Two Weeks Left

Just first off, I don't want to make Mom sad by saying this, but my love of soccer has not died. It is very strong. I love the sport and doubt that I will ever stop loving it and loving Manchester City. I'll show you just how much I love them when you come and get me. 

The bishop already talked to me about the talk that I will be giving the 21st. He said the topic is sacrifice. 

It sounds like you are all very occupied with different things in life. School, work, church callings. I'm willing to help with whatever you all need of me. 

It feels like I'm not going to be finishing very soon, to be perfectly honest. It does feel like I have been here for a long time, but it feels weird to imagine that I won't be living here in Perú. Ive gotten really used to this place. I'm very excited to see you all, though. I don't want there to be a lot of special things done when I get home. I would just like to start getting adjusted to everyone else´s routine as soon as possible. 

I didn't respond to your email last week Dad, but I would like President Smith to set me apart, even though you can do it.  I don't mind waiting for him to get beack from his business trip. I would like to spend that first day back with the missionaries, if they are able to have me accompany them. The other days we can be together. If you all are against that though, that is completely fine with me. 

I don't think I understood very well the importance of the gospel before my mission. I know that I talked maybe a little bit about this last week, but it is something that has been going through my mind a lot. Being here has helped me understand how much suffering there is in the world. I don't know how a lot of people make it through the day. Understanding that someone died for us is important. Understanding that we can start over and be healed spiritually is important. 

Understanding this will help people get to the point we I feel that we are as a family. We are not perfect but we have a responsibility to share the light and truth of the Gospel with those around us. If we are bold in our testimony, loving in our actions, and overall examples of what a Christian should be, we will be like a light on a hill. People are drawn to light. It provides warmth and insight. People will come to us asking us questions and wanting to know more. And then we pass the reference to the missionaries. It is so important that they have references. That is all I have to say for today. See you all in two weeks.

Love,
Elder McMurray 

P.S.  Here are some photos, including shots from a recent service project.  We dug holes!