In Pan de Azucar

Note from Dad: We've gathered our family together this week for our second annual Sluder family reunion in Wellsville, Utah. I emailed John last night and included some pictures of the family that were taken last night.

August 9, 2010

Dear Family,

Wow… I can’t believe the family I have! This week I’ve been dreaming a lot about all of you. It might sound weird, but I keep having this same dream where we are all together at a family reunion function. The strange part is, I totally forgot that this week you were all meeting together for this reunion. I realized it and it really hit me hard when I saw you all together and happy.

I’ve had a heck of a week. Everything that we planned seemed to just not work out and at times was it very difficult to be content with the situation. We did however keep our three fechas bautismales and the family that we have planned to baptize is still on schedule. However, I do not think I will be there to see their baptism. They can’t get married or baptized until after the 10th of September. The change will end on the 24th of August and from what I hear from President Da Silva, I will not be in Minas a fifth change. He has other plans for me. I have an interview with him tomorrow, so we shall see.

Tonight I’m in Pan de Azucar. We had a zone activity today and we went and climbed the cruz It’s a cerro (hill) above Pan de Azucar. Anyway, because we’re already half way to Maldonado, we are just going to stay the night here and head on our way tomorrow morning.

I had a very interesting conversation today. While I was coming down from the cruz at the top of the cerro, I was talking with one of the oro hermana missionaries who is really struggling with her new life here in Uruguay. She is from Salt Lake City and is a convert to the church of only two years. I asked her what her parents and her family thought of her decision to serve a mission. She replied that her parents were furious (they’re not members) and when she left her mother at the airport, her mother told her not to ever come back. I couldn’t believe it and I immediately felt horrible for this sister missionary.

I first though about you Dad and the last moments I had with you in the airport and how life changing to me they really were. And Mom, I then thought about how much you really didn’t want me to go, but you always knew how important it was, so in a sense you gave me the push and support to leave. I then thought about my awesome brother, my loving sisters, their great husbands and wife and all of the rambunctious, loud and sweet nieces and nephews I have! I am so grateful to have all of you. I really miss every single one of you so much. I love you all even more! You’re the greatest gift that God has ever given me. I will keep you all in my prayers. Be safe and enjoy EVERY moment together in your family reunion this week.

Love your son, brother and uncle
Elder John Sluder

P.S. Tell Juan and Jackie thank you so much. I will soon be writing them a letter and send them my love.