July 30 2009

Mom,
I was devistated to hear about Shawn. I'm so sorry mom. It's ot an easy thing, death. I know he is in heaven learning the gospel. I just can't believe I will never see him again. I feel so bad for Mike, Corey, Connor and Aleshia. Read D&C 121:7-8. The Lord works in mysterious ways and we have to overcome things we don't want to have to deal with. But it is up to us to endure those trials as well.
We got 8 new Elders in the zone and 3 new hermana's. I haven't met them all yet because they are on that whacked out schedule the first week but it's nice to add some people to our super small zone. Our district only has 4 and before these new ones came we had us 4 and 2 other districts of 8-10 so we were very small. Zones usually have45-60 missionaries in them. We are district 1 (not by coincidence, we ARE #1) out of a few hundred districts. They say the MTC is the busiest now. There are 2,300 plus here. The conference center holds 2,000 so we battle it out to get there early and get good seats on Sunday/Tuesday devotionals. The food is getting old. I'm so sick of it, haha but that's ok. I haven't eaten since your letter yesterday, I've been on a fast for Nancy and family. I hope they are ok.
Anyways every Thursday we have what is called the TRC (teaching resource center). All week we prepare for a certain investigator that they have given us. We have 2 parts. A Spanish task (help them move, talk about family, take a bus to church etc.) while only speaking Spanish. The we invite them to be taught and teach in English. Today we are helping a family move while talking specifically about our families and their personality traits. As well as prayer. The a lesson about the word of wisdom and the plan of salvation. Should be interesting. Anyways thought I'd give you some insight on my day. We have gym today too. I'm excited to play ball. There are some good athletes here! We can 3 v 3, my jumpshot is silky right now. Only by the Lords help could I have the rebirth of my jumpshot :-) and playing 5 times a week might be a factor. Dad would be proud, the guys always tell whoever is guarding me to "play that elder tight, he be a shooter" :-) haha We all have little lines we say. There are a few elders that can "dunk w/ authority" it's nuts. MTC b-ball keeps me sane no joke. Anyways, I love ya, stay strong. Write me about Shawn.

Elder Campbell

PS Thanks for the package! We are saving the cider for the night we leave. We have the bottle wrapped in paper that says "Poppin bottle Aug. 31st!" Pray for strength in this hard time. Pray for Nancy and her family to be lifted in their afflicitons. Love ya, it's been a somber day for me but I'm trying to stay focused.