Sweet Week!

Dear Dad;
My week has been so sweet, it has flown by, it is so crazy how fast time goes when you are so busy. I can't believe it, lol. This week has started out pretty sweet because we got a new investigator on Saturday and he came to church and loved it. The topic at church was the priesthood. Right after that he was like, what's the preisthood? We sat down and we had a lesson with him. The lesson was so spiritual. It made me think back about all those times that I had questions and struggled with my testimony. Time that I choose to repent for wrongdoings. This guy asked half way through the lesson if God really does forgive sins. That question gave me an opportunity to bear my testimony of forgiveness to him. That God really does forgive us of things because He loves us very much, so he sent His only begotten Son down here just for me, that I have that path, that guidance, that road to Eternal life, the opportunity to live with my Father in Heaven, to live with the coolest family forever, even after this life. It is so amazing, and the plan is so simple we just have to follow in our Older Brothers footsteps, because He has lead the way and it is up to us weather we want to rise up to the challenge and follow Christ. It was so awesome, then we were able to give him a Book of Mormon at the end of the lesson. We found out that he has been reading about 50 pages each day. I was so stoked about that. Then on Tuesday we had another lesson with him, it went so good. I loved it, it was another spiritual lesson, at the end of that lesson he said that he felt like this is the right thing to do that it just feels so right. We set a date with him for the 4th of Septmber. I am so excited I can't wait until next Saturday, it is going to be so legit. Anyways I am way excited for y'all now that y'all are going to the gym, y'all getting in shape for the cruise that y'all are going to be going on. Where are you going to be going? So, Dad I have been working on the things that you mentioned about my companion. We had our struggles for about a week and we were able to get things worked out. We carry the spirit fully when we are both on the same page. Sometimes it is hard to overlook somethings but I am sure it is the same for my companion at times also. We are doing good. I am not able to work out much. My comp really dosen't like to do much. Not even ride the bikes like we are supposed to. I try to get him to get up early to go run etc. No go! I am working on just motivitating myself. I have gained muscle in my legs from bike riding, I haven't gained any weight since I have been on my mission. OH! You guys remember Mark. Daniel's friend. He told Daniel that he is thinking about coming back and wants to know if it is to late to start where we left off. I was way stoked when I heard that. Well I love you lots Dad, hope everything is going good.

Love Elder Eppich

Dear Family

Well, things are going pretty good here. We just got done with transfers. I had to take Elder Thompson to Odessa and pick up my new comp. His name is Elder Pentecos. He is a really big guy, probably about 300 lbs. He seems like a pretty cool guy. Well, transfers are not my favorite time of the mission. I get really, really nervous for some reason. The nervousness goes away with in a week or so. So that is a good thing. As I get older in the mission I am sure I will be cool with transfers. I am very happy to be in Alpine still. I have a feeling I won't be in here much longer though. Yes! I have air conditioning here. If I didn't I would go nuts. You have to have AC in Texas or you would die, Ha Ha. Oh! So last week we went to Terriangua, Texas. It is in the middle of nowhere, lol. Wow! It is kind of scary out there. It is kind of a ghost town, alot of houses but no one lives in them. I think it is haunted. lol. That story about Kel is way funny. I sure would love to hear from that guy. Could y'all tell him that, thanks. It is pretty crazy how time fly's. August is almost over. That was a funny story about Lexi and Alex getting left in the middle of the lake at the cabin. I could totally see that happening. I bet Alex was way scared. Did he go back out in the lake and tube after that? That cabin is my favorite place in the world to be. I can't believe that many people got sick at the reunion. Not good! That is awesome that Eric Kohen had their first baby, tell them hi for me.
About Elder Reay, I think that would be so awesome to serve with him. I will have to put a bug in Presidents ear. We would get so much work done together. Just to let you know, me and Elder Thompson were just starting to really jell and he got transfered. He will do good where he went, he is a hard worker. Mom it would be ok for you to write to the Ellises. They are a great family. Ray Ellis is a good guy. They are great members of the branch. Well Ray is not a member, just the kids and Sister Ellis. My shirts are great Mom, I really like the ones that you sent but I am just fine with the rest, don't worry about them. I hear that I may need a winter coat. I don't know weather to have you send one or not. We will see. Hey! Don't worry Mom my apartment stays really clean. I am keeping good care of things. Our investigators are doing great. They are all such awesome people. Michael Green has made some different decisions, so we will meet with him one more time. Daniel's grandma loves us to come around and serve her, we have to be careful though. She loves us. Megan Poatright is coming along good, she has been reading a lot but we haven't been able to see her for about a week. Everything else is coming along good. I still love this area a lot. I have some big goals before I leave here so that is what we are working on. My comp is a great guy. The heat is kind of tough on him, especially when we ride bikes but he keeps going. I had better go. I love y'all lots. I miss y'all very much. I am still waiting for the pictures from the family reunion. Gotta Go! I am out like a trout! Lol!
Love Elder Eppich

Elder Rymer & Elder Eppich enjoying some

scenery in the countryside of Alpine, TX.

Transfer Day! Nate going to Alpine, Texas.

August 12, 2010 New Companion

Hey! Dad & Mom;

Well; we went to Odessa the other day and it was so stinking hot! It is about 95 here so not to bad. My comp went to Lubbock to serve so I am staying in Alpine. I was so happy to hear those words. My new comp is Elder Pentacoast, something like that. He is from Logan Utah. He is a big guy about 300 lbs. Bigger than I used to be. He is pretty quiet but I will fix that. He dosen't know his lessons to well so we have some work to do and this will help me to be better than I am.
Mom I know that you don't think I say much, at the first of my mission when I would get nervous I would clam up but now , when I get nervous I talk through things so I am pretty sure I can be annoying because I don't shut-up. We will get along good I think. Yes! I am keeping my apartment very clean. Don't know about white glove clean but tidy. Helps when you don't have much to take care of. Some exciting news, we got Ray Ellis to come to church. That was the highlight of our week. His 2 boys had talks so he came. It was great. Love that family. We have some other things going as far as investigators go, so everyone is doing great. I am so thankful for the plan of Salvation and even though my mission is so hard for me at times I am so gratful that I made the decision to come out and give the Lord 2 years of my life and serve his children of Texas. I have learned so much and my testimony has grown so much. Sometimes I wonder how these changes happen like they do but I am so thankful for them. I am so thankful for my family and all that you have taught me. I hope I can raise a family like mine someday. We don't have much planned for p-day today. We do have some lessons tonight. The Ellises got me a wood bat so we are going to have a homerun durby today with some kids. That will be fun. School will start here next week , so those boys will be busy. Everything else is going great. My comp says that his mission is just flying by for him. I am not at that stage yet, but I am sure I will. I know the blessings I am receiving and that my family is receiving with me being out and I like that.
I have had some contact with Morgan. Sounds like he is doing great. Ball will be starting for him. Hope you can get to some of his games. I like hearing from those guys. Tell him Hi for me, I know he likes to come over to visit. Well I had better get, my time on this computer is up and we need to obey that rule. You have a great day! Love letters Mom!
Take Care! Love Elder Eppich

Dear Mom & Dad

Hey! Mom;
It is pretty crazy, here we are another p-day and writing another letter. It goes pretty fast for me for the most part, the days are like weeks and the weeks are like days. Some days go pretty slow but I have realized the farther you get into your mission the faster it goes. There are days that I am just so tired that it would be tempting to stay in and days that I just don't want to get on that bike. Somedays you never think the mission is going to end, but then you have some awesome experiences that re-charge you and it just flys by and the mission is going so fast it is crazy. There are days for all of us missionaries that you want to quit and go home and see your family and friends. I have found a quote that I really love, I will share it with you when I write you a letter. I read it everyday and it gets my day going. I love letters Mom, it is so great to go to the mail and have something in there for you. Did you enjoy the Temple. I really miss going. We have not been able to attend the Temple since I was in the MTC, I miss going. Look forward to when I can go again. We are 5 hours away from the Temple. How is Grandpa's back been doing? I still haven't gotten a letter from them since I have been in the mission. Would love to hear from them. Can you believe that summer is almost over. The college kids are arriving and will start up in about 2 and half weeks. Sports is starting up here also but their football team isn't very good. Most people here chase cows around and rope them. My comp is doing good. We are looking at a transfer for one of us this next week so I will let you know. Not real sure yet who is going where. Elder Reay is such an awesome missionary. I really like that guy, we are way good friends and we haven't even know each other very long. I think he is still up in his same area up north. Dad I can't believe that you haven't planned a fishing trip this summer. What is up with that? You better have some planned when I get home.
So Kacie is the big 25 on Monday? I know she used to always remind everyone when her birthday was I would think she would want to be quiet because she is getting so old, lol. Just kidding. How are bids going Dad? Yes! Dad that family that we did service for, we actually had a lesson with her last night. We watched the restoration, she wanted to know more about Joseph Smith. She says everytime that we come over there she can feel this peaceful feeling and that would be the Spirit testifying to her of truths. I have a testimony of service. I know when you serve someone they can see the love you have for them. It is such an amazing feeling. Well I had better get going. I hope all the family is well. I am doing great! Take Care
Love Elder Eppich

Nate is quite the inventive cook.

We used to eat these things at home all the time but we used toothpicks. Nate found another way to keep his hotdogs in the bread. Dental floss!