From Jon 3/8/2008

Sent: Saturday, March 08, 2008 10:03 AM
Subject: Tsis tshua no ntxiv!

Fondest greetings to you all! It looks like we've got Jack Frost on the ropes, and the towel is starting to look a little friendly. Naturally, as soon as I'm transferred to a car area we get consistent 20 degree weather.

I loved the blog entries and letters. Tiara is getting huge! Some of those pictures reminded me a lot of our own baby pictures. She is indeed a Pimentel. Those desserts looked really good! How much would dizzying delectabilities like those cost? Elder Richard Vang got really hungry when he saw them. He too is considering a career in the salivatory---er, culinary arts.

The seafood pic I sent last time was from the store next door to our apartment, and was a tub of fresh baby octopus. I do not intend to try it soon, but if later on Elder Choua Vang and I are companions he will probably make a dish of it and I'll taste it.

The Frogtown Elders set a firm baptismal date with Mai Houa! Huzzah! I don't remember exactly when it is, but it's April twenty-something. There is a rule that missionaries cannot return to past areas to attend former investigators' baptisms, but since the church is in Eastside, and we need to give Frogtown a ride, we'll be there anyway. She hasn't chosen who she wants to perform the baptism yet. Her husband can't because he is not fully worthy to use the priesthood. Maybe I'll get transferred back to Frogtown in time for the baptism (which is next transfer).

Kou set a baptismal date too, but he hasn't been to church in a long time. He's finally ready to be the pioneer in his family and stop waiting for his Dad to make the first move. We read 2 Ne 2 with him and he realized his fate was in his own hands and he needed to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great mediator of all men (verse 27). If he comes to church every week he will take the plunge on March 23rd. I fear he may accidentally sleep in this week though as it is stake conference and it starts earlier. I don't think he has an alarm clock, and am considering buying him one.

I have to go, but I wanted to leave you with this request: Each of you get a copy of the Book of Mormon, write your testimony of Christ and the BoM within, and give it to an acquaintance. Ask them to read the title page and the introduction, and find a good chapter that will help them as the Spirit directs you. It's not as scary as you think, and often they will appreciate that you care, even if they aren't interested at first.

Gnaw some bamboo,
-Johann