Robert writes home #64 18 Feb 1996 Essay-Two marshmallow Mormon.


#64
18 Feb 1996
Dear Mother,
                I spoke today (third Sunday) at the Hmong Branch. Pres Fife is the branch pres, He really paid me a compliment. He explained to them what a hero was. Then he told them that I was one of his heroes. He went on to explain that I had remained faithful through many serious challenges…two house fires and health crises. Then he presented me as the speaker. I talked about commitment. It’s very hard using a translator with them. As I talk to the translator prior he wasn’t understanding all  said so I knew I was going to have trouble conveying any complex thoughts. But it went okay.
                Sam and I finished our tower that we made by lashing sticks together. Now Charlie wants to position it so we can swing off of it on a rope attached to an overhead limb. It’s kind of hard project. Next we’re trying to build an electric motor out of nails and a paper clip and copper wire.
                Yesterday we went to the temple in Oakland. Charlie and Sam hung around with the other ward kids while I went to the Los Banos ward session. I spoke in the chapel session on commitment again. The bishop requested that I talk on that topic.
Janet has been in Iowa with Susie and Paul and kids last week and is now in Kansas with Laurie and Paul and kids. We’ve about exhausted all of the frozen dinners. Our diet is getting a little bit limited. She’ll be coming home on Wednesday. I pick her up in San Jose after work. We’re saving Charlie's birthday celebration until after she gets home.
We’re praying for you every day and love you.
Love,

Robert, Charlie and Sam

PS another essay;
Two Marshmallow Mormon
                I read an article in “Time” magazine last week about EQ (emotional intelligence) and how much it affected general intelligence.
                The author said it’s hard to believe that how a four year old reacted to a marshmallow could tell you anything about what kind of an adult he would be. He referred to a study in which four year olds were brought, individually, into a room with a Marshmallow on the table. Then they were told by the guy in the room that they could either take that marshmallow now and eat it, or, it they would wait until the guy returned he would give them two marshmallows. The guy left and returned after a set period of time. They recorded the results and monitored the children over the years into adulthood. There was a direct correlation between being able to wait for the two marshmallow reward and success in life.
                That’s impressive to me. I think that character trait is at the base of just about all success…especially in the gospel. We have to be able to control our urges for immediate gratification and make our actions of this moment harmonize with our long range objectives.
                A good question to ask ourselves might be,”Am I a one marshmallow Mormon, or a Two Marshmallow Mormon”. It might make a lot of difference in what you grow up to be, eternally.



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