We loved listening to your voicemails....were you able to listen to ours?  You sound wonderful, love to hear your voice! We sent one to you....It wished you happy birthday in our unique family way. Were you able to listen?  We didn't type happy birthday last Monday, we sang it to you:) So now you are 20!!!!!! so big.  

You sound busy and that is good. Kevin is still on track and your sweet hermana no?

We have yet to have a second discussion with Cara, communication broke down last week, but the missionaries dropped by today, they did not have Cara's number, I gave it to them and they were able to contact her today and hopefully we will have a discussion this week.

Also Elder Nemrow spoke of how he struggled with serving when he returned from his mission. On his mission He was primarily used to thinking about others, praying for others, serving others, companions, members, nonmembers. When he came home he was praying for himself: to get good grades, to pass this test, etc. He was struggling with this and the spirit asked him why do you pray? to get good grades- to graduate from college, why do you want to graduate from college? To be able to provide for my family. So these things are good---He was serving in a different way his focus was  on himself so he could serve his family. Your focus is primarily on others right now, but it will change--time and season for everything.

We will take your advice and go to the temple as a family every month. We are able to take names from our tree:)

Dad and I are going once a week:)

This week I am at school only 2 days. Wednesday and Thursday I am at the district learning how to be a peer coach. It is where teachers learn observe and critique each other's teaching in order to improve their teaching. Friday dad and I are going to Bryce Canyon to celebrate our anniversary, on the 5th is our 26th. It is weird to think that we have been together longer than we were single. I love him now more than ever though.

Hopefully you received your birthday package from us. Angie is happy that you liked theirs.:)

Let us know if you need anything else----Christmas is coming up. I will be sending a package 1st of November. But if you need something before that let me know.

Love, 

mom   xxoxoxoxox

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Greetings Elder! Mom and I are sitting in stale conference with Elder Norman Nemrow. Josh France was announced as an elder who recently received the priesthood. A recent convert who moved his family to Utah in December 2013 was baptized in June. They moved to Brookside and were invited to "a barbecue" which turned out to be the high priest social in pine valley. They took the tour of the pine valley chapel.
The sister missionaries approached them and got to know them. They were able to show the plan of salvation. For him, who had not been religious, this was really the thing that impacted him.
Then they hit some difficult challenges in his life for 4-5 months and kind of stopped going. He questioned his faith. Then the elders came by and invited them to start coming to church again.
But he still struggled with the idea of baptism. He had based his life on logic all along, and had not had faith. Things got really bad with his job and he couldn't continue to work due to physical issues.  He finally just prayed and laid out things to Heavenly Father. Lots of good things began to happen after he applied his faith. He then decided to be baptized. One year from the day of the high priest social, he was baptized.
Now his family has been baptized.

Yesterday I played in a stake golf tournament. It was fun. First time in 6 years! I then spent most of the day clearing weeds in the back yard. Mom and I attended the adult session of conference last night.

We were not sure if you received our voice recording last week? How's it going in your new area? Chad Shepherd was telling me about Colt and he is doing well in his mission. He always asks about you.

Bret and I went up Hamblin Valley on Tuesday night and then drove his Rhino over to Indian peaks all day Wednesday. Not sure if I told you, but they are building a show nuff house size log cabin 2 story up there on his property. It's gonna be nice.

Well, I want you to know we pray for you daily. We talk about you often and think about you all the time. We look forward to your safe return when you have completed your service to the Guats. I know you have and will continue to learn a lot. You will return having come to know yourself, what you want in life, and what you are capable of. That is the beauty of the mission. Not only are you teaching, but you are learning.
Have a great week. I look forward to your email and hopefully hearing more about your new area. Love, Yo daddy.

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Hey! this week has been awesome! this week I arrived in my new area in Jutiapa! It is a beast.Its a little warmer here...Although I'm pretty sure it doesn't touch the heat of st George. We have a big area and a large ward as well. We get to visit a ton of Aldeas that A little ways out from town! our area is beautiful and relatively calm in comparison to life inside of the capital.The gangs from the cap are here but their influence is much less. Here there are a lot of family feuds. Basically it is just like the wild west. there are many mud and tin houses and the people outside of the capital are generally more accepting and kindly! My new companion is from Peru! he is 27 years old and we get along great! We have a lot of investigators and are optimistic for September! Its about time that Brett puts a mansion up in that haunted valley! I love my mission. It is that hardest thing that i have ever done but i am learning so much. I love the Savior and his sacred work!

Elder Baldwin