May 23, 2015

May 25, 2015

Erik: Well, everyone, it's been a great week so far! Lisa finally got some help on Friday, so she gets to keep her house for five more years! Thank you for your prayers and thoughts for her! Our transfers come at the end of this week, so I don't think I have a lot of time left with Elder Lee, but I will still contact him whenever he needs it.

For Memorial Day, we have a special dodge-ball tournament to say goodbye to the Sisters leaving our mission. They have stated over and over again how much they will miss being servants of the Lord, and I will miss them too. I think after the exercise that we will most definitely be getting, it will be business as usual for us; however, I don't think many people will be home for Memorial Day. Fun for us! Also, we got a huge breakfast at Golden Corral, and Elder Lee ate way more than me; I guess that's how people from Alabama work. 

I still don't think I need anything else for my birthday, I pretty much have everything I need at our home. I do need to buy some foot spray though; my blisters get very rough with all the biking we have to do.

I really wish I had more material for these letters, but I just can't ever think of what to do for them! We are almost ready for one elderly person to be baptized, but he's very hesitant, so we'll see what happens. Thanks for the photos you sent me! I loved seeing the ones where you were in the wind tunnel. 

One thing I would stress for you guys is to have FHE every Monday night and to be involved. If you are on the phone doing something that will distract you, stop it. It is a time for all of you to stop what you normally do in life and come closer as a family. Please commit to do this for me!

Tara: Hi son.  We are at the parade in Corvallis right now, then we will be heading for home. Sounds like you have a fun day planned! We will take on your FHE challenge. Grandma and grandpa say hi and they love you!  

Erik: Tell them I love them too! Have fun!

Tara: Do you have any pictures for us this week? I have tried to take a few of our activities to show you boys. We are sure enjoying our Montana trip!  I am sure that transfers will require some adjustments but i know you will do well with it. Just be sure to be open and understanding that every companion you get will have different strengths and weaknesses. Love you so much! 

Erik: I was going to take some pictures of me and Elder Lee with some kittens we met last week, but my camera died on me, so no photos today; sorry :( I hope my next companion will be as good as Elder Lee!

Tony: Is it fixable or do you need a new one?

Erik: The battery just ran out on me, don't worry about it at all.

Tony: Don't you have more batteries?

May 18, 2015

May 18, 2015
Erik: This week has been very slow, because we had the opportunity to go to a few meetings (Elder Lee is rolling his eyes while I write this). The first was training for newer missionaries, so I got to meet a few who also came on the same date that I did. The other meeting we went to was zone conference, which was inspiring, but LONG. It took almost the whole day from 9 to 4, and we didn't have a lot of time to go and proselyte, but I still enjoyed it.

Don't worry about my physical well-being; I'm keeping my meals small and working off my calories every day, so my weight is dropping slowly but surely. There aren't many weird foods in Boise, although we did eat some bacon lasagna at a less-active member's house. It was so good!

As far as the work goes, it's been slow. We're still meeting with members, less-actives, and recent converts, but one of our investigators pretty much said "Don't come back unless I call you", so that was a little disappointing, but my spirits are very high right now, especially after the talk we had on Mother's Day! Lisa is doing much better; she is selling her house, and we met someone who is considering buying it, so thank you for your prayers. Keep on doing it; I could use the help!

I think that's it for this week. I hope and pray that the upcoming week will be even better. Take care of each other (and Tipsy) for me!
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Tara:  At work. Can't talk much. Bacon lasagna? We had teriyaki salmon last week that was tasty. Sounds like long meetings!!! Love you so much!!!!!

Tony:  Good job looking at it as an "opportunity".

Erik: Also, have a couple of pictures! One of them is me and Elder Lee preparing to go to district meeting. The other one is just me while playing some basketball. I guess I need to lose some weight, huh?

Tony:  Taking care of your weight is certainly a good thing to be mindful of.  However, in picture number one it appears more that you need a shave!

Tara:  I love the pictures!!!!

May 11, 2015

May 11, 2015
Erik:  Hey, all! If my talking seems a bit short this week, that's because I'm thinking of what to write! Actually, there's a lady we are teaching right now whose name is Lisa. She has had some troubles lately; she is the nicest non-Mormon I can think of, but she has had problems with her family, drugs, and other things she won't talk to us about. We pray for her and every investigator we find, but if you could pray for her and give some advice on what to do, that would be so helpful. Also, I could use some advice on how to teach someone who isn't Mormon about the Church.

On Mother's Day, the plan is to make a Skype call at around 3, so I want you all to be prepared to ask some good questions, and keeping the crying to a minimum ;)

Not much is going on in the mission field as far as new investigators go, besides Suafa, but I'm meeting many members of the church we go to, which is the Cottonwood Park Ward, and we haven't met half of the members yet, and I'm still learning everybody's names. One of our most popular stops is at the Leavitts; they know Elder Lee personally, and they are the nicest people ever. Their son just got back from a mission, so it was nice to talk to him about his experiences.

I have until noon to talk, so if you have any questions, ask them now!

Tara:  We will pray for Lisa and for your ability to teach her. You are doing great on telling us what is going on! We love to hear everything that you are doing! Also, I can't wait to skype on Sunday!!!!!

Tony:  What are you doing the rest of today?  Do you have prep time until 6?

Tara:  I have not served a mission so your dad probably has better teaching advice than me. What comes to my mind is to keep it simple, and rely on the Holy Ghost to tell you what to teach. Don't try to impress people or talk too much, just let them ask questions and give simple answers. Ask them often if it makes sense or if they understand. You will do great if you rely on Heavenly Father to do the real teaching.   I love you!!!

Erik:  And I love you, Mom. I love you all and I can't wait to see you on Mother's day! I have to go now, sorry we couldn't talk longer. See you on the flip side!

May 4, 2015

May 4, 2015

Erik: Hey, Mom! The weather here is warm, but not too bad. I don't really know when we are allowed to call home, but I'll let you know ASAP. I hope you enjoyed the movies!  What time would work for you to call me? I'm thinking 3 or 4, after church.

Mom: Hi! 3 or 4 would work just fine.  If we are supposed to call you, we will need a phone number. If you call us, call my phone 208-206-1251, and dad can record the conversation with his phone.  How is it going?  Still enjoying everything?

Erik: 3 would probably work just fine, but I think we will be using Skype for our calls. My mission is great! Elder Lee is the best trainer I could ask for, and I'm learning so much. We got a new investigator on Friday; her name is Suafa, and she has a few questions that she would like to ask us. We also have an elderly person who wants to be baptized; his name is Don Healton, and he wants to have a baptism after he has a sure knowledge of the Book of Mormon. I feel really blessed to live here in Meridian today!

Mom:

Yay! Skyping will be fine! We will plan on 3 unless you let us know otherwise. Elder Lee sounds like a really cool guy...  I am happy that you are teaching some promising investigators. We pray that you will be able to be a good teacher and be led to people who want to have the gospel in their lives. Keep us posted on the teaching!  We are so proud of you! Are you eating well/healthy? 

Erik: Each meal, I try to eat my fruits and veggies, but most people think that the missionaries are starving, so we get lots of food every day. We keep healthy though, don't worry your head about it!

Mom:  Just remember portion sizes! What else do you do on p-days?

Erik: We go shopping, clean up around the house, fix up our bikes (mine had a flat tire. Go figure), and any other stuff we feel we need to do. I like it, though.

Mom: Too bad about the flat tire... I hope it wasn't too hard to fix. Were you able to patch it, or did you have to get a new tube? 

Erik: The tube was hard to get off, so we're going to shop for a better one this afternoon. Everything else is fine, though

Mom: K... I'm sure you will be able to handle it. You get to learn all kinds of new things! Love you a bunch!

Dad: Hey Erik. Use reply all so I can see both sides of the conversation. I generally understand based on your mom's half. But it would be nice to see both and chime in when I can. 

Erik: Duly noted

Dad: So, share with us a typical daily schedule from dawn to dusk. 

Erik: We wake up at 6:30, do morning chores and study until 10, go proselyting until 9, then come home.

Dad: Cool. Share even more detail.

Erik: 6:30- Wake up and do morning chores

8 to 9- Personal study on what we think is best for different investigators

9 to 10- Companionship study to share what we learned in personal study and review important topics

10 to 9- Walk or bike to houses in Meridian to proselyte (spiritual thought or missionary discussion depending on time)

9 to 10:30- Plan for next day, get ready for bed, retire

Hey, all! If my talking seems a bit short this week, that's because I'm thinking of what to write! Actually, there's a lady we are teaching right now whose name is Lisa. She has had some troubles lately; she is the nicest non-Mormon I can think of, but she has had problems with her family, drugs, and other things she won't talk to us about. We pray for her and every investigator we find, but if you could pray for her and give some advice on what to do, that would be so helpful. Also, I could use some advice on how to teach someone who isn't Mormon about the Church.

On Mother's Day, the plan is to make a Skype call at around 3, so I want you all to be prepared to ask some good questions, and keeping the crying to a minimum ;)

Not much is going on in the mission field as far as new investigators go, besides Suafa, but I'm meeting many members of the church we go to, which is the Cottonwood Park Ward, and we haven't met half of the members yet, and I'm still learning everybody's names. One of our most popular stops is at the Leavitts; they know Elder Lee personally, and they are the nicest people ever. Their son just got back from a mission, so it was nice to talk to him about his experiences.

I have until noon to talk, so if you have any questions, ask them now!

Mom: We will pray for Lisa and for your ability to teach her. You are doing great on telling us what is going on! We love to hear everything that you are doing! Also, I can't wait to skype on Sunday!!!!!

Erik: And I love you, Mom. I love you all and I can't wait to see you on Mother's day! I have to go now, sorry we couldn't talk longer. See you on the flip side!

April 30, 2015

April 30, 2015
Erik: Hey, Mom! Our p-day was moved to Thursday this week due to a temple trip, so sorry I wasn't able to respond. Elder Lee is a super nice guy; he acts rough, but it's only to people that he likes, and he really has a testimony of the gospel. We only were with the Powells until Monday, then we moved in with the Vales, and even though the apartment isn't super-nice, it still has all of the essentials (fridge, microwave, restroom with shower, the works).

We have had dinner with members almost every night so far; nothing too extreme, we just have whatever the family feels like having. I haven't had the opportunity to try any new foods, but I'll let you know.

I loved going to church on Sunday. We have the opportunity to meet with our ward mission leader (different from our mission president) every week. He and everyone we have met so far is very nice to us, and we love to mess around with everyone.

I felt a little homesick when I left you guys, but since I settled in, things have felt so normal, like I was meant to be here in Boise. The bike rides in the sun aren't fun, but Elder Lee makes sure I get where I need to go without too much stress. I look forward to these next few months with him. I love you and everyone else. Tell everyone I said Hi!

 

Tara:  Hi son !!! I have been excited to hear from you!!!  It sounds like everything is going great! I knew it would.... That initial separation is hard, but you ARE where you were meant to go!  How was the Boise temple? are you and Elder Lee the only ones in your apartment, or do you share with other elders? Is there anything that you need? Is it ok to email back and forth, like we do with Jacob? I'm glad you are doing so well and we pray for your happiness and success in teaching the gospel.

Erik: The Boise temple is beautiful! The endowment session is only held in the one room before we go to the celestial room, so it's a strange change of pace. Me and Elder Lee are the only ones living in our apartment, but we meet up with the other missionaries a lot. The sister missionaries talked to a less-active member before we did, so Elder Lee is pretty upset about that :) Nothing I need right now, but thanks for asking. I loved your package that I got this Monday. I cried a bit when I read the note, so thanks a lot! I think emailing is okay on Monday, but be prepared for less time to email or switching times, mkay?