Mail Call! September 13, 2012

(Today, the long-awaited letter arrived in Grandma & Grandpa Cummings' mailbox. It turned out to be letters for just about everyone in our ZIP Code in one envelope, along with three pictures.  And by just about everyone, I mean there were letters addressed to Grandpa and Grandma, Pam and Steve, Everyone, Mom and Dad, Dad, and Jason...hmm...who seems to be left out?  Your humble blog editor AND the author of the weekly family letter to Elder Cummings, THAT's who!!--Marie)

Selected somewhat random excerpts from the letters:

• Tell Grandpa that he can't slow down too much!  He needs to be there when I get back!!  Grandpa, I am giving Grandma permission to keep you active and healthy, so don't give her a hard time.  :-)
• I got this awesome scripture case today.  It says Primaría on it and is blue, yellow, and red (Primary = Primaría).
• I have such a strong testimony of the Church.  I thought I knew the Church was true when I went out but now I know so much more that I know I used to have such a small testimony before.  I love this Gospel!  I love our Savior Jesus Christ.  I am just so full of love right now.
• I love being a missionary!  I thought that I would miss watching movies/TV or playing video games, but I really don't.  As far as that goes I don't even have time to think about it.
• Thank you for raising me the way you did!  Thank you for this opportunity to serve and grow.
• Make sure to look out for Uncle Steven; I've challenged him to read the Book of Mormon.
• Brazil is so awesome!  You would love it here.  I honestly hope you get called to Brazil because it is so awesome but I know you are going somewhere Chinese-speaking because you know Chinese.  You do want to go on a mission, RIGHT?

Captions from the back of the pictures:

This is me and my roommates here at the CTM.  From left to right it is:  Me, Elder F., Elder S. (green shirt), Elder W., Elder E., and Elder G.  Elder F. and Elder G. are from São Paulo and will be serving in Fortaleza. Elder W. is from Utah and Elder E. is from Virginia and is a diver for the U.S. Army and both will be serving in Porto Alegre North.  Elder S. is my companion, he is from Boston, he is also going to Londrina!  I love being here at the CTM and can't wait to get out into the field!!!

So this is the slumber party I was telling you about!  It was so much fun, and we got to bed on time!!  In the photo from (top to bottom and) left to right is:  Elder B., Elder T., Me, Elder K., Elder J., Elder G., Elder S. These guys are so much fun.  It is events and missionaries that make the CTM so good. (These guys are like my best friends.)

An earlier photo from the slumber party.  That is Elder B. pretending to be passed out in front.  Elder J. is in the baseball shirt yelling.  Elder K. is in the blue shirt with the "phone," and Elder T., is the gangster standing up in the back.  And there I am being normal...I hope you guys like these photos!!

Love you,
Elder Eldon Ray Cummings