Dear Shanell,

Thank you for the poem you sent me. I loved it! That was one your dad used in seminary, huh. I miss his great advice and lessons! It looks like I might get to train a new missionary in about a month! I'm excited! I want to show a new missionary how to do his best and I know I would learn so much from him, too. I love my mission, my area, my companion, this great work, and our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I love all of this church! I know that Satan cannot overcome someone on the Lord's side unless we let him. Here is a quote we had to memorize in scouts: "There is no chance, no fate, no destiny, that can circumvent, change, or hinder the firm resolve of a determined soul!" This si so true! I am trying to practice this out here on my mission. It is working. Once your mind is fixed on certain goals, nothing can stop it except your own doubting!

I know that as I focus on the Lord's work, He will take care of everything else in my life. The missionary work is picking up here. We are expecting a baptism in October. We don't know who yet, but we will find someone. I have faith! I have a companion that said something really neat to me a couple days ago. I asked him if he thought that if I had enough faith to walk on water, would the Lord let me? He said something that was so simple, but yet so true. He said, "Yes, the Lord would let you, just as he would let you move a mountain, if there was a purpose; a righteous purpose. I think this is true. We need to develop and exercise our faith in ways that will help us and others grow. Christ did not just walk on water to show off. He did it to fulfill a purpose.

It is so amazing how easy the Lord makes things sometimes when it is for a good cause. Without the Lord's help, baptizing out here would be next to impossible.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Love,
Elder Wallentine