Sunday, October 23, 2011

week 3 update!

Alright, so I may or may not have had a CRAZY week last week and had zero time for this.
And I feel bad because it was such a great week!
I got to hear Keaton's voice for the first time in what feels like forever.
He sent a tape recording and it was so comforting to hear him vocally say my name and just confirm that he is well and is enjoying himself.
It was slightly short and sweet, but he talked a lot about his day to day activities.
He complained a bit about the food and lack of gym time.
And how he just really does not like Provo.
But he also talked about his cool devotional and how awesome his investigators are. 
He has met some really inspiring and interesting people and it makes just that more eager to get to Russia. 
He has learned the HYMNS in Russian.
He knows me too well and apologized because he didn't sing for me like he knew I would want him to.
Oh well...soon enough.

I also got a great letter.
I went on a little road trip with my girlfriends for fall break, and when I returned this afternoon, I had his letter just waiting for me.
I was ecstatic.
I was overjoyed to pick it up and realize it was going to be a good and long read. 

He started it out with a complaint of just how much he dislikes BYU and being so close to the football stadium. That made me laugh. 

His leaving the MTC date is December 13th, but it is not set in stone...
That sort of bummed me out just for the fact of Christmas package costs.. is that silly?
But I guess I won't be selfish and think about him and how long that really is to be in the MTC...haha

The main point of his letter was talking about the devotional with Elder Richard G Scott of the twelve.
He talked about how important it is to keep a little "Treasure Book" that you write down impressions from the Spirit or just personal thoughts in. Elder Scott counseled them to always be worthy to be have the Holy Ghost manifest Himself to you and to always keep your "antennae" up. Always be ready to receive personal revelation from our Heavenly Father. He also counseled and commanded the importance of finding an eternal companion right away and prepare for an eternal marriage and family.

He then bore his testimony - some parts in Russian - 

Of course I had the chills the whole time. 
You will hear me say it time and time again, but I will never cease to be proud of Keaton. 
He has grown so much just these past few weeks, which has made me grow personally.
The love he has for our Lord and Savior is inspiring and contagious.
What he is doing is life changing. For him, the people of Russia, his family, and me. 
I am grateful to have a best friend who is willing to put the Lord before everything else in his life. 

I can't wait to write his first month completed post! 
Week four is Wednesday and his month mark is Friday!!
Is anyone else wondering where this last month went??

Thank you all for your constant support!


"Think of the long view of life, not just what's going to happen today or tomorrow. Don't give up what you most want in life for something  you think you want now."
                       -Richard G. Scott