Week 9- Pensacola (E-mail to Barnett's)

Dear Maren,

The bottom picture is Elder Johnson. He was my MTC Zone Leader. The second picture is Elder Roberts. He was the only other missionary from the Oregon City Stake.

Jessica and Katrina stood us up, so nothing is going on with them. Let me tell you what happened at Mike's lesson. We finally gave a lesson to Mike Gunn. Throughout the whole thing I wanted to bang my head against the wall. We read Alma chapter 32, a great chapter on faith, but he told us that he believes you don't need to pay 10 percent in tithing. If your neighbor is in need, you should give them that (10%). Elder Packard tried to set him straight by saying, "Well, that's good, but try paying 10% AND give your neighbor some money." It didn't sink in, darn it. I was fighting myself not to scream out, "No a full ten percent, no less!" I didn't.

This is the one I had the real problem with. Mike believes that you can drink, as long as you don't get drunk. Again, so wrong, but I couldn't put that nicely, so I didn't say anything. It is just that Mike is so far from a bcd (baptism and confirmation date). His father John Gunn is coming along quite nicely. When we doing service at his house, he asked us about baptism for the dead. We got to tell him about it.

Thank you for the package. I was expecting a box, so when mom's package got here, I thought it was from you. The next letter I got was yours and I really enjoyed it. Now I can buy more stuff. The pictures were funny, well, at least the one with Braden and Brody. Brody has no idea what's going on and Braden has that cutest cheesy face. You know, when you tell Braden to say cheese and he says it and smiles really big?

You should enlarge the Hope Dr. and Faith Dr. picture and hang it up on your wall, so when people come over they will ask about it. You can tell them that your brother took the picture on his mission. If they are not members, you can tell them about what it means to go on a mission. That is a big part of missionary work, relating anything and everything to the Gospel. I dare you to find something I can't relate to the gospel. Oh, if you have time, check out a band called Inside Out, the song name is Book of Mormon Stories. What? I am a missionary and I don't get real music.

What you should read this week is the section on the Holy Ghost in the topical guide. Well, that is all for this week.

Elder Forsberg

Week 9- Pensacola (E-mail to Mom)

Dear Mom,

Thank you for the package of cookies, they were good. I am trying to use the gloves and the itch eraser really works. Thank you for the gift card.

I have learned how to count to 10 in french this week. Plus a ward member gave us a cd. That is really cool because there is this one band called Inside Out or Outside In, but they are a Mormon Band and they do a cool version of Book of Mormon Stories. They have The song the Spirit of God. When I listen to it, it just hits me for some reason. I really enjoyed it. The song was done by the BYU Men's Choir.

MOM NEVER SUGGEST RIMINGTON TO ANYONE, EVER, unless you hate them. I discovered there are holes in 2 of my pant pockets. One pair of pants has a small hole at the bottom of the pocket and the other has a giant hole, the a size that you can stick you whole hand throw without ripping it, more at the top of the pocket where it is attached to the pants. I am not sure how to even fix that hole. I do use the shoe shine kit once a month, plus, on one of my ties, you know the one with thick stripes of blue and black and a think strip of gold, the little thing on the back of the tie that keeps the thin part of the tie behind the thick part is broken. Some of the sheets have this weird burn mark on them. One of the suit pants has a really loose button, like so loose it hangs down. Sorry about telling you all this, but it is just annoying.

I had to do the grossest thing this week. I had to help Mike clean his porch. He has stored stuff outside for years, so everything was moldy, wet, dusty and there were bugs everywhere. I made it through without throwing up, but I wanted to.

We finally gave a lesson to Mike Gunn. Throughout the whole thing I wanted to bang my head against the wall. We read Alma chapter 32, a great chapter on faith, but he told us that he believes you don't need to pay 10 percent in tithing. If your neighbor is in need, you should give them that (10%). Elder Packard tried to set him straight by saying, "Well, that's good, but try paying 10% AND give your neighbor some money." It didn't sink in, darn it. I was fighting myself not to scream out, "No a full ten percent, no less!" I didn't.

This is the one I had the real problem with. Mike believes that you can drink, as long as you don't get drunk. Again, so wrong, but I couldn't put that nicely, so I didn't say anything. It is just that Mike is so far from a bcd (baptism and confirmation date). His father John Gunn is coming along quite nicely. When we doing service at his house, he asked us about baptism for the dead. We got to tell him about it.

The good new is we did get more dinner appointments. In PEC, the Bishop asked us how many are we getting each week. We said two or three. The the first counselor, Brother Smith, said that he would talk to the Relief Society about that. When we got the calender back, we had all but one day filled.

So that is pretty much my week

Elder Forsberg

Week 9- Pensacola (letter to Dad)

Dear Dad,

My third companion is not a Utah boy, but close enough. He is an Idaho boy, so not much difference. This week was ok, but I am becoming a little racist. When tracting, if it is a white person they will say they are not interested, but if they make a return appointment they keep it. If it's a black person, they seem really interested, but won't show for the return appointment.

Yes, we did get more dinner appointments because in PEC, the Bishop asked us how many are we getting each week. We said two or three. The the first counselor, Brother Smith, said that he would talk to the Relief Society about that. When we got the calender back, we had all but one day filled.

Dad, everyone guesses who the next Bishop is going to be. The only person who doesn't guess, is the next Bishop. I knew that Brother Carlson was going to become Bishop sooner or later. Can you ask for Sam's e-mail address so I don't have to spend 98 cents for one foreign stamp?

We finally gave a lesson to Mike Gunn. Throughout the whole thing I wanted to bang my head against the wall. We read Alma chapter 32, a great chapter on faith, but he told us that he believes you don't need to pay 10 percent in tithing. If your neighbor is in need, you should give them that (10%). Elder Packard tried to set him straight by saying, "Well, that's good, but try paying 10% AND give your neighbor some money." It didn't sink in, darn it. I was fighting myself not to scream out, "No a full ten percent, no less!" I didn't.

This is the one I had the real problem with. Mike believes that you can drink, as long as you don't get drunk. Again, so wrong, but I couldn't put that nicely, so I didn't say anything. It is just that Mike is so far from a bcd (baptism and confirmation date). His father John Gunn is coming along quite nicely. When we doing service at his house, he asked us about baptism for the dead. We got to tell him about it.

So that is pretty much my week,
Elder Forsberg

MTC Pictures- Last Days

Last Days at the MTC.

District at the temple.
Provo Temple

District in front of temple.

Noviers, which is Hungarian for Sisters. They are in my zone, but are headed to Hungry.

Elder Cox & I.

Me with the Noviers.

Off to Florida.

MTC Pictures- When Missionaries Get Bored

They play karate.

Line their name tags up.
Make weird faces. (Egbert)
Play hide and seek. (Cahoon)

Nap on top of their desks.

Play with light sabors.

Dress up like twins.

Show their true colors.

And make beautiful decorations with pencil shavings.

Let's just say, there is a lot of down time.

MTC Pictures- Hanging Around Outside

Elder Durbano eating the snow.

Elder Roberts & I

Elder Egbert & I

Snowy BenchesBike Statues

MTC Pictures- First Temple Trip

Provo Temple in the snowMountain view from Temple
A lot of missionaries Me in front of the Temple

Elder Cahoon & I in front of Temple

I loved our temple trips.

MTC Pictures- First Days

My first days that the MTC.

I couldn't be more excited and nervous.

I was assigned a District. From left to right: Elder Wolfe, Roberts, Durbano, Cahoon, me, Cox & Egbert in back.

We spent our days in this building:

and in this small classroom:We learned important messages:

We had one time to take our pictures at the 'big map.'Here I come Florida.
My District with Brother Mortensen.

My District with Brother Brown.

Me & Brother Brown

Besides my companion taking my time by talking to everyone, I was enjoying my time at the MTC.

Week 8- Pensacola (E-mail to mom & dad)

Dear Mom and Dad,

This week in the mission field really sucked. I was transferred back into Fox Run, so when I went to Ward Counsel, I didn't have much to report on since I wasn't here all last week. Fox Run has a car again, but I have a new companion. His name is Elder Packard. He is from Rigby, Idaho, my first companion was from Utah. Elder Packard has been out for 8 Months. I like him alot more than Elder Thomas because Elder Thomas was supposed to be training me and most of the time it felt like I was training him. Elder Packard is great. He is a model missionary.

We lost our cell phone this week, which makes it so hard to do missionary work. Dad can you ask the Carlson's to give me Sam's e-mail address. I can't afford all the foreign stamps. Mom can you send me so anti-itch gel or cream because I don't know how, but the bugs bit me under my sock, so the thing won't heal because my feet sweat a little. They itch like crazy. This week we were running out of everything and my companion was lower on money, so guess who to buy everything.

Since I have been in this area longer, I have to lead it, but I still don't know what I am doing. So, to make a long story short, I use to have nails and I need you to send me gloves. Anythings fine, as long as they have fingers. I guess it was too much to ask for a normal mission. No other part of my life is normal, so why should this be any different. I say that because you might get a new companion every transfer. So far, I have had 3 companions and been in 2 areas, all within one transfer. That is my week in all its glory. I will be sending home my memory card soon.

Elder Forsberg

Week 8- Pensacola (E-mail to Barnett's)

Dear Maren,

I have moved back to the old address because we got our car back, well, a car back. Elder Thomas lost his driving rights. Send the pack to 10025 Hillview Dr. address.

Oh, I haven't had the best week this week. I was in a different area last week and then I got a new companion this week. My companions name is Elder Packard. He has be out for 8 months and is from Idaho. My first companion was from Utah. It really sucks because I have to lead the area. Let me tell you, when you are new in the mission field they assign a trainer to train you how to do missionary work. Usually you have your trainer for 12 weeks or 6 weeks if the mission president thinks you are ready. I had my trainer for 3 weeks and I haven't even made it to 1 full transfer (every 6 weeks). I have already been in 2 areas and had 3 companions. I guess it was a little too much to ask for a normal mission. I really like Elder Packard. He is a lot cleaner than Elder Thomas. Elder Packard is a model missionary. In the MTC we are trained to go to dinner, leave them will a spiritual message and commit them to do something. Elder Thomas did not do either of these things.

As for Elder Hamblin, the injured elder, he really lucked out this time. There is another elder who needs the same surgery, so they are going to be companions in Tallahassee. Those people were only new because I was in the Pine Forest area and the catholic person was a women. I don't know how she is doing. I am in the Fox Run area again. We found 2 new investigators by tracting, Katrina and Jessica.

We are allowed to go to the beach, as long as we get there without using our mission cars. We are not suppose to swim, so I took that as don't go into the ocean. I didn't but the other 3 elders did. They justified it by saying thing didn't swim, but they were wet from head to toe. There are 2 parts to every rule or law. There is the spirit of the law, which is why the rule or law was set there to prevent, and the letter of the law, which is what the rule or law says word for word. Alot of missionaries follow the letter of the law, I try to think of why it was made.

Aunt Helen died. Oh, I am so sorry to hear that.

Cash or Nutri-grain bars would be great. I would love any package. It just sucks being a missionary sometimes. This week we ran out of stuff that we needed, such as toilet paper, paper towels, and everything else. Elder Packard didn't have much money, so I got to buy them. It's ok, when we run out again, it's his turn to buy them.

I guess everyone had a busy week because the only e-mails I received were from you and Kalen. Kalen's are only 2 sentences long, not much to go off of. No letter from mom or dad. Well, I did get one from President Summerhays, but that was just a group e-mail sent off to all the missionaries.

I will be sending my memory card home, on Thursday, after get some pictures with Elder Packard. That's my week as a missionary

Elder Forsberg

P.S. I forget to say, you want to know what I study, so here it is. Psalms 85:11,13; Ezekiel 37: 16-21 (keep the Book of Mormon in mind); Alma 32 is great chapter on faith.

Week 7- Pensacola (E-mail to Barnett's)

I am excited because today I get to go to the beach. Yay! The new address is 6321 Rambler Dr. The last part should be correct, but you might want to check the zip code, it might be different

Week 6- Pensacola (E-mail to Mom & Dad)

Dear Dad,

You and your Dusty Burgers. I am glad you had fun. But I put all of my week in moms letter.

Elder Forsberg

Dear Mom & Dad,

This week has been a week of searching. Florida roads are really hard to navigate because one road can change. We have this one road the changes its name at least 4 times throughout the neighborhoods. They don't name streets differently, they just change the title of it. So instead of doing Candle Stick Dr and Fireplace Ave, they do Candle Stick Dr, Candle Stick Ave, Candle Stick Ln, and Candle Stick Pl. and many many more.

I have been searching for a purple highlighter. We go to Office Depot alot and I found 10 retractable sharpie highlighters for $8.99. I almost bought it but I didn't. I almost bought a few other pens from there, but I didn't. Plus, I was marking my Scriptures with all the Preach My Gospel scripture references. Different colored tags for different lessons. I started to run out, so I am looking for a certain brand of tabs which are hard to find because it is an off brand. So yeah, this week has been all about the search. We must have spent 10 hours lost this week. We really didn't have time to tract.

Oh, and yes mom, I will be calling home on mothers day. I won't want you to have to call President Summerhays. I will be calling at 3 or 4 your time.

Not many members feed us. We have a few families that sign up once a month, which is all I ask for, but there are alot of empty days. The only days that aren't empty are Sunday and Thursday, because the Wagners say if we don't have a dinner appointment for Sunday then they will feed us. A couple, named the Grilleys, take every Thursday of every month, which is good but weird because Brother and Sister Grilley frighteningly remind me of Mallory and Brent. But that's all the dinner appointments we have.

My zone is on the coast but I am not. The gulf is an hour away. Florida is so weird, and I live in Oregon I know weird people will stand on street corner and start screaming Bible verse. Which I find funny because there alway about join my church or your going to hell. the Bible has a bigger message then you are going to hell if you dont join a church.

But I have a cool story for you. We were visiting less actives. So usually they say go away and are rude about it. We find this member and he lives in a really nice neighborhood. Down here nice neighborhood mean they don't like us. So we knock on this guys door and before we can ask for anyone. He says "Oh, hi Elders. Come on in". This was one of my favorite parts of my mission so far. Because he covered all our bases without us saying anything. We talk alot about his family and ours families. We stayed there for 2 hours and all of my missionary check list was covered. He told us how he came into the church, then he said, "Yeah, I should probably start coming back to Church." Then he gave us 24 military MRE (Meals Ready to Eat), which are surprisingly good. You should probably buy some for your food storage because all you need is water to cook them. But if you do buy some, only buy the Military ones and every pack is a balanced meal. Elder Thomas and I usually share one because they are so big. Then he gave us his son's address and told us to go see him and come back anytime. So, in 2 hours, we helped him feel the spirit, committed him to come back to church, made many dinner appointments, and got a referral from him with us not having to say any of it.

Dad, do you need a new scripture case? Are brown stripes ok? But don't you send the black ones I didn't open unless I packed them. Thank you for the gloves. I haven't had a really good southern cooked meal because all the people that feed us aren't from the south.

Well that all for this week.

Elder Forsberg

Week 6- Pensacola (E-mail to Barnett's)

Dear Maren (Blake, Braden & Brody),

I would love to talk to you if I have time. So, if you can work it out with mom, I can do it. This is where being in a big family sucks, but if you do the sibling calls with their spouses, I think I can do it. Kalen tried on formal dresses with mom? Tell her to smile because now that I have 3 girly sisters.

My Zone Conference is this Wednesday. I can't go to your blog. It is not on the approved list, unless one of 2 things happen. #1 My Mission President, President Summerhays, say yes, or #2 you find some way of attaching it to the churches website. I can go anywhere as long as I can get there from lds.org. But in July, President Summerhay will be released and President Jensen will take charge.

I would look for myself but I am busy. I need one more thing. Marking tabs, which is hard, because I am looking for a certain type or brand to match the ones I already have. I don't remember the name of the brand, but I can describe them to you. They come in a pack of 5 with neon colors (blue, yellow, orange, green, and purple). They look like arrows because one side is flat, but the other side comes to a point. You can write on them and they are transparent so you can put them right on the words and still be able to read the page. They come in a blue and white package. They are about an inch or less long and are $2.49. I bought them right before I left the MTC, at the MTC Bookstore, but they only had one in a pack of 25 per colors and it was some off brand. So I know it is not the Post-it Brand. I would just called the MTC Bookstore and ask what the brand is but I am not allowed to make non-missionary related calls. I use them to mark Preach My Gospel and the scriptures. It's ok if you can't find them.

Mike Gunn is coming to church, slowly, but he will probably convert. He is 48 and retired on a fix income, so he has problems with tithing, but we are also teaching his father John Gunn. We are not at the point, with the Gunn's, where we can just sit down and give them lessons. We do service for them and working in lessons, but John Gunn is a really nice old man. We might not be able to give him lessons, but hopefully down the road there are Elders who can. A mission is not about how many people you baptize, it's about bringing people or making people be open to the gospel.

But I have a cool story for you. We were visiting less actives. So usually they say go away and are rude about it. We find this member and he lives in a really nice neighborhood. Down here nice neighborhood mean they don't like us. So we knock on this guys door and before we can ask for anyone. He says "Oh, hi Elders. Come on in". This was one of my favorite parts of my mission so far. Because he covered all our bases without us saying anything. We talk alot about his family and ours families. We stayed there for 2 hours and all of my missionary check list was covered. He told us how he came into the church, then he said, "Yeah, I should probably start coming back to Church." Then he gave us 24 military MRE (Meals Ready to Eat), which are surprisingly good. You should probably buy some for your food storage because all you need is water to cook them. But if you do buy some, only buy the Military ones and every pack is a balanced meal. Elder Thomas and I usually share one because they are so big. Then he gave us his son's address and told us to go see him and come back anytime. So, in 2 hours, we helped him feel the spirit, committed him to come back to church, made many dinner appointments, and got a referral from him with us not having to say any of it.

Well that my week.

Elder Forsberg