P-Day, Service, and Studying

I'm so sorry I didn't get my email to you! I kind of rolled my ankle last Monday so I got distracted even though I had most of it written. I tried to send it the next day but the wifi was down at the building we were at and that was the day we got new iPads so my draft wasn't sent. I know that's kind of a long excuse but please forgive me.
So there I was playing 21 with some other missionaries. Totally crushing with a score of eighteen and coming down with a rebound when my zone leader fell on me and I twisted my ankle like I sometime do. I took ibuprofen and iced it right away. I can move pretty easily now but it's all yellow and blue and there is some pooled blood at the bottom of my foot. I'll send you pictures soon. We did get new devices last Tuesday and they are pretty similar to the old only that they are a little faster and they have a lot of storage space. We also get an app called duolingo which is a language learning program.

I've been brushing up on my Portuguese just a little bit. I sent off a small package today for Dad's birthday. I hope the rest of the family doesn't mind that I got him something for his birthday because it really is a special occasion. You don't turn old (50) everyday. There is something in there for jack that I have been meaning to send for a while now. It feels like a long time since I've been to the temple. I've only been able to go three times I think and there will probably only be one more chance for me just before I depart. When I first got here we did temple service since we were so close to the temple. We'd just pick weeds and plant flowers and things that mom would love. Also Rototilling, which nobody likes. I really don't know what to do with my bike. I think it's a piece of junk but that's probably because I've had to deal with it for such a long time. I could probably send it home and make good use of it or if Jackson gets his call stateside and he wants a free bike I could just send it there!

We've been asked to study Preach My Gospel over again and I have been amazed at the amount of information that I have missed in past readings. It really is inspired. I love the quotes at the end of chapter one, Harold B Lee's especially. So if you remember that my companion out in Palm Bay threw my Frisbee
that you guys sent me while I was in Brazil into the ocean you'll be pleased to know that he replaced it finally last week and I have been carrying it around with me for about the whole week. Luck favors the prepared.

Spring break next week! I hope that you guys have something awesome planned to keep the kids working. Remember that Gordon B Hinckley said "too much undisciplined leisure time gradually wastes a life.” I am so grateful for the mission it has taught me so much. It has made me regret the time that I wasted in front of the TV when I could have learned to play the piano or get better at a sport or SOMETHING useful. I also regret not being nice to my awesome parents all the time. For being lazy and not learning as much as I could have. Learn from my laziness, young ones. Honor your parents. I wish I could go back and be a good boy at home. It would make life so much better if I had behaved myself half the time. Anyway no sense in lamenting. I'll just go read the psalm of Nephi again. Thanks so much for your patience and for the emails! You all are great! I love you!

Elder Willard