Game night

 Oh hi elder!

I hope this note finds you exhausted after a full day in the big city, the really big city. I hope it was a good, memorable experience. At the very least, I hope you had a break from your routine and…other things. I look forward to your letter and photos and stories.

I went to my first young men’s activity tonight. It was interesting. Bishop Snarr had a nice setup for video games ready for the boys. But it kinda turned out weird because the twins came with a buddy and played by themselves on one tv, Eric set up an Atari on another tv and played. Joe sat next to me and the leaders, but I couldn’t get him to play with the others and I couldn’t even blame him. Us leaders chatted about the Utes and stuff. I’m not sure that was how it was supposed to go. This calling will probably be the most challenging so far for me to get engaged with, I’m going to have my work cut out just to figure out what I’m supposed to do. Brother Brown and brother Blake are the other leaders, I really like both of them and the bishop. I can’t believe I think teaching gospel doctrine is so much easier, I’m actually going to miss it.

I started weight watchers this week, two days in and I miss all the crap I like to eat. But every time I put my food into the app I realize what poor choices I make, and that I eat for distraction or out of boredom. I’ve lost 2.2 pound in two days. I’ve started walking in the morning and doing core calisthenics too. The walk is only two miles, the classic loop around the neighborhood. I think I’m walking fast, but my app says otherwise. The core workout is a 21 day challenge. It super easy right now, except for the planks. But I figure a guy who gets sore from sleeping needs to start easy for safety sake. I lock the bedroom door when I do them because I know that mom would laugh hard if she saw me doing them. I am planning on dropping the plan for the game, and probably for the holidays. I figure I’d rather loose a few pounds and gain them back then pile on more pounds from this high point.

The Utes are on my mind of course. I send you a few things, and share stuff on Facebook hoping you’ll see it. But there’s a lot of stuff I read and hear and I really miss talking about it with you. They are a 62% favorite today, but I’m not really sure what that means. Artie is going to roast a duck and bring it. Mom’s going to but Stromboli pizza from the pie. Im saving all of my extra weight watchers points for that, but I may not be able to eat. I think they’ll win, I think it’s their destiny after loosing those players and to BYU. It will just be too epic for them to loose. I can say that I have no interest in going to any bowl other than the rose bowl.

We’re watching the Peter Jackson Beatles documentary. It’s very interesting. They are about to play on the rooftop. It’s also cool to see billy Preston play with them. His piano just makes those songs sound so good. An he makes it look so easy. He’s just older than Ben is when this was filmed, he started touring with little Richard when he was Joe’s age. What a different life he had.

Work has been busy but not too bad. The weather is strangely nice.

Jake, I love you. I marvel at the progress you’re making. I love the effort you put into your work. If it seems like a struggle for you it’s because it is. And the Lord must love you as you continue that struggle and continue to struggle. But in that struggle you are doing His work. I love that picture of you in front of José. It keeps coming to my mind that God has sent you there to demonstrate his love for him directly. That baptism or not, you may be the only way he could feel the Spirit, even if he doesn’t understand it. That’s what a mission is.

Love you kid, I’ll keep you updated on the Utes. I hope we all go to sleep happy on Friday night.

Pops