My beloved friends and family,

I have come to the realization of something quite crucial. Something that I was quite sure of but had never yet confirmed my feelings about. I will elaborate. Not too long ago I took a trip to a nice place called Walmart. While I was shopping I came across an exceedingly curious food item. I looked at the label which read: "MEGA STUFF OREOS". I paused for but a moment, then made my choice; I purchased them and then was on my way. Normally this is where our story would end; but there's more. I arrived home later that day. I decided to give my new Mega Stuff Oreos a try. I opened the package and took out one of the overstuffed cookies. I took a bite and...Too much stuff! If there is one thing that I would say I am now extremely passionate about concerning food, I would say that it would be that Mega Stuff Oreos have too much stuff. Never in my life have I said that an oreo had too much filling, but that was before mega stuff. There are many of those reading this, I would indeed not doubt most, that may think such things as, "you're exaggerating" or "it can't be that much stuff". To those people who may think this way, I implore you to listen to reason. I was once in your shoes. It is too much stuff for one human to handle.

On an unrelated note things are going pretty well here. It's been in the high 80's, low 90's and that is considered the worst that it will ever be here so I'm not even mad. We were able to teach a few new people this week. Which is always good. It's been a little tough to find people to teach in this area so it's nice to see that our efforts are beginning to pay off.There's a gentleman we've taught a few times named John. He's very good friends with a few members of our ward. He's a very involved member of the church that he attends but is very nice and respectful. We stopped teaching him a few weeks ago because it seemed like he was just talking to us because he thought we were nice guys. Nevertheless, we talked to a member that he is friends with yesterday at church and he received a very interesting message from John. John expressed that he was confused as to why we stopped visiting him and he was saying that he really enjoyed the conversations we had about doctrine. It came as a bit of a shock to us. We were so glad that we were able to get through to him a little bit. Even if it was something as little as him saying that he enjoyed discussing doctrine with us, we were able to see that we were bringing the spirit into his life. We were so grateful that John had member friends who he could contact. Otherwise, we would have had no way of knowing that he still wanted to meet with us. Now, I'm not 100% sure if this means that things will begin to progress with John, but I do know that we helped him feel the spirit and increase his faith, That's honestly enough for me.Sometimes trying to do missionary work as a non full-time missionary can be like Oreos. While the creamy filling that is the Gospel of Jesus Christ can be delightful when put on the chocolaty, crunchy, foundation that comes from being raised in a good family, too much pushing or pressuring can cause the partaker to be overwhelmed, wanting nothing to do with that Oreo. Remember that the Lord works "line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little." (2 Ne 28:30)I cannot manage to go a week without expressing my gratitude for each of you and for your love and support. I love each of you and pray that the Lord will bless you in each of the things that you need. 

With love,
Elder Sanderson