Deep Thoughts and a Baby Grand Piano

This week I had a birthday and received the BEST gift I have ever received. The sweetest song from the sweetest boy. If you haven't had a chance to see it, here is the link.

Jack's Facebook Song

Here is a portion of his latest letter home.

"This week has been very fast. It's crazy how fast time slips. This past Friday we were able to hear from a member of the Seventy; Elder Dube. He is this super cool guy from Zimbabwe. We were even in Accra at the same time he was and he knows Stephen Abu which is kind of a fun thing. He has one of the most powerful testimonies that I've ever had the pleasure of hearing. Like seriously. And that man basically has his scriptures memorized. One of the things that I really loved that he talked about was opposition. Obviously we know it's necessary, but we read in D&C 121 which is started by a desperate prayer by Joseph Smith and then answered with "My son, peace be unto you; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment." I am just so impressed by Joseph Smith and his dedication to what he knew to be true. Even unto endless persecution and death.

Also, Wow! Look how cool this thing is. So in 1 John 4 we read (18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that fourth is not made perfect in love.) and in Moroni 8 we read (I fear not what man can do; for perfect love casteth out all fear). Different prophets at different areas of the world at different times; one universal truth. That blows my freaking mind. I believe in perfect love.

So I've been reading a lot of Jesus the Christ and I love it. It's an absolutely beautiful book. One of the things I thought was interesting is Talmage's use of a plant metaphor. Basically summarized is that a plant simply cannot change it's nature to become like that of a living creature, like an animal. However, when the animal descends and partakes of the plant, only are the very atoms of that plant able to become part of an animal biology, and therefore transfigured into a higher plane of complexity. (i.e. Spiritual death, necessity of the fall, and the need for a Redeemer.) Anyway, I just thought that was beautiful.

There's this verse in Alma 7, which reads "12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon Him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh how to succor His people according to their infirmities." I like this because it states that part of the atonement was the fact that Christ came to understand the people of the world in their entirety. and he was filled with mercy. 

SO, there's this guy who lives right across from us who has autism, right? Literally the sweetest old man. I see him carrying around like 7 polo shirts every day. I don't know to where. But anyway, we always have the exact same conversation. Here is a manuscript:

"Hi, how are you?"
"I'm so good, how are you?"
"Fine. I hear it's going to rain soon."
"Oh yeah?  That's perfect. I love rain."
"Do you have a baby grand piano?"
"No. I wish. I love the piano."
"I love to play the piano."
*He always mumbles something right here*
"I'm a slow eater."
"Me too. Well, I should get going. We have some work to do."
"Okay, have a good day!"
"You as well, sir."

So...you can bet that when we drove by a dumpster and saw this little kid toy piano, I picked it up and put it in our trunk. Not quite a real piano but it makes for a good little stool and now technically, I have a baby grand piano.

Also, these members made me jello cake this week and I'm still hyped about it. Also, there are these three Jehovah's Witnesses that are outside of Juanitos from time to time and they are just these three hispanic ladies and they're my best friends. I've started a collection of stuff they give me.

I'm learning so much. And I love this gospel. And I love my mom. And I am full of love every day. Love, Jack"

Thanks for your continued support of this sweet boy of ours. We love him and we love you. Till next week! -K