Monday, November 12, 2012

November 12, 2012 Email

Dear Mom,
This will also be my last email.  I have to take the 9:30 am plane to get home, so I don't think I'll have time.  :)
Let me answer your questions.  I'm super interested about working at Deseret Book, that's definitely towards the top of my list.  Yeah, we need to let them know as soon as possible that I would like to work there.  The workshop was good, Bro. and Sis. Anderson came from Taibei.  I've met them before, they are temple workers at the Taibei temple.  They talked about the church's free career workshop.  We did some activities and stuff.  Sounds good.  Then we had dinner, Sis. Bishop made a lot of traditional American food.  It was awesome.  We had a lot of time to talk to Pres. Bishop about anything we wanted to.  He gave advice about school, work, networking, dating, marriage, etc.  They also warned us not to go back to our old lives.  We should be new people with new habits.  It was also interesting, we asked about Pres. Bishop's mission experiences, it was cool to hear about the church and Taiwan 35 years ago.
I was pleased with the election results.  I was suprised how not close the electoral vote was.  There was only a 30 vote difference from 4 years ago.  I'm pleased about Ben McAdams and Jim Matheson.  I'm not suprised about the others.  I really like Janice Fisher, she's really nice and sincere.  She has very good political ethics and experience in education.  Seems the Democrats did better in Utah than expected.
You can have my time, we'll make a plan together every night Mom.  I like having a planner, it relieves so much stress.  I'm still not good with money, but better.  There are a few people I'd like to visit my first week, such as the Baird family.  I may need to go to school in order to meet with my counselor and declare my minor.  We'll discuss it.  Other than that, I'll do whatever you want!
I agree with you Dad, the changes a mission has brought are amazing.  Sometimes its difficult to notice, but I'm sure it will be a lot easier for you to see.  Some are easy to see, I'm in much better physical shape, and I speak Chinese.  Others have been subtle, but more wonderful.  I'm still a little stubborn, but I HATE arguing with people.  My personality has become a lot more like Dad's, I avoid conflicts, and I am quick to leave arguments when I feel angry.  That's a big change, huh?  I have much more patience overall.  I am more kind and honest.  I look for ways to improve myself.  I have much more respect for others, especially my parents.  Here's an interesting one, some members find me to be soft spoken.  Haha!  We'll see about that.  But serving as a missionary has been a wonderful experience, and the blessings have really touched me.
You have done so much for me, and I'm so grateful for you.  I would not be who I am if it wasn't for you.  I'm trying to remind myself that you are not perfect, hahaha!  Its not working very well.  Thank you for helping me adjust into post-mission life, I think that everything will go great.
Thank you for giving me the experience of a lifetime.  Well, thank you for giving me a lifetime, that really is the experience. 
Love,
-Elder Travis Leatham

1 comment:

Bing Math said...

Very nice! We are excited to see him!