February 17, 2010

Dearest family ever,

I heard some crazy news yesterday from one of our zone leaders. I am not
sure if it is rumor or fact, but he said something to the fact that either
President Watkins has decided or he has received news from general
authorities that missionaries might be in the same area there whole mission
unless 1 of 5 events occur. I am not sure what those five things are but I
find it interesting that they are encouraging so much to not transfer so
regularly. I can see many benefits from this and in some ways I would love
to serve here in Aranjuez for the rest of my mission. We shall see what
happens.

I am sure you heard about the death of the 2 missionaries in Romania. I
heard the news about 2 weeks ago and on Sunday I asked President Watkins, as
he was visiting our branch, if he knew any information as to whom they were.
From the brief profile information that he gave me I realized that one of
them was Elder Mckay Burrows. I was really shocked to hear this as Mckay was
a member of my BYU ward for fall and winter semesters last year and lived 3
doors down from me. I think he was there the night that I opened my mission
call and He entered the MTC in provo about 3 weeks before me. We saw each
other a bunch in the MTC and the day before I left for Spain we ran into
each other and took a picture together in front of the statue of the 2
missionaries riding bikes. He was a great guy and it is kind of freaky and
sad to hear the startling news. Luckily, there is no better news than the
plan of salvation and to know that he was doing the Lord´s work. I was
thinking about writing a letter to his mom and then sending it to you and
you could send it to her with that photo. You should have it on one of those
cd´s. I hope to do that soon, not knowing when I will have time.

Thank you for all of the *prayers and* thoughts. They mean a lot and make a
difference.

I love the theme of the Prophet President Hinckley, Carry On.

Love

Rob