The Van Dams' Last Mission Conference

Dear Mum and Dad,

MyLDSMail seems to be having some problems. It keeps coming in and out, so this will need to be short. It probably doesn't help that the computer I'm using is absolutely terrible. It keeps disconnecting from the internet, it's very slow, and at some point somebody broke the space bar on the keyboard and replaced it with a Start key. But then at least my space bar half-works. Elder Marshall's doesn't work at all and he's having to use full stops (.) instead of spaces.

I picked up the suit today. It is very nice. When the lady was fitting me, the suit jacket that was "my size" was far too tight, but I was convinced to get it anyway on the condition that the lady tailor it to leave me a little more room. Unexpectedly and possibly a first for Hong Kong, when I picked it up it was perfect - maybe even a little more space than is needed now, which is nice.

As far as Buddha statues go, if not a fat one, what kind? I assume you mean an old-fashioned Buddha - but what I'm thinking of might be completely different to what you're thinking of. Could you email me a picture of what you're looking for? To be honest, the most common Buddhas here are fat and jolly.

I wonder if it could be a huge problem if I didn't have a tuberculosis test when I get home. I've discovered that what the nurse said was true - Americans don't get immunized, they just get regular checkups. Because of this little concern (which doesn't even seem to be that prominent in Hong Kong), I've already had to be immunized and was X-Rayed when I entered the MTC. Perhaps we can just explain to Church Headquatres that there's no way I could possibly have TB.

Please congratulate Tim on passing Seminary this year. I'm really proud of him. Tell Jess I love her, and tell Beth the same when you next see her. Also please thank Grandma, Granny and both Grandads for the money for my birthday, and also for the cards, which meant more to me than the money anyway.

So yesterday was President and Sister Van Dam's final mission conference. They finish their mission on of the first of July, so I'll have a good month with President Chan. Everyone was a little tearful as they said goodbye. As one of the five Elders who achieved Language Legend this Moves, I was asked to hold up a banner during the closing hymn, Called to Serve, which stated the theme of President and Sister Van Dam's mission: A Sacred Time, A Sacred Place, A Sacred Message, A Sacred Messenger. As I was at the front of the room, my back was turned and I didn't see Sister Van Dam apparently crying a lot throughout the hymn. I think everyone was about to start crying. After the closing hymn, we all sat there for a minute, not wanting to leave, until President Van Dam encouraged us to stand up. I was one of the first to stand, which is a nice metaphor for what I've decided to do now as the Van Dams leave. President Chan has come big shoes to fill, and a lot of missionaries are probably going to make things worse by complaining about how much they'll miss President Van Dam. I've decided that whenever anyone complains, I'm going to say something about just how good President Chan will be. I want to support him in the first few weeks of his mission when a lot of people will be missing the Van Dam flair, by helping others to look forward to all the fun they'll have with him around. Considering that part of the reason I chose to stay to my late date was to support the new mission President, I think this is a simple way I can help him.

Elder Marshall bore his "dying" testimony yesterday too. It's a little weird for him. But Sister Van Dam gave every missionary who goes home this Move a little bell, which symbolizes a bell that is rung when a runner reaches his last lap so that he knows when to start sprinting. I'm hoping to ring it any time Elder Marshall might want to slow down as he reaches the end. You can be sure that I'll be going like a maniac this time next Move.

Anyway, sorry but time is up. The computer and myldsmail really isn't working too well, so I'm just going to send this now and hope it doesn't crash.

Love,

Elder Matthew Loffhagen