Elder Perrin - 2 December 2009

So, I have a story about black Friday for you, but I'm going to save it till next week when i see you. so we have a baptism this Saturday, that is pretty sweet. I think it's a good way to end this thing. I don't know if I deserve it, and we didn't really do much, but it's still cool to see a solid investigator get baptized. We haven't had one like him for a really long time. we've found a few good new people this week that have a lot of potential. One of them I almost fell in love with, it was hard to focus on the lesson and stop staring into her eyes. Ha! Ha! I'm horrible. I know. But she was pretty, wow. Well I can't wait to see you. That's funny your counting days, my companion does the same. Heck, he talks about me going home more that I do, it cracks me up. He's probably more excited that me to go. I'm just really nervous. I don't know if it's really hit me yet, but today is my last p-day. That's weird, tomorrow is my last planning session, that's weird. It's all so weird mom, and I'm just nervous. But I have a good feeling in my heart : ) Ha! Ha! I miss charlie. I can't wait to see my amazing family. I had a few long lost friends write to me, that was cool. I'm going to miss the friends I made here too, you know what I mean. There are a lot of awesome people here, and I'm going to miss them. One family came up from the other ward just to say goodbye to me and give me a goodbye tie. It was nice. Anyway, I'll tell you all about the mish when I get back. I don't think I'll have any problems remembering since I wrote in my journal every day. Love you tonz. See you in a week

Love Curtis

Elder Perrin - 25 November 2009

You're just so amazing to have written me an email a week. And I know you knew that I was even going to say this when you wrote me all of that. But \I'm saying it anyway, don't worry about it. To be honest, I failed at writing emails. I could've remembered more stuff from my journal or something to share each week other than, things are the same. I did a really bad job, so I'm really sorry. I do regret that one too. I don't regret the way I did my mission, worked or many things. But I could've done better on emails. Oh, and I regret for critizing. Ouch, it still brings pain to my heart. Will you forgive me??? Sometimes I can be really mean, and that's not cool of me to critizize other people and tell them how to do things. I'm sorry. So those are my regrets. Hey, what do you know? Even missionaries mess up. I'm sorry about the whole weight thing. I ddn't know you had that as a goal. If you want, I can stay one more transfer and give you a little more time??? Well, no I wouldnt' stay here one more day if they paid me. Okay, I'm not that eager, but I'm excited to see my amazing family. Will you think I'm not mature if I still really love music??? Just a thought.

Okay, so tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and we're going to go visit the Acosta family in 3rd ward, and it's because Elder Stuart is coming to visit there and so they invited me to come. And of course I said yes. Other than that, I think I'm going to do our weekly planning, and hopefully get in a 15 - 30 minute nap. That is my dream. Really, it is. See, at home, there are all these wordly pleasres, but a nap is all I got here.

Can we watch Iron Man when I get home??? I'm taking the vitamins and garlic, but i'ts hard to remember to do it often and get in the routine. I like the cliffbars, they make it easier at night, because I take one for dinner in my backpack. Can I tell you how happy I'll be to ride home in the rain in a car?? The rain right now is so cold, almost turning to snow, and my shoes on the bottom are all cracked and have holes from biking for so long, so it doesn't even matter anymore that there water proof. Water gets in from the bottom. I don't think it helps my sickness. My cough isn't gone. I might be sick when I get home still. I'm trying to take the medicine, but like I said, it's tough to remember so many things. So 2 weeks left! I really am excited. i feel old, really old. Just tired. I feel like I have wrinkles already. I can't wait to see Charlie. He is the best.

When I get home, I'll have to tell you what happens to me when I go jogging. I think everyone has their quiet places to recieve revelation. I think mine is jogging time. It's wierd what the Lord has told me while I'm jogging.

So this week the President took away our p-day. I'm really not a fan because I really wanted to nap today, but now I can't. Oh well, I guess. Can I disagree with someone and still support them?? I don't think so right??? I'll have to work on that one. For some reason, respect and appreciation and love for this new mission president is not coming as easily as the last one. I guess I just need to figure how to change my attitude. What do you think? I guess we can just talk about it later. Is it wierd to think I'll actually be home soon???

So guess what? I think we'll have a baptism before I leave. And last week, for the first time in ages, people came to church and could progress. This area, I've worked so hard in it, trying to make it better, and finally when I'm going home, the results are starting to show. Just in time for someone else to come in and profit from it. I hope he's not a lazy elder and throws it all away. This mission has changed my veiws about return missionaries. I guess i'll tell you why when I get home. If I would've really known how it is here, I don't know if I would've been willing to come.

Well life is crazy, and I'm ready to start the next phase. You're gonna flip out when I tell you what I'm going to be studying. It will all be revealed to you when I see you. Just stay safe for 2 more weeks. Ha! Ha! Love you so much.

Love Curtis

Elder Perrin - 18 November 2009

Oh man, I wish I would've gotten this letter last week. It didn't come for some reason, but if I would've read it last week, I'm sure I wouldve been in a lot better of a mood this week. Just when you put it into perspective for me about how much God appreciates the work we do for his children, it just got to me. It was excactly what I have been not remebering, and so it was excactly what I needed. To be honest, I wouldn't really call myself depressed. I mean, Me and Elder Z have a great time. We laugh a lot through all the things that aren't fun, and we get a long great, and I cant' really ask for more. I hate making it seem like this mishion is so hard and all the other ones aren't as hard. But I'm sure that's not the case. All missions are hard in their own ways. I just really don't want to appear as a whiner to everybody. That wouldn't be good. Hopefully people don't read the sad parts I write, but the truth is that I leave most of them out.

I just loved this email, I can't even tell you how much I loved it. You had me in tears. Yes mom, you will be my date. We can go on a date every night. How about if we make a snowman? That would be a fun date. Wow! i just love my family, when you told me about charlie, it made me so happy. He says the best things and i'm so glad you tell me about it. i just love him.

Your right about the friendships thing. I think i'm going to try hard to be a better friend and keep the friends I've made here and everywhere. It's sad to see when missionaries lose contact with awesome friends they've made on the mish, never call, never write. I hope not to make that mistake. Oh, but your just so right on that. SO RIGHT! That's why I need you.

I'm glad to hear a bout your class. I didn't realize it was like that, but when you put it that way, I start to see now what you mean, why the trouble and still why the joy. I got you now I think. It took me this long to really get why you would say stuff about your class, but I didn't really get why. But now I do I think. You are the person for that job. It is just perfect for you. I don't think there are many people that could just be such an awesome and loving teacher who makes people better like you do. I always resisted being taught by you. I never wanted to be better. Piano was the worst part of my stubborn childhood. I don't really desire to be able to play, But I could've been nicer about it.

So about the bike. I just don't think it's worth sending home. I think i'll just take some pictures of it and if I want to ride a bike later, then I'll save my money and buy a good one later. But the bike like I said, has a cracked down tube, and it's just held together right now buy a mexican I found at a muffler shop who welded it for me. So it could brake any moment. And it costs like 100 bucks to ship home. I Might as well put that money to a bike I can buy later, or just not worry about it. It would be cool to have as a memory, but as a wise man once said, I'm not here to take memories home, I'm just here to leave behind my testimony of christ and leave behing something. So I'll just take some pictures of it I guess and not worry about it.

So, there are a few pizza places here in Chicago. The first is called Giordanos. I think it's spelled, and the other is call Iluminatis I think. I don't know. The pizza is good, but not worth the money. In my oppionion, The Pie is way better. Last p-day we went down there and I shoved 5 slices into my stomach. I think that's the last time I'm going there. Today I'm just going to clean and cook some bread and try to get over this illness of mine that keeps dragging on. I've been sick for like 2 or 3 weeks now. I don't want to be sick when I get home. Being sick makes it a little more miserable in the cold, so I decided I might take a sick day soon.

So as for school, I assumed you just picked my clases?? If you say I should be an architect, I'll just do it. I just want someone to tell me what to do, and your the first to have an oppionion, so you convinced me. Do you know anything about a test I can take to say I speak spanish to get free credit at college??? So we still don't know when my homecoming talk is???

So, I have to finish the story about the time when I ate Elder Zelenskeis food and had a burning stomach and felt like crap. So, I basically prayed to have it come out nice (I know this sounds ridiculous) and I prayed and said I was taking one for the team, asked for a little bit of help so that it wouldn't hurt so bad, and it came out beautifully. It was a miracle, Elder Z doesn't think God answered me, but I do.

Anyway, so I saw this billboard with this movie on it. There wasn't anything special about it I guess, until I saw the date that the movie comes out. DEC 11! Holy cow! That is such a good feeling!!! We should go see it eh? I don't even remember what it was called. It had morgan freeman in it and I think it was Matt Damon. I don't know, it was just crazy to think about.

Chelsea Chelsea Chelsea!!! I'm so so stoked for you, you have no idea??? My family is growing up, it brings a tear to my eye. Ha! Ha! I just am so happy for you. I cant wait to meet this boy toy of yours. : )

Well, I only have two more times to email after this. That's pretty exciting. I'm not going to lie, I'm pretty excited to come home. So I was going to say, if I didn't, I think that you're right about the whole airport thing. If everyone wants to come, I guess it would be a great experience either way. So sorry for making this all confusing. Just let me know if the whole family is coming or if it's just a few people. Let me know.

Things are good. I promise I'll get better before I get home. Elder Zelenskei says I'm braking down, and I don't know why but it's kind of true. I'm all sick lately and I get headaches, and now my back hurts and my ankle just started to hurt and I'm just tired at night. I don't know what the deal is. Hopefully I'm not too broken in 3 weeks. So have a great week. I love you so much and tell Charlie I love him.

Love Curtis

Okay, So I just read this email. Man I have no time left. Okay, so I really am glad you wrote me this one too to give me a heads up. Thank you for telling me my talk. I'm really worried though because this is my hardest topic, you have no idea my battle with this topic, it's impossible for me. Charlie is the best!!! I just love him, but I think it's going to be a great moment and we're going to get along great when I get home. Oh man I'm going to cry. I just miss you guys. About the guitar, well, I was planning on locking myself in my room in college and learning to play, but I'll find a better guitar maybe. Don't worry about it. I thought Audri still had it to be honest with you. oh well. Okay, I really got to go. I love you so much and I will see you in a few.

oh yeah, about the primary thing, that sounds great! : ) no worries

Elder Perrin - 11 November 2009

So this week was pretty good. The weather was absolutely fantastic and my health hasn't declined to even worse yet, which is good. It just stays at this 80% range with this cough and headache, but it's manageable. So what's going to happen to my life in a few weeks? Do you by chance know when I'm giving a homecoming talk? So what do yo think I should study?? How did the school thing go?? Is there anything I need to do or is it all taken care of?? How is the family??? How's charlie doing with his homework and stuff??? Well I'm pretty excited to leave Chicago. It's funny though, no matter how much time you have left, It's always still a century away. It's always still too long to wait. I cant' explain it. But anyway, yesterday I was listening to some Christmas music and this song came on, it said "I'll be home, for Christmas." It was the best feeling ever. I was, "YES I WILL!" Ha! Ha! The song never meant anything to me before, but now it means everything. Missionary work is good. We're having to let go of a lot of people, but at the same time we have a few people that could actually get baptized here soon. Maybe even before I leave. We'll see. Love you tonz. Have a great week.

Elder Perrin - 4 November 2009

Well I guess I'll just answer your questions first. Uh, man how embarrasing. My AP scores were both a 2. Yah. I didn't pass, actually nobody in my class did except for like 2 or 3 people. That was a mistake. So I guess if they want the scores just say 2. In case you needed what class it was for, AP US history and AP art history. I didn't take the test for AP Environmental Science, but I aced the class. So I think my major is fine if you put Civil Engineering, or maybe Mechanical Engineering or something like that. I really don't know what I want to do. I wish someone would tell me what to do and then I would just do it, and not worry about it anymore. But I guess I have to go back to normal life to where I make decisions again. So if this girl is going on a mission now, who am I going to go on a date with??? Thats a bummer. I feel really bad about Charlie. He probalby is struggling like that because of all the music he would hear around me and Zach, or because of all the times we would just let him watch tv and not play with him. It's probably all the really fast music we would listen to or the crazy fast intense TV shows that's put his brain into that mode where he can't concentrate. Oh man, I think I'm going to cry now. I wish I could that all back now, funny how I find my self saying that all the time. I can't wait to see Charlie. I really can't. I think iIm doing okay here in Chicago. My mind is about to break down I think. I get headaches a lot and I find myself always looking for the smallest opportunity to sleep. I think my spirituality is definitely plummeting, and I really don't know why. It doesn't feel great especially because I wanted to come back on a high, but it looks like I'm going to come back at maybe the same level I left at, which hurts inside because I don't think that's the purpose of the mission. I can't really identify the problem either, other than blaming myself for just being spiritually lazy maybe. I still study and learn and stuff, but it's not the same. I don't know. I'm 'socited' (Charlie's version) to hear how gymnastics goes for Charlie. As for us, well were doing well here, pretty busy, and the weather could be worse. Love you all and especially you moml. Love curtis. Oh yeah, I don't know about the plane. I'm trying not to think about planes, even though every 30 seconds a plane is in the air here.

Elder Perrin - 21 October 2009

I cant even tell you the magnitude of my love and appreciation for you right now. I just wanted to run to you and give you the biggest hug and kiss when I opened that book and started reading it and looking at the photos. It was really the best gift I have ever recieved in my entire life. I don't even really know what it is. I can't pin point it. But there is something about it that I just love, and oh how I missed you. I really wanted to just call you and tell you I love you, but I guess it's a good thing I couldn't even remember your telephone number. Thank you so much, your the best mommy ever!!! ever!!! i can't wait to see you again. Oh, and then when Elder Zelenskei got his shoes, oh my gosh my heart just filled with so much happiness again, I was so so happy and the best part was that he didn't even speculate that they came from you or my family. He kept looking at his letters to try to match the handwriting to figure it out. And luckily I didn't say anything dumb to have him speculate. Oh I was so happy I had tears flying off my face on the bike ride home after we picked those up. I can't even explain to you, and I guess a lot of it was of the amazingness of my family, and I just got a little taste. I didn't even do anything, all I did was ask you if you guys could do it, and the next thing I know the shoes are in the mail. And in these kinds of times especially when it's a little hard to make a buck, but you just sent him shoes, and oh how his need just was filled and how awesome it was to see the shoes on his feet, and watching him trying to figure out how to handle the nice thing someone did for him. It was as if he didn't understand that someone else in the world might actually care about him. and I know he was happy to get them. Can I just tell you how much I love you? Wow! I just love you. So let me get a story of the week for you here. So it rained a lot this week, icy cold rain. So we were in the rain all day, trying to be happy. And then an appointment wasn't home and Elder Zelenskei just blurts out "I'm not happy Bob!" And then I was like what?? And then he explains the part from "The Incredibles" where he's talking with his tiny boss and then at the end he gets thrown through the wall. "I"m not happy Bob, tell me why I'm not happy." And then I remembered, oh yeah. So basically when it would start to rain harder or something else went wrong, he would just say I'm really not happy Bob, and it was really funny. I laughed a lot. And yesterday, well, it was the first day I ever have been defeated by a fence. I usually can reach my arm around, or stick my hand through, or find someone to open the fence. But this time, the fence beat me, I was stunned. By the time we realized the only way to get in was to jump it, it was time to go to an appointment, which wasnt' even there. It was the first day I have ever been defeated by a fence. How depressing. Well Elder Z and I have decided were going to do even better this transfer. We decided were going to run our shoes to the ground. I love you all, and am so glad your all okay. This is officially the last transfer. 6 weeks. See you soon. Lovec Curtis

Elder Perrin - 21 October 2009

Oh thanks so so much for the package, it was really awesome. That day was pretty cool, we went out to eat as a district after our district meeting. We went to this cool old pizza place and had a pretty good time. The day was normal all except for some realy nice weather, I mean really nice. Like perfect. I was in heaven. We had a few good lessons and it was a really cool birthday. The card made me really miss Charlie. I like just sat their thinking of memories. Sometimes I do that. Just wallow in my memories. And then I saw the picture of you 3 standing together, and how he was so tall and I was just thinking, man I missed all of that, and was kinda sad. But the week was pretty good. My birthday was pretty good. I'm confused on what you said about another package. I didn't know more than one was coming. Maybe I'm confused, or maybe not and I guess we'll see what you mean. So don't worry about me when I get home. I think I'm a lot different and getting along won't really be a problem. Most of the things that brought grief to me were just little things, but now for example, I don't even want a phone. I absolutely despise texting, like I seriously hate it. I don't want a curfew because I miss sleep, and I don't have a girlfreind anymore nor do I really want one now after what I've been through. plus i miss hanging out with my family so doing stuff with you will just be a delight. I miss getting wisdom from you and dad, I can't wait to bank off of your knowledge. Sure there might not be a big change in that aspect, but it will probably be way different because of where I'm at in life. I don't know. I'm not expecting miracles. I just cant wait to give you a big hug and kiss and be apart of your lives again. You know? I don't know. So this member the other day thinks I should be a school teacher because she said I understand kids. It made me think about it. I don't know, I do love kids though, they're great. I think it's all because of Charlie though. Having him as a brother made us all that way I think. So yesterday night was a horrid experience. We ate lunch with this family and did a lesson, then went and did some finding and then at night we had a less active appointment. So we get there and we end up helping them with math homework and fixing a light. But the thing was that she wanted us to eat her food. So we said okay, just a little to be nice. But then Elder Zelensei didn't eat his plate, so basically I did it for him for fear of offending them, but man it made the night horrible. It was a hot plate of food. I just started sweating and had to go to the bathroom after eating it so so fast, to wash my face off and try to rinse my mouth out. But the worst part was the horrible feeling in my stomach afterward. So riding on the bike was just not fun, plus the canceled appointments kind of made it worse. So I basically just went home and tried to throw up but it didn't work. Man, it was a crazy night. So life is good. Thank you so much for the birthday package and the pictures. I miss you alot. Love Curtis

Elder Perrin - 14 October 2009

Oh my goodness, this email just brings me back to you my super duper awesome mother. One day I will come back to you I promise, one day. AND THEN I'M NEVER LEAVING AGAIN!!!!! EVER!!!! Ha ha, I just miss you what can I say , you know??? I'll admit it, I am just really excited to see my mom. Okay, so the shoes, well his named is spelled Elder Zelenskei, and I don't want anyone to know who their from, so I'll just tell the office to tell elder Zelenskei that the shoes are from his ward. That should eliminate the problem, I hope. So just send them, and I'll tell the office to take care of it. So anyway, life is good. Still cold. Im really excited to be done with the bike, I don't know why but I'm really getting tired of riding the bike. There are just these nights where I just would really like to ride home in a car, and not have to freeze my butt off and sweat at the same time to get home, and arrive at the house, sweating and freezing. I feel like I already did it for one winter and already paid my dues kind of thing, let someone else have a turn at the city kind of thing. But nope, I'm doomed for some more cold weather. So let me give you some trunky moments. This morning I pulled out my luggage out of the closet to look for more winter gear, and I realized that the next time I would be pulling those out would be so I could pack and go home in two months. That gave me a smile. I wouldn't have even thought of that had it not been for Elder Z. Another trunky moment, in my next zone conference I will be giving my farewell testimony to everybody. Wow, that's wierd. Did you like the plane picture where I'm staring at my beautiful plane??? Well I'm not that trunky to be honest, but Elder Zelenskei likes to play things out, hence the picture. So I heard it was okay to be trunky, as long as you work still. So we're still workin hard, don't worry. Have I ever told you how much I love you??? Well I just love you so much, your basicaly my favorite, and I'm so so flattered everytime you say that I'm your favorite child and favorite baby and the easiest to handle and all that. What can I say? I do what I can. I do what I can. That's my attituDe since birth, I just was trying to make life easier for you. I like to make life easy for people, hence the wait on walking. I didn't want to walk that would mean you would have to keep an extra eye out on me to make sure I didn't wander off too far. But by just taking a seat and chillin, I just made life easier for you by not doing anything. Am i right??? Who knows. So how was the vacation?? I can't believe the vacations you have been on since I've been gone, it blows my mind. So what do I need to do for school?? I still haven't heard much about that, let me know what the details are and if I need to do anything here. Well let me let you into the mission for just a brief moment. On Sunday we had a lesson right before chruch with a single guy in his basement who seems to be pretty legit. So basically it was a perfect situation to come to church. We had members with us, he didn't have to work, plus he said he was going to come a long time ago, but just hasn't yet. So perfect, the lesson gets over, and we invite him. He of course says yes and we all walk out together, him included, following us to go to church. So we get on our bikes and are expecting him to show up in a bout 2 minutes. This would have proved to be something remarkable because we haven't had someone to church for months, I mean months. People just don't come to church. I dont know why. Anyway, so we wait and wait, and wait some more, and wait. He never showed up. It just doesn't matter how much you do sometimes, sometimes satan is just trickier. For me it was like this, "What else could I have done?????" Absolutely nothing. That was the absolute limit, maximum, the ultimate attempt at getting someoine to church, and it still failed. So basically it's enough to drive someone to depression. But anyway, that's the story of the week, I really have a bunch I could share, but I'll wait till I get home and just share it all I guess. Anyway, I love you. Thanks for all the love from home. You have a fantastic week. Let's remember, there's more to life than work, all we take with us after this life is our knowlege accompanied by our spirit. We take our relationships we have and the spiritual preparation. Thats it, all the stuff stays. Let's remember what's important in life. I think I easily forget a lot. Love Curtis

Elder Perrin - 7 October 2009

So life is good, I'm sick of my bike tires. I think I had like 9 flats this week, due to the fact that my tires are wearing down a little bit and stuff gets through a little bit easier, and I don't want to spend money on new tires, so I'm fixing the tires by cutting an old tube and putting it in the inside of the tire to have an extra layer of rubber between the air tube. I think that should solve my problems. I think today I might get the other bike fixed, the one that has a crack in the frame. I have been to a few muffler shops and they refered me to another place that has the right welder that could possible fix the crack. We'll see. If not, they told me I could definitley put a small piece of pipe on the inside of the bike frame and weld to that, so I might try to do that, hopefull it works. I really want the bike to work because of how much I love it, and I kind of want to send it home, if it's possible. I just don't want to lose it. The work is good. Really hard to get people to church and Elder Z is getting a little down because of it. I think we can keep him happy though. Anyway, conference was good, at least the conference part of the day was good, the rest was a little frustrating and heartbreaking. I liked the talk you shared by Richard G scott, a lot actually because I've always had a hard time with personal revelation and following the spirit. I personally think the one on temperance applied to me the most, and the one on doing the little things to keep our hearts from becoming stony again. That one was good because it gave me inspiration to not lose the scripture reading and constant prayer after this mission. I forgot to send pictures, again. I'm a loser I know, don't worry I know. I need to put in more effort to being more informative to my family, I know I know. I'll try a little harder I guess. I don't even have any excuses, well I do but I really just don't want to give them to you. Anyway, I really appreciate the shoes thing, I hope it doesn't cost to much is the only thing, but I just think you and dad are awesome for being so giving, especially when things aren't the best financially. I really don't even have an idea of how bad it is, but I just thank you so much for being so amazing. Really what would I ever do without you. So what is it about this class that makes you appear more worried than normal. I don't know if you have always felt this way about your classes, having to quiet them down, worried about angry parents or things like that. What is it that makes this class different??? Or is it any different and I'm not gettnig it? What is it?? So, the fall is really nice like last year. I kinda wish I was in a different enviornment this year instead of the same gross noisy busy city, but at the same time I realize the benefits of being here for so long. The best one, and most valuable is the relationships I get to have the members. That's a really good advantage, because most wards just forget about you and when you go back to visit, they have forgoten you. But if you spend more time in a ward, you get to make a lot more freinds and stuff like that. So I have basically two wards, and a branch. If I ever want to come back to visit, I won't have to make any long distance visits or anything like that. My mission areas can be seen in a 15 minute car ride through Chicago, and then you've seen my mishion. Whoo hoo!!! Ha ha, that's so weird to think about though. Anyway, I'm glad to hear that everthing is good. Love you tonz, send my love to my amazing grandparents, I really love them.

So I have a secret. In the priesthood session, during the first talk, I don't know if dad saw it, but when I heard the first talk, I had the most deep feeling of dad sickness, I can't even explain it. As he kept talking it just kept getting worse and worse which eventually led to tears of missing dad. I don't know why, I think it was because I wish I would have been a better son, or because I really have missed his counsel for me here, or maybe because I can't wait to talk to him again and listen to his advice, or maybe because I realized how hard he tried and how much he loved me and Zach, and how I was just so stupid and angry all the time. And then I really, for some reason, wanted to go golfing with him again, and not be such a cold hearted stupid teenager. You know I also realized that dad is rarely wrong, hardly ever. I don't know, I just sickly missed dad and the two months I have seemed really long during that priesthood session. Sometimes the time just never ends quick enough, no matter how short it really is. Anyway, I love you dad, love you mom. Love Curt

Elder Perrin - 30 September 2009

Ooooh I'm so jealous of your conference weekend coming up!!! I wish I could be there with you and hang out and all that, it would be so fun. But anyway, things are good here, I cant complain, except its really cold. Like in the 40's, and it brings back horrible memories of 20 below on icy roads on the bike with a nasty face wind. Ay yay yay! Good thing I'm leaving before it gets that bad. So it's cold here, but with missionary work, the Lord just keeps hooking us up with people to teach, which is awesome. We really are pretty busy, and we do have more decent than average people were teaching which is nice. No one is close to baptism yet, but we have a few that have a really good shot. We're working really well, I'm pretty happy with what were doing. A lot of that contributes to an awesome companion who wants to make the work go, no hinder it if you know what I mean. So that's where I'm at. Coldness, sweaters again. I swear I only wore the short sleave for a week or two, and then back to the sweater. I'm wondering how school is going to work. Do I have to do anything on the computer over here? What do I need to do, just let me know about that. So dad's a fisher now eh?? That's pretty cool, sounds pretty fun. How long is this one going to last??? ha ha. So this primary story has got me really curious, cuz I can totally see that being a problem. And I can just see you in there in the primary bringing down the house, and the reverence. I think I inherited something like that from you, because all the missionaries here ask me how I can get the little kids to be quiet around here. They try to calm them down and do stuff, but then when they try to bother me, I just give them this look, and I sternly tell them to settle down, and then they do it. And then in lessons with families, I don't know how I do it, but I get them to fold their arms and be quiet. It's my only gift I think. I would just love to be there to see you work your magic. So about the shoes, I don't think the best thing for me is to look, I'm really limited I think, and I don't have money. What I really was thinking was that someone over there could go find something, like anything, and then send them. The thing is that I need the shoes to be pretty good, they don't have to be 200 bucks, but at least a good pair that will last. I got mine at Mr Mac, but there might be other places. If you ask the guys at these kind of stores, they should be able to point out the shoe he needs. So I don't know, tell me what you think. We don't have to do it, but if we can I would love it. I can try to look on the internet and see what I can do. Thanks for all the love, I really do appreciate it. I'm sending a few photos today, and tell the primary thanks for the package. I'll probably get it this week. Give them a hug for me. Give Dad and Charlie a hug for me too. I cant wait to see you again, and I love you so much. Love Curtis

Elder Perrin - 23 September 2009

Well as you can see, I didn't write a letter, the stack on my desk grows higher and higher. I'm so sorry I really am. I don't have an excuse. I just do other things on p-day instead of write letters. So I'm so sorry. I hope you can forgive me. I have a question. I really want to buy my companion shoes. He really needs shoes. He rolls around in these black skate shoes because he's too poor to buy some good dress shoes, the other dress shoes he has are falling apart everywhere, so he cant wear them. They just aren't cutting it, and he cant just go buy a good pair because he has no money. The old misson president had to buy him pants and shirts and stuff. So I really want to buy him shoes and have him not know about it. He's a size 8.5, can we do it??? I don't want him to know who the shoes are from either, because he'll reject them. He needs shoes like mine, or at least a shoe where the heal won't come off and fall apart. My shoes have been perfect, I couldn't ask for better, but I know mine cost a lot. Is there anything we can do, it would make me so happy? Let me know. So I read between the lines of your email. Mom, you will never know the amazing impact you have had on my life, and on the life of everyone you are around. Don't look at your flaws, that will bring you way down. Just pray to do better and try your best, and apologize when you do something wrong, and move on. You are the best mom that anyone could ask for. Thank you so much for being so amazing. Thinking about sin, leads to sin. Thinking about flaws, leads to those flaws. So just remember that I love you so much, God loves you, and we all love you and we're all in this life journey together, trying to be better. Thank you so much for all you have taught me and the example you have been to me. Without you I would never have come out here, I wouldn't have cared. You care so much, you try so hard, which could be why you feel the most down sometimes because of all you want to do but it outside of your human reach. Just remember how much I love you, and every time you see a plane in the air, just think "that's my sons plane in a few months, here he comes!" Ha ha, okay well I love you. Tell charlie I love him. I cant wait to see him and his crazy num chucks. He should do gymnastics, it's really hard. Don't worry about the transfer, its just not what God wanted I guess. These next two transfers I'm here for my companion, not for the area. Sometimes there's a perspective I fail to miss. I'm just trying to see it. Tell me what you think. Okay, one other thing. What's going on with Candace? Why is Tam telling me not to say stuff I'll regret. Is Candace not really engaged, because she told me she was. I'm confused. Did you know about this??? I mentioned it a while ago, but I thought you already knew. Is this true?? What's going on?? If you know anything, well I could use some help. Thanks : ) love you.

love curtis

Elder Perrin - 9 September 2009

So I got 10 minutes to write this. Email is really short today because of transfers. I'm not doing so good, not really myself for the past few days. My companion got sent home, in fact he might call you and ask for the phone number for Zach. Elder Melchor got sent home yesterday. I spent the day with other missionaries and today I got a new companion. I'm really upset because I don't think this should have happened, and I had a long talk with President, but he didn't understand. He's just new and doesn't get it. It's not like Elder Melchor wanted to go home, but now he's home, miserable, suffering. One of the best missionaries out here for real, is now shamefully at home, when he didn't have to be, while I'm still here. So anyway, I have a new companion. He's Russian and different, but cool. I didn't read your email. Because I have no time, but I saw it was long so I'll enjoy reading it. I was hoping to leave this area but it looks I'll be here till the end. So, there's my mission. Woodstock, and a few square miles of Chicago. Patience Curtis, don't kill these people, they are children of God , is what I find myself saying to myself a lot. So I am so sorry I forgot to send a birthday present or card, or even say happy birthday. I'm worthless, but I love you so much and think your the best. Your so amazing, how you do everything is really beyond me. Love you love you love you
Love Curtis