10/2912

Dear Family and Friends,

Dad, Thank you for your e-mail and mail! Actually - I wanted to tell you a quick joke. Sister Partl told it to me and I thought you might appreciate it. (this is the story of why we put an angel on the top of the tree at Christmas - "So things are not going well at the North Pole. Christmas is in a week. Ms. Clause is in a monthly bad mood, the raindeers are sick, the sleigh has not come back from the repair shop and to throw a wrench in the mix even further, the elves have gone on strike in consideration of the calamities abounding. Santa is, well, less than happy. He's fuming. Steam coming out of the ears, and he swears to himself 'if one more thing goes wrong... (grumble grumble grumble).' Just then, an angel flies into his office holding a Christmas tree. She says, 'Santa, where would you like me to put this?'" And there you have it. We know where he told her to put it.

 - Mom, thank you for your questions. Yes I received the Absentee request form. I sent it in the day after I received it. Is there a time I have to have voted by? I never send the CSD card home yet. But I did buy another card. As for Christmas things, some brown pants would be nice. Ones that can be washed of course. A smaller, portable Preach My Gospel. I'm in a blue tie fad phase. Some new tennis shoes maybe because mine have been overwhelmed with the muddy gardens of Washington when giving service. Pictures of the Family. Music. I know there's something I probably need that I am forgetting. But I'll remember at a time when it isn't important to remember. Thanks for asking. Elizabeth - Thank you for the cutest pictures of Chloe, Especially the videos. I love how she says "Hiya!" So Cute! Thank you, Thank You, Thank you!

Ok, So, I'm going to get the most important part out of the way first. There have been a lot of discussions of goals within the ward, within the stake and within the mission. Goals, Goals, Goals. Now, I understand that some people do not like setting goals and that has been expressed over and over again through out these past few weeks. I want to bear my personal testimony about goals. I have come to understand that they are not just something we hope for, they are not something that is used for recognition, and I would suggest that they are not (at least in the Lords church) simply a way of recording temporal progress, no matter how useful all those things are in accomplishing great work. I am convinced that in missionary work, Goals are commandments. President Larkin, (The Key Holder of Missionary work for the Washington Seattle Mission) has drilled into our heads that when we get a confirmation on a goal, it has now become a commandment. At the Begining of 2012, (about a year and a half into his assignment) he was laboring much in spirit concerning the annual goal of baptisms for 2012. He somehow, in much research and contemplation, came to the number of 1038. 1038 convert baptisms in the year of 2012. A member of the Seventy came down to promise this mission a great and wonderful blessing of baptizing 100 people in one single month. He promised us that after the mission accomplished that goal, we would continue to increase the number of baptisms month to date from then on. This last month, Dash Point Baptized zero. The mission Baptized 54 in the month of October. I will quote Elder Kuckuchi's (Seventy) words to the mission as best as I can recollect. "What this mission does the month after baptizing 100 of God's children will determine what kind of mission you really are, what your mission president has really taught you." I know it's fantastic we baptized 54 people. That's great! I love it! But I am not happy to show my mission president that he's only taught me to reach a goal and not continue in excellence from the time we overcome. President Larkin send a voice message throughout the entire mission today, explaining that the Church is changing. With the new rules pertaining to age limits of missionaries being sent in place, the number of mission papers recieved at Headquarters a week has jumped from 300 to 4,000. These regulations haven't even had that long to take effect and it is already sky rocketing. Imagine when all those preparing to go on missions submit their papers, that will increase exponentially! President Larkin doesn't want the Washington Seattle mission to remain the same either. He asked us to fast in repentance tomorrow from 1:00 PM to 1:00 PM on Wednesday. I am not asking you to join in that fast as none of you need to repent. What I am asking you to do is to support me in the challenges ahead. President Larkin promised each companionship a baptism in each month for the rest of the year. At Least one in November and at Least one in December. He has challenged the entire mission to baptize 200 people in November. I do NOT intend to let the Lord down. Some of you reading this letter may role your eyes at that, but I am serious. I know that this is the Lord's will. 200 people are prepared to be baptized in the mission and at least 2 in Dash Point for the rest of the year. I NEED NEED NEED your prayers to qualify me to be trusted with those people. I need support. It might even help to throw a little reminder in each letter or note you send to me by mail or e-mail. President Larkin has also challenged us to read the entire book of Mormon before the end of the Year. If you would like to Join me, I am starting tomorrow at 8:00 - ! Nephi 1:1. Please Please Please, remind me, help me, and pray for me in this endeavor. Even if you may not totally agree with goal setting. Just trust me that I am certain in this command from the Lord. It will strengthen my faith, and it will strengthen yours.

I love you all. Thank you for being concerned about my health, my success, and happiness. Thank you for your prayers and words of kindness and love.

Love,

-- 

Elder William Lloyd Lovell
Washington, Seattle Mission
10675 NE 20th Street
Bellevue, Washington 98004

  

D&C 6:36 - "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear no