Big Snow !!! 12-16-09

Hey William,

Everyone here at the ward says "Hi".

We got a bunch of snow this weekend and spent the day shoveling out from under it. It was the heaviest snow I have ever seen. It was like shoveling water. I included some pictures just for the fun of it. Is your weather better or worst.

It sure doesn't feel like you have been gone for a year, and to think that this time next year you will be home is unimaginable. Matt just got home in June and now he is getting married.

We are getting excited to leave for St. George to go to Matt and Melanie's Wedding. Benson and Anneke are coming with so we will all be together.

Mary Ann has the house looking so nice for the holidays. She made 30 dozen cookies and we delivered them around the ward. Tuesday we went to Anneke's Christmas Concert. It was really fun, and they had a nice collection of Christmas songs.

Mary Ann just found out that her kids won't be coming up until the day after Christmas. She is kind of bummed about that.

Benson is glad to report that the house he is working on is sealed for the winter. They have the roof done and the windows in, so they can turn on the heater and start working on drywall with the first of the year. He is enjoying that class so much. Thursday he will be done with his internship in Provo. He is glad that it is over, it hasn't been that much fun for him.

We hope that you are having a lot of success with the people that you are there to serve.

We pray for you always, that the Lord will bless and protect you.

Love, Dad, Mary Ann, Benson and Anneke

What I want for Christmas 12-09-09

My last christmas on a mission.

This feels weird to be at this point on my mission.

Well the week was cool, we got a new investigator named Jim. He was set by the last missionaries for baptism and then had to move over to Portsmouth, so we are helping him keep his baptism date. Jim has had a problem with the word of wisdom (tea and coffee) but he started to stop and is working hard at it.

Then yesterday a spoke on my back tire broke. For some reason I have had the worst luck with my bike since I got on my mission I have lost, broken, rebuilt, fix, replaced, or re-replaced just about every part on my bike. (over exaduration)

But the blessing of enduring is helping me grow to new heights and I really haven't been discourged about much of it. That has to be a blessing for the Lord to help me get through each trial.

Oh, We had a tornado watch this morning, I got a weather alarm for $7.50 and it went off this morning at 3:00am and sayed that there was a tronado watch, so I went back to sleep.

As far as things I would like for Christmas, a SCARF! (yes I did say I would never use one and you at home might not see me use one but out here it gets really cool and I have to be out in it), CD's are good, ties as always (no pictures can be on the tie or I can't wear it) a small R/C helicopter would be cool, math puzzles or handheld puzzles ( I have a rubiks cube), pictures are a must, and love, that is all I can think of.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,

I love the snow but I don't get it. the book of Mormon is true and the work is to.

Getting ready for Christmas 12-09-09

Hi William,

Last Saturday we had our annual Day of Caring at Church. We made about 25 toy Dumptruck baskets full of toys for little boys and 25 cradles baskets full of toys for little girls. It was fun and I would rather help make Christmas a little more fun for some children than to sit around eating at a ward Christmas party. A lot of people asked how you were doing and are so happy to hear that you are doing so well.

We got a lot of snow this weekend and it has been very cold. The high has been around 20 degrees, and everything is just grey and cloudy. I am looking forward to some sunshine later this week.

We bought some catfish at the store this week, and will be making it up tomorrow with some dirty rice and some hush puppies. I am really looking forward to that.

Mary Ann has decorated the house up very nicely for Christmas, The living room has been rearranged to make room for the tree, and "the stockings are hung by the chimney with care." Everything is ready for Christmas, now we just have to get some presents. Mary Ann is excited to see her kids again, and they will be here in just a couple of weeks. We keep saying that we need to get your christmas box into the mail, so this is your last chance to tell me what you would like for Christmas?

I hope things are still moving forward for your latest baptisms. We are so happy that you are having so much success finding people that are ready to receive the gospel.

Well it has been a slow week, so I will close now.

We love you and our prayers are always with you.

Dad, Mary Ann, and Benson

-- "It's never to late too live happily ever after."

Virginia 12-02-09

Well this week has been one of adventure, and it is still not over, our baptisms will be later this month then planned. But as of yet they will still happen.

This work is amazing, you learn so much about yourself and others, and what and how to help so many people.

With the Christmas season coming up, I have been rereading my journal and I can't belive that I am doing so, the days have flown by, and are still moving faster. But. the work is picking up too.

Others and myself, are at the head charting the course. This work is the literal gathering of Isrial and there are more than 13 million that are in the work.

We'll all need to be engaged, this is the work of the Lord. He is at the head and guiding the elect to the restored gospel, the only way to salvation and everlasting happiness.

I am so greatful to be apart of this work and be able to make a difference in so many peoples lives. The feeling is amazing and unforgetable.

My faith has been strengthened and my hope unfurled. This is my mission and in the lord I will not fail.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,

I love the snow but I don't get it. the book of Mormon is true and the work is to.

12-02-09

Hello son,

This week has been very quite. We had Steve and Tausha (and Andrea) over for Thanksgiving dinner. Mary Ann made a delicious Turkey with all the fixin's. Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Stuffing, Rolls, etc.

We used her grandmothers china and silverware, and I made name cards, and fancy napkins. It was fun, and Steve and Tausha spent the entire day here.

Mary Ann has taken down all the Thanksgiving decorations and we have the Christmas tree up, and the lights on it. We rearranged the living room so everything fits.

Michell Misbach had his mission farewell on Sunday. I was looking at the Mission Board and saw that we Paul Keyes is coming home in March, David Luebke in April, and Andrew in June.

Well, things are going well at work, and I am keeping busy.

The Family History Library is busy with everyone wanting to learn to use the new Family Search program.

Mary Ann and I are going to the Temple on Thursday for a Sealing Assignment. I have about 200 names of couples to be sealed.

Anneke gave Rat-dog a haircut. Now he looks like he has cancer, and is going thru radioation therapy. Big chunks of his hair are missing, and you can see his skin in several places.

I have been walking about 2 miles a day, on the river path by work. It takes me about 30 minutes, so it makes for a nice break in the middle of the day.

Mary Ann is making a beautiful Christmas tree skirt to go under the tree. And she loves her new sewing machine.

I think that just about covers things back here.

How are the 2 baptisms looking? Are they going to work out?

Let us know, We love you and we pray for you always.

Take care of yourself

Dad, Mary Ann and Benson

-- "It's never to late too live happily ever after."

Dinner with Bentz - 11-25-09

Hi William,

We had a great visit with Sue, Robin, and Grandma Boy. They were here for two weeks. Robin and Grandma never tired from holding little Andrea. They didn't want to leave her behind when they went home.

We all went out to dinner last Monday night, for Chinese out in Lehi. Robin wanted to try Sushi, and he loved it. Sue even tried a simple California Roll; Grandma wouldn't even consider it.

Sis Earl says that Andrew is coming home in 7 months, and that she can't believe that she is counting down his time already. He is really having a great time, and loves his mission.

Anneke is staying over on Wednesday night and we will be together all day on Thursday.

Garth and Trisha will not be coming up, so Mary Ann is kind of bummed about that. But they will be up for Christmas.

Just for fun I tried to fit into Benson's size 36 jeans, and I can actually fit into them. And not just barely, but they are kind of loose. Just try to imagine that. I just saw your letter come thru, sorry to hear about someone trying to steal your bike. They will burn in Hell for that.

Keep up the good work, and know that we love you. Love you

Dad, Mary Ann, and Benson

-- "It's never to late too live happily ever after."

Bent Tire and Rim 11-25-09

Well this has been a very interesting week.

First, we have had to move McCala's baptism back to Dec. Only, do to time, we still need to teach her all the lessons. Then the rest of the week we has had lots of opposition and struggles.

We had many of our investigators cancelled on us. The day we are getting ready to set them for baptism, and then we stopped by Wal-mart quickly. and when we came back out. the bikes were moved around and the lock was almost chopped and my back rim we bent like a C. (see picture)

Well, that night I was able to bend it mostly back and yesterday I took it to the bike shop in churchland and they fixed it right up. Apparently, it wasn't to bad after I bent it back, so they fixed it for free.

I will still need to respoke it in a few months unless this happens again. all in all the week has been fun and I am greatful that out of all the things that they could have taken my $2 patch kit was the only think taken.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I love the snow but I don't get it. the book of Mormon is true and the work is to.

One Year Mark 11-18-09

It just hit my last night the transfer is over and I am at my one year mark.

WOW!, Time just doesn't stop. Luckily the work is still moving forward and I am happier than ever and I have been blessed to know that I get to stay in Portsmouth a little longer.

We have set two people for baptism the last two weeks; McCala and Camaria. They are both progressing in the gospel so well, and I am so excited for them both.

We had a bad storm last week, a "northestern" that came up through North Carolina and dumped rain all over. We got called to stay in because of flood warnings and so we got stuck inside for two day.

This week has been great. We started it off with a district meeting and then went on exchanges. ( I left my area for about 4 hours) and Elder Vosters set Camaria for baptism.

All in all, this has been a great week, and I can't wait to see what happens in the end.

Last week the libraries closed on wednesday for Columbus day and so we emailed on Tuesday.

Merry Christmas and a happy new year, I love the snow but I don't get it. The book of Mormon is true and the work is to.

Andrea Bentz is here 11-11-09

William,

I just type in a page long letter to you, and lost it. So here is the short version.

Grandma Boy and I are sitting her talking and she wants you to know how much she loves you and is so proud of you.

Mary Ann is down 56 lbs for a total of 90 lbs. I have lost 51 lbs and 7 inches off my waste.

Sue, Robin and Grandma are here for the next 2 weeks.

Steve and Tausha had Andrea Grace Bentz, at 2:45am on Saturday. Steve got to cut the ambilical cord for his daughter, and she fits nicely between his elbow and the palm of his hand. He holds her like a football.

We are going to Las Vegas this weekend to see "Alice in Wonderland", a play that Garth helped work on. It is a dinner theater and we expect it to be fun. Mary Ann is excited to see her kids again, especially Wes, because she hasn't seen him in a while.

The Ensign is out and has all of the Conference Talk in it. The Priesthood session had some really good ones. Congratulations on your recent successes, and I hope that you are training your Jr. companion to do things right.

We love you and are all so proud of you.
We pray for you always, take care of yourself.

Dad, Mary Ann, and Benson, and Grandma Boy
-- "It's never to late too live happily ever after."

Surprise, Surprise, Surprise 11-10-09

You scared me!

I thought that I forgot that today was Wednesday, and I missed your letter.

But, today is only Tuesday, have you changed p-day's? or are you just taking a free moment to send of some good news.

Steve and Tausha had a baby girl at 2:45am Saturday morning, and Sue, Robin, and Grandma came up here on Sunday. They will be here for the next two weeks.

Well, I just wanted to reply to your quick note, but I will plan on sending your regular letter out on Wednesday.

Love you and take care of yourself.

-Dad

11-10-09 from William

Well this has been a great week. We had a few lessons fall through but we finished off strong.

On Thursday Elder Fly came home, and on Sunday he asked us to come over and teach his niece, and then set her for baptism, and we did. It was a cool lesson and she is really cool.

Her name is McCala and she is 11 years old and her dad just now has opened the door for her to be baptized after her uncle got home.

We have been working hard and things are starting to take off. I can't wait to see what happens.

Virginia ROCK! the church is true, and I love you. read alma 7