Hey Mom!
Aye! It be a bit chilly up here in Norfolk! Haha! It’s alright though, it’s all good fun and I have a really great coat keeping me warm!
Thank you so much for the amazing support and love! I can feel it and it bears me up when times get tough. I am forever grateful that my family prays for me. I know I need the blessings, and it brings me courage to think of you all kneeling and praying for me to find those that are prepared. Thank you so much Mom!
Wow! I sure hope you and Dad have been married longer than I have been alive! Law of Chastity and everything! I am super happy to hear that you had a fun getaway. You too lovebirds seem more in love now than I have ever seen before. That brings joy to my soul!
Well mom, it’s been a pretty tough week for me too. There has just been tons of crazy things come up. Some administrative work, some ministration opportunities, but all in all, Elder McMurray and I haven’t had very much time in our area this week. And it broke my heart when earlier today, our friend Shail who was progressing SO well texted us letting us know he wasn’t going to be baptised. It hurts so bad when you come to really love these people. It was just a few hours ago and I just can’t stop thinking about him. My mind just fill with things I could have done better or taught simpler. It hurts. I hope that we can meet with him again and resolve his concerns. If you are going to pray for anyone please pray for him! Also, someone I taught is going through a hard time. Michael Preston. He is an absolute legend, but he is going through a tough time.
I hope I don’t make it sound like I’m struggling. I’m not. I love this work with all of my heart and I find great joy every day. This week was just especially tough. I’ll be better for it though! Opposition in all things right! Grow and become better! That’s what it’s all about!
On the up-side, our Zone has 2 Baptisms this weekend! We had to go on a road trip to Thetford twice to make it happen, but HEY! It all worked out in the end!
I really am so grateful for you Mom. Thank you for your wonderful emails and for all of your love. I would not be who I am today without you. You rock!
Have the absolute best week! Good luck with your school! You are the best! You are going to absolutely kill the last semester! I admire your love of learning! I guess I get it from you! I have developed an unquenchable thirst for learning!
Love,
Elder Draper
(Your favourite missionary)
Letter to Zhaun:
Wow!
I wasn’t here when brother Hacking came. I would remember him for sure.
That’s so cool though! Who was it that is serving the temple mission in Norwich? I’m sure I know them. It’s not that huge of a ward. (Yet ;)
Oh... thanks for the clarification! Yah, Elder Botta is a great man. I love him a lot. He sent me a video and he just was amazing day at you all. He really liked you Dad! (No surprise there’s). Haha, it was great to see my Father and my mission Dad (trainer) together! Awesome! Yah, he did ask me to be his best man... crazy huh? That’s a pretty huge honour. I don’t know how to be a best man.
The companion is great! Elder McMurray from a small town outside Vegas. He is a brainiac. Super bright Elder. He can really analyse and see things well. I have a lot to learn from him for sure. We are not a lot alike. We aren’t instant friends or anything, but I’m sure that we will become best of friends. It just has been sort of awkward trying to get used to each Others! Haha! He is 1 transfer older than me on my mission, but I have been a Zone Leader for longer than him, so it’s sort of a Give take. I have no idea who is the senior companion. Haha. Infortunately I failed my driving test again! I’m so sad about that! The good thing is that I’m getting more and more confident at driving on these roads. I’ll get it next time for sure.
Transfers went well! It was great to see some fresh faces come into the Zone and bring that faith of being in a new area! It really boosted our Zone. Plus, we had 2 Baptisms this last weekend! Woooohoooo! One more for next weekend too! Great things are happening!
We go Contacting at the University of East Anglia (UEA). They filmed part of Avengers: Age of Ultron there! Pretty cool. We teach lots of foreign students who go there. There is not enough YSA to have a ward, but there is a group that do activities like FHE.
Wow. Getting pretty seasoned in your spot in Ward Council huh? I got to get to attend a Stake Council Meeting this week! It was awesome! It felt a lot like the Mission Leadership Council! I love how the Lord leads his church through councils! Speaking of leadership! What a great new prophet we have! What do you think of President Nelson?
Yah, we were just waiting. (Transfers pDays are usually pretty lackluster). Hopefully in the coming weeks we will step up our PDay game. I have to admit, I am not the best at PDays. Do you have any memorable PDays?
Wow. I have learned quite a bit since I have been a Zone Leader. I have learned loads about who I am. How to look out for those little opportunities to serve or uplift. To not get caught up in the 'thick of thin things'. To have a focus and address weaknesses. How to evaluate and address needs. How to more effectively set goals and make plans. How to love people who are hard to love, and how to learn from the people you Lead! Have you learned a lot about yourself as the EQ President? I think I need to have that Difitness of Purpose again. My focus needs to be more... focused. I think this week I have been pretty stressed and pretty spread thin. I emailed Mom about a bit of what’s going on there. You can read all about it there. Sometimes being a ZL is pretty tough. It’s worth it in the end! I certainly saw amazing opportunities to forget myself and serve those around me! I see tender mercies all of the time!
Well, I sure love you Dad! I am so grateful for you! You are an amazing example! Keep being great!
Love,
Elder Draper
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