This is a letter I wrote the week I learned of the birth of my nephew Franklin.
Dear Family,
This will be interesting because I already wrote you a
letter but you will be reading this before you read the letter. It usually does
work better the other way around because
I know what you'll read first but we had some extra time this morning so I
decided to go ahead and write with the pen before on the keyboard.
So I have another nephew! Wow...I wish I could see little
Arnold...I mean Wilbur...I mean Franklin![1] January 24--I'll have to
store that date in my memory. It will be a little harder than with Allie and
Preston because I remember the days they
were born and instantly ingrained the date into my head. Let's see...what was I doing on the 24th? I think that was the
day I had to go stay with Elder S. while Elder C. took Elder J. out working in
their area. Elder Spahr had to have foot surgery from an injury before his
mission and then he hurt it again so he had to get something else done to it
and he was/is sore. This Thursday he has another doctor's appointment and will
learn if he will have to be sent home for further surgery. Also on the 24th we
taught an investigator who is going through the Book of Mormon and has
questions about his reading. Our ward mission leader came out with us and answered his
questions--very detailed, very slowly, very lengthy, and Elder C. was
falling asleep. But I think the investigator understood the explanations, even
if they were a little more detailed than he needed.[2]
Elder L. Tom Perry was going to come out this week to speak
to ward mission leaders, although that might change with everything going on
with President Hinckley.[3] It is transfer week, which
usually happens on Tuesday but because of an apostle in the area it was
switched to Wednesday. But regardless of the day of the week, my first transfer
is pretty much over. It was exactly two months ago today I entered the MTC. I
still feel very green but I'm sure I'm better than when I started. Our district
stayed the same, which is good because I really like everyone else, even though
one companionship is kind of distant from the rest of us. It might change with
Elder S. and his ankle but that's not really part of the transfer process.
Oh, today as we were coming into the library we saw nuns
driving in a car. I don't know if I've ever seen nuns in real life before. We
brought the sisters with us and Sister (or Queen) M.[4] said she's always wanted
to get a picture taken with fellow sisters. Hopefully, then, one day they'll
meet some nuns and she can get her wish. Just a random tidbit that doesn't have
to do with anything...
The fact that I'm using so many ellipses kind of indicates
the less serious nature of my letter. It's been a slow couple of weeks, but
hopefully things will look up with fewer illnesses and warmer weather. Not only
did I have to eldersit Elder S. this week, I had to stay at the apartment of
Elder Cl. and Elder W. because Elder Cl. was sick. That wasn't as fun because
Elder Cl. slept the whole time. On my last exchange with him I gave him my belt
that fits me (since he forgot his) and wore the one that is a little too big
for me and WAY too big for him. Then I forgot to get it back from him--even
though we were at their apartment for a
while! I did add an extra hole to my big
belt, but still...
Before you die from choking on ellipses and before my
library time expires, I will close this letter with my love, best wishes for
the new baby, and looking forward to writing--and being written by--you again.
Elder Richard Mark Melville
[1]
My niece, Allie, apparently began calling baby Franklin by the name of Wilbur.
She also had a pet pig named Wilbur, but I would call it Arnold after the pig
on Green Acres.
[2]
This is my journal entry for January 24, 2008: “This morning we had to go over
to Elder J.’s and Elder S.’s house because Elder S. had ankle surgery and
couldn’t leave, so I stayed with him while Elder C. taught with Elder J. We had
dinner with the Gibby’s and they brought their less-active daughter and her non-member
boyfriend. That was kind of an awkward situation. We taught Shane and Brother
Palmer talked and talked. We barely even said anything. So that was
interesting. Oh, well. Then Elder C. told me I can’t do anything related to
vampirism or lycanthropy anymore.”
[3]
Gordon B. Hinckley died the day before I wrote this letter.
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