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."

Dallin and Erin Head North!

Dallin and Erin (and Jose and boy cat and girl cat) have been home with us for six weeks. In that time, they have both gotten their driver's licenses, Erin got a bank account and her birth certificate, they've both applied for a community college up in Washington, and she bought this sweet van!

They built a bed and made curtains so it could serve as their home until they are able to find a place to rent in Washington.

 So, they loaded up the van (putting bins and all their stuff under the bed), and headed out. The animals seemed excited to go.

 They are really hopeful about their promising future. 

I know they're gonna do great!

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. 

Jayson's Birthday Celebration!

We had everyone coming into town for Jayce's baptism, so we wanted to do something fun as a family. We chose to go to Boomer's Family Fun Center on Friday night. Fun times!

A little bit of go-karting!

 Grandma and Grandpa Barrow are so fun!

 Mini-golf!

 Cute Cait & Bill!

Jayson's Baptism

Matthew 3: 13, 16-17

Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.

And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Just as the Savior was baptized, we, too, are baptized. In our church, children are baptized when they reach an age where they understand the choice they are making to be baptized. We call this the age of accountability, and it is eight years of age. I can't believe Jayce is already eight years old!

We took a few pictures before the baptism. I'm so glad Dallin and Erin could make it here, and Caitlin and Billy could get away from their super busy schedules to come. 

We are so lucky to have such wonderful parents (Jayson's grandparents). My parents came all the way from Texas!

 I love these two!

Derek is far away on his mission, so Jayce had to hold his missionary plaque.

 The Sutherland children. Wow.

I didn't get many pictures of people who came. Thanks for coming, Linda! Nancy, Terry, and Hannah made their super long drive. And Gene and Michele! Thanks everyone!

It was a wonderful day, filled with family and feelings of love and gratitude for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.