9-30-13

Annie’s Letter

Dear family! Hello! I just love each and EVERY ONE OF YOU SO MUCH! You're just the greatest! :-) I am so lucky to have you all in my life! Thanks for the emails, I love hearing from you guys!
This week was SO AWESOME! It was a little crazy, what week isn't!? Haha, that's the way we like it! We are definitely kept on our toes!
Ben's baptism was so wonderful. There was so much ward support, there were over 80 people there!  We were very thankful. His family really felt the spirit, they loved the baptism. We will be seeing them soon :-) On Saturday was another baptism for the Mt. Vernon 3 sisters. I was so happy. They have been working so hard! The young man that was baptized WAS a part member family. That family has come so far. It's just awesome. Yesterday, both boys got confirmed, received the gift of the holy ghost, and received that Aaronic Priesthood. It was a very special experience. Chance's dad received the Aaronic priesthood just before Chance did and so his dad was able to ordain him. It was amazing. And Ben was just beaming, he was so excited. Later last night, we had a lesson with another investigator at the church and Ben was there. He said the opening prayer and gave thanks that he was able to receive the Priesthood and be a member of the church. It has been so incredible to see these boys grow. Ben is so completely different than he was. The first time we met him he was angry and not thankful for anything. It was really sad. But now he is happy and thankful and just has such a different attitude. I love it. The gospel really does change lives. It is amazing! How could this gospel not be true? It brings so much happiness and peace! That alone should be enough for people to want it! But there is so much more to it as well! I just absolutely love it! :-)

We got a phone call late Wednesday night from the assistants asking us to go to OSU to help with the new missionary training that was going on. We were thrilled! Our part was to take around the new missionaries on campus and just contact people. It was so fun! I was super lost because the campus is HUGE and so I pretty much just asked people where stuff was to talk to them. It was awesome, we had some great conversations about the church. The elders got LOTS of referrals that day! It was a lot of fun!

Yesterday, we weren't really sure who was going to come to church, we had some people who said they were coming but we weren't sold on it... so we were doing everything we could to get them there! Short of kidnapping of course. Because that would be a felony and then they would probably send us home early and we can't have that! All of the sudden Seanace texted us and asked for a ride to church! Okay!! And then Jack, who wasn't going to come because his 5 year old daughter didn't want to go, showed up as well! They didn't stay for the whole time but they still came and so we were happy! When we are obedient and do EVERYTHING the Lord and the mission president asks us to, miracles happen! I'm so sad I only have 2 weeks left in beautiful Mt. Vernon.

Last night we were home and getting ready for bed and our phone rings...PRESIDENT NILSEN! So we answer it and he said "Sisters, you know I'm not supposed to have favorites, right?" We said "we recognize that.." And then he told us that he left a bottle of his very own experimental homemade pickles for us at the Weaver's house. haha. We are very excited. He just called to tell us that he loves us and was thinking about us. I love President Nilsen. He is the greatest ever! Mom and dad I am so excited for you to meet him! Everyone else...you'll have to wait!

Okay, now for the water poisoning story... I drank at least a gallon of water in about 40 minutes on Friday. It was a little crazy. By the end I was a little lightheaded, but I got free pie out of it! Haha. We were at dinner with a member and the waiter just kept bringing out water and saying things like "finish that one!" Well, you know me...I'm too competitive for my own good. So I finished like 4 and he said "finish this one, and dessert is on the house" so I did. And won. And then he brought out another glass and I finished that one too! It was so funny! We even got to talk about the gospel and our work as missionaries! Of course! We left a card. Someday he will get baptized. I drank enough water to fill up his font I'm pretty sure! haha. It was funny. :-)

Mom and Dad- Shaun and Katie live real close. Like super close. ElDee lives close to Springfield so we'll be able to see her too! Everyone in Mt. Vernon is excited for you guys to come! It will be awesome! I definitely want to go to the Temple. You have to call and make reservations. And yes, bring your own clothes. :-)

Megan and Justin- what color is Beaudee's room? And which room is is? The craft room or the hunting room?

Natalie and Jon-I'm glad things are going well for you guys! Keep up the great work! Remember to have lots of fun!

Rachel-good luck with marching band! You'll be awesome! I can't believe you're a senior, it still blows my mind! Have fun!
I love you all SO MUCH! Hope you have a great week! See you in a month!

Annie

Landon’s Letter

So Hamilton is doing great. I love the ward, people, and work that is going on here. Things are pretty interesting and different in contrast. The people here are so humble compared to those in Windsor. It is crazy how much more humble they are. They actually will sit down and talk to us or even just talk in general. So I am excited to be here. There are some crazy people here in Hamilton. The joke of being here is It's a rare occasion to meet a "normal person" here. It's one of a kind I will leave it at that.

We are working with some pretty cool people but they don't live in the best of conditions. That is how a lot of houses here are. I have seen in just my first week house beetles, cockroaches, and also bedbugs. It's not so good. I found a bedbug on my chair back in our apartment after I took of my pants and put them on the chair. So far that is the only one I have found so fingers crossed that it was only a lone bug I brought in. 

We also got to go to the temple this week. It was so awesome! I loved it it was amazing!

Rachel- I hope that you do well on your solo in marching band. Let me now how it goes. Good luck with school work and everything you are doing. Do something with Captain America or you could do Captain Canuck for me ;)

Natalie & Jon- Wow you guys really had a movie week last week huh? That is good. Nice job in being in the Library for so long. Your hard work will pay off! Enjoy the time you have there!

Annie- I hope things are going great for you in your area. Keep up the awesome work. Is your extension for a full transfer? I can't believe that time has flew so fast.

Megan & Justin- Glad you finished painting Beaudee's room. What else are you planning on doing in the room? Which room is it the one on the right or left? Love you!

Mom- I heard that the broad cast was good so I am glad you enjoyed it. I hope that things for school are doing well. That is awesome how you are using that!

Dad- Thanks for the football updates. I guess it will be a close year for Lyman vs. Mountain View. So it should be good this year. Wow you and Mom are just going to travel all around the East coast that is awesome!

I love you all!

Love your favorite Brother, Son, and Elder 

Elder Landon Webb