Today is a great day so far. Class this morning was fun and I somewhat felt the spirit. The last few days have been tough. I haven't felt particularly sensitive to the spirit for several reasons. One that is I am thinking about the “outside world I left behind.” I got a letter from Markus the other day. Very supportive and fun-loving. Then he went and sent me a valentine - an envelope with candy hearts and a note: “To Laura Love Markus Happy Valentines Day.” Talk about blowing my focus. What a pain. I wish he'd just get married or something... I got a letter from Kellie (Johnson) today encouraging me to tell him “Take me now or lose me forever.”

Another reason for my lack of the Spirit is this companionship business. I am feeling claustrophobic and prideful. I have had very prideful, hateful feelings and nonverbal cues toward Hermana Eastman. We are very different, but it's my pride keeping me from enjoying the potential friendship. Today has been TONS better. Occasionally, I feel like screaming.

There were a few days that I couldn't get my mind off Todd. I was very concerned and confused about why I was so concerned. I guess no news is good news. I wrote him the other day, so hopefully I'll hear back from him soon (or his family). I love Todd so much. He has been such a great friend to me and having him be in his situation tears me apart. I wish we could have had a more appropriate goodbye. I want to see him before I leave more than anything.

The language is coming along fine so far. I enjoy las lecciones de Español muy mucho (the Spanish lessons very much). I also like the gospel study and scripture sharing. My district has been somewhat out of control lately. We are joking and laughing more than we're serious too often. It bothers my roommates and companion more than it bothers me. I just don't like the vulgarity. These Elders come up with some crazy ways of expressing themselves. Elder Daniels bore a powerful testimony this morning. We were sharing personal scriptures and he shared Alma 26:27 “Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success.” (see also vs. 30)

He said it has special application for he and his roommates and the elders, but the Hermanas all agreed that it applied to us BIG TIME. He has such a strong testimony and he shares it daily, almost. I have a great deal of respect for him.

 Our district

 Elder Tanner. I think I was on my knees, or he was on a stool. He was our district leader.

 Keith Borrowman was a BYU friend and worked at the MTC. It was fun to run into him there.

 The Hermanas