June 22, 2015

June 22, 2015
Erik:
I am usually available for email around ten, but due to a series of circumstances beyond our control, we were not able to find a computer until now! Anyways, this week has been a lot less stressful than last one. I was so pleasantly surprised to see the Rindlisbachers for my birthday, and I loved the package you sent me. I left it at the church because we were going proselyting, and when we came back to check it out, some ants had gotten into it! Luckily, they only got to a couple of granola bars, and you have no idea how many sweets we have at our house now!

Our investigators are far and few between, but our service projects have picked up. I got a bit overheated when we started digging posts for one family, and my right leg is painful if I walk too long, but I can live through it. God wants me to be in Boise, and I will do everything in my power to follow his will.

I'm sorry that I didn't get anything for Father's Day, I was so focused on finding people that it completely slipped my mind. I will be sure to send Dad something for a belated present!

I can't figure out why my camera battery keeps running out; Elder Anderson said that it might be a short, so I'll ask him to send me some pictures before I try to figure out what the problem is. So no pictures for now, sorry! Keep inviting the Spirit into your lives!

Tony:  Don't worry about a gift for me.  These letters with your positive
attitude are good enough for me.  We'll keep our eyes open for a new
camera.  Maybe it will be a present when we hear that you're extending
for 21 more months.  That's what we're expecting, anyway.  Have you
heard any more about that?

Tara:  Hi son! Glad your package made it on time, and sorry the ants attacked it!  I'm glad you are doing lots of service. Be careful to drink LOTS of water, as the weather is getting hot. We are so happy that you are loving your mission!!!!!

June 15, 2015 - So Happy

June 15, 2015 – So Happy

Erik - Hey everyone! This week in Eagle has been stretching my physical and spiritual limits. Wednesday was probably my hardest day so far on my mission; we did three service projects (sprinkler maintenance, spraying weeds in tons of mosquitoes, and digging dirt) and by the end, me and Elder Anderson were so sweaty. On the plus side, I've got my weight down to 255 pounds!

Even though my birthday is coming up, I'm so excited to be teaching people that it doesn't really effect me that much. But I am excited to see what you have sent me, and keep sending prayers for us. It really helps. Right now, we don't really have any investigators, but we hope to get more correlation this week with the members to get referrals and stuff.

Also, we helped nurse a 2 day old puppy back to health! It was a bit odd to milk a dog using a syringe, but it was definitely journal worthy.

The work here is slow, but we have some potential investigators we would like to meet today, so keep looking for good news! Tell Grandma and Grandpa thanks for the card!

Tony: I especially like your subject line. Have you heard anything about the evaluation process for whether you'll continue on after 3 months?

Erik: I have asked around, but most of the missionaries in my area say that two-transfer missionaries usually go home for a bit after 3 months, then return, but I don't have any idea how it works or who to talk to for that.

Tony: Well, it's probably best to just keep your shoulder to the wheel until further notice, then. Do you write to your mission president or communicate with your zone or district leaders on a regular basis?  

Tara: Hi my boy! I love that you are happy and working hard!!  Sounds like a crazy week! I'm glad to hear that you are writing your experiences in your journal too. I miss you and love you and pray for you always!!!!  Have any pictures this week?  

June 8, 2015

June 8, 2015

Erik:  Hey all! This week in Eagle has been...interesting. Elder Anderson is a lot like me, because he loves animals and drawing. He loves to draw robots and armor and the like, and he has an amazing memory; he recited the entire history of the Christian church to me one day. The new apartment is at 1275 Beacon Light Road in Eagle, Idaho. The area is much more spread apart than Meridian, so it takes a while for us to bike into our ward.

Elder Lee was a good companion; a little disobedient, but he was constantly working on being a good missionary. He goes home in November, so he still has a little bit of time left. Elder Lee forgot to give me his email address, so I can't contact him, but we might meet together for Don Healton's baptism. He struggled with missionaries for about 10 years, and he finally accepted the baptism date a couple of weeks ago! I'm excited to see him progress even though I'm not teaching him anymore.

I can't think of anything that would be good for my birthday package except for a flash drive; it doesn't have to be huge, but I would like some space on it.

My bike riding is doing well, and my weight is steadily dropping at a good rate.

By the way, when does school end for Emily? I think it was in June, but i would like to talk to her more often as soon as possible.

Thanks for all of the pictures! Nice to see that you got together with lots of family members; in fact, it's always a good idea to invite friends and family over to eat with you occasionaly. Keep on working hard and praying for us!

Also, have some pictures of a beautiful sunset, Elder Anderson holding a Blue Macaw, and my fellow missionaries in a service project!

Tara: Hi son! Great to hear from you! I love the pictures... Especially the ones with you on them. Continue to take them and share with us!  Still happy and healthy?

Erik: I'm pretty happy, except for the fact that my hands are a little sensitive right now. I had a bike accident where I fell off and bruised my hands a bit. Luckily, we just happen to bike by someone who used to be a Church nurse, so she had me get some cold water and ice; nothing too serious, and it should be gone in a week or so.Also, I am disappointed that Em hasn't emailed me for a while. Is she too busy, or just forgetful, or both?

Tara: I'm sorry about your hands... Hope they feel better soon! Em has been busy. I asked her to write to you yesterday, but I bet she forgot. I will continue to remind her... She misses you a bunch!  

Emily: Hi Erik! Sorry that I haven't been able to email, I have been super busy. I got out of school about two weeks ago. Marching band starts tomorrow and I am super excited.