Here’s a letter for you all to enjoy.

I thought you might all enjoy reading the email we received today from Elder Wartena. He sounds so happy. We got a few pictures on Monday. He was sporting a cute lava-lava skirt and a wrapped ankle. Guess he is having fun. He is looking just as cute as ever.

 

Thanks for all the letters family! Missionaries love getting mail!

 

Well, it's been a big week, so I'm just going to hit the bigger things and mail you all actual letters.

 

Guess who talked to an apostle this week? Yup, me.

 

I'll come back to that.

 

I've been called to be District Leader! Well, it's not official, but yeah, it's exciting. We're going to be the oldest district on Monday, and I'll be hosting new missionaries and wed. It seems too odd, I just met my host, and now I'm going to host.

 

Elder Scott came and spoke to us at the Tue night devotional, and E. Savage and I were Three-point range from him!!! 5th row, it's a good story how we got there. We both felt like we should go down before the meeting started (we had no idea who it was) so we made our way down about half way and then some seats that were reserved opened up and we ran to get them. Then the music director said "we don't stand for the hymns, we only stand when an Apostle walks in" Yeah, it was AWESOME. Singing called to serve and then we all stand up. His talk was on following the spirit too, so we felt cool. His testimony was the most incredible thing I've ever heard...Also, I'm going to be fine on my mission. He said 2 things specifically. "I would like to exercise a right of an apostle and confer upon you the gift of tongues" "I invoke a blessing of protection according to your obedience, judgement, and sensitivity. As an Apostle I invoke this blessing in the name of Jesus Christ." And since Tuesday it has been much easier to think/listen/speak Spanish. We feel really cool...Especially me! I got to talk into on of the microphones and answer one of his questions he was asking. (he had a few missionaries come to the microphones we have on the floor and talk)

 

Que mas...?

Teaching in Spanish is going well, we're all getting better. Elder Savage is

getting much better at being confident in the language, we're all very proud of him.

 

Bad news. The district above us that is leaving for ARG doesn't have their

visas. Nor have any missionaries that have left lately. They are sending them

all stateside until their visas come. So....that's probably what will happen to me. It could be good though! Maybe I'll go to Missouri, Independence, Spanish speaking?

 

There is an Elder Mcqueen here! That's for Ben and Joe, thought of them.

 

Ok, thank heaven for R&S grammar. (I know, who would have thought I would ever say that...) A good (or at least basic) background in parts of speech help so

much. We're learning subjunctive, which is an absolutely ridiculous tense, but it makes sense because I know what Independent and Dependent clauses are!!!

 

So, the Family: A Proclamation to the world is very cool.

 

Cool thing I learned

 

Jerusalem

Jeru=Nuevo Salem=Cuidad de paz

 

Technoctitlan=Cuidad del Dios

 

The temple was great today! We did an endowment session, and I learned alot!

I've been studying about baptism and the millennium, and there is alot of cool

stuff to learn! Reading D&C 76, Moses 6 and 7 (I think it's 7 at least...) Jesus the Christ, Articles of Faith.

 

I also finished Our Heritage as well. I think I want to learn more about church history. One of our teachers, Hermano Oswald, knows a TON about Church history and stories, and it's amazing. Did you know the church was basically shut down in the late 1800s because of problems with polygamy and the government? All the brethren were in hiding under SLC, and the only real functioning branch of the church was the Primary! The primary kept the Church alive, essentially.

 

Hmmmm, not much else happened, guess it wasn't that big of a week...

I'll be writing to respond to the letters. Sorry, I don't have enough time to do it here.

 

Would you like another spiritual/scriptural thing? I feel like I should have one for you. The beginning of Helaman? What are your thought on the first 5 or so chapters?

 

Well, I'm going to go grab something to eat before laundry and letter time.

I love you all! Have a great week.

 

Your missionary, brother, son, and full-time servant and representative of the Lord Jesus Christ!

 

Elder Joshua Duveau Wartena

 

Hope you enjoyed that. We sure did. Thanks for all your support.

Signing off for now,

The Mama

Email at last!

Email arrived this morning--finally. Apparently the computer freaked out, so he will hand write the rest of letter. We are just grateful to know he is well.
Blessing to all.

Signing off for now,
The Mama

No email today

I hoped to be able to update with news from Josh today; but, alas, there was no email received today. Also no hard copy mail. As a result I sit here in tears at 6 p.m. wondering if he is okay. My heart lives for the email each Friday. There is also usually 1 letter minimum each week. This is probably harder to take because Jeff and Chris and Nate are gone camping this week with no phone reception. Aren't I such a baby?

If anything arrives tomorrow I will be sure to post an update that is happier than this one. My current comment for anyone who asks, "How's it going?" is "This SUCKS!"

Signing off for now,
The Mama

We got pictures!

He is having a blast learning spanish and making new friends. Josh tells us that they can eat as much as they want at the MTC, so why is he trying to eat his name tag?
This is his companion, Elder Cox. If you would like to write him a letter or send a package we hear he would be grateful as none are currently coming to him.



Here we see Josh's district up at the Provo Temple taking pictures. I wish I could figure out how to upload the video of the boys singing. It is a riot. Well, I will update more later this week.
Signing off for now,
The Mama

And...He's off!

It has been quite the day. We spent the morning making sure we had all the stuff we needed--immunization papers, body soap, socks, camera, etc. Then we realized that the baptism pants still needed hemming. All was found and packed at last. Off to lunch at Cocolito's where we found another large gathering sending off a son on a mission to Eugene, Oregon.

The new send off at the MTC was just wonderful. You park across the street and are told to spend as much time as you need saying goodbye and taking pictures. When you are ready you get back in the car, you drive into the grounds, are sent down to the flag area, and are assigned to one of 12 spots around the door. A couple of serving missionaries come to open your doors and ask to collect your luggage for you. An older sister missionary come to say hello with her clipboard. After looking for your missionary on her list, she puts his MTC address on a card to give you. She then says you must get your camera out because the missionary helper would like to take pictures for you. You pose, and begin to cry. Then the hugging. Soon enough the luggage goes one way and the missionary goes in the doors, and you are left wiping tears. The lovely woman just thanks you over and over for bringing your missionary and letting him serve. You feel very appreciated and special. Into the car for a short drive around the back of the MTC to come out on the road by the stadium, then home. It's very short, sweet, and personal.

Chris made the comment of the day.
"We've made our missionary donation for the year." It felt just like we we're driving away from D.I. or savers. Haha.

The boys have wasted no time. The bedroom Josh, Chris, and Nate have shared has been revamped already. IT is very roomy and bright with the top bunkbed gone to the shed.

Here are a few pictures of the day. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Signing off for now,
The Mama

Farewell Sunday

Just two more days, and then "Poof!" he will turn into a missionary. Yep, that's right. Just two more days. We will drive up to the MTC, unload him at the curb, hug, and drive home. Things are quick and easy in Provo now. Until then Josh is going to be busy packing up his stuff and packing the suitcases. Woo hoo what fun.

So many wonderful people came to share a special good-bye time with us today. We feel very loved. Thank you for coming today.

It was quite hot so little ones showed us how to cool off with the water fountain. Only one fatality occurred all day. Jojo slipped and bashed his forehead. All is good now.

Signing off for now,

The Mama

Tick-tock, tick-tock...

The time is just not going fast enough for our missionary son these days. It just feels like July 22nd will never get here. Work is even slow.

Here are a few pictures to show how he is spending his days.

Josh and Sadie went to Summerfest and were the oldest two people in the "get your face painted" booth. They are official Borg now.


We call the new biking look "Gore!" How do you like it?

Sister Crookston bakes awesome chocolate cake. Joseph had the first corner before we new it.

Breakfast is sooooooooooooo much fun--well, at least Jo was enjoying it.


Only 31 days till he leaves.

Signing off for now,
The Mama