8-29-11

Hey Fam,

A job, that's on the top of the list... let me know if you hear of anything.
About the card, that's the same deal as the Best Buy card, I just don't want them to add random crap to my card like HSBC did. My idea is to buy the computer (spend maybe 1400) and spend at least 1000 on the card, then pay off 500 the next day so that I only have to pay 500 and I have a year to do so, thus keeping payments to a minimum. (i'd also like to see what the reviews on the card are though) Whatddya think? Or, I could just buy it outright but then that leaves me a smaller amount for a car. Did that $800 ever get into my acct by the way?

As far as the transition, I feel I'll do ok. I just need to get a job asap and get a calling when I get home. Tell Bishop Hobby to think about something for me if he can :). Heck, have him e-mail me if he feels so inclined.

The storm yesterday was a BOREFEST. There was strong wind from about seven am until noon, and rain on and off throughout the day. We weren't allowed to leave the apartment so we sat inside all day long. I read the church handbooks to pass the time, pretty interesting and cool how the church works. I also watched all the church movies, read parts of Rough Stone Rolling, read a few chapters in the Book of Mormon, wrote a few letters and by the time I finished all that it was about noon... Yes, it was a long day. Church was canceled and because of that Nick was not baptized. Daniel's funeral was still held though and it was a great service. The Bishop pulled Nick off to the side during the funeral and explained what we'll do for the baptism next week so Nick was satisfied. Daniel's service was great and we will all miss him. It is nice to have the 'good news' and know where he is and what he's doing.

I read in Alma 34 this week about this time being a time to prepare. We also had a great discussion with Brother Stokes about this life and afterwords. This life is a time to harness the stupid stuff we do in preparation for exaltation. We talked about how in the telestial and terrestrial kingdoms it will very much be like the movie Groundhog Day. Will you be able to satisfy your addictions etc? Probably! But that will get really old after a few thousand years and only eternity to look forward to. Silly enough, I look at the Celestial Kingdom like World of Warcraft -- only healthy. Constantly evolving. People ask "Why would anyone play that game? You can't win!" Because winning isn't the point, the point is to continue getting stronger, better, etc. The Celestial Kingdom is continually helping your children, spouse, our God, and ourselves become mroe perfect. We will constantly be growing in knowledge. What great blessings await us! We also talked about the Sons of Perdition, and their state -- that's a conversation we can have when I get home, remind me. We spoke about Judas as well, Brother Stokes had a really cool standing on what he believes Judas was thinking.

I don't know if I'd put this on the blog, just in case it might be found as doctrine by others. But it is up to you.
Brother Stokes noted that Judas probably had great faith, so his idea wasn't simply "i'm going to betray him for money" Judas didn't need money, he was loaded! What he wanted to do was to get the ball rolling. He was sick of the Christ being pushed around and treated like dirt, so he thought "If I do this, Christ will show that he is the Son of God and blow this place to kingdom come!" But then, something happened that Judas didn't expect... Christ died. "What have I done!?" Thought Judas. And killed himself. Joseph F. Smith taught that if Peter had received the Gift of the Holy Ghost his punishment would be a different story for having denied the Christ 3 times. That made my companion and I start to think -- "if Peter is ok... what about Judas?" Elder Horton said something really funny "I guess we shouldn't be surprised if Judas is the greeter at the Pearly Gates then." haha. I think what Judas was NOT doing was listening carefully. He didn't understand the resurrection. He acted before he thought. Anyway, interesting insight.

Not much else to report this week, I love you! And I'm not trunky! Just thinking ahead haha.

-Elder Conner Allred