Making a Splash

Man, I think about all that has happened and I kind of get a headache. It has been the busiest week of my mission, but I sure love it. As you might have noticed from my last email, I am super pumped to be serving where I am.  Elder Robley and I are doing great. We have a lot in common and we laugh a lot. Gotta love cruising around in a pedophile van with a bud. There is a ton to report on so I will get to it. 

The week started pretty wild on Monday after P-Day. We were running a little late so I was rushed to change back into my proselyting clothes. I put our phone on the edge of the toilet and turned to change my pants when I heard a splash. Of course, this whole white wash thing was too easy with all of our phone numbers. I just had to make it a little harder on us. We spent the majority of that night trying to figure out how to get our contacts back, but with no luck. So, we are literally hitting this area with a fresh start. Gotta love it. 

Tuesday was pretty wild too, we spent the entire day in Iowa City at MLC (Missionary Leadership Council). It was a pretty great meeting. I am so excited to work with the other leaders of the mission and especially work with President and Sister Badger. One of the assistants asked me the day before the meeting to prepare a musical number for the meeting. Ugh... It went pretty well actually, I played the classic, "We Thank Thee Oh God For a Prophet." I guess I had to make a good impression at my first MLC. It was great to see a bunch of the Elders I have served with in the past. Speaking of, I forgot to mention last week that my son Elder Balderston had a boy! He is such a stud. So, I guess I am officially a Grandpa. I must be getting old. 

We also had interviews with President Badger on Thursday so Elder Robley and I spent the entire day in the Stake Center helping President conduct those interviews. It is a super long day but it is so great to sit down and talk to President and Sister Badger, I can't wait for you guys to meet them. You will love them. Friday, we led exchanges with one of the District Leaders in our zone. We have been moving pretty much nonstop, going to lessons, lots of meetings and a lot more administration business than I expected. All the time we have between helping other missionaries and meetings is spent trying to meet our investigators still. We have hardly had any time in our own area. It should calm down this next week though. We are stoked to hit the pavement and find some more great people. 

A cool thing about our area is that we have like three medical schools here in Des Moines and there are a ton of young graduate student married couples in our ward. Man, it makes me excited to start my own family someday! There are little kids crawling around us all of the time during dinners and lessons. Kids love the missionaries. I feel almost as cool as when I did when I walked into Mom's 4th grade class. 

I see that this email is getting a little long, so I will wrap it up. I have been thinking a lot about integrity lately. In Hebrews 13:8 it talks about how Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever. He is a perfect example of how we as members of the church should act as well. We should act the same in every circumstance, at work, at school, at church, etc. We should always be representatives of Jesus Christ's restored gospel, and "Retain the Name" of Christ. (Mosiah 5:12) There are so many blessings waiting for us when we do. 

I love you guys! Have a great week! 

The 4th Grade Celebrity,

Elder Obray

p.s. Thank you so much for the package this week! You guys are the greatest. 

P.s. part two we are headed to the Iowa State fair today so I am sure you are anxiously waiting for next week's report on the fried butter and 2000 pound pigs. Gotta love Iowa.