Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to each and every one of you mothers out there, but especially to my own mother. =]
I sang a song called "An Angel to Watch Over Me" by Sally DeFord in sacrament meeting for our ward at the request of our ward music coordinator - that was a cool experience. I hope my mom can feel my love for her all the way from here. =]

It was so awesome to get to call home yesterday, but strange to hear that my 8-year-old brother's voice has changed slightly...not in a puberty sense, he just sounds different. Although, my 10-year-old brother may very well start "growing up" while I'm out here serving. It makes me think about what I might be missing at home, especially in being there at this critical time in their lives as they form their values and personalities...but then I realize that it's just as important, if not more important, that I am a missionary and serving the Lord, setting the example for them during this time. I miss my family very much, and I've grown in love and appreciation for them since I've been serving, but I'm not homesick. I know I'm where I should be, doing what I should be doing.

Last week on P-day we took a tour of Fenway Park, and today we're going to try and go check out the zoo here in Boston. The other thing happening today is that we're getting another companion! He's flying in tonight and then starting right away with us at our evening appointments. His name is Elder Langford, and he was reassigned here - he was originally supposed to go to Cambodia, but now he's coming here and will be a trio with me and Elder Wayne, at least for 2 weeks when transfers come. Then, I don't know what's going to happen...I may or may not be training him...or maybe I'm getting transferred (I really hope not, I love this ward!!!) and Elder Wayne is training him, or maybe he's going somewhere else after 2 weeks...maybe Elder Wayne will be zone leader in Providence. I brought this up with him and he was like "Well maybe YOU will be Zone Leader in Providence!" - that would be even crazier. My goodness, so many different things could be happening...so many possibilities! It's scary and stressful, but hey, that's the mission. Whatever happens will be the will of God, and thus, He will prepare me to fulfill His will, whatever it may be. I'm just doing my best not to freak out about all of this.

We had a great zone conference this last week! It was a fun time, and I learned a lot. I was asked to sing there as well! I sang Rob Gardner's "Make Me Whole" from "Lamb of God", which I was a part of last September. The work here continues to progress VERY rapidly - our investigator Frank is just about ready to be baptized, his date is the 27th of this month! Darlene and Hanz are getting really close too, and we're going to try and prepare them for the 27th as well.

Something interesting I discovered this week - the ward music coordinator (who played piano for my musical number in sacrament meeting) was talking to me about his degree. He just graduated from Berkley with a bachelor's in Film Scoring (writing music for movies, in layman's terms, haha)! The idea to do that has crossed my mind a few times, but as he talked with me about it I just got so excited. It sounds so cool! Maybe that's what I'll do when I get back! I don't know what I'm going to do for sure, or where I want to go once I get back, but we'll see what happens. I'm trying not to worry about it for now, I've got a couple years to figure it out. ;]

I know that the Lord is VERY involved in this work - it's His work, after all! I'm honored and thrilled to be one of His missionaries. I'm really growing to love this place, this area, and this people. I hope things are well for each of you and for your loved ones.

Sincerely,
Elder DeLong