and Im almost halfway through Judges at the moment. It can be
difficult at times to see the lesson in some of the Old Testament stories. A
lot of weird stuff goes on and the Israelites can be pretty frustrating at
times. They seem to forget so quickly all that the Lord has done for them! I
suppose its not much different than the Nephites in the Book of Mormon but
the way its portrayed is a bit ridiculous. Youd think there were no
righteous poeple in between their prophets and Judges! I did read a
particularly entertaining account this week in Judges Chapter 3. Its all
about a guy who assassinates this really fat guy. Hes so big in fact that
the knife gets stuck under his rolls of fat and the guy just has to leave
the knife and run. Truly inspiring! Meanwhile my Doctrine and Covenants
studies are quite interesting!
I have been studying faith as well, reading various materials and perusing
the topical guide. I borrowed a copy of Lectures on Faith from another
missionary the other day, and Im learning some interesting things! Namely
that faith is the fundamental power by which all action is motivated.
Everything we do has some form of faith at its root. I thought that was
really interesting! We already rely on faith in so many ways, it ought to be
easy to rely on it in a few more.
I dont know that I have much to tell about this week. We teach those poeple that we are lucky
enough to have (and the lessons are good to be sure!), we have some laughs
along the way, but at the end of many days, i find myself wondering "What
have we actually accomplished?"
...At least the weather has been good!
Thank you for all your support (emotional financial spiritual etc.) I do
appreciate it!
I love you!

Jake to LoraLynn 8/29:
It was alright! Not the best! Yes! We set Catherine for the 29th! But
if she doesnt get her new visa approved she will have to go back to
China for a little while and we wont be able to baptize her until she
gets back!! So pray for her!!
The ward is good! Weve done a few activities with the Young Men, and I
got to teach the 14-16 year old class about Missionary Work that one
time and there are a lot of great families were getting to know pretty
well. There are also a lot of Americans in the ward!
Im almost done with D&C and im almost done with 1 Samuel in my
reading! Chugging along!
I love you!

Jake to Mom, John 8/29:
John! Look up the story about the 5 dollar lawn! Its a good one, maybe
mom can help you its about a boy who learns to do his very best work.
Mom, i dont know if hes out of the MTC yet but see if that ladies son
knows of Elder Wandelt! Hes going to the Kiev Ukraine mission and i
think he got to Provo in July.
Mom, I wouldnt necessarily say I Miss you :P not in the sense of
Homesickness at least but i definitely love you! You would be so proud
of me for all the foods I eat now! Potatoes of course being a
highlight! Ive definitely eaten a lot of them! I wash my dishes and
make my own food as well! And then of course laundry!
I definitely dont have any opportunities to feel like a kid anymore!
There are so many things that need to be done if the work is to run
smoothly and if we are to stay fit, clean, and presentable!
There definitiely isnt much time to waste when poeple need help!
Thank you for your example to me and teaching me the right things to
do! I feel like a Stripling Warrior, raised by mother and fighting for
the liberty of my father! Its not a perfect analogy but it is close. I
havent read it in a while (im in D&C but ill look it up again later)
I love you!