July 06 - Sept. 06 Kirk letters

July 4, 2006

Dear Elder Kirk,

It took me a little while but I'm finally able to get online at Uncle Allen's house. Kristina and I got here yesterday. Today we're helping clean out Jessie's room, painting it and then we'll be heading to St. George tonight to watch fireworks. Tomorrow we're going to a lake. Allen bought a boat last week and they love going out on it. This will be their 4th time in less than a week. We'll be heading home on Friday. We'll stop over at G & G Thompson's then drive the rest of the way Saturday.

Dad and Alex will be taking off for the Martin's Cove trek this Wed evening and will be returning Saturday night. I can't wait to hear how things go for them. Our stake is going to do this trek once every four years so I'm pretty sure I'll be going on one of the treks.

How has your week been? Working hard? How are the families you're teaching coming along? Sounds like you've been finding quite a few people who have been prepared to hear the gospel, especially the ones who are actually married with families. I love how Heavenly Father hears the prayers of everyone now matter where they live on the earth and then he answers their prayers through people like you.

Charmaine is at our house right now and I'm sure the little girls are keeping her really busy, games, games, and more games. Alex thinks she's going to have grey hair when she leaves our house. haha

We got to talk with Isaac over the weekend. It was just a short conversation. He sounded good and he said he was glad to be home. He said he was ready and felt good about the work he had done on his mission. So now I guess Giovanni will be coming home next week. I told Isaac to write you.

Allen and his family are doing well. It's still hard and they're just trying to keep busy with life, trying to move on. Allen really has his hands full though.

I'm sorry I don't have my little missionary book with me this week to pass along your missionary tips. On the way down to SLC Kristina and I watched a Joseph Smith DVD. It's part of the set I bought of all the prophets. I listened to most of it since I was driving, but it was so good. I'm amazed at how many times I can hear things about Joseph's life and his mission and still feel the spirit so strongly. No matter how many times I read about the restoration or watch a movie, etc, the Holy Ghost bears witness to me over and over again about its truthfulness. That's one of my favorite blessings of having the gift of the Holy Ghost. He doesn't just testify to you once and expect you to move throughout life, he testifies over and over again. That's why we go to church often and read the scriptures over and over again. Each time we can be strengthened, and even the reverse is very true. The more you stay away from the church and its opportunities, the weaker your testimony will become until it is only hanging on by a thread.

Well, I better get off for now. Allen still has dial up service and so I'm using the phone lines. Have you got our package yet? Grandma Thompson says she's getting some things ready to send in the next couple weeks too. Hope you have a great week. Find as many opportunities as you can to bear your testimony and stay close to the spirit. Thank you for your fun letters. It means so much to share with you in the experiences you are having. I love every little detail you tell us and every story.

Take care and as always I love you,

mom

xoxoxoxoxoxooxxoxooxxoxoxo

July 11, 2006

Dear Elder Kirk,
Hi, how are you this week? Wow, what an amazing letter last week about
your experience with the baptism. I hope Jeidi is enjoying being a member
of the church. I'm sure she'll have her first calling soon, then her
growth and testimony will really grow.

We are all back home now. Kristina and I got home Sat. evening, Alex's bus
got home around 11pm that night and Dad's bus finally pulled in around 2am.
Alex and Dad had an incredible experience and dad even journaled the whole
thing. The whole stake had a great time, very spiritually rewarding and
very physically demanding. Sean and Charmaine kept the house going here
and I'm sure the little girls had a great time with Charmaine. Kristina and
I had a fun time at Allen's. It was a lot of work, but it was great just
being with them. We drove to Salt Lake on Fri and stayed with grandma. She
took us out to IHOP the next morning. Then Kristina and I did a little
shopping in SLC and Uncle Steve called and was in town, so we met at a mall.
Then we took off from there and headed home to Eagle.

The boys just got home from softball. They play each Tues night. Alex is
here with some of his friends. He's trying to decide what kind of a
birthday party to have this Saturday. He's finally turning 15!

I haven't spoken with Carolina and Steve yet, but I'm assuming that Giovanni
got home today and that all is well. Can't wait to hear from him.

I have to tell you something Nikki said in her Primary class last Sunday.
Jill Erickson is her teacher and she told me. Jill was showing the class a
picture of 2 elders standing at a door of a house and a man answering the
door. Jill asked the class what they thought the missionaries were saying.
Nikki raised her hand and said, "We've traveled very far so can you please
give us some dinner?" Jill laughed so hard. She said Nikki was very
serious when she said it.

I'm having both Nikki and Leah do homework every morning so they don't
forget things during the summer. Nikki is so excited to be doing homework,
she even mentions it in her prayers. I think it makes her feel like a big
girl. Kristina is trying to help her learn the sounds of all the letters
so we can start teaching her how to read. With Leah, I'm reinforcing what
she learned in kindergarten and having her read and do work in a workbook
each day. They're both doing well. You'd be very proud of them.

I had a small group of girls(ages 10-13) over today and taught them how to
use a sewing machine and I helped them with a small project. They did a
great job and seemed to enjoy it quite a bit. I know they wanted to stay
longer, but I had promised dad and Alex I'd go to the new Pirates of the
Caribbean movie. It was good.

Well, here's your tips for the week:
1. Bring postcards from home to show investigators about your hometown. (I
can send you some if you like)
2. Carry consecreated oil (this includes sister missionaries).
3. Sing the hymns at church.
4. When asked what your name tag represents, tell the person it is a
reminder that you are to give him/her a copy of the Book of Mormon.
5. Sneak into another companionship's apartment while they are out and clean
it.
6. Cross-reference your patriarchal blessing to the scriptures.(I never
thought of that, so I'm thinking I'll do that one)

There's a great article in the latest Church News (July 8th issue) that I
thought about you when I read it. It's from a talk by Elder Henry B. Eyring
that he gave to the new mission presidents and their wives. It's about
getting revelation and how to invite the Holy Ghost into your life so that
you can receive promptings when you need them. Elder Eyring reiterated the
value of prayer and scripture study in inviting the Holy Ghost. He
recounted how Pres. Kimball said that when he felt that heaven was closed to
him, he would go back to the scriptures again.

I also know that for me the fastest way for me to feel the spirit is through
scripture study. They just come alive for me, so much so that I get images
of the prophets and the people they write about. It's very powerful for me
and helps me feel in tune very quickly.

I know you are doing the Lord's work for Him and helping to build up the
kingdom and preparing the way for Him to return to earth again. It's a big
job and I'm so grateful for the missionary effort around the world and
especially for your dedication and willingness to do whatever is asked of
you. You're a great example to me and to the whole family. I pray for you
each night that you will find many opportunities to bear your testimony.

Have a great day. We are well.
Love you,
mom
xoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

18 July 2006
Dear Elder Kirk,
I'm staying inside during the middle of the day now since it's getting so
hot. Good thing the back porch gets shaded first and it starts to feel nice
out there so we can sit outside and enjoy things. We're having a bit of a
heat wave in the country. Just about everyone across the nation is
experiencing high 90's and 100's.

So how are things in the DR? What do you do during the day to keep cool?
Do you carry a water bottle? I hope you're finding ways to keep hydrated.

Jill just showed me some pics that Alex sent home. He looks great and is
continuing to have good experiences in his area. His mom says he's teaching
a pastor right now. Sounds like your pastor experience from the south
wasn't quite as positive. :)

Well, I had to speak in church on Sunday. Dad said he had nothing to do
with Bro. Myler calling me, so I guess I have to believe him. I spoke on
eternal progression and temple covenants, and a few people asked me for
copies of my talk afterwards so I thought I'd just attach it in your email
too. After I spoke, Bro. Myler spoke about the Boise temple and quoted a
lot of things that were said at the dedication about this area and our
temple. It was really interesting. Each stake in this area is taking a
week during the year and filling the temple, every session. Our stake's
turn is the end of September, so we're trying to get people ready and
excited.

Alex and Dallas flew to SLC yesterday morning to go to EFY. Hopefully
they're having a great time. It costs less to have them fly than for us to
drive them down there with the high cost of gas now. It's almost $3 a
gallon.

This week Scott McCauley returned and it was good to see him at church. He
looks exactly the same. I've already asked him to help me with the 11 yr
old day camp this year. I'm going to have him help the boys make a monkey
bridge. Also Bro and Sis. Clegg got their mission call to serve at the
Nauvoo Visitor's Center. They will leave next month and they're very
excited about it.

We had a big b-day party for Alex on Sat night. He invited a bunch of
friends. We had pizza, played games, did a huge spanking machine, etc.
Cami Caudill even came. She is up here staying at a friend's house who
moved up here from Calif. It just so happens that her friend's sister is a
good friend of Alex's. So Cami is going to come and stay with us this
Thurs. We'll probably go swimming at Bill and Nancy's that day.

Leah and Nikki are taking swimming lessons from Leslie Thomas this week.
Leah is doing great, but Nikki is fighting it. Leslie is good with them.
She's taking the lessons again and has a baptism date set for July 27th.

Also we taught Nikki how to ride a 2-wheeler yesterday. Now she can ride it
all over the place. I bribed her with $2 to go to the dollar store with.
That seemed to do it.

Other than all those things, it's pretty much the usual things-yard work,
yard work and more yard work....I think Sean would like to set the yard on
fire!

Here's some missionary thoughts for the week:
1. Send thank you notes after dinner appointments.
2. Stretch before playing sports on P-day--it's been 7 years since you
really exercised.
3. Leave notes with scriptural references on them at investigators' homes.
4. Since P-day is short, don't spend more time in the grocery store than you
have to. Make a list before you go.
5. Buy toilet paper in bulk.
6. Bring a Nerf football. (If you want, we can send you one of those)
7. Send cards to family members on their birthdays. It takes just a little
effort, but it really thrills them.
8. Leave for appointments 5 minutes before you think you should.

I'm glad you got our last pkg. Just keep a running list of things you wish
you had from home and then let us know. We always enjoy putting a pkg
together for you. Tell us about your zone conference you had and your new
mission pres. I hope your talk went well. This past week in our family,
you spoke, I spoke, Giovanni spoke and Isaac spoke and Alex spoke the Sunday
before. All of us in different places, but all living with the same purpose
in mind. I love it. Thanks for doing your part. I know sometimes it's not
easy, but remember who's side you're on, that the Lord will always be
victorious and is always by your side.

Stay true to the faith.
Love you,
mom

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

July 25, 2006

Dear Elder Kirk,
Well, we're packed and ready to leave in the morning for Calif. The girls
are so hyper knowing that we are leaving. I think we have everything
packed, but we'll see. Barkley went shaking to the kennel today as usual.

This Sat is Heidi's wedding at the Newport Beach temple. Then on Mon our
family and Uncle Steve's family are going on a little cruise. It leaves
from Long Beach and goes to Catalina, then to Ensanada Mexico then back
home. Dad got seasick patches for all of us and I know I'm going to need
them. I thought I had told you about the cruise, so I'm sorry if I didn't
mention it. If it's fun, we'll definitely do another one when you get home.

This week went by fast, probably because there was so much going on. Cami
was still in town. She came over on Thurs and went to lunch with us and
swimming at Bill and Nancy's. Then on Sat night dad and I had to go over
to the house she was staying at to look at her foot. She had floated down
the Boise and because the water is so high this year, it's really rough.
She got her foot all banged up but it wasn't too bad. We went to Aimee
McCauley's wedding reception that night too.

Scott McCauley gave his report on Sunday. It was good. He agreed to help
me out with the 11 yr old day camp. He's going to have the boys make a
monkey bridge. I forgot to tell him to email you, but I'll try and remember
next time I see him.

We kind of went crazy the last couple weeks eating at a new restaurant here
called Costa Vida. It's a knock off of Cafe Rio down in SLC. They have
exactly the same menu and it's really good. Uncle Bill went there twice
the first week it was opened so I know we're not the only crazy people
around. :)

I'm still typing patriarchal blessings for Bro. Sorensen which I really
enjoy, playing the piano in Primary which is fun, practicing the banjo-but
not enough and always working on a quilt. I guess I'm pretty predictable.
I'm also trying to help Jodie Hugentobler help Travis get ready for his
mission. He went to Peterson's Clothing yesterday and is just excited to be
on his way to Jamaica.

We sent a little birthday package to you today since we're going out of
town, so it might get there a bit early. You mentioned that you might like
some leather scripture covers, so for your b-day, go ahead and get them if
you like. That sounds really nice.

So how are Jonny and Jaime coming along? Are they still going through with
the marriage? Just so you know, grandpa Trumbo said if they need more money
to get married, he'd be willing to pitch in $100. Let me know. I think
that's really nice of you to help them out.

We're still suffering from this heat wave here. Carolina says it's even
worse in Calif and that we're going to be so hot sleeping in the upstairs.
She went all over town today looking for a fan to buy, but they were sold
out everywhere. So dad went around here and they are sold out too, but he
managed to find a couple to take with us. We're so spoiled with air
conditioning. Are you still loving the heat? At least you probably get
thunderstorms now and again.

Here are the missionary tips for the week:
1. Take a copy of the Book of Mormon with you everywhere, even on P-day.
2. Soften the blow from a bad day. Buy a milk shake--(do they even have
milk shakes there?)
3. The missionary who is generally last to arrive for basketball on P-days
should not be the guardian of the sports equipment.
4. If you serve in a foreign country, bring a small map that you can use to
show investigators where you live.
5. Start a false rumor about transfers.
6. Swap ties at zone meetings.

I love how when people here ask about you, they always share some story
about their own mission with me. I like feeling a part of everyone's
mission.

Alex and Dallas had a great time at EFY. They got to go to 2 John Bytheway
classes and became really good friends with 2 guys from Samoa. They had
rooms right next door to each other. The Samoans even taught Alex some
dances and Alex is teaching the girls. Alex said they were both so
friendly, funny and outgoing. It's hard to believe how fast this summer
is going. Once our vacation is over, we'll be getting school supplies.

It's a great feeling having a member of our family out in the mission field.
It's hard to explain how it feels in our familiy, it just feels right.

Next week, we'll be on the ship but I'm pretty sure they have internet
access, so I'll try to write you from there. We love you so much and I love
waiting for your letters on Wednesdays. Keep your faith strong by sharing
it as much as possible with those around you.

Much love,
mom

xoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

July 31, 2006

Dear Elder Kirk,

Well, we're just about packed and ready to leave for the ship. Everyone's running around like crazy, hope we remember everything. I'm writing today just in case we can't get internet access on the boat.

Heidi's wedding was very nice. Everything went very smoothly and she looked beautiful. Cameron is such a good match for her. The night before we had a dinner for the adults at Cameron's family's house. They had a tradition of having the new daughter-in-law hit a pinata. We all thought there must be something pretty great inside the pinata, but it was just candy after all. Uncle Dave ran up there with the little kids to get all the candy. He's so funny.

Yesterday at church a couple reported on their service mission to Zimbawbe Africa. It was such an amazing thing to hear what was going on. They went there to teach people how to grow gardens and they had great experiences and even showed a slide show during the 3rd hour. It was very inspiring and made dad and I anxious to get out there and serve our own full time mission.

So how is your new area? Is your comp a native? It must be quite a change since this area is a lot more wealthy. Do you still walk everywhere? Are there wards there or just branches? Sorry for so many questions, I'm just curious. Carolina said she was familiar with your area.

Dad sends his love.

BTW, we got a message from an Elder Kunze who said the pkg we sent you was being held because you owed $80 on it. I can't imagine why it would cost that much. We already paid for it completely on our end, but this was the first time we used DHL, so something must have gone wrong. The pkg wasn't even worth $80. We emailed Elder Kunze and told him to tell DHL to contact the shipper and see if they could work it out. So far, we haven't heard anything back so let us know what happens.

Oh, I didn't realize Hailey's dad was bishop of the ward here now. They weren't here, they were on vacation in Hawaii.

I better run. Actually we can't wait to get somewhere where there's air conditioning. Remember how hot the upstairs is here. :)

We're anxious to hear from you and see how you're doing. Everyone sends their love and they all ask about you and want to know about all your stories and experiences. I love you. Hopefully we'll be able to write again from the ship.

Love you,

mom

xoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoo

Aug 1, 2006

Dear Elder Kirk,

I'm writing you from the ship, it's called Paradise. Leah and Nikki just got dropped off at the kid's camp. They do lots of fun things with them and they're pretty excited about it. It also makes it a lot easier for us to do shopping, etc. Today we're getting off the ship and going to Catalina Island. I think we're going to rent some golf carts and tour around the city. Our rooms are nice, we all have windows looking out at the ocean, but the pools are tiny. They looked 10 times bigger in the brochure. Oh well. Also we're pretty sure we'll never starve. There's food everywhere.

Let's see....they just split the Star 1st and 2nd wards and made a Star 3rd ward. Bro. Firmage is the new bishop. So now the Eagle 8th ward is going to be meeting with us in our blg. We used to go to church at 9am and now we'll be going at 10:30am. The new stake center is supposed to be done in the spring. It's on the corner of Floating Feather and Park just up the street from the high school.

Sorry I have to make this letter a bit short. We're getting ready to get on a little boat from here and heading over to Catalina. If you want us to pick you up anything from Catalina or Ensanada, let us know.

Adios,

love you,

mom

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo


Aug. 8, 2006
Dear Elder Kirk,
Well, here we are back in real life, back in good ole Idaho. It feels like
we've been gone so long. We had a good time in CA and on the cruise and
now we're trying to catch up on everything here at home. The weeds have
gone crazy while we were gone and Barkley looks all skinny like he usually
does after he stays at the kennel for a while and gets a bath.

Dad is working a lot this week to make up for all the time he took off. I'm
still doing lots of wash and so are Alex and Sean. I also have 5
patriarchal blessings to type this week.

So Heidi and Cameron are moving to Provo this week, Carolina and STeve are
packing and moving to Provo next week. It's hard to believe they won't be
on LaVeta any more. Susan and Mike and their family are moving into the
LaVeta house sometime in Sept. Sean only has 3 weeks before he moves to BYU
also. Lots of change. I can't remember if I told you that Toni and Ron
are getting a divorce. It will be final this week. Ron has an apt in
Orange so that the kids can stay with him easily. It's sad to see their
marriage break up but most of us could see it coming.

Nikki and Leah were able to swim a lot while in CA so they got pretty good.
Even Nikki who refused to let go of me before vacation can now do a belly
flop into the pool and swim a little ways. She's still pretty nervous about
the deep end, but she'll use a noodle and go out there. Leah is really a
pretty good swimmer and wants to be on a swim team, so we'll see.

Kristina and Kassie lived the life of luxury while on the cruise. They
were either in the jacuzzi or in the steam room or in their room and
ordering room service while in their robes. They were funny. At the end
of the day there was a big pile of plates outside their room from all the
room service they ordered.

While we were gone, Leslie Thomas got baptized. Everyone said it was really
nice and she's now attending the singles ward. Leslie says her mom wants to
come to church with her too.

We're still trying to work out the problems with your pkg. We may have to
have them send it back to us and we'll use a different place to ship it.
Hopefully we can get it to you by your birthday!!

How is the work going? Oh, about the DVD player you mentioned. $150 is
quite a bit of money for a used DVD player. I'm not so sure that's a good
idea. Does your mission pres want all of you to have a DVD player? We can
get one for a lot cheaper and you probably could too, so maybe pass on that
for now.

Sounds like you're teaching quite a bit. Are you getting appointments from
tracting or member referrals or what? I'm so happy for you that you're
having so many opportunities to teach and share your testimony. Where is
your companion from? Has he been out for a while. Tell us a little about
him.

Here are some tips for the week:
1. Offer to help with the dishes at dinner appointments
2. Pay your fast offerings.
3. Play hymns on your investigator's piano.
4. Use different routes to get to the same location.
5. Buy postcards from each area you serve in.
6. Remember one golden investigator is worth 100 door slams.
7. Make each companion feel like he is your best one yet.

Bro and Sister Clegg gave their farewell talks last Sunday. They will make
great senior missionaries in Nauvoo. When dad and I hear reports from the
senior missionaries now, we get pretty excited to serve missions too.

Tell us more about your new area, your apt, your ward, the members and what
your days are like there.
Well, it's late at night and we have lots of weeding to do tomorrow. Sean,
Alex and I also have a dentist appt. Fun, fun.
Always remember Kirk there are a lot of people praying for you (we have a
big wonderful family), for your success and the people you are teaching.
It's exciting to think that you are prayed for every day, every half hour in
every temple around the world too. That's powerful. What strength you must
feel. Listen to the spirit and follow the promptings that you feel.
Remember Christ goes before you and prepares the way.

Have a great week. I love you very much.
mom
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo


Aug 15, 2006
Dear Elder Kirk,
I called it a blustery day because we just had a huge windstorm. It's the
2nd one this week. All of a sudden it blows sooo hard and lots of trees
snap right over. It's really weird. Tonight it only blew for about 10 min
but last week it blew really hard for about 45 min. Tonight I had to chase
the girls' plastic swimming pool over at Karla's. It wrapped itself around
a tree.

So how has your week been? Hopefully Elder Kunze got hold of you. We're
just going to have you pay for the pkg since it will cost almost as much to
send another one. We're going to have to figure out a better way to send
you things. This is officially your birthday week now, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY
KIRK!!!!! 20 years old.... wow.....

Let us know if you get the pkg.

Well, this week I'm getting ready for the 11 yr old Day Camp. Remember
when you helped with that last year. YOu and Austin were the lifeguards
for the canoeing. I'm still looking for a lifeguard for this year.

Dad was talking with Dave Callister the other day and he told us that his
sister is your mission president's wife, Sister Thomas. You'll have to
call her Sister Callister one time and see what she says. Anyway, Dave
said they were going to go to the DR to visit her while she was serving. I
hope they go while you are there. We'll let you know. Small world, isn't
it?

We're registering for school this week, etc. Nikki actually starts her
school next Wed. This summer went by fast. I talked with Carolina today.
They're busy in their new home in Provo. She's trying to find her way
around and Steve's out of town on business so she doesn't know where
anything is in Provo.

Alex is having choir practices this week with Sonous Choir and was in a golf
tournament today but he said he didn't do so well. Kristina is in a girl
band and had her first practice today. She plays the drums! In her band
there's a lead singer, bass guitarist, keyboards and drummer. Justin
Nielsen, (Kristina's piano teacher) is teaching her the drums and has put
the group together. She loved it. They're all girls in 5th and 6th grade
and Justin's really excited to get them going and practice with them. I
have to buy Kristina drum sticks so she can practice at home. She's still
taking piano lessons also.

I'm working with Leah each day with reading and math. We call it mommy
time. Math is hard for her so she needs a lot of extra help to remember it.
Remember how hard it was for her to just learn how to count. Nikki is,
well, Nikki. She loves helping me in the kitchen, so I try to find things
she can help me with. She loves cooking and I think she'll be a good cook.
Yesterday she helped me make guacamole with a bunch of avocados from Grandpa
Trumbo's yard.

Sean never did find a job this summer so we're having him do things around
the house. Next week he's going to be working for my cousin Travis at the
Idaho State Fair. Then the next week, he's off to BYU.

Dad is at the church with Bishop meetings. He's been working on the back 40
in our yard. We're going to plant grass back there and forever get rid of
the weeds...yeah!!! But it will take a lot of work getting it ready.

Grandpa Trumbo said he had money ready for you for that couple in your last
area that needed help. So if you ever have a situation like that again, let
me know, cuz he wants to help out.

How did your teaching go this week? Are you still having lots of
appointments? How do you get most of your appointments, is it through
tracting or do the members refer lots of people to you? Just curious
because it sounds like you're able to teach a lot each week. A lot of
people in the family have commented on how many appts you have each week and
they say, wow, that's so great. I think that's wonderful. What a great
experience to have that many opportunities to share your testimony and meet
so many different people in the DR.

Here's the missionary tips for the week:
1. Floss
2. Don't have a specific approach in mind when a person answers the door. Be
spontaneous.
3. Drink hot chocolate on cold nights (do you ever have cold nights???)
4. Eat a piece of fruit each day.
5. Place church books in local libraries. If church books are already in
the library, make sure a curent local mission phone number is written on the
inside front cover.

Last Sunday was Stake Conf and it was good. The theme was coming closer to
the Savior by making and keeping covenants. It was good reminder about how
important it is to pay better attention each Sunday as we renew our
baptismal covenants and also to make more time to attend the temple so that
we can be reminded of our own covenants we made the first time we went and
also to serve those waiting beyond the veil for this same privilege.

I hope your new area is treating you well. Sometimes it's much harder to be
in a resort or wealthy area. People tend to have their priorities mixed up
a bit more. Each day just always remember who you are, a servant of the
Lord and He's not only guiding you in every footstep if you let Him, but
He's trusting souls in your care. Your obedience and willingness to serve
will bring about miracles.

I look forward to your every word and we really enjoyed your pix in your
last letter. Your new home looks beautiful and you look like you have a
great ward. You're so lucky to live with 3 Spanish speaking elders. I'm
sure it will be an awesome experience.

Take care of yourself. Have a wonderful birthday week (we'll have Alex
stand in for you in a spanking machine haha). I love you.
Mom


August 22, 2006
Dear Elder Kirk,
Hope you had a happy birthday yesterday. We sang Happy Birthday to you last
night, hope you could feel it. We also put up the birthday banner and
spanked Alex 20 times. :)

We sent another little pkg today. We're trying a different method. It
costs a lot less and hopefully we won't have to pay any customs on it. Let
us know.

Also Grandma and Grandpa Thompson sent you a check for $25, which I'm
depositing into your account. She said she'll have to make a special cake
for you when you get home.

So I've put the girls down early tonight and they're just playing upstairs.
Nikki has her first day of school tomorrow, so it's officially a school
night. Her school starts before everyone else. She's really excited,
especially about the part where she gets to eat lunch at school. We laid
out her clothes that she'll be wearing tomorrow and she's all ready, but
she's so excited that she's not sleeping, just playing.

Sean just got home from playing baseball at Hawk's stadium. One of his
friends was able to get the field for them to play on. They had a pitching
machine too and Sean was the only one who could hit 90 MPH balls. He's very
sore now though.

Sean's also been working at the fair for Uncle Bill and Travis, selling
caps. Alex is still trying to perfect his golf swing, but he's feeling
pretty good lately because everyone keeps commenting on how tall he's
getting. He's finally out of his no-growing slump.

Last weekend I put on the 11 yr old day camp and it was very successful. I
think it even went smoother this year. Instead of lashing catepults, I had
them make a monkey bridge and the boys seemed to really enjoy trying to get
across it. Dad even tried and as you can see from the picture, he wasn't
too successful.

The Teuscher's gave their homecoming report on Sunday. They had a great
experience and have lots of stories to tell. You can tell they worked hard
and still have such a strong missionary spirit about them. Dustin Hadfield
gave his farewell in his ward also.

I talked with Denise Thomas (Leslie's mom) and she said Leslie's baptism was
really nice and that she's doing well. Leslie is training to be a dental
assistant and will be going to the singles ward.

How is your area doing? Are you feeling at home there yet? I'm glad you
have a strong ward there. Do any of them have you over for dinners?
We enjoyed the pix of Jhonny and his family. It's great to see that they
are still committed to the decisions that they've made. The hardest part
for most people come after the baptism.

Tell us about some of the people or families that you're working with now or
who seem promising.

Here are your tips for the week:
1. Create a circuit letter with friends serving missions. Done properly, you
can keep in touch with several friends but only write one letter.
2. Defrost the fridge.
3. Think twice before lending money to others...including companions.
4. Remember, your mission president is human too.
5. Keep jewelry to a minimum. Wearing fancy jewelry is asking for a
mugging.
6. With your companion, select a key word for the day that must be worked
into door approaches.
7. Avoid wearing sunglasses. People like to see your eyes.

I keep in touch with Jill Erickson pretty much every day about how Alex is
doing. He's in a tough part of town, Louisville, "in the hood" as he puts
it. I guess it's really hard work and he can't wait to get back out into
the sticks.

Well, all is well here and with our family. Carolina and Steve are
officially Provo people now (still seems weird to me). Susan and Mike are
moving into the big house next to G & G Trumbo in about 2 weeks. Right now
they're trying to get rid of the flees that have moved in and taken over the
big house, yuk. We all love your letters and especially now that you're our
only missionary out in the field. You're a wonderful representative of our
family and more importantly for the Lord. Keep up the good work. We love
you.

mom
xoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxo


29 August 2006
Dear Elder Kirk,
Well, just about everybody's back in school now. We just have to drop off
Sean this weekend in Provo. The kids don't have school Fri so they're all
going to go with us to take Sean and Monday is Labor Day so they have that
off too.

Alex is pretty happy about all his classes. He loves choir. Kristina
thinks it's cool being the oldest at her school now, the big 5th graders!
Leah says she has a fun teacher but hasn't brought anything home from school
and hasn't shared too many stories yet. Hopefully it's all going well. She
loves riding the bus with Kristina. Nikki seems to being doing quite well.
Her teacher wrote that her behavior was "awesome" today and she's starting
to read a few words. She loves having hot lunch at school.

I went to a lunch today at the Shaw's house. Sis. Shaw gives a back to
school lunch for all her mom friends after school starts. I saw both the
Shaw girls there. Tiffany is actually leaving for college tomorrow. Her
older sister is engaged.

Each day we've been trying to get some things done to help Sean get ready.
It's hard to remember what things he'll need to pack, etc.

So now all the kids are gone all day to school and I'm keeping pretty busy
so far each day. I'm excited to get a little more organized around the
house and hopefully get into a good exercise program in the mornings.

Travis Hugentobler gave his farewell and leaves in a little over a week. I
was talking with Bro. Campbell tonight and he was saying how Jason is in
downtown Detroit now and how hard it is. He sees a lot of crime and is in a
really tough part of town.

So we read about the hurricane that passed by you. We're still watching to
see how it affects the US. Did you get much rain from it? It's still warm
here, but you can definitely feel that fall is in the air.

How is your area going? It's probably a lot bigger than your last area so
you must have a lot of ground to cover. Is there just one ward in your area
or more than that? Your news of having so many investigators show up last
week was amazing. Do they usually stay for all 3 hours and go to a gospel
essentials class? Have you followed up with any of them this week? Hope
things are going well for you and your companion.

Our ward is doing well. We haven't had anyone new move in for a long time.
Remember how we were having new people just about every week, well it's
really slowed down. Some of the other wards in the stake are really
growing, like the Star wards. Our new building on the corner of Floating
Feather and Park should be done in the early spring. That will be nice
because we're all so crowded in our buildings now.

Here are your missionary tips for the week:
1. Always try "one more door".
2. If it's OK with the bishop, greet the members of the ward as they arrive
at church.
3. Wash the dishes before going to bed.
4. Start each discussion by talking about what you personally read in the
Book of Mormon that morning.
5. Send baptismal forms to the office immediately.
6. Base your cold cereal purchasing decisions on the prize offered in the
box. (Do you guys even have cold cereal there?)

I'm not so sure I like having both you and Sean out of the house. But I
sure know that you both are making good choices in your lives and I'm so
proud of you. There is a lot of work that needs to be done to prepare for
Christ's second coming and all of us are needed in different areas. I'm
sure there is a strong need for good priesthood leadership in the DR. Let
the spirit guide you to those who have been prepared to hear your message.
Do all that you can each day to stay in tune. Let me know if there's
anything I can ever do for you on my end. My prayers are with you always.

Love you much,
mom
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Sept. 5, 2006
Dear Elder Kirk,
Well, we're back from taking Sean to BYU. We had a fun weekend staying with
Steve and Carolina in their new home in Provo. It's up on the mountains
above the Provo temple. It's a beautiful home with a great view of the
city. There are some fun hiking paths in the mountains right out their
front door so we went hiking one morning too. We got Sean situated in his
dorm room, took him shopping for food, etc and I think he's ready for the
new school year. His dorm/apt was pretty nice-3 bedrooms/one bath with a
kitchen. This week he's trying out for the BYU men's chorus and also some
symphonies or bands. That will be fun for him if he makes some of the
groups. He's also signed up for intramural flag football with his
roommates.

Axel is busy getting his papers ready to turn in for his mission. So we'll
let you know when we hear something there. Giovanni is going to school and
working as a tile/carpet layer. He's taking classes in International
Business. Isaac is going to school and working at the MTC, serving
breakfast. He's taking pre-med classes.

Dad went to Pres. McCauley's office tonight to see Travis Hugentobler set
apart. He's going into the MTC tomorrow morning. Dad says that Pres.
McCauley gives great advice to you missionaries. He told Travis that the
most important thing he can do is to keep all the rules with exactness
because that way he'll be able to have the spirit work through him and he
will find success when the spirit is working through him, but if he doesn't
obey the rules, success will be hard to find.

So now we just have 4 at home and Alex is a lone boy in the house. Hope he
enjoys all the female companionship. The little girls love teasing him as
much as he loves teasing them, so they're going to be a good match for him.
He and Kristina now mow the lawn each week so he doesn't have to do all the
yard work by himself. Alex is loving being in Sonous choir.

So far Nikki is doing well in kindergarten. She's starting to learn to read
a few words and always has good behavior in her class. I can't tell yet how
Leah is doing, cuz her teacher hasn't really sent much home. Hopefully, no
news is good news. Kristina loves her 5th grade teacher. We're working on
trying to read more books this year.

I'm enjoying having more time to get things done during the day now that
everyone's in school. I'm mucking through closets and cupboards and I love
it. I think I'll be making lots of trips to DI with giveaways. I have to
teach a small lesson this week at scout Roundtable, so I'll be working on
that tomorrow.

So I'm anxious to hear about your baptisms over the weekend. Did everyone
pass their interviews, get married and baptized??? Tell us about each
person and how they're doing. I've been praying for them.

How is your companion and roommates? Do they speak any English, are you
teaching them any English? I hope you're all working well together and
enjoying what you're learning from each other. Remember to make a note
about what you learn both from any adversities you've had and from the
blessings you've received. Don't just make journal entries of times, things
and places but really try to find lessons in life. Not only will it be more
interesting for you but it will help you through life's ups and downs. It
always helps me when I'm going through an adversity to try to find what
lesson I'm supposed to be learning from it. Sometimes the lessons are hard
to find, but they're always there.

Here are your tips for the week:
1. Be punctual for everything.
2. Create an exercise program that results in a cleaner apartment (for
example, waxing the floor.)
3. Never refer to a baptism as anything other than a baptism (such as a
"dunking")
4. Carve a jack-o-lantern out of a watermelon.
5. When in doubt, tract.
6. Wake your companion one morning with a flash picture.
7. Don't sweep dirt under the rug...unless the mission president and his
wife just drove up.

Dad sends his love. He had a long day at work, then straight to Travis'
setting apart and then to the Bishop's office for interviews. He works
hard, so it's my job to make sure that he also gets to play hard.

We are all well here. Every time I hear a prayer in church and they bless
the missionaries, I think of you. Every time I hear about a young man
getting his mission papers ready and getting a call, I think of you and I
call their mom so we can share thoughts and feelings. Every prayer we have
in our home, your name is mentioned and your welfare and success is asked
for. Every time I hear a talk about the gathering of Israel, I think of
you, and then I think of me and then I think about our whole family and how
wonderful it is to have the fullness of the gospel and to know our purpose
in life. Thank you for sharing the things that you're experiencing and the
things you are learning because we all learn from it too.

Have a great week. I love you.
Mom
xoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoo


Sept 12, 2006
Dear Elder Kirk,
Ok, can you believe it's been a year since we went to Provo and dropped you
off at the MTC. That was such a fun time, having grandma and grandpa
Trumbo and Thompson here, having friends and family here for a good-bye
party, hearing you speak in Sacrament mtg and then getting to experience the
MTC and seeing you walk through those doors with all those other
missionaries. It was very emotional for me and I felt like 2 yrs would be
soooo long, but getting to read your letters each week has been the most
wonderful experience. When you tell us a lot about what you're doing and
who you're teaching and what your days are like, I can almost picture it.
The people of the DR have become a family to you and I appreciate that so
much. You've worked hard and many people have heard the gospel message
because of your faith and good works.

We are busy here doing general fix-ups around the house. The kids are busy
with school. I took Alex and Jake Jensen to the mall tonight to get their
vests and shirts for jazz choir. Nikki is getting her first taste of
learning to read. Sometimes it seems like she gets it, then all of a sudden
she forgets everything and just makes things up. Oh well, at least she
likes to do her "homework" every day. Leah is taking spelling tests now
and she got 100 on her first one last week. I was so proud of her. We work
on her words each day and also on her math. We do it in my quilt room and
we call it mommy time. She loves that and it's important for her to feel
like she can have some special alone time with me.

Sean is enjoying BYU so far. He tried out for the men's choir and got cut
in the final call back. The director told him there was no reason that he
got cut except for the fact that there just weren't many places this year.
He told him to definitely come back and is encouraging him to take a music
composition class next semester. He's coming home this weekend for Madison
Flake's farewell.

Carolina wrote me today and said it's time to guess where Axel will be going
on his mission. He put his papers in this week. So if you want to guess,
let us know.

Dad has a lot on his mind concerning the ward. He feels like people are
being a bit laid back in their church work, sometimes not even doing things
that they have committed to. We have stake temple week coming up where our
stake is supposed to fill the temple every session for 4 days. That's about
4000 endowments, but so far our ward hasn't signed up for very many. So
we've been talking a lot about how to motivate people to want to serve and
to go the extra mile. I told him I just visualize myself making my
covenants to the Savior face to face and how I would never want to let Him
down. Also I know how important it is that we share what we know with
others. When we teach the youth or children, we are helping make a
difference in the future and when we teach adults, we are helping the
present and in turn they can then be examples to the youth that they know
and love. I feel so strongly that we are all vital instruments in the great
gathering that is taking place, no matter where we live or serve. The worth
of every soul is great.

Grandpa Trumbo had his birthday this past weekend and he told me he was
sending me a check to put into your account to help out with those couples
that got married. He just loves reading your letters. I fax them to the
Winn so he can read them there.

We loved all the pix you sent last week. I've put a couple of them up on
the wall. What a full weekend you must have had. Did you get to speak at
the baptisms too? Your pix from the cable car were beautiful. I love the
one with the fog and the bridge too.

Guess what, we're actually getting grass seed in the back 40 next week. I
know that sounds like a miracle, no more getting rid of weeds all summer
long. What will we do with all our free time?? As soon as it starts
growing in, I'll send you a picture.

Here are your tips for the week:
1. Make sure "companion splits" are quality time, not goof-off time,
especially when your "companion du jour" is a member rather than a full-time
missionary.
2.Write some poetry.
3. Don't teach a wife or a child without first meeting the man of the house
and explaining what you want to do.
4. A tidy apartment invites the Spirit.(I firmly believe that in our home
too)
5. When traveling to an area to tract, don't be in such a hurry that you
overlook the hundreds of people you pass along the way.
6. Don't leave dirty dishes when you're transferred.
7. Know the mission song by heart and sing it enthusiastically. If your
mission doesn't have a song, write one.

Remember that Nikki's 5th birthday is on the 24th. She's very excited about
it and wants to have the Erickson's to her party. So we'll have them over
for a BBQ.

If you get some time, write me a handwritten letter. I'll do the same for
you. It seems like a long time since I've seen your handwriting and would
getting a personal letter.

ARe you still eating mangos for every month you've been out? You might be
getting a bit sick eating this many now. Maybe you should switch to grapes
:)

I hope your week is going well. Every time I see a missionary out on the
road I think of you and wonder what you're doing at that very moment.
Remember to be diligent in taking care of yourself also so that you can be
strong for others.

Have a great day. I love you,
mom
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxox


Sep 19, 2006
Dear Elder Kirk,
Wow, what another great letter you wrote last week. Dad even took it to
church and shared it with the priest quorum. They loved it. So much going
on in your area. The members sound amazing. They just go out and tell
their friends about the good news of the gospel and share what they feel.
Did Yandari get baptized yet?

I'm envious of the member's zeal and feel a push in my own life to do
better. I hope you know how blessed you are to be part of such a great work
and to have so many opportunities to share your testimony.

Now that you've been in the field a year, this next year will probably feel
different to you. Instead of repeating words you had learned by heart,
you'll be able to speak from your heart a lot more and I think you'll be
amazed at the depth of your own testimony and how much it will grow as you
continue to study and pray for guidance. It will virtually light a fire
within you and give you strength and gifts you never knew you were capable
of.

As you prove yourself to be a faithful servant, the Lord will use you as His
mouthpiece on many occasions. I know it's going to be an exciting year for
you!

Well, the back 40 got seeded yesterday and now we're watering it like crazy
and we can't walk on it for about a month. I can't wait to see the little
green sprouts coming up (little things like that thrill me).

Sean came home from BYU this past weekend. He was only here 2 days and we
didn't get to see him much. He picked up a brand new car from Uncle Bill to
drive back to Provo for Carolina. It actually snowed a little bit last
weekend in Provo and Steve and Carolina and the kids got all excited. She
said the neighors were laughing at them. We'll see if they're still excited
about snow when they have to shovel it every day, walk in it and drive down
steep hills in it. :)

No word yet on Axel's call. We'll let you know.

We had a busy day Sunday, especially dad. He had meetings starting at 6am,
went all day at church, then we had a scout committee meeting here at the
house at 4pm, then had a fireside for the young men and their father's here
at 7pm. It was fun having everyone here, but the little girls didn't
appreciate having to be in my bedroom most of the time watching church
movies.

Alex is still doing great in school, he's shooting for straight A's all
through high school and he loves jazz choir. He sings in the ward choir
too and I'm asking him to start practicing hymns on the piano every day.
You know how that goes. Kristina is a whiz at math and loves it. She's in
5th grade but doing 6 & 7th grade math right now. She's also loving being
in a band and playing the drums. Leah has started taking spelling tests in
school and she has homework now almost every day. She actually loves it.
She's also memorized the pledge of allegience. Nikki thinks she knows how
to read but she just memorizes the books. But that's a good start. Her
teacher says she's a very good girl in class. She's still very outgoing and
makes us laugh all the time. Her 5th birthday is this Sunday and she can't
wait.

I'm up to the same old things. You know me, I'm not happy unless I'm busy
and working on a project so I'm always thinking of projects to do around the
house, in the yard or with friends. I told dad I'd like to start inviting
new families in the ward over to our house to have ice cream sundaes
(remember how Bishop Stafford did that for us). I really enjoyed that and
it helps you get to know people. I'm also trying to finish Kristina's
baptism quilt because I have to start thinking about what I'm going to make
for Leah's baptism quilt. She doesn't get baptized until next year, but
since it takes me so long to make them, I better start on it now.

How is your companion doing? Does he come from a member family?

Here are the missionary tips for the week:
1. Don't do a door approach with your hands in your pockets.
2. Be consistent. If you teach one thing and do another, your message
becomes void.
3. Crete a zone Christmas card to be sent to the other missionaries in your
mission.
4. Be patient.
5. Carry a toy with you. Pull it out when young children start disrupting a
discussion.
6. Always greet the bishop at church at your first opportunity.
7. Write to prospective missionaries in your home ward.

I better get going. Alex will be home from school any minute and I need to
go pick up Nikki. Tonight is Back to School night at the high school, so
I'll be back in the high school classrooms tonight.

Have a wonderful week. You’re in our prayers constantly.
Love you,
mom
xoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo


Sept 26, 2006
Hi Elder Kirk,
How has your week been? We are all well here and enjoying a little bit
warmer weather. I know dad got to write you first this week and filled you
in on what's been happening. Nikki is soooo glad to finally be 5. I keep
asking her how she loves being 5 and she gets a big smile on her face. I
love her cute dimples.

I went and renewed my temple recommend tonight. It's weird still that you
get your recommends for 2 years now. I'm so used to thinking about renewing
every year. It's stake temple week. Today we went but the sessions were
full, so we actually turned around and went home. We'll be going again
tomorrow, but this time we'll get there a lot earlier. The rooms are small
in the Boise temple so they fill up quickly.

Sean is loving being at college. He's asked me for a couple recipes and I
think he really likes having a kitchen in his dorm. I can't remember if I
told you he's taking voice lessons this semester too. He's also thinking of
taking guitar lessons next semester.

I'm having my quilt group over here tomorrow. They're a great group of
friends and I look forward to meeting with them each month. All the
husbands think it's funny that we call ourselves the Material Girls. I've
been trying to finish Kristina's baptism quilt this week. It's about time.
But I've really got to get some ideas for Leah's quilt now.

Every time I talk with grandpa Trumbo he tells me how much he enjoys reading
your letters each week. I don't know if you'll know how fun it is for us
until you have a son out on a mission and get letters from him. It means a
lot that you share your mission with us.

I was thinking about something this week and tell me what you think. I
remember you said at the beginning of your mission you read Jesus the
Christ. Starting your second half of the mission, you'll never have a time
in your life when you will feel so close to the Savior as you will this next
year and where you will be such an instrument in His hands and you'll be
able to feel so intimately His will, so I was thinking this would be an
excellent time to read the book again to really draw close to the Savior and
I would love to read it at the same time. I just finished the D&C and am
finishing the Pearl of GP, so it's a good time for me to start something
new. Let me know what you think.

Well, here are some tips for the week:
1. Discuss the upcoming appointment with your companion while commuting to
it.
2. Create new words to Primary songs.
3. Lock your apartment door whenever you leave and before going to bed.
Leave a light on when you're out at night.
4. Don't linger after dinner appointments.
5. Carry a photo of your family in your wallet. (my personal favorite)

I hope you're staying anxiously engaged in good causes and living the gospel
that you are preaching. The Lord is trusting you with so many of his
precious souls right now and he knows you and your companion will teach them
what he wants them to know. It's amazing to hear how many people are being
placed in your path right now to teach. Keep up the wonderful work and
know that I pray always for your welfare and for the people you are
teaching.

Have a great week. I love you much....
mom
xoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxo


Oct 3, 2006
Dear Elder Kirk,
So of course since it's now October, the weather has decided to get cooler.
It actually feels great and the leaves are looking beautiful.

I've sent you some pix of Nikki on her b-day and also one of our new grass
in the back yard. It's coming in nicely. Can't wait til it's nice and
lush.

How are you doing this week? We all enjoyed your pix from last week.
Quite the lovely beach shots. We're all very envious.

Hey, I was wondering about your companions. You haven't told us much about
him or the ones you're living with other than they only speak Spanish.
Where are they from, etc.

Wasn't General Conf wonderful? Were you able to see many of the sessions?
It will be good to read them again when they come out in the Ensign.

We're leaving this Thurs to go down to Provo again. I'm going to visit
Darla (Tyler Durham's mom). They moved down to Riverton Utah a few months
ago and I want to see how she's doing. Tyler is at Utah State and is really
enjoying it. He's still in contact with Sean and Jared a lot and has
already made one trip down to Provo. I'm still hoping he wants to join the
church at some point.

Oliver Erickson is moving down to Provo this next weekend. He's going to
go to UVSC in January and will be living with Kurt Jackson and Scott Vance.
He's still doing his ebay sales.

I started reading Jesus the Christ this week. I can't believe you've read
it 3 times already. At this point I just can't believe how much James E.
Talmage wrote about Christ. It's just amazing and it's so thorough. I love
it.

We're hoping to go through the temple with Axel this weekend. Steve was
going to make an appointment at the temple, so we'll see if he was able to
when we get there. That would be nice if we can go through with him.

Last week was our stake temple week and it was so enjoyable going to the
temple so many times and seeing so many people there that we know. Usually
when we go, we don't really get to see many people we know. I even did
initiatories too.

Well, here are some tips for the week:
1. Drink eight glasses of water a day.
2. Your journal should be a record of both your activities and your
thoughts.
3. If your alarm clock breaks, buy a new one. Don't use it as an excuse for
not getting up on time.
4. Have a pillow fight with your companion.
5. Attend Bible study classes and be a friendly participant.
6. How you act on P-day is a direct reflection of how you will act when you
are a returned missionary.

I'm in awe at your study sessions and how dedicated you are in studying not
only the gospel but the language also. Those are wonderful habits you are
developing in your life. Keep up the good work and remember Christ is at
the helm and is guiding us all along the paths we should take. It's
comforting to know He is at the head of this church and that it will never
again be taken from the earth.

Have a great week. Love you,
mom