Every week can't be thrilling, I guess.

Hello Family,

I can't even lie, I don't know what to say about this week. Elder Robert Gaye of the Seventy came and gave us a fireside on Sunday, a training on Tuesday morning with all the seniors, and then a special training with just the young sisters. He's a good story teller. I thought about that as I contemplated my own aspirations for the General Relief Society presidency. I'm not a big story teller. Not a fan of repeating myself, as it makes me feel disingenuous. But some people can do it, and indeed, need to do it. So I had to rethink whether I really want to be the General Relief Society president. 

Yes, I am now fessing up my most embarrassing ambition (and yes, I know it's a calling--all the more ridiculous) because there is nothing else to say. I think when I get to a place where there isn't much to do--and I'm doing all I can but it still doesn't seem like much--I start to get ridiculous and semi-unhealthy goals. So of course, I picked to want to attain the position of the most visible, spiritual female leader that I know of, so that I can set the bar at a level that has no limits except my unrelenting imagination of what I suppose the expectations to be--in which case, the bar is set to level perfection. Not that I'm a "perfectionist" (usually). I'm smarter than being like that. ha ha 

Anyways. We get our outbound calls this Sunday and then maybe I'll be more excited. I've been rocked into the Nauvoo cacoon (some have referred to it as the Garden of Eden.  . .) and accept non-progression now (although, just kidding. See: above). What's so great about real-life situations anyway, eh? 

No, but for real, I am so grateful for the Plan of Salvation. 

This about sums up everything:  

2 Nephi 2

22 And now, behold, if Adam had not transgressed he would not have fallen, but he would have remained in the garden of Eden. And all things which were created must have remained in the same state in which they were after they were created; and they must have remained forever, and had no end.

 23 And they would have had no ^achildren; wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no ^bjoy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no ^csin.

 24 But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who ^aknoweth all things.

 25 ^aAdam ^bfell that men might be; and men ^care, that they might have ^djoy.

The Book of Mormon makes so much sense, I can hardly bare it. That is, bare people not understanding concepts of justice and mercy, agency, happiness, faith, etc. that are explained within its pages. Really. It hurts me for people to not know.

Also, here's a great Mormon message about the Book of Mormon: http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=1256696369001 or this link http://www.lds.org/pages/mormon-messages#a-book-of-mormon-story

Do I like this just because I'm a missionary? I don't think so . . . right?

Ok, wish me luck on my second call. I love you! 

Love, Rachel