My Los Angeles Spanish Speaking Missionary

HI everybody!

Well first off it's really cool to see that huge garden of yours. I had no idea it was that big. It'll be cool next year to help out with it.
Bummer to hear about the temple. I will never understand why some people think it's funny or entertaining to do something like that. If only they knew the condemnation they were bringing upon themselves. It's good to hear that the temple was full after that though. We've always had a problem with not enough people attending the temple over there. Maybe now people will see more of a need.
Yesterday was our musical fireside in Downey. I got to sing in another quartet but this time it was with me and Elder Harper and two sisters. Boy oh boy, if you think I sing well you should hear hear those other three. Whooooeeeee that was a good sound. We sang "Lean On My Ample Arm" #120 in the hymn book. Try singing all the parts as a family to that on. Good luck.
The crowd was HUGE last night. We had the whole chapel filled and two thirds of the gym. And it's a stake center! I was really happy with the spirit that was there. It was all about the Living Christ. It's always a good sign when you see people crying in the audience. Hopefully many of those who were touched and who attended were investigators.
Anyway I'm kinda glad that it's over with. It's always stressful to plan out any musical production. This week we're going to have transfers. As far as I know I'll be staying here. I don't see any reason that I'd be leaving. I'm looking forward to next transfer too. We've been finding some good people recently and there is some promise from the new couples that have moved into the ward as well. I think we'll be quite busy in the coming weeks which is always nice.
Today we're going golfing again. I told the other Elders in our apartment that I didn't want to pay for another round of golf. They wanted to go so bad that they're going to pay for me. I guess I can't say no to that. It's Elder Thackerays last P-day in the mission. He goes home on Wednesday. So this is his last hurrah. That boy is TRUNKY! I'm just glad he worked hard to the end. (by the way, he's one of the other Elders in our apartment.) I'll be sad to see him go.
Well Ryan I think you're due to write me another email. I'm telling you man, if you want me to write you while you're out on your mission you had better start writing me now! ; ) I'm really happy to hear that your papers are finally in to Salt Lake! I want to hear how everything is going according to Ryan. Talk to me man! I love ya bro.
By the way I haven't been able to listen to your sound byte Matt. I have it but I just don't have any head phones and the library computers don't have speakers. So one of these days I'll get to listen to it. Feel free to send more in the mean time.
To all you at home I'll try and remember to record something on my tape player and send it to you. I think I promised to do that a while ago but I just haven't gotten around to it. Always so busy. I have some stuff recorded from a while back so I'll probably just add on to that. It'll be interesting to hear stuff from past transfers and companions.
We'll I'm outta here. I'll be making a picture CD soon. My memory card is officially full. I've been taking smaller pictures for a while now so hopefully that will allow you to put them on the web.

Have a fantasmical week everybody. Love ya!

Your son and brother,
Elder Jason Otis

(by the way, tell Elder Moake that yes I want my basketball and no I don't know where his key went. : )

My Gratitude For the St. Paul Minnesota Temple

Dear Friends,

I was filled with gratitude today as I stood viewing the fire damage to our St. Paul Temple. Gratitude, because at 3am Wednesday morning a passerby saw the fire engulfing the entry of the temple-- and called the fire department or 911 for help.

I was told today that when the fire department arrived, the fire was already out pretty much on it's own. Or was there Heavenly intervention? We'll never know. Though it blackened the entry and especially the left part of the doorway where the incendiary device landed--it had no real fuel to keep it going. If the device had been thrown on the rooftop, it would have been a disaster I was told.

I looked at the stained-glass panels to the left of the doors, the storm coverings had been removed. White caulking filled in the small gaps where the glass had broken. The smoke had entered the building through those beautifully crafted, broken panes and filled up the entry way between the outside and inside doors. The smoke had also gone into the waiting room and coat closet there to the right.

The temple worker said that the firemen knew of the sacredness of our temple and had not entered through the second set of doors out of respect. I again felt the same swelling of gratitude flow through me as I realized the double blessing that had occurred this week. Respect of our community has been hard earned and now a blessing. We were able to have the temple doors open right after this incident and now we continue to be blessed by the work that is being done. What a way to show the world our strong belief in Temple work and our testimony as members of the LDS Church.

The marble around the Temple doors may be blackened, a terrible person wanted to do it harm. But even the marble will be good as new soon, as it's sanded and polished this week. The stain-glass replaced as well....As I thought hard about all that transpired this week while in the celestial room, I did see the silver lining in this situation.... The temple was full to overflowing today. They had to bring in three rows of extra chairs!

Perhaps, this was a wake up call for all of us here in MN, to renew our dedication to do the sacred work our Father in Heaven has asked us to do. Our hopes were renewed today as our gratitude and thanksgiving filled the temple rooms and filled my heart and the hearts of so many there. It was a palpable feeling for many of us who attended. The prayer today was a reflection of much of the same as I sat in this Holy place.

I am truly glad to be a member of this church! The temple is the closest place to heaven on earth and I am so happy we have the privilege of having a house of the Lord here in Minnesota.

I am thankful no more damage was done and that the four people who were endowed today in our session, were able to do so and be surrounded by so many loved ones. Every time I do the work for our kindred dead, I think of the reunion we'll have one day and there aren't words to describe the joy I feel. How they must feel it even more than I.