A Little Catch up

 

FEB 3rd

Dear Family

  The mission has been going pretty good. Not teaching a ton of new people, but we may have hooked a family. pretty sweet. My new Companion's name is Elder Whiting. He's from Grantsville and is an incredible swimmer. He's taller than me... i don't like that. We had a dinner appointment with a member on Superbowl Sunday. It was rough seeing all the treats and stuff set up and not being able to watch it, Especially since this year I actually had a team worth rooting for there. Oh well. Not much Is new so new stories this week. I actually haven't been able to go to mission office for a few weeks because the Elders that we use to bum a ride from changed to a tripanionship so there's no room. We did ask some missionaries to pick up our mail this week, so who knows. I'm working on a plan to get pictures on the way to you, but it should be done next week. As always, love'ya guys and you're in my prayers.

Elder Erasmus  

 JAN 27th

 How y'all doing. It has been exceptionally white this week. Snow, snow, and more snow. Super fun. I didn't get what my companion had, but I did catch a cough. My district has made a habit of pointing out that I sound like a chain smoker now. That's fun. We stopped by a lot of less active members this week and got them out to church. But you guys want to hear about the investigators. We had a lesson with the husband of a part member family. He's in a wheelchair and is probably the most sarcastic guy you will ever meet. I like him. We also had a solid lesson with a jamican family. Well the mother and her daughter as the husband was leaving. The nine year old daughter asked a ton of deep philisophical questions such as "Who birthed God?" "Do people who never heard of jesus still go to hell?" and "How is God everywhere?" We taught a nice restoration and told them we'd get to the answers eventually. We had transfers yesterday. I'm staying in Brampton and Elder Olsen is Heading to stratford, Home of the beiber. My new companion's name is Elder Whiting and i meet him tomorrow.

 

Nick

  Sounds like yo're a natural skiier. I wonder if that means you will be good at snowboarding. Maybe me and Ryan can teach you when I get back. I didn't read 12th night. What's it about? Are you the Star? You're probably gonna be some big shot actor when I get back, Eh? Love ya bro. Break a leg with your play.

 

Dawson

  Is there any sport you aren't good at? Just taking down super fast pollies, no big deal. Don't get too good. You still want a challenge.

 

Ryan

  That's what you get for speeding. Community service isn't so bad. How many hours did you get? What did you do? Did you just have to clean garbage or something? Anyway, I hear you answered that girl to the dance. I also hear she's a drill team girl. Drill team girls are scary. Are you sure you can handle it?

 

Pops

  The new Arrow episodes were suppose to come out last november? Maybe they just get redbox late. So you're smoozing the attorneies, eh? That's good. I remember the first Basketball game you took me to. I don't remember who played but I remember bringing tiny basketball player figurines and you and me played with them at half time. Good times. Nick is a smart kid. He's almost as smart as I was at his age. He just needs to get outside more.

 

Mom

  I'm a missionary, all I need is people to teach. I'm good though. The biggest thing I miss is your cooking and you can't exactly mail that to me. I'll be good as long as you guys are doing good. I love you.

 

Elder Erasmus

JAN 20th

You aren't the only ones getting sick. My companion spent all of personal studies throwing up in the bathroom. It smells in our appartment now. Our investigators have been kinda up an down this week. The night before we went to see the hindu family, she called and told us she isn't intrested in getting baptized and doesn't want to give up her culture. She still wanted us to come meet her and share our message so I'm a bit confused. No one made it out to church either. Thats Okay though. We'll get them next week. Cool story. In the ward we're serving in, two missionaries had fairwells this sunday. They're brother and sister going to the MTC on the same day... To the same mission... In the same district. Freacky, right? What I miss the most on my mission is sleeping in. Even on Preperation days we have to wake up at 6. Oh well.

 

Nick

  What's the name of the play you're in? Sounds Shakespearian. There is a member in the ward here who is obsessed with skylanders. He's in his thirties and a really cool guy. How many more skylanders can you get before you have all of them, anyway? I'm glad you're feeling better. Love ya tons.

 

Ryan

   Thanks for writing me this week. I know your time is valuable and you don't want to waste it typing to me but I do appreciate it. So sweethearts. Who asked you? is she cute? Do you have to wear a tux? Who is in the group? Theese are the important questions. Don't be too much of a ladykiller now. Not everyone can handle your levels of swag. also mail is expensive. It's like three dollars to send things state side. I'll try to get you something though.

 

Dawson

   You could always try taking college math. You are probably smart enough. So you finally lost a game, Eh? Oh how the mighty have fallen. Just joshing ya. Dad says you got netflix. How's that going? Find anything worth watching for me in two years? You're the best BYE!!!!!

Good Missionary Stress

Hey Guys.

  This week was pretty good for me. We had a couple of good lessons. One of our investigators came to us after a lesson and told us that when we teach it is like god is coming into her home. That's pretty good, I guess. We have been having success tracting and finding... which is still pretty weird. I think I might be feeling a bit of missionary stress though. good stress, but stress none the less. My knife doesn't leave the apartment and the brother who inspects our apartment says it's cool. So I'm keeping it, BWUHAHAHAHA! There is something you can do for me though, if you really love me that is. There's this collection of talks about Joseph Smith called "Joseph Smith The Prophet" by Truman G. Madsen. It's about 5ish cds that go over his life. If you could get that for me I would be grateful. Funny story. I brought my camera to the library. No sd card slot. working on a solution. If you want to know more about our investigators here's a list.

Vikram. Has a wife and kids, works security, likes Christians, CAN'T STAND MUSLIMS.

Shilpy. A family of an energetic Indian women, her sick husband, her daughter who goes to catholic school, and kush.

Shishir. A nepali family who contacted us via the website. They are super studious.

That's about it. on to the individuals

 

Dawson

  Sounds like you're killing it in B-ball. Probably because you're so big. I remind you of Sean Spencer? Sweet. It's because I'm so smart, right? How has school been going? You never seem to talk about it. Are you still taking classes at the high school? You gotta let me know theses things bro. Stay gold. Love'ya

 

Nick

   I not only had a hamster, I bread hamsters. We got a boy and a girl by accident. We found good homes for all the babies though... well kinda. One was eaten by my friends dog, one was cooked in the sun, and one ran away from it's cage. That one took after it's mom. I swear she was the smartest hamster alive. She could break out of any cage no matter what we did. Sounds like you been sick lately. That's not good. Have you been eating too much butter again? I hope you get better. Here's a little tip for you. If you draw a picture or write a letter to the tooth fairy about your tooth and put it under your pillow, she still comes. Love you bro.

 

Ryan

  You too cool to write your brother a letter? If you have the nerve to wreck my car, the least you could do is tell me about it. You doing any sports right now? If not, How is school going? Go to any dances, meet any girls, pee on the side of the building? you need to tell me these things. If you're scared mom or dad will get you in trouble, just send me your own email from your gmail account. Still love you and want to hear from you.

 

Elder Erasmus.

Negative 40 is the same in Celsius and Fahrenheit

Dear family

 

   How Y'all doing. this week it got down to negative 35. Fun fact, negative forty is the same both celcious and fairinheit. The library computers don't have spell check by the way. We had a lot of success this week. We got two people out to church. I haven't had an investigator to church since my first week. We also got to meet with that indian family that dropped and got them reading and stuff. Good week. I bought a ceremonial sihk knife. it's a sick sihk knife. We did finally get that music box you sent me. It's been fun. Thank you so much for that. We also were able to find two new potentials by tracting. Tracting by the way is the least productive thing we do, so it was a nice surprise. On to the individual letters.

 

Dawson

  Sounds like your team is killing it. How'd you get to be so good? I loved watching Psyche, but I only got to season three, so don't spoil it. How are you doing in school? You know what I just thought of. When I get back you'll be 15. I could teach you how to drive. How cool is that? Don't tell the others, but you're my favorite brother.

 

Nick

   I used to spray people with silly string on new years. Are you taking my job? Also sounds like you are quite the little scum player. Gonna have to practice if I am to be able to play you when i get back. Don't tell the others, but you're my favorite brother.

 

Ryan

  How you doing you little party animal you. I hope you're keeping yourself out of trouble. How's the snow? We get so much powder around here it's ridiculous. I miss boarding with you. We got to go when I get back. Don't tell the others, but you're my favorite brother.

Christmas Pics:

A quick note

I don't have a whole lot of time today. Christmas was fun talking to you guys and all. My companion was able to convince three or four families in the ward that I have an unhealthy addiction to candy canes, so now I have a lot of candy canes... yay. I finally got around to cutting my hair. it's shorter than its been in awhile. I'm not sure I like it, but I think it'll grow on me... Get it? GROW. I'm hilarious. No pictures again. Maybe next week. We went bowling a few weeks ago for preperation day. I didn't do much better than mom and nick though. I hope you guys have fun with your new years party. We aren't going to do much proselyting because most people don't exactly follow the word of wisdom when they celebrate here. Oh well.

Christmas in Canada

Dear Family

The Christmas season is a bit different up here in the snowy north. We did have an ice storm this week. A lot of neighborhoods are without power... including ours. It looks really cool though. Everything is just coated in crystal and stuff. It was cool until the trees started shattering and collapsing on houses and stuff. but hey, what can you do. The work is going pretty well too. We're teaching an Indian man named Vikram. I also learned that I most certainly don 't have the gift of tongues. We taught an Indian, a Philippino, and a Jamaican in the same lesson. I'm pretty sure at least one of them knew what we were talking about. We should be skyping around 1ish here. that's about 11 there I think.

Nick

I hope you get what you want for christmas. You get to tell me what you got on Wednesday. love ya bra'

Dawson

That is a lot of meat! You guys saw the hobbit and lord of the rings? which one was your favorite? we'll talk on Wednesday.

Ryan

I miss you too, bro. We'll talk on Christmas and I'll send pictures next week.

Christmas Dinner - Gooey Duck! 

Ice Storm on Saturday and Sunday- 

These are pictures from the Street Nathan lives on

What the heck is a Punjabi Suit

Hey family

   How's it going. it has finally snowed here. Canada snow is alot more slick than Utah snow. I fell down... alot. You really don't have to worry about sending me anymore Christmas presents. My companion, another companionship, and I all bought punjabi suits. I might send you a picture if you ask nicely. Shelpy, the Indian lady and her family couldn't meet with us this week because the father got sick and had to go to the hospital. Charmaine had a change in her work schedule so we couldn't baptize her... and we dropped her because we haven't been able to see her for a few weeks. We did get a new investigator though. Her name is Elizabeth. Well I didn't get her because I was on exchanges with the zone leaders, but i did teach her after that. She also unplugged her refrigerator a few weeks ago and filled with melted frozen fermented liquids that sat there for a few weeks. We got to clean it out (more specifically, i cleaned it out while Elder Olsen talked about her cat). Good times.  On to the individies

Nick.

  Did you win? You little athlete you. I've been praying for you guys too.Did mom let you watch Lord of The Rings too? Man you guys seem to be having all the fun. I hope you don't get sick again. I love ya buddy.

Ryan

   I heard from a birdie that you cut your hair. How short? if you want to grow it back read judges 16-20. It's a pretty good story where Samsun gets into a HAIRY situation.... Get it? Anyway, How was the Hobbit? Was legolas as cool as he was in the other movies? Also, Stay away from my blanket. Still love you though.

Dawson

   You can use my blanket if you can beat Ryan in a Arm Wrestle. You can do it champ. How is school going? Got any ladies to swoon after you yet? Stay classy champ.

Dad

   Sounds like Y'all have been having a great time since I left. You better save some of those gifts for two years. CCC sounds like they're going to be the new Alta when it comes to sports. Ryan just needs a little bit of an ego stroking before the criticism starts. I miss you guys alot.

Mom

   Way to go mom, you made me cry a bit. if you want my opinion on how to teach about joseph smith i could give you some pointers. i love you guys and i hope you have a great christmas.

Elder Erasmus 

A good find

Dear Family

 

    So y'all got to see Frozen, what was it about? Sounds like it was COOL...

anyway, it doesn't snow here, it just freezes. On the way to an investigators I managed to slip and fall down... Twice. I'm not the most coordinated Elder. We had a great week for finding not so much teaching. We were trying to get into this apartment building that we didn't have a buzzer for when this women decked out in full on Indian apparel (with the shawl and dot and everything) opens the door and asks if we could get her a bible. We said yes. She then asked, if it wasn't too much trouble, if we could teach her and her daughter about Jesus. We said we could probably pencil her in. When we taught her we taught her, her daughter, her husband, her brother, her son, and two kids she was baby sitting. The only downside is that I'm pretty sure she thinks we're catholic. Little step back. You should probably avoid sending packages to the apartment. I haven't got any and we technically live in the basement of a nonmember so I'm not sure what he does with the mail. (so send them to the mission home) Are you guys doing anything special for Christmas now that you have two less mouths to feed? We get to study for a little longer than we usually do. Probably cause they want us to read about the birth in addition to our regular study.

 

NICK

   Sounds like you're turning out to be quite the little athlete. If you want to start snowboarding or skiing here's a tip. Skiing is way easier but you have more fun boarding. What was your favorite thing about frozen? I didn't even hear about that one before I came out. I love that you're helping mom with the Christmas stuff. keep praying for me and I'll keep praying for you.

 

Ryan

   Dad says you wore my tires down to the rim so you may want to lay off the "drifting" for a bit. You went to snowbird? I thought that place was strictly for skiers. Is it more fun than Brighton? If you don't want to get in trouble around the house here's a secret, If you would get in trouble for a thing don't do it. I know that sounds harsh, but most of the time you can get away with a lot of things so you think you can get away with even more. if you just drop below the radar for a bit, mom and dad will give you more freedom and you won't get in trouble for the little things. or maybe I'm just finally turning into a missionary and giving you goody goody advice. stay cool bro.

 

Dawson

  Every Preperation day(We're not allowed to say P-day anymore) we get together as a zone to play volleyball or something. this week we're going bowling. I hear you didn't think too kindly about this new disney movie. Was it too girly for ya? Real men can watch a disney princess movie and enjoy it so I guess you're just not man enough. I kid. So you had this super busy B-ball week. I bet by the time I get home you'll might be close to my level. Later days Bro.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be happy, or wanting to better your life. You can start right now by taking these steps to increase your happiness:

1. Choose to be happy: Recognize that it is a choice. You can choose to let the little things get you down, tie your happiness to the decisions and actions of others, or you can decide to let it go! Choose positivity, choose life, choose happiness.
2. Cultivate a culture of gratitude: Do you have an amazing family or a gifted companion? Relish this and celebrate daily in the awesomeness of your life! What do you have that others say they would love to swap places with you for?
3. Don’t hold grudges: choose to forgive, even if others have not asked for forgiveness or apologized. You don't need to hang onto their stuff. That hurt will do nothing to better your life or help you achieve happiness.
4. Feed yourself positive things: What you feed will flourish, what you neglect will die. If you are feeding and focusing on the positive things in your life you will see growth in that area. If all you focus on is the bad, negative things, you might notice major growth in that area of your life.
5. Surround yourself with positive people: Birds of a feather flock together. If your family, friends and community are focusing on the good in life, instead of being "Debby downers" who always linger on the bad, you will see a drastic change in your life. Have you ever heard the term, misery loves company? DON’T BE ITS COMPANY!
6. Do something meaningful: When your life, your career or actions have a higher purpose, it makes you feel more accomplished; whether it's spending time with your loved ones, spending time working for a good cause, or spending time on something of great importance to you.

Today I want you to embrace happiness. Choose to stop living in misery, because it never got anyone, anywhere. Unhappiness keeps you stuck in a rut. BE HAPPY!