Lift Where You Stand

This week I shared with Anziano Burton a photo and quote: "Tempered glass, like tempered steel, undergoes a well-controlled heating process which increases strength. Thus, when tempered glass is under stress, it will not easily break into jagged shards that can injure.  Likewise, a temperate soul—one who is humble and full of love—is also a person of increased spiritual strength. With increased spiritual strength, we are able to develop self-mastery and to live with moderation. We learn to control, or temper, our anger, vanity, and pride. With increased spiritual strength, we can protect ourselves from the dangerous excesses and destructive addictions of today’s world."- Elder Kent Watson, October 2009 General Conference

Lessons from Home: When Tempered Glass Meets a Pebble

I remember listening to that talk in 2009.  I think about being "tempered" often, as well as the idea of the refiner's fire, that the mission is burning away infirmities to leave behind pure gold.

Well, Ferrara's hot enough.

The way of the mission

(told Elder Burton about reading awesome Elder Tyler Holle's reference to Ky in his letter home this week)
I got an email from Elder Holle, too.  That's funny, I was thinking about him this week as well.  Must have been a connection thingy, like Twilight Zone but more spiritual.  I love that man, my semester rooming with him at BYU was one of the best times of my entire life so far, and I can't wait to see him again and watch how far he goes in life.  He's an amazing example for me.

Keep progressing!

Tate's home?  Tate's home....  Tate's home!  Holy ravioli!  I can hardly believe it!  Give me a second to compose myself here.  I was there when Tate opened his call, over two years ago.  I remember how he shouted "SUVA FIJI!" and we all jumped around the room with unbridled joy.  I remember saying goodbye to him at the airport.  I remember wondering where in the world I would be when he came home someday.

Well, here I am, sitting in a dirty Internet Point in Padova, Italia, listening to tiny cars drive by outside while I try to stop myself from typing Italian words that jump the front of my mind faster than their English counterparts.  Here I am, following Tate's amazing example, spreading the true gospel to the wonderful people of Italy.  Here I am in a sort of daze, looking at pictures of Tate and my family back in Pasco, trying unsuccessfully to imagine our future reunion.  I'm sure it will be just as joyful as the day he opened his call, if not more so.

Congratulations, Tate.  Benfatto.  Thank you for your unmatchable friendship, your lifechanging example, and your love for me and your family and the Lord and His work.  Thank you so, sooo much.

Inviting

Sounds like your 4th of July was a blast!  Mine was...less America-y than I was expecting.  Then again, I am in Italy, and they don't give a flying feather about America's Independence day.  Oh, well.  I still shouted "AMERICA!" in my apartment a lot.  Which still doesn't have hot water, but that's okay.  At least we got our electric oven plugged in!  (Ironically, the power has gone out twice in the last week... but it always comes back on.  Good lesson in patience.)

America!

Wow... this was a great email, Mom.  It's so good to hear from home.  Thanks for all the great details.  And you didn't have to say "School House Rock" in parentheses.  I've been singing that song for a month!

You've always been a big Fourth of July fan, Mom.  Maybe it's because you were born in July, or maybe you just have an innate love for our wonderful country.  But it's only here in Italy that I've been realizing just how wonderful our country really is, and how much I love the 4th of July.  Everything I see that reminds me of home--the stylish t-shirts with the American Flag patterns, the hats that say the names of American cities--makes me shout "AMERICA!" really loud.  I've never been more excited for the 4th... tomorrow.  I'll have to sing every America song I know.  "GOD BLESS AMERICA, the land I love!"