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Week 9


9th week... I've been here for 8 weeks and a day now. My visa isn't through so this may not be my last week at the MTC. The rest of my district leaves next Tuesday andWednesday. I'm losing my companion who has become one of my closest friends and I'm trying to emotionally prepare for that by just being super excited that he gets to go to Anaheim and serve the Vietnamese people. His Viet name is Thắng For those of you in Southern California, go visit the Viet branch sometime and say Hi for me. Take him cool things, just not chocolate, he doesn't like chocolate.
I have finished my goal of reading through the entire Book of Mormon during my stay at the MTC, and it was glorious. This is probably the first time I've read through the Book of Mormon with purpose and actually trying to understand instead of just reading to read. That's not to say I've never studied it, I have and understood a lot of the doctrine before, but I have a much greater conviction of how the Book of Mormon can help in people's lives. There are several of you who may be reading this who have never read the Book of Mormon, you may not even believe there is a God, but I testify to you, there is a God. He sent his Son, Jesus Christ to Atone for all of our sins and to ease our spiritual burdens. If you have any intention of ever trying to find out for yourself, go to Mormom.org and request a copy of the Book of Mormon. In combination with the Bible, the Book of Mormon gives a great understanding of the Doctrine of Christ and of the Father. It truly is a restoration of the truthfulness of His everlasting Gospel.
I want to thank everyone who has written me. Your letters, packages and emails have really meant a lot. I have been strengthened by your support and want to thank you all for your prayers. Being a missionary can be a great sacrifice, but it also brings so much joy.

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