Dear Family,

Things are going really great here, but some of the people we are teaching really are going through some rougher times. Patty and Katie are still progressing towards baptism, and we had a baptism on Sunday! Things are just going so well here, and the branch is doing so great at keeping these people going. I'm starting to value the HT/VT programs a lot more as I watch our converts going off into the hands of the ward members. It is so vital to their success that the branch members be involved, daily, if possible in the lives, trials, and triumphs of these converts. It does miracles for them.

It sounds like after two years of CRAZINESS, some things, like moving to Europe, are starting to come full circle. It was interesting how it's doing the same on my mission. My first zone conference, Sister Fillmore read us a story from a book, but she didn't tell us the title. I've  wondered ever since, as I've used the story in teaching the gospel, what the book was called. That was 23 months ago. Last Sunday, a man in the branch stood up and read us a story in his talk. At last, he said the title was "The Spyglass." It was a simple thing, but a symbol as well, that everything happens for a reason, and that God knows everything about us.

I love this gospel, and I'm so thankful for the knowledge of who God really is. We had an experience yesterday that was incredible. We were tracting into a guy named Tom. He was nice, but as he sat us down, he went and got his Bible. He picked it up, and pulled out of the pages, a card, all too familiar. A card with at least twenty reasons why the Seventh Day Adventists, JW's, and Mormons, CAN'T be true. He asked us several questions, and often, these discussions never go anywhere. So often the person becomes too hard-hearted and contentious to accept any explanation. But as I opened my mouth, and began to teach him from the scriptures, they came alive! We went through Revelations, to Deuteronomy, scriptures I had even forgotten about, came to light, and we wanted so bad for him to get it, that the spirit softened his heart. God is merciful, and he did soften his heart, and hear what we had to share with him. He accepted a Book of Mormon and we'll be going back next week. I'm so grateful for the light we find in the scriptures. They work wonders on the hearts of men.

I love you guys!

Love,
Elder Wallentine

Hey Mom and family,

I don't have too much time here today. We have to hurry up and get on the road to meet some other missionaries in Delaware, but I definitely wanted to say hi!  We've had a crazy week and things are pretty exciting here. We've been finding some incredible people that really want to live the gospel and use the power found in it to stop smoking, create good households, etc. It really is incredible to see the tremendous outpouring of His spirit on our area.

I am so grateful to be serving here right now.  I don't think we've done anything good enough to deserve this kind of mercy and success. It's so much fun, and the people here are doing great. It just takes time for some people to change, you know?

I want you to know I love this gospel and I love this church. It gets frustrating sometimes to feel the gospel so strong, and not be able to fully express to someone in words, in 30 seconds on their doorstep, how it will rock their world. But it will. I love you guys! I'm grateful for your example!
Thanks a lot!

Love,
Elder Wallentine

Hello Family,

We're having a great time here in Cambridge! We are having three baptisms coming up, and we are excited about that!

Things are going great, and I really love this gospel, and this work! It's so much fun!
The branch is doing great, and we are excited to get another active member moving up from Virginia. That's going to be a miracle!
I love you tons! Thanks again!

Love,
Elder Wallentine

Hey there family!

We've had a great week. I'm so sorry that I didn't get a chance to write you all last week...or the week before that. I couldn't find any place, anywhere that had open computers!  All Cambridge has is a college and a library, and both were closed both days...bummer.

We had a great week, and things are going really well! A young man came into church a few weeks ago and said he wants to be baptized! We assured him we are the ones he could talk to about that, and he'll be baptized on the 25th! We're excited for that one!

Also, my companion from last transfer finished his mission, and they DOUBLED in 2 new ones! I have six weeks to train 2 missionaries (one 3 months out, and one 12) on the area and branch. We're in for a hectic six weeks!

Last week I sent you a letter I found in my luggage. I wasn't sure what was in it, but I think I had just forgot to send it before.  Sorry for the random letter. I got a letter from David Miller from Meridian. It was good to hear from him!

Thanks so much for the wonderful packages, that food was incredible! I got the package from Uncle David. Tell him I said thank you! It took a while from the mission office, but yesterday I got Christmas cards from everybody. It was fun to hear from the Canoodt's again, and that was just wonderful to see how everyone is doing!  All my cousins are growing up! Our bishop in my last area served in the France, Paris mission, when the Toulous Mission closed a couple decades ago. It's since reopened, and  Bishop Moffat had a lot of good times there.  He went back to visit some of his converts recently.

I know this church is true, and I am so thankful for the knowledge and power found here in it. I know, since this church is built on Christ, the Father has shown forth his own works in it, and they change lives. The gospel is true, and it's fun to teach. We are teaching a man that has sought the gospel his whole life, in different churches, and still had a TON of questions. He's surprised, and frustrated that all of the sudden a couple of 'young guys' with the Book of Mormon are able to help him answer those questions himself! I love this gospel and I'm grateful to be sharing it!

I love you all and hope you have a happy new year!

Love,
Elder Wallentine

Letter from President Murray