Hey! I’ve been to Oaxaca

  Oh hi kid,

This letter will probably be be pretty boring compared to last week. You looked good on your call, you looked happy. I read your cousins letters, and I’m grateful for you. You always talk about those you serve, they seldom do. I also was impressed by when your appointments fall through, you go do something. It may not be the most fun, or fruitful, but I think Got puts things in your path that you will find if you are doing but can’t if you’re not. I hope you’re comp is better than you feared, I hope you elders can learn from one another. I’ve been to Oaxaca before. We had the best food there, saw some amazing ruins. I loved the town square there. I was even able to successfully drive there. My understanding is that there’s some political stuff going on there that wasn’t when I visited in the mid 90s.

You’re area sounds a lot like my mission in terms of how the catholic people treated us. I found that just contacted wasn’t really productive. In fact, the only time we had success is when we able to build relationships. Sometimes the members helped, but they were sort of in the same boat as us. Sometimes we’d just say hi to people or try to start a normal conversation. People like to talk about themselves and their own interests. If you can break through that way, the begin to see you as a person, they’re able to see beyond the white shirt. I also found that in my mission being catholic was more cultural than religious, they fiercely wanted to keep that culture. So it was important that we respected that culture, even if we disagreed with the religion. With your heritage, you have the opportunity to ask them about that culture to better understand your ancestors. I can’t wait to see pictures.

Around here, things are back to normal. So, so normal. I kinda hate it when the house is empty. It will be worse next week when Ben’s in school. 

Covid seems back with a vengeance. I directly know more people sick than last year. And deaths are spiking, mostly with the unvaccinated group of people. I simply don’t understand that Jacob. Talk about feeling like an idiot. I’m not predicting this, but I won’t be surprised if things start shutting down again. I’ve started wearing my mask in public again, something i relaxed on after I got my vaccination 

The Utah Ohio state game was the most watched Utes game in history, 16.6 million people watched it on tv. It was the second most watched of the NY6 games. Pretty awesome. It’s still hurting a little though, I won’t deny how sure I was that the Utes would win. But then, you know I tend to be a believer. We’re going to the basketball game against Washington tomorrow night. It’s cheap, and I don’t know this team at all yet. I’ll send you updates.

We had young mens tonight. It was about training the new priests on blessing the sacrament. Jared carver did a good job training, your little brother added a ton of good info, since he’s probably done it more times than anyone since you or Ben. Bishop always asks about you. I told him you were transferred. Brother Blake out of the blue mentioned what a great first assistant you were in the priests quorum. I really like the brothers I get to serve with.

It’s been raining here this week, which means snow in the mountains. I prefer not having to drive in it. It’s not as cold as last week, but it’s winter for sure.

 Well, it must be all I have if I’m talking weather. Sure love you kid.

Pops