Dear Family,

It is too bad to hear that Dad hasn't been feeling better. I remember the bad times he had while I was at home. Hopefully, he will be able to get feeling better shortly. Let Dad know that it is just fine as long as he gets feeling better.

Thanks for calling Mr. Mac's for me. It will be nice to get another pair of pants for my suit.

The music at General Conference always touches me. It is funny how something so normal could cause such a stirring in the soul. The music just helps you truly feel the spirit. It is the perfect way to start any spiritual meeting.

Conference always seems to have an underlying theme every time it comes around. I was able to learn a lot about what the Lord expects of me when I become a father and husband some day. I just hope that it is a little bit farther away. The scary thing is that I don't know what the Lord is going to expect of me.  The most important thing is to follow the direction of the Lord in all things. It was a little weird to hear Elder Christofferson say that we shouldn't wait too long after coming home before we start looking for an eternal companion. Whenever I hear a general authority speak, I learn something new.

I am not too worried about it being the end of days. Just as we teach the people out here in Indiana, as long as we are following the teachings of the Lord, all will be well. One of the greatest things that has stuck out to me is that as long as we "Follow the Prophet, we won't go astray". It leaves us no room to fear.

One lesson I have been learning is the importance, but also the difficulty of being exactly obedient. I have noticed that whenever I try to overcome something, I just discover another thing that I can improve on. It is a never-ending process to “bring myself unto perfection”. I don't even think it is really possible to bring myself to that point in this life. I may be able to come close, and always strive for perfection, but I don't think it’s possible to reach it in only this small amount of time on earth. It will take the Eternities to reach our full potential. We just need to always be striving in the direction of perfection.

The weather here in Indiana has been exceptionally nice. Other than a few cool spells, it has been within the 70's most days. I have really been enjoying it. We haven't gotten any snow for probably a month now, and I hope to keep it that way. It is good to hear that Cedar is getting so much moisture. We were in a very big drought. Did this year take us out of the drought? I guess if it does, you may be looking forward to a lot of flooding instead. I don't think it can ever be a perfectly nice year. Something always has to go wrong. We just need to be prepared. They do that trash pickup day here in Indiana as well, but they did it while I was in Connersville. Everyone seemed to call it “Big Trash Day”. We even donated a really old chair to the pile.

It is good to hear that you guys have been trying to exercise every day. As missionaries, we are asked to use the first half hour of our day, from 6:30 to 7:00, for exercise. I do better on some days than others. Some days I am so tired I am lucky to pull myself out of bed at 6:30, while I do really well on other days. I just need to be able to force myself no matter what each morning. It helps me be able to think better while I am studying in the morning. I just hope that I can keep it up when I get home.

I truly am enjoying this missionary work. It is so nice to only have to worry about sharing the gospel at any moment. As long as I am doing that, then I am being a successful missionary. It is really nice to have that. Things are going well, and I hope that they continue to do so. We found a really nice girl on ISU campus this week. She is going into a family services type of degree. She is interested in learning about the Plan of Salvation, and we are happy to teach her about it. We also talked to a nice lady last night named Candy, she is happy to learn as well.  She hasn't had too much connection with God in her life, and we are hoping to bring that closer connection to her ourselves. Hopefully, the spirit will work through us to help her.

I am glad to hear that Grandma is doing well. I am very happy to send her letters, and thank her for the one she sent me. I got it after I sent my own, so I wasn't able to answer any of her questions within it. I will try to write her again today if I get the opportunity.

I know that the Lord has put me into Terre Haute for a purpose. Now, I just need to find that purpose. I know that if I keep working hard he will show it to me, and help me fulfill it. In the mean time, we will keep trucking along and inviting others to learn of this gospel.

Thanks for all that you do. It is such a big help to me. Remember that I love you, and will strive to make you proud of me. Tell everyone at Albertsons (or whatever it is called now) that I said “Hi”, and anyone else you can think of. Take care of yourselves, and keep the Lord with you at all times. As long as you do, there is no stopping you. Thanks for everything.

Love,

Elder Savage

      Elder Colton Savage

     3158 N. 19th St.

     Terre Haute, IN  47804

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