Elder Forsberg: June 2010

Week 14- Pensacola (E-mail to Toren & Audrey)

Dear Toren and Audrey,

Toren have you not been paying a attention to dad. You’re a father now you don’t get cool phones like the Droid. You save up for when you have to take you children to the ER because they injured or sprain something. But how ado you like it? I hear it is a really good phone. But Toren go to pillowties.com

It was and 100 with 60-80 % humidity. I hate it. We did have one investigator ready for baptism but the he decided to cancel on us 5 times this week with no notice. And he's stopped reading somewhat. So it will be a few weeks before we ask again. Mike was really annoying me this week. Five time this week he canceled on us when we were at his door. Either he was taking a nap or not home. So Elder Packard and I decide that we are no longer going to meet at his house for a few reason.

1. We feel that he would feel the spirit better at the church and not the trash heap he calls his house.

2. We want him to want the lessons, so him driving to the church makes him do something.

3. We want him to place a bit more priority on the lessons. He was staying at his friends house to let a worker in and I just want to say, "Mike cant you tell your friend that you need to be home at this time so he will have to watch his own house for awhile."

But Mike did look good at church. He shaved and brushed his hair. Now if we could only get him a haircut.

Our new mission president starts today. President Jensen is his name. Yeah, the family sounds fun. And now that you're a father your life becomes a balancing act. Now don't live too righteously or you will have to add bishop to your list.

Well if you really wanted to do something you could burn me a CD of familiar hymns like "I Stand All Amazed" and "How Firm a Foundation." But please no slow hymns. All I have out here is slow hymns. They are boring and put me to sleep sometimes.

Elder Forsberg

Week 14- Pensacola (E-mail to Dad)

Dear Dad,

Here in Florida it has been 100 with 60-80% humidity. I am spending 8 hours a day in it. Yes, the dinner at the Grilley's went great. But then again there was someone who spoke Russian as a first language, so she was listening to him most of the time. Oh dad, go to pillowtie.com. You would be the envy of all the other high counselors.

You will all be in the OC? Great, 7 identical e-mails. I am looking forward to it. But I would like some pictures from that week sent through the real mail please. I bet it is but as a missionary, I don’t read the newspaper or watch the news so I really don’t know (oil spill on the Pensacola beaches). Pensacola is a naval base town. It is just far enough inland not be a beach town but just close enough to make it to the beach in like a hour. All the interesting things to do in Pensacola are way out of our area.

A family volunteered to bring us to an air show, but president Summerhay's said no. That same family said that they would take us out to have fun on the 4th of July, but it's on Sunday this year, so we can't really do anything. Dad I think Pensacola is bigger the Oregon City but it only have 3 really small wards. It should really be 2 wards but that's not my decision, unlike the 5 Oregon City wards. You haven't seen a small ward until you have been in the south. There are a lot in this Stake. Pine Forest, Fox Run, Pensacola, Milten, Jay, Naverre, Pace, and Perdido. We are in the Pensacola stake.

So this is going to be a new week of leadership. President Jensen starts today and Zone Conference is on Friday. Plus, we got a new Ward Mission leader yesterday. I think he is going to be a good one. The missionary work is going fine. I told you about the one investigator from Egypt.

Mike was really annoying me this week. He cancelled on us 5 times this week when we were at his door. Either he was taking a nap or not home. So Elder Packard and I decided that we are no longer going to meet at his house for a few reason.

1. We feel that he would feel the spirit better at the church and not the trash heap he calls his house.

2. We want him to want the lesson, so him driving to the church makes him do something.

3. We want him to place a bit more priority on the lessons because he was staying at his friends house to let a worker in because his friend is moving in. I just want to say, Mike can't you tell your friend that you need to be home at this time so he will have to watch his own house for awhile.

But Mike looked good at church. He shaved and brushed his hair. Now if we could only get him a haircut.

Elder Forsberg

P.S. So dad, are you going to buy one? Did your get my Father's Day card yet?

Week 14- Pensacola (E-mail to Barnett's)

Dear Maren,

Sister Grilley was fine this week. We had Pine Forest come with us because the Pine Forest missionaries and Elder Packard all hit their ten month mark at the same time. So Sister Grilley gave them a pillow tie. You should get Blake one. (Pillowtie.com) They are a novelty item that no Mormon can pass up. We agreed that Elder Packard would give the spiritual thought at the Grilley's from now on. I played ticket to ride my first week here, but it was the United States edition. I had a good idea where everything was.

We got a new Ward Mission Leader too. Yes, we told the office and it was fix that day (air conditioner). But it took over night to cool the place down again. So, who are your missionaries now? Who is the Mission President over them and what mission are you in? Wait, don’t tell me you are you the Washington Spokane Mission. Am I right? Oh, I look up Elder Fawson. I don’t know where he is at, but my District Leader knows him.

Gopi would just be disowned? If Sarah, from Egypt, got baptized and was deported or went back to Egypt, she could be killed. If you are Islamic and you convert to a different religion, you are taking your life into your own hands. They have to be absolutely certain that they are ready for baptism. That's why the Mission President has to interview them.

It was a 100 degrees with 60-80% humidity. I hate it. We had one person ready for baptism but then he decided to cancel on us 5 times this week, with no notice. He also stopped reading, somewhat. It will be a few week before we ask.

1. We feel that he would feel the spirit better at the church and not the trash heap he calls his house.
2. We want him to want the lesson, so him driving to the church makes him do something.
3. We want him to place a bit more priority on the lessons because he was staying at his friends house to let a worker in because his friend is moving in. I just want to say, Mike can't you tell your friend that you need to be home at this time so he will have to watch his own house for awhile.

But Mike looked good at church. He shaved and brushed his hair. Now if we could only get him a haircut.

Wait, the Ensign said that the Florida Tallahassee Mission was getting a new Mission President? I have never seen that in the Ensign before. It is true, President Jensen starts today. It is weird because no missionary got an e-mail from him today. I don’t know, President Summerhay's was wise, spiritual and caring. I guess every Mission President is like that though. Gee, Blake is hardcore if he can get a confession that quickly. But you know us Forsberg's, sassy as ever.

I have just been reading one chapter out of Mosiah each day. I read Chapter 27 today. My favorite scripture is Mosiah 2:17. Oh, I learned something funny this week. Go to google and type in french military victories and the press I am feeling lucky. Funny stuff.

I hate to bother you with this but would you mind sending me some erasable pens (black)? I prefer writing in pen but I make a lot of mistakes and it doesn’t have to be a lot just like one or two in an envelope. Oh, and I was wondering if you could burn me a cd with hymns on it that are normal or fast speeds. We have slow hymns and it is really hard to wake up at 6:30 and get in the car and have to listen to slow hymns, plus I don’t know a 1/3 of them. If they could be common hymns, that would be great. If you don’t have any in your music library, then don’t worry about it.

Well, I hope you have fun in OC next week. And I hope you like the Lion King, I know I did.

Elder Forsberg

Week 13- Pensacola (E-mail to Mom)

Dear Mom,

My address is 10025 Hillview dr. Pensacola, FL. Or just send it to the mission address. They can forward it to me unless you have to pay to ship (like a box) it then I can pick it up at the next zone conference. Ok, I thought pills might help.

Down here it was 97 degrees with 90% humidity. I will trade weather any day of the week. Plus, our air conditioner broke, so our apartment is blazing hot.

Plus, I spent a hour talking to Jesus this week. No Maren, not Jesus Christ. Say it the Hispanic way. We were tracting and went up to him. He talked our ears off for a hour, literally an hour, but he never said sit down, so we were standing outside his gate listening to him talk. He is Cuban, so I was only able to understand every third word. Not fun!

We were over at the Grilley's house and it came time for the spiritual thought part of the evening. I prepared one on pride. Since it was a long scripture, I asked Elder Packard to read it. I pointed out how it said in the passage that the rich and the learned have the most pride. I was going to say usually, but before I could, Sister Grilley started off on this big lecture about how not all rich people are selfish. Then when I started again, I said, "Well, rich people." Well, I can't remember what I said next. I can only remember what happened next. Sister Grilley pointed out that I said 'which' people, not 'rich' people and she started laughing at me for 2 minutes. Everyone started laughing. So Elder Packard had to take over because I had to fight back tears. After we finished, we left. The hard part is we go over there every week for dinner.

We got three new investigators this week. One stopped us on the street and asked if we worked for the church. We stopped and talked to her for awhile. She came from Egypt. If she is baptised and is deported back to Egypt, she could be killed for converting. That is why she came here. Oh, Islamic people are so crazy sometimes. Anyone that is Islamic has to have their baptismal interview with the Mission President. I learned this last night. She really wants to know more about Jesus Christ. We found one tracting. We have one that has 3 weeks left to live. He is dying of cancer, so our job is to make it easier for him to be accepted on the other side. The West Florida hospital is so nice, it looks like a hotel.

So I have been writing Keisha's family because Keisha makes them write me. And Keisha's mom wrote me that I inspired her to read the Book of Mormon because I was an example of our church whenever I went over there and that I would give up 2 years to preach it.

But this really cool thing happened. Fox Run (my area) and Pine Forest went out to lunch at Applebees because we had nothing to do. We ordered our food, but when we got the bill all it said was 'Paid: God Loves You.' Someone paid for our meal. The waitress couldn’t tell us until that person left. It put me in a good mood for the rest of the day.

Elder Forsberg

P.S. July 7 is when President Jensen is coming in. I forgot the zip code for my address. It's 32514.

Week 13- Pensacola (E-mail to Dad)

Dear Dad,

How was your Father's Day? By reading your letter, I am guessing you didn’t get my Father's Day card on time. Darn it.

Ok dad, this is what you do. First things first. Have every Elder and High Priest fill out an information sheet for the missionaries benefit. First, you have to make an information sheet. Include name, age, calling, job, family size, time they are available, skills, and anything else you can think of. Now dad, it will help the missionaries if you match investigators to fellow shippers. Make the priesthood do it. Use the authority as their High Counselor to have them fill it out. Tell them it is not an option. Second, the key about missionary week is that they have to sacrifice. For example, yesterday we went to the hospital to visit someone. We didn’t drive there, we walked the 2 ½ miles there and back. On the way back, we got a new investigator that stopped us on the street. (Tell you about it later in the letter). They have to tract a lot also. They can't get anyone if they are not out there. Third, service. They should be helping the ward members. I am sure that the elderly members need help with their yards. Think of the second prophet, Brigham Young, and how he was. He basically taught us that you can pray until your knees fall off. It won't help unless you have action. And have mom ask to find Cristina's sales address. I think she would benefit from the gospel. She is a hardcore Christian, but still. When they get there, tell them to let her read the letter Blair Forsberg sent them. Is that enough advise for you father?

Down here it was 97 degrees with 90% humidity. I will trade weather any day of the week. Plus, our air conditioner broke, so our apartment is blazing hot.

That would be a little scary. But is he going to Cape Town? And how about Brian Franzen? Has he even submitted his papers yet? Because just knowing him through missionary prep, if no one makes him submit his papers, I don’t think he ever will.

Dad, you have watched mom do it for years. And yes, I have conducted the music at every District Meeting. And I do okay ad long as we know how the song goes.

Did you ever have any members on your mission the were unbelievably rude, but they didn’t think they were being rude? I do, her name is Sister Grilley. We were over at the Grilley's house and it came time for the spiritual thought part of the evening. I prepared one on pride. Since it was a long scripture, I asked Elder Packard to read it. I pointed out how it said in the passage that the rich and the learned have the most pride. I was going to say usually, but before I could, Sister Grilley started off on this big lecture about how not all rich people are selfish. Then when I started again, I said, "Well, rich people." Well, I can't remember what I said next. I can only remember what happened next. Sister Grilley pointed out that I said 'which' people, not 'rich' people and she started laughing at me for 2 minutes. Everyone started laughing. So Elder Packard had to take over because I had to fight back tears. After we finished, we left. The hard part is we go over there every week for dinner.

Elder Forsberg

Week 13- Pensacola (E-mail to Barnett's)

Dear Maren,

About the intense missionary, you might want to tell someone. If he is without his companion, that is one of the biggest rules in a mission, unless he was on splits. He needs to be told not, well, I don’t know a good word so I am going to use, bully the investigators. We are here to bring souls unto to Christ, not sell used cars. We don’t want people going around saying the Mormon missionaries were trying to make me get baptized. This is what they told us, your loyalty is first to the Lord; second, to the Mission President; and third, to your companion. So, if there is a problem, you need to speak up. Even if it means firing off a quick e-mail to the ward mission leader. Ok, I just read the paragraph below the one I was just commenting on. Why don’t you just send that e-mail to the President? He can handle it as he sees fit.

So Maren, what you are saying is that you love your Mormon boy? I remember when you and Mallory got back from Girls Camp. You would be singing that song for a week and a half afterwards.

Mike is 48 and retired on disability. By the way he acts, you would think he is much older. He has never lived with his parent since we have been teaching him, but they live about 2 blocks away.

Down here it was 97 degrees with 90% humidity. I will trade weather any day of the week. Plus, our air conditioner broke, so our apartment is blazing hot.

Yeah, I don’t know a Elder Fawson and neither does Elder Packard. That means he can't be in Tallahassee or Pensacola zones. I will see if I can find him.

Elder Forsberg

Week 12- Pensacola (E-mail to Barnett's)

Dear Maren,

Yes, they did find out what was wrong with Elder Packard. He let himself get dehydrated. Here is a tip for hydration, take your body weight, cut it in half and that's how many ounces you need to drink every day. Last week there was a thunder storm, all week. This week it has been high 90's with 50%, if not more, humidity. To put it simply (heat+humidity)+tracking+service-shade and water = not a very happy Oregonian. What do you mean by interesting? Do you mean apostate? If you don’t know already, Blake can tell you what apostate means.

Wait, you have phase 10? I looked through all your games and I don’t remember you having it. We mostly play it had the Grilley's weekly dinner when they save us from boredom. We had choir practice and our dinner appointment for that night cancelled. So Sister Grilley invited us over. It really sucks when Sunday dinners cancel because we almost have no food in the house. Yeah, we mostly only play games if a member wants to or if it is p-day. We are in the wrong part of Pensacola for sight seeing. Plus, there is nothing to do. What games do you have in mind? I want to know before you spend money mailing it down here. I definitely want that picture of you and Braden racing. It is so cute.

Braden is becoming quite the little boy, isn't he? Maren, you’re a working Mormon mother. Tell me when did mom have time to relax when we were growing up? We only teach Mike, but we do service for his father John Gunn and he said, and I quote. “Well buddy, I think I outta start coming to church because his mother and I have really noticed a good change in Mike." So we might start teaching him and maybe his wife.

Sometimes it is hard working with the ward because the ward doesn’t work with you. The priesthood is weird down here. We made information sheets for the brethren to fill out so we could match investigators with fellowshippers. Out of the 20 we passed out, we got 8 back. It wasn't a hard sheet. It would take them 3 minutes to finish and that's probably how much we will have until I pass them out again. Then again, the missionaries have been taken out of this ward because the ward wouldn’t help the missionaries. The ward mission leader is great, very involved. What ward missionaries? This ward is so small we don’t have any. Some people have more than one calling. There is this one sister who has four callings. The bishopric has been really helpful. But the mission president has taken missionaries out of Fox Run because the ward wasn’t helping any.

So Maren, what would you like for your birthday? It helps me find something but allows me to be a good missionary.

Elder Forsberg

Week 12- Pensacola (E-mail to Mom)

Dear Mom,

The oil spill is bad. There are tar balls washing up on shore. People are making bank just for picking them up for $18.75 an hour. But the really bad stuff is not the oil, it is what was in the oil. The hard skin but you can't see it. I have had a pretty busy week with all the service. But the weather this week is has been high 90s with 50% if not more humidity. To put it simply (heat+humidity) +tracking+ service-shade and water= not a very happy Oregonian.

Aw. Frisbee is so cute when he does that. The Wagner's have a bichon but it’s a female. Much smaller and more fragile. Why does dad always have to show you up. So how are you going to make him go. Tell him you going out to dinner and drive him to the ER. You know you could send me some pictures of that. Just scan it into the computer. Speaking of computers, have you sent my memory card back yet? Because I haven't received it yet. I worry someone took it or it got lost in the mail. But I almost filled up my journal, so I will be sending it home soon. You and dad can get the whole story of my mission so far. Oh mom, this is very important. I will be getting a tube in a few days. Mom, DO NOT THROUGH AWAY THE TUBE! It is a mission thing so just save it for me.

Well, we aren't in the apartment we just can't be outside for long time. But yeah we can go to the mall. Mom don’t call president Summerhays but don’t call him after July 7th because the it will be president Jensen at the point. What is the program Brother Larsen has in mind. We have a ward mission leader but no ward missionaries Sometime it is hard working with the ward because the ward doesn’t work with you. The priesthood is weird down here. We made information sheet for the brethren to fill out so we could match investigator with fellow shipper more easily. We had out like 20 and got 8 back. It was a hard sheet. Take them 3 minutes to finish. And that probably how much we will have until I pass them out again. But then again the missionaries have been taken out of this ward because the ward wouldn’t help the missionaries. The ward mission leader is great very involved. What ward missionaries. This ward is so small we don’t have any. Some people have more then one calling. There is this one sister who haves four callings. But the bishopric is really have been really helpful. But the mission president has taken missionaries out of fox run because the ward wasn’t helping any.

I hate the summer right now I wash my face twice a day and I still brake out with pimples every day. And they hurt. We had to go give a blessing to some one in the hospital though we were giving the wrong last name. but we found the person. On the way out we stop by the gift shop and I bought a pen made from old mother boards and is computer chips. I got a very pretty card from Elise this week. It was a very funny card. And I knew she wrote it because it was in colored pencil and she spelled great “graet”. It was cute but I still don’t know why she sent me a card. But anyway I sent a letter back. Because the rule is you send a letter you get a letter.

Mike didn’t show up this week to church he is interesting because he will come to church but he wont read the chapter we give him which is weird it is usually the other way around. But he is coming along. He doesn’t know if the Mormon bible as he calls it is true yet. But he forgets to pray about it. He mostly prays for other people. Which is good but he with never know its true unless he prays for it. Well we do service for his father John Gunn and he said and I quote “well buddy I think I outta start coming to church because his mother and I have really notice a good change in mike”. So we mike start teaching him and maybe his wife. mom this is a good way to get in investigator ask your investigators. How was found John is because Mike try to cancel service for him because he had to help his father. Then we said we would help. And we have been doing service once a week for john ever since.

Well that all I did this week. Is hot but it is going to get hotter.

Elder Forsberg

Week 12- Pensacola (E-mail to Dad)

Dear Dad,

This week has been hot and muggy. High 90’s with at least 50 percent humidity, if not more. We've been doing a lot of service lately. Yes dad, I remember who Joseph is. He was uncycling was he is uniform. That Joseph giving the people what the want even if they didn’t know they wanted it. Mike didn’t show up this week to church he is interesting because he will come to church but he wont read the chapter we give him which is weird it is usually the other way around. But he is coming along. He doesn’t know if the Mormon bible as he calls it is true yet. But he forgets to pray about it. He mostly prays for other people. Which is good but he with never know its true unless he prays for it. Well we do service for his father John Gunn and he said and I quote “well buddy I think I outta start coming to church because his mother and I have really notice a good change in Mike”. So we mike start teaching him and maybe his wife. Dad this is a good way to get in investigator ask your investigators. How was found John is because Mike try to cancel service for him because he had to help his father. Then we said we would help. And we have been doing service once a week for john ever since.

The priesthood is weird down here. We made information sheet for the brethren to fill out so we could match investigator with fellow shipper more easily. We had out like 20 and got 8 back. It was a hard sheet. Take them 3 minutes to finish. And that probably how much we will have until I pass them out again. But then again the missionaries have been taken out of this ward because the ward wouldn’t help the missionaries. The ward mission leader is great very involved. What ward missionaries. This ward is so small we don’t have any. Some people have more then one calling. There is this one sister who haves four callings.

Well my last zone conference was interesting because it was President Summerhays last one. So we did interviews the watch David A. Bednar in a conference for the church like as a business so it was fine. I like speaking with the other elders in the zone. Dad a the memory card that I sent home had picture from the mission field. Or did mom just deal with those. Have you sent that memory card back yet because I have gotten any mail all week. I hope it didn’t get lost in the mail. I will be sending my journal home soon so you can read about everyday in detail.

Elder forsberg

Week 11- Pensacola (E-mail to Mom)

Dear Mom,

First, I would like to say that I fixed the small hole in my pocket. What do you mean spring? It's summer now. Hollywood Video is going out of business? Darn it. You should go and get some cheap movies while you can. Oh, mom, I miss the way you forced us to work at your pre-school events. Yeah, I am finding that I am a little more mature than my companions. Especially with money and I am totally mature when it comes to budgeting.

Our P-day's are really boring because we have do not have sights to see. All the sights are on or near base. We are not supposed to travel that far in the Mission cars and the bus takes too long, so we just go over to the Pensacola apartments and play games. Mostly Risk God Storm. I don’t like that game because it is risk with a lot more rules.

The thundering has stopped all week and Elder Packard has been sick all week. It's been like, well, remember that trip where every stop was 8 hours away from each other. You know when we went to the Manti pageant? I like that better because at least I had an ipod.

I think dad would like a book called Super Sonic Saints. I listened to the audio book. It was narrated by John Bytheway. This week we went to dinner at the Grilley's and they made hamburgers. They had a lot of things to put on the buns. I was talking and making my hamburger. Then half way through they started looking at me as if to say what is wrong with you. I thought I spilled something on my shirt, so I looked for it. Nothing. So I asked them why they were starring at me. Sister Grilley said we have vegi burgers if you wants some. I said no, I was fine with hamburgers. Then Brother Grilley said, "Then why are you not eating the actual hamburger?" I looked at the burger I made and I forgot to put the patty in it. It was pretty fun.

Mom, do you still have those nose sprays that the doctor gave us for clearing my throat? With all the animals I have to be around, it is getting ridiculous how many times I clear my throat a day. Yeah, that is pretty much my week. I have almost filled up my journal, so I will be sending it home soon. Did grandpa tell you about the letter or did you type it up for him?

Elder Forsberg

Week 11- Pensacola (E-mail to Dad)

Dear Dad,

Well, dad, since you like weather, I should let you know that Saturday was a horrid day. It rained like someone is pouring a bucket over you. It also thundered all day. Plus, a strong wind. We were stuck in the apartment all day. Besides that, it was still in the high 80's. Humidity, yeah, we got that and when I get out of an air conditioned place, my glasses will instantly fog up. I have not given a talk yet. I have 2 talks I hold there at different times.

Week 11- Pensacola (E-mail to Barnett's)

Dear Maren,

Actually our transfers are on Wednesdays, but we have P-day on Tuesdays when a holiday is on Monday. Yes, Elder Chapman have a Russian accent. Sometimes it’s a little hard to understand him over the phone but that’s fine. Maren, he is from West Linn, the rival of Oregon City, but he is a pretty nice guy. We were playing uno last P-day and Elder Anderson said uno is racist because the 2 full Americans always won and the others were born in Russia and Canada. It was pretty funny. Elder Packard and I have a lot of companionship inventory. We are very different people. Elder Packard's family moved around a lot but the country is still his favorite.

So, your missionary dinner calender is full? Darn, we still have half the month open. So unfair! At least you give the elder treats. Do you make it for them or do you have treats around the house? Wait Maren, aren't you in primary? Here is a trick I have learned, if you want to sign up for dinner, ask the elder if they would like you to print out a calender for that month and sign up before you give it to them. That's what we do with the Grilley's. Or, find them before it goes to Relief Society. You can suggest it be passed around primary during Sunday School so primary workers can sign up. We have one sister who wanted to sign up but she is in primary and never gets a chance to.

All week there has been thunder. Usually you can only hear the thunder, but you could see it this week. It rains 3 times harder over her than in Pullman. Plus, Elder Packard has been sick, which sucks because that means I get to spend many hours alone in a very small apartment. He final called Sister Higbe (the mission nurse) and hopefully she will get back to him today. The humidity is so bad here. I walk out of the air conditioned house and my glasses instantly fog up.

Braden is so cute. Did he get himself unstuck? Why isn't he wear any pants? I haven't taught Mike about tithing yet. We are waiting for him to commit to be baptized or set a bcd. Then we will have to bluntly, but nicely, set him straight. The first thing we will set straight is that it is called the Book of Mormon, not the Mormon Bible. That's what he calls it. It annoys me but I can deal with it.

Elder Forsberg

P.S. I forget to tell you, if you are still really into card games, then you should buy a game called Phase 10. I think is it really fun and you would like it.

Pensacola Pictures: The Car Accident

Pensacola Pictures: Elder Packard

Pensacola Pictures: White Board Fun

Elder Anderson

Elder Forsberg

Elder Hamblin

Elder Thomas

Pensacola Pictures: District 10

District 10 as of May 2010. Elder Thomas, Elder Anderson, Elder Forsberg and Elder Hamblin.

District 10 First Presidency

Elder Anderson and Elder Thomas break dancing.

Pensacola Pictures: The Wagner's

The Wagner Family pet.

Elder Thomas with the Wagner's. They are a really nice and welcoming family.

Elder Hamblin with the Wagner's pets.

Elder Packard arm wrestling.

Week 10- Pensacola (E-mail to Mom)

Dear Mom,

So transfers were last Wednesday. I am finally on my second transfer. We got 2 new elders in our zone. Elder Champman is Russian, but he is from Missouri and Elder Meyer is from West Linn, Oregon. We got another area in our district, Perdido (English). Elder Treasure and Elder Barlow are in that area. They seem really nice.

This week has been busy/boring because we have been doing a lot of service. Every time we try to go tracting it starts thundering and the mission rule states that if there is thunder, than all missionaries need to be outside as less as possible. Basically, we were stuck in a very small apartment, plus our recent convert is moving to Dolphin Island, Alabama so he will get new missionaries.

Ok, we helped this single sister move and it went really quickly. When we got there, it only took us about a half an hour to finish. Then we went to her storage unit and that only took us about a half an hour, then when went over to gulf breeze and unpacked her. That only took about 45 minutes, so it went really quickly .

Well, as for as my companion goes, it is ok. I am finding out we have very different views on things. For example, I was replying to Uncle Steve's letter. Elder Packard asked me what I was thinking about and I said I don't think I would like living in the country. I guess that was the wrong thing to say to him. He went on and on for an hour about how the country is so much better than the city and how it is such a magical place. He said we were having a conversation, but I maybe got a comment in every 7 minutes or so. He is so much about being a man it is annoying. To give you an example, he likes being a "man," like Taylor likes BYU football. He is a really good missionary and nothing I can't handle. How do I feel about my ever changing companion? I say bring it on. I will happily take on a new companion once or twice a transfer. Oh, and if you don't know how into football Taylor is, ask Toren.

You're sending the cd to me. Ok, but did you put them on the computer so you have a copy? MOM, I am your child, I should always get a letter from you. If you wish, you can always send me another packages instead of an e-mail.

I like the idea of a consistent teacher. If you are a really good teacher, you can teach the gospel and not try to prepare a lesson is 60 second or less. Plus, I think that if no one shows up for the class, you just go to Gospel Doctrine and save that lesson for next week. If there are no investigators or less actives or recent converts in the class and it just active members, then they can just go to the other class because there is no one who really needs more basic lessons. I am glad Brother Larson was called to be the Ward Mission Leader. We have a great Ward Mission Leader down here. For some reason I didn’t like Brother Lyman in that calling. This is really important to know if you are a Ward Mission Leader. You do not own the missionaries. The full time missionaries are there to aide the Ward Missionaries and to give a progress report of there people. I think Brother Larsen knows this, but we had a real problem with that in one of the areas down here.

Tj got his mission call? Which mission in Las Vegas? West, north, east, or central. Down here we have a person going to the Las Vegas West Mission, but he leaves on the 23 of June. His name is Abe Stephenson. That cool.

I have to say I felt bad when I read Grandpa's letter. It is not my fault that I can't read his hand writing. I suggested that you or Uncle Steve type it for him. I not sure how he is going to take it. I am happy to get letters. They don’t need to be hand written though.

It has been thundering all week. So week have done 45 minutes of tracting in a week. We don’t have a topic day week have a topical week. Which goes as fellows.

Tuesday
Personal study (then we should do companionship study but Elder Packard doesn’t want to, so we don't.)
Breakfast
Get dress into suits
Go to district meeting
Have district dinner (down here dinner means lunch)
Then we tract for about 2 hours
Then we go home for a hour
Less active work
Then dinner appointment if we have one

Thursday
Personal study
Breakfast
Go do service at the Dojo
Do weekly planning, which takes a total of 2 hours at least
Take lunch
Do service at John Gunn's
Do service at Mike Gunn's
Go home, take a shower
Then off to the Grilley's (the Grilley's feed us every Thursday)

Friday
All we basically have set in stone is lessons with Mike Gunn and basketball at night

Sunday
Go to PEC
Do some paper work
Church
Lunch
Personal study
Choirs practice
Dinner appointment

That’s my week.
Elder Forsberg

Week 10- Pensacola (E-mail to Barnett's)

Dear Maren,

What is up this birthday on the 27th thing? That's weird. (in reference to all the grand kids being born on the 27th of the month.)

Yeah, Mike seems really interested in the church because during Sacrament Meeting, he looked liked he was hanging onto every word of the speaker. That was good, so we brought him over a dvd. We got to go inside the house, we usually talk outside. His house looked worse than his yard. Example: if you went in the house with Braden or Brody, you would hold them the entire time you were there. We are helping him with that. And I finally found a scripture that says we should give a full tithe to the church. It is in 3 Nephi. It says 'would you rob god?' It was just what I was looking for. But no, we aren't teaching anyone else.

I am in my second transfer now and we have 2 new missionaries in this zone. Elder Champman, who is Russian, but is from Missouri, and Elder Meyers who is from Oregon. You will never guess from what city. No, not Oregon City, but West Linn.

Yeah, Toren already told me about Austin. You are upset that you have to wait a month to see him? Maren, I have to wait, let's see, about 22 months. By the time I see him he won't be a baby anymore. We have this one family, the Kirby's, who sign up for dinner once a month. After we are done eating, Brother Kirby picks an elder and then a topic. We have to teach the topic to his 4 and 6 year old. All I can say is I hope Brody and Braden are not pick eaters.

Maren, you of all people sat back? (In reference to me sitting back and letting my in-laws choose everything while they were visiting.) Who are you and what have you done with my sister? This sister brings a new meaning to the word organized. The thing I learned when I worked at DI is that mom and dad were, well are, really good parents and not all parent are like mom and dad, unless Blake is reading this then I am sure they are wonderful parents too. You wake up to screaming kids, I get to wake up and then be alone until 7:30 because my companion doesn’t want to get up.

Well, things are going ok with my companion. I am finding out we have very different views on things. For example, I was replying to Uncle Steve's letter. Elder Packard asked me what I was thinking about and I said I don't think I would like living in the country. I guess that was the wrong thing to say to him. He went on and on for a hour about how the country is so much better than the city. I guess it is such a magical place. He said we were having a conversation, but I was getting in a comment every 7 minutes or so. He is so much about being a man, it is annoying. To give you a fare example, he like being a "man" like Taylor likes BYU football. He is a really good missionary and is nothing I can't handle.

How do I feel about my ever changing companions? I say, bring it on. I will happily take on a new companion once or twice a transfer. My clothes are fine for now, but the guy who owns the store called Riemington ,the only CTR Clothing Store in Oregon, was like a stereo typical used car salesmen. Well, I think they came with all the problems.

Yeah, we got more dinner appointments. How many times a month do you have the missionaries over, once or twice? I am glad you are having fun with your job. Mine hasn't been so fun because it has been thundering all week and we can't tract if it is thundering at all.

Elder Forsberg