Dear Mom,
Did Jared get the letter I sent him?
I have had such a crazy week. It's amazing to me just how things work sometimes. Right before I left for the mission, I read an article about Windows 8 and Secure Boot. The small amount of information I gleaned from that article came in handy last Friday when I was asked to help the Irvine Office with a computer issue they were having. They had an HP Pavilion 500-47cb computer with Windows 8 installed, and they wanted to go down to Windows 7 so the programs would work. They had had a lot of people try to install the operating system to no avail; it would freeze up and crash during the load. Upon looking at it, that small piece of knowledge I had floated up to the top of my mind, and I changed the UEFI settings to something I thought would work a bit better. It worked. The computer started loading the new software, and 15 minutes later I had my first Windows 7 Install on a Windows 8 machine completed! The next challenge came in finding drivers for everything. HP did not have drivers for Windows 7, since no variation of this paticular computer had Windows 7 on it. With a bit of luck I found the chipset drivers available from the AMD website, and we were off to the races. I asked Elder Litchfield if I could order a video card for the computer, as it was refusing to load the maps 3d software. He asked what the price would be, and a number floated into my head. I said $129 and he said go for it. I found the perfect card at $129.99 exactly. The card arrived today, and the sound system I spec'd out for the Irvine Office should be arriving tomorrow. I will be heading down there tomorrow to install the systems. Who knew I would be doing the things I loved to do on my mission?
I can't believe I am turning 20 on Wednesday. I can't wrap my head around that. The last time I turned a Decade older I didn't care. Now I still don't care, because it doesn't change anything for me. It's amazing how that works. I am not even excited for 21. What changes? I get to drink? Ha ha, I made the choice to not do that a long time ago. I'm really excited for 25. Then my insurance rates go down.
Mom, You are getting so old. But in a good way. Like a "I am *21* but still get asked if I am much younger" way. Way to go on running. I remember when my parents were fat. I'm proud of you guys, you've really come a long way, and you have been having a great time while doing it. What more could you ask for?
Zone Conference is on Wednesday. I can't imagine a better way to spend my birthday than to spend 6+ hours in a meeting. I am almost 20 and I still can't drive a forklift. What is up with that. I had one job. One job. Learn the forklift. And then (technically) never happened. I don't want to drive a forklift for my life, but I want to know how to drive everything.
I am making a list of things I hope to accomplish before my next decade. Some things are silly, but most of them are serious goals. I have learned that setting goals is a very important step in making things happen. Without a vision of what is possible, you don't have anything to reach for.
Friday we got a referral from the church headquarters on our phone. A woman needed help unloading a moving truck. We called her and she asked us for help immediately. We changed into service clothes, and headed over. Her mom lived a block from us, but because of California's facination with fences and walls, it was a 6 block walk. We spent a decent part of the afternoon helping out. I called my District and they showed up in force to help out. Long story short (just for this week) We went over the next night and committed 3 people to baptism! I don't know if I will be able to see the fruits of my labors, but I am so excited.
I have this slight feeling like I am leaving this area next transfer. The AP's called to talk to Elder Cook and Elder Parent. They told them to get bikes ready, as this area was going back to bike next transfer. While I wouldn't mind going on bike, I think that it is likely I could be transfered to a more central area in the mission for my office responsibilities.
We had Stake Conference yesterday and it was incredible. Lisa came to it (we get to meet with her on Wednesday!) and it was all about forgivness and repenting. I was given some deep insights into what it means to forgive, and be forgiven. It was an amazing meeting, and there were no dry eyes when President Barney was talking about his sister Cynthia, who got hit and killed by a car when he was younger. He talked about his parents struggle, and how they went over to the women's house who hit their daughter. They told her that they held no ill will against her, and that she was forgiven. It was amazing to feel the spirit that was in that room. I have to go now, but please write me and ask me questions you want to know the answers to. If you want me to elaborate on anything, please let me know. I will have more time next week. Love you Mom! I hope you are doing alright, and I hope the family is well!
Love,
Elder Caleb Clark
