Hi Kimberly Sweetheart Sister Rasmussen the Studying Maniac, Aren't you so glad you are obedient when you are doing things that make you more knowledgeable in the gospel, more fit, more prepared to share your testimony, more outgoing (if that is possible), more organized, more modest, more reflective, more prayerful, more humble, and more wise? I am so impressed by all you are commitment to learning and hope you know how much your achievements in self-discipline and spirituality are having on us. We are trying harder to do what we are doing to the best of our ability to be more like you. Yesterday BT and I had an amazing visit with Mr. T. I stayed about 50 minutes, T was there almost two hours. The wisdom and sincerity that he shared has made a deep impression on both of us. In a nutshell: WORK - to be an artist you have to constantly work on your craft even though you need to do menial jobs to get by know that as long as you are spending your spare time creating, becoming, giving through your art you will be happy. If you are critical, lazy, doubtful, you will be miserable. HUMILITY - you have to be vulnerable and SERVICE - always remember that your art will be good if it is not about you. Prepare your art to give your audience something they will like. Mr. T gave an example of his passion for Shakespeare, masks, and poetry - things the average person doesn't really like. His father a rancher from Southern Utah sitting in the audience experiences wonder, new ways of thinking, unexpected feelings that change old perceptions and bring new relevance through story so that even the hardest nut to crack begins to open to that media even just a little and is grateful for having had the experience. I couldn't help but think of you preparing for missionary service as your art. The living room, park, pulpit is your stage. Your message will be directed toward the needs of your particular investigator. As you ponder and prepare for the opportunity to teach with hard work, humility, and lack of self-interest, you too will find success. Another aspect of an artist's life Mr. T mentioned is the kind of people BT needs to surround himself with. Lazy, critical, doubting influences will stifle creativity and waste precious time. Finding committed artists who work hard with pure motives will create an atmosphere of synergy that will propel the group to new heights. Does that sound like the MTC or what? I Mr. T, "Big-T has not shut the door on the possibility of going on a mission. How would that affect his goal of becoming an artist?" He responded that it would add to his emotional maturity and not hold him back in achieving his potential at all. He said it would be hard, and talked of serving in New Zealand where at first he was disgusted by the dirty households and children climbing all over him, but by the end he looked forward to the tickle wars and would wipe a kid's nose with his tie. Oh Kimberly, thank you for your prayers and the great love you have shared with him especially over the last few months. I think it is becoming clearer now who really has his best interest in mind. Mr. T gave BT advice about whose voices to trust as he walks this path of the artist and reassured him that he (Mr. T) would always be there for him. The other trusted source is A S the woman who plays his mother in Cricketless. I am working on helping T have access to the still small voice of the Holy Ghost. Finding artists T respects who can testify of that source of inspiration like Brickey or Capener, would be amazing. You, M A, and Ben were mentioned by name in his family prayer last night. I know your voices are also trusted sources of inspiration for him even though he doesn't like being preached to. Stories of your experiences show how you are living what you believe and make the testimony real. I think that's what he meant when he told President T that you live the gospel with more integrity than anyone he has ever known. He has seen what a strength and a light the gospel has been for you. He is gradually making a space in his mind and heart for that strength and light to grow in him. Isn't it interesting that the book of Mormon is about the constant struggle of the believers and the non-believers. The reader gets to imagine through those words what it might have been like to be on either side. In Helaman 16 Samuel the Lamanite is on the wall trying to warn the people of their sure destruction at the Savior's coming if they do not repent. Those who believed were ready to confess their sins and be baptized by Nephi. Many did not believe and tried to shoot Samuel with arrows and hit him with stones. He was protected by the Holy Ghost and not one hit him. Others were converted by that miracle and came to Nephi to repent and be baptized. We know the Savior is coming. Miracles through the Holy Ghost are happening all around us - through missionaries like you, BW, JD, and many other young people who change their lives from being me-centered to Thee-centered and serving for what must seem like eternity in your young lives. Learning to take each day as a gift, a chance to follow the spirit and accomplish whatever tasks the mission rules or the spirit direct. Then come the blessings and the joy of serving the Lord, changing lives, and preparing world to again receive the Savior. We pray for your success, safety, and happiness. We are sure you fill the lives of those around you with love and laughter not allowing room for discouragement or doubt but standing in the light strong and firm, ready to follow the Master. Thanks for blessing our lives with your constant love and caring. Tchuss for now, -Mom