March 21, 2011

Hey,

I know you want to here from me and I'm sure your very busy, and that that is probably the reason why I didn't get an email this week. Since I didn't get an email this morning this is a bare bones message.

Transfers are in a week I'm pretty darn sure I'm getting transferred.

The weather is nice. I got dads stuff on college thank you. I'm' regretting not writing a full email now (because that's not very Christ like or polite), but I'm out of time now....sorry.
Love you, REALLY

P.S. my but has been sore from biking

March 14, 2011

Hey,

I got the school stuff yesterday,(never did get a family calendar). Yikes! College is more expensive than I remember. I hear that it dosn't really matter where you get your degree from as long as you have one, is that true? Also, this is probably more of a dad question, do any of those schools have programs/degrees for somthing like computer networking or whatever degree/program I would need to go into a job like that? As I've been out here, the things that have caught my eyes have been computers, so I'm thinking that's what I want to do.

That is pretty crazy that Alec Pectol is on his mission!

Yes I am pretty Darn sure that I am getting transferred. Elder Gardner's home coming is going to be on the 17th of April by the way I just remembered. I've also realized that Alex Casey's and my homecoming, could be on the same day. Weird.

I definitely want to do some gardening when I get back, probably just some potatoes, and peppers. Try to save a little money.

I'm glad to hear that Nick and Sarah are going to have a baby.

Sorry I don't have time to tell you the story of how we found Dennis, it really is a miracle, I'll have to tell you next week. He is doing well, by the way, he just needs to stop smoking.

We had the opportunity to go on exchanges with the zone leaders this past week, that's always fun.

Well' I got to go,
Love you

March 7, 2011

Hey there,

I hope all is well up there. Sorry to hear there's a lot of yuck going around. I was feeling pretty yuck my self last night...ate too much...it didn't hurt, but I needed to burp an I felt like if I did it was just going to come on out since my stomach was so full.

What was so good you may ask? Mexican cornbread, beans, Ice Cream, and Brownies yum.

To day is our Bi-Zone P-Day with the Orange Zone it should be fun except it is kind of cold again.

I'm excited for General Conference coming up in April.

The reason I asked about the school info is because a missionary who has been out 18 weeks longer than me had to apply for BYU Idaho about 6 weeks ago. So I think the time might be getting short on that.

Gas is about $3.50 here yikes! I asked president if that was going to affect the amount of miles we have.. he said no it wouldn't change because of gas prices.

We had an Investigator at church last Sunday, his name is Jim. He lives on the same road as Dennis.(I'm pretty sure I told you about Dennis and the story about how we found him, let me know if not) That was neat, Dennis wasn't able to make it yesterday though, he was sick.

Sorry I forgot my SD card reader today

All I need to do with my Mormon.org Profile is to upload a picture I'll try to do that next week.

Transfers are in 3 weeks, I'm pretty sure I'm getting transferred, but I don't know for sure.

Hope you're all staying well and keeping safe.
I got to go,

Love you bye.

February 28, 2011

Hi Everyone,

Hey, whew, another unique week. Let's start with the bad news: As of last Friday all board and card game are un-approved to have in apartments. So today I'm mailing home a package which contains(among other things) a Lord of the Rings Monopoly game someone left in the Silsbee apartment. The other bad news is 3 people who said they'd be at church didn't show up.

The good news is that 1 did. Dennis came to church again, he's still struggling with smoking, but he's working on it. The other good news is that we're going on exchanges tonight with the Buna missionaries so 6 of us can get together instead of just 4. Also, a member called us and said
they have a friend who is interested in learning more about the church that we are going to meet tonight.

The work is going well. We have been working in Silsbee one day a week. Usually we split up with Elder Gardner and his companion when we work in Silsbee and see different people depending on the day... so they can do follow up during the week.

You asked about our miles, NO, we are not given more miles. We're over about 230 Mi. right now. I think we are paying about the same for gas as you. It ranges from $3.19-$3.30 We are paying over $3.20. bummer.

Oh yeah, we get to go to the Temple on the 23rd. That just happens to be the day that the stake has assigned our branch to "fill the temple" It's pretty cool, only problem is that most of the members going are going for more than one session because the temple is so far away, I'm not sure if we will be able to get a ride or not.

Alright I'd better go
Love you all Bye

February 22, 2011

Hey guys!

I knew the mission President's name and that he was from La. but that was it. Yeah I think I'll have him for about 5-6 months. I think the switch is about July first.

Yeah, Sister Moldenhauer and I were starting to suspect I had an allergy. I've been taking "Walmart" Clariton for about a week now and I'm doing a lot better. I think the allergy + full days of work led to coughs/colds on top of the allergy both years.

We are spending about a day a week working in Silsbee with Elder Gardner and his companion. But the work is picking up...well kinda.

We have an investigator named Dennis he is in his 50s. He's had some bad luck in his life, he has no water or power, not much to his name. He needs a ride to church (20-25 miles one way) each week. He says he wants to be baptized and that he feels like the Lord has answered his prayers, that this is the true church. Right now he has a Baptism date for 3/12/11 we know he has a smoking problem but were going to talk to him about that today.

The reason why I said the work was "kinda" picking up is because you can't push a rope. It is getting frustrating trying to push the leaders of the branch to get on board with missionary work not just converts, but less active work too. In our Branch Council meeting Sunday afternoon the branch president asked us about our investigators then said: "I see Dennis made it to church" and that was all that was said about him. The branch has 4 focus families it's working with (Bro. Balla and the missionaries gave them 7 names, they took one and added 3 of there own). Well, one has become active so they dropped him off the list. They weren't going to add anyone in his place I had to ask if they were going to add someone to the list then suggest someone.
Missionaries do probably 85-90% of the work with the focus families anyway.....sigh I'm just frustrated, of the "oh well we tried, that's to bad" attitude. so I'm venting. Bro. B had to drive 70 miles in order to pick Dennis up and drop him off because other arrangements couldn't be made with someone who lives closer. I Don't know that's not my call to make. I'm just tired of it all.

Yes, please do send me a family calender, thanks!

So, Saturday, Bro. Hatton, (the members we live with) had us planting potatoes in the morning instead of studies. I personally dropped 1300+ (I stopped counting) potato chunks into the earth.

Also, could you find out when school registration is for next spring semester? Depending on when that is I'm going to need to really decide where I'm going to go and what I'm going to do, or if I want to wait a semester to try and figure that out.

I'm going to try and send a package home in the next few days, no promises though.

Alright I need to go,
Love you guys by :-)

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

December 27, 2010

Hi,

WHOA!! This is my last email for 2010!!!

It was great to talk to you all.

The following are things we talked with Wesley about.
Fred, Texas is the exception to the mission. Meaning because it is such a small area that they have a different set of rules. They are not required to meet a contact or teaching quota each week. They also are allowed to leave their area to go shopping. He said that in Fred they have to wash their car/truck 3 times a week where the rest of the mission is once a week.
The members in Fred are great. He said they love missionaries and he is getting fed about 5 times a week. He said he wouldn't mind spending several transfers in Fred.
He and Elder Roos work well together.

Back to Wesley's letter.

It was really cold last night I wore BOTH my thermals. In the morning everything was frosted over, and puddles,buckets, ect. had frozen over. I've been feeling a little under the weather lately, but it's just a cough/cold. I took a nap on Christmas and yesterday. I don't think I'll be sick for nearly as long this time.

I'm not sure what to tell you, I told you just about everything on Christmas. I'll try to be sure to send a package next week with a memory card, that "Learn the Language" paper, some miscellaneous things, and a copy of that talk for Ethan, Jacob, and Dad.

We have our Zone-P-Day today, we're going down to Beaumont to do...I'm not sure what.

I'm almost out of time, I sent a pretty big letter to President this week, I hope you all stay safe and have fun.

Love you

December 20, 2010

Hi everyone,

I got all my packages thanks.

We got a text from President last night, Elder Gardner is getting released as an Assistant to the President at transfers in 2 weeks His replacement will be Elder Hoffman, the Stewart's relative. Elder Gardner's pretty excited about getting released. He text us last night and said Christmas had come early this year.

We had a really good Christmas conference last Thursday. I don't know if the mission office told you, the mission theme for January through April will be: "Who am I becoming". President gave us Some talks from general authorities to read and ponder on.

Pride and the Priesthood, President Utchdorf

Beware of Pride, President Benson

Repent, That I May Heal You, Elder Anderson

The Fourth Missionary, Elder Corbridge

The last talk was not given at General Conference. It was given to missionaries when he was a mission president. I'll probably send a copy home soon. It's changing the way I look at missionary work, the gospel, and life.

Well, since I can't chat with you, We'll just plan on calling the evening of the 25th. We'll be at our Branch Mission Leader's house. His name is Welton Balla, he said he wants to talk to you before we do. He's a character, very missionary centered.

This past week, out of the 300 people in Fred 295 of them were either getting in last minute shopping, or hunting. (Hunting season ends the start of Jan.) Or they were sick, there's been a couple of bad flew virus going around. We're alright though, don't worry.

So I pulled out my recorder last night and started listening to some of the recordings I sent you.... The ones at the beginning with Elder Clark, that's not who I am any more, I was embarrassed to hear myself say some of those things.

I'm almost out of time I need to go.

Love you, Talk to you on Christmas
Bye

December 13, 2010

Hey there,

I'm doing fine. I hope you all are too.

We've been doing a lot of member work since it's kind of impossible to tract and difficult to find new investigators. Other than that there hasn't been a whole lot going on.

We are thinking about calling in the evening on Christmas. Will that work? Let me know please.

As far as requests.... I could use another pair of thermals, but that's about it.

Yes, I'm excited for the Christmas conference. Our area seventy will be there. Also, Elder Gardner gets released from being an Assistant at the beginning of the year. I'm hoping I get to serve around him again.

Ya, Jacob said Alec Pectol was going to Italy. Wow. Aren't you glad that I'll have 9-10 mo. left when he leaves?

I think I'm starting to take after you mom. I get cold really easily compared to other people.

Just think soon it will be 2 Christmas's down, 0 to go.

This past week we were trying to track down a less active member and drove through a hunting club. We were following the gps. The gates going into the club were open, the gates going out on the other side, not so much. Needless to say it was exciting. The roads were really rough and we didn't see any hunters.

Today is zone P-day, not sure what we're doing, someone said we're watching "It's a wonderful life". I don't know if it's true.

Just to warn you, it's pretty redneck out here My vocabulary probably won't be the best when I call.,but I will NOT use the word Ya'll.

I'm out of time need to go.
Love you,
bye

December 6, 2010

Hi Everyone,

Just think, I will be flying home 1 year! I can't believe it.

As far as the mail thing is concerned, I have no idea. The P.O. Box we pick our mail up from belongs to the members who own the property the trailer we live in is on. It doesn't seem to just come once a week, but everyday. I did get the year package, and and the church news package (thanks). I got them on the 3rd. The letter that you sent last week with all the questions on it, I think you sent it on Wednesday, I got it on either Monday or Tuesday.

We won't have to worry about the mice getting the food anymore, we got them.


Mostly we visit less active and active members. We have a few investigators, but it's a little challenging finding new people to teach because people are so spread out. We don't really tract at all.

The members are pretty cool though. Speaking of which, will you send me your recipe for Chicken Pot Pie? No I'm not going to make one, but a member said they might.

FYI, the last 2 weeks there have been 30-40 people at church.

Well I got to go. Did you guys get into pageant? Talk to you later

love you,
Bye.

P.S. I stopped drinking pop (most of the time) I'm trying to lose weight.

November 29, 2010

This week we sent Wesley a bunch of questions. Here are his answers.

How is Fred (and the surrounding area)Texas?
Small, really small. Elder Sedar said in 2000 the census had 300 people in Fred. We also cover Spurger, and over to Warren. Lots of trailers....well compared to houses. Lots of southern words and vocabulary. Lots of dirt roads, bad ones. We actually drive a Toyota Tocoma Pickup thanks to Elder Serdar.

Who is your New companion and where is he from?
Elder Roos from Salt Lake City

Are you the senior companion again?

Yes

What did you do for Thanksgiving?
A whole lot of nothing. We ate lunch at a members home, then went back to out trailer until 7:30ish when we went to our Branch Mission leaders home for the rest of the evening. Oh ya, we did do a re enactment of World War 2. We even killed real Germans.....Cockroaches that is.

How is living in a trailer?
COLD!!!!!!!!!!! :-(( Please send me Thermals. We have 4 portable heaters in our trailer that we try to stay warm with. I've used an electric blanket at night and been fine, but in the evening and in the morning when it is cold outside the trailer is really cold. We are not going to freeze to death, but it's not very comfortable...especially since I take after Mom and like it really warm. The worst part is that our bedroom and bathroom are on the same circuit breaker and if we have a heater going in both rooms we can't turn on the lights or the circuit breaker will blow.
We also have MICE, Harold and his brother Gerald.

Where do you shop?
Silsbee Walmart

Where do you email us from?

Silsbee Library

When is your whole mission Christmas Conference?
December 16, in Baytown

Do you have any idea why the Mission President wants us to send all your Christmas stuff to the mission office?
Probably to make sure that packages get to the missionaries. Friends and family might not know about transfers. Maybe to prevent theft, not everyone has a P.O. Box. They are probably going to hand out packages at the Christmas Conference.

Would it be safe to send your packages to you since you pick up your mail from the post office?
I would say yes, but with how small and Ghetto Fred/Spurger are I think it would be best to send packages through the mission office. I'm just a little weary they might get lost if they are sent here.

Do you have any requests for Christmas now that your living arrangements have changed?
More "Washable" ties. I'm going to buy myself a new razor today, so that can be part of Christmas. No, I can't think of anything I really need or want right now. I could write you a list of stuff to buy like movies and games and you can save them until I get home if you want :-).

Well got to go Love you guys bye

Novemeber 22, 2010

Hi,

Yes, I did get transferred. I'm now in Fred, Texas. You'll probably have to look awhile to find it on a map. It is North of Silsbee and South of Woodville. The last census they took (2000) had 300 people in it.

My new address is,

P.O. Box 505 Spurger, Tx. 77660

The roads are so rough out here we're driving a Toyota Tacoma pick up in a few weeks we're supposed to get a new Chevy Colorado.

NO mom, I have not had any other bruises and the one on my fore head never hurt, and it went away after a few days.

I have no Idea what our plans for Thanksgiving are. We'll probably hang out at our branch mission leader's house. I really don't know how the work is going in this area. Funny thing this was Elder Serdar's area before he came to Lake Charles(Elder Serdar is training for the second time this transfer) and Lake Charles was Elder Clark's area before he came to Jasper.

I like the camera thank you!

Mission stories...hmmmm Did I tell you that Salt Lake City gave us texting? I didn't text Dad's phone though. I sent him an email from a computer.

Oh yah, when we went to the Temple, I bought Mormon Tabernacle Choir "Ring Cristmas Bells" and "100 years of Excellence". I also got the new D&C study DVDs. They have the new Joseph Smith Movie on them. I really have no idea what I want/need for Christmas. I'll try to think of somthing.

Well, I'd better email Ethan, I'm fine no need to worry. Talk (write) to you next week,

Love you guys
bye