Frank Lee

Mission Journal

Foreward - March 2001

Whatever else this is, it is also the writing of a 19-year old kid who had a lot of growing up to do.  If there are any good examples to be found and followed, there are just as many bad ones that should serve as cautionary tales to the reader, who will hopefully be wiser than the author. What follows is in no way intended to represent the ideal mission or missionary.

Mission Highlights

Skip to Dec. 1987   Skip to Jan. 1988   Skip to First Area in Argentina - General Belgrano

November 11, 1987 - Francis & Suzy McAllister, and Dave Draney say good bye to me as I go into the MTC...

Nov. 12, 1987

...And thus the second day was completed. Man look at me -- I'm already turning ultra-religious in my writing.  No good.  Seems like if there's a theme to the first few days at the MTC it's "RULES, RULES, RULES!"  It's not that there are so many of them, it's just that they pound them into your head.  Actually there are merely a few simple rules: and that's why my intelligence is so insulted by the way people in authority love to keep cramming them down my throat.  And believe me, there are plenty of people here in authority and even more who just think they are.  Oh well, gotta take the good w/ the bad.  There is a lot of good here.  Here is where I should be and I've had that confirmed in me every time I am able to just hang out w/ the guys here and talk to them one on one instead of "AP to nuevo" or "ADL to nuevo" or "RA to nuevo" or "Teacher to nuevo", etc...  I whole-heartedly agree w/ Dave Draney when he said that he always felt impatient in the MTC.  Like it was just a waste of his time and that he would have rather just jumped into his mission.  I've only been here 36hrs and already the anticipation of leaving for Argentina is growing.

My Comp here is Elder Doug Winn from Los Angeles. He's a lot like me in the way he kind of stays back behind his face and reserves himself untill he feels comfortable w/ where he is.  At least I hope that's how he is and not just some dude w/ a bad attitude.  But really, I think we'll make it just  fine w/ a little work on both our parts.  Nothing bad has happened yet so maybe I should just open up and give the guy a chance.  It seems like you can get along w/ anyone here if you just give them a chance.  After all, they're all going through the same thing as I am.  Maybe worse b/c so far, I'm having a great time!

Our hermanas are way cool.  Sister Smith from Tennessee and Sis. Greedey (Greeding) from Thousand Oaks, CA.  Sis. G. skiis for Park City and is blonde, and both are cute.  Sheeze, that's the last thing I would have expected to be tempted w/ in the MTC: scamming.   Oh, by the way, these pictures on the facing page are to help me maintain perspective.  When they don't psyche me up anymore, I'll know I'm in trouble!

Love God, but Love VH too!

Nov. 14, 1987

Hey!  Sorry I blew off yesterday but I didn't have much to say.  I'm not just going to write for the sake of writing.  I may go my entire mission in this book.  We'll see.  Days here are all the same and at the end, so far at least, nothing ever seems to stick out.  It's just the same old get up at 5:45, Breakfast, Class, Lunch, Class, Dinner, Class, Bed: 10:30.   Tonight we had culture class for the first time.  It was cool.. I think I've got a crush on my teacher.  Wonderful... Well, not really, but it seems almost every girl is attractive when you're on a mission; and this one is really good looking.  It's not fair.  Me and Elder Winn are still getting along good.  In fact, our whole district is becoming pretty tight.  It's way cool.  The food makes you fart and shit peanut butter but it at least tastes decent.  I like my teachers a lot: Elder Stecher, Sister Packer & Elder Brown.  All are really enthusiastic whic is right in line w/ the spirit of this place.  Today we played 'Spanish Password'.  It was rad.  It snowed today.  Mountains look beautiful painted white. 

Sis. Packer wears a CTR ring on her finger.  I think that would be something I would avoid in my dating life: "Never data a girl w/ a CTR ring on".  I got a letter from Sam (Tolman) today.  He's well, and way cool.  Loving it in Switzerland.  Well, Hasta Mañana.

Nov. 15, 1987

Well, it's late Sunday so I won't say much.  Sunday's are cool here. Lots of time to nap and just relax.  Which I guess is really the whole idea behind Sunday, huh?  Anyway, I had an interview w/ Pres. Walsh.  He's cool (Branch President).  The guys and I are steadily growing closer which is way cool.  Tomorrow we start SYL (Speak Your Language) or better known in Español as HSI.  Should be rad! Well, I'll see you later.

Nov. 17, 1987

P-Day today.  Went to the Temple w/ district.  Then volleyball, then Doctor's for 1hr.  Talked to runner from Brighton High about track.  Washed my clothes and slept some.  Tryin to shake a cold.  Things still muy bueno.  Paul H. Dunn talked.  Great speech.  "Attitude Determines Altitude"  Learning a lot in Isaiah. 

Nov. 18, 1987

My cold is a little better.  Met Elder Shelton from SLC.  He's a serious head banger.  Loves Ratt.  Too bad he's going to Venezuela.  He'd be a rad comp!  Bore my testimony in Spanish hoy, and it showed me how much more Spanish I need to learn.  Also that apparantly, others can feel the spirit from my testimony whereas I hardly felt anything.  I need to work harder on feeling and sharing the Spirit if I'm going to do any good.  One week down.  Nuevos came today; that means that we're no longer the nuevos.  "Somos Viejos!"  Arriba!

Nov. 20, 1987

Letter from Lisa Wiberg today - just what I need... "Remember all the good times we had..." Oh hell!  Also cupcakes from Scoresby.  She's too hot!  Great card w/ it about relieving stress.  Elder Marble missed a basket in our class today for the first time.  (Shows you how much went on today that merits an entry, huh?)  Picture time in the dorms tonite.  Much fun.

Nov. 22, 1987

Hi. I guess it's been a couple of days.  I'm really starting to learn what it takes to be a missionary.  It takes a lot of love.  Love for God, Love for your companion, Love for the gospel, and most important, Love for and of the people who I will be teaching.  My Gospel Doctirne teacher is named William Carpenter.  What a man!  He speaks with such power, and has such a strong spirit.  This is my goal.  To be able to cultivate the spirit of the Lord and to be able to touch the hearts of my investigators with His power.  God's really starting to bless me -- it seems as though as soon as I ask something of Him, I receive it moments later.  Just this night I prayed to Him for the Spirit - because I need to have it and don't yet - and my heart was filled with it, and also with an overwhelming love for my father here on earth.  What a guy Dad is! I love him with all my heart.  I hope he knows it.

I also wrote Lisa back.  It was a 5-pager. I should have xeroxed it.  I hope she apreciates it. 

Adversity will and must be a part of my life.  How else can I grow? How else will I learn to rely on my Heavenly Father?  How else can I learn faith?  how else can I learn how to help others in distress? When it comes, I want to hit it head on with the attitude of "OK, no big deal.  I CAN TAKE IT!" 
And I will.

Maintain a perspective.  Dedicate yourself.  Love all men.

Nov. 25, 1987

Well, I'm sorry but there just hasn't been much to say lately.  I've been working hard. Listened to Marvin J. Ashton at a devotional.  Francis got his mission call to Arg. BA North!  That's probably the highlight of the last 3 days.  Suzy has given me 2 packages in as many days.  She's too cool.  Wrote Dad an "I love you" letter.  I'm still quite the Happy Camper.  Tomorrow's Thanksgiving.  Should be casual.  That's all I can think of right now.

Nov. 26, 1987

 Thanksgiving.  Yay Rah!  Slept late, watched Hoosiers, played football, soccer.  Saw the Book of Mormon movie (How Rare a Possession). Then went to hear Steven Covey talk. You love or come to love someone through serving them.  I must serve my investigators.  Dedicate myself 100%.  Never get discouraged.  Have faith that adversity is for a reason.  Muscles and spirit get stronger through hard work.  Let the investigators know who they really are and what their true potential is.  Breakdown any false image they may have of them self that is given to them by society's mirror.  Always forgive everybody.  Hold no grudge. Take no offense.  It makes everything easier.  Always tell Mom and Dad how great an experience I am having.  Let them know their prayers on my behalf have been answered.  Strive for the spirit.  The spirit converts investigators, not me.  Love, love, and love some more.  Positive attitude means a positive experience!  Get psyched!

Dec. 1, 1987

Ok so it's been a while.  Things are still cool, though.  I've already had my prayers answered a lot concerning learning how to feel and recognize the spirit and thus be able to teach with it.  The day after I prayed for this we start a new section in class entitled none other than "Helping Others To Feel the Spirit" (and us too!).  Psyche!  I heard Elder Harris speak tonight.  It got me real phyched to go 100% into my mish.  A 50% effort will make you 50% successful.  A 100% effort will make you 100% successful.  Shelton and his gang leave tomorrow, Mauerman leaves Thursday.  I will miss them all.  Nuevos mañana (New guys).  4 weeks until Wilde is the Senior District (scary).  I still need to kick my butt and learn how to communicate effectively in Spanish.  Dad's B-day coming up.  Went to BYU today and got him a card.  Saw an old flame of Gary's who knew me and I had no idea who she was. Oh well, that's life with Gary!

Dec. 3, 1987

Got my typhoid shot today -- No biggie.  Learned not to aspire to any office.  If I think I'm a better missionary than the guy who was called to be A.P., then it's better for me to be in the field where I'll do the most good.  Letter from Lisa Red today.  I'm her "Very close bud..."now.  Whatever.  In two years, she won't even remember me.  Had my first T&E today (Teach and Evaluate) for the 1rst Charla in English.  Scary!  Videotaped and all.  I'm convinced that the teachers here are told to do everything in their power to give us missionaries confidence.  Why?  Well, for one thing, the only saving factor was that by some miracle the Holy Ghost managed to bust it's way into the discussion. Other than that, it sucked.  And then, to our great astonishment, Hma. Packer says: "You two were so great! Wonderful, marvelous, blah blah blah b-blah bla blah..."  and then after five minutes of compliments she sticks onto the end about 30 seconds of  "Now, if you had to improve it, what would you do?"  But then, I guess they're good examples of how enthusiastic and more importantly, praising and complimentary we as missionaries have to be.   You almost have to kiss up to them (investigators) in order that they'll like you and hence trust you and hence believe your message.  But this conclusion is most likely premature.  Anyway, !La Vida Es Buena!

Dec. 4, 1987

I learned today that what I sometimes mistake for depression is actually just my body being tired and affecting my mind.  All I  need to do is have a little faith and  I come out of it rather quickly.  Don't let others tell me I'm sad or mad or that something's wrong b/c there isn't.  I only slip into a self-pitying depression b/c I enjoy their attention and believe what they observe.  My problem is that hen I get tired, people think I'm mad at them or sad.   Then they get all worried and say "What's wrong?"  "What did I do?"  They didn't do anything.  I'm just tired and I've got to let them know that.  When I'm tired adversity works hard on me trying to get me to become discouraged over nothing.  I've got to be on my guard against this.  I need to do my best to maintain a positive and enthusiastic attitude all the time.  

A man who constructs walls around every side + top + bottom that he may protect himself has built his own tomb and there he shall die a lonely death save he shall but create a window or door thereby allowing light to enter and his own to shine forth.

Dec.  6, 1987

Fast Sunday today.  It was cool.  got Humphery's wedding invitation.  Gosh that's scary.  My bud from the track team married!   AAAAAAAAGHHHHHHH!!!!!  Wrote Dave a letter.  I hope he writes back.  He's a bum when it comes to letter writing, but I still love the guy.   I hope he still likes me.  Anyway, things are way cool btw/ me and Winn.  We had our first real Companionship Inventory today.  Everything has been, is, and should continue to be cool!  I fasted today and felt the spirit.  My prayer was for my family; that they would know I love them (especially Dad and Randy).  I hope they don't think I'm a wierdo for doing this mission thing.  I also hope I don't behave in a manner or take on an attitude that would give them cause to think I'm strange or worse, self-righteous.

Dec. 8, 1987

Happy B-Day.  Yay!  Had a great one, too.  Spent the morning at the Temple, then played volleyball for 3-1/2 hrs, then played soccer for 2hrs, then saw Scoresby and Holly driving around, then Mom and Randy showed up and we went to McDonald's.  They're both doin' great.  Got birthday wishes from Pres. Durrant which was too cool.  Mom gave me scout fudge which I can't eat until tomorrow night b/c I'm fasting. No biggie.  Got a card from Francis and Randy.  Everything is great!  La vida es Buena!

Dec. 12, 1987

A. Mark Stecker, Cindy Packer, Mike Brown. [Names of my instructors at MTC, so I don't forget...]
Had our auction today.  I bought Hma. Packer's Pie.  it was great.  Took photos, E. Stecher won't be back.  I'll really miss him.  He's great.  He's helped me a lot.  I love the guy.  I hope I run into him again someday.  Very cold today, snowed even when sunny. 

Dec. 15, 1987

P-Day. Did sealings in temple.  It was rad.  Got my hair cut way short.  I think it looks cool.  Then went to campus and saw Francis, Suzy, Holly B, et. al.  Spirit's been strong lately.  Lots to thank HF for. Starting to have dreams about the sister missionaries.  That's probably not a good sign, but they are fun.

Dec. 16, 1987

Hma. Packer is a great tacher.  Whenever she models a charla I just et the biggest urge to get out there and TEACH!  Total adrenalin.  I'm psyched to be doing this!  Said goodbye to E. Brown tonight.  There's another one I'll miss a lot.  He's a great guy (P+R teacher).  I've figured out that a mission is meeting a whole lot of people who you really love... and never seeing them again.  Kinda sucks.

Dec. 17, 1987

Had E. [Mark?] Slaughter today.  WOW!  Great teacher.  It sucks that we only have him one day.  Helped Hma. Smith + Greeding to learn a song.  Both sing great.  Both have SERIOUS self-esteem probs.  Someone needs to take those two and just slap them upside the head and tell them "You're great you idiots!"

Dec. 20, 1987

Church today, good stuff.  Passed the sacrament.  Slept the rest of the day.

Dec. 21, 1987

WOW! More E. Slaughter.  This guy is the future of missionary work.  If everyone could teach like him we'd be witness to the second comming w/ in a year!  His is a totally new philosophy than that which I've heard previously.  Missionary work is an ATTITUDE!  FAITH! in God and in yourself to do anything.  It's a completely integrated system of sharing the gospel with not just investigators, but members inactives and other missionaries!  It involves the investigator completely in the discussions to the point that they teach themselves!  Indeed, I am convinced that the gospel is designed to teach itself w/ the right promptings of the spirit.  The missionary (you) are the servant of God looking for his elect (a term which I dislike using, but which is applicable here).  You are here to share and bear witness to the gospel of Christ.  They can either believe on your words or reject them.  You must not rely on yourself, but on the Lord and his spirit! Never use the scriptures to prove a point; only to bring in the Spirit (which is what converts them in the 1rst place!) Nevertheless, you must work your butt off and know the doctrine inside and out so that the Lord will be able to call upon your faculties. Also follow all the rules so you can have the spirit.  Look unto + follow good examples of missionaries, but reject those who refuse to work to their potential (ie: help them achieve their potential through encouragement and example).  Think.  Observe. Watch.  Bea a sponge for information.  Notice what influences people and then bring all your talents to bear in order to use the skill of influencing people to feel the spirit and accept Christ.  Members are critical in this plan as a far as introducing referrals and friendshipping new converts and simply being the medium through which the missionaries contact new investigators.

"Fear and doubt can not reside in the same body as one who has faith" - Joseph Smith.
Tambien -- woke up w/ the stomach flu today.  One prayer and tha's all she wrote.  I mean I feel great now.  Through faith, anything is possible.

Dec. 22, 1987

P-Day.  shopped for Christmas presents.  Got Dave radical weight lifting gloves.  Hope he likes 'em.  The Ward gave E. Guiffra a watch for Christmas tonight.  He is a tremendous man.  So sincere and such a strong spirit.  I felt it really strong tonight.  What a blessing and a testimony.  Also a letter from Weep, but you  can read that yourself.

Dec. 24, 1987

Christmas Eve.  Well, everybody said Christmas in the MTC would be special. They were right. Testimony mtg tonight. Devotional.  We're talking SPIRIT!

Dec. 25, 1987

Crhistmas.  Cool.  7am butt-ugly photos.  Got sweatshirt, hat, calendar.  Russell M. Ballard talk.  Much Spirit.

Dec. 27, 1987

Sunday.  Rested.  Led song in Sacrament.  Dodge left today.  The rest of Azuaga - Saddler, Morrin, Vance, and Davis, leave tomorrow.  Boo hiss.  I love those guys.  I'll miss them a lot.  Me and E. Ward are going to learn "I Heard Him Come" This is SCARY: me singing a church song.  Should be interesting.  Gospel study tonight. Once again, Elder Carpenter astounds me.  I had questions about the plan of salvation eating at my mind last night.  Then, tonight E. Carpenter says "I was going to teach you about baptism tonight, but I changed my mind - - tonight's lesson will be on the plan of salvation!"  That's frightening!  Here's me with a ton of questions and Carpenter whips out this totally inspired lesson.  'Gee... is the Spirit of the Lord here in the MTC?...'  My teachers are such a blessing to me!

Dec. 29, 1987

P-Day.  ucho volleyball today.  me + E. Ward played as a twosome and KICKED BUTT!!  UNDEFEATED 5-0 for the day!  Got my gamoglobulin shot (the dreaded peanut butter injection).  no biggie.  Probably the only time on my mission I'll throw a BA (to a woman no less!)  Much talk with Hma. Mary Stewart from Rochester.  She's my sister's age.  But we still get along great.  She's got a degree in Graphics.  needless to say I have some intrestes in common with her.  E. Ward + I sang in the MTC international choir tonight for H. Burke Peterson's Devotional.  It was great.  Remember: strive to love the people you're around.  Especially your companion.  Always look for and point out the good in them.  Enjoy them, be their friend.  Let them know you love them.  Be an unbeatable team for the Lord!  I'm psyched to get down to BA!  Tonight was our first floor prayer as viejos (veterans).  I can't believe sometimes that it's been two months almost in this place.  Gotta get workin really hard.

Fortune cookie given me by Pres. Durrant:   Dec. 31, 1987
THE WORLD WILL SOON BE READY TO RECEIVE YOUR TALENTS   New Year's Eve.  Talk by Hyrum Smith about faith, self esteem and how to succede.  Good stuff.  See Alma 26: 22-30.  Trying my best not to think about what the ret of my friends in the outside world are doing.  It's cool.  I'm not bummed, I just don't want to be exposed to America if I can't join in w/ it.  GET ME THE HELL TO B.A. ARGENTINA!  3rd charla in Espanol today.  Muy Bien!  Sheez, I can't believe it's 1988! One more year and I'll be getting off my mission.  SUCK!

Jan. 2, 1988

I've been having a little trouble maintaining my enthusiasm the last few days, and I think a big part of the reason why has been my neglect of this journal.  I know I'm still having the same amount of good experiences, but I'm simply not remembering them -- and as a result, my focus has begun to shift a little to the negative side of my mission which isn't all that big to begin with.  First off, I need to record a spiritual experience that I neglected to write earlier.  When E. Winn and I had our TE on charla 2 in Espanol w/ E. Raty, I was having a tough time coming around to the point of asking him to commit to baptism.  Then, after a bit of floundering in my own words, the inspiration to simply challenge him came to me right out of the blue.  This I did, and he accepted.  I later learned that others had tried to commit him and he simply wouldn't in order to give them a lesson that some people just aren't ready in the 2nd charla.  But with us, he felt the spirit, and the spirit constrained him to say YES!  I know that little idea to challenge him was the spirit working and whispering to me b/c it simple came to me in the middle of my own mental tribulations of what to say next.    Coming out of that TE, me and E. Winn felt as awesome as we ever have been here.  Things are going really well, in fact, awesome.  It's just that they've been that way for so long now that it's gotten old and un-special.  This is why I think I'm starting to look for the smallest thing to worry about now - - because my mind has simply gotten bored of being happy.  Boy, am I stupid!  And the funny thing is that the things I'm worrying over aren't even worth mentioning.  As Elder Smith said "The sorrows on your mission will far out number the joys, but the joys will far out-weigh the sorrows"  Es Verdad!
Blessings I received Today [BT]:  Getting up was easy.  Friendship of Hma. Stewart and Hma Bingham.  Finishing up 4 principles in Charla 3.  Finishing my discurso [talk] easily.  Geting along great w/ Elder Ward and going to chorale.  Getting along great w/ Elder Winn.  Getting along great w/ everyone else in the rama [branch].  Letter from Grandma Lee.  Felt the spirit.  Was prompted in prayer to write this journal entry to help me realize how much I was blessed today.  Drawing ability (the surfer).  3 great meals.  Not being tired.  Not getting mad.  Being psyched to go to Argentina.  Not feeling sick (like Hma. Greeding).  Not contending (over Ward's ideas concerning fasting).  Having my mind guarded against conceited, prideful thoughts.  Having my mind guarded against malicious thoughts. 
Things I could improve on [TTWON]: Pointing our good and complementing E. Winn.  Staying humble.  Concentrating on what I'm doing.  Helping others.  Writing those who love me.

Jan. 3, 1988

Fast Sunday.  Fasted for the Spirit, that I may know that I'm worthy to serve.  I really felt it today in Mission  Conf. Talks by Pres. Felt, Jay Jensen, Pres. + Sis. Durrant.  All great.  Wrote to Mom + Dad.  Passed sacrament in church.  Being viejos our responsibility is to conduct all floor prayers and se up + pass the sacrament.  Pres. Durrant is so cool.  He'll stand up there, lean against his right forearm on the podium and just kind of have a chat w/ all the missionaries.  Pres. Felt: Tears, Trials, Trust + Testimony make up a mission.  Great Sunday Gospel doctirne class tonight w/ substitute: E. Morris.  BT: Feeling the spirit in M. Conf. + Test. Meeting.  Singing well, friendship of Ward, Woolley, Winn, et al.  
TTWON: Reading scriptures, compliment + friendship Winn + Godfrey.  Being humble.  Being Receptive to the Spirit.

Jan. 4, 1988

Had an awesome TE today.  #3 w/ Shumway.  He said it was among the "most like a real discussion in the field that he's seen since he's been teaching here".  Let's just say it was good.  The spirit was so strong.  I was going nuts.  I couldn't commit him. It was E. Winn who finally got him (baptism). I'm sure glad I won't be going out there alone!  Disease prevention mtg about diarrhea.  Bapt. + Fellowshipping mtg. about how to really "bring forth souls" not just baptize.  They need to have a strong foot hold in the church by the time I leave.  Otherwise, I might baptize a whole lot of people who'll never make it to the Celestial Kingdom.  Snowball fight tonight.  That's fun; good clean fun.  I don't care what the RAs say! Last work project today.  
BT: Friendship of Hma. Greeding, Smith, E. Ward, Woolley, Winn, Czirr, Marble, et al...  Hma. Minenno.  E. Lund.  Spirit in Charla 3!  Good health, cookies from Barby Lee. Big time enthusiasm.  Woke up w/ it + had it all day!  
TTWON: Humility.  Don't Boast!  Faith in God.  Kindness to others.  consideration for their feelings.

Jan. 5, 1988

P-Day. Yay Rah!  Went to temple for last time in the next 22 months.  It was rad. Me, Woolley + Ward went to the "Plaza de Iniquidad" (Univ. Mall) and I bought a new frisbee + wandered through all the music shops fighting the temptation to buy the new Dokken album.  Then we went to BYU where I had a very spiritual experience.  The other night, I ahad what could best be described as a "vision", albeit a small one, but the scene popped into my brain as I was praying, of myself holding a new pair of running shoes in the indoor track at the Y.  and this impressed upon my mind that I should go down and ask Coach Robbie for some flats to run in on my mission (and believe me -- I need new ones).  And I doubt that I would have had sufficient courage to actually go down + ask for shoes when I'm on my mission when Coach rarely would give them to me when I was on the team -- had it not been for this little "vision".  Well, needless to say, I went, I asked, and I received a brand new pair of $70 running shoes free.  Wow.  I'm still marveling at the whole experience.  On top of all this I got to see Draney, Suzy and a lot of the guys from the team including Coach Hirschi.  All were really enthusiastic about me going on my mission.   It just pounded home to me how much the Lord has blessed me in my life, and how much He will continue to bless me if I just do right by Him.  He's a great Guy and I love Him very much. Also -- figure this one out: our janitor of the building walks into my room this am and hands me a 1/2 pound of M&M's.  Not a word was said by him.  I  thanked him very much.  He just smiles and walks away.  What the heck?...  now I feel guilty for calling him a bone head for not inspecting our room regularly. 
BT: Friendship of Ward, Woolley, Winn, Czirr, Marble, Godfrey, Storey, Hanson, Turner, Stark, Malm, Tingey, Suzy, Draney, COACH ROBBIE!! Coach Hirschi, Brian H, Paul Scarlet, Robert Parker, Kirk Feller, Mitch Lord, Dave O'Hara, Dave, Timo Mosteret, Phil.  Hma. Greeding + Smith, Elder Jones (w/ hurt foot), Hma. Minenno.  Lisa Scoresby, Francis, Tim (letter).  Decent health, the sneaker experience, easy to get up this am. Opportunity to server in the temple.
TTWON: Humility, not boasting (sneakers), remembering + writing loved ones (Suzy, Lisa), being a better friend to my comp.  Concentrate on studying.  Consideration of my fellow man.

Jan. 6, 1988

Well, this was essentially a waste of a day as far as studying goes.  me + E. Winn took off at 10:15 to go to his dentist apt.  in Provo.  4-1/2 hrs later we finally got back and rested untill the night segment of class.  That much time in Provo can hurt a missionary's enthusiasm for what he's doing and mine took a beating.  Fortunately for me, I'll be out of the country in a week and won't remember what I'm missing.  It was fun, though.  500 new missionaries in today.  The dinner lines are going to be death.  Got cookies from Lisa + Holly.  They want to come see me off at the airport.  I don't know if I should say yes until I know if Suzy is going to be there.  Oh well, I can think of worse dilemmas to be in. 
BT: Friendship of Leese, Holly, Winn et al...  Cold feels better tonight after singing "I Heard Him Come", chance to sleep after trip to Provo, leaving America in 4 days, seeing Melanie Byrd + getting Gammenthaler's address.  Finishing Charla 5.
TTWON: Maintaining enthusiasm + spirit.  Concentration on work, write to loved ones, Humility. 

Jan. 7, 1988

Tonight was initiation of the nuevos.  At floor prayer the viejos explain all the rules of teh floor in some unique, original manner.  I was Robin Leach describing the "luxury retreat that is the MTC"  And then the other guys oke into a "Dick + Jane" version of the rules. ('Any three year old can understand them')  See Dick flush the toilet.  See bill get to bed at 10:30. etc...  Illustrations included.  I slept all am b/c E. Winn was laid up with his tooth.  I also had a cold which is much better now b/c of the rest.  Not much else happened today.
BT: Friendship of Winn, Ward, et al.  Pulling the Robin Leach immitation our of thin air.  Doing well on Charla 4.  Opportunity to sleep a lot today.  Improving health.  Psyched to go to BA.
TTWON: Working harder + longer.  Humility.  Cultivating the spirit.  Speaking more Spanish.

Jan. 8, 1988

Friday.  The time is drawing nigh.  You can tell I'm almost outta here b/c people keep hitting me up to sign their autograph books.  Had travel mtg. got to learn all about what we need to do to get to our countries in one piece.  These next two days are gonna fly.  I've got so much I've got to do before I leave.  so many people I need to see... Not much went on today except work on Charla 4.  It's hard to concentrate with our departure so close at hand.  Practiced "I Heard Him Come" w/ Ward and Greeding.  It's gonna be rad.  Sheez - I guess that's about all of it. 
BT: Friendship of Greeding, Smith, Stewart, Winn, Ward, et al... Time to my self.  Talent in singing.  Letters (Dan, Mom, Johnsons) My cold's almost gone.  Good analogy story for power of procreation: The glass of sacred water -- don't spill it!  Getting up was easy! Yay! 
TTWON: Concentrate hard on my work.  Be more enthusiastic.  Be more appreciative of my blessings.  Be humble.  Consideration of others' feelings.  My volleyball skills,
PS - another blessing: I was hot today in basketball!!

Jan. 9, 1988

LAST DAY OF CLASS! ACK! Half-day P-day, too.  All of us in the district went to Brick Oven for lunch.  Great time.  Saw Holly B. She's working there now w/ Scoresby.  Then went to BYU Bookstore + saw Suzy.  She can't make it to the airport so I'm going to say goodbye tomorrow.  Tonight I was a pecador and snuck out to see Dave Draney.  We had a hot time!  He picked me up a t 6:15 when I slipped out of P+R to go "study on my own" - Yeah... for 3 HOURS!! We cruised down to Centennial to say hi to Holly.  She says her + Scoresby are going to come to the airport to see me off.  Cool, since Suzy can't be there anyway. So then after that we went over to Stevenett's to get a shake + some real food.   We talked a while about his mission.  It was awesome!  We laughed so hard...  "A mission is the one time in your life when it's cool to be nice to people.." Amen.  Boy I'm gonna miss him.  HE'D DAMNED WELL BETTER WRITE!!!  After that we went back to Centennial + played pool.  He kicked my butt, as usual.  Then Carol (one of his many girlfriends) come in and they started smooching in between shots.  MMPHH!!  I don't need to see that! Like it's not already hard enough!  Then to his place + talked to roomies:  Tony (who just got baptized) Ray (bad attitude, but GREAT guy) and Robin.  All are awesome.  Then he had to go pick up his date (Julie).  So we headed back, picked her up, then dropped me off.  I made it back by 9pm and no one missed me...PSYCHE!  We had testimony mtg. today in am class.  The spirit was really strong.  I'm sure going to miss everybody.  But as I've already learned: A mission is meeting people you love, and then never seeing them again.  Well, ... these people I'd better see again after. 
BT: Friendship of: Winn, Woolley, Ward, Czirr, Marble, Smith, Greeding, Lund - Volleyball skill.  DRANEY!!   Holly, Ray, Tony, Robin, Suzy, Francis (letter) Dana (letter).   Feeling the  Spirit in Test. Mtg.  Teachers: Wheatley, Shummway.  Good health (no cold), getting up was easy.  Safety while out screwing around!  Being dedicated enough to this work to feel bad about having to do tonight the way it was done. 
TTWON: Humility, Obedience, working hard, remembering my blessings and being thankful for them.  Feeling the Spirit.  Appreciating what I've been given.

Jan. 10, 1988

Sunday.  Cancion "I Saw Him Come"  Very good.  No talk.  Saw Suzy.  She's hot.  Took all my junk.  Packed + ate all E. Winn's food.

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