Hey,

I heard that Phil Sorensen was going on a mission to Indiana, I talked to Brandon Barlow the other day about it. I'm sure I will be going to both of their talks. I'm glad he decided to go. He is the first one from his family, He has a lot of potential to break the cycle there. I have been told about the fires too. It's pretty crazy. Remember how I wanted to do that before I left? I am thinking about fighting fires next summer, they pay you pretty darn well, So we'll have to see. I don't know how we can be so dry for years and years and then last year rain like no ones business and then going back to being even more dry. It is pretty dry here too for Ohio at least. It's not too hot or Humid though. 

 On Friday there was a Tornado in our area, Out by the border though so there wasn't anything bad where we lived, Just bad storms and lost power for a little bit. But that was when we had a mission tour for the Vellinga's so we totally missed it. On the way home there were six semi trucks flipped over due to the wind so we had to flip around over the median and take back roads. Trees were totally ripped out and snapped and what not, It was pretty crazy and there wasn't even a tornado in that area. Just the recurring winds. I was kind of hoping to be able to see one of those crazy storms, but nope, Definitely not.  

The new president got here on Thursday and the Sorensens left early Friday Morning. President Vallinga's personality is way different from sorensen. It will be good for the missionaries here.We can't do anything on the Fourth, we have our zone leader meeting in Cleveland and so that's what we would do. It would totally suck to do anything that day anyways because no one is going to be home or want to listen to any missionary. I'm glad we have a meeting instead of having to work, It's going to take up our whole day. 

I think when I get home I'm going to need to go see the Eye Doctor, So if you can set up an appointment for me that would be awesome. I don't know if it's because I bought cheaper solution or what but I'm still pretty sure that I will need to go see him, also probably a Dentist for a cleaning and a routine check-up. You know, catch up on  all of the things that I didn't do for the last two years. 

Also, Is it set up with the stake pres to get released? I don't know how that works... I've never done it before

Anyways see you in a week

Hey Mom, I just talked to President Sorensen and he said that I am going to be able to go home on July 12th. Guess I am able to get there early.

there is an extra missionary coming out so there will be a three-some, so that allows me to be able to go early so I can get things done

Hey mom,

First off, No. I haven't been even talking to president Sorensen about going home. Last time I brought it up was in our interview in April, he brought it up every time after that. He asked me at mission tour if I still planned on asking President Vellinga and I said yes. I thought that was that. Saturday he called out of the blue and said that he was just informed by the missionary department from church headquarters that there is an extra missionary coming out this next transfer so there will be a triple-up and so that enables me to go home without closing an area or anything like that. Hence me coming home on July 12th. Ps. I don't want to speak on the 15th. Make it the 22nd. President and Sister Sorensen speak on the 15th and I would like to go up there and listen to them and see a bunch of the people from the mission. If that's at all possible. Also, If you can ask if they would Like me to speak upon a certain thing from my mission that would be great. I really don't like not having a topic assigned. It makes everything a lot harder. That would be awesome if you can do that for me. I'm sure that they had already thought of some speakers for that day as well. so the 22nd seems like a much better day. ;)

People thought I got in trouble this close to the end. The ignorance of some people. I'm glad I don't have to burden myself with judging others. You should have just said that I was coming home that day and not necessarily that I was coming early at all.

Did you ever get that money from the City? do you still plan on getting so far and then paying someone to get it done? BMW M roadster? I'm not sure if I know what that looks like. I'm sure I will be fine driving that around. seeing that is for me right? :/

I'm totally glad that Matthew is playing football this year. Does he know what all of the positions are? haha oh well, He can learn. Will you let Jerry know that I am going to be back sooner so I can start helping out then and did you ever find out if it is going to pay anything?  

I don't think I need you to do anything... Just so you know I plan on selling my GPS and my bike if at all possible. 

OH yeah. If you can Look up Kolton Perkins (from Kanab) and dani and Winston wilkinson on fb for me that would be cool and if you could invite them to the homecoming if they could come. that would be greatly appreciated! 

The rest of my mission is fairly planned out starting this upcoming friday with the mission tour for the new pres. Then we have a meeting on Sunday with the Stake pres... Out of our area mon-wed on exchange and then a meeting on the fourth in cleveland and then it will be less than a week. I'm sure it will go pretty quickly.

I don't get trunky. You know me. I'm wayyy to serious!

Love ya

Hey Mom,

This week went by really fast! For that I'm thankful. We still don't have really anything to do. One of the guys we have been working with I guess plead Guilty to Child Molestation and some other things along those lines, He was ex-d and we would go see him on occasion. Another one of the guys we have been working with who is trying to get to the temple recently got a job working at a manufacturing plant and is working a lot and so we haven't been able to see him. I'm glad he was able to get a job though, he has been out of work for a few years I guess. 

The visit wit President was different, we had a meeting that went over by like an hour but I had to leave thirty minutes early to go to the chiropractor. I was able to talk to him and sister Sorensen. That was different as well. All they did was referenced me going home in a few weeks. President suspects Vallinga to Send me early and so they were mentioning coming to my homecoming and listening to me speak as well. That would be cool. It was just weird to have them talk pretty much only home when we were able to talk one on one. It was a good conversation. 

Oh yeah, If you knew what really went on in some of the places I've been that haven't been on the news you would definitely be "un-nerved" 

Our area has been quite struggling. Probably more so than I have had in a long time. I think It might be worse than when I was in Warren, I mean there is just nothing to do here. What blows my mind is that the Sisters in the other area are doing really well and that the members are really helping them out. They must just have a lot of the more engaged members... It's frustrating. I knew that when they would get here this ward would pretty much worship them and they have so far.  I don't know what it is that has gotten them so excited about the sisters, I mean that's all they would ask us about before they got here was when are the sisters coming? It's not like they had bad or disobedient missionaries here before or anything. I mean if that were the case I would understand because that was how it was like when We shotgunned Wadsworth and took the sisters out of there. Oh well. You do what you can. 

I'm sure I will run into Dudley somewhere. He should just come to my homecoming. haha I can't go hang out in his office like I did back in the day. I swear sometimes I was in there more than I was in my classes. Totally crazy. 

It's finally started to rain a little bit here. That's nice. It makes it more Humid but that's okay I guess. haha. 

Oh yeah, There is a missionary out here who wants to buy my GPS... i'm thinking of selling it to him and then I need to start thinking about my bike. I don't know if dad wants it home or what. I don't think it's worth it. It's like two hundred to ship it home and we have better bikes at home as well So maybe I will just sell it here too. I don't know... 

Anyways, I'm Holding out til the end

Love ya

Hey there,

I'm not exactly sure what I should be talking about today. Haha. This week was just your typical week as a missionary, Nothing really going on still. We had one, hopeful looking for Baptism but she ended up dropping us, So we are down to one investigator that we can only see once a week and is pretty hard to get a hold of. We haven't been able to really get less-active work going just yet. A lot of the work that the ward has given us for The less-actives is mainly in the other area so we are still struggling a bit in those regards but we are trying to really work with the members so we can get some referrals and what not. Somewhat draining trying to motivate people to do things that  they have never done before or what they don't want to do. Hopefully things start to pick up somewhat. 

We can definitely go on a church history tour next year. I don't know if you really want to drive to these places though, It might be better just to fly out and then drive to each site. It's cool though. Pretty neat if you ask me. Hopefully by then they will have the Joseph Smith home all ready to go, but I doubt it. Those sorts of things take time.

That's cool that Ammon is having a good experience in being able to help Mike come unto Christ. I always look back to when I was in high-school and all of the kids that I could have talked to about church and other activities as well. I think a lot of times we forget that there are non-members in Utah and we just kind of forget about it but it's the best place to be able to talk to people about the Gospel because the odds are, most of these peoples friends are members so it's perfect fellowship and the best way to be able to get those who are not part of the truth in. You don't want to miss out on those opportunities. I've been thinking about things that I can do when I get back to be able to help those who are struggling or those who aren't of the Faith to become part of it. We'll see what takes place I guess.

 President Sorensens Mission tour is this week and he is coming to our area on Friday. Well, actually it's combined with the Toledo Zone so it's going to be up in Perrysburg. It will be interesting to have him leave and then a new one come in. I'm curious how it will go. While we are up there I am probably going to go try and see the Chiropractor who worked on me while I was up there and then if there is time I got permission a couple of weeks ago to go see the Childs because I guess they got upset over not being able to feed the missionaries every week. I talked to the Elders there and they said they are fine with it now and only missed that one Sunday. But I may just drop in and see them anyways. We'll have to see what happens. 

I don't know if anything else is going on that is exciting here... I don't think there is haha. I think that's all....

Love ya 

Heya,

 

This week went well. We had a couple of really cool meetings that I enjoyed a lot. I got to enjoy the company of a few other older missionaries as well. Wednesday night we left lima and spent the night in Findlay and then in the Morning we drove up to kirtland with our district leaders and had a Leadership training meeting in the Joseph smith Jr. home right next to the kirtland temple. President told us that it was most likely the first priesthood meeting held in there since 1838 when Joseph still lived there. The church has recently acquired it and is now doing studies and research to restore it back to when The smith family lived there. I'm excited to see how it turns out. For the afternoon session we went out into a metropark in willoughby and had the rest of the meeting in a grove of trees next to a bank on the chagrin river close to where sidney rigdon and oliver cowdry were preaching and baptized thirty people in the same day. It was very very cool. I Will have to send pictures next week. We then stayed the night in the mission home and in the morning went and played with all of the other zone-leaders, assistants and training sisters (like the ap's of kirtland) for more than we normally get to for our morning work out. after that we went back to eat breakfast and president was like, lets go for a bike ride, so we did. haha we went to another metro park and then at the end of the ride we went somewhere in the woods to enjoy the environment and to think about our testimonies and what not. it was cool.

 

 

Sounds like a lot of stuff is going on for you guys stilll. soon enough I will be able to join in the fun! haha.

 

President is going to be going on a mission tour next week. It's going to be weird to make the transistion. It will be interesting to see how the mission changes and how all of that goes.

I know this is really short. There isn't really too much going on. I wish you could have been at those places with us the last couple of days. We'll have to come back and re-visit them one day. It was such a powerful time and a great and wonderful experience I will never forget. Love ya guys.

 

I will try to be a bit longer next time!

Hey Mom,

 

Things are coming close. President Sorensen at transfer meeting made a comment about this being his last transfer meeting and that they only have five weeks left before they leave. He hasn't really made any comments like that before. I think it's really starting to come to him that it's coming to a close. That also means that its coming to a close for me as well, it's crazy to think about that there really isn't that much time left at all. It will be a little hard when Vallinga gets here because I will only have a few weeks left and I don't know how much will be changing and I probably won't really have a desire to change too much when there isn't that much time left. But who knows.

That's sweet that Jerry is going to be keeping me a spot to help coach. I will have to get back into the football mentality ha. it will be three years by the time I start again. That will be nice though, I need a good excuse to work out. It should be nice too because I don't think it will take up that much time, just a few hours every day just going to football practice. Sounds pretty legit to me! haha.

Oh yeah, I just went to the dentist as well, we have one in the ward. I went because I thought that I had some cavities, Turns out that my gums have just receded and so part of the root is showing on my teeth. I have to rub some sensodine type of toothpaste on my teeth at night to build up some protection there and then start brushing and flossing a lot softer so the gums don't get torn up any more. Kind of a bummer. I was told at my last dentist visit before my mission that I had a gum infection because I didn't floss at all and now I guess I went a little bit over-board and tore up some of my gums. dang. It's kind of annoying but I will have to get better at it now. that's for sure. I need to have some good teeth if I'm going to be an Orthodontist. Can't be having some messed up teeth in the profession!

 

So what's going to be on the Menu when I get home if you are having steaks and a bunch of ribs when I'm gone? Suprisingly there are very few mormon women out here who can cook really well. you'd think it would run in the Religion or something! haha there is this one member here who cooks with alcohol all of the time! it's so good! she made us this Vodka pasta a couple weeks ago and then some Marlo Chicken that was some of the best food that I have had on my entire mission. I'm sure my Palate will just be blown when I get back to the Promise land and start eating some of that divine food! Hopefully I won't get my fat back.... I was noticing the other day how small my legs have gotten and that I actually need a belt now because my waist on my pants are all too big. I remember when my Jeans that I brought with me were stylish-y tight, now they are just loose jeans haha. it's crazy. So I have been trying to bulk back up and using the dumbells that we have in almost all of the free time we get.

 

The new companion is new. He's cool. He's only been out a year on his mission and for the last nine months he has either been training or greenie breaking so he hasn't had anyone who takes control and does things differently than him so right now it seems like he is having a harder time adjusting that he had planned on. I like him though. He's quite different than all of my companions I have had by far! He is a lot like Dom Bills. Big into Musical theater and that kind of thing... so He's always doing some weird dance-ish thing and singing. Not to athletic and just about everything he is interested in I am not and have no clue about so I can't have much of a conversation with him. haha There has been a decent amount of silence because of that. Not because he is a quiet guy, but because our interests are so far different it gets somewhat hard to hold a conversation and I think he is trying to learn his role as a Zone-Leader as well. It's alright though. I'm sure it will go well and it seems that we are getting along so far. I have no beefs or see any forthcoming either. We don't have the whole ward anymore. It lasted just under a week. the sisters are moving in later this afternoon so they will have part of it. but because of that we had to take some of the east side which was ghetto and give them more of the west, so the boundaries are really quite strange if you ask me, but it works out that way I guess. We don't have any investigators. There are like two families that we try with but their commitments and priorities are else where so we can't set up appointments and when we do they usually aren't there. There is a huge amount of Less-active work here and the Bishop is getting the entire ward pumped for missionary work. The Bishop, Ward Mission leader and I spoke this last sunday on the Gathering of Israel and then the Bishop straight up told the ward that He has recieved revelation and guidance from the Lord that this ward intends to grow and that they need to be doing a lot better on inviting their friends to learn of the Gospel. With this up-coming fast sunday we are going to be starting a 40-day fast to be able to reach the ward goal of 2 baptisms a month (one per companioniship) and then a specific reason for themselves on inviting someone to learn of the gospel and Ideally meet with us.

 

I talked to Stetson. Sounds like he is doing Fairly well but his family is struggling a bit. It's been hard for them. I had a good talk though and He knows that there is divine design behind all of it and has been able to feel of our Heavenly Fathers hand More than ever in his life. It really makes me happy to see these guys that I grew up with who I never would have wanted to go on a mission find so much success and change so much. It's really cool. Such a blessing for me to see the Atonement in action.

The mission is so young now, I am the Oldest out of all of the Leaders in the mission. I have been out longer than all of them and there are only two that have been in leadership longer than I have. So it's strange. It's a maturity level that I'm not use to... as in they are not where I have been living for the last 6-7 months. We have a leadership training meeting on Thursday and a Zone-Leader council on Friday. These meetings are generally good, but sometimes can be basic as well because everyone has only been out a year or less. The council portion of our meeting is a little frustrating too because it goes in circles and often times there is no new conclusion made. It's interesting, I mean I understand how it works, The Lord gives a commandment and we struggle because we don't follow it. So, we have these "council" meetings where we talk about different things just to get back to the point of hey, Just do what we have been counseled to do! it's not working because you aren't doing what you are suppose to do. There is sometimes new revelation but oftentimes it's just that we aren't doing what we have been commanded to of the Lord. When we do it his way, it will always work. Go figure right? He created everything. ha.

 

This week should be a fast paced one for me.

 

Love ya.

Hey Fam.

This week was a fairly good one. I got a call from President on Monday concerning going home. He had just made a comment about what you had written at the bottom of those papers they sent you. So we discussed that and we came to the same conclusion we did last time that we will just have to wait and see what Vallinga has to say and what he wants to do. He told me that they were going to go ahead and book the flight just in case I do stay so they don't have to scramble to try and get me a ticket and that way avoid the problem and possibility of me not getting one at the time that I need to. He said it would be a lot easier to just book it and then if things change to move it earlier than not have one at all. So we will still have to wait until the start of July. Either way though I will be fine with it. I'm not worried about it at all. He also told me that from where he stands right now I will go home a zone-leader here in Lima. I'm fine with that too. I enjoy the privileges. haha  

Then, on Thursday we got another call from Sister Smith, who is the housing coordinator for the Mission telling us that we needed to help her with getting sisters an apartment here in Lima. I mean we had heard about sisters coming down here but we didn't know when and so when we heard this we were a little surprised. After that we called President to figure things out, so we had to re-draw the area boundaries so the sisters didn't cover the roughest part of town, THEN last night when the Assistants called us with transfer information we were told that they were still taking the two elders out but that the sisters aren't coming down yet (I don't know why, they could totally do it tomorrow). Because of that I will have the whole ward to myself for a little while, Hopefully it's like two to three weeks, that would be cool. We would have a lot more to do. I'm pretty sure who my new companion is, there is a missionary in our zone that got called to be a Zone-Leader and is getting "in-zoned". So, unless they told me incorrectly I should be getting a pretty cool companion who can sing, So I'll make sure to have him sing for members and in Sacrament so they will like us more and give us some referrals. ;)

I didn't know that Stetsons mom passed away. He is on the other side of the Mission right now so I don't ever see him,  I may see him tomorrow but if not I will just have to give him a call. That's sad. I'm sure he will do okay. I don't see him going home, but at the same time I can. That's a tough choice to make.

 I would definitely love to help out with one of the football teams. You were sure right about that. If they pay me that would be sweet, I don't expect it to be too much though. If they don't I'm sure I would help out on occasion, that would give me a good reason to work out more. I will have to see what happens there. Help me Normalize pretty quickly though that's for sure. 

With one of the areas closing down temporarily, we are now the same size as one of the districts in the Cleveland zone, Normally we are only a companionship larger than them. We are basically a glorified zone, but with the size and amount of missionaries we have it's  really easy. I don't really have to worry about too much like the bigger zones do. We have a couple of missionaries who were pretty disappointed when they found out that they were staying here, but it will be good for them. One of them is a Pride bomb and needs to get over himself so where he is now (which he hates) will be really good for him and the other one just has a difficult companion who will help him learn and understand more of his purpose so he can go and do what is best for him. Tomorrow will be a long day though. We have to leave around 7, Possibly a bit earlier to be able to make it to transfers on time and then we won't get home til around 7pm. It's about a four hour drive out to Kirtland. I am making Elder Judd drive out there and so I may only have to drive back. We'll have to see. But it it a really really LONG drive!

Hmmm... well.  I can't think of much else to talk about. I think that's it for now :P 

Peace out. Have a good week and I love ya!

Hey Mom,

 

My week was good. My back was acting up again. We had a zone conference on wedesday and my back was so fired up I could barely walk and I was thowing up for a little bit. I'm not sure if I ate something bad or if it was from the pain in my back. I'm not sure what it is. I mean I did physical therapy, I went to a Chiropractor and I have been doing my back exercises practically daily. Atleast a lot better than I have in the past when I have had to do Therapy. So, during the meeting Sister Sorensen made me lay on my back on a couch the entire time so I didn't really get too much out of the meeting because I was practically out of it the Entire time. They had me go and get an X-ray that night as well but nothing showed up, so they pretty much just said like they always have; "you just have weak back muscles, Stretch them and strengthen them" I'm gettiing really sick of that. I mean I have been strengthening my back since I was like 15 years old. I mean at one point in time I could squat 450+. You can't really have a too bad of back and still be able to squat that much. It doesn't make sense to me and it's really frustrating. There has to be some sort of solution! There has to be something that is making my back hurt or disabling my muscles from strengthening themselves. I get really upset about it.

 

I don't need an expensive raincoat. I don't really mind what it is either. Just something that can keep me dry. It's getting to be rain season here and I don't know what I did with my rain coat...

 

We just got done playing at an indoor soccer center and played soccer and some football. Man, I am not in shape as I use to be. I was really struggling towards the end there. Gonna have to do a total rehab when I get home.

 

What is matt playing in the band??

Things are going well here. Our Zone is picking up and we are getting some more baptismal dates as a whole that hopefully pan out to real actual baptisms. I'm trying not to get burned out though. They have really been loading it on lately for us as ZL's. I mean they really want us to be perfect. Like do EVERYTHING exactly the way the Prophet would, or as Christ would and know EVERYTHING as well. I mean a lot of it too is really quite un-necessary and they seem like they have been coming down on us if we aren't doing it the "right" way. I mean I want to do what I'm asked to do and be able to be a successful leader but I'm having a hard time seeing why all of this is necessary. I mean I understand the Principle, but, You can have the same experience without all of the humjub as well. It just seems really over the top. I kind of wish that I would just be able to go back to being a 'normal' Missionary and just work. That seems to be a lot more fun. But, Unfortunately I will be a zone-leader until the last five weeks of my mission. Elder Judd goes home in two weeks and then it's a seven week transfer because of the new President. Pres. Sorensen made the comment that I have good odds of staying a Leader until I go home.

 

I'm not trying to complain, I'm just trying not to feel over-whelmed. There just seems too much to do and I want to focus most of my energy into my area and the investigators/less-actives that we have to teach and find instead of working with missionaries and organizing meetings. They are both worthy things I guess but where our area is so feeble and new and so moldable right now with a newly called Bishop who is doing everything possible to help the missionary work explode here we really need to worry about the really nitty gritty and not all of the fluff you know?  I'm sure I will get over it. I have been trying to ignore a lot of it so I don't have a melt down or get burned out. I don't think I will either though.

 

I'm not sure what Is going on for mothers day yet. Sorry. I still need to find somewhere to skype. I will find out and then I will probably call saturday night like I did for Christmas. 

 

Per chance it may just end up being a phone call too. I will have to let you know.

 

Talk to you then.

 

Love,

Hey mom, 

I sure did get all moved and everything. All adjusted and what not. The apartment is pretty old so it was pretty dirty and the walls were practically black in some spots so we had to take care of those. Still not sparkling but we only had knock of magic erasers so they didn't work as well as the real deal haha. This ward is pretty good though. They were kind of surprised to see us there because they have been told that they will be getting sisters. which they will, just later down the road when housing is available for them. I hope it takes awhile though because a jump from two to six missionaries is pretty crazy and doing it this fast can be overwhelming also. I'm sure it will be good though. Bishop Talbot is on board with committing members to get us referrals and invite their friends to meet with us. If that works like it should than we should be very busy.

I will definitely find something out when it comes to Mothers day. I'm still working on meeting people haha. So, hopefully I know some by then.

Isn't it in the contract that you will have the money for this land by a certain time? I swear they have been saying they were going to buy the land for the last two years and still nothing. what a joke.  

As for me, things are going fairly well. We inherited a couple of investigators so that's cool. Right now we are really trying to train our missionaries. especially our District leaders. There is one in particular who really just can't do it. For example we have them fill out the information for the ward mission process on excel, that's pretty easy to do right? then we have them attach it to an e-mail and send it to us so we can report on it. He can't even attach it. wow. I thought the youngins were suppose to be more with technology... it's kind of frustrating when you teach people and walk them through things and they still can't figure it out. We are trying to have a meeting where we will be able to sit down with them for a good amount of time and go through things so they can fulfill and magnify their calling so we can be able to help this zone be productive and unified in purpose. I think that's what happens when people get sent out here. The rumor and word on the street is that if you get sent out to Findlay, or sometimes Toledo you are a bad missionary and the area's out there are really bad and they suck... yada yada yada. it's what you make it. You're area will be as good as your attitude and commitment to work. So, we just have to find some way to inspire them and help them do better so they will be able to gather those who are needed within Christ's church at this time. I'm excited to be here in Lima with a brand-new Bishop that isn't in the Traditions of his fathers and is willing to do anything and everything to change and to help the ward grow and become active. It's going to be fun and an adventure just like normal.

Love ya!

Our address will be 2092 edgewood Lima Oh. 45805

Hey Mom,

I totally realized that I forgot to add my address when I walked out of the Library. It's 2001 Sterling ct. ste. A Findlay OH. 45840. This may be temporary though. We have been talking to President about moving the Zone leader area down to Lima. They just got a new Bishop a few months ago and he is really fired up about missionary work and is promising that he will be having the Ward Mission process working correctly and asked if he could get a second set of missionaries. The original idea was to send sisters down there but he didn't think that would be good because Lima isn't the best place for sisters haha. Their boundries would have to be out of control to keep them out of the Ghetto. But now, instead of moving it from two to four. He wants to move it from two to six. He's just waiting on the Bishop to e-mail him back. It seems like it's pretty for sure but I'm trying to not count my chickens before they hatch. The sisters Idea may be a little later than us but that will be okay. Elder Judd was trained there so we are hoping to go down sometime this transfer so we can pick up some of the people he use to teach!

My interview went well. We talked about school and he said that I will have to talk to the new Pres. when he gets out here in a few months. so we'll have to see what happens then. I guess for now we can just plan on me coming home when Planned on right? haha.

I'm sure Jordyn will be glued to me. I am the favorite brother in the entire family. lol I'll have to see what happens depending on work and school. If I have work. I have been thinking too that it might be a good idea to get an intern or a shadow at a dentist or an orthodontist to see if that's really the Career path I want to take. I don't want to get into a job that is un-enjoyable. If there is no basement when I get home I will just keep my clothes in everyones closets throughout the house and sleep on the couch or something. I will be like a vagabond within our own home haha. It's all cool. I won't have much stuff to worry about. I probably wont be coming home with too much Either.

Things are slow here. The ward isn't really warmed up to missionaries. about a year and a half ago... maybe a little more now there were some pretty disobedient missionaries. pretty much just one who destroyed all confidence in the missionaries and now they are pretty hestitant to help out so when we do have members in our area they are almost reluctant to work with us. It's very slowly getting better though. Who knows. We are really hoping to go to Lima. We are stoked when it comes to that Idea haha. For example. This ward promised a baptism a month for each companionship in 2010. Which they did with 24. the next year they had 12 and so far this year they have had a whopping 0! things are not going the right way here with the ward. they don't deserve or even want two companionships right now. so we are hoping that instead of putting sisters in Lima, They move us there and then wait for the transfer to be over and move sisters here to Findlay and get rid of the Elders here and just have one set of sisters for this ward. We think that would be a wake up and a good oportunity for missionaries to regain the trust of the members and really actually be able to work and do what is needed you know?

Anyways... haha not too much else. I love ya mom. You are the best! I sent you a letter today and you should be getting it in a few days. Hopefully things will pick up and go better in regards to getting the basement and yard done.

I also attached some talks from Elder Bednar and Brad Wilcox talking about Grace which are really good and then I believe Elder Mckonkies last talk that he gave at General Conference. They are definitely worth reading.

Love ya! have a good week!

Hey Guys,

This week was good. I ended up back in Findlay. I will die where I was born! Things are good though. I mean, The zone is half the size of Akron with only twelve missionaries but a lot farther apart. So, there is less administration to do so we have a lot more time to go out and to do work in our area. It's good. I will just have to adjust to having more time on my hands than normal. This zone though is somewhat of a disaster. It's the smallest one in the mission and has been known for where they stick the dis-obedient misisonaries. We actually right now have some really good ones. some are just new so they don't always know what they are doing but that's okay. We just have to focus on a lot of training with our District Leaders and other missionaries as well so they know how to better work with their wards and what not. Overall, it's less admin but more ministering. It's a weak stake and a we have two wards and three branches. They struggle, the church doesn't quite opperate as the way it should so we need to make sure that our missionaries are outstanding so they will be able to assist their ward leaders better and inspire them to do better and do things the right way.

I'm with Elder Judd right now. He goes home at the end of this Transfer. I actually think that we may be the oldest companionship in the mission right now. As in, both of us have been out together than any other companionship added together either. We'll do good. He is from Sacramento CA. We are about an hour south of Toledo, It's all flat here too. I haven't been able to talk to President about anything. He e-mailed me and said he wanted me to call him but we have interviews on thursday so I think I will just talk to him then about it.

It sounds like there is a lot going on right now back at home, trying to get the house done and the yard as well. We are sure going to have a lot of plants. that will need a lot of matienance and will look great as long as we keep on top of it! It will be awesome though. I may be tempted to throw a party or two... or several lol

Sure. Trip to wherever cool in the winter will be fine with me... Are you still Going to Hawaii next month on that cruise you mentioned awhile ago with grandpa? If not, we could totally do that for Christmas instead!

Things are a little slower in Findlay, The ward isn't as enthused and there aren't very many people here even in the city. Also, we may have to re-arrainge our area boundries because we share the ward (of course) and our area has a lot less members in it to work with so that makes things harder as well. hopefully we will be able to get some more in it and start talking to them about referrals and getting things going here.

Well. so far things are pretty quiet. Love you guys!

Hey mom,

Easter was good. We were able to go and spend it with the Pflug Family. But guess what? I'm getting transferred again! I'm kind of bummed. Elder Trammell has been here for one more transfer than me so he was set up for the leave but I guess I am instead. I'm still a ZL I will just be going somewhere else. It's all up in the air for Findlay, Cleveland, Kirtland or Youngstown. I really wanna go to Cleveland or Kirtland. I would not be happy if I went to the other too at all. I have down my time in both of the other places and they are super depressing places! there aren't very many missionaries and the units out there don't operate very well if you ask me. Also, I have yet to serve in Kirtland or Cleveland, So I'm hoping that I will be able to go there for the rest of my mission. I'm pretty sure I will be wherever I get transferred til the end of my Mission. Trammell Goes home one after me and Barlow one before. He just Got released as a ZL also, So I will not be serving with him.

I was hoping that I would be able to stay here. I really enjoy it a lot. The singles branch totally makes this area and we have had a lot of success with a lot of our converts and we are suppose to have 3-5 more baptisms here within the next transfer, so I'm disappointed that I will be missing out on that. I am kind of struggling to submit cheerfully to the Lords will because I really enjoyed it here and didn't say goodbye to anyone so I'm going to have to try and squeeze a bunch of people in for today so that I can get a picture and what not! Last night I was actually somewhat upset. I don't want to leave at all but whatever. It gives Perrysburg a real run for its money when it comes to my favorite area. Oh well. I had a lot of people add me on Facebook so we can stay in touch that way. So, in regards to your comment, I do know most of them. I really do. So if you get on you can just accept all of the adds for now and when the time comes when I am home I will be able to get rid of them if I don't know them or if I dont' want them to stalk me. lol Also, I didn't get on to accept those people. I had someone do it because they couldn't find me on there at all. so yeah. along with that I think that the mission pictures of me shouldn't be on there. My opinion. At least of the ones with me messing around because I have a name-tag on and it could be viewed as a poor image for the church if people see pictures of "mormon missionaries" messing around. the other ones where I'm just with people and what not is fine. That's just me though. Thanks for taking those other pictures off though. I totally forgot about them and it's kind of embarrassing lol

I can't believe it snowed! we are suppose to get flurries here but nothing too much. It should be about 65 tomorrow. that will be nice!

I got the package and there were two big plastic bags in there, I don't know if you just put them in there to have them in there or what. they were ripped as well. Hopefully there wasn't something in there that I was suppose to get... The box had been ripped as well so I don't know. lol but I did get the candy- that's the important part!


I know you are kind of bummed that nothing is going on in the house anymore. Don't you worry! when I get home It's going to be a party all the Time! I will have people over and My homecoming talk will be off the wall amazing. I do my best to impress haha. you know me! arise to the occasion right? ;P

President hasn't gotten back to me yet on his decision. we should be having interviews next week anyways so I'm sure we will talk then and So I should have an answer in two weeks or so. We'll see.

This next area will be my last. I hope it's good and that I have a good comp. Otherwise... I dunno!

Love ya!

Michael Stone	10:03 AM (5 hours ago)
to me

DSCF3607.JPG 1

Hey,
Good April Fools Joke. Lol if it was real you could just let me and Ammon live in the house. Maybe Jayme and Cassidy could room there too.

Nice Try though.

Conference went really well. I Felt like I didn't get as much out of it though as I could have. I don't know why but I was really quite distracted and It really bothered me. So, I don't know. I guess I will just ahve to wait until the Ensign comes out so I can review the things taught and then really remember them so I can apply what was taught. That's a bummer about your girls night. You may just have to branch out haha. I think I'm going to try and attend the fall session of conference up in Salt Lake. I think that would be really cool. I mean we have been in there but we have never been there for a session of Conference.

I'm so impressed with Matthew. I wonder what changed in him from complaining about being too hot to now enjoying to exercise. Still in awe.

Mornings classes are good. Just don't make them too early, Like 9 at the earliest. That would be good. Don't forget I have been waking up early for eons. Mornings are good. I would much rather have that than in the night and afternoons. But make sure that I am full time.. taking all of the credits I can to do that. Ideally I want to go to school year round and hopefully finish up in three years instead of four. cut down on that time and everything. Is four classes really all of it? It doesn't sound like it but I have never been to college before so I'm super lost when It comes to how that all works out. as far as my release date. that will be the same as transfers, I will come home the day following that. so as it looks now I will be home on the 16th. President has a thirty day leeway, So if I talk to him about going home early for school he will be able to send me home honorably thirty days early. He has been letting missionaries who are going to school leave early to get everything in order lately so I'm sure he will allow me to do so. I don't want to have to stress ands worry about it at all so I really want to make sure there is ample enough time for all of the tasks to be accomplished. Then too, another plus, I could be home for when Matthew is ordained to be a teacher. That would be cool.

For Maddies' baptism, That was indeed her dad who baptized her. He got himself worthy enough and approved by the bishop to perform the ordinance. it's pretty cool that we all are here. All of us have been zone leaders too except for stetson. I'm sure he will one day though. He hasn't been out nearly as long as the rest of us.

Things have been going well. This transfer has been full of meetings after meetings after meetings. so we haven't had as much of the opportunity to get out and find. this week we have mission council, Stake correlation, a couple of baptismal interviews and then baptisms to attend. so we stay fairly busy. it's good though because I hate not being busy and having nothing to do.

Life if good. I enjoy it. Transfers are next week. Elder Trammell will most likely be leaving and I will get a new comp.

Love you all and yet again. Nice try on the April fools joke... You have to make it believeable.. :p

Hey there!

This week went well. We had our Zone meeting and that went well also, the Assistants came to "watch" and said we did a really good job with our individual workshops and with the District leader training so we were happy about that. It just gets kind of annoying sometimes because they give us all of the missionaries that need a lot of help. I don't know if it is the entire mission that is this way or if it's only our zone. We just have to minister to all 22 of them so much. Especially our four district leaders so that they can get the water to the end of the row and help their missionaries do what they are suppose to and really understand the what, why and the how. The why and the how being some of the most important. Mainly the Why. But we have some good ones. They are doing a lot better now than they have been. We don't think we are going to get some greenies this next transfer so that will be nice. Our zone will be able to mature a little bit and grow as a single being and not being held down by a bunch of brand new missionaries.

The problem isn't that they aren't good. It's that they are all ignorant. Not in a bad way. They just don't know as much as they should. It happened from all of the three monthers who trained, and their three monthers trained and so important things that we are suppose to do without effort were never relayed down to where they needed to be. It's getting better. once they know why, it goes a lot better.

Maddy's baptism went really well. It was the most attended one we have had here. All of the seats were taken and if anyone else came they would have had to stand! we were both really pleased about it. Hopefully we will be able to stay busy and get some new people to teach so we don't have that little slump that has always been encountered. The trip to kirtland went well. The sisters were really boring though. I fell asleep in the first video you watch before you go through the sites and then it was just super dry. No entertainment factor at all like there needs to be. No bubbly-ness at all.


Speaking of school, Isn't my registration this month? well April? I have thought some about it, Not too much obviously because I'm busy doing the more important things... but, I'm only going to have like two weeks to get everything that I need and to get organized for school. I don't want to rush it and do it wrong and then not be prepared or whatever. I was thinking maybe if I came home two weeks early that would dissolve any chance of things going array. I don't know. What do you think?

I heard about the hunger games. It sounds good. Some people don't like it because it was rushed, or not well following the books, but yeah, I definitely want to see it. Can't you put something onk your trees and shrubs so the deer don't eat them? I would do that! don't let them eat the buds lol

Life is good here. Starting to get some more work with the YSA, we actually have some investigators now! Hopefully it will go well!

Love ya!

Hey there,

The members here in this area love us... Just so you know. Especially the singles branch. haha All of the leaders give all of us the assignments even if it is suppose to be done by the Sisters. We find it funny because the sisters don't do anything, Like even talk to the members. So we do everything and they love us. It's pretty cool! haha. we Don't know too many people from the Family ward, but the ones we do know really like us too. We are the guys who play with the kids all of the time. haha That's how you get them to like YOU!

The Training meeting was good. Could have been better. I was a bit disappointed to say the least. It was very basic and not too much of a "new insight" to things. The spirit was there and so I was able to receive Revelation on personal Matters and things pertaining to my area but as far as learning new things any of the missionaries taught, Nope. But I see why it went that way. 53% of this mission has been out 9 months or less, so it needs to be basic because if it isn't then they wont know what they are suppose to be doing on a daily basis and how to be effective and purpose driven. The second day it went an hour and a half over so we were an hour late to one of our appointments but luckily we were able to pull it off and get to all of the places we needed to be. Sometimes we just wish we had time stopping abilities so we can get to all of the places needed at the right times and what not. There just isn't enough time.

This weekend we will be having Maddie Pflugs' baptism and we will also be taking their family up to Kirtland. I'm stoked for that, It will be a good weekend. really a good week, Nothing to complain about for me!

Not too much else going on these days. Just taking it easy and doing what I'm suppose to. Having fun is a good thing too! haha. I get to do a lot these days that involve fun. Hopefully we can get some referrals from the baptism and from other members as well, we have a good number of investigators but none of them are really too solid.

Love ya guys!

Hi Sister Stone, I am a sister in your sons ward. He is currently serving with Elder Trammell. I have to tell you, they are 2 of the sweetest, cutest, best elders I have ever seen. Every Sunday I am impressed with their eagerness to serve in the name of Jesus Christ. They are both always smiling from ear to ear, and it is hard not to smile when they are around. We are moving out of state, and we had them come over to clean out our food storage, pantries, and freezers. I thought you ought to know that you have a strong missionary serving. I hope and pray that your family is blessed for his service. Thank you for showing me an example of what kind of missionary I want my boys to be.

Love,
Kirstynn Evans

Hey there Familia!

They Changed my Mission to Spanish Speaking and I have to get Spanish down within the next month! I got 'midnighted' To downtown Cleveland to work within the Spanish Branch. Boy oh boy... It's gonna be interesting. Just kidding! that didn't happen. :P

This week went really well. We had a long meeting in Kirtland but we were able to go into the school of the Prophets and read through D&C 88 which is really cool. It talks about light, but we didn't really go into it. You should study Light one time, Or a few times because there is a lot about it. Such as the Sun, being a portion of the light of Christ. Christ being the light and the life of this world... Then you can go into D&C 93 and read some more about light. You should also do a study on Temples Vs. Mountains. That is a really cool one as well. They are really similarly related, More so than you think. Remember the Brother of Jared when he saw Christ, Where was he? Moses when he communed with Christ and received the commandments, and also When Christ when and gave the sermon on the Mount, or where he was transfigured before Peter, James, and John. Food for thought, something you can spend a lot of time studying.

This upcoming week we are going to be having a two day leadership training meeting in Cleveland, I'm curious to see how it goes... it can become a long drawn out meeting where they are only talking about the basics because all of the missionaries are still way new.. even some of the zone-leaders don't really know what they are doing yet. That's unfortunate.

When I get home we are going to hit up all of my good ol' favorites and have even more of a reason to work those calories off! yes! haha it will be cool.

I look forward to seeing how Joel does. it will be a good experience for him and the rest of their family.

hmmm.. well that doesn't surprise me that Ammon backed into something. I told you my bet is that he will have the truck already totaled by the time I get home... He's on the right track already.. Driving into a river, backing into someone... what's next? haha

I had the opportunity yesterday to ordain Dan Stiefel a priest and give him the Aaronic priesthood. That was really neat, he should be able to pass next week and then have the opportunity to bless the sacrament in the weeks following. It's Really cool to be able to see people progress so rapidly in the gospel especially when they didn't have much of a religious background to begin with. I'm really happy for him and he is going to be a really solid member of the church for the rest of his life as he continues to do what he is doing. He is dating a member and I really hope that they will get married so that they can be sealed in a year. Megan, whom he is dating has two little kids and they take to Dan so much it's awesome to watch. They will be able to make a really good family once they decide to get married.

Now that I have new shirts that fit me I have been thinking of what I could do with my old ones that are too big, first off we thought about making some kind of banner on them and tearing them up, Then I decided that would be a waste. So we didn't do that. I finally remembered that there is a Priest who has an inactive family and he returning to activity himself and doing really well but only has one shirt and is a little put down about it, So I offered him some and then another Recent-convert from before I got here that the other missionaries work with lives in public housing who needs some shirts, so I am going to give a couple of shirts to him as well. they were really excited about it as well. I was somewhat surprised at their reactions about getting some white shirts they can wear to church and perform priesthood ordinances in. It just showed me a little of how Important it is to dress according to your calling and standard and that helped my testimony grow seeing these two guys who are still really young in the gospel have such a desire to fulfill and magnify their callings.

All is good here, We will be having another baptism in two weeks. I look forward to that as well.

Have a good week!

Love ya

Dearest Family,

We had an outstanding finish to this week. It was a slow start but ended really well. From Thursday to early Sunday afternoon we were able to find and set 6 baptismal dates with new investigators. It's pretty cool. I'm glad one of them is really solid for this month, there are a couple that probably wont make the date but the others seem somewhat probable. We are looking forward to it and I'm extremely happy that there hasn't been a fall off at all and it's been so continuous even after our baptisms. Trammell is going to go to the U after his mission. So he will be in Utah.

Speaking of Aunt Kathleen, You should have her come to my homecoming in five months. that would be cool because she wasn't able to make it for my farewell.

Did you get my package that I sent for Grandpa?

I find it interesting that you brought up how bad this world can be. You know, it really is. On Saturday, we went and contacted a self-referral down in Akron and it was kind of scary. This lady, Her name is Shanecqua Taylor. She moved here from Youngstown about two months ago for a guy and the first thing she tells us is how happy she is that we were able to come over because she is fighting this "devil" and needs to get rid of it. As our conversation continued she told us that this guy beats her (we inferred) and now he has threatened to kill her. He has kicked in one of her windows and she has had the cops come over to her house multiple times because of problems. She just kept telling us about all of this insane stuff and I just kept thinking, okay. If there is a drive-by right now where am I going to hide? If he busts into the house what am I going to grab? Thankfully we had a member with us as a "back-up" but he was scared as well! I assume it's Gang related. I'm not sure but it makes me extremely grateful to be within the church where we don't have to deal with things like that and that all is well in Zion as long as we keep the commandments that God has given us because it is what keeps us safe and protected from all of the evils of the world. She was truly ready for the gospel though and totally ready for a change in her life. I really felt sad for her and I hope that we will be able to help her make changes in her life to where she will be able to escape from all of her problems.

I've been trying to ponder more on certain matters lately. Partially because I wanted to have more interesting Journal entries, but also because the more you ponder the more inspiration and revelation you are open to. So, I have been doing that. Unfortunately, I forget what I ponder about when it comes time to write in my journal. The only thing that has really stuck with me is what has been on my mind for several months now and that is personal progression. I mean what stops us? If we are totally and completely willing to turn our lives toward God and make changes to where we are completely living according to his will, why do we hit brick walls and plateau? I have yet to find out how to see in myself continued progression and improvement. It can possibly be because it's hard to see a change in your life unless it is a quick and drastic change. If it is slow and gradual it becomes difficult to see. I still feel though, that I hit brick walls and plateau's more than I should. I mean progression is eternal, We'll all get there eventually if we are obedient to the Commandments and spiritual impressions/promptings that the spirit gives us. The fact of the matter is, what we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the Resurrection. The more knowledge and intelligence in this life gives us so much advantage in the world to come.

We know that the greatest commandment and admonition given to us by the Savior is to be perfect even like he is or as the Father in Heaven is perfect. So why wait? We can't, we shouldn't, we don't need to. But as for me I find ceasing and it displeases me. Whether or not I'm not patient enough is something I'm fine being impatient with because it's progressing to becoming complete as myself.

'Tis all I can speak for now. haha I'm not sure what else is going on besides a lot of meetings the next two weeks that take us out of our area for two or more days. Tomorrow we have Zone Leader Council and then Next week Tuesday and Wednesday is Leadership Training meeting, Including all of the Dl's too. So, we are going to be super busy the next few weeks on top of all of our new investigators we have obtained.

Love you all, Have fun this week and Stay out of trouble!

Hey mom, and everyone else!

My week was great! we got to teach a lot and the baptisms went great! We put out referral cards on the seats and got a good amount of them and hopefully we will continue to be busy. Dan is going to be super solid as a kingdom builder and Kennedy will continue to help his family stay active. We met with the Bishop on Sunday and he said he had one of the members come up to him and say that they wanted their daughter to get baptized so we will be doing that in 3-4 weeks or so. we will be meeting with them on Thursday. Oh yeah. Elder Trammell and I are staying together again as well. We asked for it and so we are happy that we will be able to stay together. We get along really well and we are doing good work baptizing people and helping the ward and branch become stronger. We can tell that we are pretty trusted as well because we are given missionaries that struggle so that we can minister to them and help them become what they need to be. Our zone is always a struggle. It's not that they are dis-obedient, It's just that they don't always know why they are on their mission or what they are suppose to do all of the time so we are suppose to help them understand and to become productive as well so they can not be wasting time and enjoy their mission.

I got the shirts and I started one of those talks, So far it is great. Thanks so much! you are the best mom ever! I will enclose some of the pictures from the HOF but I will put the rest of them on a CD and send them home to you. It was expensive to get in though. We were told that Ministers were able to get in for free but not anymore, we had to pay ourselves. but no prob.

Pt has been going well. I think that I will only go one more time. A lot of the stuff I can do by myself at home and My back is doing really well. So I don't have to worry about it too much, I just have to remain diligent in helping it Stay well so that I don't have to worry about it any more.

Oh random thought. I never told you that one of the Tilton's daughters is in this ward did I?

Don't worry mom, I will be home in 5.5 months. It will be there sooner than you think. It wont be emotional at all. no prob. haha It's sad though, You are right. There are way too many missionaries that come out and are not prepared. I don't know if it is just here in our mission or this age group because they are all a pain and they don't get it like they should, That's why it has been a pain for us as Zone leaders at times because we are responsible for every single thing that they do and have to account for every single thing as well. It's been sad, The quality of missionary has gone down but the quantity up. You just don't have those missionaries like you should anymore. they don't get it like they should. Their understanding is lacking.

You might want to think about reading out of Preach My Gospel with Ammon and Matthew every now and then discussing it so they aren't lacking. Also, It will be good for Ammon to get him hyped up. He is a priest and needs to start getting ready. It will change his life. Everyone's really.

I can't wait for Tucano's. There is a YSA here who just got back from Brazil on vacation a few weeks ago and He went on his mission there and got back six months ago or so and he talks about Brazilian food all the time! Sushi sounds great as well!

I'm really excited about being here and getting to stay with Elder Trammell. We have a lot of fun. Kind of nervous for our new roomie though for the other companionship, Hopefully he is cool and a good missionary. The other one we live with, Elder Morse is new and has no idea what's up yet. still kind of a deer in the headlights. But It's fun.

Much love,

Here are some pics.

--
Elder Michael Stone.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMA!!

I Actually Remembered this time! I feel so accomplished because I don't have a Cell phone to remind Me. So, Here is to make up and to say it advance! Jordyn, Careful of your age girly, You are getting old! Jennifer! I know yours was a few weeks ago So happy late birthday and go to a red sox game for me! (when the season comes that is...) Dad, Yours is in a month or two in April sometime so Happy birthday to you too. I may forget when It comes up so that is totally why I am doing it now! I know I'm super forgetful when they come up but I do know what months they are in, I just forget the day most of the time!

Thanks for the shirts! now I don't look like I'm wearing a parachute or a 400 pound mans shirt! I can't believe I have lost so much weight but been able to maintain my nice little gut. That's not cool. I have to start working on it and get down to being in good shape. When It gets warm out in the morning I will go run and do some good workouts outside. It's still so hard just to work out in our tiny living room space that we have.

PT has been helping with my back, So that makes me happy. I just need to be diligent in doing the exercises they give me. I don't think I will be able to talk them into working on my shoulders so I may just have to do that when I get home If I can. We'll see what happens
I will have to show Ammon what's up it looks like when I get home. He really should go work out with Webb. I know he doesn't like it but it will help him a lot with his mobility and technique. He will be able to learn a lot more moves as well so that he will be able to really improve and do what he wants to in the next couple of years.

We are going to try and go the NFL hall of fame today... I will try and send some pictures next week along with what is going on with transfers. Elder Trammell and I are going to suggest that we stay together because we have a good time and get along really well. On top of that there are a lot of immature Nazi missionaries now, The ones who have been out like three months or less think that they know all of the rules and what to do, So in a sense they are super prideful and they wont take any correction or advice in the slightest because they have a "new" way of doing things so, It is also to avoid that... :)

Don't worry, I am focused. We are having two more baptisms this Saturday with Kennedy Zamiska and Dan Stiefel. I'm sure there will be a story to tell with that as well seeing that there may be some shady business going on with Kennedy's dad who is supposedly worthy (so he says. He missed his interview with bishop yesterday) to baptize him.

So, The coolest thing happened to us this week! We got a Referral from Temple Square like a month and a half ago for a Buddhist monastery, Like with real monks and everything! we have been trying to get in and talk to these guys ever since and they haven't let us in. About two weeks ago we went over and the monk that answered the door told us to come back during a worship service but we couldn't because we had our church to go to. So we went over the other day and they totally let us in! they have this HUGE Buddha Statue and shrine in a big Dance hall type room. We walked in and the guy we thought that was going to talk to us just walked over to play on a video camera and then all of the other monks were just sitting there chillin'. They live there too! I mean these weren't raised in America monks, they were straight from India! We could barely understand each other when they finally started talking to us.

We didn't say anything because we didn't know we could talk or anything like that. So we stood, then they had us sit on a rug and we were silent for like Five minutes and then one of them was like "how's your day going?" we were like Woah! they speak! They were way cool though, They had a huge case of monster energy drinks too along with several laptops they were playing on. Crazy stuff.

Other than that, Just the usual stuff going on, Meetings, Running around, teaching people. having fun and doing the Lords work. I mean that's the way to go. It's really fulfilling and I am able to learn so much. In fact, I Have a question, I don't know if you have asked this or not. But, in Alma 40 (it might be 41, I can't remember exactly) it refers to Justice as his and Mercy as hers... So I am wondering if Justice is Heavenly Father and Mercy is Heavenly Mother? deep maybe?

That's about it though, Just doing work!

OH yeah hey,... Could you find me some talks on Christlike leadership and send them with the rest of the shirts? Thanks mommy, You are the best! Love ya bunches!

Hey there,

The week went well, We were able to get done what we hoped for. For the most part. Thanks for being willing to go and get some shirts for me. It will be nice to have some shirts that are the right size now. Also, I was totally kidding about being Idle... ;P

Areo's baptism went well. We had the worst snow storm of all winter that day and so she was about an hour later than she should have been, but we had the members stay around long enough and both Elder Trammell and I were in the font with her because he didn't want to drop her, but fortunately she was more buoyant than we had hoped (not to be mean or anything, that's just how it was).

Zone Conference went well also. That day was an adventure though. I Woke up Tuesday morning and my back was really bothering me and then I decided that if it was bothering me on wed I would get a blessing for it because it hadn't been fun dealing with it. So I did, that's what made us late initially, we had to be there at 8 for a car inspection. On our way down we had to pick up the walking elders, so that added on a few minutes. Then once we got down to canton, we had to get a car wash. By this time it was like already 8:30 so we got into the car wash and so it started and then it went around the back of the truck after soaping down one side and then it just turned off. It had ran into our bike rack and stopped working. So, we had the other elders with us get out and go have some body come back and look at it. We got it running again but as it was going towards the back we would inch forward so it could slip past the Bike Rack and then we would be in reverse so it would get around the back. Problem Solved! (during the last sweep with the rinse we forgot to pull forward so it stopped there and we just took off) now, it was like 8:45 by the time we had gotten to the Chapel where the meeting was going to be.. we were slowing down to a stop to get into the parking lot and the church is on top of a hill so it's hard to see what is on the other side and we got smacked! a 17 year old girl who was on her phone rear ended us! (crazy thing about that too, the head of all fleet for the church was there that day as well) so we get out and look at the damage and she ran into our bike rack. That only got tilted forward about six inches and the truck was fine. But the girls car was smashed. she had a big ol hole in the front of her car because of our solid steel bike rack. smashed her hood in and everything.

Anyways. we ended up getting into the meeting at 9:15. an hour and 15 minutes after we were suppose to be there. sheesh. what a morning. Our workshop went really well though and we were complimented on it by President and the Assistants. The meeting ended and we went to dinner at Olive Garden at 5. we got in and ordered our food and it got there at 5:45. right when we had to leave because we had another meeting in Medina which is a 45-50 minute drive away that started at 6:30. We didn't get to eat. We got to our meeting on time, Thankfully. President Sorensen and the Stake President were the ones we were meeting with. After that we were talking to pres. and he was telling us that we were suppose to be to Zone Conference early and set up and then clean up and lock up at the end! We were just like what? We didn't know that... plus we don't even have keys to that building... not our fault, but whatever. Then we ended up getting home around 10:10 that night. it was just not our day. The only thing that went well was our workshop.

OH, and so you know, I talked to a dr. cause that's what I'm suppose to do and they want me to do PT for a month or so to see what can happen with my back. Hopefully they will be able to work on my shoulders as well because they are in a pain in the butt. If not, or either way. I'm probably going to have to get them worked on when I get home.

Where are Kenz and Jeremy going to live?

I'm glad to hear that Joel did well. I hope for the best. I'm sure he will do well.

So are all these classes just Generals? I don't know what all of them Entail... but I will take a crack at what sounds fun and interesting. hmm.. Either Interpersonal Communications or Intro to Sociology. American Civ. and then (in this order because I'm not sure) Logical Thinking, Intro to mass communication, or Public Speaking. Whatever works well.

Do I need to take a Fitness for life class? How about I skip out on that.. I didn't even take that class in H.S. or can I choose from those three (fitness for life, Ethics and Values, Intermediate Writing)? If so, I will take either except fitness for life. That is a loser class and a waste of time. I can work out on my own time. I don't need to be forced to.

I think I would rather have all of my classes together. I am a pretty disciplined person and I don't like studying where there are a lot of people. If I have a desk at home I can study at I'm sure I will be fine. I don't want to be at the school forever either. But, Whatever works out is fine. I just don't think I would like to be at the school all day every day. Besides, I would probably waste that time in-between classes anyways. best just to put it all together.

I Can't remember if I wrote Grandpa back.. I think I did. I hope so. That's fine if he sends it in the E-mail. I don't think I got it though.

Do Ammon and Sarah have a little t hing going on? I know that they had a little of a thing going on when I was at home... :)

This week will be good I'm sure. Next week we should hopefully be having two more baptisms and then the end of the transfer again. I will probably be staying here though. I have to teach some Common sense and some consideration for other people you live with to these other guys we live with... Some people's children just never learn how to be sole dependent on themselves.. oh well. That's why they have ME! haha

Love ya all. 6 more months. ;P