The Parable of the White Shirts

1. There once were seven white shirts. Collard, buttoned down, and long sleeved.

2. These white shirts embarked on a journey together along with two short sleeved, buttoned down, collared shirts.
3. These faithful shirts labored with all diligence, obeying the master and worked in the vineyard of da U.P and Wisconsin.
4. Their countenance once shined as white but the adversary and his filth came upon the white shirts.
5. In the 17th month of their journey there was one white shirt that passed, and moved to the waste bucket.
6. And the others wept.
7. And in the 18th month, three more white shirts passed, and moved to the waste bucket.
8. And the remaining long sleeved, buttoned down, collard white shirts that remained made a pact.
9. Their testimonies burned bright as they continued to labor with all diligence, obeying the master in the vineyard.
10. In the 21st month of their journey, another passed, and moved to the waste bucket.
11. And the two that remained wept.
12. In the 23rd month, one long sleeved, buttoned down, collared shirt gave up the ghost, and it too was moved to the waste bucket.
13. And one long sleeved, buttoned down, collared shirt remained, and it felt lonely.
14. And the short sleeve shirts remain and they have no problems.
15. Amen.
(Just in case anyone is curious these were Jos A. Banks, wrinkle resistant, trim fit, Travelers shirts. Apparently they don't hold up to the wear and tear of missionary work but Ted loves them for the office - go figure.)

The lesson to be learned from this most fantastic parable is that one of my shirts ripped yesterday after church. I only have one more long sleeved shirt (that started the mission) I do have 5 shirts, because I had to buy some replacements in Oshkosh. This shirt is the lone survivor and the winner of the White Shirt Hunger Games. Who thinks my last shirt will survive two and a half weeks? Its current condition is in good standings, I would give it a 75% survival rating. What are your guesses?

The only way I can describe this week is as follows: biking! We biked to the north, to the south, to the west and to the east. We biked all over tarnation. When the sun shined, we biked more and when it rained we biked less, but still biked.

The Book of Mormon musical came to Milwaukee. The Elders and Sisters in the city area have been proselyting near the theater for two straight weeks. Attached is an article of the Elders and Sisters doing WORK at the theater. I was not a part of this because Kenosha is too far from Milwaukee. I did however proselyte at the theater in Appleton when the musical came to town. That was very fun.

Looking forward to a reunion with my puppy!

Thank you all so much,

Elder Luymes