Fireflies in New Jersey

Jack made it to New Jersey safe and sound and had a lot to say about his first week there. Typically,  I sat next to my computer most of the day on Monday pushing refresh about 10 billion times before his email finally came up. I call Jack "my firefly" because I'm always trying to catch him online. The end of his letter melted my heart.

Here is a section of his letter;

This week has been wonderful, and eventful, to say the least. As you know, we got delayed and sent to the Baltimore airport for a decent amount of time in which we talked to a lot of people and basically almost baptized this cool guy named Eric. Anyway, as I was walking on the plane, I ran into SAMUEL BROWN. MY HERO. I literally left my body. He's so cool. I talked to him for a brief second and then afterwards in Baltimore I talked to him and thanked him for writing such a beautiful book. I sat next to this little kid named Dylan and he talked to me about Pokemon Go and whatnot. Landed in Jersey around 1:00ish, and then met the mission president and his wife. THEY'RE SO NICE.

In the personal interview with the president the next day, we had an absolutely delightful conversation about love in the Gospel. I ranted (like I always do here) about love and how it is central to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and spewed out scripture like it was my day job and how charity is the pure love of Christ and "I am filled with charity, which is everlasting love" etc . AND HE STARTED CRYING. He's so nice! I love him already.

My companion is Elder Jacobs and he is the sweetest man you will ever meet. He literally does not forget where anyone lives, knows flawless spanish, and knows everything about ever sci-fi movie and tv show ever made.

The first night we were here we were literally homeless. We didn't have a key to get into our apartment so we spent the night at the zone leaders apartment. On the floor. I showered using the sink. I ate a tortilla for dinner. In the morning, we went to the apartment and I broke in by the unlocked bathroom window which is literally so small. I'm so hood. We have a key now though so no worries.

We live in this little apartment in Red Bank. I'm in one of the southernmost missions in Jersey and there are literally so many trees. SO MANY. Garden state for a reason. We went to a fiesta a few days ago which was freaking the best and also slightly awkward.

Everyone is so nice. I love everybody. I don't even know what to do with all this love. It's literally going to erupt out of my face. I love you so much. Being able to call you last week was the best thing ever. I love you. I love you. I LOVE YOU. 

I'm so happy. I could not be better. Everything is great and your boy is doing just fine. Also, there's fireflies here. Every time I see one, I think of you.

I love you. -Jack