Week Twenty Nine

(To begin this week's message, Eric chastises us for missing the Pioneer Day Concert):

No comments on the Pioneer Day Concert? I guess you guys didn't watch it.  That makes me feel bad because I went to it and it was really good.  I even got a picture of Thomas S Monson:

(If Eric says he got a picture of President Monson, then I believe him...)

(Eric on the changes to missionary dress standards):

No I didn't hear anything about the new changes but when stuff like that usually happens we're just told that it doesn't apply to us usually.  Like when it was announced that all missionaries are allowed to e-mail friends, that doesn't apply to us.  That's probably why I haven't gotten any letters from friends since like the beginning of June.  Nobody seems to want to write to me anymore.  That or it just seems like that now because I have to hand everyone in my district their mail and it seems like everyone gets more mail than me.

Eric's mission address is:
Elder Eric Larson 
c/o FCHH Mission
JSMB-East 3rd Floor
Attn: Young Missionary Directors
15 E. South Temple St.
Salt Lake City, UT 84150-346

(Eric on being a district leader):

One of the most stressful parts of organizing a district meeting is that I do have to assign elders things to do.  One person needs to give a spiritual thought, another a doctrinal instruction, and then I give the district leader's instruction.  Oh and I have to assign prayers and stuff.  And I have to open the floor to testimonies at the end which means we usually just sit there for like 5 minutes not saying anything. 

(Eric on the information about the McBride family that she compiled and sent to him):

Thanks for all that info you sent.  I'm not trying to be rude but I knew all of that already.  In fact I posted all that stuff on FamilySearch in May but I guess nobody noticed.  It still worked out though because Elder Call really liked reading them.  And he couldn't believe how many books on my family are here at the library.

(Eric commenting on Eli Blair and Kyle Line's "farewell" talks last Sunday):

Also I didn't even know Eli and Kyle were going on missions let alone where they're going.  So hopefully that's included in the letter because I'd like to know.  And if you've told me already then I've already forgotten.

(Eric on the Pioneer Day Concert):

Anyway I told you about the Pioneer Day Concert.  Nathan Pacheo has an incredible voice and I enjoyed his songs. Lindsey Stirling is talented and I enjoyed watching her but as someone pointed out, watching a self-proclaimed "hip hop violinist" dance around the stage in strange garb in plumes of smoke doesn't really remind us of our pioneers...but it was still an excellent concert.

Here's some pictures of a feral kitten that's currently roaming around Temple Square:

The poor thing's terrified of humans so I had a really hard time trying to get him, and I never managed to.  I don't know what I would of done if I did manage to grab him though.

Also here's a picture of Elder Liddiard because I remember you asking if I had one:

I remembered yesterday evening that you were wondering if I had one and no I didn't but then I ran into him and said, "I'm going to take a picture of you okay Elder Liddiard?" and he smiled without asking any questions because that's how cool he is.

Oh and I got some cavities drilled by Dr. Liddell yesterday and will have some more done next Monday.  This is going to sound weird but he is the best dentist I've ever had.  I don't know how but he managed to numb me without giving me any excruciating pain.  He's also a pretty hilarious guy. When I braced as he put a q-tip in my mouth he was all like, "Don't worry this is just a q-tip, the harpoon comes next."  And instead of wandering off while the numbing sets in he just stayed and talked with me the whole time.

Anyway I think that's all I've got.  I had really bad indigestion last night so I didn't get much sleep so I'm kind of out of it today so hopefully this message is comprehensible.

Love, Elder Larson