Derek Letter 11-26-12

Family,

 

Sounds like you had an awesome week from no school to very little work (paid work). Did you watch any football on Thursday? I'm sure there was a ton to watch. One of the people we visited on Thursday already had their dinner and were watching the Lions game on a huge TV right in front of us. It was so hard to look away, let me tell you that, haha. I'm glad that you were able to survive the week because we did too! But now that the weather is getting really really cold and we start bike week this week, with no gloves and ear muffs it may be brutal. I think I can survive though. Just as long as I keep one hand in my pocket and guide the bike with the other. As for my ears, I think I'm going to have to use my hood to block the wind. The high today is 43 and it's going to be 16 overnight tonight unlike you there at home. I already miss the super hot summer as I knew I would. Whatever. As long as we work hard and think of the people and not our hardships, it probably won't matter. Oh, we are also moving tomorrow. It's hard to get to town on bike week because of the cold and dangerous highways. So lasr bike week we got rides everyday. But now with this brand new apartment, we will only bike a half mile to get to town. I loved living with the Crouch's but moving is what we need. This new apartment is super nice too and costs $650 a month. We don't pay for it so I shouldn't really worry about the price anymore. This past week was a little tough again numbers-wise. But we got someone to say yes to baptism now all we have to do is get a date for them. I'm really excited for them because they are a younger couple with a son that has a disease where he can't walk. I don't even know what it's called so I won't try. Thursday was our big fun day of the week. In the morning we had the Turkey bowl flag football game. There were a ton of non-members there and it was fun to play. I had 4 touchdowns but dropped another 2 and allowed 2 so I guess it balances out. I have just gotten over the soarness of that game. The soarness got bad on Friday and Saturday and it wasn't fun waking up in the morning, let me tell you that. After the game (we might be in the local newspaper too about the game), we went home to shower and do weekly planning before the Seljestad's had us over for their big Thanksgiving dinner at 1:30. I didn't eat as much as I could've because I knew we were going to eat again in 4 hours. At 5:30 we had our top off at the Clemens. I tried to eat as much as I could but couldn't finish my plate. Their son, one of the best wrestlers in the state of Kansas, watched us all stuff ourselves while he didn't eat. It made me think of Cody if he doesn't eat anything so that he can make a certain weight. Dad, I have come to love stuffing but don't eat the mashed sweet potatoes or cranberry jam or whatever they had. That was a great dinner but we were there for 2 hours when we are only supposed to be there for one. We tried but failed to get out of there on time.

 

So, I have thought of a couple other things to get. I would like Costco toothpaste and shampoo because the stuff I use now just isn't the same as either of those. Besides, Costco gives a large quantity of what you want. Too bad the closest one is 2 hours away in Kansas City. There is one or two other things that I just can't think of right now that I'd like to get. But if you don't want to wait anymore to send it, just go ahead and send it. If you want, you can get something for Elder Black. But I'm sure he wouldn't care if he didn't get anything from you. Things are going pretty good here. We have several appointments this week that should work out. We need more people on date, though. Don't worry, we'll work on that. We have an appointment tonight with people that have an issue with the authority to baptize. So we'll talk about Christ's example a lot today. Do you go out with the missionaries a lot? I'm sure they try and get team-ups to their appointments so they must bring somebody. As far as service goes, we helped Mike Poore move on Saturday. He was my first baptism, if you remember, but I know he is going to a ward in Mississippi that will welcome him. Hopefully his wife will join the church down there too. If he keeps it up, they will be sealed together while I'm still on my mission. That would be great news. Oh, on Wednesday, we went a few miles up the road to a small town called Louisville where we met an excommunicated member of the church of nearly 45 years. He made a promise with the Lord that he would never go back to church because he was living with a woman and wouldn't leave her. He said he hasn't been told to go back to church yet. I'm guessing he just hasn't prayed earnestly enough. We haven't attended many conferences lately. Just district meeting every Tuesday which seems to always be good. Now that Thanksgiving is pretty much over and we look towards Christmas, I am surpised at how many people think it's okay to decorate their houses before December begins. You know that I don't like to look forward to it that long out because it seems like it takes longer to get here. So Dad, don't put the tree up until this Saturday. Oh and Dad, nobody forces us to eat anything. Normally people are totally fine if you choose not to eat something because you don't like it. That's one thing I like about this area. Sounds like you had a busy week as well. Oh, man I miss the Cowarts. They were a fun family when they were helping Caitlin with scrapbooking because I would always go swimming. OH, before I forget again (it's been several months since I first thought of this), could you send me the address of Tyler Winston? I want to hear how his life is doing and how his mission went this summer. Well, that's all I can think of for today. Sorry, Cody that you had to go back to school. But it's a thing of life, I guess. Don't worry, you get a two-week break here pretty soon. Well, that's it for me. Tata for now,

 

Elder Sutherland

 

PS: "Of all the places to settle down, why - "

"The Volcano? This kind of soil is some of the most fertile on Earth. So. How does it compare?"

"Everything's delicious."

 

Reminds me of Thanksgiving.

Derek Letter 11-12-12

HHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAPPPPPPPPPPPPPYYYYYYYYYYYYY BBBBBBBBBBIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIRRRRRRRRRTTTTTTTTTHHHHHHHHHHDDDDDDDDDDDDDAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYY CCCCCCCCCCOOOOOOOOOODDDDDDDDDDDDDYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey Cody, guess what. It's your birthday tomorrow. Did you know that because I did. You're 17! I can't believe you're 17. Whatever. I will be 50 one day, that's for sure. Did you know that it's also my 5 month mark tomorrow? Time sure has been flying by in a way.

Okay, This past week was a very challenging week for me getting over the fact that Elder Clare is gone and I have to do everything when he did a lot being district leader and all. I was pretty Elder Clare-sick (compare to homesickness) on Thursday and Friday and a little bit on Saturday. But I think I'm over it now and ready to move on because I knew it was inevitable. It was just a matter of when. I was on my knees a lot over those 2-3 days asking for help and never give up. I think I have grown a lot in just the past week. So, on Thursday, we went to the transfer station to say bye to a lot of close fellow missionaries (every companionship in the zone changed this transfer). Zone leader Casper turned AP and Elder Clare went to Topeka to become a zone leader. I am training for the first time an elder fresh from the MTC. His name is Elder Black from Brigham City, Utah (Utah, I know). He is 19 and is the second child of 4 in his family: an older sister and 2 younger brothers. I am still in Wamego and we are being blessed because of this new elder here. We have 3 with a date still but we have gotten a couple new investigators that seem pretty solid. Nobody came to church, though even though we invited like 6 or 7 people. I don't know why people commit but don't come. It just doesn't make sense at all. I guess it's just the theme of missionary life. Elder Black is indeed working pretty hard. He has that desire to work hard therefore pushing me to be a little better in my training. It has waked me up to a new desire to work. I feel that I have developed that sons of Mosiah care where the very thought of some one to endure endless torment without this gospel shakes me to the very core of my being.

This week, we also did 5 hours of service: more than we have ever done before in a week. 3 of those we raked leaves for one of our investigators without her knowing. Her neighbor found out and told her anyways. Ohwell. It was fun to do that. So I assume Mom has been so busy that she can't e-mail anymore or maybe she just decided to combine emails. That's fine as long as I get an e-mail, haha! That's awesome that she got that job at Del Norte! I bet it will be a blessing for the family that will help financially and not having idle time (even though I personally know myself that Mom is the hardest working person I know). Oh, Dad. You can tell me what time you woke up Saturday morning because I guaruntee you that I have woken up later then it (2 PM).

Is Jayce really that big? I think I got that bike in 3rd or 4th grade or something like that. I would love to work on his fielding with him. Just remember to stay down and have the glove out in front of you on the ground instead of just in-between your legs. About his mis-behavior at school, sure I wouold worry and pray for him and I definitely will but I remember when I was a kid and doing that dumb stuff in class. Especially 2nd grade. But maybe that's how I changed: your prayers. And of course having the Dallin problem helped tell me that I didn't want that. How tall is he? I think I better watch out. He might become taller than me. Who knows maybe he'll reach my shoulders by the time I get home. Dad, I always love hearing about your store discoveries. That new one that you found ought to be fun for you. I know how much Mom loves Crate and Barrel so therefore you must love it a lot, haha! Woah! Maddy's a senior! When did that happen? I know she'll be great at one of the BYU's. I'm sure being bishop is a tough one. I just got Mom's e-mail. Sorry, no pictures today. We have our bike week this week and it got really, really cold yesterday after being in the mid-70's on Saturday. It was in the mid 30's all day Sunday. So it's almost time to break out the winter coat. Brother Earl has helped get a new bike for Elder Black. But he'll have to purchase a new one eventually. Well Dad, I wish you the best at work and do my best to pray for you in your calling but I'm always so dead at night when I pray and sometimes can't remember. That's one of my biggest struggles right now: my prayers. I need to get those a little more personal and relate to my father in heaven.

Yay! Hooray for wrestling! Wrestling starts today here too. There's this one guy in the branch who is also a Junior in High school and is one of the best wrestlers in the state of Kansas. I am not sure if you could take him, Cody. He is built like a wrestler too. Well, I thank you for sending me e-mails because I really look forward to them every week. If there's anything you want to know, let me know. I am here to answer your questions and tell you about my mission too. Thanksgiving is next week and I can't wait to stuff myself full of delicousness. Thanks for everything you do and I hope you all have a great week.

Elder Sutherland

PS: "Surprise! Happy birthday Squidward! Happy happy birthday. Happy birthday cake! Happy happy birthday. Happy birthday soup (I don't know what they say here)! Happy happy birthday. Happy birthday pin the tail on the donkey! Happy happy birthday! Happy birthday Squidward!...WOOH! See ya later! Have a nice life!"
"It's not my BIRTHDAY!!!!!"

Derek letter 11-4-12

Family!

 

I love love love getting your e-mails (and letters) and hope you love my e-mails too. This week has been quite interesting. Let's just start from the top. We only had to bike from our place to Wamego twice this week. We set a new course record on Friday. Our previous record was 42 minutes and 41 seconds. On Friday we got 35 minutes and 51 seconds. Boy were we booking it with the wind at our backs...man it was fun yet tiring...and of course sweaty. "But mostly, sweat." (See Cody and spongebob quotes). It was a pretty slow week, though because we were on bikes and limited our options to just Wamego and St. George. Even though we had some good lessons, our investigators are just not progressing. Even Mike (our super solid recent convert) has been on the down side. Of course being really sick never helps. He will actually be moving to Mississippi later this month, so we won't be able to baptize his wife in time because she has to be done with all Word of Wisdom issues 2 weeks before baptism and attend church at least twice which she has already done with the rest of her family. Okay, now the BBBBIIIIGGGG news of the week. So, on Friday morning the Assistants to the President called (or just AP's) and told me that I will probably be training this week because of transfers and all. So, on Saturday, I had to go to Independence to the mission home and have a training meeting for trainers. It was a nice meeting and I am nervous that I'll be able to be a good teacher. I know I'll be obedient but I hope my companion and I will be able to teach AND find people well so that the gospel can bless the lives of the people in Wamego. Over the weekend we also had stake conference. It was really weird to have it broadcasted to our building from Salina especially since there would be 2-minute periods where the audio would go out and we would just be sitting there in awkward silence while we watched the person give a prayer or talk. I swear I am so spoiled to have the stake president that we have because he is sssssoooooooooo inteligent in the gospel since he's an institute teacher. I think he'll actually be a mission president in the future. Also, my mouthguard snapped in half this morning while brushing it. You know the thing that I put in my mouth at night to prevent grinding. Don't worry, though. It still works when you put it in one piece at a time (you don't have to put this part on the blog). So, on Halloween it was just a normal proselyting day until about 5 when a million little trick or treaters started downtown and we couldn't go in until 6. I am surpised how many anti-Halloween people there are here. I mean it's just a fun holiday to be with the family. We went to a member's house for dinner and had chili, white chili, and brocoli soup. I had the last 2 and they were super good. Obviously the white chili didn't have any beans in it since I ate it. But we just stayed there the rest of the night for obvious reasons. I am also surprised how poor of reasons people have that they are voting for Obama. Yesterday we ran into a guy who said "I'm not voting for Romney because he's a Republican." Oh, like that has anything to do with anything. Whatever. I agree with what Dad said in that God is going to be in this election.

 

Dad, I always love hearing about your struggles (not in a bad way) because I know that you and I are having discouraging moments at the same time. That just means that the Lord is going to bring us higher together as brethren in His priesthood. But I always admire at how much you get done in one week (there goes the tornado siren again). I hope I can be hard working too. Sounds like you are just so close to finishing Cody's eagle project. It's hard to think that he's turning 17 in a few days. 17!!!!! Is Cambrie 16 yet? I just hope Cody can get his mind set on serving a mission and preparing now. I know that the thing I struggle with most that is spirit-withdrawing is my thoughts. I need to do better at that. Sounds like Halloween there sure was a blast. I feel like I got so much candy that I can't even devour it in one day like I used to be able to do. I wonder if Jayson is going to have so much candy that it takes until March to finish it. That's what I had. Hooray Caitlin! Can't wait to hear from you and your move to DC. Good luck in school! I just wanted to ask you a question: if the announcement to serve a mission at 19 came out before you graduated high school, would you have gone?

 

I'm glad I'm on a mission and avoiding lots of sports because I'm sure being at Uncle Mike's house on Saturday would have been brutal. Yes, I heard about the LSU-Alabama game. Ugh! Ohwell. Now I've got to let it go. Okay, I have definitely seen myself growing because if I had to go home right now, I would refuse. OH THAT'S WHAT I WAS FORGETTING. You know how I forget things easily. So, you know Elder Ellis, my MTC companion right? Well apparently I learned that he went home becuase of personal issues! It doesn't surprise me but it does. I am just dissappointed in him and wish he and I could have a heart to heart talk. I have been trying to get the mission mindset written into the tablet of my heart thereby being able to love and serve everybody a little better and bring them the gospel. People can be so hard hearted at times. I have had many experiences of that already. I always ask myself how that could be Christ's church when you say "as long as you believe and do good things by being a true Christian, then there's no need to be baptized LDS and there's no true church." That just ticks me off because the devil believes and is he going to be saved? no. Chirst taught except a man be born of water and of the spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That brings me to just a question to ask Dad or Mom or anybody who knows the answer (I think I know the answer. I just want to see what you think.). In the pre-Earth life, was it God's plan the whole time to follow Christ's plan instead of Satan's plan? Just wondering. So what have I learned about myself? I have noticed that I need to be more selfless and also be more self-reliable because I relied so much on you fixing the car for me or making me lunch and dinner. I have also learned to adapt my desires to the desires of my companion. It is tough being able to look at yourself before your mission and then change but it must be done in order to be successful. Well, I'm sure I've forgotten some stuff that I wanted to say, but I'll get going. I thank you for all that you have done for me and wish you the best in your lives. Great! great! great! That's 3 greats! 

Love,

 

Elder Sutherland

"kfaifbawefb. And then I ate some rotten berries. Man I had some mean gas eakin' out of my ---- that day."

"Why are you following me?!"

"I'll tell you why...Cuz I'm all alone. There's no one here beside me. My troubles are all gone [I forgot what he says] there's no one to deride me. But you gotta have friends!"

"Donkey! Well it's no secret why you don't have any friends!"

...

"What is that?! Who would want to live in a place like that!?"

"That would be my home."

"Oh, well it's just beautiful just marvelous. I like that boulder. That is a nice boulder."

Derek Letter 10-29-12

Family,

 

First I'll tell you about my week. I had exchanges with Elder Moore of the Manhattan second ward on Thursday to Friday. It was really fun being with him and to be able to learn from his experience. He leaves for home next Thursday and has been in the field for a while. He is taller than me and from Salt Lake. He got to have President Van Comen as a mission president for a while. This week, it got down to freezing several times. It sure was a cold one. We had the car, fortunately so we got to drive all over. Oh! And last Sunday, I got to drive for the first time in 4 months! It felt sort of strange but I got the hang of it. We alternate days driving now. On Saturday, we had our branch Halloween party. It was PACKED. We had 160 and were expecting about 80. So double the amount. I guess that gives a good number for the amount of people that we potentially could have at the Chirstmas party in December. 

But we had fun because we switched nametags and went to the party as the other missionary. We also ran this one game that was kind of like cake walk but you had to win to get the prize. There were tons of non members there and even a few less-actives. Of course there was a chili cook off. But you know me, I came prepared because we went to McDonald's right before so that I didn't have to eat chili: my worst enemy. Pretty much the entire branch now knows that I despise chili with a burning passion. Also, for branch council yesterday morning, we had to get up early and it was 25 degrees outside. There was ice on the windshield and we got there safely thank goodness. Also, I am in need of my acne medication. Could you please send some more to me? Or maybe send it to the Manhattan Wal-mart pharmacy or something. I also heard that you chatted it up with Sister Chandler about school and cooking. I thought that was cool. I'm glad you two have stuff in common.

 

As for you, that's awesome that Cody is pretty much done with his Eagle project! Sounded like you worked a lot harder for his than you did for mine, haha! My trees are withering away one by one. The toughest part is now the waiting game by getting all of those letters of recomendation. That was the most time consuming for me, I remember. Don't worry you're almost there Cody! I'm glad some people came to the project. I can't remember how many people came to mine. I know it was a lot though because we were in and out of there in like an hour or something like that.

 

Bummer you couldn't get the job. Hopefully something will turn up for you so that you can help support the family. Cody should be able to get a job here pretty soon. Hopefully once the summer comes around he can get searching. Oh, before I forget, tell brother Vandeveer that his office hasn't responded to the letter I sent them back in July. Good luck in school, Mom. I know you'll do great! Thanks for the quote too. It was a good one. Elder Holland has some great quotes in Preach My Gospel too that you should check out.

 

Great job Caitlin in the half marathon! I wouldn't be able to do that now that I'm out of cross country again. Maybe at the end of a bike week I could do one because my legs get so strong and I get more energy by the end of the week.

 

Oh, and to Dad about answering the Catholic question. There's a talk (I don't know who gives it) that talks about why the restoration took place in 1820 and not at another time. That has given me new insight on the great apostasy and what went on during it. I know about the Nicean creed and how people made Christianity believe that there is one God and that's it. I don't know how they got to that conclusion because the bible indicates that there is more than one God.

 

Anyways I always forget to tell you at least one thing in these e-mails so don't be shocked if this isn't enough for you. So that's the point I'm at right now. I can't think of anything else. Well, I love you all and wish you the best in whatever you are doing. Love,

 

Elder Sutherland

 

PS: "Abominable! Do I look abominable to you? Why don't they call me the adorable snowman or the agreeable snow man for crying out loud. I'm a nice guy. Snow cone?"

"Egh"

"No no no no, don't worry. It's lemon. What about you big fella? Snowcone?"

"Did you see the way she...looked at me?"

"Yeah, I understand. It's not easy being banished. Just talk to my buddy, bigfoot. They wrapped up an enormous diaper witb poison ivy. Wore it on his head like a tiara. Called himself king itchy."

...

"Wait, what did you say?"

"Yak's milk. I mean milking a yak isn't a picnic. But once you pick the hairs out, it's very nutritious."

Derek Letter 10-22-12

Family!

 

Sorry, no pictures this week. My camera is out of battery anyways. Yes Mom, I got your package. I loved all the goodies in there especially the Frankenberry and Count Chocula cereal boxes. I can't wait to eat more tomorrow, haha. As far as my ballot, I opened it on Monday, voted for the first time ever, and sent it back in on Tuesday. I think it should be in the voters office by now. It was fun being able to vote. I had Elder Clare help me on a few issues just to see his opinion. There were some that I had no clue what or who to vote for. But I just voted for the name that sounded better. Except for the president of the United States. I voted for the correct one there. Is California still heavily in favor of Obama? I don't know how that state gets so many crazy people out there. Ohwell. You did not send too much candy. It was awesome to see what's in there. I also looked at the price to send it and I was really thankful for you sending it yet a little ashamed for asking for stuff that I may not REALLY need. But I am really grateful to have loving parents who support their missionaries! As for the gloves, we bought some for me to use at school at REI last summer. If you could find those that would be perfect. But for the ear muffs you may need to get them before Christmas. We'll just have to wait and see what the weather is like for the rest of the calendar year. I'll be sure to let you know if I'll need them or not because it has been quite warm here the past week or so.

 

So, as for my week, it was a little frustrating without a car. We were supposed to get the car but the zone leaders changed their mind last minute and kept the car because they were going on exchanges in Salina. So that messed up everything because now the branch Elders quorum doesn't know we don't have a car since that's where we announce that we need a ride at all this week. On Tuesday it was especially frustrating because we literally couldn't find anyone to take us to Manhattan for our district meeting. So we just didn't go. Elder Clare wasn't happy since he's district leader and prepared a lesson for nothing. I guess he can always give it next week. As a result, we had to bike into Wamego one extra day this week. Speaking of biking into town, my legs are now super buff. But now that we get the car back this week, they'll go flabby (like Larry the lobster and his latissimus dorsi). Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday took us over an hour to bike into town because of the stupid headwind. On Thursday, the gusts got up to 45 mph coming from the northwest (AKA right in our face) and it took us an hour and a half just to bike into town. By that time our legs were jello. But we had to go to St. George to help this potential investigator mow her lawn (she has a bad back and foot). So in all we biked 3 hours from our house, to St. George, and back to Wamego. Not only that but Rosetta's lawn mower didn't work so we went out there for nothing. But you know what, I honestly didn't care we were going through all these hardships because I know we will be blessed somehow, someway. Even though I had jello legs (and a soar behind), we had a pretty good day. We've made lots of friends here and many people in this relatively small town know us well. On Saturday, it took us only 42 minutes and 45 seconds to bike into town because of the wind at our backs and the strong legs we have developed over the week. That was a new record for us. As for the work, this week has been tough when it comes to numbers. We had zero investigators at Sacrament meeting (that's always our biggest issue), and only 2 member presents. We've been working hard but the numbers sure don't show it. Whenever we teach the restoration, the most frustratring thing is having people recognize that the authority was lost in the great apostasy and therefore there was a need for the restoration. The Catholics claim they have it but since they are the source of the great apostasy, they actually didn't have it. People say "oh, I've already been baptized" whenever we invite them to make that covenant. It's just frustrating for them to pass at their eternal salvation. One other thing, we have this missionary in our zone who is serving in Manhattan and goes home in 2 and a half weeks (at our next transfers) who has become lazy since he is going home soon. The missionary that he is training has suffered from it. I just want to tell you this because I am making a promise right now that I will not be one of those missionaries. And if I happen to be, go ahead and slap me when I get home.

 

It sure sounds like you had a great day in Lancaster! It's so awesome to be able to live close to family like we do now. But I'm sure Kellie had the best 18 months of her life. Wow, Kenny is going on a mission and is now an Elder! That's awesome! I can't wait to hear where he goes. I am thinking it is going to be foreign but the Lord knows so we'll let him decide. Also, sounds like Cody's eagle project is coming along well. You'll have to send me pictures because I won't be able to understand what exactly he's doing unless I have a visual. That's aweosme that you're working on school and hopefully about top get a full-time job! Is this your last semester of school? I can't remember what you've told me before. How are Billy and Caitlin doing? Oh, I keep forgetting to ask Dad a question: Do you know a Greg Seljestad? He is a larger guy and a mechanical engineer at CAT here in Wamego (I actually don't know what type of engineering). He was at BYU and the engineering department at the same time you were, I think. So I wanted to know if that name rung a bell at all.

 

Alright Jayson, I'll answer your questions. My mission has been going awesome possum and I feel like there are a lot of kids here that you would like and be fun to play with. I haven't gotten any more baptisms since your birthday. We've been very close on a few people but they just don't want to make that commitment. The members here really like the work we are doing but if we could have a bit more support that would be helpful to get you more baptisms. We have had only one or two people that like what we teach so much that we go over everyday. That is very rare, though. Once somebody does what we tell them (go to church, read, and pray), then that's when they want us over usually. I have been in the same place the whole time and expect to stay here for a little while longer (at least until the end of the year). Sorry, I wish I could write more letters or at least have more time. But my only day allowed to write is on Pday. If I write on any other day, then I won't get the Lord's blessings of missionary success. WOW! Your baptism sounds so cool! I remember the water in my baptism. I was scared that it was going to be cold. But it was really warm. And that helped God tell me taht he loves me and wnats me to continue to be a good boy. It also sounds like school has been fun with your teacher. I hear that Mrs. Shalinsky is very, very nice and helps you a lot. Are you learning a lot Jayce? Do you know how to spell iofhwerhlqwedhqwluierblwuiegt? That's one of my favorite words. That's is also a very funny Looney Tunes quote. I'll try and give you one too.

 

Well, thanks for the support everybody! I appreciate the prayers and everything including letters. I love you all,

 

Elder Sutherland

 

PS: "I want my diamond. Where is it? WHERE IS MY HUMONGOUS ROCK!!!????"

SMASH!!!

Derek Letter 10-15-12

Familia!

 

It's a great day to be a missionary in the Missouri, Independence Mission! This week has been a blast! It was also cool to see the pictures of Pennie at the church. That must have been very funny to see her have the time of her life since she never gets out of the house. Well, now I can't wait to get that package you sent me! I am looking forward to it. I hope California wises up this year on the election. Are people there still heavily in favor of Obama or has it swinged towards Romney a bit? I wonder if Westview will do a mock election like they did when I was there. That was pathetic how the high schoolers voted but it was fun to participate. Dad also told me Cody had his first (and probably not last) migraine! That really stinks. Do you know how he got it? I could tell him all about those and how to handle them. So, I laughed when you told me taht you got a C on your stats test because I'm sure I would be satisfied with that score. Just kidding I don't know. That's really awesome that you're really working hard in school. It provides an example for your family and for those around you. Is Brother Luckow good at math? I mean he should be because of his career field but nobody seemed to be able to help with my calculus homework senior year. Ohwell, what's done is done. Sounds like a you had a blast with the pumpkin patch. Any good pumpkins to carve this year? Hopefully they can be good carvings too. Oh, I saw Jayson's cub scout troop and it reminded me of yesterday when we were tracting and how we also met a cub scout doing fundraising who was decked out in his uniform and everything. It was nice to talk to them and tell them we were official Eagle Scouts. That's awesome that you saw those 2 sealings! Who did Caitlan McConnell marry? ELDER STANLEY!!!!!!!! I remember him! I went with him to go teach Bobby one time! That is way way way cool. I wish I was there to see him. It's great to hear that Thomas and Kellie both got home. 3 missionaries getting home in the span of a month must be pretty cool. I wonder how Thomas liked his mission; it would seem pretty tough to get used to I would believe. I can't wait to hear where Kenny goes. He'll be another great asset for our Heavenly Father. Wow. Tyler is engaged...This is going to stink not being able to see him for 18 months. Ohwell. I'll be able to see them eventually and that's all what matters. Congratulations, cousin. Hopefully the December stress can be cooled off this year since it's technically not a family reunion.

 

Okay, now to tell you about my week and the devotional...actually all day Saturday. So, on Saturday, we left Wamego at 9:30 with Mike and Pam (she's the investigator in the part-member family) and got to the KC temple at around noon. We went inside and just stood in the foyer and waiting room. Mike is so eager to go in the whole temple and regrets not being able to go to the open house a few months before his baptism. He might go and do baptisms for the dead this Saturday hopefully. We'll see. After we went inside the temple, we had lunch at Taco Bell and headed for the Independence visitors center (sorry. I forgot to take pictures). We had the whole tour of our plan of happiness video and the sisters of the visitors center even sang to us the song "All Creatures of our God and King". It was also pouring rain off and on all day. But we happened to be inside when the rain decided to come on down. After that, we had the devotional. We got there an hour and a half early so that we could get decent seats...and we did. A great view of the pulpit and the whole choir. The wait was worth it. Elder Clare got to touch Gladys Knight's hand. I didn't know she was that big of a celebrity. I had only just heard of her on my mission. Her choir was awesome. It was a little uncomfortable at first because they were singing soul gospel music type stuff in the Independence stake center. But I got into it and really enjoyed it. Both her testimony and the testimony of her husband are amazing. Her husband said "if you don't join this gospel, you will be held accountable in the judgement seat" or something like that. If you are a non-member, I don't know how you couldn't be moved to listen to the missionaries. After the event, we went to dinner (more like breakfast for dinner) at IHOP and got home rather late. But the whoel trip was awesomely amazing. I sure am grateful to be on my mission and every night I always think of how tough it will be to go home. Luckily I still have 20 more months! I hit my 4 month mark on Saturday too.

 

So, Dad it was great to get your letter. But I'm sorry, sometimes I can't respond a whole lot. But I love hearing from you and always pray for you and your calling as Bishop. It's great to hear that Tyler Payne got the packages. I wonder what missionaries would be like if they got that many care packages. They would probably faint because of the amazingness of it, haha! Good job with the car! I probably just would have taken it to the shop in the first place. At least the van is fixed! All right, well, let me know if anybody wants to know anything. I love you all and appreciate your support. Love,

 

Elder Sutherland

 

PS: "Oh great. It's the Walter committee. What are we gonna do?"

"You are surrounded. Come out with your hands up."

"Okay okay okay. You got me. Here's the door, here's the kid. But before you take me away, I have one thing to say: Catch!"

"TWENTY THREE NINETEEN. TWENTY THREE NINETEEN!!!"

"Halt!"

"Stop him! Do not let him get away."

"Wait, he has the child! Ugghh!"

I also got to speak an entire lesson in Spanish yesterday. It was awesome because I could understand a lot of what he was saying and felt blessed that I could actually communicate! He now has a Book of Mormon and we'll check to see him next week. But he spoke really, really fast. I was surpised that we even did teach him and commit him to read it. I spoke a lot and he understood most of it. But since Elder Clare was actually called Spanish (he knows 3 languages! ASL is the other) he did most of the lesson. We also tried another guy who was spanish but he wasn't there yesterday. Okay, now I'm done, haha! Just remember my acne medication. Thanks!!!

Derek letter 10-8-12

There's me with "Shorty" the horse. It was chilly that day and I borrowed a jacket from Mike. I also made the pumpkin brigade out of candy corn pumpkins that I bought last week. No way anyone is taking down those pumpkins. 

Family,

 

This week has been fabulous with conference and everything else going on. As far as the work is concerned, it was another tough week because we had to drop a few investigators and therefore we didn't have many things to do. In addition, nobody seemed to be answering their door for the whole week in Wamego for some reason. We also had no car this week meaning lots of biking. Woo! On friday, we biked from our house in St. Mary's to Wamego for service at the Health Ministries and after service, we went and biked to St George for an appointment. On our way we stopped and tracted a few homes scattered in the middle of farm homes. That's where I met Shorty the horse. We then biked back to Wamego a little later and had a great and rewarding weekend. Saturday was bomdiggity with conference coming up. When President Monson got up and made the now seemingly ho hum temple announcement, I thought "Oh, that's cool. Tuscon needs a temple too." But I never expected that other announcement where men can go at 18 and women at 19. We got a text from a sister in our branch today who has an 18 year old daughter that has now started her mission papers and has always wanted to serve a mission. I think this announcement is great because now we can get more sisters into the field then ever before since they have less amount of time to get married, hehe. But as for the talks, I really liked Elder Oaks on Saturday. I haven't seen him come out like that in a while. That story about the children sleeping on the floor and wanting to be adopted was in Kansas City. Some parents can be so...mur. On Sunday, my favorite overall talk was by Elder Holland and becoming more Christlike. Do we love God? Then feed His sheep. I also liked the talk (I can't remember who it was by) where they told the story about how a successful missionary came home and was asked how he became so successful, he said that he imagined every person who he tracted into entering the waters of baptism in white clothing. I actually tried that when we were tracting in-between sessions yesterday. Nobody promising came from it but I felt good inside to leave them with something to think about. With conference also came suit season. I will be wearing a suit every day until next conference in April.

 

I liked that talk about President Eyring and his sons too. President Henry J Eyring sure is a great man. That's awesome that Cody is getting going on his project! What's he doing again? I'm going to send the letter I finished writing to him this morning tomorrow so you should be expecting it this weekend or Friday or something like that. I don't know if you should send him to the BYU summer semester. What if he gets a job? Or just doesn't want to because I just got home? But whatever floats your boat I guess.

 

I'm proud of Pennie for finding that rat. Good team up to be able to do that! Ooh! So this Saturday I am even more excited than General Conference because we get to go to Independence to watch Gladys Knight and her choir!!! It's like a testimony meeting/music. So it's a combination of it. Mike, Pam, and us will leave on Saturday early-ish so that we have time to go visit the temple and then go to the visitor's center to watch the perpose of life video and also see all the sweet stuff there too. After, we will then get in line like an hour and a half before it begins and attend the 4:30 showing. I'm and giddy with excitement and cannot wait for that more than conference. No more biking either because this week we did a lot of biking: biking from our house to Wamego 2 and a half times (that half time, Elder Clare got a flat tire so Mike had to pick us up.). I like biking at times, but going up and down these hills is not fun sometimes. But I know it's for a good cause because Heavenly Father will bless us with people to teach. It may take a while, but we will be blessed with baptisms and new investigators. One of these weeks it ought to happen. If not, I'll lay the foundation for missionaries in the future.

Tyler Jensen is WHAT!!!!!!!!!!! I never knew that he was getting married! I don't have his address or I would write to him. Ohwell, I technically went on a date his his future wife first so it's all good in the hood. I expect a letter from him. I got one from Uncle Gene but taht was a while ago. I already responded by then. That's awesome that Sister Fice wants to get active again! Marshall was a good kid and got his eagle done. Remind me who Sister Callahan is again? I think she moved in right before I left or something. That's an amazing thing you got to do with the combined activity. I wish I could've participated. I'm sure Tyler will greatly appreciate it. Well, I can't really think of anything else to say. I love you Dad. I love you Mom. Don't forget it. As fire-like trials come your way that is the time to turn on the ignitors and power ahead. Just remember the hymn "Press Forward Saints". I love you all and all those that read this or just love missionary work. I kind of combined responses from both Dad's and Mom's e-mails. So sorry if anything seems out of order or anything. Love,

 

Elder Sutherland

 

PS: My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.

Derek Letter 10-1-12

This was the only picture this week. We were biking in St. George when we saw some alpacas in someone's backyard. I thought you guys would laugh at the sight. 

Family,

October has begun and that means only one more week of wearing short sleeves outside. Once general conference starts, we have to wear suits everywhere because it starts getting chilly around here in the mission. It really feels like the seasons here are much more defined. For example: leaves start changing colors, it starts getting cooler earlier, and football is in full swing. Speaking of football, I wanted to remind you that I don't want any more sports updates for the rest of my mission. I have realized that they have become a distraction and tend to pull my mind away from the work a little bit. Thta little bit is all it takes for the spirit not to dwell in my teaching. As for my teaching, it has been better and better ever since I left the MTC and especially since I finished memorizing  all 5 lessons and the baptismal interview questions. All I need to do is just pass them off then I will be able to drive!!! I should be able to pass them off later today. (That was cool. The tornado siren just went off outside the library. Don't worry, I think I'm safe.) It sounds like the ward has been going through a lot in the past few years. Our branch just launched the new branch mission plan to the members so that we can get a little more work. The third hour yesterday was all about that. I think it will benefit the town as we move forward in making this branch into a ward one day. Also, the ultimate goal is for our new small building to become a stake center. I think that will be tough but I think we can do it. Dang, you definitely had a busy Sunday yesterday. Our branch didn't do a fast and testimony meeting. I think we'll do that in the second week in October...I hope. It wouldn't surprise me if we didn't have one at all. Oh, so in church yesterday I saw some of the worst parenting in my entire life (the worst has all been on my mission so far): This sister was sitting in front of us with her grandaughter and literally beating her up in the pugh instead of taking her out or at least do what toddlers do. All her grandaughter was doing was talk a little louder than normal and be a little fidgety. Uggh, parents like that make me sick because the spirit totally left the room when that happened. Ohwell, it's over.

Hey, those were some good pictures of that van they drove to Seattle with. I hope the animals are fine with it, haha! I'm sure you're glad to be alone for a little while. Just to let you know, I did get Cody's letter last MOnday and responded to him this morning. I don't know if I'll send it because I haven't finished it yet. I'l try to do it sometime tonight after I write in my journal. If not, I'll finish it next Monday because P-Day is the only day I'm allowed to write letters. Also, you DO NOT need to get me another watch. I found my old one in the trunk of our car. There was one other thing I wanted to say but I didn't get to it. Anyways, I saw that Michael got his call to Tahiti. What an experience that will be for him. We had some one open their call this past Saturday. He is going to the Rosario, Argentina mission and should collide with Michael in the MTC when he almost leaves. Hopefully it won't take that long to get the visas to them as it has been in the past. About Sister McMullin, that totally does surprise me too, but I won't say anything more than that. I loved going over there and home teaching her family with brother Hatch. There are some people in the branch who also have problems that they talk to the branch president about. Of course, there's this one family who hates him and will never go back to church until he's out as branch president. Yes, it was because he offended them about a personal matter. I'm sure he didn't mean to offend them, but whatever. Are you going to transfer Dallin's records to Seattle? That would put his name on the roster so that the missionaries there could talk to him. Sorry if that was a rude thing to say about the sisters here. It's just their reputation among the other elders around the area. I should honor them better and strive to respect them for taking time out of their lives to serve a mission. About transfers, Elder Clare and I are together for at least one more transfer. We'll see when November rolls around.

This past Saturday, Wamego had their annual Oz Fest to kick off October. Since this is the town where the Wizard of Oz originated (hence the line "we're not in Kansas anymore"), there was also the last living Munchkin there. We could've taken pictures but we had more important work to do. Since it's October now, that means I will get my ballot. I want to be able to get it as soon as possible to be able to have time to mail it home to you first. Or do I mail it to the people who do it? I don't know, whatever. I'm really looking forward to general conference this weekend and hearing from the prophets and apostles about the subject of life, especially the priesthood session. How was the relief society session? Oh, I forgot to ask you: Does Sister Beebe need any more pictures of my flat stanley? Congratulations on making a decision to Caitlin! I hope it'll be fun living in DC and being able to see Greg a lot more now! Oh, man. I am really tired right now. Anyways, I know I am missing a lot of stuff to say to you but I just can't think right now.

Love,

Elder Sutherland

PS: "Running, I better start running. Running"

"btthhhh"

"Sprinting! I just need to Start Sprinting! [Crash!!!!] Sitting. Sitting. Bleeding."

"Btttthhh"

"Who's there?"

"bttthhh"

"Okay, that's enough."

"bttthhhh"

"I'm warning you."

"bttthhh"

"I'm a sponge!"

"bttthhh"

"AAAAHHHHHH"

"bttthhh"

"Oh. It's only you...Well that solves my balloon problem but I have a bigger problem. You don't understand a word I'm saying, do you? Balloon bttthhh has bttthhhh enough bttthhh air bttthhh thanks bttthhhh bttthhh bttthhhh bttthhhh. Oh, I get it. Balloon travel. Thank bttthhh you bttthhh!"

"You're welcome."

...

"Don't worry, Spongebob. I'm coming back for ya."

Derek's Letter #13 9-24-12

Familia!

 

This week was a good one. After exchanges 2 Fridays ago, we had another exchange with Junction City this past Tuesday. Elder Clare went to JC and I stayed in Wamego with Elder Weatherford who is another visa waiter going to India. It was rather interesting that day getting my first experience at dealing with a car shop because the sisters blew a tire the previous day and had on the spare. It didn't cost that much but it was annoying because we had to rush to an appointment. That appointment was also interesting because I've been out only 3 months and Elder Weatherford has been for almost one transfer (6 weeks) so I was actually the senior companion. But I couldn't drive the car because I haven't passed off my lessons yet. Speaking of my lessons, I have lesson 4 passed off and hopefully will get lesson 5 done by transfers this Thursday. So, I dominated that one lesson and it felt like the MTC all over again, haha. So about that CES fireside talk, I heard about it because my companion watched it on LDS.org last week. One of my favorite rebukes is on that talk: "You checked your religion at the door? NEVER check your religion anywhere." I want to watch the whole thing but never had the chance to. Ooh, hey I got a haircut today from Elder Casper. It was soooooo long and it feels so much better now just to feel the wind across my head. He actually gave a much better haircut than brother Crouch. It's funny to think that those who are trained and go to school for haircuts and stuff are actually worse than those that don't. Like Dad's haircuts are my favorites, but the barber shop that I went to in Rexburg was the worst place ever. Anyways, moving on... No, I have not gotten Cody's letter yet. It takes longer than normal because the mission office has to forward it to me. I should get it soon. Probably today. Oh, hey I also lost my watch and was wondering if you could possibly send me another one of those cheap ones? Thanks.

 

That's really cool that Dusty came to mutual and got to talk about his mission like that. I'm sure everyone is just oohing and ahing about his stories. I would look on his mission blog every now and again. And Jayson had Cub Scouts?! Man he's growing up. I remember my first day of cub scouts. We had the rain gutter regata and my boat won. That was a good day. When's the pine wood derby? Sounds like you all had a good time on Saturday. Speaking of Saturday, we had a great weekend finding new investigators through the efforts of prayer. I also made it a goal to pass out a Book of Mormon every day this week and want to keep that trend up after this week and for the rest of my mission because the more copies of the Book of Mormon there are in people's homes around the world, the more likely they are to read it and feel the Holy Ghost from it so that they can enter into the fold of God. I also made it a goal to not have any distractions whatsoever in the field: immodest women (looking away sets an example for other people and looking to them just puts filthy thoughts in your mind), TV in restaurants (a member took us to dinner at Cox BBQ and the LSU game was on on Saturday in the restaurant so it was very hard to turn away), and any sports at all because it deters my thoughts away from my work here in the mission field. So if you possibly could stop sending me any more sports updates whatsoever I would greatly appreciate it. I know the Padres season ends this week, but I don't want to know anything else about any sport unless an investigator talks about it a bit. Thanks a lot. Do you remember a brother Hancock? He lived in the MM2 ward for a while about 10 years ago and he is now in my branch here. Speaking of my branch, for dinner on Friday, Sister Chandler asked me what I wanted for dinner the next time they had us over and I said I really missed my Mom's chicken crescent rolls. So she was curious what that was so I explained it to the best of my knowledge and gave her your e-mail to get the recipe from you. So if you see an email address from a Valerie Chandler, now you'll know who it is. And about the chili, I don't understand how anyone in the world likes beans. They are filthy gross. Ugghh, just thinking about it makes me feel...uuggghhh.

 

It also sounds like you had a great time at the baptism and other things on Saturday. I didn't know that Cody was on the youth committee? Is he the chairman of it like I was? Who is the stake young men's president? He should enjoy being so involved in coordinating youth conference in the spring. Hopefully it goes well there. Oh, the primary program was Sunday huh? That's way cool. I'm sure Jayson did a great job. By the way, how many deacons are there in the ward? I get to pass the sacrament almost every sunday because there are not many deacons here. Anyways how's the New Testament with Sister Walton? But good job sleeping in, that's what I would've done. Good luck on the ACT. That'll be hard and the program I did was way annoying because they give you homework, but it really helped me gain those few points to make it a decent score. So, as for the weather, it does get quite cool at night and in the morning. I kind of want my swish-swish pants and a sweat shirt along with my big coat and possibly a watch that I mentioned earlier. But you don't have to get me boots. I'll be fine. So, is there anything that you would like me to take a picture of and send to you? Yesterday, we had to bike like 20 miles in total all day because for dinner we had to bike to St.  George since our car is getting low on miles and next week when we lose the car, we are going to have to bike into town because our stake president, president Knapp (who is a really awesome guy), doesn't want members to use their gas money just to take us into town and back home. That's going to be a big hassel, especially for suit season, but whatever. I sure don't want to act like Laman and Lemuel who said that this is a hard thing for me to do. But I want to be like Nephi who says I will go and do the things the Lord commands.

 

Good luck with classes! and I hope you continue to work hard and make the boys work hard in the yard (I like that rhyme right there). Tranfers are this coming Thursday as I said earlier but I am pretty sure I won't be transferred. The thing I'm most worried about is if Elder Clare gets transferred. I will find out tomorrow night so hopefully he stays. I'd say it's a 50-50 chance that he either stays or goes. I'm sure I forgot to say something as I always seem to do, but I'll end now anyways. I love you all (yes I am talking to YOU) and wish you the best at school/work and in every other aspect of life. Before I go I just have to say one thing: Billy is my favorite brother-in-law. Love,

 

Elder Sutherland

 

PS: (I don't know if I said this one yet but whatever) BOOM!!

"Two, oooooone (cry). Well, at least I was able to make his last few moments memorable."

BOOM!

"Huh?!" Squish

BOOM!!

"Spongebob! What are you doing!!!???"

"Oh, hey now that we've completed the list of things to do, let's get started on this book. We should be able to finish by January."

"FORGET THE BOOK!!!! You were supposed to EXPLODE into a million pieces."

"Well I can try. uuuummmmmm GARY! YOU ARE GOING TO EAT YOUR DESSERT AND YOU ARE GONNA LIKE IT!!! How's that?"

"THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT YOU BARNACLE HEAD!!!"
"Oooh, good one."

 

Sorry, I'm sure I botched it, haha. Ask Cody.

Derek's Letter #12 9-17-12

Family,

 

It's great to hear that Dusty just came home! Man he sure is the awesomest person ever. Reminds me of Dan Jones, one of the first missionaries of this dispensation who was also one of the greatest. Hearing about him makes me want to be a much better missionary because sometimes I have the mindset in the morning that I don't want to work, just stay home and study. But I know that as I remember my purpose and other people that need this gospel, my mindset will change. This has been a good week. Even though we had a couple of investigators drop us, we also found a couple of new ones and got 2 more to baptism dates. We also had an interesting situation last week. One of our investigators who is the same age of Elder Clare and is a girl, was kind of secretly flirting with us through text and in person. At least that's what we think because she is hard to understand sometimes. We're over it and hopefully we can get her to re-commit to baptism this week. She's really nice, so there's no need to worry about it. We also had another investigator who we dropped after the lesson that was telling us that there is no way that the book of mormon could be true or Joseph Smith a prophet because there is no physical evidence of it at all. We told her to keep reading and praying while she told us to reconsider our beliefs. I was so glad to get out of there because her heart is so hardened and so fixed on her church. But something will soften her heart in the future I just know it. The trinity is such a big issue with them meaning that Jesus Christ is the only God of the universe when there is tons of evidence everywhere saying that Jesus Christ is the son of God. Elder Clare has taught me so much in the short amount of weeks we've been companions. I hit my 3 month mark this past week too. I'm not done out here that's for sure. I still have a lot of work to do and people to baptize because "In the Missouri Independence mission, we find, teach, baptize, confirm, and retain."

 

Dinners this past week have been tough too. On back-to-back nights on Thursday and Friday, the families we had dinner with had chili. Oh boy of all the food in the world, it had to be chili. Don't worry Mom, I ate it. On Thursday I ate the beans whole without chewing and on Friday I chewed them. Friday was the best chili I've had in my life. That's not saying much, though. Last night we had deer meat. That was good. Other than that, I love eating their food. So, you should be able to find the John Tanner video on youtube. It is a very good FHE thing.

 

You didn't go to her wedding? Sorry, I just assumed you would since you are close friends with them. My bike is good. I broke it the first hour I got it about a month ago and just got it fixed this past week. I just spent $54 with my home card on a derailer and a derailer hanger and Brother Earl fixed it up for me. Now it is rideable and I plan on riding it today. We have been walking when we don't have the car but we will have to bike this week because we are getting low on miles. We have the car for another 2 weeks but miles are the biggest issue this week. Well, it's good to hear that the family is doing well and that Erin and Dallin will be out of there soon. Hopefully that experience in Portland will be a good one. You saw Stimpy?! Tell him I said Hi.

 

Hopefully in Dusty's homecoming wasn't too emotional. Unfortunately with missionaries who loved their mission like that and worked really hard for those 2 years, they get mission sick when they get home more than the normal person. Like my MTC teacher. He loved his New England mission and for like 3 weeks after he got home, he was super down. But I know if I am that mission-sick, then I will know that I did a good job. Some rules are hard to follow with exactness and it is tempting to disobey them. I am trying my best to be obedient.

 

Dad asked me about how much mail I get in the mail. The last 2 weeks were bad (like one letter over 2 weeks), but the past few days have been better. President Northcutt is a sealer?! I didn't know that. Who set him apart? Was it the temple presidency or the prophet? I don't really know who does it. Well I can't really think of anything else to say and the other missionaries are already done with their e-mail waiting for me to finish. Just to let you know, I have written in my journal everyday since the first day of the MTC. I write 2 pages each day with lots of detail to remember after my misson. Also, I read my patriarchal blessing for the first time in a while this past week and boy did the spirit hit me hard when reading it. Well that's it I guess, ta ta for now. Love,

 

Elder Sutherland

 

PS: Happy Leaf Erichsen day!!!

There's Levi's baptism for ya. That was a great occasion especially for a family that has become inactive or just have never been interested in living the gospel. That kitten is on one of our potential investigator's porch. There's a lot of them and that one seemed to be the cutest of the bunch. It's the same one I'm holding. Yes, I know I need a haircut. I tried this morning but the person who would give it to me was still sleeping and tyhe barber shop in town was closed. Brother Crouch still isn't quite feeling up to getting active again after his surgery to give me one. In that dark one, we were on splits and I was near Randolph, Kansas with zone leader Elder Casper. It was fun to be with him for a day. That last cat is a small one we named simba. It's parent cat was named Mufassa. We were tracting and those cats just kept following us from house to house. 

Derek Letter #11 9-10-12

Hey family!

It sounds like the whole family had a blast over the weekend with the baptism and everything going on. I do wish I was there but I know that I have work to do out here. Unfortunately, I forgot my backpack at home, so you won't get pictures until next week. Sorry. But since it's P-day I guess that isn't too bad. We only have 1 appointment tonight, so.... But this past week was the complete opposite of the week before. We didn't have many appointments again, but last week, our numbers were still high. This week, our numbers were pretty bad. Only 3 member presents when the standard of excellence is 6 per week. Ohwell. There's always this week. Speaking of my backpack to answer Dad's question, I have worn it everyday and fill it up everyday even if it's not that hot outside. This is like the only day that I have forgotten it on my entire mission.

Ah, that's his name. I couldn't remember President Northcutt's name for some reason. What mission did he preside in Argentina again? I was wondering because an elder in my district got his visa and left about 3 weeks ago to Argentina. So, as for Levi's baptism, we got up at 6 to be ready for Mike to pick us up at 7:30. Unfortunately he never showed up, so we called our branch mission leader (who has been very swamped lately) who went and filled the font. Question: how long does it take to fill your font in the stake center? It takes only 2 hours in our new building. So we got to the church around 9:40 where I got changed and snapped a few pictures before it started at 10. After a talk, we went into the warm font. It only took me once this time as I said the words correctly and did the dunking. He's only 9 so he was as big as Jayce. While I was getting changed, the congregation watched the John Tanner video from the Doctrine and Covenants video library. I love that video so much and really recommend it to watch. We then had some good messages after. Also, we had branch conference at church yesterday with the entire Salina Stake Presidency. Our stake president, President Knapp, gave the lesson in sunday school. He's an institute teacher so he really knows a lot. And boy did I get educated. One thing I learned (the theme was the spirit world and the 3 degrees of glory) was that those who had the opportunity to accept the gospel in this life but reject it (accept it meaning had the opporunity to see, feel, or hear it. Not just missionaries knocking on your door) and accept it in the spirit world can only attain the terrestrial kingdom. I thought that was absolutely fascinating. He also said that for some one to deny the Holy Ghost, they would have to hate Jesus Christ, have held the Melchizidek Priesthood, and want to crucify him again. He gave some other great things but I can't write his entire lesson in this e-mail, haha. Also in sacrament meeting, brother Hancock asked Elder Clare and I to sing in the 10-member choir. We sang "O my father" and I picked up the notes pretty quickly. In no way was it a brother Peterson experience, but it was fun to sing again.

So, Cody took the P-ACT, huh? I remember taking that my Sophomore year. Boy was that an experience. Having James Proudfoot teach me helped so much. Let me give some advice. Don't read all the stories in the literature section, I just skimmed them real quick, looked at a question and if I didn't know it, I just guessed. I guess APES will teach you that too, haha. Who won in Mini-Golf? I remember the days of going to Boomers. That was fun. Caitlin and Billy sold the Mazda? What are they going to do now for a car? I don't know if Billy's 4-runner will hold up that well. Oh, now that it is early September, it is back to Cross Country season. There was a huge XC meet at the Wamego golf course this past Saturday and it made me miss it. But there were teams all the way from Jackson County, Missouri! I could hear the microphone to announce the winners from about a mile away.

So I just got Dad's second e-mail. And Headley has 100 RBI's!!!!???? 27 HR's????!!!!! When did that happen?! Wow, I am very impressed with those numbers. It's good to hear about sports but bad at the same time because not only is it worldly in San Diego, it's like that everywhere, especially here. The plague of immorality and laziness and NFL watching on Sunday is so prevalent. I remember President Hinckley talking about that in one of those Doctrine and Covenants videos how the Sabbath is supposed to be a day of family time not Football time. That's what makes me so mad about RM's at BYU-Idaho. My roomates would fast from 11 PM to 1 PM and made sure they contured their day to watch their favorite team play. I know I sound hypocritical because I was one of those people for a little bit, but the Sabbath is so special to me that it is a day 'APPOINTED unto us to rest from our labors and to pay our devotions unto the most high' (See D&C 59:10, emphasis added). The mission field has already taught me a lot about everything. No wonder it is pretty much a requirement for LDS women to marry RM's. Speaking of that, how did Sarah Leavitt's wedding go a while back? I was very happy for her even though she is only 18. Celestial marriage is what we should all strive to attain. For if we do, we will be able to get the highest degree of exaltation and live with our father in heaven again.

We get the car back today so it should be easier to remember things such as my backpack from now on. Next week we won't be walking anymore because I'm going to get my bike parts today to have Brother Earl, who is a bike repairman, fix it for me. I will use my home card to buy a derailer and a derailer hanger. We will be able to bike around next week when we don't have the car anymore. I kind of like walking but ohwell. So, hey, I didn't get a letter from Grandpa last week. I hope I get it today but I wanted to know how his surgery went from him even though I already heard about it from Dad. Well, I can't think of anything else really. I just want to say that Jayce, I love you a lot buddy. I hope you remember that from now on when you take the sacrament, it's like you're getting baptized again. That spirit should be with you always. try your best not to sin or be a bad boy. I know you're going to be happy and God will bless you as you obey his words. One more thing to Jayson to remember forever: Night night Jayce, have fun sleeping. Love,

Elder Sutherland

PS: "Look at that cute little baby, Diego. Isn't it nice he'll be joining us for breakfast."
"It wouldn't be breakfast without him."
"Those humans have killed our family (or something like that), and used their skins to keep warm. An eye for an eye."
"Let's show those humans what happens when they mess with Sabers."
"Alert the troops. We attack at dawn. And Diego, bring me that baby. Alive. If I want to enjoy my revenge, I want it to be fresh."

Or how about:"They left without me. They do this every year. Why? Doesn't anyone love me. Isn't there anyone who cares about Sid the sloth."
"urrrhh"
"All right, I'll just go by myself. splsshh. Oh...sick. Hey nice, buddy, warn me next time! Oh, geez, oh gross."
"A dandelion, I thought the frost wiped 'em all out."
"All but one." (you know what happens next)

Derek Letter #10 9-3-12

Hey familia!

Sounds like Erin and Dallin are doing well. Hopefully they can change their life for the better. Sorry I didn't e-mail earlier; the library was closed and we didn't have time to do it yesterday. So that's why we're doing it today. Before I forget, I have a few questions for you: Do you know the Stake President's name before President Ellsworth? It's been bugging me for a while now. Also, could you send the following to me: ballot for the 2012 election, sweat shirt (For P-day when it starts to get cold again), my missionary approved jacket that we got at Mr. Mac (again, just when it starts to get cold again)? Thanks so much. I don't know if I'll need those for a while because it's still in the 100's here. But back to your e-mail, Dallin needs to get back into the church and I know he will eventually because about a year ago, I was praying really hard for him and got the prompting that everything was going to be okay. Whether it's 50 years from now, who knows. I was going to tell you that earlier but I just never got around to it.

I hope you know that I am way excited for Jayson's baptism too! That's so awesome that he is making this covenant with God and starting on the path towards eternal life. I have news too. I am going to have a baptism of a 9 year old that same day too. We've been teaching him and will finish the lessons tonight. I will be performing the baptism this Saturday at 10 AM CT, so 8 your time. I'm excited for Levi. He can't wait to make this step as the branch is too. I hope it doesn't take 4 times this time like it did with Mike, haha! I will send pictures on Monday. You didn't mention anything about Cody in your e-mail. How's he doing? Is he adjusting to his classes well? Is he paying attention in seminary like I told him to? Upperclassmen have the cool opportunity to be the example. So it's good that he is continuing to go to seminary everyday.

They had their baby already?! They just got pregnant like 2 seconds ago. That time could not have flown by that quickly. Whatever. It seems healthy and the family is doing well. Holy smokes, Dusty is going home. He seems like the Wilford Woodruff type missionary that baptizes 300 in a day or something like that. Tell him I said Hi. Speaking of Wilford Woodruff, we got the D&C videos in our apartment now. So it has been fun watching Zion's camp and all these cool videos about Joseph Smith and that time period. You got new elders, huh? Looks like the mission president is trying to shake things up a bit due to the slow work in PQ. Dang I hope that 40 day fast works. That is really cool that you're doing that. I have been thinking of Dad too and praying for him in his duties at work and at church. It seems almost insurmountable at times but being my Dad, I know that he can get through any trial as he has a desire and willingness to help. Reminds me of in Daniel when the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands (Daniel 2:44-45). Oh, hey I passed off lesson 3 this morning and will start to memorize the commandments tomorrow.

To answer you questions, yes I do go tracting quite a bit. It has been pretty effective in the past and the branch seems a lot more into missionary work than most wards. I go tracting every sunday because that's when most people are home. We also go when we have no plans and appointments fell through agian and again. We have zone meetings once a month in Salina, Kansas (at the stake center), and zone conferences every other transfer. Do you know what the differences between the 2 are? I do get along with the elders in my zone, but we only see the entire zone once a month since they live so far away. So we just have 2 districts that we hang out within Wamego, Manhattan, and Junction City. I get along with everybody for the most part. We're buds. We also have 2 visa waiters: one is going to the Brisbane, Australia mission Mandarin speaking, while the other is going to India (I don't remember what mission exactly). I see President Keyes fairly often. About once a month. A few weeks ago, we took him on a tour of our new building. He really loves it. As far as my teaching is concerned, I definitely have room for improvement but it has also gotten a lot better. I am teaching people, not lessons to the best of my ability as guided by the spirit. Elder Clare is a rockstar when it comes to teaching. There are just no flaws whatsoever. Everybody should strive to teach like him. Haha, I am not in farm country all the time, but I am exposed to it a lot especially in this drought that has plagued the mid-west. There's this guy in our branch where farming is the only thing he talks about. I think it's pretty interesting, actually. It's time to harvest the corn around here so we see the tractors going around all the time. Yesterday, we were in Alma, Kansas for a couple of hours before we taught Levi lesson 3. I tell you what, that town is 50% old people, and near 100% farmers it seems like. For service, we don't farm at all. We work at this place called the Health Ministries and help them orgainze things and do the sweaty work that the office people don't want to do. We don't do any proselyting on campus or around Manhattan because that's not our area. I would only go if we were on splits.

So, this past week was really tough for us because appointment after appointment kept falling through and we just could not find anybody to go see. But I endured it well and I can already tell that the blessings of the Lord are with us. Everyday without a car this week so far, we have gotten rides in and out of Wamego and to wherever we needed to go. It's been tough still because people are always at work. But the Lord has blessed us in many ways that I can't even describe too. We are so blessed to be on our missions and hope that as we humble ourselves before the Lord just as the Nephites had to do again and again, we will continue to be blessed with people to find and teach.

Thanks for the Padres update. It was great to hear how they've been doing and it looks like they've turned it around after a rough start to the year. WHAT!!!! Adrian Gonzalez is on the stinkin' Dodgers!!! That's unbelievable! What a traitor. Hopefully the Padres can pick him back up when his contract expires for a good deal. Speaking of first basemen, how's Yonder Alonso doing? Grandal? While here, I have glimpsed at the TV a few times when people are watching Sportscenter, and as much as it kills me to turn away, I have to and I do my best. But I have seen that some players have been doing well. Kelly is doing well, huh? That's awesome! I hope Luebke can come back healthy next year because he was tearing it up before he got torn up. How did LSU do this past weekend? I heard Alabama demolished Michigan in Dallas on Saturday because one of my investigators is a big Michigan fan and wasn't too happy when we saw him that night. It was the first game of the year and missing college Football has been tough. But I know I'll get over it. The Chargers open the season in Oakland on Monday night Football too. Don't worry, I'm not letting that inhibit my work here as a missionary. At least I hope I'm not.

Well, that's all I can think of for now. I hope Jayson has a great baptism and I love you all very much. Love,

Elder Derek Sutherland

PS: "wwwwiiiilllllbbbuuurrrr. Wilbur. I can talk!!!"

Or "OH MY GOSH!!! A FLOATING SHOPPPING LIST!!!!"
"I'm not a shopping list. I'm a ghost!"
"AAAHHHH"

Unfortunately, being on my mission has made me forget a lot of quotes. I can think of them during the week, just not now.

Derek Letter #9 8-27-12

Family,

Sounds like you all have had a fun week going back to seminary. I get a taste of seminary again every week or so when I have to wake up before 6 and go to a meeting somewhere. Since our house is so far away from everything, that's what is required. Cody better be paying attention in Sister Walton's class because it will help him for his mission and most importantly, I don't think she allows sleeping in the class. My American Lit teacher, Mrs. Tornroth, could be harsh when it came to grading but I sucked through it. Who does he have for US history? I had Hymes' student teacher Mrs. Jones. Good luck on your junior paper later this semester! Don't worry, it's not as daunting as you think it is. I remember when I assembled the paper, I didn't really type anything because I did the work before that. But I honestly think that that paper prepared me most for college. Jayce should have a very fun year in second grade and hopefully he can learn a lot. I don't know his teacher terribly well but I know she's nice! Hey mom, whenever you see any of my teachers again, say hi to them for me would ya? thanks. In case you were wondering, I got some letters this past week including one from Grandpa Barrow. You know what's sad, he gave me more Padres updates than anyone on my entire mission. I loved it! Keep 'em coming Grandpa! That was the first letter he sent to me.

This morning, I felt really retarded. We were getting gas and I was going to check the oil and I forgot 1. How to open the hood and 2. How to know when we needed new oil. All that learning in mutual growing up didn't help at all. Could I get a refresher course on that? Man I feel stupid. So, about the pictures I sent, the baptism was Mike Poore's (who we baptized a month ago) son, Noah. He loves going to primary and will get the Aaronic Priesthood when he turns 12 on May 9th next year (Same birthday, I know!!!). Last night for dinner, we had a mock Thanksgiving feast with the Knudsen's (pronounced Kuh-nood-sens). The dinner was delicious (I feel like Colin Mackie) and the lesson after went well. Their son is on his mission in Anchorage, Alaska. Some dinners, like that one, make me love dinner while others not so much.

Yesterday, I got the compliment that I "spoke as if it was from God." That was quite a compliment to me because I know how powerful that was. I also had an experience that I had heard of but thought wouldn't really happen to me. We were tracting and knocked on this one lady's door. She came to the window-door and pointed at her sign that said "No Solicitors." She was livid with us and said "get off my property and never come back." Some people are just so stubborn and it hurts to see the devil work through more people than God working through people. We're not solicitors because we don't sell anything. You don't have to pay for your salvation. Off of that subject, I think the most frustrating part of a mission is having investigators not come to church. Like 8 people said they'd come to church yesterday and only 1 came.

In other news, Brother Crouch had surgery on Thursday in Kansas City to remove his cancerous bladder. He should come home tomorrow of Wednesday. Before he left, he installed a couple of lights outside so that when we walk down the path to our room coming home at night, we can see. But that stupid light comes on to any motion at all: the tree across from it, grasshoppers jumping, anything. And it keeps us up because it's so bright at night since it's right outside our window. So I went out there and dealt with it by slightly unscrewing the bulb. There's one light that I couldn't reach though, and that one doesn't bother thank goodness. This week, Satan has been eating at me. Just some frustrating and aggravating people (including missionaries) have been getting to my head. But it won't work because I know what I'm here for. On Friday and especially Saturday, not only did it rain (which we really needed, just like everywhere else in the country), but it poured! I am just glad we had the car. My little umbrella that you got me actually has worked quite well. Also, one elder in my district got his visa this past week and is now in Argentina. Buena suerte Elder Acton! (Cody better retain some of his Spanish because it's likely that he'll need it)

Dad told me about Grandpa and how he's going up to Orange County to help him out today. I hope all goes well. How did Grandma's eye surgery go? You know, Dallin reminds me of a lot of people here. they threw away their life for no good reason and as a result are in a tough job like construction or something that doesn't pay them that well. Hopefully Dallin can turn things around before they get any worse. So, what was the stake President's name before President Ellsworth again? I thought I already asked but maybe I didn't. I can see his face, I can see his face and hear his voice, I just can't think of his name. Stake conference already? That seems pretty early. I know that we have branch conference coming up in a couple of weeks, but I don't know about stake Conference. Oh, hey before I forget, could you send me my ballot stuff? I want to send it back with as much time as possible left. So, I have also come to realize this past week that you have raised me really, really well. I have seen the worst parenting of my life out here to go along with the good. Like we sat in front of a family at church yesterday and all he did when we were over there on Saturday was yell as loud as he could at his kids. I couldn't believe his wife would allow that. I hope their newborn doesn't have to endure that. There are also some pretty dirty mouths here too. I mean I thought High school was bad (especially Coach Mueller) but there was this one guy that seemed like that's all he could say. I told him to stop but it took some energy.

Thanks for all the support back home. I can notice the effects of your prayers and I try to remember to pray for you everyday. I am focused on the work, mainly, and pray for them too. It's great to hear the theme of your Stake Conference about the importance of temples. I think that might be the biggest thing I miss from back home. I can't go to the temple out here since it's so far away; otherwise, I'd go every week. Well, I love you a lot and I did get the package you sent me. I got it on Monday last week. I wasn't happy to see it because I knew I probably wouldn't eat all of it. But Elder Clare has been all over it and I have eaten a few things from it as well. You don't have to send me Starbursts anymore (unless they're the jellybeans; those are the best) because the MTC made me tired of them. Hopefully I get the letters that Cody and Jayce sent to me soon. I'm looking forward to reading them. FYI, I will spend some money off of my card to buy some groceries because I have $1.84 left one my mission card. I hope you all have a great week and get used to getting back into the school schedule for a full week now. Until next week, love

Elder Sutherland

PS: "Mr. President, you almost started a nuclear war! What are you going to do next?!"
"I'm going to Escalator Land!!"
...
"When do we get to the rides?"
"Thsi is the ride!!!! WHOOPEEE!!!"