Elder Troy Bush: November 2022

Alright so listen up, I realize Im bad at writing emails. I knew that before my mission to be honest. So a quick update on my area and my mission: I havent left my first area I am still in Gallatin, which is a little town with about 1800 people that live within its borders. In my area, there is probably a solid 5000 people total. About a month and a half ago, my companion was switched out, I am not with Elder LeSueur, who is from Sholo or more specifically Pinetop Lakeside Arizona. He lived at about 7000 ft elevation so he likes the cold which is good because I dont. Hes also just a bigger guy with more mass on him so he gets hot easy. The winter is his season for sure, not so much mine. Fun little story if you can call it fun, I woke up at 4am freezing under my covers thinking what the heck. So I go and check the thermostat and the needle (its one of those old wanky ones) is shaking back and forth at about the 50° mark. So I tried to fix it in vain, and ended up resting in my bed until it was time to get up. He gets up, stretches and says "wow that was like the best sleep Ive ever had!"

So that should tell you enough about my companion. Ill attatch some images of him to this email.

Other than that Im not sure if theres much else to update on in Missouri or my area, its a very unpopulated area so there are almost no people we are currently teaching. Ive caught some really big fish but now its getting a little too cold to fish. Hopefully it stays at least kinda warm so that the fishing is good for just a little bit longer.

Its been over 5 months since I left home, and saying its hard being on a mission is an understatement. Im trying to keep myself as spiritually in tune as possible through deep personal study. Most people wouldnt talk about coming home before 2 years but I can definitely say in all honesty its crossed my mind several times. Im not one to pretend all is fine and dandy and keep things like that personal, and my character is to let others know how it is and how things are truly going with me. That way they can more fully understand the reality of certain difficulties.

So on another more spiritual note I want to talk about a few things that have been in my personal study. Firstly these impressions and thoughts.

Good habits develop good character, to develop good habits you have to make continual conscious good choices. When we have a desire, that desire leads to actions, which lead to habits being developed and habits create your character. We can become who God wants us to be if we also learn how to want to be what God wants us to be. We do that through prayer, and realizing who we truly are as children of Him. We can find divine and lasting truth about our spiritual identity, and once we uncover who we are, with God we can discover who we can become and who we are meant to be. The Spirit and His guidance will open our minds and hearts and help us every step of our journey in becoming like God.

God loves us so deeply no matter what your situation in life is He understands. He really does. In the scriptures and in the life of Jesus Christ you can find peace and comfort. If you truly seek that peace and comfort out with a sincere desire for it, through that careful study and personal prayer, you will find it. I promise. Something Ive come to learn is the principle of ponderance. Dont forget your ponderance after the study is over. Let your mind think and wander and wonder of the mysteries of God and the messages you read, and the thoughts and feelings you get. Joseph Smith pondered for years before his experience in the Sacred Grove. If you follow this principle and act on your ponderance you too can have sacred and special spiritual experiences.

Keep trying every day to be spiritual and establish a close relationship with your Father in Heaven. Your life will be blessed beyond your ability to comprehend.

Sounds like both over in Utah and here are getting hit with the cold. Its so strange how the time literally flies and soars by like holy cow. (I've met some cows out here on Adam ondi ahman so I can officially say holy cow and know what Im talking about) 5 months on my mission came and went and I dont know exactly how I feel about it... its just so so shocking it felt like yesterday that I was saying goodbye. Its unbelievable.

I actually love house work its grown on me, when Im productive I feel so much better! Also a tip if you havent already tried it, tree leaves make for really really good soil, so maybe try using the lawnmower to mow the leaves on the lawn and let them decompose into the ground, they make a fresh nice growing soil! You can also save leaves for gardens and summer plants or even the lawn and it helps grass grow nice and healthy! Im sure you probably already know this but its something Id do if I were you!

I love what you said about coincidences not existing because Gods hand is in everything. Brother Casper, our first release time seminary teacher in Utah talked about that and would say if you say something is a coincidence then youre taking Gods hand out of your life! Happy its going good and I hope it continues to!

So! Some personal study thoughts.

A few short ones, my personal studies have been lacking lately and I need to dive deeper.