Another first

To all,
Well this week was a couple of firsts for me in the mission! All of which was just very very fun! Well to be honest Saturday was the first day of the mission that I felt really really sick. Just awful. And as I was then laying on my couch whining and "why me-ing", haha I then thought of the missionary stories I have heard where they come back and say stuff like... "There was only one day on my mission where I WASN'T sick." or "I didn't know what being sick meant before that mutant mosquito bit me." Ect. And I thought then that they only lived in huts, probably on the floor suffering... I then opened my eyes and looked around my 2 car garage, 2 1/2 bathroom, 2 bedroom, fully applied, mansion of an apartment. Smiled and said it could be worse hahah. Sorry Isaac, Logan, Chris, Taylor, Stuart ;).
Well I am completely fine. A one day bug and we were off and running! Today I finished the special edition Ensign on the Book of Mormon! Gosh it was so cool to really read and remember my own personal experience with the Book of Mormon! I loved them all but the ones that stood out to me the most was first the one talk given by Elder David Bednar of the quorum of the Twelve Apostles and another given by Elder Walter Gonzalez of the Seventy.
I have with frequency pondered and studied the the vision of the Tree of Life here on the mission. For those who don't know, the vision of the tree of life was a dream of an ancient prophet named Lehi, 600 years before the birth of Jesus Christ. It is recorded in Chapter 8 of 1 Nephi in the Book of Mormon. And in all my studying and ponder and praying, I never got more out of it than I did when I read the talk by Elder Bednar. If only that talk had come out a year ago, it would have saved a lot of time and eventual guesses haha. But in each of those studies, confirmed by this talk, I have left with an overwhelming desire to partake of the fruit and then stay put! I was glad Elder Bednar stated the attributes of those that did just that! I loved and I know that by a continual and daily and diligent read from the word of God, we too can prepare to receive all the blessing the Atonement has to offer us.
The next was by Elder Gonzalez! I liked this one because on my mission I have seen all of these ways in which one came to know the Book of Mormon is true! And it gave me time to reflect on my testimony of the Book of Mormon and experience that that stems from. I know anyone can as they truly seek to know. It is the the word of God and I know that because it is something that God has revealed to me.
I love my mission I love the people I am working with! Hope all is well! Take care and have a great week!

Elder Walter