Yeah I am here in Tuscaloosa, AL. Its weird, Elder Peters just got a referral from his family, so its kind of funny how people back home are giving referrals as well. We would love to meet them.

So this is what happened: we were biking home from a far away place towards home. Elder Peters is a crazy fast biker. and so we went across this busy intersection, and the way the curb is formed you would have to bike in a S line. At fast speed it didnt occur to me that it would be difficult. (and since its in winter season there were leaves on the ground which made it slippery.) So for the most part I accomplished the first part of the S, but my bike swerved and my pedal hit the ground, the bike fell and I flew forward. My right hand got a cut, left thigh a scrape, and I could barely move my left arm. (there is this pretty cool straight white line on the corner of the ground in front of Checkers, a burger place). I stood up and became instantly light headed, so I had to sit down/lay down. I wasnt going to faint but it seemed like I was going there if I stood up imediately again. After a while I was able to get up and walk home. Thats how the accident happened, on Thursday.

  The next day I called the nurse specialist (who is awesome btw), told her what happened and what I can do with my arm. We then found a nearby hospital to see if anything is broken. It was a long wait there. I had a hard time trying to figure out my insurance info, and I knew Dad knows it but I cant just call home to ask for it. So Sister May (nurse specialist) said use their phone to call home to get it, so thats where that call came from. Nothing is broken. My left elbow is just sprained. Which is much better now, I can fully extend it and eat with it now. (It was hard for the last couple days since I'm lefthanded.)

   I was told to call president Holzapfel about how I am doing, so I did. He asked "would a call to your mom help?" I thought for a second and said a call to my mom would always help, but I dont think it is needed and I can wait for emailing and Christmas. He then said over the years of being a mission president I have found out that whenever some injury happens to a missionary, their parents would expect the worst. Just call your mom and say you're doing fine, had an accident, but will be fine in a couple days, keep it as short as you can. I thought, woah ok haha. So it was nice to hear mom and dad on the phone call.

I haven't figured out the time the skype call will be yet. but I'll let you know.

  President Holzapfel emailed us some pretty good insight from a bag of apples. Sister Holzapfel was making an apple cake for a senior couple that will be returning. The bag, in whose apples they used for baking, said at the bottom, "Meets or Exceeds US Extra Fancy Standards." Washington apples, I hear, are among the best apples grown in the world. The farmer has deemed them as "extra fancy" for they not only have met the standards, or guidlines for being good apples, but have exceeded them. President went on to say how this applies to missionaries. Some questions he asked said:

   "Would your investigators say you meet the missionary guidelines?

Would Church members say you meet these guidelines?

Would local Priesthood leaders say you meet them?

More importantly, would the Lord say you meet the guidelines He established for His missionaries?

And one more question, would any of them say you "exceeded" the guidelines?"

    This principle used for missionaries can be taken to life challenges. For it was told that a mission, is only life, in miniatures.

"It would be wonderful if your spouse said you not only met righteous marriage guidelines for a spouse, but exceed them. It would be wonderful if your children and grandchildren said you not only met, but exceeded guidelines for good parents and grandparents.

What about your employment? Wouldn't it be great if your employer always felt you not only met, but exceeded guidelines for your employment? Would you get a raise or promotion? Would you keep your job when others were let go during a downturn in the economy?

I promise you will be blessed and find more happiness when you not only meet guidelines in your life, but exceed them"

   I thought it was good insight from president Holzapfel, so I really just copied and pasted what he said. I see it to be true.

Tis the season to be jolly,

Jacob