Hi Mom,
Thank you for the e-mail update. You know, you've been so diligent all these weeks--for the last year and a half. I don't know if you've ever missed a week of writing me. That's pretty good. Do you think you can last for the next four-and-a-half months?
Shouldn't Lauren and Brittany always be snotty teenage girls who stay up all night and where pajamas all day? What's with this growing-up stuff? That ain't right.
Tell Brittany that I'd like to see her talk. Ask her to send it to me, please.
Tell Dad it's an endurance race and not to push it too hard.
Last week, some Elders were driving from Girdwood back to Anchorage after church on Sunday--only about 25 miles from where I am. They stopped on the highway with about 15 other people to check out the giant 8- to 9-foot grizzly bear that was hanging out just off of the road. According to these missionaries, they were able to get within 30 feet of the bear--and they have a picture to prove it. I'll have to send it when I get a chance.
The bear was remarkably comfortable with everyone around him. However, when a photographer got a little too close, the bear stood up and was beating his paws together, so everyone backed away. The missionaries were able to get a picture of this, while the bear's paws were clasped together. It's funny because it looks like he's in the posture of prayer. It's a really cute picture. Apparently, after this whole event, a newspaper article was published, discussing how stupid the people were who stopped and took pictures. The reporter recommended that no one do this.
Of course, we know why everyone was protected--the missionaries were around.
I love you. Thank you for your love and support. Oh, we had the opportunity to hear from Elder Duncan of the Seventy and Elder Call, an area seventy this past week in stake conference. I had the opportunity to meet them and mix it up a little bit.
Love,
Elder Johnson
