I'm glad my package was like Christmas. I am very glad to hear that you so enjoyed my letters and journal entries. I have heard from all three of you that reading them was a lot of fun. I did get your letter finally so hopefully you will have gotten my response. I got this package really fast. Just remember that transfers are on May 12.
Letters are simple but they are definitely so rewarding and powerful sometimes. Simple things definitely mean the most. The message we are sharing is DEFINITELY simple and profound.
The things in my package were AWESOME! I was so very excited when I opened it. The music you sent is awesome. I am very happy to have opportunities to play the piano. I haven't had any opportunity thus far to sing, but one of the ladies in the branch mentioned that she is putting together a choir program of some sort and could use a baritone voice.
We are short of investigators in a relative sense but we have way more than you ever did I'm sure so I can't complain. (This is in reference to Evan's mission in Switzerland and Germany.) I'm just glad we have people to teach and AWESOME members who enjoy getting lessons from us as well.
It is such a weird feeling recognizing people so strongly that I truly wonder if I have met them in this life before. I have come to the realization that I really wish ALL of them would just accept the message! I am doing my best to come up with new and creative ways of presenting the message. It keeps me entertained.
I'm glad you liked the story about the Jehovah's Witness. I'm also happy that I can share the feeling of the Spirit in places other than just California. It's hard for me to fathom that people wouldn't celebrate holidays but whatever floats your boat I guess. ;) Hopefully that bread crumb will lead her to where she needs to go. Just one minor correction, they weren't my words of wisdom, they were God's through the inspiration of the Holy Ghost.
I'm very happy to hear that things are good at home. 4" of snow sounds absolutely miserable and fabulous at the same time. It's been near 90 here the past few days and it's not much fun, but it is very beautiful.
Sounded in your email like things with your sustaining went very well. I'm excited for you more than you know. You will NOT come up short. Just rely on the Lord and you will do EXACTLY what he needs.
I'm glad my journal was so loved by all of you. I will have to do that more often. Then slingshot experience was SO much fun. I know it's totally not like me but I loved it. In fact, despite how much it hurt, I had so much fun I'd consider doing it again. Dumb teenage missionaries. ;) (In case you'd like to read this story, I have included it below.)
Love,
Elder Jay Davis
(Here is the entry from Jay's journal where he tells about the slingshot.)
Well, that night Elder Powell really wanted to shoot Elder Neeley with his slingshot. Elder Neeley obviously wasn't to excited about that but he agreed with a soft little ball. Well after Elder Powell shot it at him Elder Neeley was disappointed cuz he'd barely felt it. So he was like okay, let's find something we can actually feel. So we found these gummy candy things but they were pretty hard AND had a rough sugar coating. Well Elder Powell shot Elder Neeley's bare back. Oh boy did it hit hard. You should have heard the noise Elder Neeley made. It was SO funny. I have it recorded on video so that'll be good. Then it was payback time so Elder Neeley was given the slingshot and candy and Elder Powell stood with his shirt raised. Elder Neeley showed no mercy and pulled back hard on the slingshot and pelted Elder Powell hard. Well next...it was my turn. I usually don't do stupid pointless things like this but I decided what the heck. It's not like it was doing any permanent damage. So I stood in position, shirt raised, and Elder Powell shot me. It didn't hurt nearly as badly as I was expecting it to. So I didn't react as crazily as the other two. They were all surprised that I made it seem like it didn't hurt, especially since mine looked the worst! Then it was time for round two. So I stood there again, (I was the one that the bottle pointed to in spin the bottle) and Elder Neeley (feeling really bad he was shooting me) shot me with the candy making sure he didn't hit the same spot. The second one hurt more initially but the first one lingered longer. Then it was my turn to shoot Neeley and Powell. I didn't have any intention of showing any mercy. I mean where's the fun in that. So I aimed dead center on each of their backs and pulled back as far as I could and let it rip. I left some SERIOUS marks on them Anyway, we all had lots of fun and told lots of stories of home and then went to bed.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
April 20, 2009
Hi Dad,
Well way to give it away, I haven't received a package yet lol. OH! While I'm thinking about it. I think everybody has been doing a good job but just to make sure. The mission office has been having problems with duplicate last names so make sure all mail that is sent has my first and last name on it. Anyway, hopefully I'll be getting that package very soon :)
That is so totally cool that you are going to a BYU ward! That makes me smile really big. You are going to LOVE it! I'm glad the spirit and enthusiasm was so good. Wow, set apart by a Stake President ;) Isn't that a wonderful feeling! I love it. I'm glad that you noticed that he mentioned all the blessings of serving. I know that as you look for those blessings and focus less on the work involved you'll be blessed (if you still put in the work but look at the blessings lol)
I am looking forward to your letter so I can read all of your responses :) I got really behind on my journal after I sent that so don't give me too much praise lol. I caught it up briefly but I'm getting behind again. I am just so so so tired when I get home and plan that I just want to go to bed! lol I'm doing my best at writing. Mostly everything is the same old now so I just write if there are interesting things that happen you know?
Foresthill really is great. Every time we drive down Yankee Jims Road I get excited for when I can bring you guys back and drive with you guys down it. I think that this will be the first place we come unless it's too far out of the way. I want to come back to see Papa Cliff (Bro. McCollam) as soon as possible because he's 84! His wife is like in her 60's lol but they are so awesome. Papa Cliff is still going strong. The other day we were helping him with some service. He was out there with a chainsaw cutting trees down! He was cutting them clear at the base too so he was bent way over with this chainsaw just having at the tree! He's amazing!
I am glad you are so happy for what I'm experiencing :D I wish I could share it better ;) I'm glad that I can at least make somebody pause and think about gospel principles. Sometimes it doesn't seem like people out here do, but I know they do :)
I love you too and miss you all the time.
Hi Mom,
I'm glad you enjoyed reading my journal entries. Glad I made you laugh :) I've had a LOT of really good laughs out here. In fact I had a new one. I don't remember where I wrote it but I'll make sure you get a copy :) I'm doing my best to stay positive.
Zone Conference was really good, really long, and really fun. Believe it or not the WHOLE time was based on Chapter 8 of Preach My Gospel which is "Using Your Time Wisely." Never thought one chapter could take so long, but we learned a lot and got great new motivation. We had to drive there for car inspections (everybody did). We are SO far over our miles right now. We really are going to have to cut down and hopefully get reimbursed for zone conference and possibly the trainer/trainee meeting coming up.
I'm glad my letters aren't simple to you and that I can show my appreciation at least to some small extent in them. I love getting your letters and emails. I nearly always tear up a bit myself lol :)
Yep, my knees are doing well, still making their noises, but doing well :) It's fabulous. Don't know how much bike riding I can do though ;) I am definitely blessed.
The experience with the Jehovah's Witness lady was pretty fun. We meet a lot of them and they are all SO nice. I didn't think of those things I said, they just came. I guess at the moment it probably felt like I was thinking of them, but looking back there is NO way!
We have been in the 80's near 90 the past few days. It is SO hot! lol :) Not much fun for tracting but VERY beautiful.
Love you tons :)
Elder Jay Davis
Well way to give it away, I haven't received a package yet lol. OH! While I'm thinking about it. I think everybody has been doing a good job but just to make sure. The mission office has been having problems with duplicate last names so make sure all mail that is sent has my first and last name on it. Anyway, hopefully I'll be getting that package very soon :)
That is so totally cool that you are going to a BYU ward! That makes me smile really big. You are going to LOVE it! I'm glad the spirit and enthusiasm was so good. Wow, set apart by a Stake President ;) Isn't that a wonderful feeling! I love it. I'm glad that you noticed that he mentioned all the blessings of serving. I know that as you look for those blessings and focus less on the work involved you'll be blessed (if you still put in the work but look at the blessings lol)
I am looking forward to your letter so I can read all of your responses :) I got really behind on my journal after I sent that so don't give me too much praise lol. I caught it up briefly but I'm getting behind again. I am just so so so tired when I get home and plan that I just want to go to bed! lol I'm doing my best at writing. Mostly everything is the same old now so I just write if there are interesting things that happen you know?
Foresthill really is great. Every time we drive down Yankee Jims Road I get excited for when I can bring you guys back and drive with you guys down it. I think that this will be the first place we come unless it's too far out of the way. I want to come back to see Papa Cliff (Bro. McCollam) as soon as possible because he's 84! His wife is like in her 60's lol but they are so awesome. Papa Cliff is still going strong. The other day we were helping him with some service. He was out there with a chainsaw cutting trees down! He was cutting them clear at the base too so he was bent way over with this chainsaw just having at the tree! He's amazing!
I am glad you are so happy for what I'm experiencing :D I wish I could share it better ;) I'm glad that I can at least make somebody pause and think about gospel principles. Sometimes it doesn't seem like people out here do, but I know they do :)
I love you too and miss you all the time.
Hi Mom,
I'm glad you enjoyed reading my journal entries. Glad I made you laugh :) I've had a LOT of really good laughs out here. In fact I had a new one. I don't remember where I wrote it but I'll make sure you get a copy :) I'm doing my best to stay positive.
Zone Conference was really good, really long, and really fun. Believe it or not the WHOLE time was based on Chapter 8 of Preach My Gospel which is "Using Your Time Wisely." Never thought one chapter could take so long, but we learned a lot and got great new motivation. We had to drive there for car inspections (everybody did). We are SO far over our miles right now. We really are going to have to cut down and hopefully get reimbursed for zone conference and possibly the trainer/trainee meeting coming up.
I'm glad my letters aren't simple to you and that I can show my appreciation at least to some small extent in them. I love getting your letters and emails. I nearly always tear up a bit myself lol :)
Yep, my knees are doing well, still making their noises, but doing well :) It's fabulous. Don't know how much bike riding I can do though ;) I am definitely blessed.
The experience with the Jehovah's Witness lady was pretty fun. We meet a lot of them and they are all SO nice. I didn't think of those things I said, they just came. I guess at the moment it probably felt like I was thinking of them, but looking back there is NO way!
We have been in the 80's near 90 the past few days. It is SO hot! lol :) Not much fun for tracting but VERY beautiful.
Love you tons :)
Elder Jay Davis
Monday, April 20, 2009
April 13, 2009
Foresthill really is an amazing place and all of the members are so cool and take great care of us. It is quite the little town and it's very spread out so we do a lot of driving. We work in the areas surrounding. The area is huge but it's all mountainous and forest-y so we stay mostly in three main areas near town.
The McCollam's are just an elderly couple. He has children, wife died, remarried. We eat meals on occasion when they sign up on the dinner calendar which is ALWAYS full.
I love hearing the children pray. The Faught boys (they live with their grandma and they're twins) LOVE to pray when we go over for dinner or lessons (they are members). They give the best prayers and answers to questions and everything. They'll make amazing missionaries.
I'm glad you love reading my letters :) I look forward to mail and emails too I won't lie, but they're not what I focus on ;) Life is hard, but for the most part I'm enjoying it. The homesickness will pass eventually (mostly) and things will be even more enjoyable.
Love,
Elder Jay Davis
The McCollam's are just an elderly couple. He has children, wife died, remarried. We eat meals on occasion when they sign up on the dinner calendar which is ALWAYS full.
I love hearing the children pray. The Faught boys (they live with their grandma and they're twins) LOVE to pray when we go over for dinner or lessons (they are members). They give the best prayers and answers to questions and everything. They'll make amazing missionaries.
I'm glad you love reading my letters :) I look forward to mail and emails too I won't lie, but they're not what I focus on ;) Life is hard, but for the most part I'm enjoying it. The homesickness will pass eventually (mostly) and things will be even more enjoyable.
Love,
Elder Jay Davis
April 10, 2009
Dear Family,
Hope things are good at home. I have yet to receive the letter you mentioned in your email Dad. I haven't gotten much mail, but that's okay. Belen has sent me two letters and that's about all I've received. I'm sure most of the letters are being moved from the MTC or mission office.
I'm hoping for pictures on occasion. :) It's always nice to see home. I love seeing people and knowing all is well and seeing the fun happenings.
It's been raining TONS the past few days. It's really pretty but kind of annoying to tract in, but that's okay. :) Just in the past 3 days we've gotten an inch and a half of rain. it's very on and off but everything stays wet.
I'm learning to enjoy religious music a lot! It's really cool I have found some favorites and what not.
My letter is random tonight. I am just sort of filling in the gaps.
Hmmm...what else. Oh, today was a good mail day for Elder Neeley. :) He got two letters from family and an Easter package from his girlfriend. I didn't get anything today but it was fun to watch him open it. I get almost (not 100%) as excited when he gets mail as when I do.
The McCollams (who we live with) are an older couple. What's funny is they watch the Disney Channel at nights. I get jealous because I can hear it. During the day Sister McCollam listens to the music stations on her TV and it makes me think of Grandma.
It's amazing how often I feel like I totally recognize people and could swear I've met them before when I probably haven't. That happened a lot tonight. (Random once again.)
Zone conference is coming up on April 16th. We'll just have to see how things go, it seems scary but it'll be great I'm sure. It got extended so now it is going to go from 8am to 4pm. Holy Smokes! Unfortuantely it's out in Gridley. We are only allotted 1500 miles per month on our car. Since where we're at the houses are spaced out we have a really hard time staying within our miles. We get 50 miles a day if we want to stay in miles but obviously we can cut miles some days and go extra others. Anyway, we have to drive a LONG way out to Gridley and we're already having difficulties with miles so hoepfully President Pendleton will reimburse us for the miles for zone conference.
Oh, I had a fun experience today. We were tracting in a trailor court and we knocked on a door and a really friendly-looking old lady answered. She smiled as I began introducing us as missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She informed us that she is a preacher of the Jehovah's Witnesses (probably our biggest competitor out here, not that it's a competition but you know). So we started talking about Christ and faith in Him. It was a really good friendly conversation. The she brought up Easter and the origins of it and a bunch of stuff about Pagan beliefs and how they shouldn't be mixed with Christian beliefs. Anyway, we explained that we celebrate Christ's atonement and resurrection during Easter. She kind of casually and kindly argued with us. We weren't "bashing" but we were taking turns stating beliefs. Anyway, she was trying to say that Christ's death was the main focus of Christ's ministry. We were trying to explain how the resurrection is important. Eventually I explained the atonement and how the death isn't the most important part. I explained that the atonement started with Jesus Christ suffering for our sins and afflictions and bleeding from every pore. I explained that he suffered for each of us individually, it wasn't just like one lump sum. The, he was crucified. Oh, and after I explained his suffering I said that through that he provided a way to conquer spiritual death. Then after being crucified he was resurrected. This brought about the opportunity for ALL to be resurrected, thus conquering physical death. I said that the atonement conquers both the physical AND spiritual deaths spoken of in the Bible. She was stumped but didn't just say that obviously. She said she'd had a stroke (which I believe) and that we were probably getting cold and she was freezing so she said good-bye and closed the door. The first thing Elder Neeley said to me was, "You stumped her." It was really cool I mean, I don't take joy in proving people wrong, but hopefully it helped open her eyes.
One thing that just came to mind that I want to tell you all is that commonly we perceive J-dubs (as we call the Jehovah's Witnesses) to be rude bible-bashers. In fact, the J-dubs are probably the friendliest people out here. They are willing to listen to us if we are polite and listen to them. So the point I'm getting at is don't cause contention. Even if people get upset with you just smile. It's amazing the effect that can have.
I am already growing to love the people so deeply. Even those who turn us away. I feel such a desire to share the message with them.
I wish I had learned more about door approaches in the MTC, but Elder Neeley is really good at them so I'm learning fast. I'm continually learning to more fully trust the Lord.
I am no longer nervous to be out of the MTC. To put it quite plainly, California rocks!
The members SPOIL us! It's incredible. We have dinner provided for us EVERY night. The dinners are delicious. Unfortunately Elder Neeley has gained 15 pounds in the ten months he's been out so he has gotten good at turning down desserts so I guess I don't have to worry about too much weight gain. ;)
This week has been SO awesome and I had a MARVELOUS time. I've not been very scared surprisingly. I've said thank you a TON this week. Holy cow! Oh boy have I said lots of prayers!
I'm glad you're cheering for me. I feel your encouragement all the time. Don't feel helpless. I can still remember your stories and imagine your arm around me. You've prepared me well, Dad.
I have missed the family a lot this past week. It hasn't distracted me from my work, but rather strengthened my resolve.
I'll wrap up. I love you all.
Love,
Elder Jay Davis
Hope things are good at home. I have yet to receive the letter you mentioned in your email Dad. I haven't gotten much mail, but that's okay. Belen has sent me two letters and that's about all I've received. I'm sure most of the letters are being moved from the MTC or mission office.
I'm hoping for pictures on occasion. :) It's always nice to see home. I love seeing people and knowing all is well and seeing the fun happenings.
It's been raining TONS the past few days. It's really pretty but kind of annoying to tract in, but that's okay. :) Just in the past 3 days we've gotten an inch and a half of rain. it's very on and off but everything stays wet.
I'm learning to enjoy religious music a lot! It's really cool I have found some favorites and what not.
My letter is random tonight. I am just sort of filling in the gaps.
Hmmm...what else. Oh, today was a good mail day for Elder Neeley. :) He got two letters from family and an Easter package from his girlfriend. I didn't get anything today but it was fun to watch him open it. I get almost (not 100%) as excited when he gets mail as when I do.
The McCollams (who we live with) are an older couple. What's funny is they watch the Disney Channel at nights. I get jealous because I can hear it. During the day Sister McCollam listens to the music stations on her TV and it makes me think of Grandma.
It's amazing how often I feel like I totally recognize people and could swear I've met them before when I probably haven't. That happened a lot tonight. (Random once again.)
Zone conference is coming up on April 16th. We'll just have to see how things go, it seems scary but it'll be great I'm sure. It got extended so now it is going to go from 8am to 4pm. Holy Smokes! Unfortuantely it's out in Gridley. We are only allotted 1500 miles per month on our car. Since where we're at the houses are spaced out we have a really hard time staying within our miles. We get 50 miles a day if we want to stay in miles but obviously we can cut miles some days and go extra others. Anyway, we have to drive a LONG way out to Gridley and we're already having difficulties with miles so hoepfully President Pendleton will reimburse us for the miles for zone conference.
Oh, I had a fun experience today. We were tracting in a trailor court and we knocked on a door and a really friendly-looking old lady answered. She smiled as I began introducing us as missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She informed us that she is a preacher of the Jehovah's Witnesses (probably our biggest competitor out here, not that it's a competition but you know). So we started talking about Christ and faith in Him. It was a really good friendly conversation. The she brought up Easter and the origins of it and a bunch of stuff about Pagan beliefs and how they shouldn't be mixed with Christian beliefs. Anyway, we explained that we celebrate Christ's atonement and resurrection during Easter. She kind of casually and kindly argued with us. We weren't "bashing" but we were taking turns stating beliefs. Anyway, she was trying to say that Christ's death was the main focus of Christ's ministry. We were trying to explain how the resurrection is important. Eventually I explained the atonement and how the death isn't the most important part. I explained that the atonement started with Jesus Christ suffering for our sins and afflictions and bleeding from every pore. I explained that he suffered for each of us individually, it wasn't just like one lump sum. The, he was crucified. Oh, and after I explained his suffering I said that through that he provided a way to conquer spiritual death. Then after being crucified he was resurrected. This brought about the opportunity for ALL to be resurrected, thus conquering physical death. I said that the atonement conquers both the physical AND spiritual deaths spoken of in the Bible. She was stumped but didn't just say that obviously. She said she'd had a stroke (which I believe) and that we were probably getting cold and she was freezing so she said good-bye and closed the door. The first thing Elder Neeley said to me was, "You stumped her." It was really cool I mean, I don't take joy in proving people wrong, but hopefully it helped open her eyes.
One thing that just came to mind that I want to tell you all is that commonly we perceive J-dubs (as we call the Jehovah's Witnesses) to be rude bible-bashers. In fact, the J-dubs are probably the friendliest people out here. They are willing to listen to us if we are polite and listen to them. So the point I'm getting at is don't cause contention. Even if people get upset with you just smile. It's amazing the effect that can have.
I am already growing to love the people so deeply. Even those who turn us away. I feel such a desire to share the message with them.
I wish I had learned more about door approaches in the MTC, but Elder Neeley is really good at them so I'm learning fast. I'm continually learning to more fully trust the Lord.
I am no longer nervous to be out of the MTC. To put it quite plainly, California rocks!
The members SPOIL us! It's incredible. We have dinner provided for us EVERY night. The dinners are delicious. Unfortunately Elder Neeley has gained 15 pounds in the ten months he's been out so he has gotten good at turning down desserts so I guess I don't have to worry about too much weight gain. ;)
This week has been SO awesome and I had a MARVELOUS time. I've not been very scared surprisingly. I've said thank you a TON this week. Holy cow! Oh boy have I said lots of prayers!
I'm glad you're cheering for me. I feel your encouragement all the time. Don't feel helpless. I can still remember your stories and imagine your arm around me. You've prepared me well, Dad.
I have missed the family a lot this past week. It hasn't distracted me from my work, but rather strengthened my resolve.
I'll wrap up. I love you all.
Love,
Elder Jay Davis
Monday, April 6, 2009
April 6, 2009
We got three different emails from Jay and they were somewhat repetitive, so I combined them and edited them slightly before posting them on the blog.
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I had such a good time talking to you two on the phone. It truly made my day. I'm glad that just hearing my voice gets you excited ;)
I haven't gotten any mail since I left the MTC but that's ok :) I have been doing really well.It was awesome to open my inbox and have like 5 or 6 emails from the family so thank you :)
This week has been AWESOME! I love it out here. I am sending you a handwritten letter today as well that has a little detail about what's gone on and I am going to send you some photocopies of my journal (don't worry, nothing very personal) since it basically tells what's gone on so I don't have to rewrite/type it all. So I know you're going to be disappointed by this but you're just going to have to be patient and wait until tomorrow or Wednesday when I can get the letter and journal entries sent to hear very much detail about what's going on out here.
Our statistics kind of sucked because we only had Wednesday through Sunday and it's really hard to get lessons out here as it is cuz it's a small community. Um...interesting stories...well I went on exchanges and we taught this guy who recently got baptized but is having issues because he's upset with the bishop. This guy, Clayton, is madly in love with a 19 year old girl in the ward and is all creepy about it (he's like 56). Anyway, other interesting stories...the members STUFF us! lol, we have yet to have a night where we didn't have dinner provided! In fact Saturday we had every meal provided for us! The members take such good care of us.
I'm in a car area :D Haven't even taken the bike out of the box. My companion's name is Elder Ryan Neeley. He's from Providence, UT (Logan area). He is friends with one of my roommates from the MTC. He's a fun guy who loves to ski. He is an awesome trainer.
We are in an area called Foresthill. It reminds me somewhat of Provo Canyon. You'd LOVE it Dad! We'll definitely have to come back and visit together :) There are tons of big squirrels, deer, turkeys, I even saw a vulture or buzzard or something eating a squirrel on the road lol
We live with members (the McCollams). We just live upstairs and share a kitchen and what not. It's really awesome! I don't know what my new mailing address is actually. I have just been putting the mission office address as the return address on the letters I've been getting ready to send out.
A typical day is getting up, exercising, showering, studying, breakfast in there sometime, then going out and having teaching appointments or doing some tracting and member visits etc. Then dinner with a member then continue with appointments until we return to the house and do planning for the next day. Then we have about an hour to do whatever. Then bed.
Still snow?! Holy cow! The weather here is really nice. 60's and 70's mostly. No, Mom, I didn't turn off the water for April Fool's, but my companion told me that I was being transferred already and had to pack up. He was pretty convincing but he's too nice so he just said April Fools a few seconds later.
I definitely miss having G&G over for dinner, but I'm meeting new people every day who are so hospitable and loving. I really feel like I recognize them and have known them before. (I'm sure I have) It's a testiment to me that this is where I'm supposed to be.
The referral center really is an awesome place. It helps the missionaries in the field so much so they don't have to spend all of their time finding.
Yup, we watched conference here with the McCollams for all but the Saturday afternoon and Priesthood sessions. We watched those at another member's house and the stake center. That's awesome that my friends joined you :D That's cool about Belen's Spanish lesson. I hope that you all listened to Elder Perry's talk in Conference on Sunday. We as missionaries were cheering Elder Perry on! lol, the member missionary work really is SO beneficial to us. We really do need the help of the members.
Speaking of Conference. Wasn't it amazing?! I loved it. Maybe it was because I'm a missionary and maybe it's because they just keeping getting better, but either way it was really good :)
The mission president gave me great advice on sharing my testimony and said to make it more personal. Don't be too generic. I think we can all improve in that area.
I'm glad things at home are good :) I actually already knew that, I could just feel it. I haven't received any mail since I left the MTC but I've just felt like everything is fine. I know the Lord is taking care of you and you are in GREAT hands.
OH MY GOSH!!! I'VE BEEN DYING FOR SETH TO GET HIS MISSION CALL! Tell him CONGRATULATIONS! from me. That is SO SO SO cool! I bet he's pumped!
Thanks for the hello from the Olsons. Tell them hello back :)
Dad, I'm glad you love hearing my stories. I'm not very good at telling them. I get bored of typing or writing lol. But I've made sure to do well at writing in my journal so that is why I am going to send a photocopy of the week's entries. It's fun to be able to have stories to go along with yours :) I love being able to read your letters, they make me smile a ton.
You are an awesome example Dad. You don't always have to have a smile on to be happy :) I pretty much lost it when you told me to think of Mom lol what a pansy I am ;) Anyway, she is such an awesome example of diligently perservering with patience. Somebody that a missionary like me could definitely learn from.
I feel your prayers every day. I have never felt the Spirit stronger. My favorite is when the little kids will pray and pray for the missionaries, it nearly brings me to tears every time. If only they really knew how much their prayers really do. Thank you for everything.
I love you and miss you tons!
Love,
Elder Jay Davis
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I had such a good time talking to you two on the phone. It truly made my day. I'm glad that just hearing my voice gets you excited ;)
I haven't gotten any mail since I left the MTC but that's ok :) I have been doing really well.It was awesome to open my inbox and have like 5 or 6 emails from the family so thank you :)
This week has been AWESOME! I love it out here. I am sending you a handwritten letter today as well that has a little detail about what's gone on and I am going to send you some photocopies of my journal (don't worry, nothing very personal) since it basically tells what's gone on so I don't have to rewrite/type it all. So I know you're going to be disappointed by this but you're just going to have to be patient and wait until tomorrow or Wednesday when I can get the letter and journal entries sent to hear very much detail about what's going on out here.
Our statistics kind of sucked because we only had Wednesday through Sunday and it's really hard to get lessons out here as it is cuz it's a small community. Um...interesting stories...well I went on exchanges and we taught this guy who recently got baptized but is having issues because he's upset with the bishop. This guy, Clayton, is madly in love with a 19 year old girl in the ward and is all creepy about it (he's like 56). Anyway, other interesting stories...the members STUFF us! lol, we have yet to have a night where we didn't have dinner provided! In fact Saturday we had every meal provided for us! The members take such good care of us.
I'm in a car area :D Haven't even taken the bike out of the box. My companion's name is Elder Ryan Neeley. He's from Providence, UT (Logan area). He is friends with one of my roommates from the MTC. He's a fun guy who loves to ski. He is an awesome trainer.
We are in an area called Foresthill. It reminds me somewhat of Provo Canyon. You'd LOVE it Dad! We'll definitely have to come back and visit together :) There are tons of big squirrels, deer, turkeys, I even saw a vulture or buzzard or something eating a squirrel on the road lolWe live with members (the McCollams). We just live upstairs and share a kitchen and what not. It's really awesome! I don't know what my new mailing address is actually. I have just been putting the mission office address as the return address on the letters I've been getting ready to send out.A typical day is getting up, exercising, showering, studying, breakfast in there sometime, then going out and having teaching appointments or doing some tracting and member visits etc. Then dinner with a member then continue with appointments until we return to the house and do planning for the next day. Then we have about an hour to do whatever. Then bed.
Still snow?! Holy cow! The weather here is really nice. 60's and 70's mostly. No, Mom, I didn't turn off the water for April Fool's, but my companion told me that I was being transferred already and had to pack up. He was pretty convincing but he's too nice so he just said April Fools a few seconds later.
I definitely miss having G&G over for dinner, but I'm meeting new people every day who are so hospitable and loving. I really feel like I recognize them and have known them before. (I'm sure I have) It's a testiment to me that this is where I'm supposed to be.
The referral center really is an awesome place. It helps the missionaries in the field so much so they don't have to spend all of their time finding.
Yup, we watched conference here with the McCollams for all but the Saturday afternoon and Priesthood sessions. We watched those at another member's house and the stake center. That's awesome that my friends joined you :D That's cool about Belen's Spanish lesson. I hope that you all listened to Elder Perry's talk in Conference on Sunday. We as missionaries were cheering Elder Perry on! lol, the member missionary work really is SO beneficial to us. We really do need the help of the members.
Speaking of Conference. Wasn't it amazing?! I loved it. Maybe it was because I'm a missionary and maybe it's because they just keeping getting better, but either way it was really good :)
The mission president gave me great advice on sharing my testimony and said to make it more personal. Don't be too generic. I think we can all improve in that area.
I'm glad things at home are good :) I actually already knew that, I could just feel it. I haven't received any mail since I left the MTC but I've just felt like everything is fine. I know the Lord is taking care of you and you are in GREAT hands.
OH MY GOSH!!! I'VE BEEN DYING FOR SETH TO GET HIS MISSION CALL! Tell him CONGRATULATIONS! from me. That is SO SO SO cool! I bet he's pumped!
Thanks for the hello from the Olsons. Tell them hello back :)
Dad, I'm glad you love hearing my stories. I'm not very good at telling them. I get bored of typing or writing lol. But I've made sure to do well at writing in my journal so that is why I am going to send a photocopy of the week's entries. It's fun to be able to have stories to go along with yours :) I love being able to read your letters, they make me smile a ton.
You are an awesome example Dad. You don't always have to have a smile on to be happy :) I pretty much lost it when you told me to think of Mom lol what a pansy I am ;) Anyway, she is such an awesome example of diligently perservering with patience. Somebody that a missionary like me could definitely learn from.
I feel your prayers every day. I have never felt the Spirit stronger. My favorite is when the little kids will pray and pray for the missionaries, it nearly brings me to tears every time. If only they really knew how much their prayers really do. Thank you for everything.
I love you and miss you tons!
Love,
Elder Jay Davis
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