This weeks letter is really short because we had a 2 hour phone call over Skype on Christmas. Michael is doing great, and we are so proud of him!!

Hey again.

Yeah it was good. too bad we aren't quiet or anything. haha. That's way cool that you guys were able to have people over and stuff. Last night we ate with a family where 3 of their 4 oldest are married and I was just like yes! this is how legit it is going to be when we are all old and married. it's going to be a Party! yeah buddy haha.

How does that not surprise me? Jerimiah not talk that much in front of people. I think I'm going to do less than ten when I get home haha! Thats cool though that Blake has got his call. it's good to know though that I'm not missing much because everyone is going on their missions and doing the good stuff too. haha is ethan in where ever he is already?

Ammon can get his permit now... are you going to let him? haha man that is weird, he will be driving for almost a year when I get home. hopefully he doesn't wreck too bad. haha I miss in n out. maybe a double double animal style? I think so? haha. Congrats to matthew. not much really more to say. it was a super quiet week. so well see what this one hold for us yeah?

Much love!

Michael

Hey Guys!

My Body is numb now, SO, It's not really cold anymore, Utah winters are worse, at least snow-wise, lately we have been blessed with a lot of teaching appointments so we don't have to be outside to much. it's great! yes, Lucky me, I get to cruise around in a quick mazda 3! haha Yeah, Totally, of course I write in my Journal, every night! I try to do work! ha it really was amazing. It's super easy go go with the flow and start going through the motions, that's super true. we had a meeting with our zone this last saturday and they talked about purpose, and having purpose in all things that we do. Having purpose is Vital, if you don't have purpose, why are you doing those things you are doing? you have to really step back and think about it and find your purpose and really understand it. that way you grow, and become a better person, really you come closer to God.

Thank you for talking to Jana for me, that will really come in handy one day. I promise I won't open it. the other ones I just open one a day. so it's all good. oh yeah, one more thing... ha I am horrible at taking pictures, so maybe if I had a camera that I could fit in my pocket I would be more motivated to take pictures, this thing is so big, it's harder to take pictures, I will try to send my memory card this week. We have a place to go, and they said we are welcome all day, so we will probably be there for the majority of the day. I will call at noon mountain standard time. so it will be 2 here. So, if you would like, Pick up the phone then. we don't really have a time limit, the members are going to allow us to call on one of their phones that i'm sure have free long distance too. most cell carriers do that. (and they are pretty well off too, so I'm sure it's not going to be a problem, but mind you, I'm only a man of so many words! haha).

Still talking about christmas, will you let people know where I am? Shelly Rampton sent a package to St. Marys. I haven't been there in two months... so if they don't know where I am and they want to send me something, have them ask you so you can give them my address. if all else fails, let them know the mission office address.

You tempted me. I watched the video. even though I probably shouldn't have haha. he does good! especially wrestling guys who are 35 pounds heavier and probably jr.'s and Sr.'s. he is going to trash me when I get home. especially if I eat all the junk food I get sent! I took a picture of it so when you get my memory card you can see. it's out of control really.

Speaking of missions, Chet got his call! he is going to Tacoma Washington! super cool I hope he does well. I'm really happy to see everyone leaving and doing what is right.

Matthew better get good at basketball, because i'm going to be good, because that's all that missionaries do, is play basketball, so hopefully he can keep up with me, I'm gonna be like kobe! haha. who know's though.

Yeah, the Talbert lady's sister is in the ward, she is really nice. I have talked to her a few times. no, I didn't tell them those things! haha You and shelley are getting to be good friends huh? well that's good, just don't corrupt her... haha! That's crazy, haha you guys almost got fined for that much, hahaha geez! I'm glad that you got to see that, those things are always amazing. if you can ever go to the Tabernacle Choir while they are singing with Andre Bocelli, you should go, they do a great job together, Andre is super talented. yeah, it's true, no one ever speaks without a teleprompter, especially singers haha, they can't adlib! haha man. I'm going to be such a molly mormon when I get home. You are all going to be embarrassed to be around me. psh, Maybe I will just stay a missionary. I love being a missionary, it really is a blast and it helps me so much, it is just so fulfilling, it's really quite an adventure also.

I have two stockings now. I'm so pampered here. haha it's almost better than having one loving mom, because I have a bunch of moms who treat me as a step-child, haha did that sound bad? I hope not, but yeah, This ward is really amazing, I'm not going to lie. so yeah I love being a missionary! (is that nerdy? it better not be, I'm a representative of Jesus Christ!) ;P

Eat lots of food for me, okay? you know you are going to want to. mushrooms, deviled eggs, and all that other good stuff you make! why is that weird that you hung my stocking? I'm still part of the family aren't I? It's not like I automatically become dis-owned when I leave. geez guys! haha.

So yesterday we had our christmas devotional with president sorenson, it went really well. not according to plan, but still it went well. nothing goes according to plan these days anyways! it was really good, not as good as I hoped, I was super nervous for it, especially because two of the speakers didn't show up until right at 7! shoot. we were going to show a video titled what shall we give on LDS.org its the christmas message put out by the church for this month and it's super powerful and it drives home the meaning of christmas, you should watch it! this next week might be a bit rough, but that's okay, it's only because of christmas, not because we aren't loved, people just haven't really decided to make us a priority just yet, so hopefully it happens soon haha

nothing else too new here anyways. so I guess until Saturday at noon (mountain time) it will be 2 here. so yeah. later!

Love Michael

Hey dad,



You aren't using the Snow-blower? How did I know that you would use the tractor! haha go figure. I sure hope those little guys will last, they are getting put through a lot. the weather here isn't bad, it doesn't snow like it does in utah, nor do I think it will. It only gets cold, but I can put up with that, because hopefully i will stay successful and we don't have to be outside too much.

I should get everything in time if it is going to be sent today. so it's all good here. I have recieved a lot of socks and candy, So now I guess you could say I have A Plethora? haha



Shoot, I hope there are days where you can get it done, did you get to patch that mark i Made on the lower beam? I don't want you to forget about that...



I have seen bits and peices of the best two years, that really would be hard, there is no lie there. but that's okay, we are doing well here and I would much rather be in asia... ( like hong kong!) ha



Yep, mom let me know all of that, so I will be calling christmas day, around noon mountain time. so plan on that. and thanks for the reminder, because I did forget what the number was!



Love ya, Michael

Dear Family.

I'm an eskimo. It is 18 Degrees today, that is the high, the low? 11, add in the wind chill and the lake effect, probably in the negatives.

No more kisses, nope not at all. ha.I do remember giving out hugs and kisses on valentines day. I always kept the hugs but freely gave the kisses (Hugs taste better you know...) ha Lucky you, Enjoying the warmth. man it's been in the 20's and 30's forever! it was 35 saturday when we went to Kirtland and it was Warm! haha man.

I'm Glad Grandpa is feeling better, Sadly, you can't fight age. Especially when you have MS. it's going to be hard for him to accept because he is so headstrong. I'm not saying that is always bad, it can be good at times though. ha. I can't believe that he fell so much though. man, that's really not good. I'm glad to hear that he didn't get hurt though. you need to tell him when it starts to snow he just needs to stay inside and only go out with help. he wont like it, but he doesn't want to fall either though. so hopefully he can learn ;) He is going to be living with you guys when Iget home right? I mean he better be. shoot! ah, get him in! haha has Scott had any other Job interviews? I hope he can get one.

How much does Ammon weigh? man, what the heck! Ha since when is he this good? what a stud! That's really cool though, a packed gym and a freshman putting up points to help them beat the Reigning state champs. that's great! well, lookie here. I think Ammon is going to start to like Wrestling again, I mean he is winning right? haha. Remember when I would tell you not to come to things and I was always right? strange that Ammon was wrong. haha I'm glad he is doing well. that's always good. is he going to Webbs workouts? early mornings and the LaMonts? he better be haha!

Is Elder Jensen an area authority? Because an Elder Jensen is the Area authority over our mission. President Sorenson speaks to him quite often, in fact. He had to talk to him to get permission from the Bretheren for what we did this week.

That's interesting though, I never would have guessed that they wanted to have GA's at more meetings. huh, it does sound like another stake conference. oh well, usually they do pretty well at telling us to to. I mean they are General Authorities haha.

Yeah, Christmas is soon, It's different. I will call on christmas, that's about all I know. I will be able to talk to you guys then, haha I will know by next week how it's going to go. I'm pretty sure when I call we will be at a members home, so I still need to talk to them to see when they want us over so I can tell you when I'm going to call, don't forget that we are a couple hours ahead of you guys too. ;) odds are you will still be awake, I mean you guys all wake up at four in the morning to open presents anyway! haha maybe I will get you my memory card before then as your present. I'm bad at taking pictures, so just keep that in mind. I will try to get it to you soon though. but do promise me this! it wont be a lame talk like it was in the airport a few months ago! haha. we are going to be taken care of well. the relief society presidency is even making us stockings! haha sweet huh? we are having a good time!

So, Back to Elder Jensen....

back on tuesday we had what is called a misison conference. this is where three zones (three Stakes) get together and meet. For the first meeting we were in the Kirtland Temple. Oh my goodness. that was so powerful, everyone was like yeah, I bet there are going to be angels here like when Joseph gave the dedicatory prayer. all this jazz and stuff. well...

You could feel that people were there even before we started. it was amazing. President Sorensen went all the way up to the top to get permission for us to have the sacrament in the temple. man, what an experience. How many people can say that they have done that!? I Can! ha oh yes. I learned a lot and really, I could feel that Angels were there. the Holy Ghost was there, Possibly even Brother Joseph watching us continue the work that he was able to restore. at the very end we were all in the corners where the choirs sat and sang hymn number two, the spirit of God. That was so so so powerful. never in my life have I felt something like that before. it was really amazing. I don't know how the man who runs it (he is a member of the community of Christ) doesn't know that this is the true church, that feeling there was just really beyond belief. I really just cannot put it in words to do it justice. being in this misison is such a blessing. I have definitley gained a testimony of Joseph Smith and all of the things that went on in kirtland. I have learned so much and I would never trade it for anything.

By the way. I was thinking. have you talked to Jana lately? Because I would really like a copy of Alex's testimony, I don't know when It's going to come in handy, but i do know it will. nothing is more powerful than a testimony.

Well, Guess what?! I get to go lift today! one of the members has a gym in his house and invited us to go work out with him so of course, we are going to take him up on that offer! ha oh yes. I'm so excited, I have lost so much muscle. I'm going to weigh like 145 when I get home. if I don't, I'm going to be super Fat! ah nuts! ha well, I try to do what I can. but yeah. man, Life is great, I love being a misisonary. It's one of the greatest blessings I have ever had In my life. I have learned and changed so much in only four months. you aren't going to know who I am when I get home! haha oh yes. what a surprise. well. that's all for now. until next time.

Love,
Michael!

Hello Mother!

That was so strange to have a relaxing day. that never happens! the new guy... ah well you see he is from peoria az (I call it pahoran city because I forget what it is called all the time!) He is a bit different, but then again hardly any misisonaries are normal. So it is something new just like everything. so it's all good! We have our devo. planned for the day after christmas, It's going to be great. Did I tell you that President Sorenson is going to speak at it also? He is such a great speaker. It will be really fantastic.

OH I got your package. Who do you think you are!? Sending me body wash and what not!? Since when do you think I have bad hygene. What an insult! haha oh gosh. we are getting into more of it though so it's all good. we even set up a christmas tree to put our presents underneath it! yeah baby! it looks good with CD's, pass along cards, my resistance bands, and a picture of christ as the topper. it's what we had, so it looks great. maybe for christmas I will send you my memory card so you can see all of those pictures ha.

I'm glad Matthew is still wanting to play basketball, that's good. If he can really get a good coach he will be able to make a lot of improvement. He just has to fall in line with the rest of us and do work right? ha That's good that ammon did well. what a stud. (if he would just win all of his matches he would be even more of a stud. but oh well. haha)

I'm sure you are all confused of where you are going to put things. I don't even think i can imagine where you have put the tree. hmm that's cool though that dad is trying to put the tv on the wall. did he ever get to resurface the deck? oh yeah, and that one leg on the deck where i chipped the stucco off? I hope so cause the snow could do some massive damage to it! Looks like you guys are gonna have a good time and everything. Did you do lights at all?

That's too bad that Grandpa isn't feeling too well. Hopefully he will get feeling better. That's not good to hear. Have dad and scott given him a blessing at all? It will help. Hopefully it's just something little that isn't bad and just seems worse because of the MS. Lots of prayers will do good.


It's so cool to see all of the guys I went to school with getting their mission calls. that's stellar. Yeah, that's true. Tyler went to the microneasia mission. I don't know how many in guam there are. and yes. the guys Jennifer's age are going home. do you remember mallory Kelly's boyfriend in High school Trevor carter? he is here in this mission. He goes home in the first part of january. and yes, mother, unfortuanatly as time goes on we do get old. but luckily for me I still feel like the youngest one out here. ;P love ya! haha

Jordyn is a killer daredevil. I guess that is what happens when you have three older brothers who pick on her and make her do things that she doesn't want too. what a stud. haha lucky for you the snow is almost gone. it has snowed here for the last 2 and a half days pretty much. it's so cold! i'm doing okay for now. a member at church gave me her husbands old overcoat because he was getting rid of it so I will start to use that also. it's legit! haha man it's awesome. too bad it doesn't match with anything, but when it gets cold you don't need to match! yeah! ha

So nothing else too new here. But I do have a funny story I would like to share..

every week we go visit this lady named Corina. She has been paralyzed for a few years now due to a bullet in the back of her head. saddest story I have ever heard. she was raised by drug-addict parents and joined after a trip to girls camp. moved out to ohio because some guy told her he would marry her. she was raped twice and then shot in the back of the head, either by herself or someone else. she has a daughter who is eight or so who she never gets to see.

she has the strongest testimony ever. she is always grateful, You just about never hear her complain. she is a really nice lady. but now that the sad part is over here is the funny part.

So when we were over there this last week she asked me to give her a kiss...
well, I didn't know what to do. (she had told Elder wilkinson and I that she loved us more than Jesus one day) I was so shocked. I didn't even know what to say. we sat in silence for a few moments like uh, oh, umm.. what do i do?! ahh but then she goes on to say, they are under my santa hat on the dresser. oh my gosh! what a relief! I was so happy she was talking about chocolates! It was so strange. ah it was oh man I can't even describe what it made me feel like haha. wow. that was super funny haha.

But that's it for me. until later.

Love Michael

oh yeah, what do you guys want for christmas?


Hey dad!

I think just a good pair of mizunos will do well for me. that way I can go running in them when there is no snow outside too. I'm stil a size ten. yep. By the time I get home I'm going to be so good at basketball. I am just going to let you know right now! haha.

The new teaching methods are pretty much what I was taught in the MTC. it's a lot more direct and purpose driven than it was before. so it's going well, the mission has improved a lot since the new curriculum was introduced. so that is always good.

Mom told me about the TV. that will look good. they always look better up above a mantle like that. the comp is a good guy. just different. we get along well though so it's all good.

The juicy stuff is what mom has.

Love ya!
Michael