Definitely Just 2 More Weeks...

Dear Family,

First off, I would like to thank you all for being so understanding. I am sorry for just dropping it on you like that, but I felt that it was the best time because we would actually be talking on the phone. I have to tell you that it wasn't an easy thing for me to call President Collins and let him know how I felt. I am so excited to come home and see you all. I am also very excited to be able to get back to regular life. I just felt that I should stay for a little longer. You have made things a lot easier on me because I don't have to worry about upsetting you all at home. I now know that you will support me and that takes a lot of stress off my back. Thank you so much. You may never understand how appreciative I am of that, and I don't even know if I am staying out here for another month yet. I talked to President Collins after I called you and he said that they were working on the next transfers a lot today. He told me that he would see if he needs another missionary for 30 days. Then, he would call me today. He also said that whatever happens he will have someone give you a call to let you know the decision. Thanks so much!

It was great to hear from all of you on Christmas Night as well. It sounds like everyone is doing well. I can't wait until I will actually be able to visit with all of you face to face, and whether it is in a couple weeks or a month and a half, it doesn't matter. That is what I have had to realize. A month is almost nothing compared to eternity, but depending on what happens in that month can have a giant effect on the eternities. Thank you so much for understanding. Please let Grandma know that I love her very much, and I don't want to upset her. I have just been learning that many things happen according to God's timetable, not ours.

I hope that you enjoy your New Year's Eve party. We are not allowed to have any New Year's Eve fun. We have to come inside at 6:00 and stay inside all night. I understand why, it just takes away the fun of things. Maybe Elder Lowe and I can find something fun to do. Maybe we can find a game to play.

Hopefully all goes well for Andrea and David as well as Misti and Allan. It sounds like they have had a lot of fun dealing with their housing situation. It is too bad that the company did such a poor job on their house. Are Misti and Allan going to be held to some kind of contract, or does it become void when the house breaks like that? It will be interesting to see so many new things. Life is just really good at throwing curve balls at you. I guess one of the things to learn in life is how to roll with the punches.

As to the people we are working with, Doug is still doing OK. He came to church on Sunday, and I think that he enjoyed it. When he stood up to introduce himself in opening exercises of Priesthood, he announced that the church is the true church. That was pretty cool. We are also working with an older lady and now her husband…the Dingworth’s. Sister Dingworth has been an investigator for the past while. She and her husband came to church on the Sunday before Christmas. We went and visited them yesterday, and she was willing to say the closing prayer. We weren't sure what her commitment level was. We weren't sure how far we were going to be able to work with her, but her prayer was really amazing. She thanked Heavenly Father for us, and then she asked him to help us continue to be persistent with her. It let us know that all of our persistence and hard work may actually be doing something for her. Her husband said that he might also be interested in learning. He has a Book of Mormon as well, and we hope that he is going to read it. We will just keep hoping and praying.

Thank you all so very much for everything that you do for me. I want you to know that I never could have served this mission without you. I love you all very much, and hope that you continue to have a great Christmas Break. I also hope that whatever happens we will all be able to trust the Lord. I know that sometimes I have to remind myself of who I am working for. I have to remember that He knows better than I do. It is a humbling thing, but I know that the Lord blesses me for it. I had to remind myself of that when I think about how much I want to come home.

I want you all to know that I love you very much. I have been really stressed out about things for the past couple of days, and you all know how I am good at stressing, but I also want you to know that since I read this email, my stress has gone way down. Just the knowledge that I have support from home gives me strength. I love you all, and I just want all of you to be happy.

Love,

Elder Savage

      Elder Colton Savage

     1610 N.  B St.

     Richmond, IN  47374

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Mission Home

    Indiana Indianapolis Mission

    1980 E 116th St STE 200

    Carmel, IN 46032