Hello from hot, wet, and rain in White Oak, MD...Written 7/6/2015

I hope you had a great week. For the 4th of July, my companion, Elder O and I met up with some of the Elders in Silver Spring ward and went to the Parade in DC just off the National Mall. We really enjoyed it but only ended up staying for about half of it because we went to a less-active/part-member family for lunch as a 4th of July BBQ. The wife cooks super good and made some amazing food and cheesecake dessert. We then hung out and played games with some other elders. After that all the Elders met up in the zone at the Institute Building at the University of Maryland. We played soccer and other games and then had another BBQ. We watched the fireworks on the drive home.

Well since you asked the workout question 3 times in your email I think I'll answer it. I go to a gym in the morning and usually do cardio for about 30-40 minutes then I work arms one day, then abs and back the next, and legs the third day. In total I work out 1.5 hours a day/5 days a week. If my brother doesn't like running; biking, walking, or hiking (he's got mountains in Utah) are good for some cardio. Fill milk jugs with water or small rocks to work out arms, sit ups or curl ups are good, do some jumping jacks, push ups, etc. the thing is no one likes starting to work out. You just have to start and then you get into it and enjoy yourself. Vary the exercise by changing the reps or do some thing different. Put your feet on a chair and do push ups, do tricep push ups, add weight, etc. check online for some great free, no equipment workout plans. It's all about what you want to do.

We've been working on starting home teaching in the ward with the new Elder's Quorum President. We have been going out with him and the Ward Mission Leader training them to help train others to do their home teaching. They came out with on Tuesday and we had a great time with them.

Wednesday we had our temple trip and it was another great day at the temple. It's always great being able to go especially since it will be closed in August and September. Thursday was the last Zone/District meeting for the transfer and we had fun and took a picture together as a zone and then as a district.

On Sunday, the Bishop had us over for lunch which was really nice. We have gotten really close to the bishop lately which is awesome. He's super awesome and it's crazy to think he's only been a member for just over 2 years. We also went over to a member's home who has been going through some great challenges. They are active members but due to some of the wife's health challenges they have not been able to attend church as of late. The husband confided in us that a couple of weeks ago they were discussing how they felt abandoned and prayed for help. That was the very night we knocked on their door and for the first time, despite several attempts, we were able to visit with them. We had tried in the past but we often never made it to their home due to one reason or another and when we did pass by, they were never home. We have seen them several times since then and they are always home when we knock at the door. The Lord truly answers others prayers through his servants and we must be founded in Christ to complete His work.

We met with out investigator who should be baptized soon and he feels really confident about getting baptized and wants one of his member friends to baptized him. It is something super exciting and I hope I'll be able to attend the baptism.

So you didn't ask about transfers; I'm leaving Glenmont Central and heading off to somewhere else. I have no idea where I'm going but I'll find out on Wednesday at the transfer meeting. Sorry if the suspense kills you all week until you find out next Monday where I'm at. That being said, I sent a package today of some of my stuff (mostly things I don't really use, old pants that don't fit, etc). There is an envelope in there for your birthday and you can probably guess what is inside but the rest is just stuff. The receipt says it should arrive on Wednesday.
I hope you have another great week! 

Love,
Elder Braden Dahl