February 14, 2011

Hi Everyone,

No, I didn't get transferred and neither did Elder Lundell or Elder Gardner or his companion.

I got last weeks email sent back to me the "Virtual Post Office" said your email had "Permanent, fatal errors"? I will try to send it again today.

Yes, I got the package thank you. I did not see the DVDs though. I will look again. The new Mens Mo-Tab is pretty good. It's something new anyway.

Here is a little information about The Legacy of Fred DVD/video I sent home. It was made 10 years ago, so....I think they built the new Church here in Fred about 20 years ago. There are a few pictures/videos of Bro. Balla in it.

I am about 87% done with my profile on Mormon.org. I just need a picture and to write a little more. How are yours coming. Is anyone else in the family doing it?

Actually, we don't teach or speak much at all in church. I think because the branch didn't have missionaries for so long they have learned to get along without the Elders. I say that but yesterday morning we went with Brother Balla to pick up an investigator to bring to church. So we missed PEC. That meant there was no report on the progress of the branch's focus families (because apparently we're the only ones who visit them)....and there was a member of the High Council there. It didn't look to good for the other PEC members.

I'm glad Ethan is going to put his papers in in August. I can tell he will be a great missionary....I think It will come easier for him than for me because of the skill set that he has.

This past week I have not been feeling well. I think I either have had a cold, colds or an allergy/cold combo because I have been sniffly and coughy since Christmas. It comes and it goes in how bad it has been, but it was its worst this past week with all the artic air. I've been taking it easy, resting, staying inside. I am using Dayquil, and Sister Moldenhauer has me on a nasal rinse. Today I'm going to get some allergy medicine since it's lasted this long. I was sick for a really long time a year ago also. It's not anything really bad, just annoying, and it won't go away.

Yeah, I'm glad I didn't get transferred, I love the branch.
I'm out of Time. I got to go.
I love you guys bye

February 1, 2011

Hi Everyone,I am glad you enjoyed the birthday phone call from Brother Balla.
You asked what the hog thing was with Brother Balla. Well, Brother Balla owns a farm and he is always trying to get me to help with the hogs. The thing with the hogs is this: he's got about 4 piglets (I think is the word) that he wants me to help him castrate because it's supposed to make the meat taste better.......well, you asked.

The weather has been pretty cold. We saw light flurries of snow, and it iced up Friday night. We spent Wednesday Night through Saturday night with Elder Gardner and his companion in Silsbee because the pipes in our trailer froze and busted. It was Saturday evening before they were fixed. Supposedly it is supposed to get really cold around here again in the next few days. We might try to sleep at a members house because when it's 17 F outside space heaters don't work so well. We had ice on the INSIDE of our bedroom window Wednesday morning.

Thanks for sending the package. I need to send home some SD cards (I've been taking a lot of videos) and a few other things. I promise I will mail your B-Day card tomorrow!

Yes, transfers are next week. I don't think I will get transferred because they have been bouncing missionaries in and out of Fred a lot lately. It would be nice to have a new companion but, a great area, a new truck, you can't have your cake and eat it too.

You asked what area Elder Lundell came from before Fred. He served in an area called Summerwood, it's over by Humble, Tx. towards Houston. If my pattern holds that would be my next area.

Since it can be hard to find something to do in Fred, Elder Gardner is working with President so that we would spend a couple days a week in Silsbee working with them since they have more than enough work to do. I'm a little torn about the idea because its more difficult to work an area the more you are out of it. At the same time though, it really stinks being board and un-producive. Also, it would provide and opportunity to spend more time with Elder Gardner and his companion.

No, I did not watch the Super Bowl and no President did not authorize ANYONE to watch it. Elder Gardner told me if there's any slacking off, letting up, or relaxation of the rules it is either the assistants or Sister Moldenhauer who have pushed for it and President consenting to their counsel.

So Sister Moldenhauer in on a role about being more healthy: drinking more water, eating more fruits and veggies, less sugar, ect. I'm going to try to lose a little weight. This morning I had a Clemintine for breakfast.

Alright, I'd better go.
Love you all Bye

Janurary 31, 2011

Hi,

Happy Birthday! I got you a card but I haven't sent it yet because I can't find any of the stamps I used to have.

Yes I got the shirts and the SD card. Thanks. I thought you were going to be looking into whether I still needed a retainer, and whether the insurance would cover it. I was waiting for an update on that.

Yeah we got the truck. It's nice! Right now it has just over 500 Miles on it. What kind of truck is Shane thinking about that cost 18K? I just know that President told me it was 35K. Maybe because we need 4WD. We really do need it. Maybe that feature is why it cost so much. Also, it's a full 4 door so we can carry other missionaries. Maybe President told me it was more so we would keep better care of it.

At NASA I learned that when the Space Shuttle Columbia exploded and fell to earth. A lot of the pieces fell in the Hemphill, Texas area. Hemphill is only a few miles North- Northeast of Jasper. I thought that was pretty cool that I was that close to where that happened.

We stay busy most of the time. There are a few times where we really don't know what to do because no one is home, and we can't really tract. I love it here though, I don't want to leave.

Today Is Zone P-Day. Actually it is Bi-Zone-P-Day. The missionaries from the Beaumont and Orange zones are getting together in Vidor to play today(not sure what exactly) . I'm exited, it should be a lot of fun.

Just a fun thought. I'm still on the last tube of tooth paste you sent me with. That supply has lasted a long time.

We had our Branch Conference yesterday. It was pretty good. All the stake Reps. and their families doubled the size of our sacrament meeting. Next week is Stake Conference......and Super Bowl Sunday Yikes!! They are broadcasting the Sunday session to the meetinghouses through out the stake. I think the Superbowl is the reason why. The stake center is in Port Aurther, the Southern most part of the stake, like 100 miles from Fred/Spurger.

I hit a possum the other day. The second roadkill of my mission, (the first was a squirrel) it sounded really gross/crunchy!

Alright, I better go if roadkill is the best stuff I can come up with.

Love you guys,
Have a happy B-Day Mom!

January 25, 2011

Hey,
Glad to hear your doing well.

First off just FYI:

You can tell Brother Knighton no we're not hunting on P-day because deer season is over, but more importantly missionaries aren't supposed to handle (much less shoot) firearms.

Stake conference is the week following this next Sunday.

The 1 hr. a week on mormon.org is an ongoing thing. We've actually been commanded now by President to make our own profiles. You should be able to look me up in a few weeks.

Yes you can watch the Christmas DVD. I'm only in it twice so look carefully.

Yes I got a copy of a mission picture at Christmas I got a hard copy which I haven't sent yet and Elder Gardner's going to give me an electronic copy today.

Most of the stuff from Christmas I sent back, the sweater, the wristbands, the games, was unapproved,(the sweater wasn't dark enough) that's why I sent it all back.

Yeah, we do a fair amount of service. Just whatever is the most productive thing to do.

NASA was pretty cool, but I just didn't feel like a missionary while I was there, even though we were dressed up and with our companions. I don't know, it was weird, but fun. We took a Tram tour around the Johnson Space Center. It was cold and wet. Guess who wore a short sleeve shirt and no jacket. It was pretty cool though. They took us into the room they controlled Apollo 13 from. The room they used in the movie was a set, but it looks exactly like the real one.


They also took us to the astronaut training center, and an old Saturn 5 rocket, (The Apollo kind with 3 stages.) Former Elder Henries family was there, they sat right in front of us on the tram. If you want, they might have some pictures of their family with Elder Gardner and I in the background...just a thought.

President pulled us aside yesterday at NASA and told us we had a great new responsibility.....a new $35,000 truck to take care of. We get it on Thursday at Zone Conference. It's a Silver 4 Door Chevy Colorado LT.

We have a General Authority coming to Zone Conference Elder Eduardo Gaverett. Should be good.

I think Bro. Balla has converted me to Professional Football. Maybe I'm just starved for entertainment and I'll take what I can get. I know that The Green Bay, Wisconsin "Packers" and the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania "Steelers" are playing in the Superbowl on Feb 13.

So they finally finished the Layton over pass? That only took 17, months.

Alright I need to go. I hope you make it through the hustle and bustle of the weekend and don't get sick!

Love you all Bye

January 18, 2011

Hey there,

I'm glad to hear you are all well. I didn't get the package yet but there wasn't mail yesterday so maybe I'll get it today.

This past week was a little different. For starters we had to get 3 new tires on the truck becuase they were bald 0-2/32nds in. tead depth....if that makes sense. We only needed three because one of them had already been replaced a few months ago. The vehicle coordinator said that it was 2008 the last time the truck got new tires, and the odometer said it had gone 40,000 Miles on them.That's a lot of driving here.

Also, we got some new pass-a-long cards. The church has changed Mormon.org. Now members of the church can create a profile. Almost like facebook, but with less information and contact. It's a great way to share the gospel without being put on the spot. The idea is that we can refer people to mormon.org where they can read profiles and see that "mormons are normal". Especially helpfull is that they can look up the profiles of people who are converts, particually those who converted from their current religion, and why they changed. So I hearby invite you guys, or at least Mom, Dad and Ethan, and Jacob to create profiles of your own. All you need is an LDS account, the same stuff you need for the family search if I remember correctly. President Moldenhaur has actually authorized us to spend an hour during the week to look at the site and familerize ourselves with it. So I'll know whether you have or haven't created a profile. I also invite you to share this with family and friends and encourage them to create their own profiles as well.

So there finally going to start building the new Fruit Heights chapel in 2 Months huh? Well, glad to know I didn't miss alot.

Former Elder Henry stopped by the church on Sunday. He was showing his family around his mission. When he was in Silsbee, Silsbee missionaries covered Fred also.

Did I tell you we get to go to NASA next week? President told us we have Sister Moldenhauer to thank for that. He said she pushed him, and pushed him and, pushed him untill he finally gave in. We're going next monday so I'm not sure when we'll email.

As far has how a normal day goes...

6:30 wake up get dressed and ready for the day

8:00 Personal study

9:00 Compainship study

10:00 leave apt.

12:00 (usually) lunch

6:00(usually) dinner

9:00-9:30 back to trailer

9:30-10:00 plan for next day

10:30 bed

what we do from 10-12 and 1-9 varies. see diferent people.

Well I need to go. Hope all keeps going well,
Love you
Bye

January 10, 2011

One of the roads here in Fred, Texas

Hey there,

It's supposed to get really cold here in the next little bit.

I get to see Elder Gardner twice a week because we have a district meeting once a week that we go to along with two other missionaries in Buna (Bee-You-Na)

Elder Lundell is from West Point.

We're still just seeing members. I'm starting to get a little discouraged at our apparent lack of progress. We still have no new investigators, although we do have a few potentials to check up on.

We're supposed to get our new truck this week, I emphasize supposed to.

I Wrote in my journal last night for the first time an about 100 days.

We don't have a whole lot going on right now I'm not sure what to report on.

Stake conference is the first sunday in February. This means Elder Gardner and I will get to see all the members from Jasper there.

Did I tell you right now THE Mission is doing a Book of Mormon reading where we mark the words of Christ? It's a pretty good reading.

The longest so far that a missionary has been in Fred has been 3 transfers and I'm the oldest missionary the branch has had since they opened it up.

Well I'm going to Email the rest of the family if you have any questions ask away.

Love you

January 3, 2011

Hi Everyone,

Sorry I am e-mailing so late. Elder Roos got transferred. My new companion is Elder Lundell, He came out 2 transfers after me. Elder Gardner, my trainer is going to be in serving the last 3 months of his mission in Silsbee. I'm excited about that because I get to see him at least twice a week. Elder Hoffman, the new A.P., wasn't feeling good so Elder Gardner ( old A.p.) drove the transfer van around. Elder Gardner will catch a ride out to Silsbee Wednesday night with a new missionary and his trainer so Elder Lundell and I are staying with Elder Gardner's companion, Elder Tautioli (Polynesian) in Silsbee until then. I remind you the Silsbee shed is 12' x 9' .

Yeah, I think I am feeling better. I think I'm just about over my cold, still got a little cough though. I'm going to try to send a package home today, not sure if I'll get the opportunity though.

Well, I got to go.
I love you guys,
Bye