Dear Elder Sky!

How have you been? My Mom said it is hard to get mail to you otherwise I would have mailed this, but oh well. I have yet to write so I thought I would update you. Life has been good. It has been very different adjusting back into non-missionary life to say the least. I think the hardest part is that there are some friends of mine that don’t quite have the same zeal to continue the things we learn on our missions. Not that they are bad or anything, just not striving to keep getting better. Well right now I am working at a place called Summit Financial. Its pretty good money. I make 10$ to 14$ an hour on average and they were great around your schedule. I also am a veil worker at the Provo Temple which is a blast. I just went to the Manti temple last week. It was like the first real snow we had that stuck and it was cold. It made me think of all those wonderful days and nights on the ol’ bike spreading the wealth of the gospel. I miss being a missionary. If I was not supposed to continue on with life I would so beg the Prophet to let me go back out.
I have been going on dates at least once a week. That was one of my goals to make sure I don’t end up like so many other guys here in “Happy Valley” who are like 26, graduated, have a career and still single. Yet I also made a goal not to get serious with a girl until after 3 months. I still have a few more weeks to go. I try not to think about marriage too much anyway. However, anytime I go to the Temple I get slammed with the “Hurry up and get married!” spirit attack. I am starting school in January. I have one more semester at UVU for my associates and then I am transferring to BYU in the fall. I am living at home until this next semester is over in which case I will be moving out.
My family is doing great. My little sister Christine is at UVU and she loves it. She is pretty involved in the Student Leadership and such. My other little sister Marie is a sophomore in high school and has turned (like I feared) a little bit emo. She is not totally gone, but she is close. Pray for her. Just kidding... My parents are working and just being wonderful. I will be honest the only real reason I wanted to come home was to see my family. They are such a strength. Also something amazing I learned. A lot of times we think as missionaries that people have sort of forgotten us because they have stopped writing. Not true. So many of my friends and family read all my letters and such each week yet mainly were just lazy. I have some empathy for them now. Life does throw a lot of things at you. It’s tough just to remember and sit down and write to the wonderful missionaries in the field. So keep your chin up. Everyone still loves you. XD
It’s amazing how you can have so many great habits on your mission, but when your companion is gone, mission president, and the rules of a handbook fade away it is so much easier to lose those habits. I am still reading the scriptures obviously, but it’s hard to have as good of studies as you do on your mission when you don’t have an hour set aside just to study them(even if you set an hour aside its still different.) I am getting better, but I never really realized how much of a blessing a companion is. I think that’s one reason the Brethren want us to get married so quick…
Well that’s most of it for me right now. I want you to know that I know that missionary work is the most important thing any of us can do. It is hard to do missionary work here because of the lack of non-members. I am praying the Lord will guide me to those who will benefit from my friendship and testimony. If you have any spare time in your prayers, pray that I can be led to someone here in ol' Orem. I am praying for you often. I was able to see the movie Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration again. I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that he truly was called of God. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior. My testimony of this is the most precious treasure I own. We all have such wonderful lives. I am so thankful for you and all you have done for me in my life. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.

With Love,
Carlos James Diamond

Dear Skyler,

Now that the last one went through, I'll try to send you a little bit of the long letter I just wrote. I write it in Spanish just for you. Bueno, ya termino el verano. Mañana Marie empieza high school y yo empiezo mi trabajo de instructor de ingles en una escuela primaria. La mayoria de los estudiantes son latinos. Tambien, esta semana, Christine esta mudandose a un apartamento de estudiantes de UVU. Ella recibio una beca para pagar los gastos de su apartamento. La voy a extrañar mucho pero no va estar muy lejos. Como sabes tambien, Carlos regresa el 8 de octubre! Estamos muy emocionados tenerle de nuevo con nosotros. Para terminar, quiero expresar mi gratitud para el servicio que estas dando al Señor y a tus semejantes. Estas siempre en nuestras oraciones. Espero que recibas esta mensaje y chao por ahora.

Aunt Lori Diamond

Dear Skyler,

I just posted a nice long letter and it didn't go through. What's going on! Our letter through US mail came back too. I'll keep trying.

Aunt Lori

Hey Sky!! I read the letters that your mom posted and it seems like you are doing amazing work!! It's weird not seeing you around the house!! Dallan needs Chito's email but I never can get ahold of anyone to get it if you have it maybe you can send it to him through his email? That would be great!! I am putting together a package so it will be coming pretty soon!! Take care of yourself and good job!!! Love Ya, Randi