David’s 17 Points of Advice for a Seventeen-Year-Old

Alright Jordan, let's get one thing straight. I realize that I waited until two days before your birthday to finally write you and make your card. And I also realize that I probably won't send this until Tuesday, that day being your birthday, and that you may not read this until you're lighting off fireworks at 4th of July parties. Alright, what can I tell a lil' brother turning 17? (I have to write my 7's with that line in the middle because Peruvians otherwise think "7" is a one. So now this "7"is my seven.) Alright, so you're 17. Cool. My advice . . . (and take this seriously):

1. Have fun. High school will be over soon. Enjoy it.


2. Meet new people. The more the merrier. Make tons of friends.


3. Be yourself. Don't worry about people judging you harshly. You can't fret about things outside your control. Just be you.


4. Don't get a serious girlfriend. It's pointless, pointless, pointless. (Did I mention it's pointless?) And all the time you wasted with her you could have used to perfect music skills and help close friends stay active in Church. So . . . don't. Me entiendes? No seas estupido. So, no pre-mission girlfriends. (See #1. Have fun with lots of friends.)


5. When I say, "have fun with lots of friends" I mean good, wholesome "fun" - and I think you know what I mean. Be your best self always.


6. Take care of yourself. Eat good, eat a lot. That's what teenage guys do. Stay active. Work out. Work your physical and mental strength. You'll get awesome at v-ball. Don't be a lazy slob.


7. Perfect your music skills. Seriously. You'll regret it if you don't. So do it. Do your best to develop all talents now, while you have the time and opportunity.


8. Build and maintain a strong bond with Mom and Dad. Just do that one well. It's so important!


9. Daily scripture reading. Even if it's just a little! I know it seems impossible–but you can do it. Just have to prioritize. Reading scriptures helps us remember who we are, where we came from, and where we are going if we choose to follow Him.


10. Good personal prayers. Don't just quickly blab something to check it off as done and have it bounce off the ceiling and land on your pillow next to your face. Develop a relationship with your Heavenly Father just like with me, or Mom and Dad. Get to know Him and be comfortable speaking to Him (and to Mom and Dad!) Never pray in bed, even if you are on your knees in bed. Humble yourself, kneel on the ground, and pour out your soul to Him. The more your knees ache, the better.


11. Take advantage of being able to kneel and pray on carpeted floor. Hurts your knees a bit more on cement floor.


12. Speaking of flooring, take advantage of carpet. I miss it - a lot. I have not even lied down on a floor of carpet since July 16, 2008, at Colin and Jen's house the night before entering the MTC. That was soft and sweet. Use it wisely.


13. Learn to love the Church and revolve your life around it's principles. You cannot go wrong. The world has nothing to offer that will begin to give you what is available through following a righteous gospel path.


14. Do things that build self-confidence and self-esteem. We love you, Jordan! You have a grand purpose, as we all do.


15. Relax. (Trust me, I know this one from sad experience. Stress doesn't ever help.)
    
16. Continue your foreign language studies. Knowing a second language is pretty much awesome and you never know, you could go Spanish speaking.


17. Like Dutch and I used to say, "Just have fun with it!" (See No. 15, above.)

Alright, I think I covered a lot of what I wanted to cover in "David's 17 points of advice for being an awesome 17 year old." But, maybe I have a few more pointers left. As for your own mission, prepare for the most awesome, difficult, amazing, strenuous, and indescribable experience of your life. I have a good chunk of time on my belt, so I'm pretty well adjusted to being a missionary, and it's awesome! You'll love it. If you do it right. I'm doing my best to do it right. Remember the example of Elder Rogers in "Best Two Years." Life was lame when he didn't work, and awesome when he was totally immersed in the work, being the kind of missionary God wants us to be. It is the same in real life. Hardly work, hardly happy. Work well, way happy. Simple. So you be like the Elder Rogers at the end of his mission, better yet, be Elder Calhoun - way into it from start to finish.

The mission area in Piura Peru is pretty hot and sandy - just the way I like it. It's all good. I would love it hot/cold, wet/dry, etc. I am happy to serve where I have been called. Period. Well dude, I think I'm fresh out of things to write. Um...yep, creo que si. So, Happy Birthday. Happy summer. Good luck with v-ball and everything else you got going on. Hopefully the package I'm sending will be cool and pleasing to ya'll over there in the Royal household te amo mucho. Ciau hermano. O sea, hermanito! Paz afuera.

Tu hermano para siempre,
Elder David Royal