Week 24

July 29, 2013

Hey everyone! 

This week was looooong. My companion had his surgery on Tuesday and he hasn't been able to do anything!!! He left the house for the first time on Sunday to go to church. Its not his fault. it looks painful. I did get to do about 3 transfers with other companionship's and work a little bit. Other than that not much could happen this week. It sucked. It felt like the biggest waste of time. But its not our fault so. So last night we found out the changes!!!! I'm going to be staying in the same area and be training!! so Wednesday when all the new missionaries come in, I'll meet him. It's fun, they have this huge orientation thing with all the new missionaries and President and Sister Dyer and we play games, introduce ourselves, eat lunch and dinner and welcome them to the mission! I'm excited for that!! It was fun when i did it my first day! Now I can't wait to go and talk and be more comfortable haha and those girls from Grandma Sharon's ward will be there, so it will be nice to finally meet them! Hermana Hill and Hermana Gardiner I believe are their names. Anyways that's whats going on around here! I cant wait to hear from y'all!! 

Mom:

Hi babe!  At least you are able to leave the house this week!! I am so excited that you will be staying in the same area! And will be a trainer! That's great!  Is it normal for someone to train that early on in your mission?  And I bet you are so looking forward to going to the Mission home and get to participate in all the fun festivities!!  (that makes up for being home bound this week)

Kyler:

Hi!! I'm excited too!! no its kinda rare apparently. haha idk about other missions but here all the other missionaries are telling me that's way early and they've only seen that like one other time!! but hey I'm okay with it!! haha how is everyone doing?? oh and.............HAPPY BIRTHDAY BERKLEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) I LOVE AND MISS YOU!! i hope you had an amazing day!!! :) crap.....you're growing up,......driving and high school in the same week. no me gusta!!!!!! 

Mom:

Well, that is awesome! Apparently President Dyer believes in you and knows that you can do it! How exciting! If you are not completely fluent, you will be very soon!!

{We started having some problems with the internet and it was a little frustrating!!}

Kyler:

Hey i don't know whats up but the connection today sucks. and i don't have a whole lot of time left. But I just want to say I love and miss you all. I cant believe Berkley is 15 haha wow. I went off about her in my journal last night hahaha oh and about the baptisms on my birthday, they all fell through because they didn't come to church. They have to attend church at least 3 time before being baptized but we are going to work on that this week!!! alrighty!!! i love you all!! bye!! until next week!! :) hasta luego!!! 

Mom:

How are you doing money wise? Do you have everything that you need.  I guess I should tell you happy birthday right now, since we won't get to talk on your birthday! So HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!  The big 2-0!

Kyler:

haha thanks!! i cant believe I'm going to be 20. yeah I'm good money wise!!

Mom:

Well, I don't think the email is working too good right now.  I know that you are probably running out of time. So. I just want to say my goodbyes in case it doesn't straighten itself out.  I love you with all my heart. I am extremely proud of you.  I am so excited for this week and for you being able to go to the mission home and have a day of fun! Good luck with your new companion! Remember to have patience and understanding with him.  It wasn't too long ago for you, so remember how you felt.  I know you will be an excellent trainer! You were born to lead, baby! Remember why you are there, and that you are in service of The Lord! I love you! Have a very happy birthday and we will chat soon.  Until next week! I LOVE YOU BUNCHES! 

Love - Mom

My district

Lunch at one of the members homes

Celebrating Elder Moss's last 2 days before he goes home in the pension with a giant pizza!!!!!! 

Week 23

July 22, 2013

Hey everyone!! I'm here!! 

This week was okay. Work wise it was great! i was sick all week with my companion. I'm pretty positive we both had strep throat. It sucked. We didn't go to the doctor because we basically were too lazy. so we basically just sucked it up! yesterday was my first day really getting over it! and today i feel great!! My companion ended up not taking out his teeth this week. we are going to do that tomorrow! we had to many important things to do to be stuck inside the house. this week week will be a little more calm so we waited. The work was great!! We had investigators at church and we got two people to commit to baptism! Milian, i believe i told you about her last week, told us that she has to stop talking to us because her kids told her our church is wrong and she needs to go to their church. haha wow. We tried to explain and help her. She was sad to tell us but she "had" to listen to her kids. She was so ready and prepared. We will continue to go back and check on her to see if she needs help with anything. We got dates for a girl named Carla! shes awesome! she came to church yesterday and loved it! Shes 21 and the people her age accepted her so well! it was great! her date is for my birthday too! also we have Jorge who is 14. we knocked his door and taught him! we went back and taught him again and he loved it. he  really likes us! we need to get him to church then we can baptize him! hopefully August 10th! I believe we were blessed for working through our sickness. That's one thing I've learned. The Lord blesses and watches his missionaries.  I had my interview with president this week! it went great! I love him so much! hes the greatest guy! it was normal stuff, but good! Transfers are this week! i actually asked president if i could stay one more transfer because i want to work a little longer here. so we will see what he says.He told me that my companion and i are for sure splitting up this time so we will see what happens! alrighty! that was my week!! Love Elder Berrett! 

This is my zona! Zona Cobija! we played against Zona Tykipia and killed them! haha we all have our jerseys minus a few new people!

our jerseys from behind! i got number 1 to represent my first zone!!

 this is me and elder Thurston after our victory! I scored 2 goals! and played goalie most the game!! i love goalie!! hahaha we won 8 to 3.

the guy in the black shirt is elder Moss. he goes home in 2 weeks! hes in the other zone but we share a the same pensionista so i know him really well. hes been a huge help to me on the mission. 

Also i finally go some new shoes! i got these brand new original nike frees for 300 bolivianos which is about 40 dollars! they're sweet! haha

Rick:

I was in my first area for 7 months. It was both awesome and hard at the same time. We had lots of success but it was very difficult to leave after getting to know so many good people. If you feel it's right, hopefully the president will grant you your wish and let you work there a little longer. If not, it's time to move on and work your butt off somewhere else. Change can be hard but also very good for you. Sometimes a fresh start is what you need to re-motivate yourself. Either way, the work is the same and the Lord will continue to bless you.

 I try to listen to the scriptures on my way into work. This morning reminded me of your sacrifice. I started in the New Testament and Jesus walked by the sea of Galilee and saw two men, Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting their nets into the sea. They were fishermen. Jesus said to them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. They immediately left their nets and followed him.

They basically left everything behind to follow the Lord and to preach his gospel. That's exactly what you have done. You have left everything, although temporary, to preach the gospel. We are so proud of you and your decision to leave everything behind for the Lord's sake. You keep doing what you're doing and don't worry about those things you've left. Your life will still be here when you get back and you will be blessed for doing what you have done.

Kyler:

ahh dad, i love that story. and i never thought of it that way. that makes me feel really good. I know the Lord will bless me.  Maybe in a way i don't know or I'm not expecting but i know He is aware of me. That's what keeps me going. 

Mom:

Dad is so right. Wherever you go, the Lords work continues. You will go (or stay) where you need to be. Change is good and a fresh start is always so nice. But, if you stay and are able to reach out and help those in your area, then it is for a reason! However, you will be getting a new companion, right? How do you feel about that?

Dad:

Any new favorite foods? Anything you just can't stand to eat? Do you feel obligated to eat certain things when at members homes? Are you enjoying the weather? Seems like it gets cold at night, is that right? Too cold or does it feel good?

Kyler:

The weather is great! perfect during the day and a little chilly in the night and morning! Food wise I'm great! I love everything!! I'm sick of rice but I'm used to it too! haha yep the debit card works!!

Mom:

Oh, I am so glad to hear the card worked. I have been worrying about it all week! I am sure you are getting tired of rice. But at least you are loving the food. It would be very hard if you didn't like the food. How is your Spanish?

Kyler:

The spanish is great!! I'm soooo close!!! president told me it was excellent!!   i actually have to go! I'm sorry! i love you so much! tell everyone i love and miss them so much!! tell Kayden to send me an email and I'll write him back!  i really miss him and my siblings. alrighty! bye for now!! until next week!! i love you all!!

Mom:

I love you more than you know.  You are such a great example to so many and definitely to me!  I appreciate all that you are giving to those in Bolivia.  I know you will do so many great things!  Thank you for sacrificing two years of your life to the Lords work!  I LOVE YOU!  Until next week!

Love - Mom

{dad logged off a little earlier!}

Week 22

July 15, 2013

yeah!! so this week was really good!! a whole lot of things clicked for me! the Spanish is almost there! give me one more month and it shouldn't be a problem whatsoever!! i love it!! i love talking with people! also I became really close with the ward as we had a big activity on Saturday with the whole stake! a huge dance festival actually! We spent all week helping the ward with their dances and helping set up because our building hosted it! it was so fun! i have pictures for y'all. also we taught like crazy this week! we've been working really hard with this one lady named Milian. She's about 65 years old and she's very depressed because her husband recently passed away. She was a reference from a member!  Yesterday we asked her to be baptized on Aug. 3!  She accepted!! hopefully I'll have a baptism on my birthday!!! i went to immigration's this week to renew my visa! I was illegal for a little bit but I'm all good now!!! haha that was my week!! normal!! next week will be slow and boring as my companion gets his wisdom teeth out tomorrow! so we probably will be stuck inside for a day or two.

He emailed me early in the morning to let me know that he received his debit card.  So I called the bank and got it all taken care of.  I know he was so happy to have finally got it!!  
{Without it, he has been on a very strict budget} :)

I also gave him email addresses of all his grandparents, so hopefully you will be hearing from him soon.

Mom:

Know that we love you to the moon and back. We are beyond blessed because of your service.  I can' t really explain why, we just are. So thank you for that!! Be prayerful in all that you do! Keep writing in your journal and making good use of your time. I am so happy that you are enjoying your time and that you are happy!  I can't tell you how nice it is for me to hear that you are doing well.  I love you so very much!  Love - Mom

Kyler:

I love you too! thanks so much. I'm glad y'all are receiving blessings. that makes all this worth it. i mean that. tell everyone hi and that i love them. Until next week! i love you all!

Elder Breezi

Week 21

July 8, 2013

Hi family 

My week was good! we got to do a session in the temple on Tuesday so that was great!! the week was pretty normal but we did find a few new investigators who seem really interested! and we were refferred to a woman who recently lost her husband. She requested to talk with us! Hopefully she is the one. We met with her once and it was great. she's truly prepared. the spirit was so strong. we meet again with her tonight! we couldn't baptize Henry because his dad doesn't think he's ready.  So we are waiting a few more weeks. The 4th of July sucked/was great! haha We weren't allowed to leave (for saftey reasons) because apparently the US and Bolivia aren't seeing eye to eye about something. I don't know what. Plus the fact that it was the 4th of July so president was just being safe i guess. so we stayed inside all day and washed clothes, cleaned and watched some mormon movies haha!

Dad:

Yeah - I remember having to stay in on the 4th as well. Hopefully she is the one! That would be awesome. Are you and the companion getting along okay? Do you still think you only have a few more weeks with him?

Kyler:

yeah we are doing better than ever!! he complimented me the other day. which was a first! he's kinda hard headed and doesn't give compliments to anyone. he told me my Spanish is really coming along and that i'm doing really well in the lessons! so that made me feel good! and yeah we should be done together in about 3 weeks! 

Dad:

I think Mom is at a dentist appointment. So, if she doesn't get on, that's why. Her and the kids got home from the beach on Saturday. They had a fun time but it rained just about the entire time down there. I will have her upload some pictures for you next week.

Kayden's team did okay in the 18U WWBA. Started off good and I think we ended up 2-3-1. We played a team from the West Coast who was easily the best team I have ever seen at that age. They are all top D1 players. They beat us 8-0. Kayden actually pitched one inning and did okay. Only gave up 1 run. We are going to Fort Myers on Thursday. We are excited. Will probably be the last time.

Kyler:

Aww man that sucks that it rained! at least they had a good time!!

Gosh i miss those days so much. I'd give anything to be in Fort Myers playing. Tell Kayden to enjoy every minute of it and to just play like its his last play every pitch. That's actually sad to think about that its the last time. man. haha Makes me want to cry. 

So i went to the Governement Clinic this week for a mandatory health exam for foreigners/immigrants! it went well! i got some blood taken out which was easy! i took it like a man! haha and and i did some other basic stuff! the nurse told me that i was one of the healthiest people she has ever seen go through there!! she said my heart was as perfect as can be and that my body index was perfect. 'Im currently 5'11 and 171 lbs!! haha told ya im growing!!! oh yeah!!!!

Dad:

Wow - you mean you've gotten a little taller? That's pretty cool! And 171lbs. That's the most you have ever weighed isn't it? The main thing is that your healthy. That's the best news!

Time is just flying by. Before we know it, summer will be over and the kids back in school. They start on August 7th, one month from now.  After Fort Myers, I go to Vegas for a week for our company convention. So, the summer is basically gone. It's amazing that 1/4 of your mission is almost gone! Crazy!

Kyler:

oh dang! summmer is almost gone!! thats crazy!! 

Yeah I'm almost one forth done!! actually i found out this week my date to come home is January 14th 2015!!! So I'm coming home a month early!!!

Dad:

I know Grandma Joan just sent you a birthday package. Let's hope it gets there. Mom is sending the one from us today. Hopefully, it all arrives with all of it's content. I know Mom took the laptop to Grandma's house yesterday to start working on your application. She would want me to tell you that so you know it's started.

Kyler:

oh okay sweet! hopefully they will get here! I'll let y'all know! and yeah thanks!! i was going to ask about the application!

Mom:

Hi babe! Sorry I missed you last week. It looks like I might miss you again this week. I'm getting on too late.

Kyler:

hey its okay! im here! i have about 30 minutes!! 

Dad:

So, what else is going on? How are your clothes holding up? Shoes? Did you ever buy yourself a new pair of tennis shoes? I'm guessing you haven't received your debit card yet. Make sure you let us know when you get it.

Hey, I was going to ask if what we are doing is okay? Are we supposed to be emailing back and forth like this? Do other missionaries chat live with their parents each week? Or are you just supposed to give us updates each week, kind of like a letter?

Kyler:

Yeah I'm healthy as can be!! haha 

yeah ill let yall know when i get it!! Hopefully this week! I'll get new shoes when that comes! i can buy Nike Frees for 35$ here so its cheap and nice! and they are 100% real! I love shopping here! haha 

yeah we are totally fine!! we can do this! some missionaries chat and some just write letters! this is was better!! haha

Mom:

I see you sent some pictures! YAY!!! I can't wait to look at them! I love you bunches!

{I was getting my teeth worked on and couldn't keep emailing!  That was really hard knowing that he was right there, and I couldn't do anything about it} :(

Kyler:

Thanks mom! i love and miss you too! i hope all is well with all of you!! stay safe and tell everyone that i love them!!

Dad:

Hey bud - I've got to go! If you have some extra time, email your grandma's and grandpa's. They would love to hear from you. Do you have all of their email addresses?

Anyway, like mom said, we are so proud of you! I know you are doing the work of our Heavenly Father. Don't ever forget that. He is always with you! He is so proud of you and I know He is grateful for taking two years out of your life to serve Him. Stay on your knees. Don't try to do it alone. You do all that you can do and then He will take you the rest of the way!

It's so weird, I LOVE Mondays!! I can't wait to hear from you each week. Thanks for the pictures!! We love pictures!! Until next week, I love you bud!

Kyler:

Thanks dad! i love you too! I don't have their emails! Help me out and send them to me this week please!

I love Mondays too! ill try to have more pictures next week! i love and miss you all tell everyone hi and that I love and miss them!! Until next week! i love you too!

Elder KB

Here are they pictures that he sent this week!

The first three are from the haircut that went horribly wrong!! 

{hence the very short hair in the other pictures}

{his face says it all....he's not very happy}

Bowling! We went with 5 zones! we took up the whole place!

This me and my companion at a lake we visited a few weeks ago.

My districts new soccer jerseys haha we made them ourselves! hahaha

Elder Watts from my MTC group from the temple this week! 

Me and our church building.

Me and a puppy at the house of some church members!! 

The new hat i bought last week! I walked past it in a store and i could not not buy it. its the braves!!! haha 

what the heck!! 

 

And a cow just taking a stroll through a nice neighborhood park. that's Bolivia for ya. 

Week 20

July 1, 2013

ehh, my week was okay. not a whole lot of success but we worked hard.  I talked to the president this morning, he stopped by and had to talk to the owners of our house, and he told us that he's proud of us and knows that our area is very difficult. our area was closed for a year or so. so that's why we had to start from scratch. i believe i told ya'll that there were two bad missionaries here before but that wasn't the case. we opened the area!!! i guess thats my lack of Spanish in my first week here! haha and he told us that when you open an area the success is always down. Like a good year or so until the baptisms really start to come! so that made me feel better about the situation! other than that my week was normal. we worked hard and taught 9 lessons. so that could be way better. but we did find about 4 new  people to teach! so we will see. i spoke again in church yesterday! haha it went well! i spoke for 10 minutes and all i took up there was my scriptures! haha im getting betting at the writing talks thing!! 

Dad:

That's pretty cool! That's one thing you really learn as a missionary is how to give talks.

I know it can be tough and you can feel down when you feel like you are not having success. I'm glad you got to talk to your mission president about it. Hopefully, that makes you feel better. Remember, "how great shall be your joy if you bring but ONE soul unto Christ".  That soul might not be baptized by you but you very well might be the one who plants the seed. Always remember that the success of your mission is not determined by the number of baptisms. If you do, you will be extremely disappointed. Just keep working hard. I know that you are and I am so proud of you.

Kyler:

yeah i have to remind myself of that everyday. i think being a baseball player helps. haha we always fail! 

but yeah we are going to continue to work hard! we have one more month together so we are going to make it count!!! 

Dad:

How do you know that you only have one more month together?

Speaking of baseball - TG is playing up in the 18u WWBA. We are 2-1-1 right now. They play at 2:00 today. Tomorrow, they play a team from the West Coast. They are all committed to colleges like UCLA, Arizona, Nebraska and such. They are kicking everybody's butt so it will be interesting to see how we match up.

Mom and the other kids are at the beach with Humps, Nugents and the Princes. I'm really jealous. I'm sure you are too. Don't get trunkie thinking about it. :)

Kyler:

I'm already trunkie thinking about it haha just kidding. 

well its rare that you stay with your trainer for more than your training and i finished that last transfer. 

so more than likely at the end of this transfer we will split up. 

thats awesome!! i hope they pull off an upset! they cant be nervous! they just have to expect to compete. gosh , i miss that so much you have no idea. i want to play so bad when i get home.

Dad:

How are your other investigators? You had a dad and his daughter that were coming to church. Are they still interested or did something happened there?

If it's meant to be, you'll play! There's no question you got the talent to play somewhere. Things have a way of working out. Any pictures this week??

Kyler:

thats was part of my disappointment...they are moving to the zone next to us....so we have to refer them. its okay! i think we are going to baptize a 11 year old boy this Saturday. that will be nice. he comes from a less active family of about 7 years who i love! they've been coming to church the past month so we are working on reactivating them and keeping them there!

yeah i keep telling myself that. 

no pictures. i have to buy an adaptor for my memory card because my USB isn't working.

Dad:

So now that you are not training anymore, what are your days like? You probably don't have the extended morning training sessions, do you?  Are you able to get out and start your days a little earlier?

Kyler:

yeah! we don't study until 12:30 anymore. we study until 10:30 and leave by 11! its a whole more work but i dont mind it! 

Dad:

Hey -  do they have siesta's there? Nap time? When I was in Chile, depending on where I was, a lot of the stores would shut down during the mid part of the day to go home to eat and rest. Do they do that there? Any new foods that your trying? Do you guys get to do anything fun on P-days?

Kyler:

no siestas!! haha i wish! 

yeah we usually hang out as a zone and do some sort of activity. today we are going bowling!! I'm excited! I havn't been since my last night home with all the family!!!

Dad:

That girl in Grandma's ward left for the mission field a few weeks ago. Grandma gave her a package or money to give you. I can't remember. But she said she would leave it at the mission home once she gets there. I think she is in Peru right now.

Are you okay money wise? How does that all work? Do you get a certain amount at the start of each month?

Kyler:

yeah that works! I'll talk with the secretaries and figure all that out.

yeah im fine! we get about 85 dollars each month. so I'll go pull that out after this. i made a budget last month and it worked! I ended up with about 20 Bolivianos left...that's about 3 dollars.

Dad:

Bowling?? Wow - I wouldn't think they had that there. How many are in your zone? And don't forget about the spin on the ball that I taught you! ha ha

By the way - I don't know if Mom will be on. She said she doesn't get very good reception where they are staying. So, it looks like she may not get on today. I talked to her last night and she wanted me to let you know of course the usual. How much she loves you and how very proud she is. We can't begin to tell you how awesome it is to have a missionary. Our house has truly turned into a HOME because of it.

Kyler:

okay dad i have to go! tell everyone hi for me!! thanks for talking! i love and miss you all so much but i really am starting to fall in love with the work so don't worry about me!! tell mom and the kids hello and that i hope they are having a great time without me! i hope you all have a great 4th of July! I'll be sweating and knocking doors while ya'll are at the beach and playing baseball! haha take that!! sorry ya'll cant be me!! haha i love you! until next week!! 

Mom:

{I wan't able to get on while he was online, but I wanted to let him know I was thinking about him}

Sorry I missed you today. I know you will not get this until next week, but I just wanted to tell you much I love you and miss you! Thank you for your wonderful example! I am so proud to call you my son!

 I LOVE YOU!

Love - Mom

Week 19

June 24, 2013

Hey Everyone!!!! :)

So this week was a little diferent but good! it was the week of transfers so there are always new people needing something and since my companion is the district leader now, we have to be there to help. The work was a little slower this week because we had a bunch of different things today. Wednesday was great! We a few hours to spare on our hands so we went and knocked doors and taught 4 lessons and found 4 new investigators. We will see how it all works out with them! We now have Sisters in our district who are opening up an area so they had a new house with nothing in it! so we spent all Thursday at their house setting up their beds, closets, desks, and showing them their area. Saturday was awesome!! We've been planning now for a few months to do a Mini MTC with the Youth in our ward and we did it Saturday! It was great! We started at 7 in the morning and fed them breakfast and then we did interviews with them and gave them a name badge a then we assigned them companions. after that we had classes for about three hours where we taught them how to present a BOM and how to begin teaching, and how to teach the Restoration! It was a whole lot of fun! we did practices with them and everything. after that we had a nice big lunch!! and then we put our lessons into practice and went and knocked doors with them for an hour and a half! after that we came back and had a testimony meeting! we had about 17 kids show up which is a whole lot for our ward!! so it was a huge success!! and of course last night was awesome!! i hope all of you guys got to watch the The Work of Salvation broadcast. I'm so blessed to be apart of this work right now! and all you guys can be too! Lets take advantage of the time we have and bring souls unto Christ! you guys there???

Elder Berrett

Dad:

Hey Bud, It's Dad

Yes, last night was awesome! We watched it on the computer at Grandpa and Grandma's house. I really think that will help missionary work take off. With the age change and all of the new missionaries and now with the renewed efforts of all the members, I can't wait to see what it will do. We all need to do our part for
sure.  As I was watching last night, I wondered how your ward mission leader is. Does he help you guys a lot??

Kyler:

Hey!!  yeah it was great!! uhm...hes okay...hes 19 years old and doesn't want to serve a mission. so he's not too enthusiastic. but if we involve him and ask him to help he's usually willing so we just try to keep him on his toes.

Dad:

That is so cool what you guys did with the mini MTC. That is a great idea!! Sounds like it was pretty successful. Hopefully you will get some new investigators from that.

Kyler:

yeah!! there was a boy who was 18 and i took him by myself to knock doors and hes been debating about a mission. Well i was a little nervous myself because it was my first time knocking doors without my companion and with someone whose never done it! well we taught two lessons and found one new investigator!! it was great!! I did almost all the talking but he gave his testimony at the end of each lesson which was very strong! and then yesterday at church he gave a talk and talked about me and how he wants to go on a mission now because of his experience! it was great!! he and his mom were crying and everything! we became really close!! 

Dad:

Kayden, Carston, Manning and I went down to Middle Georgia for a few days for Kayden's tournament. We entered one of the Team Elite showcase tournaments. We left Thursday night and got back yesterday.  They played 4 games. They went 3-1. They played at Georgia State College University and Middle Georgia College. I don't think I would do it again. They say that college scouts will be there but very very few show up. In fact, it's really only the college coaches from the university you are playing at. We had a good time but baseball wise it was not very exciting.  There is nothing to play for so nobody takes it serious.

Kayden's team starts the good stuff now. We are playing up in the 18U WWBA Perfect Game starting this Friday. 185 teams are in it. We then go to Fort Myers in a few weeks and of course you know how fun that can be. They are 8-2 in their last 10 games. Not too bad so far.

Kyler:

Thats awesome!! hows kayden playing!?

Dad:

He's playing pretty good. He got at least 1 hit in each game. He is still playing second base and pitching a little. We already have a side armer pitcher (pitcher only) that comes out of the bullpen so it's tough to get Kayden in as a pitcher.
Berkley got back from girls camp on Saturday. She really enjoyed it!  Carston and Manning are enjoying summer and enjoy hanging with the Humps, Nugents and Princes.

Kyler:

Sweet!! tell him to keep it up!! and tell everyone else that's awesome and i hope they are enjoying summer!! 

Hows it going college wise for him??

Dad:

He has the same problem that you had. Good player but small. They are a dime a dozen. I told him he needs to focus on academics and then possibly have to try to walk on if he wants to play. Same as you. He loves the game just like you do. He is thinking about going into broadcasting. In fact, he texted Coach Wolf the other day and asked if he good broadcast the girls softball games this year. Coach Wolf was really excited about it. He told Kayden that he has always wanted the baseball players to get involved with softball but just didn't know how to do it. Kayden is super excited about it.

Kyler:

thats a great idea!!! thats way cool actually!! haha good for him!! i wish i would have thought about something like that! 

Dad:

That is awesome about the 18 year old kid going with you. It sounds like you have influenced him to serve. It's little things like that that can make a huge difference. Maybe you haven't baptized anybody yet, but by helping this kid and helping him realize the importance of a mission is just as important. He could serve and covert many people all because of your example. It's really awesome to think about.
Did you get my email about your ward mission leader? Does he help? How are the other leaders in your ward? Do they seem to be as strong as back home?

Kyler:

yeah i think it will help him snap out of it! and yeah its a little weird!! but elder borden who just left this transfer was here for 8 months in the same ward!! so who knows. yeah i love the ward!!! there are a couple families that i love!!! ill try and take some pictures when i eat with them!!

Dad:

Speaking of pictures - do you have any you can send??? we would love to get a few each week if possible.

Kyler:

i have to by a flash that i can put my memory card from camera in! these computers don't take my card so I have to do that. it will be a week or two! sorry!! I'm working on it!! 

Dad:

I think Mom told you that she sent your card. Who knows how long it will take to get to you, but you won't be able to use it until we activate it here. So,  you need to let us know, okay?
Are you still good about writing in your journal? Are you still trying to work out? did you ever get rid of the rash you had?

Kyler:

okay! ill let yall know!

yeah i do everynight!! and i workout every morning!! its slowly going away so we will see!

Mom:

Hi babe!  It's mom!

Kyler:

Hi!!

Mom:

I just went through and read all emails between you and dad.  That is so awesome about the mini MTC.  What a great activity for the youth and for the missionaries.  Is that something that you guys planned or did the youth leaders plan it and you helped out?

The broadcast was good last night.  It is so wonderful to hear the leaders of the church talk about missionaries and know that they are talking about you.

How are you feeling?  Anymore sickness?  Rash seems to be getting better, but not leaving?

Dad:

Did you ever get the package from Grandpa Sherrell? He was asking about it again.

Kyler:

no i didnt get it!!! i dont know whats up!! 

Hows the BYU stuff coming along??

Mom:

I haven't done much since last week.  I will get back on there this week

Kyler:

Nope! we planned it and asked the leaders if we could do it!!

yeah the broadcast was amazing! it made me feel good!  and I'm doing great!! 

Dad:

Hey bud - I've got to go. I can't spend too much time on here at work. Plus, I think that some of our emails take a while getting to you because me and mom are using the same account. I'm going to get off and let you and mom chat for a bit. As always, know that I love you and pray for you every day. Keep doing good things!! Always remember what President Wood said. Make a fool out of yourself. Don't hold back because you feel unsure. The only way you will learn or the fastest way you will learn is to just DO IT.

Monday has now become my favorite day. Can't wait to email next week. Love you! Dad

Mom:

That is so wonderful about the 18yo that went out with you!  What a great example you are!  I am so proud of you!  How is your Spanish coming along?

Kyler:

Thanks dad! i love you!! i will do that. Talk to you next week! 

the spanish is getting better each day!! hopefully it all clicks soon!!! 

Mom:

We are all doing great!  I am totally enjoying my summer off from work!  I keep teasing dad and saying that I will work for one more year and that's it!  I doubt that will happen!  (but maybe if I say it enough, he will get tired of hearing it) :)

We are headed to the beach next week. (not dad or Kayden)  We are going to PCB and we will share a condo with the Princes.  I think the Nugents and Humps are trying to come down too.  So that should be nice

Kyler:

aww dang dont tell me that!! that makes me so trunkie!! hahahaha but awesome! i want pictures! 

Mom:

I bet your Spanish is awesome.  Your Spanish teachers would be so proud!  Like dad said, just keep making a fool out of yourself and you'll have it before too long!

What does trunkie mean?

Kyler:

hahah a trunkie is someone who only thinks about home and misses everything and doesn't focus on the work! its a word that all missionaries use and know! its more for jokes like that. haha

Mom:

ok, well don't do that!  I probably should have waited to tell you until after we got back!  But, you know, we won't have any fun, so you won't be missing anything :)

Kyler:

Sorry i didnt get to talk to you much today but i have to go! i love and miss you so much mom! im trying  to make you guys proud everyday by working hard! i will talk to you next week!! i love you!! 

Mom:

You don't have to try too hard, because you already make us very proud!!!  I love you with all my heart!  Can't wait to talk to you next week! Praying every day for you! I LOVE YOU!!!