Monday 20 December 2010

December 20, 2010 to Pops

HELLO Father of mine. 


I was very glad to hear that the wedding went swell, and that Xmas is still on schedule!!! Well as for me in my appartment, we are still serving the lord. Elder McHardy is an awesome guy! He has been super easy to train, and to serve with. I couldnt have asked for a better Trainee. WElll a little about him well. He is from Colombus Ohio. He went to some school at BYU before he came on his Mission. HE LOVES to sing sing sing. He was in the BYUs mens Choir for a while too. He is an all around friendly guy, and soo far we havent ran into any problems at all. I am going to have a great time serving in Hemet for most likely the next 3 months. 


I Love my Appartment! we have a blast together! now in the appartment Weve got Elder Mejia (my best friend from the pre-mortal life), and Elder T-Bear Picard who goes home in 4 months, Elder McHardy, and ME. 


I am So excited for Chistmas now. Sister Gulassa is a very very nice lady. I am looking forward to spending xmas with her Family. I am thinking that our call will be at 5:00 i hope that will work if not just let me know! Well everyone in my appartment is doing great as far as being set for Christmas, if you want to send 4 items of similar features to everyone in the appartment feel free. Anyways yea board games! There is one game in Particular that I have been thinking about alot, and that is Ticket to Ride :) :). 


Well Let me tell you of my Great experience of Picking Elder McHardy up! so when you go to the mission home they do not tell you who your new companion is going to be. what they do is they have the Trainees sit down first, and then they have the Trainers go, and sit down by who they think there new companion is. Sure enough i went strait for elder McHardy, and sat down right next to him. i was on his right side, and nobody was on his left. So it was awesome to hear President Reeves announce that i was to be serving with him. 


Well on the way back to Hemet Elder McHardy, and i were sitting in the back seat of the truck when all of the sudden on the middle of the free way appears this random tire that we unavoidably had to try, and run over. The only thing we could do was try and hope it wouldnt get caught between the truck, and the pavement. Well it got caught, and did a little damage to the bottom of the truck. so we had to fix it real quick before we could head back to hemet. so it took 4 hours to get home.... crazzy. 


well the work is going great. i just hope people would actually come to church, and do whats necessary in their life to enjoy the blessings of the father. 


Well i will plan on calling you xmas at 5 love you. bye bye



....................


Hello son it sounds like you have had a busy and exciting week, I hope all has gone well for you. Well how are things with your new greenie companion, hope it is a good experience and you are enjoying it. I am guessing his name is Elder McHardy just a wild guess. Let us know a bit about him and where he is from. Also I was thinking earlier but forgot to ask is all the missionaries in your appartment going to be okay for christmas or do they need something, if so what cause we would love to help if needed. Also I see from your pictures you play some board games ( which you are king of) is there any you would like besides the ones you have? And one of the most important questions what time are you planning to call on saturday so we can be sure to have everyone here. Also a Sister Patti Powell Gulassa sent me an email ( thats how I came up with  Elder McHardy) and a couple of pictures. She said you have been teaching her son who just left on a mission last friday, said your a great missionary and enjoys your visits. She mentioned she has some neices who are going to BYU and could take some packages down for us if we needed so I may try and do that it wil save on shipping.
      

Well you sister is now Keira Thomson, all went very well this week it was a great experience. Keira went through the temple on thursdat night. All of your Moms temple cloths fit her perfect so she wore them it was special for to be able to do that. Saturday went very well they were married at one, had lots of family there it was a nice day. Suzy worked so hard and did so much for the reception it was very nice, I dont know how I will every repay her for all she does, I just pray the Lord will bless her greatly for her sacrifice and kindness. I am planning on trying to get a bunch of pictures sent to you soon of the wedding and from the past year. 
      
Well I better wrap this up, I am so looking forward to talking on saturday and we can catch up on things then also. I pray you are doing well and things are good with your new companion. I know you will be a great Daddy, you love and kindness for others is one of your greatest traits, and is what endeers other people to you. You are a leader and will do awsome be confident and know between you and the Lords help you will acomplish his will. I love you and pray your week will be profitable and that the Lords work will blossom and grow for you and your companion. Let me know of anything you need or others may need, and what time you want to call. Talk to ya on saturday.

LOVE POPS 


December 20, 2010 to Missy


Hello Missy!! 

I just Recieved your Email!!! i was soo greatful for your wonderful Personal Experience. I look at your Family, and it strengthens me sooo much. I have always looked up to you, and wing for your wonderful Parenting skillz. YOU can see how satan would want to break up such an amazing family. I know that Heavenly Father Has sooo much in store for your wonderful obedient children Parker, Grace, Kate, and Emily. Its so true though that Satan is working extremely extremely hard today to look for every nook and cranny to get in and Destroy that sacred Ordained most important social unit the Family. 

I also Know that the one thing that satan is probably the most successful at is making us feel unworthy, and worthless. He does not want us to gain a testimony, and a knowledge of the Fullness of the Restored gospel. If we were to gain such a testimony that would enable us to have no limitations to our thoughts actions, and blessings. Today is such a world of Justifacation. Boldy put justifacation is the grease on the pole down to hell. Eat drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die. Eat, drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear God-he will justify in commiting a little sin; yea lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor there is no harm in this, and do all these things for tomorrow we die; and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the Kingdom of god. I hope these x mas season everyone will do just the oppisite of this scripture, Give a little, say kind words to another, and help others out of pits. We should do this all year round, and i know that God will bless us all tremendously. 

Well thats about all i got for today, But thanks again for all you do Missy. I love YOU, Wing, Parker, Grace, Kate, and Emily. I wish the Whole BUTLER, and Durrant family a Merry xmas and a Happy new year. 

....................


Hi there Elder!

How goes the work? Christmas time is such a wonderful time of reflection for our Savior. I pray that you will find people open to the message you have to share and that the people you have been working with find the answers they need to commit. In my life, I've found that the closer someone gets to committing or changing, the harder the adversary works on them. I know the adversary worked on Wing when he got closer and closer to to restoring his temple blessings. It's not always in sin, and wasn't in our case, but in attitude and through trials. Sometimes it's through the people around them. With Wing it was through guilt and shame telling him that he is not worthy to obtain those blessings again. It's important to keep on eye on the prize and not faulter. The family unit is the most important unit in all of the church. Satan knows this better than anyone. It's important to be aware of his power and at the same time be aware of our power to crush his head. I was reminded of that during Keira's endowments. Sometimes it seems that the adversary is just too strong and that it's just too hard to overcome difficult feelings. The endowment session reminded me that Satan only has so much power and only the power that we allow him to have. If we stay faithful and unwavering to the covenants we make with Heavenly Father, we will overcome our struggles. It's my prayer that the people you are working with will feel that testimony and be confident enough in themselves to make the changes necessary to commit to baptism and later eternal families.

Sorry for the long boring speech. I've been struggling with why it's still hard for me to conquer my hurt when all of our temple blessings have been restored and everything is good now for our family. Wonder if I'm not faithful enough and put myself down. But, I know that Satan wants me to think this way and to not feel worthy of healing. It's also hard to patient with myself. I can be very patient with everyone else in my life, just not myself. So I'm learning to be more patient with myself. I'm right where God wants me to be. We always are. Even if it's hard. I share these things in hopes to give you some insight into your investigators lives. We've been through darkness. Especially Wing. And have overcome. Never once did feel alone. I always felt the Savior with me. In fact, I've even felt His literal arms wrapped around me. His love will conquer all.

If it helps, and if the spirit prompts you, you have permission to share my families story with those who struggle with the same trials. I know that you don't know all of it, but if feel you need more information, I can share it with you.

Alright already!!! Enough of this. I hope I'm not boring you to death!

The wedding was awesome! The sealer was funny, sincere and detailed. He was a wonderful teacher. I learned so much. We thought that Matt or Keira knew him somehow and asked him how he knew the bride and groom after the ceremony. He said that he didn't know them at all until that morning. We were surprised, because he was so personal and just perfect for them. I was very happy for Keira. She wore your Mom's old temple clothes and looked beautiful. Pammy was definitely there. You could feel her presence every step of the way. It almost felt like she was holding Keira's hand or hugging her. It was awesome.

Keira seemed calm and at the same time nervous. I guess that's how we all seem. She was mostly excited to get the marriage over with. She's been ready for quite a while now.  The spirit was very strong.

Your other family members will probably give you more details about the reception and stuff. It was a wonderful and very long day. Glad to have it over with. (Don't tell Keira that.)

Well, G2G. I love you so much and admire all that you are doing. You are a very special young man who is capable of doing things for the Lord that is unique for only you. Stay faithful and mindful of those around you. You will find success in many different ways and I am sure that you have more success than you are aware of.

With much love,

Missy

Thursday 16 December 2010

Wednesday 15 December 2010

Tuesday 14 December 2010

December 13, 2010 to Pops


HI Dad Thank you so much for the wonderful detailed email! I love to hear that everyone is doing very well, and that the wedding is still in full pursuit, and A ok! 

Well i have got some exciting news! I am going to be going to Riverside on wednesday to pick up a brand new missionairy. I was blessed to be called as a Trainer. So this christmas i will be serving with a greenie! Crazy. I know. I am glad, and blessed to be a "Daddy" as they would say in mission language. LOOKs like i beat mic to it. haha. jk. Any guess's on where he will be from or his name? 

Anyways the work here continues to be going great! We have a ton of names to teach, and im talking like a ton. The hardest part is getting ahold of them and actually seeing much productivity on their part. I am hoping that the new missionairy will be able to see some baptisms soon. 

nothing too super new happened this past week, although we did have a cool experience with a lady named Karen we tracted into when we first got here 3 months ago. We gave her a Bom, and we have been trying to sit down with her for this whole time, and on thursday we were able to teach her a lesson, and commit her to Baptism! she has been reading the Bom on her own time, and she accepted, sadly she didnt make it to church i hope everthing can continue to progress with her.

Well i really enjoyed the package i recieved it was great! Sadly Protien Bars are not allowed as well. Its kind of annoying since i have a lot of protien, and stuff already that i cant finish. I am probably going to send it back home soon. Well as far as treats go i would love some almounds like the ones you sent me in the mtc. cashews are great too maybe some snap pea crisps from good earth. those are good pop chips are great too. Anything is generally ok for now nothing to sugarrrryy.  

Well i am very excited for then next couple of weeks, and the oppurtunity i have to call you on Christmas. I am extremely happy for the marraige, and and the baby on the way. I am very happy Red enjoys working at Good Earth. I g2g i will email you next week! 

love you pops thnx for Everthing!

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Hello son your package of pictures was great everbody loves them, we really like your comments on the photos, we laughed our heads off on some of them. It is great to see you are enjoying doing the work of the Lord, as I told Red I can see and hear the same old Aaron in your letters. And that is great like I said before let your personality, and who you are come out with those you meet it is part of what brings people to the gospel. It was great to hear about Jonathan wanting to be baptized thats neat, also I hope Norma keeps coming along for you, I am sure the gospel would be a real blessing for little family. I know as you work hard and give your best effort each day the Lord will bless you with success. This I do know for sure it's all about the spirt, pray that each time you meet with your investigators the spirt will touch there hearts, bring the spirt there with you. Hopfully Jason will get feeling better and maybe embrace the teachings a bit more, it is good he keeps comeing to church. I can tell you are doing what the Lord would have you and thats all that matters, as you do his will great things happen.
Well things here are hopping with Keiras wedding this week, it is going to be great I am so happy for her and Matt. They got there recomends yesturday and Keira will be going through the temple on thursday night, that will be special for her as you know. Bona has been working on her wedding dress and it looks great its all finished. Suzy has been working hard to get everthing ready for the reception, she is such a angel and has done so much for our family I know I can never repay her so I just pray the Lord will pour out his blessings upon her and her family. It will be a great week and I know we will deffinatly miss ya being there but we will feel your spirt, and I pray you will feel ours and know you are loved greatly. Mic has been feeling a bit poorly as of late he went to the doctor and had some tests they say his thyroid is loww and thats why he seems to be tired, hopefully they will get it figured out , he has been taking some meds so maybe that will help. Red is still working hard she likes working at Good Earth, I think it is a hard time of year for her I can tell she stuggles a bit, I know she misses you to, the pictures she loved them very much. It will be great to talk at christmas I know everyone is looking forward to it very much.
Well I better wrap things up, by the way you did you get the package I sent? Also on the card ya sent you said no protein supplements, I dont know for sure what they mean but are the bars I send you okay or are they out also. We would like to know what is okay and what you would like for treats when we send stuff. I plan on trying to get your packages off to you be thursday at the latest I feel that should be enough time so you will get them before christmas. Well I hope you have a great week, I hope all has been well for you. We love you very much and loved the Pics and notes. May the spirt of the Lord be with you I pray that you may feel his love and know and feel the love of your family. We will be talking soon have a wonderful week.

                                                                                 LOVE POPS

Monday 13 December 2010

Sunday 12 December 2010

Saturday 11 December 2010

Friday 10 December 2010

Monday 6 December 2010

Sunday 5 December 2010

Friday 3 December 2010

Wednesday 1 December 2010