Elder Taylor Ferguson-- Oct 8, 2012

AAAAYYYY MAMMY, (benchwarmers way)

conf. was da bomb. haha i left my notes at home :( but it was like a 1/4 of that blue journal it seemed like haha. it was really good! (Refer to dads email abt the age change)

we had a few investigators at conf. but the problem is they just moved out of our area and even though their bap. date is on the 21st we have to pass them off :( i;m bummed out but it's ok i';m sure there is a reason for it. Elder Costa;s B'-day is november 4. i;m sure he'd like ties (probs no a skinny.) haha, pancake batter/mix whatever ya call it. the dude loves them. and makes some almost every day, he likes those 4 color pens (BIC) the ones with like a blue and white body that grandma used to bring us. he loves those. haha, or maybe some of those twistable colored pencils...etc i dunno crap...stuff like that ;)

I'm glad eli is growing a mind of his own. with the ootes otes, haha we had dinner w/ some members last night, and they had a 3 year old little girl, and she was killin me. she reminded me of eli so much it was tough.but all is well :)

REFER to dad's email abt potty training as well :)

Finding investigators....it's kinda crappy here, cause the rich wont talk to us, and the poor can't get to church, and our ward is kinda having issues (kinda a lot) with getting up and DOING anything. so it's very frustrating. For example the ward asked us yesterday if we had any investigators that would bring a member to church, beacuse no one in the ward would. rediculous. i know. but we're working on it. and i'm not saying the ppl in the ward aren,t great ppl. they jsut don't understand why they need to do things. and that they need to help out. but whatevs. we'll get there. 

But back to finding, it's not only tough cause of the $$ diferance, but the fact that the ward/stakes have the Keys to finding, but won;t give refferals. so we can talk to ppl all day and it dosn't ammount to much. so meh, we're workin on it. 

It's the last week of the transfer (weird cause that means i only have 16 left!) time flies.(not in greg's sense tho) and this week we have a Mission Conferance, with the 70' Elder & Sister Zwick (sp) so that happens on wed so i'm excited for that!

I'm glad ya'll can be safe(ish) sorry, about steves team/coach scenario hope it gets bettah. glad you could have fun in PC sorry it's getting cold, but send me some good fall pics!

LOVE YA'll a butt load :) 

AELSTE Ferguson

 

Danish I think haha

(The Tropical air is good for Elder Ferguson's facial hair)

Elder Taylor Ferguson-- Oct 8, 2012

Paps,

What's funny is you said we, and i already knew it would be all the ppl listed haha! mmmmmmmm steak, i'm jealous. but since my diet change too much red meat kind of makes me sick. hahaha i know i'm dissapointed as well. It's funny cause Out here they have salad almost every meal, so lucky me i get to go to chow town on it. BLeck. I can handle it w/out gagging it down when it doesn't have any dressing but w/ dressings I pretty much want to die. I only drink water, OJ(cause i;m in the orange state hahah) and Diet V8 juice stuff, cause if i drink much else i start to feel kinda sick. it's a weird change. but i have loads of energy so it's alright. 

I wish they'dve given that news a year ago when i was pumped to go! but i think that it was good they didn't cause now i have a lot more direction for my career path. so it's all good. That sounds hilarious!! haha ooooh potty training...i feel for you dad, I do not envy that part of eli's progression. i'm sure you can find a way to find the funny/cuteness in it tho.

haha fall. here it's still like 75/85ish it is pretty nice, a lil hot sometimes but not too bad. i'm pretty used to the humidity by now, but when it rains and you walk outside and like inhale a liter of water. it's not fun hahaha. it rains almost every day here, and OH MY GOSH it really is the lightning capitol of the world. it's so rad during storms it's pretty much constant. I love it.

glad you could get some tee time going. i dunno if i mentioned my area/ ward is split (right in the middle of the area too, on a main road) between pretty wealthy (millionaires/and multi's) and ppl who have virtually nothing. so there are plenty of G courses in my area, but no one has offered to take us yet haha. on p-days we usually play B ball at the gym which isn't my fav but is good cardio haha. so it's fun. my favorite shot is the no look lay up haha i'm terrible but it's fun.

today i was trying to help elder costa pronounce "BEACH" properly, and everytime he tried to say it, it sounded more like B**** hahahaha, so after about 5-10 minutes of trying to explain it i said...."just say coast" hahah it was great.

Thanks for everything you've done for me dad. i love you. 

ELder Ferguson

Elder Garrett Allen-- October 8, 2012

Dear Mom,

Obvilously the whole coming home at christmas is refering to the next year hahaha. Yea my comp is killing me but if I make it to one year there really isn´t a point in goin home haha. Anyways I am sorry about the whole computer going crazy. Dont worry about it to much. It is ok if everyone forgets about me haha. That is kinda how I feel right now. It is weird to be on the other side of the world...But all is good. All of my friends are busy and all of the rest are living life haha. Also about the pin, that is cool just let me know and the packages I still dont know. Yes I have packages...I just dont know who from or anything like that. They came to argentina but they are just staying in to offices until presdient comes to are zone. That wont happen until the 16th of this month so I wont be able to tell you until after that so yea....Anyways, I hope that they made it and thanks for doing that for gallardo! What did i cost you to do that???  I can get it to him because he is still super close to me. Anyways about packages, THere are things that all need to understand in sending packages. First, Whatever you send me they will charge me for here again. It is how it works here on forgien things for some reason. So if you put expensive things inside you need to hide them some how. Maybe but it in a box of so other cheep thing so they can´t see it and the close to box again in a secert way. I dont know how but you can be creative. Also it will take some time...it is really good about getting to argentina but once it gets into the mission hands that is when it gets tricky....the only get to tucuman when president comes or when the zls go to the offices...so you just need to wait...me to and I hate it. It basically is the same with letters...Now I dont want this to discourage anyone so please dont let it. Every letter and package is like heaven to me. Serious. I am so unbeilevable greatful for every single one! so That is that about packages. Just got to go with it and after the 16th I will let you know how it worked out It is kinda exspensive but that is that.... Anyways about what for christmas I reall have no Idea...I feel pretty good with everything....maybe so treats and stuff. I dont know...It is hard for me to say...I have got super chill to the life here so it just feels normal...i am not sure what I would want...I dont feel like I am missing anything less then american food and you cant really send that haha. um yep letter from everyone and pictures are always a plus. Mostly I just miss you guys and everything else is just there...That is one good thing about the mission....It sure has given me a greater appreation for my family...We will talk about you last comment by the way a little later in this letter. anyways a flash drive would be nice but that will cost a lot if you send it. So if you do that is one thing that you have to hide. Like 4 gbs or something. Also maybe so other stuff...honestly I will let you know haha. I have to think about this...that is a a hard one. but I will tell you next week.

So It has just be a interesting time. plus conference always makes me a little homesick...It makes me think of my old job haha. but conference was amazing...the voice of Holland is still ringing in my ears, "Do you love me?". Luckly I got to see 3 of the 4 sessiones in english so it was all of the more powerful. I dont think that any other conference has hit me as powerfully as this one. I loved it all.  I love the talk by ucthdorf was one of my favorites!!! It was all about making time for the things that are really important and not having regrets. That is something that I think that we could all us and take action in. conference week is one of the best in all of the mission. It is such a great time to learn and get feeled with the spirit and to feel good. It was great to hear all of the stories of emery. She sounds like a big ball of joy haha. It sounds like she likes to play. It is sad that she likes football and not soccer but what can you do haha. Also I like ucthdorf more also bahaha.

So the whole comp thing has chilled a little. I have resorted to messing with him a little to clean time. Maybe it isnt the best thing to do but oh well haha. It is the only way I can make it...I just have to laugh at all of the crazy parts haha.

Tucuman is going well. Are area is still really slow and I have now learned what the ward thinks of missionaries from the past because of my president. Appearently they had a bad experiene with some elders or something so that is now the new challenge. I am not going to let it affect me. I have a lot of hope for this haha. It use to be a zl area so it had to be good at some time right? I just got to stay nice and positive and that is about it. And thanks for all of the prayers. They are helping I think haha. It is faith turned into power for sure!

sorry about the whole empty nester thing....that has got to be super hard. but you can chose to endure it well. Plus with all of the free time you can do whatever the heck that you want bahaha. so enjoy it while it lasts! and you are totally celestial materail mam. Dont lose faith in that. YOu can do it and the lord wants you there by his side and I want you there. Dont worry about all of the mistakes or anything like that with the whole fam. It wasn´t like anyt of us were angels either. Honestly I have done some pretty stupid things and deserved a lot of the things that happened haha. I had the perfect and only mother for me and her name is Lafon Simpson Allen and I am proud to call her my mother! She is such a great example of strength and hard work to me. She has such power grace and love in her soul.  I love you love and I love the fact that you are my mom. I wouldnt change it for anything. Yes forgiveness is a big part of the family but you should already no that I have forgiven for ever ago and will until we become perfect and dont have to ask to be forgiven haha. we are perfect and that is that. Plus he that doesn´t forgive wont be forgiven so it is basically a commandment to forgive haha. Everyone just needs to stop looking for the fualts and everything that they think is wrong and just go forward with understanding and care but this is something that I have already addressed in this email so you should know that haha.

Anyways the mission is slow but good. You guys are all in my prayers and i am thinking about you a ton. Tell the moms to give my hellos to all of my friends and all of them that are all missions. I miss those guys a ton. Tell josh good luck on the mission for me and that to. I love you all and thanks for all of the support!!!!!

Elder Allen

P.S. Dyc 121(along with the talk from gordon b hinckley at byu)  y 122

Elder Corbin Moore-- October 1, 2012

       Greetings, from San Pedro. Well sorry I didn't get an e-mail off this past week, with Elder Takogawa leaving and all it was super crazy. Well this past week have been a crazy one, like the past transfer. Its so weird that we are starting off another transfer already. The time really is picking up it is so crazy. Well so to start of the week Elder Takogawa and I just did the regular P-day stuff. We had a zone preparation day, and we went to a park that sits on the coast. It was fun we took a couple of zone pictures and then played soccer. Then after we had dinner with the N., it was really good, and then after dinner sister N. wanted us to sing for her. Elder Takogawa and I had sung in sacrament meeting the day before and she wasn't there and so we told her that we would. So for the song I sung the first verse in Spanish, and then Elder Takogawa sung in Japanese, and then together in English. So I sung my part and then when it was Elder Takogawa's turn to sing he started to get choked up and then we sung together. It was super powerful and the spirit was so strong. Sister N.started crying, and then after Elder Takogawa broke down, he was so dedicated to the work and he couldn't believe that it was over that night. Then after dinner, Elder Takogawa said that he wanted to teach someone that night before we went home and so we went over to D's house and had a great lesson, and commited him to keep working towards baptism.

        Then the next day I had to drive Elder Takogawa up to the mission home, and so we went up there and did that and took some pictures, and then I was on splits with one of the other missionaries from the zone, Elder Wilson. We were in his area for the day, and then that night we had a meeting and I read off the transfer report to the zone. So my new companion is Elder Hardman, he is from Murray, Utah. He is an amazing missionary, he was our last AP and so he knows a bunch, about the mission, and zone leader stuff. We get along just great, we are always laughing and just having a blast down here in San Pedro. We have just been visiting a lot of the recent converts and getting Elder Hardman familiar with the area. We are shooting to find a family this transfer so we will keep you posted on that.

        Well I hope that everyone is doing great back home and getting ready for General Conference this weekend. I know that I am pumped and can't believe that it is here again. Last time we had one I was still in LA 6th. So what is going on, Keyton and Bryson? I haven't heard much from you too lately. I know that your junior year and 9th grade year, are more story-packed then you both lead on. Let me know. and Brayden? Peace out

 

Con Amor Elder Moore

 

Everything.Happens.For.A.Reason

There.Is.No.Such.Thing.As.Coincidence

Elder Taylor Ferguson-- October 1, 2012

Tudo Bom?  (portugese)

hello Family!

Yes, mom i've been getting your letters/packages/e-mail's so thanks! (if your going to write me try to send it/ expect i won't get it till about 5/6 work days later. is my guess as to when i recieve things. I can send them a lil quicker than i can recieve them. so try to keep that in mind. yeah all should be worked out w/ mail now. haha i love the picture frame/ pictures thanks so much.

You can google the name tapes thing, to find the cheapest ones. but i just got mine from OPS Gear (in north Salt lake) you shouldn't pay more than 9, 10 bucks for 3 of them.

AHH the Swasey's. they are so great, and yes sam her son is very much like I was. Good kid, just trying to decide who/ what he wants to be/do.
funny thing about the Swaseys' is sister swasey is 1/2 japanese. so kind of asian looking, and her licence plate says "SWASIAN" i'll get a picture of it. i love it hahaha


I'm glad I can help ya'll, even from out here! you know you can e-mail me pictures and i can see them and say woo hoo, i'm happy :)

just a thought.


haha the 2nd councelor to the bishop here, is a biiig time foot ball fan, so we talk a little sports when we go on exchanges w/ him and stuff so i hear a little about the packers and the fact that they got ROBBED by the Ref's. MY CONDOLENCES. hahaha is zach gunna grow his hair to match matthews?
  **speaking of sports** dad look up KITE, as a basketball player/coach. i can't remember his 1st name but the dude is rich/tall and i think i heard someting about the celtics and him. so see what you can find out hahaha. maybs i'm wrong. who knows haha

I'm way excited for Conf. it's a few hours later here so like 12 and 4 but we will probs have as many investigators come as possible and it'll be great. it's sad but i'm realizing that i havn't watched like the last almost 2 years of conferance! why? i allllllways happen to be at the farm! it's crazy hahah


ooooooooh look up "love her Mother" mormon messages. i was watching it like "la lala coo coo, then i was like i know her...somehow....then i know her...then i know him... Wait!" you probs already knew about it but i thought it was cool haha try to watch lots of those, i love them! post them to F book, and i promise it'll brighten someone's day.

ELder costa is a wookie. like from starwars. that was for you abby. the dude is seriously soo hairy. it's hilarious because he's only 18 till november!!!! (4th) if you were wondering i think. oooh and abby do you remember T&F? tar and feather haha i thought of that the other day and laughed hard. haha

 can someone hook me up w/ Jesus the Christ?/ the works or whatever they call it. except i have true to the faith. (got it at the MTC)
thanks!

I was thinking the other day and i realiezed. NOBODY should make ANY major decision in life w/out holding(or being able to hold) a temple reccomend. just don't. fun fact haha

another fun fact: the eye of a needle? anyone know the story i know Grandpa does, it didn't actually mean the eye of a "needle" it meant the small like (4ft) door that you had to bow to get through that lead into a city. so a camel getting through that is not exactly easy.

i saw ice cube at the library the other week.(not really, but prob's his twin)

ya'll (especiallly karl/john/ty) would be super jealous of the rain storms we get here they are so sick. plus it's the lightning capital of the world. apparently!
it's cool! oh and you 3 should look up D&C 33:10. i thought of you all when i read it. "GOD WILLS IT"

last week during Black GG's baptismal interview it was funny i was sitting just outside her house (concrete 2 room little house/apt./thing.) while the interview was going on i realized that to my left like 15 feet away there were all these ppl drinkin partying blah blah blah at like 4 in the afternoon on like thursday. that is why there are so many poor people. they wont work. it's not so much as they are downtrodden. it's that. but the funny part of that was that they were doing that whilst black GG was working on starting fresh. i loved the opposites haha.

mom my fave scriptues are 2NE10:23 & 3NE 15:9. i think it seems like they always change hahaha

ooh i glanced at a magazine at walgreens the other day and saw macaulay caulkin died? what the heck?

elder costa doesn't know what ppl of wal mart is. so send me some funny ones (appropriate of course) and we'd love the laugh.

but on Saturday Black GG was Baptised, it was a fairly small crowd maybe  15 ppl, but it was really good. she was crying before she was "dipped" she started saying that all on her own. i'm serious. GG's TWIN! so funny in every way. she calls crying "leaky face" it's just great. but she was very happy, and it was all good. then on sunday i was able to confirm her. which was really cool!!

but now since we baptised 4 of our 8-10 investigators it's all about finding/contacting/ getting referrals from members to start working some others. we're excited though.

I love you all,

ANZIANO Ferguson

(axe kiera/marc what language it is and why i chose that'n.)

Street sign pictures: RUSH HOUR, I always passed lee street. thought it was funny, then one day i saw carter and went "ELDER STOP. I'M TAKING A PICTURE" haha that was for BRONTE/KARL/Ty/JOHN kelly!

and i found that dinosaur thing somewhere in the cabinets and at my triple decker like that thinking of dad/ and eli haha

Elder Matthew Whittle-- September 26, 2012

Hola!

 

President Cook always lets the cat right out of the bag haha. So there's kind of a twist on things that I don't think he mentioned. I'm not in Escondido. I'm in Vista, and I'm in english work now. It was really weird. I was not expecting that to happen at all. We were sitting in transfer meeting and I was waiting for him to get done announcing the english elders so I wasn't really paying attention when suddenly I heard my name. It caught me so off guard that I didn't even here where I was going. It was crazy! So ya now I'm here in Vista. I feel kind of weird being in English work, but I'm getting used to it. Luckily there are a ton of hispanics here so I still get to talk a lot of spanish in the streets. Plus I get to go on exchanges with the spanish elders so that's good at least. The hardest thing is I feel like I've lost my english. Sometimes I say things kind of strangely haha and my companion makes fun of me, but I'm getting better at it. It's fun to be a zone leader. We get to go to all the district meetings and get to know more of the missionaries.

 

So it was really cool on sunday. Every sunday morning we get up around 5:30 and head up to camp pendleton to teach the marines. They have a branch up there of about 40 recruits. It's awesome because they bring their friends to church and then after sacrament we go and teach them in a different room. They're only there for 6 weeks I believe so we try and get them to get ready for baptism quickly. It's really cool how it all works. Boot camp is definitely a humbling experience for them.

 

So my companions name is Elder Rupp. The crazy thing is that he lives right up by the Whittle's in Logan. He sat in front of Kayla in Calc class or something like that. Knows who Jake is, and had a class with Krista. He was really good friends with Austin Robbins, there next door neighbor. He's a funny guy, and a good missionary. We've been seeing some cool miracles together.

 

So Cherry's still alive eh? That's good to hear. I'm glad nobody has totaled her or anything;) haha. Does smoto still run? Sounds like things are pretty much the same back home. How's Cho? I miss that guy. How's mama cho doing?

 

We were able to set a baptismal date the other night with the wife of a member. It was an awesome lesson. She brought up how she was raised in the Catholic church, and how she was a very devout catholic, and she had made a promise to her father who passed away that she would never join the mormon church. Well she told us that night that she was feeling like something was missing in her life, and that she wasn't exactly sure what but she needed to figure it out. We talked about priesthood authority and why it was important for baptism. She told us that she didn't believe the Catholic church had that authority. We invited her to be baptized and she accepted. The other day she saw us on the street, pulled over to talk to us and said she's excited for the 3 of November and she's already inviting people. It's amazing how the spirit causes people to feel and understand things. None of that was Elder Rupp and I. It was all the spirit, telling her that she was missing something and that she needed to be baptized by someone with authority. Have you had any cool missionary experiences lately? If not you should start praying for them, because they're the best! It helps your testimony grow so much when you see the spirit work on others.

 

Well things are going amazing. I feel kind of weird being in english work, but it's fun. Hope yall have a good week! love you all. Adios!

 

Con Amor,

Elder Whittle

 

P.S. So this morning a helicopter was circling our area with a huge megaphone saying that there was a felon on the loose. It kept repeating 30 year old male hispanic, black pants, black shirt, red hat. So ya keep an eye out for him haha. It was crazy. k bye.

 

P.S.S. The Church is TRUE! yaya

 

Elder Taylor Ferguson--September 13, 2012

Elder Ferguson with his Trainer Elder Costa (I found this picture on the Florida Orlando Mission Website  http://floridaorlandomission2010.blogspot.com/)