Buchan, Part 2 - November 26

Sounds like a jolly old time in Edmonton! I will love to join you on one of them future excursions. Or maybe I'll just go myself. You know me, I get homesick time-to-time, or pretty often, but this week I was a lot more at peace with it. I was listening to a song, where some of the words were: ''dry all your sorrows, though bitter they be, our parting be a moment that fades like a dream...'' so it led me to consider that when looking back, the two years that I am away will seem a short time once we're reunited. It'll be just like we were never apart. We'll get sick of each other, I'm sure. 

When I arrived in Peterhead, I had a growing urge to watch Popeye. I think Peterhead reminds me a bit of Sweet Haven! Just being a bit of a sailor-savvy town and all that, kinda old timey, and not very busy. And it smells like fish in the morning. It's the coldest place I've been to thus far, and wet too. And, I'd add, the darkest place. It's always cloudy and hiding the sun over here! It's a little depressing in that way. But the few days there is sunshine is a delight. The chapel is a bit of a new design. It's small, and there is no cultural hall. It's white on the outside, as opposed to the normal red-brick of my previous area's buildings. It's not in Peterhead, it is in a neighbour town called Mintlaw. We take a bus there. We have no bike or car. The ward---which is Buchan ward---has an average attendance of approx. 50 people. They seem nice, and look to be quite good at feeding us missionaries. 

My favourite scripture this week is 2 Nephi 2:16. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I do love how God's plan involves us choosing the right, and not simply falling or relaxing into the right. It's a fight sometimes to do the right thing; it often is. And I like that; I like the battle (when I'm on the winning side). 

Elder John Moffitt is from West Jordan, Utah. He's pretty easy to get along with, and I've improved my attitude a lot with him. He's very much into video games, and fantasy card games, and all that jazz. 

I ate a fish soup this week that had me picking out dozens of bones from every bite! 

I am going to try to find some new shoes today that will be water-proof and warm. Also, some slippers if possible because the heating in our flat is very spotty and the floor is like ice in the morning. 

Thank you so much for your words of affirmation. To be honest, one of the things I think about sometimes when things are very hard is: will I be able to tell my siblings and my nephews/nieces, and my own children that they should serve a mission? That it will be worth it? Yes! It is worth it. I wouldn't jettison this last 17 months of experience, and fun, and sadness, because they are worth so much to me, and will be for my good and for the good of other people too. And it won't be long now until I can come home. 

So I live at 49 Catto Drive, Peterhead. Honestly, I can't think of anything in particular for you to send me. I'm going to try and get new proselyting shoes, and some slippers, but other than that I don't really need anything. 

Love you Dad! and everyone! Talk to you soon!