Pictures from VA - 4-1-09

So far everything is going well. Our investigator pool is slowly getting bigger and we have been teaching a lot more lately.

I have a cool new toy and can now send some pictures home. These are some of them, they are of me. This last week has gone by so fast, I can't even imagine how time is going there.

There is only 3 more weeks until transfers, and I can't believe that it has gone by so fast.

I will be getting more pictures soon and will send more later today.

Love - Elder Boy

April Fool Day's - 4-1-09

Hi Son, Happy April Fool's Day How are things going for you this week? I hope that you are having some success. We saw McKay Melesiea and his Mom at Wal-Mart the other day. He just got his mission call. He is going to Las Vegas. Mary Ann got a kick out of that, and I told him that is where I was called too. Elder Otterson got back from his mission this past week, so we got to hear from him at church. Do you have any special plans for conference? Garth, Benson, and I will be going to the priesthood session. Mary Ann is not sure if Garth has ever been to one before. How are things going with your new companion? (What's his name again?) I hope you are getting along, and being productive. Boy this week has flown by. We had 70 degree weather on Saturday and 8 inches of snow on Monday. and it is supposed to snow everyday this week. Tomorrow we are going to a passover dinner with Russ & Jarretta. We will eat the foods that Jesus ate, and be taught the meaning behind the unleaven bread, etc. Mary Ann is tying the quilt for Trisha, and it is looking great. We cleaned the basement on Saturday, and prepared the extra bedroom for Garth. He is coming up for Spring break, this next week. Anneke has been coming over for dinner a little more often. This week we had Dirty Rice, and Lemon chicken. Mary Ann and I have been on our diet now for about 2 weeks. I am down 12 lbs and am really encouraged by the results that I am seeing. I promise that I will be putting a letter in the mail for you this week. until then stay focued and know that we love you. Love Dad, Mary Ann, and Benson

Drinking a green shake - 3-24-09

This last week has go by so fast that I didnt even realize that it was wednesday until yesterday.

Wow 5 months already, Man I can't believe it, I am almost 1/4 through my mission and can start to see the changes in peoples live that the gospel brings.

I can't wait to learn more and share the gospel to as many that will recieve it. I hope that you got a picture of me drinking a green drink. I am always thinking of you and hope that things are going alright at home. I still can't believe how soon I will see you all again, but I need to get all that I can done while I am out here.

I wish that you could see the changes that I am have gone through and the experiences that I have had. I have seen such a changes in my perspective on life and the gospel and time itself. I know that this church is true and that I am doing what the lord wants me to do. I only hope that I can get everything done that he wants me to do.

That is really cool with Steven and school. The diet will help, I have had to start eating better. I have noticed a much larger problem building, and I want to catch it before I can't do much about it until I come home. I have been trying to drink a health shake (it is green) anneke has the picture.

I still can't believe the changes over such a short time. This last week has just gone by and I didn't even see it coming. I am doing great though, so keep me in your prayers. ( I know that you do I can feel them.) I will talk to you soon.

Love - Elder Boy

To the Dentist - 3-24-09

William, How has your week been? Have you gotten any better at soccer? If you beat them they should have to listen to a discussion or something. Has life settled down with your new companion (I forgot his name). I hope that the two of you are learning to work together, and finding your rhythm. Mary Ann had a real problem with her tooth this week. She had a crown done about 3 weeks ago, but it began hurting about weds of last week. She went to the Dentist and he couldn't figure out which tooth was causing her the pain. Both her upper and lower jaw was hurting. So he sent her to a specialist. He couldn't figure it out either, but he was willing to start doing root canals on teeth until he found the right one. (At $1200 per tooth, that can add up) He gave her some antibiotics, incase it was an infection, and some pain pills. The pain pills made her really loopy, and sick to her stomach. By Sunday when we were supposed to go to the Draper Temple Dedication she was still pretty sick. So she wasn't able to attend. Benson and I went, and it was pretty cool. Anneke has been driving now for a full week and is starting to get the hang of things. Aunt Susie called last night and Said that Steven has been accepted into the Law School at BYU, and was given a scholarship to help pay for it. We are really excited for him. Matt is coming home on June 25th. and Susie is VERY excited. She is losing weight on the weightwatchers program, and has lost 15 lbs. She is walking 2 miles a day and talks Cloe with her. Mary Ann and I have started a diet too and are just getting started. I will let you know how it goes. Benson had a date yesterday as part of the priest quorum activity. He asked out this really cute girl named Cody. She was really short, but while playing vollyball he said that she spiked a guy who was 6'2", and there wasn't anything that he could do about it. They made pizza and were supposed to bring something wierd to put on it, so Benson brought Blue Cheese. Well I want to get this out so that you can read it this week. I love you, and I hope everything is going well. Love Dad, Mary Ann, and Benson

Working hard with Elder Bailey 3-18-09

Well, this week has been kind of slow, mainly because it has been raining since I last emailed you. This is the first day we have seen the sun in about 5 days. Things are going well, not as good as I would like, because we have lost most of the investigators, and really are having a hard time finding any this week. But, it will all work out in time, and next week I hope will be better weather.

Elder Bailey and I have really connected well, and I really like him as a companion we have a lot of the same views, feelings and desire to work hard.

That is cool to hear by the way. Do you know if there is a Rick Boy in the family line, because a member out here knows a Rick Boy in illinios. I was wondering if I was related.

The time has gone by so fast it seems like just a couple of days ago I was talking to you on the phone and starting my mission and now I am almost 1/4 of the way through it. I can't believe the speed of it all.

Please tell Benson to email me. I would really like to hear from him too. I hear from you and Mom and Heidi and sometimes Aunt Susie, but that is it, and I would really like to hear from him too.

Love Elder Boy

Red Iguana, and a Clean Backyard 3-12-09

Hi Son,

How are things going? Are things moving along with you investigators? Have your soccer skills improved?

Remember the show "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives" on the Food Network? They spotlighted a Dive in Salt Lake City that had some great mexican food. It's Called the "Red Iguana". We went there last week and in the middle of the week the place was packed. We had to wait 45 minutes just to get in. The food was great and the atmospere was electric.

We are having a spring cleanup this week and the Elders are going to take any trash to the dump for everyone. So we cleaned up the backyard. Trimmed the Apple trees, Raked the Leaves and cleaned out the garage. Things are looking pretty nice. We still had 7 goldfish in the pond, after all winter.

In Elder Quorum on Sunday, we read about when the prophet Joseph Smith was in Jail in Independence Missouri, with Sidney Rigdon, Parley P. Pratt and Amasa Lyman. I recognised the name Amasa Lyman from our trip to the Parowan Cemetery about 3 weeks ago and we are related to Amasa Lyman. he was one of the counselors to Joseph Smith in the early days of the church. Cool Stuff.

Indy has decided that he can sit on the red chair in the living room, so I have begun putting packing tape on the chair. Now when we come home for lunch, Indy is hiding in the corner, covered in tape. Maybe he will get the idea that he should not sit in the chair.

Next week we are planning on going to a passover supper at BYU. they serve foods that were eaten at the time of Christ and tell you all about them, and their meanings. I think it will be cool. Also Mary ann made a traditional Irish Meal for us for St. Patricks Day. We had Corned Beef and Cabbage, Red potatos and Irish soda bread. Then she made Irish Creme, Creme' brulee for dessert. Anneke can over and we had a great time.

Anneke got her learners permit, she said that she never went over 10 miles an hour her first time out.

Well, I know that this letter is a rush because I have left it until this morning, and I don't want to miss your email without something for you, so I will close for this week. I still have not gotten your snail mail in the mail for you. sorry.

Love you
Dad, Mary Ann, and Benson