Hey Dad,
I'm doing really well. Things are quite busy. We have a LOT of investigators. They don't all have tons of potential but hey, we'll do our best.
I'm sorry that you are having issues with the MLS stuff at the BYU 94th Ward lol (I really am sorry, I was laughing that it's the 94th ward). My District Leader, Elder Hagmann, goes home at the end of this transfer and he went to BYU for two years before his mission (he graduated way early from high school) so he knows a lot of the stuff about BYU. He wonders what stake you are a part of. Hopefully you got the correct file :)
Which temple dedication was this week? Remember I don't get much news, even church related. That's interesting that they didn't have church because of it.
That's awesome that you took a mini vacation to SLC. Sounds like you had a really nice time. Yummy meals, fun movies (You didn't say which movies), awesome activities at the Boondocks (which I've seen but never been to), great NASCAR stuff, the whole sh'bang ;) I was confused as to who the boy"s" were but then you mentioned Josh so I got it.
WOW, sounds like a really really crazy upcoming set of events with the BYU Stake and Ward! It also sounds like tons and tons of fun. I know you'll be really great at your calling. You have always loved working with younger generations, this'll just be yet another opportunity for you :D I'm so excited to continue hearing about it.
I am definitely keeping busy out here. Lots of lessons, lots of people, not a lot of baptisms, but that's okay. Ultimately that is our goal, but it doesn't mean we're unsuccessful if we don't get all that many.
I'm glad you got the memory card :) I'm looking forward to hearing your feedback and hearing the feedback of others who see them lol Should be interesting.
Good luck with the busy schedule you've got :)
Love,
Elder Jay Davis
Hi Mom,
The teaching is going great. We got 19 lessons this week. We were short 1 lesson from the mission goal but that's okay. We are still doing a lot of stuff up here and are very busy which is wonderful.
That's so crazy that school has already started once again! I'm glad Kody is happy and enjoying himself. From Dad's email it surely sounded like he's working his tail off harder than usual ;)
That's really cool that you went to the school Friday and got you introduced to all of the students so that they can get used to what's going to be the norm. I miss getting to pop in on occasion :)
Sounds like a good idea stealing one last weekend for vacation :) Slick track, bumper boats, mini golf, lazer tag, arcade games...AHHH! Trunky thoughts lol ;) Sounds like you had such a blast! We might go bowling sometime for P-day.
That's so cool that you got a message from Melissa :D I can't help but smile really big. Little Jason definitely seems to like his missionaries a lot and also seems to pick favorites lol. However, he knows all of our names really well. I am constantly amazed at how well all of the kids remember the missionaries' names and that they are so excited to be around us.
lol, well thanks for keeping your email short, I'm extra short on time this week anyway because we got a late start emailing. So it's a good thing you kept it short so I can at least get to some of my email topics :D
I love you!
Elder Jay Davis
Howdy,
Well I have to make this quick but I want to write about at least a few of the "Email Topics" that I have compiled to write about. Maybe I'll spread it out and share a few this week, a few next week, and so on so that I have stories for longer and I can just keep adding and taking away from the list. (That got pretty long-winded for having to keep it quick)
First, Elder Cellan and I were tracting a street (Birchwood...Dr.?) (Stupid California streets, lol). As we were walking we passed a guy walking his dog with his teenage son. Well the guy said something along the lines of, "You see that house right there...it doesn't accept soliciting. That house right there does not accept any soliciting." He basically repeated himself like four times, but never said, "Just don't go to that house." It was pretty hilarious.
Okay, so the next thing I'm going to tell you about will be somewhat of a regular occurance (sp?). So in town there is a church called Canyon View Assembly. They are one of those that has the sign out front with little sayings that change periodically. Well they are unique because their sayings are fun but still thought provoking. So my companions and I have gotten some pretty good laughs out of some of the sayings. So I have a few of the ones that have been on there so far. The first I have written down is, "Can't stand the heat? Prepare to avoid it." The next is, "Too hot? This church is prayer conditioned." Another really good one that I just remembered (with Elder Cellan's help) is, "Seven days without prayer makes one weak." Anyway, I'll keep you posted on those. Actually, the most current one on the sign is, "Don't be so open-minded that your brains fall out." I lied...they just changed it I remembered, the current one is, "Feeling worn down, come in for a service." Anyway, fun stuff.
I think that'll suffice for this week. That's only two out of the eleven that I had written down so those should last for a while ;) (It's also time for me to get going lol)
Love you all tons,
Elder Jay Davis
Monday, August 24, 2009
August 17, 2009
Hi Mom,
We were glad to have taught so many lessons. Guess what, this week we accomplished the mission standard of 20 again :D We are very excited. I know, lots of new investigators, not all of them are super promising but we have hopes that they will feel the spirit and be converted, just like you said.
Splits were great, it didn't really remind me much of when I did them at home because both times I went with adults. In fact, one of the times I went with Bro. McCollam. That was a pretty funny experience. I have a whole list of "Email Topics" that I haven't written about up to this point so I will send a single email with all of those to you and Kody and Dad that you can each forward and post on the blog or whatever.
Man, it's going to be weird having school started, I haven't really had to get used to anybody being in school but now I'm going to have to get used to it. It'll probably be a different experience even for me ;)
Yeah, sushi isn't all it's cut out to be by those who like it but it's also not as nasty as some say it is. That's SO cool that you and Lynne are V.T. companions! Sounds like some awesome stuff with the sisters you visit. I wish the branch here was a little bit more faithful about some of that stuff (it's kind of on the extremes, either they're really good or not good at all).
Thanks for the wonderful email Mom.
I love you!
Elder Jay Davis
Hey Dad,
I'm glad you got the letters and enjoyed them.
I'm glad you liked the little card from Elder Cellan. I didn't actually read it. Grandma also mentioned that it was good but I have no idea what it said lol. I'm glad he complimented me though and he is definitely a thoughtful missionary.
I'm so excited for you to have your first week in the BYU ward with school officially going :D
That's HILARIOUS and totally typical of college students that you only have 53/150 information forms back! That would definitely be an awesome experience to get to read about each student! That's so cool how many are interested in music, that is probably pretty common at BYU though ;)
I was SO bummed that I wasn't able to see the cherry harvest this year. Especially since I heard it was incredible! We missed out together ;) I heard they tried doing some organic cherries over at the North Farm this year but Kody said they tasted like sour-y water lol I wonder what made them decide to try them.
Haha, you lucky duck getting to have football season start. I will be looking forward to very detailed updates about BYU football :)
Cycles in missionary work are definitely interesting. Things with investigators are going pretty well :) I have a list of "Email Topics" that have sort of piled up in my planner that I've forgotten to write about. I'll send out an email to the three of you that you can forward and post on the blog or whatever.
I love you Dad!
Love,
Elder Jay Davis
We were glad to have taught so many lessons. Guess what, this week we accomplished the mission standard of 20 again :D We are very excited. I know, lots of new investigators, not all of them are super promising but we have hopes that they will feel the spirit and be converted, just like you said.
Splits were great, it didn't really remind me much of when I did them at home because both times I went with adults. In fact, one of the times I went with Bro. McCollam. That was a pretty funny experience. I have a whole list of "Email Topics" that I haven't written about up to this point so I will send a single email with all of those to you and Kody and Dad that you can each forward and post on the blog or whatever.
Man, it's going to be weird having school started, I haven't really had to get used to anybody being in school but now I'm going to have to get used to it. It'll probably be a different experience even for me ;)
Yeah, sushi isn't all it's cut out to be by those who like it but it's also not as nasty as some say it is. That's SO cool that you and Lynne are V.T. companions! Sounds like some awesome stuff with the sisters you visit. I wish the branch here was a little bit more faithful about some of that stuff (it's kind of on the extremes, either they're really good or not good at all).
Thanks for the wonderful email Mom.
I love you!
Elder Jay Davis
Hey Dad,
I'm glad you got the letters and enjoyed them.
I'm glad you liked the little card from Elder Cellan. I didn't actually read it. Grandma also mentioned that it was good but I have no idea what it said lol. I'm glad he complimented me though and he is definitely a thoughtful missionary.
I'm so excited for you to have your first week in the BYU ward with school officially going :D
That's HILARIOUS and totally typical of college students that you only have 53/150 information forms back! That would definitely be an awesome experience to get to read about each student! That's so cool how many are interested in music, that is probably pretty common at BYU though ;)
I was SO bummed that I wasn't able to see the cherry harvest this year. Especially since I heard it was incredible! We missed out together ;) I heard they tried doing some organic cherries over at the North Farm this year but Kody said they tasted like sour-y water lol I wonder what made them decide to try them.
Haha, you lucky duck getting to have football season start. I will be looking forward to very detailed updates about BYU football :)
Cycles in missionary work are definitely interesting. Things with investigators are going pretty well :) I have a list of "Email Topics" that have sort of piled up in my planner that I've forgotten to write about. I'll send out an email to the three of you that you can forward and post on the blog or whatever.
I love you Dad!
Love,
Elder Jay Davis
Monday, August 10, 2009
August 10, 2009
I was very glad to stay in Foresthill :)
Thank you for keeping all of my letters and "stuff" haha :D I won't let it keep me from writing in my journal. Sleep is what is keeping me from writing in my journal ;) I am definitely trying hard to take more pictures. I am still taking some videos here and there. So far there aren't a TON of things to take pictures of. I will definitely get pictures with people this transfer because my guess is that I'll get transferred this coming transfer.
Lessons are going pretty well. We had 21 lessons the week of July 20 - July 26! It was awesome, the mission standard is 20 so we FINALLY reached it and even surpassed it. The next week we got 15 and then this week we got 14 which is pretty average across the mission I'd say. In our defense, we picked up EIGHT new investigators this week! Aimee we weren't able to meet with this week because we couldn't get anything scheduled but we are going to meet with her this week at least Tuesday since we have dinner with them that night. I am going to do "splits" for the first time on Tuesday as well so that should be fun :D
That's good that your weather has suddenly cooled down. Ours did too this week and it's been SUPER DUPER nice. I've had a blanket on every night this week :D Then I even got to where my hoodie one morning! I was so excited! It's starting to warm up again unfortunately and supposedly it's supposed to get back into the 90's :P Oh well, I've pretty well aclimatized (sp?) to California's heat so I was actually pretty cold this past week but I loved it :D
That is AWESOME about the cherry harvest! I have been talking a lot about it lately. In fact, last night I explained it to a family (of adults) that we are teaching and they thought it was fascinating and incredible how many cherries we pick. That's INSANE that they have been getting a bin every 5 trees or LESS! That just blows my mind. We were excited for 5-7 trees let alone less than 5! WOW am I jealous. I'd love to be working right now because I love when it's just non-stop driving with no waiting.
I am definitely happy, healthy, and enjoying life.
I love you back :D
Love,
Elder Davis
Thank you for keeping all of my letters and "stuff" haha :D I won't let it keep me from writing in my journal. Sleep is what is keeping me from writing in my journal ;) I am definitely trying hard to take more pictures. I am still taking some videos here and there. So far there aren't a TON of things to take pictures of. I will definitely get pictures with people this transfer because my guess is that I'll get transferred this coming transfer.
Lessons are going pretty well. We had 21 lessons the week of July 20 - July 26! It was awesome, the mission standard is 20 so we FINALLY reached it and even surpassed it. The next week we got 15 and then this week we got 14 which is pretty average across the mission I'd say. In our defense, we picked up EIGHT new investigators this week! Aimee we weren't able to meet with this week because we couldn't get anything scheduled but we are going to meet with her this week at least Tuesday since we have dinner with them that night. I am going to do "splits" for the first time on Tuesday as well so that should be fun :D
That's good that your weather has suddenly cooled down. Ours did too this week and it's been SUPER DUPER nice. I've had a blanket on every night this week :D Then I even got to where my hoodie one morning! I was so excited! It's starting to warm up again unfortunately and supposedly it's supposed to get back into the 90's :P Oh well, I've pretty well aclimatized (sp?) to California's heat so I was actually pretty cold this past week but I loved it :D
That is AWESOME about the cherry harvest! I have been talking a lot about it lately. In fact, last night I explained it to a family (of adults) that we are teaching and they thought it was fascinating and incredible how many cherries we pick. That's INSANE that they have been getting a bin every 5 trees or LESS! That just blows my mind. We were excited for 5-7 trees let alone less than 5! WOW am I jealous. I'd love to be working right now because I love when it's just non-stop driving with no waiting.
I am definitely happy, healthy, and enjoying life.
I love you back :D
Love,
Elder Davis
August 4,2009
Hi Mom,
I knew you'd be antsy. I was imagining you pacing and what not and it was pretty funny to picture :D I wasn't sure if you'd be worried or not but I figured there wasn't anything I could do about that anyway ;) I was glad to have made arrangements for Tuesday as well. Sorry it's Tuesday again this week. Luckily our members are home now so we are emailing from their house and things will be back to normal.
Speaking of which, both Elder Cellan and I are staying at least another transfer (6 weeks) here in Foresthill.
I know I will be kicking myself later for not writing in my journal. I hope you are saving all of my emails and all of the blog entries and all of my written letters. Those are about as good as any journal. So that will at least make up for what I haven't written up to this point. The problem is that we get home and then plan for our next day which takes us like 45 min. at least. Plus, we're so warn out by then that I just usually fall asleep. I've been trying to motivate myself to do better but I have been relatively unsuccessful thus far ;)
There have been a lot of people coming to church for sure. This week not so much but next week should theoretically be better again.
It's okay that we didn't get to go to the mines with Ben last week because we got to yesterday :D It was really hot, but really fun. We went in one mine that was pretty wet and muddy but we were able to avoid getting very dirty (they were tall enough you could pretty much stand all the way up in most places). Just like in the movies there were bats in them. That creeped me out a little bit but it was enjoyable. We were in the first one and started down it and a good ways in there was just a HORDE of bats on the ceiling and flying around ahead of us! It was SICK! So we decided we weren't going to try to walk through/past them. Needless to say we turned around and went back. That was a bummer because that was the one Ben knew the best to show us. Oh well, we went in a couple others. One of which had a pretty narrow entrance that you had to slide in on your back sort of like Nutty Putty Caves. It was fun to get into and it took us down to a place where we had tried to hike down to earlier but there was no way for us to get down there so we went in the other end and came out there. Then we turned around and came out where we got in. It was pretty fun stuff. The pond was basically all dried up at this point but it still existed ;) We had fun. We also played Phase 10 and part of Monopoly with Ben afterwards. About the week before I wasn't really heartbroken and only Elder Cellan and I played Trivial Pursuit and he actually won by one question. I was ahead most of the game though. That's okay :D
I'm sorry that your week was strange. At least it was anticipated. I'm sorry it was so lonely. If there's one thing I really can't stand it's when you just have to sit around being quiet because you don't want to disturb somebody.
That's pretty funny that the Adams yard got so elaborately TPed. The ironic thing is that we were just having a conversation about TPing last night. Here in the branch it's actually an activity that even the parents participate in and take their kids out to TP other branch members who they know will be okay with it. Then if there are difficulties cleaning it up they go help. They also said it's kind of fun trying to figure out who did it. It was pretty funny for me to listen to since you and Dad had such a different opinion as I was growing up :)
Honestly, I haven't taken a heck of a lot of pictures. It's really hard to find time to take pictures, especially at times when I won't "look like a tourist." I have taken a decent amount of videos though. I have found that it's pretty nice to be able to just explain what I am showing you instead of taking a picture where you have no idea what it is supposed to be. I will try to do better about taking pictures. I will get a few more pictures and videos and send the memory card next P-day hopefully. I'm really behind on letter-writing too so please forgive me and mention to anybody you talk to and post on the blog, that I am behind and apologize. I haven't forgotten people. Thanks.
I dunno, the McCollams said that it was 100 degrees in SLC every day they were there and it's only been in the high 80's and mid 90's this week here :D You're smart to walk during the cool hours of the morning. Convincing yourself is the hardest part, I know for myself :D
Elder Cellan and I both got the packages and really enjoyed them. Just to inform you so you don't send me any more, those Pringles Pizza Stix were NASTY but so far everything else has been good :D Thanks so much for the package. We have had lots of fun with them.
I love you back and I'll do my best to keep up the good work.
Love,
Elder Jay Davis
Hi Dad,
Wow! You really are working a ton!
Things here are good. The members we live with are finally home from vacation so hopefully that'll free us of at least a little extra responsibility. We are both staying in Foresthill so I will have been here 6 months by the end of this transfer! Crazy huh! I am glad to be able to stay at least another 6 weeks. I will definitely miss the first branch but I'm sure you're right that it'll be a good experience to change.
Things have actually been much less hot up here this past week. It's been hot but not as bad. I'm glad to have the new shirts that Mom sent me. I don't have to wear any long sleeve shirts throughout the week :) No new details since I'm in the same area with the same companion.
I think that Foresthill has experienced a lot of progress and just as you said I have in return received a lot of growth. Even the members of the branch that I work the closest with notice that. Brother Ensey is always telling me how I came in this shy little thing and now I'm just doing really well and have grown a ton. Brother Bond tells me similar stuff. I really love those two guys.
I love you back and miss you tons. I hope, other than being tired, you are happy and well also.
Love,
Elder Jay Davis
I knew you'd be antsy. I was imagining you pacing and what not and it was pretty funny to picture :D I wasn't sure if you'd be worried or not but I figured there wasn't anything I could do about that anyway ;) I was glad to have made arrangements for Tuesday as well. Sorry it's Tuesday again this week. Luckily our members are home now so we are emailing from their house and things will be back to normal.
Speaking of which, both Elder Cellan and I are staying at least another transfer (6 weeks) here in Foresthill.
I know I will be kicking myself later for not writing in my journal. I hope you are saving all of my emails and all of the blog entries and all of my written letters. Those are about as good as any journal. So that will at least make up for what I haven't written up to this point. The problem is that we get home and then plan for our next day which takes us like 45 min. at least. Plus, we're so warn out by then that I just usually fall asleep. I've been trying to motivate myself to do better but I have been relatively unsuccessful thus far ;)
There have been a lot of people coming to church for sure. This week not so much but next week should theoretically be better again.
It's okay that we didn't get to go to the mines with Ben last week because we got to yesterday :D It was really hot, but really fun. We went in one mine that was pretty wet and muddy but we were able to avoid getting very dirty (they were tall enough you could pretty much stand all the way up in most places). Just like in the movies there were bats in them. That creeped me out a little bit but it was enjoyable. We were in the first one and started down it and a good ways in there was just a HORDE of bats on the ceiling and flying around ahead of us! It was SICK! So we decided we weren't going to try to walk through/past them. Needless to say we turned around and went back. That was a bummer because that was the one Ben knew the best to show us. Oh well, we went in a couple others. One of which had a pretty narrow entrance that you had to slide in on your back sort of like Nutty Putty Caves. It was fun to get into and it took us down to a place where we had tried to hike down to earlier but there was no way for us to get down there so we went in the other end and came out there. Then we turned around and came out where we got in. It was pretty fun stuff. The pond was basically all dried up at this point but it still existed ;) We had fun. We also played Phase 10 and part of Monopoly with Ben afterwards. About the week before I wasn't really heartbroken and only Elder Cellan and I played Trivial Pursuit and he actually won by one question. I was ahead most of the game though. That's okay :D
I'm sorry that your week was strange. At least it was anticipated. I'm sorry it was so lonely. If there's one thing I really can't stand it's when you just have to sit around being quiet because you don't want to disturb somebody.
That's pretty funny that the Adams yard got so elaborately TPed. The ironic thing is that we were just having a conversation about TPing last night. Here in the branch it's actually an activity that even the parents participate in and take their kids out to TP other branch members who they know will be okay with it. Then if there are difficulties cleaning it up they go help. They also said it's kind of fun trying to figure out who did it. It was pretty funny for me to listen to since you and Dad had such a different opinion as I was growing up :)
Honestly, I haven't taken a heck of a lot of pictures. It's really hard to find time to take pictures, especially at times when I won't "look like a tourist." I have taken a decent amount of videos though. I have found that it's pretty nice to be able to just explain what I am showing you instead of taking a picture where you have no idea what it is supposed to be. I will try to do better about taking pictures. I will get a few more pictures and videos and send the memory card next P-day hopefully. I'm really behind on letter-writing too so please forgive me and mention to anybody you talk to and post on the blog, that I am behind and apologize. I haven't forgotten people. Thanks.
I dunno, the McCollams said that it was 100 degrees in SLC every day they were there and it's only been in the high 80's and mid 90's this week here :D You're smart to walk during the cool hours of the morning. Convincing yourself is the hardest part, I know for myself :D
Elder Cellan and I both got the packages and really enjoyed them. Just to inform you so you don't send me any more, those Pringles Pizza Stix were NASTY but so far everything else has been good :D Thanks so much for the package. We have had lots of fun with them.
I love you back and I'll do my best to keep up the good work.
Love,
Elder Jay Davis
Hi Dad,
Wow! You really are working a ton!
Things here are good. The members we live with are finally home from vacation so hopefully that'll free us of at least a little extra responsibility. We are both staying in Foresthill so I will have been here 6 months by the end of this transfer! Crazy huh! I am glad to be able to stay at least another 6 weeks. I will definitely miss the first branch but I'm sure you're right that it'll be a good experience to change.
Things have actually been much less hot up here this past week. It's been hot but not as bad. I'm glad to have the new shirts that Mom sent me. I don't have to wear any long sleeve shirts throughout the week :) No new details since I'm in the same area with the same companion.
I think that Foresthill has experienced a lot of progress and just as you said I have in return received a lot of growth. Even the members of the branch that I work the closest with notice that. Brother Ensey is always telling me how I came in this shy little thing and now I'm just doing really well and have grown a ton. Brother Bond tells me similar stuff. I really love those two guys.
I love you back and miss you tons. I hope, other than being tired, you are happy and well also.
Love,
Elder Jay Davis
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