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

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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!