Elder Sommer's Letters April 9&16

Elder Maguel Jarom Sommer
India Bangalore Mission
     493 C.M.H. Road, Indiranagar
     Bangalore -- 560 038, INDIA

April 9, 2012

Dear, Family

It is so great to hear from all of you I always enjoy reading your words and thinking of the great examples that each of you are to me in my life. This week has been very busy with Leadership training meetings for my companion, so we did not have the opportunity to teach very many lessons in our area this week, but I did have the opportunity to go on exchange with one of the Elders from my MTC district, it was a very spiritual, and fun experience. Also my companion Elder Sodadasi, was unexpectedly transferred this week, because he was needed in Hyderabad, which came as a surprise because I still have two weeks of training and there are 3 more weeks until transfers, so I now get to completely lead in our area, but I am excited and know that with the Lord's help that we can do all things. Elder Sodadasi did want me to say that he sends his regards to the family, and especially to Grandpa Sommer, and to you Dad, I use your sayings, quotes, and poems all the time which he and the other Elders really enjoy. General Conference was such an amazing experience, I am sad to say that I truly never watched conference in such a way before in my life. The Spirit as we watched conference was so strong, and the messages had such great meaning to me as I look at how I can become a better disciple of Jesus Christ, and also in how I can better help our Heavenly Father's Children to gain a testimony of the Restored Gospel. The Messages of Family also rang so true, as I thought of what mom and dad have taught us and more importantly the living example they have set. I truly can say that in my own life because I was taught and saw the examples of living the gospel and saw the joy that it brought to our lives that I never had the desire to go and do bad things. Also I am grateful for the opportunity that mom and Dad have given us of using our Agency, and of working with our wills. I have truly felt that I was always taught the gospel so that I would understand how it was important in my life I remember many teaching moments in my life, Dad teaching me of the importance of weeding the garden and its relation to sin, the importance of the temple which has always stuck with me even though I was only 2or 3 years old, I still remember the talk he had with me. Mom teaching me of having faith, Both Mom and Dad have taught us countless examples of all of the gospel principles, and their application in our lives, and perhaps most important of all learning to accept the Lord's will in our life, and for us to remember what the Savior has done for us and his example of "not my will but thine be done" those words have stuck with me all my life and have given me strength and the courage and faith to say them in my darkest hour and even when they were not the words that I wanted to say. I am grateful for the spirit and the warmth, peace and joy that his presence brings to our lives. Also I am grateful that as we were taught correct principles we were allowed to in many ways govern ourselves, and I truly always felt that mom and dad had confidence that I would choose the right. As stated in conference I know that, that has brought strength to my life and has allowed me not to be crippled. I would encourage you all to read th Conference talks, and apply them,I know and have seen from personal and from our investigators perspective that that is the only time real changes can be made. I love you all so much and I am so grateful for our living prophet even Thomas S Monson and his counselors and the twelve. I know that they are called of God, and that President Monson holds all the Keys of the Priesthood, as restored to the prophet Joseph Smith, through Christs direction.

It sounds like you are all doing good. Anna sounds like you had fun at the Cabin, and that you are doing great. Camille sounds like you made it through Trig, and are doing well in reading your scriptures. Kent sounds like you had a lot of fun at the cabin, I would encourage you to read the talks about the Priesthood, never live beneath your privileges, recognize that you hold the priesthood of God, and continue to be a good example to your friends that I know that you already are. Laura sounds like you also had so much fun at the cabin, keep up the good work in school and in young womens. Brenen thanks for your love buddy I really missed you to as I entered the MTC, but like you said I know that I am doing what Heavenly Faher and Jesus want me to. Dad thank you for your example of always being a worthy priesthood holder. I am so grateful for your example, to me and for all your love

I love you all more than I could ever tell, Remember our Savior's sacrifice, and what it means for us individually and as a family

Love

Elder Sommer

April 16, 2012

Dear, Family

So good to hear from all of you, I can't believe how fast the time has gone hear. My mission seems to be flying buy, but I am learning so much and I am seeking to become a better missionary. My new companion is Elder Chelladurai he is a great Elder and we are working hard to help our area. We found one family this Saturday, and I was truly lead by the Spirit to their home, I went to walk past one road and felt impressed to stop and to go back on that road, and the first door we knocked the family happy let us in, they were very receptive to the message of the restoration, and have asked us some very good questions about the restored gospel. My new companion is amazing, as I said and I have learned many great things from him, I feel that we are really beginning to see even more the vision of our purpose as missionaries.   Please send the picture of our family when the girls are in the blue and red dresses. I would also like to be sent the Living Sermon Poem , and the Crossroads poem and the stories that you sent in the last few weeks letters. I am amazed that Annalee will be graduating so soon, I am happy to hear that you are doing well and staying happy. I don't have much time this week to write, but know that I love you all so much, and that I care for each of you so much. I think about you often, and pray for each of you all the time. I have truly seen the importance of listening to the Spirit, even when I can't totally understand the language the Spirit has truly helped me to be able to understand what they are saying. I know that this is the lord's work, keep the work up their at home I know that if we each continue to do our part that we will be a family together forever. Please tell Kirk, congratulations, and wish him the best on his mission. Please watch the Mormon Message "Moments that Matter Most" by President Uchtdorf

May the Lord bless all of you thank you for all your support.

Love Elder Sommer