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.

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.

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.

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. The baptism well very well attended. About 30 people show up to church each week.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

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.

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. The baptism well very well attended. About 30 people show up to church each week.

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.

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.

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 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