Elder Forsberg: August 2010

Week 23- Jay (E-mail to Mom)

Dear Mom,

So mom I heard something interesting this week. Someones mother called the mission office and requested for their son not to ride a bike. Now imagine my surprise and embarrassment when I found out it was you. Mom you said you would call my Mission President. And yes, calling the mission is the same thing. But thank you. Yeah, plus Elder Mantei wont let me forget that I cant ride a bike he brings it up every day and treats it like I am some kinda of freak of nature. It is getting really annoying.

I can wait until the end of the week its fine. But thank you for the business card but can you only send me 50 for right now. Because when I get transferred I have to pack everything I own in to a large suit case and a small suit case. So if you could send me some for write now that would be good. What did you order me mom. Is it something to do with the business card or is it something different. Wait you didn’t put a dolphin on them did you. if you didn’t that fine but doesn’t really say missionary. Mom I don’t thing you are getting what I am saying all I need is the memory card back. But thank you for the cd.

Mom I have been with my new companions for 2 weeks. But things are going well. We got 9 new investigators this week so that is really goods. This is more complicated but we don’t have to worry about going into single sisters houses anymore. we are planning for this week because we will not have a car for a big chuck of it. So Elder Mantei and me might kill each other because on Wednesday I want to really clean the apartment because we haven't had time to. We have been so busy, but Elder Mantei said we can't do that we will be too busy. We have nothing planned for Wednesday. So I ask him with what and he doesn't answer because we have nothing for Wednesday. But he hates the fact that I can't ride a bike. Because he is like this we need to tract tract tract. And me and Elder Newsom agree that is we weekly plan and really clean the apartment then go out tracting that is still productive. But better then tracting 8 hours that day. I will be praying that are car gets repaired quickly.

Mom Frisbees a dog. That’s what dogs do they chase cats. But not ity bity. Ity bity wont put up with that crap. Nope no pets in the apartment. The bamboo grove doesn’t deep fried there food how else do you cook food. Lol. Mom I am sure she will get the letter sooner or later. But then again you are very well known in the stake. But mom you got 2 letter from the mission president. One from president Summerhays and one from president Jensen. I have no time to relax on my p-day. It more like a w-day. Because we have people to see and things to do. I don’t even have time to do laundry on Mondays. If have to do it odd time during the week.

So this week was zone conference and the church has changed zone conferences world wide. For example lets take 3 zone conferences now 2 of them will be focus on teaching skills and every 3 months or every third zone conference will be focus on the doctrine. It was really fun and informational. I enjoyed seeing my zone again. And president Jensen is a really good teacher and mission president. But he said the elder pierce from the seventy is going to tour our mission and every missionary is to prepare a 3-5 minute talk on how they are becoming an effective missionary. And when they say 3-5 minute they mean 3-5 minutes and you know how I don’t test well and if you don’t ask mom. And plus we got to go to a fireside that they were speaking at it was good but with fireside we have to be invited to go. But president potter invited us to we had a good time. Brother Taylor gave us a ride and brother Taylor is kinda like the branches grandpa.

Mom do you know how to fix a pants zipper or get stet in permanent marker out of a white shirt? Oh I will be sending Toren birthday present to your house it has a recipe for you in it.

Love you,

Elder Forsberg

P.S. don't forget to send the package to jay address. not to the Pensacola address. thank you thank you.

Week 23- Jay (E-mail to Dad)

Dear dad,

So mom is making you go to a BYU football game. The nerve of some people. Dad I like how you been married to mom for 29 years and you are just now learn there is a price for everything. So you went cell phone shopping and of course Kalen want the most pricey phone. research all you want but Toren and I have a bet going that you wont get yourself a new phone before I come home from my mission. I wont tell you who is on which side. I am almost finished with my current journal so if you could send me out a new one I would like that. I would like one like I sent home in red.

Missionary work is going really well we got 9 new investigators by tracting this week. And yes jay is a city small city. Now that I am out of Pensacola bible bashing isn’t really a problem. But its just normal missionary work. Elder Mantei likes teaching the Gospel Essentials class so he is teaching it.

Oh thank you for the journals. But just to be clear I don’t like pictures on my journal. I like it to say journal and have my name on it. But that you like I said I am running out of room in my current journal.

So this week was zone conference and the church has changed zone conferences world wide. For example lets take 3 zone conferences now 2 of them will be focus on teaching skills and every 3 months or every third zone conference will be focus on the doctrine. It was really fun and informational. I enjoyed seeing my zone again. And president Jensen is a really good teacher and mission president. But he said the elder pierce from the seventy is going to tour our mission and every missionary is to prepare a 3-5 minute talk on how they are becoming an effective missionary. And when they say 3-5 minute they mean 3-5 minutes and you know how I don’t test well and if you don’t ask mom. And plus we got to go to a fireside that they were speaking at it was good but with fireside we have to be invited to go. But president potter invited us to we had a good time. Brother Taylor gave us a ride and Brother Taylor is kinda like the branches grandpa.

So are car is getting repaired so I will be praying for it to be quick so we can get the car back. This week will be interesting. Oh I need more pills I ran out.

Love
Elder Forsberg

Week 22- Jay (E-mail to Barnett's)

Dear Maren,

The belden were so nice to let me use there computer. So I was able e-mail you. Yay. I didn’t tell you much about my new companions last week because I found out on Monday and I didn’t meet them until Wednesday. My new companions are Elder Newsom (new-some) and Elder Mantei (man-tie like the temple but no relation to the temple). They are both really cool but still really weird. Elder Newsom is from Orem, Utah and Elder Mantei is from Fairbanks, Alaska. I know what you are thinking and yes, I am excited to have a companion from a different state other than Utah. Elder Newsom has been in Jay before and he was sent here because I told President Jensen that I didn’t know my way around. He took that as I can't run the area. So he sent me Elder Newsom. I felt like calling President Jensen and screaming, "I don’t need a babysitter." But then Elder Newsom showed me a lot of things that needed to be done in this area. See, I have learned this week that your area is what you make it. Elder Jones was making it feeling like a black hole of misery, so it was, but the sun is finally shinning on Jay. And not to go into much detail, but lets just say Elder Jones stepped on some toes of the branch leaders. Elder Mantei is cool but he has health needs, such as he is a type #1 diabetic, so he will say are we going to eat soon my blood sugar low. I don’t notice because when I am working I don’t get hungry. Darn dads genes.

Mom sent me my memory card but she sent it to my last area. So yeah, but I got it. Yay.

Ok, I will tell you about what apostate means. Well, you know what apostasy means, well, apostate means they are not supposed to do things they know are wrong but they do it anyway. Missionaries use a different language.

Saturdays have always been busy. But that Saturday was even more so. Plus, zone conference was on Thursday. Elder Jones gave them to me (the cd's) because they were copies and he was going home.

Ethnicity's? If I have seen any in Jay, it is on a huge oil field. Well, the people who own Jay. Some peanut and cotton farming. I don’t think Paul Jr. has a lot of friends. And he is in his 40’s. The Mission President was really busy, so I wrote a letter to Sam. He reached his year mark. Maren, the pictures are not showing up, so I can't see them and they are way too big for the screen. Could you re-size them?

Braden accepts Mallory? It's about time but never forget who his favorite is. Oh and in a lesson the other day I used all four books, the Book of Mormon, the Bible, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.

Well, I need to get off now, so I hope you have a week. I love you and your sons, no matter what size their heads are.

Elder Forsberg

PS. And Blake. I didn’t meant to forget Blake.

Week 22- Jay (e-mail to Mom)

Dear Mom,

I would just like to start off by say this thank you for the pictures and my memory card. Yes I have finally received them. But before you think that you were right and I was wrong. Let me say this. YOU SENT THE TO THE FOX RUN ADDRESS. As you already know I am in Jay. Thank you for the picture but please DO NOT print out my whole memory card and send it to me because I really don’t have room for them and if I have the memory card I can print the ones I want out at Wal-mart. Plus, that is an obscene amount of money to print them and send them. But thank you for the once you sent me. Elder Roberts didn’t take a lot of pictures in the MTC. So I am giving him most of those.

I didn’t tell you much about my new companions last week because I found out on Monday and I didn’t meet them until Wednesday. My new companions are Elder Newsom (new-some) and Elder Mantei (man-tie like the temple but no relation to the temple). They are both really cool but still really weird. Elder Newsom is from Orem, Utah and Elder Mantei is from Fairbanks, Alaska. I know what you are thinking and yes, I am excited to have a companion from a different state other than Utah. Elder Newsom has been in Jay before and he was sent here because I told President Jensen that I didn’t know my way around. He took that as I can't run the area. So he sent me Elder Newsom. I felt like calling President Jensen and screaming, "I don’t need a babysitter." But then Elder Newsom showed me a lot of things that needed to be done in this area. See, I have learned this week that your area is what you make it. Elder Jones was making it feeling like a black hole of misery, so it was, but the sun is finally shinning on Jay. And not to go into much detail, but lets just say Elder Jones stepped on some toes of the branch leaders. Elder Mantei is cool but he has health needs, such as he is a type #1 diabetic, so he will say are we going to eat soon my blood sugar low. I don’t notice because when I am working I don’t get hungry. Darn dads genes.

About the business cards. A picture in general, yes. A picture of me, maybe if it is a good picture and it turns out well. As far as facebook, no thank you. If they want it all they have to do is type my name in and this is important put on my home e-mail address and the mission e-mail because 1. after I am released this account gets erased 2. I only have enough time to e-mail family. But no saying. I am not sure if I want a scripture or not. I am going to say no unless you like put it on the back or something. (Mosiah 2:17). Thank you. Yes, send it to jay.

WHAT! Hawaii seriously mom? How come I leave for my mission and Mallory gets to go to Europe and you get to go to Hawaii and I am stuck in northern Florida in the summer. It's summer here until mid October. Aren't I the one that is supposed to be having the adventure? Gosh, I just can't win in this family. You could send me some pictures from Hawaii. Just pens and anything else you want. Just remember my favorite animal.

I am glad dad had fun at the wedding. But yes, I agree mom, you and dad should never move away from Oregon City. All of your children can go back and reminisce about the old times. When you are right you are right. lol. There is a community college in Wenatchee? What does dad have against fried okra? It is really funny you should mention it this week because Sister Taylor made some this week. It was good. All she did was chop it into small pieces and coat it in jiffy corn meal then deep fried them. If he said that it is gross then remind him what he ate it when he came back from his mission.

Mom I really need a new journal, plus I am running out of pills.

Oh, and in a lesson the other day I used all four books, the Book of Mormon, the Bible, the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price.

Well, I love you.

Elder Forsberg

Week 21- Jay (E-mail to Mom)

Dear Mom,

Yes Maren is the better yeller in the family. Why wont I use her. And I am going to settle this once and for all. If you sent a package to the mission address it will be in the mission office until zone conference on the 22. if you sent it to the jay address I haven’t received a package from. I don’t think. So I sent you 2 picture one is on the memory card and the other through mail. If the one with mail in to big the reduce it by scanning it in to a computer. If you need a different picture let me know. Now think about it you must of sent it to the mission office because i haven’t gotten any picture from you. I might call the office today and see. I am sorry if Maren actually yelled at you. And if I the office has it. I don’t blame you. It is just very annoying for people asking why are you sending picture home. I want to see picture.

Yes Marquita is an amazing member. And she really like the missionaries. She even invited us to her baby shower. But that would be weird. And it rude it show up empty handed.

Babies have such language today. But I am glad you had fun. in Pullman. Just think of how Joseph Smith mother felt. And really mom wing wong was that necessary. I still am my fathers child after all.

So mom let me get this clear you and dad played fetch with Braden. That’s cute. Mom come down to the south I will be able to order for you to. Big portions in the south don’t be surprised if I come back 250 lb. they haven’t met something think cant deep fry. By the way pickled okra not that good. But I am sending you a recipe through the mail. That you must try.

But we had a very busy day on Saturday. We left the apartment at 930 am and didn’t get back until 9 pm. We were visiting people. And we did companionship study in the park and some Jehovah's witnesses came up to us and shared a little lesson (full of false doctrine) then before we could say any thing they left. They seemed very nervous to talk to us. There companionship are old men and one white one black person. Don’t know why but they do it that way.

I got two more cd this week. Both by the Mormon Tabernacle choir they are called to serve and come now fount. They are good cds.

But My new companions are Newsom and Manti (like the temple in Utah). Yeah I am way nervous because Elder Newsom was here when all the missionaries in jay were apostate and jay has changed into a productive area. But when the odds are 2 against one and you’re the one aren’t so good. But yeah I will tell you next week how things are. With everything there are good and bad. But I would being lying if I send I wasn’t happy to be free of my current companion I either love him to death or ready to causes his death there is no happy medium. And we have a small apartment. Try fitting 3 bed in my room.

But we actually had fun at the Anderson's this week. Yeah they actually treated us like we were there. But it was really fun.

Mom I was wondering if you could design me a business card. Well not business card more like a contact card. Because some people I want to keep in contact with after my mission. And every time I say Cominger everyone looks at it like it is Russian or something. It doesn’t have to be anything special. Just my info on paper. (phone, email, mailing address). I also ask Maren. But I wouldn’t need that much just like 15 for right now.

Mom I need you to do me a favor now Mallory, Toren, Audrey, or Kalen, can you show you this. But I need you to go on my facebook. And go in the apps. People have sent me and press ignore on every one but friend requests. Now I am warning you now you might have a friend request from Valerie Taylor. This is a person in the jay branch. If you want you add her if you don’t care then just leave it don’t delete it just leave it.

Oh I am running out of journal so can you send me a new one like the one I sent home. Please I am writing a lot for each day. And Maren got me erasable pens so it should be easier to read.

Mom I have a question from a family in this branch. They think there daughter is more intelligence then most 2 year olds. And they don’t want to put her in the public school just yet. So they were wondering if you knew of any Mormon home schooling programs or what you would do. What they told me is that she can recognize 6 colors and 3-6 shapes.

I don’t know why but I have been sick all this week. And it doesn’t help that I don’t sleep well. I think I might sleep walk because when I got up the other morning my blanket and sheets were flipped up side down. With the sheet over the blanked and the blanket was up side down. And it was spread out all nice and neat.

Love
Elder Forsberg

PS. Which wrist does dad where is watch on. Left or right?

Week 21- Jay (E-mail to dad)

Dear Dad,

Gee thanks dad way to make me fell better about my talk.

I am glad you had fun in Pullman. And as for the memory card. I might get a package at zone conference from her. It might be in there. But if not then I right she wrong. Because I know what I have received. But I got the other memory card.

Well every zone has a spot but the mobile zone. They meet at there spot and a buss pick up the elder going far. It goes out from Tallahassee to Pensacola back to Tallahassee.

But we had a very busy day on Saturday. We left the apartment at 930 am and didn’t get back until 9 pm. We were visiting people. And we did companionship study in the park and some Jehovah's witnesses came up to us and shared a little lesson (full of false doctrine) then before we could say any thing they left. They seemed very nervous to talk to us. There companionship are old men and one white one black person. Don’t know why but they do it that way.

I got two more cd this week. Both by the Mormon Tabernacle choir they are called to serve and come now fount. They are good cds.

But My new companions are Newsom and Manti (like the temple in Utah). Yeah I am way nervous because Elder Newsom was here when all the missionaries in jay were apostate and jay has changed into a productive area. But when the odds are 2 against one and you’re the one aren’t so good. But yeah I will tell you next week how things are. With everything there are good and bad. But I would being lying if I send I wasn’t happy to be free of my current companion I either love him to death or ready to causes his death there is no happy medium. And we have a small apartment. Try fitting 3 bed in my room.

But we actually had fun at the Anderson's this week. Yeah they actually treated us like we were there. But it was really fun.

Elder Forsberg

Week 21- Jay (E-mail to Barnett's)

Dear Maren,

Oh I am glad they surgery went well. Yeah surgery is pretty uncomfortable. Dad is so weird when it comes to high councilor talks. I sure if he ask someone to they would its not like he was going to the beach to have fun or anything.

Yes Maren, I have use the focus button many times it just doesn’t work well. But I have figure out how to use the flash so we are good. And of course there not good picture of me in a suit. I love haw mom and dad had months to get a picture for it and yet they made me do it on my mission. I sent them a printed picture that they will have to reduce to fit. But if not check on my myspace or face book. But I am glad you enjoyed the pictures. Oh I will be sending mom a recipe soon so you will want to ask her to email it to you when she gets it in the mail.

Maren I was wondering if you could design me a business card. Well not business card more like a contact card. Because some people I want to keep in contact with after my mission. And every time I say Cominger everyone looks at it like it is Russian or something. It doesn’t have to be anything special. Just my info on paper. (phone, email, mailing address)

But we had a very busy day on Saturday. We left the apartment at 930 am and didn’t get back until 9 pm. We were visiting people. And we did companionship study in the park and some Jehovah's witnesses came up to us and shared a little lesson (full of false doctrine) then before we could say any thing they left. They seemed very nervous to talk to us. There companionship are old men and one white one black person. Don’t know why but they do it that way.

I got two more cd this week. Both by the Mormon Tabernacle choir they are called to serve and come now fount. They are good cd's.

But we actually had fun at the Anderson's this week. Yeah they actually treated us like we were there. But it was really fun.

Maren I have always had a short companion. Ever this the MTC. When I was at the trade of with elder Barney I said I feel short next to you. He said I am short he was just my same height and I was not use to that. Which was true. Speaking of companions on Wednesday is transfer and I am getting 2 new companions. Yeah I am way nervous because Elder Newsom was here when all the missionaries in jay were apostate and jay has changed into a productive area. But when the odds are 2 against one and you’re the one aren’t so good. But yeah I will tell you next week how things are. With everything there are good and bad. But I would being lying if I send I wasn’t happy to be free of my current companion I either love him to death or ready to causes his death there is no happy medium. And we have a small apartment. Try fitting 3 bed in my room

Marquita is upset with her doctor because he said she is not allow to leave the area because of her high risk pregnancy. And she was going to the temple to do baptisms for the dead. But the funny this is she will be going to a bigger and best city. But it is still a no.

Jay is not a white trash town. It pretty good. Most live in house. But jay is a WHITE town. As in FEW year back they posted a sign saying all black must leave before sun down or they will be killed. Not even joking. So only white people live in jay.

I was told on Thursday to give a talk we got busy so I wrote it on Saturday night. He taught me how to turns a simple question into a rude comment. For example this really happened. Forsberg” did you know we had rice?” Jones” did you know I don’t care if we have rice”. That’s a good thing right.

Paul Jr. doesn’t change because he likes the treated he gets from other people who mean well. People wont treat him that way if he is normal.

We didn’t get to go to Tallahassee the president came down here. And I sat in silents writing a letter to Sam. But president and sister Jensen are very busy. All in all it was awkward. He will be going to weaver state. He starts the Monday he get home. He gets home on a Thursday.

Love

Elder Forsberg

Week 20- Jay (E-mail to Mom)

Dear Mom,

I had a great week!

Mom, Seattle is only 3 hours away. Or if you drive like you drove to the Seattle Temple when Toren was getting married, it will only take you 1 ½ hours. It is always sad to see people go, but they are going to be property people. Joshy? Mom, since when do you call Brother Hartley joshy?

The health department shut down a lemonade stand? That so funny. $1000 how much was the lemonade? $10 dollars a cup or something. Why did they shut it down. I want to see that news story.

Oh yes mom, I am an emotional wreck. That I don’t get to sit in the snow and watch a game I don’t even like. I won't stop crying until the season is over. Melodramatic enough for you.

Mom, the cool doesn’t come in until half way through October in Florida. I don’t know if it will be more or less humid.

We don’t have any investigators and the branch has no service project for us at all. In Fox Run we had 4 every week.

Oh and good news, we got a new washing machine this week. The Beldens found it for us and I gave my first mission talk this week. I gave a talk on the Plan of Salvation. I think it went pretty well. I was so nervous that my legs almost fell off. I was supposed to give a 10 to 15 minute talk but when I gave it and sat down. Elder Jones whispered to me that it was only 4 minutes. But I think it was meant to be because Brother Wiggins was suppose to give a 20 minute talk on the importance of Temples and he took 30 minutes. He is a good speaker and if you want to have a good talk about the gospel, you talk to Dennis Wiggins.

On Sunday, it was Elder Jones' turn to teach the gospel principles class. He didn’t want to and said it was a waste of time and said to cancel the class. Well, you know what, I did instead of fighting with him about it. At the end of PEC President Potter asked if anyone had any questions. So I raised my hand and said, "Ok, I was wondering if you still wanted to have a gospel principles class even though most of them are active members?" He said yes and that some won't people weren't ready for deeper doctrine. There was Elder Jones' answer right there. I know Elder Jones was afraid of teaching, even though he wouldn't admit it, so being the bigger person I taught the class.

We had to go to lunch at the Taylors this week, without Brother or Sister Taylor being there. It only was their son Paul Jr. who got in a crash 14 years ago. The thing that eggs me off about it is the doctors said if he works at it he can be normal, for the most part, walk and talk normal. He chooses not to change. So he is almost impossible to understand when he talks. He tries to tell us a story. He just said the same sentence 5 times and the story was over. Now to be fair, he has a short term memory loss problem that he can't help. Lunches like that are always awkward.

But guess what Elder Jones and I get to do on Friday? We get to go to Tallahassee, to the mission office. Elder Jones has to take some placement tests for college. So it's things like this that can make life interesting.

Oh, I showed a picture of the family to Marquita and I pointed at you and mom and said these are my parents. She looked shocked and said those are your parents, they look so young. I didn’t know what to say too that and so I just said thank you.

So have you found out if my memory card has been sent to me yet and if not have you sent it yet?

Elder Forsberg

Week 20- Jay (E-mail to Dad)

Dear Dad,

Yes, there has been talk actually. President Jensen said he tried to get the whole mission tickets. But it failed. I think him and his wife are going and maybe who is in that area at the time. I won't go if I could avoid it but you know me, I don’t like football.

Dad, you have to remember Brian Franzen. He is the guy I always said didn’t come prepared for class and didn’t participate when I came home from missionary prep class. So, it is no surprise to me that he has not sent in his papers yet. I hope he gets his act together. Oh, and a suggestion for Bryce, get a bug spray high in deet.

Wait, hold the phone. Toren blessed Austin in your ward? Why didn’t he do it in his ward? I am glad to Toren's missionaries got to come. When you are a missionary it is the special things like that that brighten your day because you get into a boring old schedule. But guess what? Elder Jones and I get to do on Friday? We get to go to Tallahassee to the mission office because Elder Jones has to take some placement tests for college. So, it's things like that that can make life interesting. I thought the Gailey's were going to be in Hong Kong for 5 years. Or has it been that already. I don’t think so, but maybe.

Dad if you and mom are going up to Pullman who is staying with kalen unless Mallory and Brent are still there?

Actually Marquita’s family is getting interested in the church. It's slow but it's working. I am becoming more fluent in southern. Elder Jones goes home on the 18th of August. I know most the members and how the branch works. Just hope my new companion has a GPS because I have know clue where I am going.

I am been out for 4 months now and I still don’t have a plaque? How do you not have a picture of me? Ok, ask Mallory to look through my profile on myspace and facebook, but I will send one home. My favorite scripture is Mosiah 2:17. But look it up. It might be 16, it’s the one that says when you are in the service of your fellow beings you are you the service of God. It's 16 or 17.

Oh and good news, we got a new washing machine this week. The Beldens found it for us and I gave my first mission talk this week. I gave a talk on the Plan of Salvation. I think it went pretty well. I was so nervous that my legs almost fell off. I was supposed to give a 10 to 15 minute talk but when I gave it and sat down. Elder Jones whispered to me that it was only 4 minutes. But I think it was meant to be because Brother Wiggins was suppose to give a 20 minute talk on the importance of Temples and he took 30 minutes. He is a good speaker and if you want to have a good talk about the gospel, you talk to Dennis Wiggins.

Oh, I showed a picture of the family to Marquita and I pointed at you and mom and said these are my parents. She looked shocked and said those are your parents, they look so young. I didn’t know what to say too that and so I just said thank you.

So have you found out if my memory card has been sent to me yet and if not have you sent it yet?

Elder Forsberg

Week 20- Jay (E-mail to Barnett's)

Dear Maren,

Maren you are not a little crazy, you are way crazy. Why would you want to run for fun and how did you get the kidlets to sit still for 12 miles? I bet if you were down here in the heat and humidity you would be singing a different tune. But yeah, I am glad you are having fun and plus you are so skinny. No one would know you had a baby in February.

So Brody does look like me? Hopefully he won't have the same problems as I do. Maren, I have been praying for Brody's recovery since I entered the MTC. Braden said the prayer? That is so cute. What did he say about me? Did he call my Uncle Blair or Elder Forsberg? Maren, rest a sure that Braden is a Forsberg because he thanks Heavenly Father for his pillow, which means he likes to sleep. Forsberg's like to sleep. For example, Mallory has a pillow and you have a blanket.

Mom and Dad might of lost it (memory card). But the rules don’t change. I need to get a memory card to give a memory card.

Marquita's father was unable to go to sacrament meeting this Sunday so no (she didn't bear her testimony). We are teaching her family, a little bit. Marquita is excited about the gospel so she can be a little over bearing sometimes. I know I have probably not told you this before, but Marquita is pregnant with a baby girl. So that is exciting. She asks questions like, will Gabrielle be accepted? But she is a mom so she worries. She is going to name her baby girl Gracie. So it will be Gabrielle and Gracie.

Milton is about 45 minutes away from Jay. Well, we did a trade off, a transfer is different. In Jay you have bad phone reception and all you have is your companion. In Milton, well, Milton and Pace share an apartment so there are more elders to talk to. In Jay, most of the time, you only have your companion. So if you are annoyed with your companion, you have no one. The elders talked to me. But the families we went to see didn’t really talk to me all that much.

So you talk about me to your missionaries? And they brought an investigator, plus you read Alma chapter 32? Reading up on faith are we, very good. We visit less active members a lot sometimes.

Oh and good news, we got a new washing machine this week. The Beldens found it for us and I gave my first mission talk this week. I gave a talk on the Plan of Salvation. I think it went pretty well. I was so nervous that my legs almost fell off. I was supposed to give a 10 to 15 minute talk but when I gave it and sat down. Elder Jones whispered to me that it was only 4 minutes. But I think it was meant to be because Brother Wiggins was suppose to give a 20 minute talk on the importance of Temples and he took 30 minutes. He is a good speaker and if you want to have a good talk about the gospel, you talk to Dennis Wiggins.

On Sunday, it was Elder Jones' turn to teach the gospel principles class. He didn’t want to and said it was a waste of time and said to cancel the class. Well, you know what, I did instead of fighting with him about it. At the end of PEC President Potter asked if anyone had any questions. So I raised my hand and said, "Ok, I was wondering if you still wanted to have a gospel principles class even though most of them are active members?" He said yes and that some won't people weren't ready for deeper doctrine. There was Elder Jones' answer right there. I know Elder Jones was afraid of teaching, even though he wouldn't admit it, so being the bigger person I taught the class.

We had to go to lunch at the Taylors this week, without Brother or Sister Taylor being there. It only was their son Paul Jr. who got in a crash 14 years ago. The thing that eggs me off about it is the doctors said if he works at it he can be normal, for the most part, walk and talk normal. He chooses not to change. So he is almost impossible to understand when he talks. He tries to tell us a story. He just said the same sentence 5 times and the story was over. Now to be fair, he has a short term memory loss problem that he can't help. Lunches like that are always awkward.

But guess what Elder Jones and I get to do on Friday? We get to go to Tallahassee, to the mission office. Elder Jones has to take some placement tests for college. So it's things like this that can make life interesting.

Elder Forsberg

Week 19- Jay (E-mail to Mom)

Dear Mom,

Yes mom, maybe you should write a letter to the missionary department. Plus mom, who wants to enter the MTC where it is mostly Elders crying there eyes out? It's ok for you to do it because he might not have shown it, but dad was crying on the inside.

MOM, are you just now realizing their granddaughter are screamers? Olivia is a screamer also. Why do you think I always went upstairs when they were over? Don’t let the cuteness fool you, they get really loud.

Mom don’t take this the wrong way but the Carters sound crazy. The Evans put the sane in insane. But I guess you are half Carter since I have never seen you back done from a fight unless it is with a Priesthood Leader at church. And mom, how am I suppose to embrace something I have never known? I have never met your Carter side and besides, I am only ¼ Carter, if that.

The only really thing I need is my old memory card back, so I can send this one home.

This week has been hot. Try tracting in a tie when it is 98 degrees with 90% humidity. We couldn’t do it very well. Plus, the houses are a long ways away from each other.

So Marquita got baptized this week. The baptismal room is really small, so most of the service was held in the Relief Society room. She was so excited to be baptized. Anything that could go wrong did. The copier was not working, so we had to go to the UPS store and pay for the programs but it was fine. I finally got to meet her boyfriend Luke and it was fun. Then we went over there that night. She told us that almost everyone loved it. Her mom wants to be active again, so we are kind of teaching her family right now. When we teach Marquita they will stay in the room and listen. They won't really ask question but you got to crawl before you can walk I guess.

This week we had a trade off with the Milton elders. I went over to Milton while Elder Adam went over to Jay. I had so much fun there. Milton shares an apartment with Pace (the zone leaders). So I actually got to talk to people and not feel like I have been exiled to Jay. Most of the felling we saw treated me like I wasn’t even there. But it was still fun.

Every Sunday we go over to the Anderson's for dinner and they live in Pace, so the Potter's also live in Pace. They come over too. Those dinners are always awkward because again, they somewhat ignore you. The Potters and the Anderson are really good friends. Even when you try to be a part of the conversation, it feels like they kick you out of it or something. Then their daughter Jordan and her friend Jessica put on this little game show called the J and J show. She asked us if we wanted to play. But we were kind of pushed into it, so it was fine. All it was is riddles. Which I did pretty good at. And word scrambles. I have trouble spelling words normally. I can't really re-arrange letters in my head. Everyone around us kept on saying I know, I know. But Elder Jones and I were the only ones allowed to answer. They would only really give you 2 minutes. Then half way through the game Sister Anderson said maybe we should stop, the Elders aren’t being good sports about it. We will let you pick the game next time. Then everyone started in with oh why, everyone loves this game it every ones favorite game. So because I was feeling like they were saying, oh thanks for messing with our fun and felt like I was being grilled on stupid facts. I don’t think they tried to make us feel this way but still. So my suggestion to you is the missionaries do not come over to your house to be grilled on stuff that's not related to the gospel and make them feel uncomfortable.

Thing are picking up in Jay, but just a little bit. Not in the good way. We now have an investigator in the Stixs of Brewton, which is far and we have an investigator who is only free one hour a week on Monday at 4, which is in our P-day. And of course she is a single sister, so we have to bring another brother with us and most people don’t get off of work until five. And to make matters worse our laundry time is cut back because we do it at a members house so we only really have time for 3 loads between the 2 of us, which ok, but this really sucks. Now I am ranting. So I will let you go.

Elder Forsberg

Week 19- Jay (E-mail to Dad)

Dear Dad,

This week has been hot. Try tracting in a tie when it is 98 degrees with 90% humidity. We couldn’t do it very well. Plus, the houses are a long ways away from each other.

So Marquita got baptized this week. The baptismal room is really small, so most of the service was held in the Relief Society room. She was so excited to be baptized. Anything that could go wrong did. The copier was not working, so we had to go to the UPS store and pay for the programs but it was fine. I finally got to meet her boyfriend Luke and it was fun. Then we went over there that night. She told us that almost everyone loved it. Her mom wants to be active again, so we are kind of teaching her family right now. When we teach Marquita they will stay in the room and listen. They won't really ask question but you got to crawl before you can walk I guess.

Ok dad, maybe you can explain this to everyone. I can't send a memory card home until I get a new one to put in my camera. I have not gotten one yet. I might get one this week but I haven’t gotten one yet. Mom said she send mine back in a package but that package should be on its way. She might have not put it in that package but thought she did. Or if she sent it to the mission office address and the date of arrival was in August or after the 22nd of July I will have to wait to get it at the next Zone Conference. As soon as I get one, I will send this one home.

Elder Forsberg

Week 19- Jay (E-mail to Barnett's)

Dear Maren,

Well, Happy Anniversary. Maren when did you be come so athletic? Does Blake not watch the kids as much as you do? Maren, I always think it is so funny that you and Blake are the same as mom and dad, who was mostly an at home mom and who was out doing work and church thing dad. But I think mom has watched us so much because dad lost everyone of us at some point. But then again, mom wasn’t as athletic as you are now.

Braden is becoming more sassy? Which side does that come from, the Forsberg or Barnett side? What do you mean he is saying he doesn't like your attitude? What do you say when you tell him no? Or is it just random. Watch out Maren, tantrums are just around the counter.

Oh, thank you for the pictures. And you were wearing green. No problem, I have to deal with a lot of complexes. I showed Marquita our family pictures and she said that your kids were cute and Brody looks like me. What do you think? Don’t worry Maren, he will grow into it. (Referring to Brody's big head.)

No, I haven’t gotten a memory card yet. It's either lost in the mail, at the mission office, or mom lost it at the house and thought she put it in a package. Maybe it is on its way right now.

The baptism was really good. She was nervous, but it went well. Her expressions were like they always are, calm and fun. The baptismal room is really small, so most of the service was held in the Relief Society room. She was so excited to be baptized. Anything that could go wrong did. The copier was not working, so we had to go to the UPS store and pay for the programs but it was fine. I finally got to meet her boyfriend Luke and it was fun. Then we went over there that night. She told us that almost everyone loved it. Her mom wants to be active again, so we are kind of teaching her family right now. When we teach Marquita they will stay in the room and listen. They won't really ask question but you got to crawl before you can walk I guess.

The sweetest thing was she told us she was getting at subway with her mom and her mom looked at her and started crying. When she asked why she was sad, she said that she just looked so clean and beautiful. Then on Sunday I got to confirm her a member of the church and I only got tongue tied a little bit and it was in the blessing part so I didn’t have to start over or anything. If President Potter will let her, she will bear her testimony for the first time next Sunday so her dad, who is RLDS, can hear it. It is so great. The family really seems interested in the church.

Zone conference is every month. But we only focus on the doctrine every 3 months. That’s the way the church wants it.

Well, that depends on want you mean by write. Brother Thompson writes me but he was my mission prep teacher. And Bishop Kerr writes me but he is the Bishop. Besides that, no.

What are you talking about an Evans song like a song about the Evans family? Did the Carters have a song of them. That's weird. They told me they were weird but they didn’t go into detail.

This months alone we drove 1736 miles.

This week we had a trade off with the Milton elders. I went over to Milton while Elder Adam went over to Jay. I had so much fun there. Milton shares an apartment with Pace (the zone leaders). So I actually got to talk to people and not feel like I have been exiled to Jay. Most of the felling we saw treated me like I wasn’t even there. But it was still fun.

Every Sunday we go over to the Anderson's for dinner and they live in Pace, so the Potter's also live in Pace. They come over too. Those dinners are always awkward because again, they somewhat ignore you. The Potters and the Anderson are really good friends. Even when you try to be a part of the conversation, it feels like they kick you out of it or something. Then their daughter Jordan and her friend Jessica put on this little game show called the J and J show. She asked us if we wanted to play. But we were kind of pushed into it, so it was fine. All it was is riddles. Which I did pretty good at. And word scrambles. I have trouble spelling words normally. I can't really re-arrange letters in my head. Everyone around us kept on saying I know, I know. But Elder Jones and I were the only ones allowed to answer. They would only really give you 2 minutes. Then half way through the game Sister Anderson said maybe we should stop, the Elders aren’t being good sports about it. We will let you pick the game next time. Then everyone started in with oh why, everyone loves this game it every ones favorite game. So because I was feeling like they were saying, oh thanks for messing with our fun and felt like I was being grilled on stupid facts. I don’t think they tried to make us feel this way but still. So my suggestion to you is the missionaries do not come over to your house to be grilled on stuff that's not related to the gospel and make them feel uncomfortable.

Thing are picking up in Jay, but just a little bit. Not in the good way. We now have an investigator in the Stixs of Brewton, which is far and we have an investigator who is only free one hour a week on Monday at 4, which is in our P-day. And of course she is a single sister, so we have to bring another brother with us and most people don’t get off of work until five. And to make matters worse our laundry time is cut back because we do it at a members house so we only really have time for 3 loads between the 2 of us, which ok, but this really sucks. Now I am ranting. So I will let you go.

Elder Forsberg