Elder Britsch letter Oct. 7th, 2008

Email part of letter

Dear Family, Oct. 7th 2008
The past week has been wonderful. General Conference is like Christmas for a missionary. It was a very spiritual experience. I received so much revelation and inspiration from the talks. I was very sad to have it end. It also gave us a good break from our classes. The talks seem to answer many of the things that our district has been faced with the past few weeks. Here are some of the things that stuck out to me:- a temple in Rome!
-Silvia Alred's talk on missionary work
-Neil L. Anderson's talk on the days of doubt and discouragement (a district concern)
- Marcos Aidukaitis' talk (he his my friend/freshman elders quorom pres.'s dad)
-Elder Holland's talk on Angels
-Elder Christoferson on Unity (district goal), gain is not godliness!
-Elder Bednard on 3 principles of prayer.
-Elder Scott on the value of women, and helping them with discouragement (district concern)
-Pres. Ucktdorf "Lift where you Stand" (district concern)
-Pres Eyring's talks are awesome
-Pres. Monson on homes as sanctuaries of righteousness
-Elder Hales on not leaving the high ground for discussions, especially religious (district goal)
-Sis. Dalton on D&C121:45 (Charity is our district focus of the week and scripture)
-Pres Monson on letting people know you love them. "They do not love who do not show their love," Shakespeare
- Elder Godoy on not needing a remarkable conversion or spiritual experience bot just small and simple steps (district concern)
-Elder Cook on the sin of ingratitude
-Pres. Monson on the heavens being open, Listen for his voice.
On Sunday night I watched the Restoration/Joseph Smith movie again, and again it was a very spiritual experience. I know that Joseph Smith saw God and Jesus Christ. He was/is a Prophet. The Book of Mormon is testament of Christ from God. Temple's are a key to exaltation. The Heavens are open. The Plan of Salvation is real. The Church of Jesus Christ is once again upon the Earth. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I am a missionary for him. I rejoice in inviting souls to come unto Christ. I love God and He Loves me. Jesus Christ is the redeemer of the world. As we loose ourselves we find God and others. I have felt great happiness is the service of my district members. I've discovered that my allergies are not going away anytime soon and that I am actually grateful for this trial because it has made me more dependant on the Lord for strength, energy and guidance and made more in tune with the the will of the Spirit. I can't wait to teach the Korean people. I love you all so very much.
The Lord has placed me in a wonderful family. Thank you for your letters.
Thank you Stewart Family for the treats, Grandpa and Grandma Schill for the Letter,
Thank you Ana Lefler and Roommates for the awesome package! So nice of you.
And thank you to others who I will mention later.
God be with you,
Elder Britsch

Written letter

Dear Family,
I wrote much of my week in the e-mail but I want to reply to letters specifically.
Dad- I hope you've enjoyed Puerto Rico. Thank you for being a worthy admirable priesthood holder. your teaching and counselling skills have been some of the many things that I've learned from you and applied with my district. You are such a good father.
Mom- Thanks for your email. I also liked Elder Perry's talk. It is interesting the parallels of missionary work and Thoreau's 2 years of separation from the World. I liked Sis. Dalton's talk. She reminded me of you in her care for the Young Women. One of the best ways to strengthen your testimony is to testify. Mom, thank you for your steadfastness and Christlike attributes. You are so charitable. I'm learning more and more in life that its our care for others that matters. God won't ask what positions we held, he'll ask how we looked after the welfare of our brother and sisters. Your kindness and patience are attributes that are awesome and are what I am focusing my development on as I study and teach.
My companion and I still get along great. The district is doing much better. It is great to see how charity, unity and obedience increase the spirit. I've been learning to compliment and build others without expecting/wanting anything in return. Apologizing has become much easier. Humility is the key. I've got allergies and my companion is doing well (over his pneomonia). I'm excited for your new job. It sounds interesting and very fulfilling. You are bettering society. My drawing skills are slacking but its good to learn you are still painting.
As for talks, I would like some on the restoration and the plan of salvation/
The language is coming. I'm learning humility and patience (smile).
Court sport - Thanks so much for your letter. Your homecoming experience sounds like it was good. You are a great example to your friends and others. Your missionary experiences are sweet. I would love to be there. Don't be afraid to talk about the church ever. Invite your friends to church. Commit those you talk to, to pray and read the Book of Mormon. I wish I had done more for my friends. There's nothing to fear. Read preach my gospel Lesson 1 and 2 and go to the How to Teach section. Preach my Gospel gives you all you need to do. Testify of the restoration and Book of Mormon. Sometimes it takes 30 invitations before they come but be diligent and love them. Rejoice in the gospel. They will see your light and want to know more. Thank you for your example to me. You are a great missionary. Invite a friend to every mutual. Don't miss an opportunity. Follow Elder Bednar's "Ask in Faith Steps." You are a wonderful sister and virtuous young woman. I'm amazed by your testimony and great attitude towards life.
Hunter - You are the man! I looked back at your handbag/messenger bag folded letter again. It is so cool. How is school? No girlfriends I hope (smile). Are you playing any sports? How's the stringed instrument? piano? We've had lots of piano performances and cello here at the MTC. It will come in handy knowing how to play as a missionary. Invite your friends to church. They look to you and will listen to you. Pray that they will be able to and ask God for courage to ask them. Never let down your standards. Your fun personality makes you wanted as a friend. You can be the cool Mormon kid. Your friends parents will appreciate your righteous example. To God you are always awesome.
Karsyn - I loved your letter. You write better than me! You are such a smart kid. Thank you for writing me. I love your letters! How's school going? Keep inviting Kailee over for F.H.E. and church. She needs your friendship and you can be/ and are a great missionary to her.
Family - I love you all so much. My mind at night is full of people who I care for and those who need to hear the gospel. Our house is a sanctuary of righteousness, but the homes of our neighbors are not. Though I wish to only compliment your efforts and know you are doing great, I feel the need to tell you my thoughts on what you can do as missionaries. Our neighbors need the gospel. Elder Ballard's talk says that our challenges are equal to but different than the pioneers. We're not asked to cross the U.S. on foot but we're asked to cross the street and talk to our neighbors. I am hypocritical if I tell you this is easy or I was good at it but you can be better than I was about friendliness to neighbors. It is not to late. As Pres. Monson said "Let people know you love them." and "There is no time in the future." There will not be a better time to make friends. If you step out of yourselves and make a special effort you will be so blessed. It is happening to me. We should know everyone on our street. Gone are days of isolation. Why can't our street be the friendly happy street of those we read about in books. All it takes is effort. The Lal's are being prepared by the Lord. They are prepared. Invite them over. Invite them to church. Share the family proclamation with them. Don't let them enter our house without seeing signs of our faith and testimonies. Our family will grow closer and our happiness will be fuller as we trust the Lord and exercise our faith. He loves us! How great will be your joy as you bring the Lal's unto Christ. They need to know that God lives. That their family can be eternal and how. Tell them in excitement and sincere compassion for their souls and salvation. People are waiting to be asked to come unto the waters of Christ.
You are in my prayers every night. This is an exciting time. Bishop Lefler's promise will be fulfilled. I love you all. You are awesome.
Love you,
Elder Britsch