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