Christmas came early

Dear Family,

I got the Christmas package this morning. We are very excited for Christmas. Last night we found out that because we have a goal of doubling our convert baptisms this next year, Christmas will be a full Proselyting day. So we are fasting today to know who we should see! 

Dress for success

[Last week we received a package from Michael.  Just seeing it under the tree helps us feel closer to him during this time of year.]  Haha it is a stupid present, but I thought it was kind of cool. There are some...random things in there as well, that I found here and thought were kind of interesting. Anyways don't get your hopes up too much! Yes, the members we live with (The Nordstroms), said we could Skype from their computers. They said that the afternoon would be best, does that work? If not we can use the Paris' computer. 

  

Let it Snow

This week was crazy. First off, before I forget. There is a sister here in the district, Sister Curtis. She is from Springville. I don't know why it took me 2 transfers, but I finally realized why I knew that name. She is the younger sister of Brandon Curtis, the kid who died on the Springville football team. That was cool to talk to her about. She was pretty cool with it. Anyways, just thought that was interesting.

Transfers leave me here with Elder Geisler for one more transfer. But I am not DL anymore. It is back to the Elder who was DL 2 transfers ago, so it looks like we are just trading off. Kind of confusing, but its all good. 

10 Month Mark

I can't believe it is already 10 months! These past couple weeks have flown by for me! It feels like we go out to work in the morning and then before I know it we are saying prayers before bed! Sometimes I miss a day in my journal and I go back to catch up and I am like 4 or 5 days behind. It is crazy. Luckily I usually have time to catch up in it. 

Elder Ellis Conference

I appreciate your desire and want to serve and help these two brothers. Unfortunately, no, the ward council has not helped; they have just swept it under the rug. It is really sad. I wish I could accept your help, but per the missionary handbook (p. 38 paragraph 2), we are not able to accept your help from home...I am sorry. 

The Request for Dad to Baptize becomes Reality

Yea the ward council wasn't fun. This week we just didn't say much. The mission president did call and left a message wanting to talk about the ward council, but we haven't been able to connect yet. 

No luck with new investigators (yet), but there is a less active member who is really cool that said we can come this weekend and teach his nonmember daughter and wife, so we will see about that. My companion is getting a lot of practice at tracting now:) 

Promptings

Dear Family,

I hope that you are all having a great day for Dad's birthday. I hope you are getting a lot done. Yea, my companion is tall. Well, let me know what you find out. Yea we usually tell each other our first names when we meet...so yea. [Laura was excited to connect with Elder Geisler's mom on Facebook.]

11-4-13 Second Time Training

I am doing well. My new companion's name is Elder Geisler-Zenefski (He goes by Elder Geisler) (Guy-slur).

October Transfers

[This was an email we received from Elder and Sister Whiting who work in the Mission Office.]

Hi,

It was good to see your son again. He looks great!

We just met these two Elders at the church parking lot in Anderson to give them  some stuff from the mission office. While we are talking to them a young man walked up and wanted to talk to them. Said he was an inactive member. He seemed kind of lonesome and looking for something. Offered to give them some gas money for a donation.  We left them talking to him and going into the church. Hope they can inspire him to come back. 

Fall

Well the service isn't really going right now. Everyone out here is kind of the 'work hard all day type', so they tend to get everything they need done. And then they think that if we help them, it is somehow saying that they are too lazy to do it themselves...haha kind of frustrating, but alright! This week we had interviews with our Mission President and during mine we talked about ways to help encourage obedience. It was good, and helped me a lot. I heard that my previous companion is doing well. I haven't talked to him in a while though, so I will probably send him an email today. He is a good missionary. 

Baptism in Palo Cedro

I did drive the truck and it was awesome!!! I missed driving. We even ended up on a few small logging trails, and I got it into 4 wheel drive. What up?! It was sweet! And I didn't crash, or get in any tight situations, so that’s always a plus! 

2nd General Conference

Dear Family,

Well, let me start off by saying I haven't read the letters from your parents ever since they stopped sending hard copies...I have a hard time spending my short email time reading.

Well congratulations on race number 22! If each race is considered the short run, then you are winning in the long run! I am glad that you were able to get something out of it. I think that if I were able to learn something from all my trials I sure would be a much better person. Thank you for your insight about that. 

Daniel's Birthday

I am attaching a picture of me I took this week.  Believe it or not we had just tracted that street in Shingletown...this is a little different than Chico;)

First week in Palo Cedro

Dear Family,

The new ward is awesome! The people are great and they really seem to like us. After just one Sunday and a few interactions with some of the ward leadership throughout the week I know I am going to love this place. Our area is massive and sooooooooooo much different than Chico. We are allotted 2300 miles a month to drive, and yet we can burn through that easy. On Saturday we put 120 miles on the truck in a day...that hurt. 

Transfer from Chico

I will start with where I have been transferred to. I am going up to Palo Cedro (A few miles outside Redding). I am so beyond excited! I have been talking with my new companion (Elder Porter) and he says our area is huge; it takes an hour and a half to drive from one side to the other. Yes I said drive, ha-ha we get a car. A truck to be more specific (due to the snow I believe;) I am so excited!!! It should be very different from how it is here. The apartment I am living in is nicknamed 'the Palo Palace' because I guess it is pretty nice. I know it won't be bigger than our apartment now, but it is going to be way nicer. The address is:

8650 Leonard Dr.

Palo Cedro, CA. 96073

Run Down Complex is The Place

Dear Family,

That investigator from church last week was sick this week, but we were able to meet with her and set up an appointment. She has been reading so we are excited to get over there. It should be a good lesson. We also have a lesson with a new investigator tonight who just married a member. Then last Monday night we picked up a new investigator family that seems interested. It was sweet because while we were there we found out that the wife had been baptized when she was 8 and then fell away when she was 11. We won't be able to meet with them for a couple weeks because they are leaving town for a while. But the most amazing thing that has happened over the last couple weeks comes from one of our investigators and their apartment complex. This place is so run down and there are...signs of drugs everywhere and there are always several drunk people when we show up. This place has turned into my absolute favorite place in the mission. EVERY time we show up there is someone new to talk to and the people there love us! It is great! And our investigator there friendships everyone and is totally a light to everyone there. 5 different people have talked to him and want to come to church. It is so cool. I used to hate that place but suddenly it is just blowing up. 

Facebook Letter From President Weston

Dear Parents and Friends of Missionaries Serving in the California Roseville Mission,

Sister Weston absolutely love serving with your remarkable sons and daughters and feel so blessed to associate with them.  We are writing to inform you that the California Roseville Mission just recently was approved for online missionary work for one hour each day during less productive times.  This is very exciting news and we are a test mission with this online work, which will include the use of Facebook.  Not all missionaries will be using Facebook in their missionary work,  but your son or daughter may be asked to be involved in this effort.  As such, you may notice posts on their Facebook account.  Facebook is only to be used for proselyting purposes and is not for any reason to be used to communicate with family and friends.  As such, we simply wanted you to be aware of this recent development and seek your assistance in not communicating through Facebook with missionaries in the California Roseville Mission.  This will assist each missionary in their desire and efforts to be exactly obedient.

Sister Weston extend our love and gratitude to each of you.  Should there by anything that we can do to assist your family, we would be grateful if you would call upon us to assist.

Warm Regards,

President and Sister Weston

Pilot Facebook

Dear Family,

Well this week was full of crazy stuff. We found out that the California Roseville Mission has been selected as 1 of 12 in the world to do the pilot program for Facebook. Right now it is just for the Zone Leaders, but soon it will be for everyone. I will be using my same account, and there is some huge long process to hide all the stuff from before and things like that. But yes you will be able to see everything I post, and no I can't respond to anything you put on there, so you probably should just stick with emailing me. I am not sure about all the details, but it is cool to be a part of the initial roll out. More to follow I am sure.

Counting Blessings

Lindsay would do that...haha that’s hilarious. I didn't know Tasmmy was going on a mission. Where to? [The Ward tradition continues with the Youth singing the closing hymn.  Lindsay was standing in back of the Bishop, and kept playing peek-a-boo to the congregation.  It served its purpose in stopping Laura from crying through the whole song.  Tasmmy Alcazar is our neighbor who is leaving for her mission in Japan.]

Back to School

That is crazy that school is back in, I feel like it just got out! Well I am glad all is going well. Ha-ha it’s not like we are moving that far away. This is the farthest I have been and I am only like a 10 hour drive away. We aren't that far, and we don't forget about you when we aren't there. [Laura had a rough day dropping Daniel off at his first day of junior high, Ryan being at elementary school alone, Lindsay starting high school, and Aimee wrapping up her high school education.]

8-12-13 Juggernaut suits

Dear Family,

Those sound like some fun farewell’s.

My talk was nothing special, but speaking of talks, yesterday my companion gave a talk in sacrament meeting and did unreal. It was so good and all the ward could talk about was him. It was really good. He was the last speaker too, and the other people left him 22 minutes for a talk he was told that would be only 10 minutes long...but he handled it like a champ! 

8-5-13 Bump Week!!!

Dear Family,

Well I am glad you liked the video. I am not going to lie; I was surprised that I didn't hear from Brother Felix on my birthday, I thought for sure you were talking to him. I was definitely surprised on Saturday evening though. Thank you.  I am going to miss being 18, but I guess there is a time and season for everything. 

7-29-13 Birthday Week

That is cool that the Spudman was so fun. I wish ours had been a cooler temperature. Yea I would do the Spudman, just get me a cool bike! Hopefully I am in a bike area before I come home so I don't get fat. 

7-22-13 Dog Days of Summer

Dear Family,

[Brother Felix sent a picture of Michael with his new companion, Elder Benedict.]

I am glad that the picture wasn't too weird. I don't get to see them before he sends them, so I hope I don't look weird. I am not very photogenic... His family is doing well and he is back at work, eye patch and all. Hopefully it starts to recede. They continue to be a huge support to us. Sister Felix just got called as an Assistant Ward Mission Leader, working specifically with the sisters. So now there are 3 WML in our ward. No excuse for us to have any disconnect from the ward now. 

6-15-13 Fly the Flag

Dear Family,

We got a call last night that there was a lady about to go in for emergency surgery and wanted a blessing. I think I have spent more time wandering around that hospital than I have spent total times at baptisms. It is always an interesting experience at the hospital. They amaze me, but I feel so stressed when I walk into a hospital. But I am glad we get so many opportunities. We had to leave our dinner appointment shortly after getting there, so we are going to make some brownies for them today and take them by to apologize. They were nice enough to drop dinner by after we got back.

7-8-13 Fourth of July

Dear Family,

We spent the fourth of July unloading the biggest U-Haul truck you have ever seen. It took alllll day. Then we had to load some things in for them, including a washer, a dryer, and 2 refrigerators which were still full of food. We got a message that we were supposed to be in by 7 PM instead of 9, so we got to go to bed early. It was the first time in the last five months that I woke up and wasn't exhausted! It was wonderful! I didn't see or hear a single firework. 

7-1-13 New Companion

This week was crazy, we got something all figured out and then got a call from the AP's and they wanted us to change everything and do it differently. It all worked out, but was insane.  [Michael originally had to arrange a ride from a ward member down to Antelope to pick up his new companion.]

6-24-13 Big Transfer News

The World Wide Mission training was an amazing meeting. We definitely left that feeling very "pumped up". Plus I think that missionary that gave the opening prayer is now the most famous missionary in the world! I am not sure what changes are in store, I just hope that there is an iPad waiting around the corner!

6-17-13 Father's Day

Dear Family,

Sorry I didn't send anything for Father's Day, It kind of snuck up on me. We went to the Chico state store today to look for some stuff, but it is kind of expensive, so we weren't able to get anything. I hope you had a good Father's Day though. It is interesting because some people when they heard that we didn't get to call home on fathers day thought that it meant that we didn't celebrate father's day in the LDS church. Haha so we had to explain that we did, just no calling home. Anyways I hope all is well. Thanks for being a great dad!  [We did get a picture text from Brother Felix to celebrate Father's Day.]

I am glad that Youth conference was so good. I remember how fun those could be (and not fun too). Well I am glad Lindsay did that sooner than I did; I know it helps a lot. [The youth in the stake were challenged to ready the whole Book of Mormon the three months before Youth Conference.  Both Lindsay and Aimee finished just days before.]

6-10-13 Krystal's baptism

Haha yea that sleeping bag is for Arizona camping;) [Apparently, the backpacking sleeping bag Michael used in scouting isn't as warm as Laura thought.  This past week was YW's Girls camp, and a 20 degree sleeping bag isn't really a 20 degree bag, nor in the 30's.]

6-3-13 Bike tracting with the President

Girl’s camp, exciting! It seems like that is all we have been talking about in the ward councils here, so I definitely still feel like it’s the season for that. I am sure Lindsay will do fine, she seems like she gets along with everyone else well. [Aimee and Lindsay headed up to Heber Valley Camp this morning.  Steve and Laura are going up tomorrow to take the 4th years on an overnight hike.  This is Lindsay's first year without Laura at camp the whole time.]

5-27-13 Zone Conference

Dear Family,

[This past week, Michael's cousin Dave returned from his mission in Romania.  In August, his sister Amanda will head out to serve in North Carolina, and while she is out her younger brother Nathan will overlap a few months.] 

Wow that is a lot of overlap for that family, I am glad they will have at least some time together. 

5-20-13 Fences and Commandments (Snail Mail letter)

Dear Family,

We just finished practicing to sing “We’ll Bring the World His Truth” which we will be singing at Zone Conference on Wednesday. (Which is yesterday when you get this.)  Hopefully all goes well.

5-20-13 Service using all Talents

Dear Family,                                                                          

Thank you so much! I got to try out my shoes this morning, it was great! I haven't gotten any other packages, but we haven't gotten the mail yet today so we will see. Thank you again for all your support. 

5-13-13 Mother's Day

Hey! I am sorry that I kind of interrupted last night! [We don't think he realizes that nothing was more important than getting to Skype him.  There were no interruptions.]  I also am sorry I didn't say anything productive or really important, I was just trying to think of what to say. I loved seeing you guys too. It was fast for me as well, but I loved it. Thanks for all your support. I will do the best I can. Thanks for the help!

5-6-13 Right Time and Right Place

I already opened the package. That was a very surprising letter. I am glad it all went so smooth. [Our dear sweet Dee Dee Gardner passed away this past week.  It was a surprise for all of us.]

4-29-13 Mt. Dew experiment

Dear all,

Wow that's crazy. I wish I still knew how to play the piano, not for church music (I think half the people in our ward play the organ) But just to know how to play cool stuff.  [Daniel made the top 16 teens out of 900 in Utah County competing in the Music Festival.  He came away from the Honor's Festival with a $40 check!]  

4/27/13 Mormon Helping Hands

Today we got a quick text from Brother Felix.  He writes:

4/22/13 Fences and Paint

Dear Family,

[This past week right after receiving Michael's letter, the Boston Marathon was bombed at the finish line.] That's crazy, yea I heard a little about it, we don't really get to watch the news and everyone kind of just assumes we know what is going on, so we tend not to find out a whole lot about things.Thank you for wanting to send me articles, but I really can't read them (its apostasy), but thank you! 

Torn and Tan 4/15/13

Hey Fam!

So unfortunately our baptism fell through. He wasn't sure he was ready yet, but he came to church yesterday and still wants to meet with us and plan another date. So hopefully we can get it all worked out soon. Our teaching pool is pretty small, so we have been trying to find people to teach via a ton of tracting. Haven't had any luck but apparently something will come of it. Yesterday we were riding down the street and someone drove by and threw a bible out the window at us. We were in a hurry but today we are gonna go see if it is still there so we can have a new mini Bible. Too bad people don't think we use the Bible. 

4/11/13 Conference Snail Mail letter

What was your guy's favorite talks at conference?  I really like Elder Holland's (obviously).  It is interesting to see the different ways he interprets scriptures than I do.  We missed out on most of Elder Christofferson's talk because some guy came to the chapel and fell asleep and was snoring so loud.  None of us really knew what to do... Of all meetings to fall asleep in the chapel during, he chose the one that you can watch at home.  Kind of ironic.

4/8/13 Spring General Conference

[We bought this chart the day after Michael entered the MTC, but Laura couldn't bare the thought of starting it until Michael got a few weeks under his belt.  Now we are 61 days into his mission!]

4/1/13 - Happy Easter

[It has been Spring Break, so this letter came last week.]

It basically felt like any other Sunday....Except it rained like nothing I have ever seen before! Words cannot describe how hard it rained! It was like getting sprayed with a fire hose! In less than ten minutes the water on the sides of the road was up to my ankles deep...and I was on a bike!! It was crazy! Church was good but none of our investigators showed up...oh well. It was nice to get to focus on what was being taught more fully instead of how to help them understand. But then again we have such a small ward that we have to pass the sacrament every week, and we got asked to teach elder's quorum next week because the teachers are all gonna be gone. It really makes me appreciate Utah for reasons I never thought of before, like having a primary (there were only 10 kids in the musical number, and there are maybe 10 in primary total) or having young men (more than 5 total). It is interesting.

First Mission Haircut

Hows it going? I'm glad you guys aren't taking the snow for granted or anything;) I am glad you had a good time with the Coburn/Smith's! Elder Gavin Coburn is awesome! haha!  This week at a meeting with all the new missionaries and their trainers  the mission president made him get up and dance for everyone! He is amazing at it, and said he will teach me some stuff, probably today! I am excited. He said he learned from watching YouTube videos, so dad is on the right track! [Dad added Elder Coburn's dance video to his favorites list to study and watch.]  Wow, 9?? [Our ward now has 9 full time missionaries.]  That's crazy! I am glad to hear I am not the only one going through this! I am trying to focus, some days are better than others, but I think time is starting to speed up!

Nerf War - 3/18/13

Haha ironically I did have corned beef last night! It was good. We had dinner with the Felix's, so it was nice.[This is in response to St. Patrick's Day.]

Teach People Not Lessons

Letter to Dad

[Steve asked if Michael has gotten to know anyone in his area (members or non-members).] 

We don't go to certain members more than others really. I get to know some  more than others just because we interact with them more. The High Priest Group Leader just got called to be in the mission presidency a month and a half ago, President Paulson, so we do a lot with him. We drag him to a bunch of lessons with us and go do service with him and stuff like that. There was also a guy that just got home from his mission to Argentina last week, and really misses it so we take him to as many lessons as we can. I think he likes it. Its funny cuz he struggles trying to remember the English words for everything, I am glad that won't be an issue for me. 

Letter from Mission President

[We just received this letter March 5, 2013, it was addressed on February 19, 2013]

March 4, 2013 Email

[This first section is an email he sent to Laura.]

That's awesome, I am so glad you guys let missionaries use your phones, I know that I probably wouldn't have gotten to call home. [This is in response to us being at the airport exactly one week after Michael was there and seeing the armies of missionaries everywhere.  We were running up and down the concourse waving our cell phone asking if any missionaries needed to call home.]

First PDay in Chico

Hey!

Well today is the first P-day.  So far it is good.  The MTC P-day didn't feel like it at all, we were so busy.  We cleaned earlier today, went shopping, and right now we are sitting in a hair salon waiting for some other elders getting their hair cut.  It's weird to hear music playing from before (Dub-step).

Feb 20, 2013 - First Assignment - Chico 3rd Ward

Once again we are humbled by the kind people who are helping us make this adjustment.  We received a text from the Ward Mission Leader to Michael's new area.  Quinn Felix of the Chico Third Ward sent the following pictures to keep us at ease.

Feb 19, 2013 - First day in CA

Hey, I loved getting to talk to you guys today!  I think I was so excited to be on an airplane again that I was distracted from everything going on.  We landed, and to my joy it was raining all day.  We flew here on a regional jet, holding a total of 65 people, half of which were missionaries.  It was the smoothest flight I've ever had.  After we got here, we ate and then went contacting.  Wow, that is scary.  I don't know that I am spiritually in-tune enough for that yet, I just freeze up.  Luckily I was assigned to go with one of the AP's (Assistant to the President of the mission), so he taught me a lot and stepped in when I froze.  One of the other groups actually committed someone to baptism on their first day!!

Phone call from SLC Airport

A couple days ago, we learned that Michael might have a chance to call home before his 8:30 AM flight.  The kids all got up early so they could be ready for school and still have time to talk.  A couple minutes past 7 the phone rang.  We saw it was our neighbor on the caller ID.  We were shocked when we heard Michael's voice on the other line.  Our neighbor, Blake Wakefield, just happened to be catching a flight and saw "hundreds of missionaries all over the airport."  He saw Michael, took a picture, handed his cell phone over, and then entertained Michael's companion while we caught up.

Feb 13, 2013 - First Email (Only Pday in the MTC)

[Parent comment: After not hearing from Michael for almost 6 days we were thrilled when we got a letter and an email on the same day]

Hi! Well I have replied to a few emails so far, and I still have 24 minutes left so I think I will take my time on this one.

First off our P-Day (in the MTC anyway) is on Wednesday. But then again, this is our only P-Day in the MTC. Also have you been getting my letters?? I'm curious to know if everything is working. I have gotten all yours, so if you could just send me a letter to let me know if or if not you have received them I would love that.

Feb 10, 2013 (Letter)

To whom it may concern... ;)

Thank you all so much for the letters and packages!  It is great to hear from all of you!  So I may have lied in my last letter; I don't know if I am "allowed" to write letters (physical and electronic) except on p-days (Wed).  We were told to write on the first night just to let you know how we were doing.  Right now I am writing because I don't have my scriptures or anything, but I will explain that in a minute.

Michael's first snail mail 2/7/13

Thank you all for the letters.  It seemed like every pocket I opened, something else fell out! (Mom interjection: Aimee did put a note in every white shirt pocket, and Lindsay hid a note in his ties.)  Thank you for the encouragement, it means a lot to me.

So after Day 1, overwhelmed doesn't even begin to describe how I feel.  While the thought of 2 years of this makes me feel a little nauseous, the thought of being at home makes me even more sick. 

Aimee's farewell talk January 27, 2013

 A speaker began his seminar by holding up a twenty dollar bill. He asked everyone at the conference, "Who would like this new twenty dollar bill?" Hands went up all over the room.

He said, "I’m going to give this twenty dollar bill to one of you, but first I need to crumple it." He wadded up the bill and asked, "Who still wants it?"

Hands were quickly raised. The speaker dropped the bill and ground it into the floor with his shoe. He picked up the crumpled, dirty bill.

Michael's last 24 hours at home

Tuesday, Feb. 5th

Aimee wanted one last skateboard trip to the church parking lot.

Michael's farewell talk given on Jan 27, 2013 in the Highland 32nd Ward

In Doctrine and Covenants section 84 verse 85 it says “…Treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in that very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man.”  The key to preparing for a mission is stated in this scripture; we must treasure up in our minds continually the words of life.  For example, a student who has earned C’s and D’s for their first three years of high school, does not just decide they want a 4.0 their senior year and pull it off with ease. The key to accomplishing a hard task is to develop good study habits early in the education years, and preparing for a mission is no different. I came up with four areas that I think helped me the most, but I am sure there are many more. They are family home evening, seminary, youth activities, and daily prayer and scripture study.