a week with leadership

Salutations from San Luis! We are excited to be coming a bit closer to the end of the summer here, we can make it another month. The uncharacteristic humidity every day has made the temperatures feel intense, though in all fairness they aren't that bad. We're getting about 110 every day. We are surviving.

This week we have had some exchanges. After our interviews with the President, the APs stay in Yuma for another day and go on exchanges with different companionships. It was our turn this week. The senior AP came with us for a day and we had a surprisingly good time. I wouldn't say that the work went much better than normal—every day is good and we always work hard—but we just had a lot of fun together: Elder Snyder, me, and the AP. Today we have our zone leader whose companion just went home a few weeks before the transfer ended to catch the beginning of Fall semester at school. We had a disappointingly not-Mexican dinner last night (we always hope for good Mexican food on exchange days so the other elders can get a special treat) but a very good day otherwise. There is always just a bit of tension when you're with one of the mission leadership, but the key is to be a good, obedient missionary so they have nothing to judge you for. That's the secret. Elder Snyder now jokes that after we've "impressed" all our leaders, that I'll whitewash (move into an area where both of the previous companions were transferred) with a brand new greeny this coming transfer. I hope not.

This is one of the funnest times of my mission so far. Elder Snyder and I are still endlessly joking, and we just enjoy being together. But even with good times, there are unique challenges and difficulties. We are working to stay focused on the task at hand and always to maintain the Spirit with us. We have found that with a companion who is a good friend, it is easier to lose concentration. But don't worry, we have not lost it enough to get us to stop working. All is well, but we are always on our toes.

I love you all, I appreciated the letter. I hope you all have a great week, and take care of yourselves.

-Elder Sam Bostwick