Letter Week of 4/6/10 - Transfer to Star, ID

So the time has come finally for Elder Hopkins to be transferred. "Where will he be going!?" I'm sure is the question on many of your lips. Well the answer is finally here! I am going to be going to the City of Star, Idaho. Now, please, don't get too excited as Star is less than 1 square mile total and has a population just over twice the size of the graduating class of 2008 from Wakefield High School. I'm not sure as of yet exactly how much area I'll be covering and if I am in charge of surrounding areas as well, but I am excited to be back near Boise and out of Minidoka county and returning to Ada county (where Boise is.) So, although I will be in an even smaller town than Rupert (assuming, of course I live within the city limits) I will have access to civilization, unlike the city I have been in the past 6 months. For example, Elder Henao went to the Wal-Mart here to try and purchase a GPS. They were out of stock of the one he wanted and so we had to wait and save up mile on our car to drive 45 minutes to Twin Falls where they have a Target to get him one. That can be a bit frustrating. Or when you want more ink for your Parker pen and the only office supply store that carries it is...45 minutes away in Twin Falls.

I have had the privilege of meeting very many kind hearted and wonderful families here in Rupert and I feel I would be doing an injustice to even begin to try and thank them individually, for fear that I may pass over someone. This is a special community and will continue to be so in my heart for what I'm sure will be years to come.

I experienced a few adventures this past week, many of which involved cows. Many of you, I'm sure are either intrigued or afraid after that last sentence. I can assure you everything worked out for the good of myself and the cows (So, Dani, if you're reading this, no cows were hurt in the making of these adventures.)First, at dinner on Sunday, the father of the family took us out to see the pigs and cows he owned. I even let a calf suck on my fingers, which, if you've never been able to do is quite a neat thing to do. I was also able to have a very fun outing to the Zollinger Dairy this past weekend. The Zollingers are a fantastic family that live around the Declo area. Their son, Stirland (Please forgive me if I spelled that one wrong, buddy) took me and Elder Henao around their property to show me how a dairy works. It was beyond fascinating. First, we drove to where they actually milk the cows. He showed us how they sanitize the udders and all the fun things that goes into milking a cow. In fact, contrary to what you'd think, the cows love to be milked! They were lined up! Anyway, after a little encouragement, I was coerced into drinking some milk, straight from the cow. It was fantastic, albeit a little warm. But nonetheless it was an experience I enjoyed and would do again in a heartbeat (preferably NOT in a suit next time!) After that, we climbed a tiny ladder to the top of a grain silo and had a commanding view of the surrounding area. It was quite a sight to behold. Then, we went to where the big storage tank is that holds all the milked milk (that sounds funny to say) is and were able to drink from the giant valve that lets it out. Very cool.

--

I have wept in the night
For the shortness of sight
That to somebody’s need made me blind;
But I never have yet
Felt a tinge of regret
For being a little too kind.

I love that poem. I always think about how too often, we treat one another with sarcasm and with harsh jokes and comments. I know that I, myself fall victim to that way of speaking all the time and I have a bad habit of playing Devil's advocate and arguing with people just for the sake of arguing. But I know that this helps no one. Sometimes I marvel at the way we, as friends and loved ones, treat one another. Obviously, I do not profess to be any better at accidentally speaking this way in my life, but I realize that it is an issue that I need to work on. I think that these lines have truly helped me see the power in kindness. There is no reason we should try to tear one another down. We're all in this race of life together, so rather than tripping each other, I think we should support one another so we can all get to the finish line and have joy that we succeeded together. I vote we all try to be kinder to one another; what's the worst that could happen?

Thanks to everyone for their continued support, I love you all very much!

- Elder Hops