Remember that place in Texas

I wish I had more time to write, but due to a hefty nudge from some

missionaries in the district we went to the Alamo with the senior

couples in our district. I wasn't too interested until I found out

that my old companion was coming along, and that the long

restricted-for-missionaries area of the river walk in San Antonio has

officially been open by the new mission president. Knowing I don't

have much time left in Texas, Elder P and I pulled the trigger on

the trip. It was fun, especially to cajole with my old friend, but it

left little time for much else.

This week I was doing some thinking while looking out at a Texan

sunset. The evenings here are always so picturesque. It's almost like

you were painting a Western movie every night. I was sitting in the

car on the way back to the apartment and thought, "there's nowhere

else I'd rather be, and somehow I'm supposed to change my mind about

that in a few weeks." Being a missionary has to be best two years of

my life. There has been nothing like it. There are moments that are

seared into me that will stay for the rest of my life. I have been a

full time missionary for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day

Saints for 23.5 months now, and you'd think that I'd have everything

figured out, or it would become dull, but every day I learn something

new, and every day I am amazed. Amazed at many things.

One of our wards has a slew of pest control salesman attending for the

summer. They invited us over for dinner last night. Every person who

works for the company is a return missionary. We were sitting in a

couch in an apartment in South Austin with 10 other young adults

having spiritual conversation. I thought, "there's no way this could

be happening without a mission. 12 20-25 year olds having a powerful

conversation about temples and discipleship comes only with a love of

the mission." It was true. These men and women- all of which are

return missionaries of 18 months or less- gave some council for when I

return home. I trust them. They are all good people.

I've been pondering much about countenance. The wife of our first

mission president always talked about countenances. I think I'm

beginning to understand what she was talking about,

Elder Richard Hall

1. The Riverwalk