A Love for Watches, even in Honduras and Hanging in there, Literally.

Hey Fam first off dont worry about the email it was a bummer but it was awesome this week to read alot so thanks. Also i have gotten letters from like jared and rylee but i havent seen the stickers or any of that yet so i dont know about that .

And the Parade sounded like it went good so thats nice im glad I have nyah memmot rockin the catracho pride si hombre anyways i havent read dads letter yet but it sounds like the bearlake trip was a success it always is so thats nice. Did you guys have fireworks or anything for the 24th we heard that fireworks are all legal this year even the wyoming ones is this true? if so thats flippin sweet.

So everything sounds way good there i hope it is anyways it better be im out here working so i hope the Lord is blessing you.

Anyways for this week on Tuesday we went to San Pedro and Yes Pizza Hut but i have found the number 1 place in Honduras it is an American Store called Juniors and they had CHEX MIX CHEDDAR can you believe it ya i bought two bags of it it was amazing dang so good. So that was kind of a hight light Then on Jueves i had divisions with Elder Mcintire an elder that came to Honduras with me so ya our spanish isnt the best of course but we taught 5 lessons and did other stuff needless to say it was one of the best days id had in awhile. Also i was back in my area and it poured on us so bad that the streets were filled and i found myself wading in the water yeah wading over my knees hahah ah its crazy here but these people gotta know about this stuff so i do it Honestly i love wading through the water  when its pouring and people are just looking at us and i love to have a big smile on my face cause the people are either thinkging dang that kids crazy or he knows something haha yeah its a little of both.

Then also something we did this week that was fun and ive done it before but it just kinda was more awesome this time it is reading the book of Mormon outside with investigators like in a hammak or on a rock dang i wish i could take a pick cause me watching them read and then me with all the different trees and stuff its really amazing.

So i bought a new watch!!!! Yeah itsa a casio and was the american equal to like 4  bucks so that was a deal ya so its not a nixon and its definitly not the next best thing but its works so thats nice how are my watches doing is Stetson or Caleb or Someone rocking em.

Anyways that was our week we had a couple investigadors in church but yeah its hard right now i havent had much success its hard but hopefully ill see something in a little bit hopefully.

I love you all so much ill keep looking forward to the stickers oh and you dont need to dear elder me with every letter its really cool its all good. Im doing alright still just trucking along im having a rough time at times but just know that im ok and spanish is alright still and ya I love you all so much and pray for you every day love you so much!!!!1

Love Elder Clayton

This came from a member that posted on Facebook. Isn't technology amazing. 

From the same sweet sister.  So glad she shared them with us.  Gracious!

On Sun, Jul 24, 2011 at 2:48 PM, <claytonmom@comcast.net> wrote:

Hey Pal!  Oh how saddended I was to read you did not get my email.  I will always write you!!!  Debbie Packard said that it happened occasionnally with Braden and so they got his password and username to make sure it was in his in box each week.  If you trust me to do that, that would be super.  I will not look at who you email or who is emailing you...I promise.  I certainly don't want this to happen to you again.  I know that this is what keeps you going each week.  I have also sent things regular mail and dearelder.  Are you getting those?  I sent stickers to you quite awhile back, have you gotten those.  I continue to send things regular mail just so you have something to hold onto and re-read when you need to.

How was your week.  Dad and Caleb just got back from Scout Camp.  They went to Bear Lake, staying in the Paris campground.  I know that Dad will be writing you today and I'm sure he'll fill you in on what happened there.  Just glad I have the boys I do.  Ones who help out and are easy to have at camp. They had a good time with minimal complaints or problems. Stetson went up on Tuesday night with Doug and went repelling and also to the lake to wakeboard and tube with Doug and the Bishop.  He had a great time, didn't hurt that Doug bought him a shake on the way in, and Bishop bought him one on the way home.  That's more than I've had in all the years I've gone up there.

Dad and Caleb stayed at the house from Thursday until Saturday and spent some time with Grandma and Grandpa.  I however was at home with responsibility to be in the Bountiful Parade yet again.  This year we had about 100 kids participate in the parade.  I made signs of all the missionaries and put a string on them to hang around their neck and each was given the flag of the country or state they were serving in.  Our theme was "Going Forward in Faith."  As the children marched at each announcer station this is what they read, "Going Forward with Faith"  and sharing their knowledge and testimonies, these primary children from the Bountiful Orchard Stake are carrying and waving flags representing the 61 missionaries from their stake.  Couples, elders and sisters from this stake are serving in 13 different countries.  These children have wonderful examples for them to follow when they are of age to serve a mission of their own.  It was so great to see them wave their flags and have the crowd cheer for them.  Nyah Memmott carried yours.  I'll send a picture of her for you to see.  She was so happy to do it.

Tomorrow is the 24th of July and so today we talked about pioneers in Sacrament meeting.  This is the one Sunday where your dad sings in church.  So that is always a great day.  It was also Tyler Jensen's homecoming for our ward.  He's been home for almost a month now.  He did a great job.  He looks so different.  Remember his long, blond hair.  Short dark brown now, he looks great and has a little Oklahoma drawl about his voice.  He said to tell you hello.  We are not sure what we are going to be doing tomorrow, but it will be nice to just have no schedule and just chill as a family.  We will miss you being here, but are so proud of you and what you are doing.

I love the pictures.  Thank you so much for sending them.  That is one thing that certainly keeps me going.  I still shed a few tears each letter just to know that you are well and happy.  You look great.  I can't believe how pretty it is there.  Tyler said it hasn't gotten below 100 degrees for the past month and is so humid.  One day they were wanting to go into their apartment which was air conditioned and get a gatorade.  He said a prayer in his head and they decided to keep tracting.  The next door they went to was a professional b-ball player and he offered them to come inside and gave them a gatorade.  He said his prayer was answered.  Everyone chuckled, but we all know of the tender mercies and miracles Heavenly Father gives us if we just ask in faith.  Not always will they be answered at the next door or even the same day, but they for sure will be answered in what is best.

Kylie, Cody and Ezra sat with us at church.  They feel like family and we all take turns passing Ezra around.  He's really getting cute, he smiles and almost laughs.  I'll try and get a picture to send to you so you can see the changes in him.

Grandma and Grandpa's house is progressing.  They should be moving in sometime the end of August.  They are excited but are finding the life of being a vacationer in their trailer isn't too bad.  I'll go and get some pictures and email them to you next week so you can see what it looks like.  You'll be impressed.  It's going to be really good for them and a lot easier, no stairs and not much of a yard. 

Well, I guess I'll let you get back to your other things.  I will send the email to dearelder again.  Please know how much I love you and pray for you everyday.  I think of you more than you probably could even imagine, but I know that you're doing exactly what you should be doing.  The people of Honduras are already loving you like I do. I loved how they call your name.  You have always made friends easier and kids love you.  That will help people to see they can trust you and will. 

Love you so much pal.  Be safe and obedient.

Mom:)

Fuzzy Bunnies & Eating a New Fish

Not sure what happened but for some reason my email didn't get sent and I can't even begin to tell you how saddened I was to think he didn't get a letter this week from home.  I've sent him things on dearelder.com and also regular mail, so with any luck and a small miracle something from home will get to him this week.  He's doing awesome and sent some pictures I will try and post them.  Thanks for all your prayers and support, we are very grateful for them.

Well first i dont know if you had time to write an email or not this week but i didnt recieve one so that was kind of a bummer um how are things going? Its almost the 24th so thats cool any fun parties or plans going on. This week has been long for me but it was ok first thanks dad for the advice about DC 121 it is a very good section and really its so true. So then last Sunday we met a guy crossing the rio and he wanted us to come teach him so we said alright set up a cita then asked now where exactly do you live. He said around the mountain so we said ok and on Wed. we started off and walked about 25 mins with no houses and well nothing except mountains then we passed a guy we told him where we were going and he told us we have like 45 mins to go what the freak so we walked walked and walked it was so far to these people that just work in agriculture corn to be exact and so taught some lessons there but really i dont think anything will come out of it because its so far away and the people dont have any way to trasportation so ya kind of a waste of a day. Anyways walking back after we got into town a school was getting out and there was probably 35 kids 8 to 11 years old and walking past i yelled well in espanol claro How was school today then high 5'd all of em haha i love talking to the kids here its exactly what grandpa said talking to them is so fun and with that something funny that i love to do we will be at lunch or in the streets and have some time and there will be some kids so ill walk to em and start talking then ill ask do you want to learn some english and theyre all si si si ok 1 word in english people use alot its like way cool or awesome and then there all stoked and i throw down the word "FUZZY BUNNIES" haha its so funny cause then they just repeat fuzzy bunnies all day long haha love it cause some kids claim they know english and youll ask them to speak to you and its like "Hey &%^$  or some other swear word so i always am like ya that doesnt make sense but this does haha so its funny. Then ill talk to the kids in the street and they know my name so when we pass certain areas they yell "Clayton, Clayton" which is awesome i love that.

Then went to lunch at this members house we had fish it was so good so so so good best meal ive had here well except wendys and Pizza Hut but you cant beat those when i was done i asked here what kind of fish i didnt understand so after i asked my comp and it was carp haha freaking carp but hey it was way good. Then Saturday we had a lesson where we were gonna watch the joseph smith movie so we had to run to a members house get the dvd run back then after the movie run the dvd back hop on the bus to go to our other area it was crazy needless to say we honestly were sprinting and we probably looked ridiculous but flip we already do cause we are white. so who cares.

So ya that was pretty much the week we had a good family progressing but they didnt go to church freak this is something hard others are having success and this area and us are not and i dont know why im trying but freak its just the lifestyle here just layed back relax and thats about it so i dont know thats hard. Then Yesterday i had to teach a whole sunday  school by myself that was humbling to say the least i can understand alot its just still hard when its not totally about the lessons and stuff its harder when we are in lessons though i can talk and understand almost everything so thats nice not to be lost in those anymore.

So ya im sure there was a default with the email or something i was bummed not to have anything from you guys well ok i got a short email that said something about a lion and then ya that you would be on today but i dont know.

Well i do love you guys so much thanks for everything from the last emails you all sounded good and stetsons car looks good so ya you guys are the best i love you so much so much youre the best family in the world i pray everynight for you guys to have all that you need and that youre ok i hope everything is working i love you so much.

Come what may and Love it.

Love Elder Bridger Clayton

 This is the trench he was building of the open sewer.  His face says it all.

 Filling the font by buckets of water from the well

He looks great! 

.

What a Difference a Week Makes -

Last week was a tough one.  He wrote a little frustrated with his new companion.  And as his mom I worried and prayed hard for him and his companion.  As you will see in this letter he is growing so much and his faith and trust in a loving Heavenly Father is too.  Love him so much and was so relived after reading this week's letter.  Enjoy...

What up family!

Welp sounds like you had a sweet week and Elder Petersens homecoming was way sweet ya man hes such a great guy and was an amazing elder and honestly taught me how to be a missionary and honestly i am going to be the hard worker he was i am not gonna have any regrets. Im sorry about my letter last week i and about raging with all sorts of stuff but honestly right here i love this church and gospel i do and i want to share this with these kind giving humble people here and i might have some road blocks or obstacles in my way but freak im gonna get through them. One way or another its whatever.  I know there is a lesson to learn here and im learning it but in the end it WILL turn out all good as long as i give my all every day and thats my goal. i have never been so tired as i am on some of these days but so far its all totally worth it. Spanish is on another level for me now its Hard to communicate still i mean not as much in the lessons but just street talk its a little difficult but guess what im gonna get through this and one day be able to speak without thinking )I hope at least. 

Anyways this week we did some different thing first a companionship in our district needed to use the Baptismal font so we went to study in the church in the morning and fill it up. So it was on for like 20 mins and we were studying then the power went out which means the water stops too so we stayed studying hoping the water would come on then at 10 we decided we had to do something or the baptism wouldnt happen so we went to the WELL yes the church has a well and started filling buckets of water walking into the church and filling the font by means of bucket i have no idea how many it took but it took us 2 hours of non stop work it was hard but man what a story right. And the family got baptized so in the end it was all totally good.

Then on Sunday none of our investigators came again freak this is ridiculous i dont know why nobody comes to church its hard when they dont show up but whatever but on a good note we had attendance of 114 personas the most ive ever seen but i did fing out that this ward has over 700 members just inactive crazy huh.

So today is pday in the morning we played basketball which was sweet then got to go to San pedro with other Elders just to eat Real Food We went to WENDYS dang i have never been so thankful for wendys i had a baconator with a huge fanta fries and frosty i havent been this full for a while it was awesome. Now im just chillin in internet cafe honestly one of my favorite times of the week thanks for all your emails and pictures i love them so Dude stetsons car looks sick maybe ill get to drive that one day did he ever get new speakers. And about the dear elders i have got them and i got Grandma and Grandpas letter from Bearlake last week that was awesome ah there the best tell em i love them theyre the greatest. Those red fruits are called leeches way bomb there are crazy fruits here but all are amazing. um ii might take some money out this week so just a heads up i dont carry my card on my so ya whatever oh about the Ipod im so down for a little shuffel if you can. I will send you a list of songs that i would like to put on too porfavor. Well right now thats about it from Cofradia Honduras I love you guys so much your always in my prayers thanks for the great examples that you all have been in my life.

Im Fine i can hold my own i know who i am what i stand for and what im here to do. Love you all so much.

I just have to remember Come what may and Love it

Love Elder Clayton

Also we did a service projest where we trenched out ya trenching like i was back at NSLpd but this was not for sprinklers nah it was an open sewer ah killed me not gonna lie but whatever sewer old sitting water what can ya do im in Honduras ill send some pics next week but ya just a heads up crazy right

Church Manners & A Rat Killer

This week I wrote him about the Jensen's moving, testimony meeting and just stuff happening around here.  Hopefully, you can follow.  I don't want to take out what he wrote as it is going to be printed for him.  Enjoy...

Dang Feliz 4 de Julio. So it sounds like you all had a great week sounds like powell was fun thats freakiing sweet i wanna go to powell that sounds so awesome. Surf and Swim huh dang not gonna lie i would be so down for that right now its so hot here but i love it so its all good. YES SPANKYS dang i wish i could have that when we were in San Pedro i guess there is a subway so i might have to tryit out. What movie did Stetson go to instead of the fireworks? I love fireworks well except the fact that they have them here everynight ya no big deal just firecrackers like bottle rockets theres no rules or laws here.

Haha the xxxxxx  thing made me laugh haha remember when he was watching the Vances cat haha and then Stetson meowed in my ear i laughed so freaking hard oh my gosh so hard that was probably one of the times mom was a little less happy with me in church. But here dang whole nother world in church kids are walking up the stand doing the YMCA eating chips drinking Pepsi its a whole nother world that is for sure but fun even though i still dont understand everything. Thats a bummer about the Jensens but good for them i guess too who is the new young mens pres and really about the shuffel thing im totally down ya we can charcge it we have outlets so thats all good.

By the Way i sent Elder Petersen with some stuff for you guys make sure you get it from him on sunday remind him about it!!!!!! Anyways i was way bummed to see him leave he honestly was a bomb missionary and the missionary i want to be we worked so hard and i loved it it was so hard but so awesome as well. It made me relieze how much i missed him when i was with my new Companion Elder Richardson from Manti utah Honestly i am here to help the people and love them and the first night FIRST NIGHT we are contacting this lady who wants nothing to do with us and everything im trying to say something and in english he says bear your testimony and so honestly i didnt feel like that was the time but that all she needed was a nice invite to church and i would be on my way. Because hes so freaking abrupt to people like i hate it really so i start to say something and then she starts talking so im listening and he pokes me and says CONDEM HER MAN what the freak so i invited her to church and we walked away then we stopped on the corner and hes like youdidnt listen to me blah blah blah tells me a bunch of crap and all i said to him was guess what elder i didnt come 1000 miles away to freaking condemn people i love these people and you can rtell me a million times to condemn em and i will not do it because thats wrong i dont know give me your opinion but even if you are the same way as him really i wont listen i am here to share the gospel and I love these people i do I love them i dont understand everything that goes on but i want help them freak i know right then we just walked in silence and then went home went to bed and thats not the only time this has happened i gotta fuigure something out. But i know i have never ever prayed this much to love somebody its hard. But you know what im gonna do; Come what may and love HIM the best way i can anyways but whatever.

On a happier note i am a rat killer ya we had a rat in our house and i killed it last night ya no big deal or anything but yep.

Anyways we had the family at church again gotta get em married and it will be good a wauy bomb family. And I saw Elder Petersen the other day that was sweet he seems to be doing good he was a little ticked his parents bought a jeep but other than that all good well hope to hear back from you all love you so much happy birthday Dad 35 right anyways love you

Love Elder Clayton

San Pedro Sula 3x's, Pizza Hut and Pictures...HOORAY!!!

Hey Como Estamos

Well im still here in Honduras so ya anyways your guys week sounded way awesome speaking in church painting fences changing work schedules fun stuff...No seriously it sounds way good anyways my week was pretty sweet so some things we did was on on Pday we went into San Pedro to get some stuff with some other elders that live by us we ate at PIZZA HUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! yes real food can you believe it i couldnt at first i thought it was a dream anyways did that that was a good time. Then taught and did the regular stuff put Elder Petersen had an ingrown fingernail so we went back into San Pedro to get that taken out ya it was a little harsh so hung out with the secretaries and APs then they told elder Petersen to come back on Sunday for an Interview with the Pres so ya we hit up San Pedro 3 times in one week which was pretty fun gotta love those bus rides with 200 people on em so last night we were at presidents house and Elder Petersen was the last one and no buses go up into our area after 5ish so we stayed Sis veirs cooked dinner oh so good and we just talked with President Veirs for like 2 hours so that was sweet to get to know him then we slept at the secrataries house where they didnt have any water and we couldnt buy any hence it was sunday so i was un poco thirsty last night but it was all good. then today we went and got to use a members washing machine!!!!! for our garments oh man that was nice to use ah so nice as you can see in the pics ya i got pics what do you think of those bad boys. So anyways the family didnt show up to church dont know what thats all about well have to figure it out, we had this one guy come though who is pretty chill so ya. Elder Petersen goes home this week so i get a new companion ahi things are kind of in my hands so thats nerveracking i dont know i  might get a native maybe not who knows we will see. Also talking about companions i dont know if you had heard or not but Elder Killebrew (my comp from the MTC) went home a week or two ago i dont know if you have talked to his mom or whatever but ya that was kinda a bummer. Also the Real Peterson from the MTC is killing his companion too so ya boi i get to see him on WED so that will be sweet other than that stuff its all the same stuff i love the ipod except the fact its screenless so that kinda blows i guess you can have a screen on the ipod but whatever. So connie knows the soup huh ya its a little rough but whatever i can do it so thats good. So ya LAKE POWELL ya stetson thats so right on and still killin it at SALT CITY thats typical wouldnt expect anything less. CALEB AH ya son teenager this week are you stoked man ah freak thats so tight man 13 HAPPY BIRTHDAY or FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS whichever you want is cool love you man happy birthday and thanks for your letters i love you all thanks for praying for me please continue to do so i need em and i can feel them so thank you love you so Much

Come What May and LOVE it

Love Elder Clayton

ps how is Brett doing in Australia

pps i had pictures but they were too big to send so hopefully next week lo siento

Faith, Listening to the Spirit and Interesting Soup

I didn't post Bridger's letter until now because I was asked to speak and give an update on how he's doing along with the other parents of the missionaries from our ward.  I didn't want to repeat things from his latest letter so am posting now.  I'm also posting my talk, mostly so that I have it for Bridger's book when I print it.  Thank you again for following this blog.  It means the world to us that you care and pray for him as he serves. 

Familia!

¿Como Estamos?

Well yep i a am sorry about last week way lame letter so i will make up for it this week 1st off Feliz dia de Padres PAPA ayer anyways some of the questions i didnt answer so its a rule in the mission not to drink caffine haha i know hard right so no coke or pepsi but we drink soda of orange banana fresca and then all natural juices which are good. Um ya if you want to send a hard letter in the mail i would love it but i dont need one every week they get distributed in our zone meetings every week and so all the elders get excited when they get something so that would be sweet um as for a package im good for right now but just for like a list some items that would be helpful are like some little stickers of Jesus for kids cause they like those elder petersen carries those and a small pic of the bountiful temple that i can fit in my scrips to show people CHEX MIX if possible and BEEF JERKY man its like the same food every day....the same food but i love it. except as i am writing this there is cow stomach in my stomach ah yep sopa de medungo....harsh harsh  in my bowl i had a piece about as big as my fist wow harsh. also this week i played futbol haha dang these kids are good so good but its all they do all day everyday the whole culture here is so chill i love it . well love it in some aspects and hate it in others also it has rained like nobodys buisness the past couple days me and Elder Petersen were walking in rios! crazy anyways its still all good we are going to San Pedro today so yes i can eat some food maybe mcdonalds or something hopefully... Because you all keep talking about costco but i am no where near that i havent even seen any big store fast food nothing theres just little stands here nothing else so im stoked.

Anyways so this week was good a couple sweet strories is one night our last cita dropped so we were walking to go stop bu another person and passed this lady we got like 25 feet passed her and i was like hey elder can we go talk to that lady so went up and what a great lady way nice and she wants to know the truth like she is perfect just a nice lady so that was a boost of confidence.

Also we are teaching this family ah freaking love em there so sweet they have like 8 kids but some are older but they have 3 under the age of 12 there so funny i love going there probably cause the one thats 12 reminds me of Caleb just funny and lovin life they all came to church yesterday and the kid put a line in his hair to look like us haha way funny kid but ya they are a great family.

Ok so you talk in church well one thing this week i think is sacrifice there is a family here very poor just like well everyone but he just lost his job and have no income so they cant ride the bus to church anymore cause they dont have any money so they walk. 45 minutes to church hiking in mud up hills for the Lord. It was very humbling to listen to this. anyways also the husband does not have a white shirt he was just in a Tshirt and Elder Petersen had a shirt and tie for him which was way awesome. But ya isnt it amazing the faith that people have. Ive learned alot about that this week i gotta have it because for the language this week was pretty humbling i didnt do so hot but im gonna just keep trucking forward and The Lord will be there for me i just have to keep going.

Well i hope this letter was better next week I PROMISE i will send some pics PROMISE well i hope you all have a great week Caleb keep just being you man i love you Stetson keep working bro its a great thing to learn and stack that ca$h by the way who did dave fire Mom man i Love you thanks for being so great and for all the supoport. Dad your the man and my example thanks for everything love you all

PAZ de Cofradia

Come what may and love it...

Love ELDER BRIDGER CLAYTON
My letter to him...

Hey Pal.  Happy Father's Day!  Do they celebrate Papa day there?  It's been a quiet week here at home.  Caleb decided to go to Bear Lake with G&G on Sunday so dad took him out to their house after church and he stayed with them while I worked all week.  Dad joined them at the house on Friday and as of my writing this letter they are on their way home.  He's so funny, every time I asked him how his day was he told me OK, but boring.  I'm sure he would have  been bored here, too.  But, makes me feel better knowing he was being somewhat entertained by Grandpa and Grandma while I was at work.  Stetson mowed all the lawns that they do this week so he kept quite busy.  He is still holding down the fort at SCB.  They let someone go last night so he has worked a double both Friday and Saturday nights.  I'm so lucky that I have such good/hard working kids and never have to worry that they show up for work late or don't do what they are supposed to.


Oh, before I forget I have to talk in church next Sunday.  Can you give me something that you want to say.  Any stories from who you are teaching, any adventures or whatever.  I only have to talk for 5 minutes  or maybe 6 but it would be great if you tell me what you want me to relay to our ward family.


Our lesson in Relief Society today was on Love at Home.  I couldn't help but think I hope we did/do a good job with that at our home.  I decided I am going to start emailing you the weekly letter of happenings and so on and also writing you a memorable letter to mail on Mondays.  I hate to admit I haven't mailed you one yet because I know it takes  a long time to get to you and I want to keep you up to date.  This way it won't matter when you get the regular mail letters and you can reminisce with me about your life.  They asked about what type of activities we did as a family that strengthened our family and taught lessons and I talked about how you started mowing lawns at such a young age and how dad would accompany you to do the string trimming and how one day you just did it your self and how you've bequeathed or passed on the jobs to your brothers.  How we didn't realize the lessons and responsibilities you were each learning.  I'm so glad that each of you understand the importance and value of hard work and the payoff and satisfaction you get from a job well done.


As I'm typing this I'm listening to Sounds of Sunday and the song, Live you like Believe is playing.  I love this song.  Just thought I'd tell you that.  So, when you hear that song playing on your ipod, think of me.  I hope that is how I live my life.  How is your ipod anyway?  Do you listen to it? 


I'm sure dad will tell you this in your letter, but he studies your pictures you've sent (which try and send more) and he realized that it is your shelf and stuff we are looking at.  The rolled garments, the towel, the shorts on the shelf.  Funny huh.  Thanks for being tidy, I was proud of you for that. 


I so hope we get a bigger letter this week.  We felt like we weren't able to talk or correspond to you last week and it seems like forever.  How in the world did people do it when email wasn't even an option.  It makes it so much easier knowing that we will hear from you each Monday.  I so look forward to them. 


Are you eating ok?  How's the walking?  Do you remember to change your shoes each day?  Do you need anything.  I so want to send you package, but don't know what you need.  Are your socks holding out ok.  The email group of moms say that sometimes the sisters that wash the laundry do such a great job that they put holes in your shirts are yours ok?  Let me know. 


We are planning on going to Elder Peterson's welcome home.  We actually are quite excited.  It will make us feel like you are closer than ever.  Oh, Masen sat with me in Sunday School today.  He's such a great kid.  He's excited.  He thinks October is a long ways away, but as you know it will come and he'll be out before you know it.  He told me that John Kendrick is going to WA, not sure what mission and Tanner Johnson is going to Baltimore MD.  There are others but I can't think of who.  It's Caleb Rodgers farewell next Sunday then a Lund boy and Devon Christensen going to Farmington NM, and then finally Matt Cowley.  Seems like he's had his call forever.  Oh and Luis Calquian got his call to ...Colorado Denver North Mission.  Other direction from his brother in Boise.  He leaves August 17, that's really quick compared to the others.


I am feeling back to normal.  Excited to be able to start exercising again on Wednesday of this week.  I truly feel I have been blessed to be back to normal so quickly.  I feel great, it was not that bad.  I think I told you we started another round of Biggest Loser, I was in first place this week.  Surgery and I also had a braces adjustment this week.  Couldn't eat as you know so it paid off.  It would be nice to actually win a round of this darn game.


Well, I love you son.  I'm so proud of you and your service.  I saw some pictures of Elder Peterson on his mom's FB.  I may have told you about this last letter, but he was Father Christmas for the children and he's walking in a street up to his waist in water.  Also, he is walking or balancing on what looks like a tightrope in the jungle.


I hope you're doing well.  I think of you so often, at least every hour.  In fact, did you see the moon the other night.  I think it was on Tuesday night?  They called it the Strawberry moon.  It was beautiful.  I was hoping you were looking at it too and thinking of home.  Know that we are all fine.  We miss and pray for you everyday. 


I love you so much, be safe and obedient.


Mom


I work today (Monday) but am at lunch at 1:00 so I hope to be able to be on at the same time as you are on.  If not, it's ok, talk/email to dad.  We love you so much pal.  Please remember that always.

And here's my talk...
I have to admit I am thankful for this opportunity to speak today and give an update report on our son who is serving in the Honduras San Pedro Sula Mission.  Just 102 days ago, not that I’m counting, we took that long drive down to the MTC to send Bridger on his journey and begin his mission.  Upon arriving at the temple grounds to take pictures, we were leaving to go get back in the car and Bridger turned around to see one of his good friends that had just finished a session and was on his way back to the MTC.  Brock told Bridger how much he loved the MTC and that he would too.  After we drove around the temple a couple more times to give us a couple extra minutes together, we drove through the gates of the MTC.  With tears in my eyes I watched as the brother of the friend we had just talked to at the temple was there to greet and host Bridger.  It was at that moment that I knew of the love my Father in Heaven had for me and Bridger as it was a witness of a tender mercy that we would be leaving him in good hands to enter into this unfamiliar territory.  Bridger loved the MTC, he did not have very much in common with his companion, however he was put in the same room with an Elder Peterson from Clinton, UT who was what could have been another brother.  He had a fun personality like Bridger and a love of the big Nixon brand watches.  I know that they were put together for a reason and another witness of being watched over from above.

He has been in Honduras for five weeks now.  He was given a companion from Cedar Hills and they were sent to open up an area.  It’s called Cofradia and is in the mountains.  Bridger’s first letter from Cofradia reads, well, it’s true the nine weeks at the MTC for Spanish was no help.  It’s crazy, they speak so fast here.  I have no idea what Honduras ranks on the fastness for speakers scale but I guarantee it’s way high.   The humidity was something he wasn’t prepared for.  He had been told it would be hot, but until they actually landed and the heat him he had no idea exactly what they had been talking about.  His first bus ride was very crowded and he did not enjoy a man who was yelling at him and he had no idea what he was being told to do.  When they then got to where they were to get off,  In his words, “they threw our luggage to us and then we had to pull our luggage on a dirt road for about a quarter of a mile or so where we met a member who put our luggage in the back of his 1970 mitsibishi truck with no windows no door panels no console no nothing it honestly was a box with wheels and drove to our house. Man this place is very pretty, very green but extremely poor! We got to our house and just unpacked because we are both new to the area.  So other than not being able to understand anyone it’s good.  We eat and drink fruit every day.  In our yard we have a mango, coconut, avocado and orange tree.   It’s sweet.  We made some limeade from fresh squeezed limes Our area is huge and we live in the middle of it but close to the church.  It’s about 15 miles by 15 miles which is huge, and we walk wherever we tract.   Its hot never gets cold ever.  Oh haha some other facts so our house smaller than my room for sure.  Anyways por favor pray for me I need some help with the langauge. Love you all hope I can hear from you next week.  So yep come what may and love it right.... I hope so anyways.  That was his first letter.  As his mom that was a hard letter to read.  However, each letter has gotten better and he’s doing well.  Two weeks ago, we got one small paragraph from him that stated the power had gone out and he had lost all of his letter that he had typed and his time was up.  I did not realize how much I missed knowing what was going on until this week’s letter arrived.  This is what he reports.

One night our last appointment dropped so were walking to go back to our house.  We walked by another person and passed this lady.  We got about 25 feet past her and I was like hey Elder, can we go and talk to that lady.  So we went up and talked to her what a great lady, way nice and she wants to know the truth like she is perfect.  Just a nice lady.  That was a boost of confidence.

In Bridger’s mission it is a rule to have a part in your hair.  This is not his favorite, in fact at the MTC one of his teacher’s had him put one in there and he called it a comb over.  His latest letter stated that it is a rule in his mission that a part is required so he says he’s sporting another comb over.  So, this part of his letter made us all laugh.  Also we are teaching this family ah love em they’re so sweet they have 8 kids but some are older.  They have 3 under the age of 12 they’re so funny i love going there probably cause the one that’s 12 reminds me of Caleb just funny and lovin life.  They all came to church yesterday and the kid put a line in his hair to look like us haha way funny kid but ya they are a great family.

Well one thing this week was how these people sacrifice.  There is a family here very poor just like well everyone but he just lost his job and have no income so they can’t ride the bus to church anymore cause they don’t have any money, so they walk. 45 minutes to church hiking in mud up hills for the Lord. It was very humbling.  Anyways the husband does not have a white shirt he was just in a T-shirt and Elder Petersen had a shirt and tie for him which was way awesome. But ya isn’t it amazing the faith that people have. I’ve learned a lot about that this week.  Faith, I gotta have it especially for the language.  This week was pretty humbling i didn’t do so hot but im gonna just keep trucking forward and the Lord will be there for me.  I’ll just have to keep going.

Thank you for all the prayers, they are helping me out tremendously.  Please eat a SpankyS sandwich for me, I would love one about now.  Tell everyone I say what’s up.

I again appreciate the opportunity to let you know how he’s doing.  We live in a wonderful ward.  Thank you so much for your generosity and kindness to our family.  And for asking how he’s doing, it means the world to us and for understanding the tears, they still keep coming.

I love the gospel.  I always have.  I know that I love it enough to send our son to give the people of Honduras the same blessings that I have always been fortunate to have.  It is a small sacrifice with huge rewards.  Our family has already seen the blessings of having a son and brother serving a mission.  For that we are grateful.

Power Outage, Very Short Email...Darn it all anyways!!!

Whats up

The power went out and he lost all of his letter.  I had not told him of my surgery until after it was over and I thought how awesome it was that he felt this way.  Heavenly Father truly does hear and answer our prayers in so many ways.  Truly another evidence of His love for me and my son as he serves.

 

-good thats crazy you had surgery because on thursday i had a tough day way harsh and i really just thought about you and how gratful i am for you thanks for being my mom

i dont know if you got this so if you did sorry but the power went out but thanks for being my mom and always being there for me i love you so much mom you're the best

ok flip so i had like a huge half an email written and the power went out so this is gonna be a little short. so the power goes out here ya pretty regular occurance haha but on friday we were teaching a lesson in the church to this kid and it went out completly black we couldnt see a thing so when that happens we go home cause its too sketchy in the streets so that was fun other sweet stuff so we went to eat at a members home the other day no big deal or anything but the guy was wearing a Oregon Ducks National Champians T-shirt haha ah man can you say go ducks. then on wed there was a leadership meeting and so i was with 2 other elders that we studied then went out and contacted flip way sketch right but it was good i can get my point across so thats all i need. taught a ton of lessons had 1 investigador at church man crazy. So i spoke in church ah freak it was nuts but it went good honestly i can say i have the gift of tongues not cause im fluent cause im far from it but that i can talk to these people and have them understand me so that is way sweet and ya jusat tons of walking and stuff but summer sounds like its gonna be a blast there love that way tight about masens call Lima so sick how is Checketts in the MTC doing.