Oct 16, 2017

Since I didn't get my letter written yesterday, you'll probably write early. I just couldn't get motivated to get it done.
We had a scout meeting after church and dinner and then we had a court of honor at 630. So not much relaxing going on😕. Dad and Carson and Kevin and all the boys (Hudson and Rhett too) played football in the yard for a while after dinner and then Boyd and Carson went to the park and did some hitting and field drills.  And then we went to the court of honor.
Last week was kind of a lazy week for me. I was taking it easy and letting my shoulder heal up again. It looks pretty good and isn't too bad for movement. I'm not back to where I was before the surgery as far as range of motion, but pain wise it's about what It was then. So I guess it's doing good. I go back to the dr on wed morning and hopefully I won't have to go back too many more times.
Aaron is replacing his roof right now. Don't you wish you were here to help?😂. His isn't as big as ours and it's not the hottest week of the year so that's a bonus.
So how was your week?  This week is transfers right?  Are you staying or going?  Either way is good. You are finding people, you just need to be patient. Becoming a member of the church is a process and Some people just process things different. Change isn't easy even if we know it's the right thing to do. And that it would be a great thing for our life.
And habits are super hard to change, we may not even like what you're doing and want to change but it's a habit. I think bad habits are harder to change than making a good one.
Anyway. I guess not much to say this week.
Love you
Mom

Hey guys!!!! This week I will be 100% honest... It was soooooo LONG!!! I have no idea why... Well, yes I do it is because there are changes this week! I knew that I had changes since Wednesday. Because I am going to be adopting! Hahaha I am going to end a training. I am not going to be a complete dad so I guess that I will be adopting. This week was full of many things from fun to getting matched by President for my comp... But what it is. You just have to keep going. So this week on Tuesday we did something different. It was )according to my comp. who was in the meeting with the stake President= what the Stake President wanted us to do was leaving in the morning and study at night. I didn{t like it. I felt like the day was never going to end and that MEN )the most important thing to get into a house= Were all working. So it was a little bit difficult for me to do it. Oh and the reason why we were supposedly told to do this was because we are trying to open a branch in Chapeltique. It is where we live along with many other members. It is 30 minutes away from the church building in Moncagua in a bus and like 20 in car. So we are trying to open that up to help the ward grow. Anyways, the next day was a district meeting so we left like normal, after lunch. Then that night they called me and told me I had to go to the trainers meeting the next day. We went at 5 am to go to San Salvador. We got there they started teaching and then they asked a few questions and I was going to be 100% honest with them, so they asked who had been studying the first 12 weeks. There were many who were in their training so they obviously raised their hands but my coomp and I aren{t doing it so we didn{t raise ours. Then they asked my comp why we didn{t study it. He goes on to be an idiot and says ooh it{s because we leave in the morning and study at night. Then President kinda lost it. I was like oh no.... The thing was that we only did it one day but my comp made it sound like we had been doing it for months! After President gave us a good ripping they went on with the meeting until it got over. Normal training meeting. So we came back to Moncagua and worked some more. Now Friday, I have no clue why but we had interchanges AGAIN... I was like dude it is the last week of the change why are you doing interchanges___ He said that the zone leaders asked him to do them so he did them. Once again I went with the Gringo Elder Ledesma. He really isn{t that bad of a guy like everyone thinks he is, you just have to get him to open up. If you get him talking he{ll be your friend. Like he is my friend now. So what was cool about the interchanges was that we ate dinner with a family that 3 of the kids are deaf mute people. But it was so cool how the whole freaking family can communicate with each other so well. I even picked up a few signs. It was really dope. I would love to learn how to speak sign language but that stuff is a TON of practice and studying. Now along came Saturday. We finished the interchanges and my comp )because he stayed in the area= was supposed to plan for the day. However, after lunch he goes [Where are we going_[ I was like WHAT_ Did you not plan_ He was like no not really. So I was a little ticked off. So I told him it was your responsibility to plan so you will tell me where we are going today. But then he did the biggest girl move that made me livid. He goes ok. Hey will you call Hector )a member= so we can go to visit Selena_ I replied uh no_ You have the phone don{t you_ Just call him. Then the baby starts to whine no just call him. It is your turn I had the phone yesterday. I lost it. I sharply said Elder it is a phone call. Are you scared he{ll say no_ And it just so happens that whenever you want to call someone it is ALWAYS my turn but when I ask you to call someone you always say well you want to call him here is the phone. WOW I honestly lost my cool in that moment. I called the member and he didn{t answer. So we went to work and did the norm. Look for investigators that we have and look for new investigators. But yes I am really struggling with this comp but I am just trying to always be more patient with him as the Lord is with me. But you all know how patient I am.... So ya that is what is going on but I at least already know that he isn{t going to be my companion so I am pretty happy about that. Like wow I really don{t like Mexicans but that is just how it is. You have to learn to LOVE not LIKE EVERYONE so that includes whites, blacks, latinos, Chinese, and even the MEXICANS.... Hahaha no I try to love everyone it is I love everyone in different ways. Some I love because I love them, some I would love to talk to them, other love to teach them and other I would just love to smack {em in the mouth! Hahaha I hope you guys had a great week Love you all!!!!!

Elder Lancaster     

October 9, 2017 Familia y cheros

Wow. Another month gone. Only 8 fast Sunday's left Til you come home. It's crazy to even think about. Time goes by slow and fast at the same time. I hope that you are accomplishing the goals that you have set, because your time in the mission will be over before you know it.
How was your week?  Any new experiences to share?  I saw a picture that was posted with you and Ledenia'S mom. It's kind of amazing how small the world is.   
Did you get your backpack and keyboard?  Dad thought it looked like you were wearing the new backpack.
How's the area?  I've lost track, when are next transfers?
It's crazy how fast the time ongoing. It's almost Halloween and then Christmas will be over. I'm so not ready for it to be cold. The drivers said it was snowing in Montana last week. Not cool. There has been snow on our mountains here too.
Well last week was pretty uneventful for the most part. Monday and Tuesday were just normal. Wed dad had a wcf advisory board meeting in SLC in the morning. I went to the hospital to have my surgery at 11. Grandma dropped me off. Dad was there to pick me up when I got done. I wasn't feeling great, but I had my ice machine and power to plug it in and some Tylenol and ibuprofen so I got in the car and we headed to Morgan for Carson's football game. I figured I could sit it the car there as easily as I could sit in the chair at home.  I didn't see much of the game because I didn't feel good and my eyes were closed most of the time. But it was better than sitting at home by myself.
Thursday I was hurting and pretty tired. I went to the office for about an hour. Mostly to have dad help me put the ice machine pad on my shoulder so I could get the ice machine going.
Friday I went to the office for 1/2 the day. I was way tired when I got home and just got in bed. We missed a missionary dinner thing and a friend of ours mom passed away and we missed her viewing too. Dad didn't want to go by himself and I just wasn't up to it.
Saturday Carson played ball in the afternoon, so we took it easy and slept in and went to Hyrum around noon.
Yesterday I slept in again and relaxed. This morning I obviously didn't sleep in but I'd like to still be sleeping. Dad took Carson to school and I'm thinking about getting up and in the shower. It's the first day I am supposed to take a real shower. I don't think I have to keep the incision dry any more so I can just get in. What a pain!
That was pretty much our exciting week.
Love you
Mom

So this week was really fast and actually pretty normal for me. We didnt do much. We found a ton of people like normal. But who knows why no one wants to be baptized. We are really struggling in that aspect of the work. However we are working hard. I have been sick a little bit for the food and all. I am still wondering when my body will adapt or maybe I just have adapted to what my body does now... Hope not... But to help me in the work I have decided to do something. Well It is straight revelation. I feel like we as missionaries focus too much on Joseph Smith and how he restored the church. But our main purpose as missionaries Preach my Gospel explains that we are supposed to INVITE OTHERS TO COME UNTO CHRIST. Not to the church that has been restored. It is to Invite them unto Christ. The church just helps us come unto Him yes but if they dont feel the love of Christ in their lives they will not want to change. So from now on I will be teaching the Atonement of Christ more than anything. I love this gospel and my Savior. ANd you guys. Have a great week.

Voice recording:

Well we had another week go by, week 5 of the change.  So we are ending up the change this week.  We had an alright week, we had a lot of new people again, 21, but the thing is we just can’t find a person that wants to get baptized.  It’s really hard, like you can find 300 people in 3 weeks, but I mean it’s just, it’s honestly ridiculous how these people don’t wanna do anything.  Nah, go to church?  Are you kidding me?  I don’t want to move, I don’t wanna get myself up from this hammock on Sunday morning, are you kidding me?  Just stuff like that, and it’s really frustrating.  And all the people that go to church are like, no I don’t want to be baptized.  We’re like what the heck?     They’re like straight members, all they need to do is be baptized.  And they’ll be actual members and there won’t be any difference, like I don’t understand.  People are scared and I’m getting frustrated with them, but I mean, it’ll be alright, we’ll get them.  We’re gonna get somebody this month, that’s our hope. 

We had 6 people in church yesterday.  Only 4 are progressing, 2 of them are eternal investigators, 3 of them are eternal but we’re visiting 1 of them and she’s progressing, because she said she wasn’t going to go to church, and then she showed up.  We’re like alright, cool. 

This week we had interchanges.  I was with the Gringo.  He does not know how to speak Spanish, still.  He has 9 months and he still can’t speak Spanish, it’s ridiculous.  But, hey, you know.  He understands a lot, but not that much.  But anyways, I’ve been sick all week.  It’s just been an awesome (sarcastic) week. 

This week we were contacting a little bit, well, I was contacting in the other area during interchanges and I found a guy, that he was really, really good, like he was a really good guy.  But he was like no, I can’t learn, I’m way too old.  He looked like he was 63, I pinned him as 63, he was 81 years old.  I was like wow!  He was like no, I’m too old to learn.  All his family that lives in the states, they’re all members.  So I don’t know, I was like, you’ve got to visit this guy, you just gotta listen to him, you’ve got to understand why he really doesn’t think he can learn, what’s the big deal about it.  I feel like he can be baptized if they’ll just keep visiting him.  I felt the spirit with him a lot and I feel bad for this gringo, because he was only trying to get a lesson in.  I was just like no, don’t be like that,  in my mind I was like, we just need to listen to him, ask him a few questions and find out what it is.  What’s the deal?  We taught him a little bit and it was alright, but the other gringo just kept trying to push, push.  I was like, no, you can’t be pushing him, you’ve got to let him go.  I don’t know, I feel like the leaders are trying to, like they’re pushing us a lot right now.  Like I understand it’s their job to push us and push us, but when people don’t want to be baptized, they just don’t want to be baptized.  I mean it’s hard, we’re doing everything that we can, and letting them use their agency.  They obviously aren’t choosing very wisely, but I mean, that’s just how it is.  But one thing that we are trying to do right now is trying to find the people that want to be baptized.  We are trying to focus on people that have the attendances or have some attendances and I feel like we’ll be doing pretty good this next week.  We should, maybe we won’t get a baptism in this change, but maybe the next week like the 28^th we can get a baptism.  We’re hoping on 2 girls that go to another ward but they live in our area so we can baptize them.  But, we’ll see how it goes.  Well, I mean, that was pretty much my week.  Just finding people, teaching people yeah.  Well, love you guys, have a great week.

Mom:  So what's up today?

Jackson:  Nothing. It sucks... I hate P-Days here we don't ever do anything...

Mom:  We'll plan something to go do in advance so you can do something fun on pday. 

Jackson:  We try and no one ever wants to do anything and everything you have to have permission I am so tired of it.

Mom:  Eh. Put a smile on and make the best of it.  What else is going on?  We saw a picture of you with the privado lady's mom. Is she in your ward or whatever now?

Jackson: No she is a stake leader that is coming to my ward because they changed the Primary presidency

Mom:  They said you speak good Spanish. I thought it was pretty cool. That you got to meet her. 

Jackson:  I see her almost every week hahaha but what it is. 

Mom:  I  guess you are out of time. 

Love you!

Oct. 1, 2017

How was your week?  Did you enjoy conference?
I really enjoyed president eyring's talk this afternoon and elder Bednar's talk.   But they are some of my favorites anyway.
I liked the one 70 that talked about his changed vacation plans and how things in life change. He was funny and one of the other 70's, Koch I think was his name. He was a bit snarky, I liked it.
I can't remember which one talked about miracles and divine intervention, but that talk was great too.
We have been reading and discussing pmg chapter 6 but just once part at a time so we aren't done yet but we are working on it.
Our week was pretty normal Carson played football on Wednesday and Jared called and asked him to play baseball on Saturday again so that was fun other than it was raining and cold. The temperature went from 90 to 50 in a day I swear. Cold sucks!
I'm having surgery again on Wednesday to take the metal out of my shoulder so hopefully that goes well and the recovery isn't long. The Dr said I had to be in the sling again but didn't say how long. I'm not excited about that part at all.
Well, hope things are going well. Have a great week.
Love you
Mom

 So this week was ok I would have to say. I didn't have that much visible success. But I'm sure we will see it in the future if we keep working. The main highlight of the week was general conference. I'm sure that was the highlight of everyone's week ;) Anyways this week we were working so hard to get some people to go to conference. We asked them just about every single day and they still don't go. I don't know why but the people here have problems with commitments. Like they are so afraid of that word. It is so stupid. I don't understand why that word is so difficult for them. It is just do something that you say you will or sometimes a little bit more. I get really frustrated. But you know I just have to love this people as the savior loves them. Because if I can see all their potential I will understand how to help them. I just want to be a great missionary and representative of Jesus Christ. So also we had 4 people go to general conference we are almost positive that 2 will be baptized in a couple weeks. I just hope that we can meet our goals by helping God's children. I love you guys have a great week. PS 3rd GC

Mom:  Who are the people in the pictures?

Jackson:  Elder Hughes and Elder McDaniel. They came with me and we watched conference Sunday in English

Mom:  Commitment is a hard thing. It's not just the people there that have a hard time with it.  It's a generation thing I think.

Jackson:  No I don't have problems with commitments. When I say I will be at a place at a certain time I am there. And one thing I don't get is why a piece of paper saying that you are married is a big commitment when you have 3 kids? I just don't get it. I did watch it in Spanish but it isn't as good. The translators don't have the voice crack President Eyring does. The translators aren't as strong as Jeffery Holland there just are so many differences.

Mom:  I didn't mean you have commitment issues. But I agree with you on the translators just not being the same. Carson had the TV on the Spanish station when it started on Sunday morning and just that little bit was weird.

Jackson:  Yes it just isn't the same. Hahaha I got a email from a social security thing

Mom: Forward it to me. It's probably some kind of scam.

Jackson:  No it was a notification that the embassy from San Salvador will not do anything for social security. But hes fine we get along and everything. A little inpatient sometimes. But its fine. no I have not gotten the package. I should get it this week or the next

Mom:  So what else is going on?

Jackson:  Not much. We are struggling with the investigators but we'll be fine. We are working hard to keep everything good. But wow... Mommy I'm old in the mission...

Mom:  Yep. More time out than you have left. What a great feeling😊. These last 9 months are going to go by so fast you won't know what hit you. It's gonna be awesome.

Jackson:  Love you mommy talk to you next week

Voice Recording:
Alright, well, we have another week down.  It was an alright week.  Well, it wasn't that great of a week, I'll be 100% honest.  We tried really hard, but there wasn't that much success.  At least I felt like I was trying hard.  And so What happened this week.  It was general Conference this week as you all know.  Our main focus was just to commit people to go to General Conference, because if you go to General conference, it is a high possibility that you get baptized.  So we were committing everyone.  The first day, of Conference rolls around and only 7 people for the whole zone show up.  Not 1 of our investigators.  I don't know, I kind of got really disappointed, really sad, really discouraged because I passed by their houses every single day and they said yes, yes, we're going to go, we're going to go.  Then when it comes to the day, they never show up.  Wow there some really good talks.  I liked Jeffrey R Holland's talk and Dallin H Oakes, Russell M Nelson,  Saturday they were all really good, the Priesthood session was really good too.  Wow, here it's super apostasy because there are women in their Priesthood session.  Like WHAT is going on here?? But you know, it's alright.  It's what it is.  So, we had to stay in San Miguel because it was too late to go back to our house.  There weren't buses and everything, so we stayed with some missionaries.  We stayed with the district leader, we got a call from the zone leaders that we had to go get everyone tomorrow.  It kind of bugged me some of the stuff that they said. So then Sunday Conference; we actually got to watch this one in English.  Saturday we didn't get to watch in English, because no one showed up.  No, no, I can't come right now.  It's like the stake Presidency, they can't show up to conference.  I was actually kind of upset about that, like  they can't show up to conference, alright, it's cool, but it doesn't matter.  So we watched in English.  So 4 people showed up, for our investigators, They were cool.  But, one thing that kind of still bugged me is that everyone that we invited did not come.  These were all references of members -- it was ridiculous. Let's just say that.  I'm really discouraged about that.  How the people do not do anything, like the people here, they have zero sense of commitment.  Like they don't know what commitment means, not even the members know what commitment means.  They are so scared of that word, commitment, it's ridiculous.  Like, I don't know what the deal is.
Pretty much no one here is married, So we're like why aren't you married?  NO, it's because we don't want that commitment yet, it's a big step.  so I was like, How long do you have together?  Oh, 15 years, we have 2 kids.  OH!  You don't think that's enough commitment? Like What's a little paper going to do with your name signed on it saying you're Freakin' married?  I don't know, this country is frustrating me right now!  Because they don't understand a lot of things.  But it's alright.
Then, Conference rolls around, I'm really sick, it's a cold, it's gross. 
We found a lot of people this week again.  But it was cool, I was like it's great finding people.  Our problem right now is finding people that want to learn and progress and be baptized.   Like they don't progress, they just listen.  We had to drop some people this week, they were always, yeah, yeah, we'll do that and they always say that they do stuff, but they're such liars, so we dropped them, like it's not worth my time to keep going when they don't do what they say they're going to do.   They don't want to change their lives, so we have to drop them.   That was our week pretty much, just General conference stuff all week.  We're hoping this week is going to be a lot better.  Well have a great week.  Love you guys.

Sept. 25, 2017 'isms

Well, not much happened last week. After we wrote on Monday, dad went golfing on Tuesday with quality tire and I was at the office by myself. By noon my body ached everywhere and I was SICK. I felt a little better by Saturday but still coughing like a 40 year veteran smoker.
We went to the Weber state homecoming football game on Saturday and had our home teaching dinner on Sunday. That was pretty much it for me. I spent the rest of the week sleeping and coughing. My chest and stomach hurt so bad from coughing so much. Hopefully dad and Carson don't get it because it is nasty.
So we didn't do much studying but we did start last night and went over the first section. So we don't have anything to discuss yet.
How was your week?  Are things still on track with your baptismal dates and going well with your new contacts?
How good is the retention rate of the people when they get baptized?  Just curious is there is more reactivation that goes on because of so many people that get baptized but don't continue to come to church. It seems like that's what is going on in our ward. We used to fill the chapel and the overflow plus every Sunday and now there are most Sunday's that I wonder if we even fill the chapel. It's pretty sad. We have had a few families move away, but some good ones have moved in too. I don't know, it's Weird.
Well, have a great week, work hard. Love you
Mom

So this week was awesome!!!! We had the opportunity to baptize Lionel! Wow he is such a cool guy. He learned so much in 3 weeks! We honestly found a golden investigator. He just showed up to church and we started to teach him and then 3 weeks later we dunked him!!! Hahaha he had never been to a church before in his entire life!!!! Like wow!!! But he is just a great guy. Also this week we are still finding a lot of people. And wow we have a project going and if it all goes good in 2 weeks I'll tell you all what it is. I am so happy that I am going to have my 3rd general conference... Wow.. I am getting old. But anyways I love GC and I really hope that you guys go with a question to learn from the Lord's servants. Love you have a great week.

Mom: So how was your week?

Jackson: It has been great

Mom:  Good to hear. What did you do?  Anything fun for pday this week?

Jackson:  We are going to church. and we see if investigators go and stuff like that.

Mom:  That's pretty awesome. What are you doing in the font?

Jackson:  Filling up the Font!

Mom:  With a bowl??

Mom:  So what are your plans for conference?  Do you just go watch at the church? Or do the members watch at home like we do?

Jackson:  We are going to church. and we see if investigators go and stuff like that.

Mom:  Do you get to go to All the sessions?

Jackson:  Yes I get to go to all of them. Hey where is my package?

Mom:  looks like it is there but hasn't been delivered yet because they have to pay the charges.

Jackson;  So they will go get it don't worry about it.

Mom:  I wasn't worried about it.   Your last package -- the lady here at the post office definitely didn't do it right because I sent this one on 9/13 and it was there on 9/22 .  10 days-- it will take a while before you get it still probably, but i'm guessing not 2 1/2 months more. 

did you think any more on what you might want for Christmas?  I think I'm still going to try and get it sent mid october just to make sure you get it in time.  BUT  you can't open it til Christmas if you get it early.  You are probably almost out of time.  So learn lots, be good, have fun, work hard.  Love you!!

Jackson:  Sounds good :) Love you mommy. I want some sick ties. That are SKINNY!  But you think of the other stuff.

Voice Recording:
Well, we had another good week this week.  We actually had a really good week this week!  I did interchanges 2 times this week.  The first one was with Elder Santos, the district leader.  I thought he was a really weird guy to be honest at first, but he's a pretty cool guy.  Like, he's pretty legit.  He's a pretty good friend right now. 
So, we were going to have an activity in the ward, like a ward Family Home Evening, but it was ridiculous.  It started to rain-- NO ONE CAME!   Only the freaking Bishop and his family.  It's ridiculous, because, no one else does anything.  They are like, no it's late, no it's raining, they always have excuses.  No, there's not transportation- like anyone would drop them off; like anyone.  It's so ridiculous.  But anyway's, that doesn't matter. 
This week the thing we are trying to focus on is trying to get our people to progress.  We are finding a bunch of people that are really positive and everything, but we are trying to get them to progress.  We got a bunch of people to progress this week.  It was cool.  We also got 2 new people that came to church that were references of members.  We're just going to baptize them too, so it doesn't matter.  It's pretty dope, but.  Then Saturday was
pretty sweet.  Before Fri. I did interchanges with the zone leaders, don't know why, buts it's alright.  I did interchanges with them and Elder Martinez, I think he's the oldest one here, He's going to end his mission next change, he doesn't have a clue what he's doing in the lessons I feel like.  I was like WOW dude!  You have like zero control in your lessons man.   So , you know, it's just kind of frustrating when you're just sitting there because it's not your area or anything like that and you're trying to help them out but he just doesn't have a clue what he's trying to do or anything.  But, it was actually kind of fun, the interchanges.
Then, Saturday we had our baptism.  We baptized Lionel.  That was really AWESOME!  He is so good dude!  Like He is legit.  One of the coolest Kids, well, he's actually kind of weird, but he's a great guy.  He's kind of shy, but he's a really good guy once you get talking to him and everything.
This week we are going to have a meeting with the Stake President so we can start something really cool in 2 weeks, but I can't tell you guys until it happens, because if I say it's going to happen and it doesn't...you guys will be like that sucks, he talks big but it doesn't happen.  so, we'll see how it goes.  Love you guys.  Have a great week!

Sept. 18, 2017

 Zone with Pres. Ochoa

 Yes, it's alive. 

He's crazy!  Love the shirts though :)

So this week was a success. We found 18 new people and put 7 baptismal dates this week. You know what it is!!! Just so you all know you all can do the same things. You just have to follow the spirit and listen to what he says. Anyways, this week I have some experiences with the spirit. First is that we were walking around in the rain and no one was home but the spirit told me that I should go see if the house that was close would let us in. He did! Then we put a baptismal date with him. Another is that when there is contention on your part or the part of an investigator the spirit will not be there. Learned that because a BLIND man was telling me that I was a blasphemer and all that jazz because I said the book of Mormon was true. I love this gospel and I hope you guys strive to learn more. Love you guys have a great week.

Holy cow!! Talk about dry council😩. This is painful. It's almost as bad as "Bueller, Bueller..."  And Carson says he looks like him too. 😂. The missionary was short which was fine because he was terrible too but this new high councilman. Wow!  I think if they can't give a half decent talk that will keep your attention at least a little bit, they should be barred from the talking part of the high council responsibilities. Hopefully he learned something from preparing his talk because I have no idea what he is supposed to be trying to teach us. . . Saving grace. President Ferry stood up to speak for a minute. He talked a little about the natural disasters and things going on in the world. He told the story of Chicken little, Foxy Loxy. Where chicken little gets hit by the acorn and is going to tell the king the sky is falling and he goes along and finds Foxy Loxy and makes a friend and they both are heading to tell the king the sky is falling. But Foxy Loxy needed to make a detour to his den and chicken little follows along trusting. And goes into foxy loxy's den and was never seen again. He used it as an example of be careful who you decide to listen to in this crazy world. Satan will take you away quietly without you realizing what he is doing by trusting the wrong people. He also talked about Peter walking on the water and how his faith faltered. It is easy to let ourselves believe the things people around us are saying am not trust in the lord. He likened our situation to being in the Eye of the hurricane where it is peaceful. But Outside the eye it's beyond windy. We feel like we might be in the eye of the hurricane, but all around us things are in turmoil.  Great message to end on. Were you affected by any of the Hurricanes or earthquakes that have been happening?  They've had over 200 earthquakes in soda springs, Id area in the month of sept already. Some people here said they felt the biggest one, but I didn't. Austin Bingham said they felt the one in Mexico City in the MTC. His companion thought Austin was shaking his bed😂.  They were all ok though.
We had a good week. Carson played football on Wednesday against pleasant grove. They played pretty good, still have some defense issues to work through but won the game 28-6.  The varsity lost the homecoming game 22-7 against bountiful. They aren't doing so well.
Jared asked Carson to come play ball on Saturday with their fall ball team so we spent the day in hyrum. It was a nice day and fun to be at baseball games again. Carson played really well. For not touching a baseball in a month he played awesome.
We about froze on the way home. I thought it was a great idea to take dads jeep with the top off because it seemed like it was pretty warm when we left at 11. By the time we hit mantua on the way up I knew it wasn't a good idea. I was already cold. We had sweatshirts and blankets but still cold. So the ride home was waaaay colder.
Sunday was a normal day. Eastons birthday dinner at grandmas. Dad smoked bacon wrapped pork loins for dinner. It was really good. No strawberry salad though 😕.
Carson arranged his eagle board of review along with Brandon baileys and Tristan reeders. And they got that taken care of Sunday evening. Then we came home and relaxed for a 1/2 hour Til we got ready for bed.
But that monkey inside our backs and all we have left is to plan the court of honor. That shouldn't be too bad.
So, how was your week?  Anything super exciting happening?  Are you making friends with the members? Less actives? Just new people?  Do you play soccer with the kids there?  Is azalea still writing to you?  How about Andy?  Macey?  I've been writing to her but haven't gotten to her the last couple weeks. I need to do better about that.i was thinking that since our letters seem to be getting shorter that maybe we should pick a scripture or something in preach my gospel to study together each week and tell about how it helped or affected us during the week as we study, pray and act on it. I'll let you choose what we should study since you have specific things you are studying and we can do whatever. And maybe it will help dad get motivated about our new calling. He doesn't want to go visit people. I don't know that I really do either, but we said we would do the job, so I guess it's 'suck it up buttercup' 😳.   Anyway. Pick something for us to study together and we will start today.
Have a great week! Work hard.
Love
Mom

Mom:  So what's up today?

Jackson:  Nothing good

Mom:  why not?  What's up?  I wrote this in my letter.  But here it is again because you tend to forget to answer my questions.

I was thinking that since our letters seem to be getting shorter that maybe we should pick a scripture or something in preach my gospel to study together each week and tell about how it helped of affected us during the week as we study, pray and act on it.  I'll let you choose what we should study since you have specific things you are studying and we can do whatever.  Any maybe it will help dad get motivated about our new calling.  

Jackson:  Like what do you mean? I don't understand what you want me to pick

Mom:  I don't care. Something you want to study together. A favorite scripture or scriptures. A talk. Whatever

Jackson:  I don't study what I want to study is the thing. I study for the people that I am going to teach...

Mom:  I know- so just something that you are working on

Jackson:  Study chapter 6 in pm 

Mom:  So what's got you down??  Companion? Members? Just everything?

Jackson:  Why do you think that I am down???  I am here taking names and kicking ass!!!!!!

Mom:  When I asked What's up? you said nothing good.  So I thought maybe you were down.  But glad to hear that you are doing good.

Jackson:  No it is that we aren't doing anything. I think we are going to play ping pong in the stake center but you know what it is

Mom:  Don't you do stuff outside?  or is it too hot?    How in the heck can you wear a sweatshirt down there?

Jackson:  It is a sick sweater... It is the CIA I use it to run in the morning to sweat more to lose more weight. And no it is too hot to play outside

Mom:  I see it has CIA on it.  you are going to get shot.  

Jackson:  No. They are my friends they always ask me if anyone gives me trouble because if they do they will give them a good beating they said

Mom: I guess that's good until they aren't your friend :/

Jackson:  Hahaha we hardly see any mom. There aren't very many here and they are in certain parts. but we don't go there at night so it is all good

Mom:  so what time do you have to go in?

Jackson: At 9 like normal

Mom: So is it dark at like 7? or earlier?

I guess you are out of time.

Have a great week!  Love you

Think about what you want us to send for Christmas because I'm going to probably send it mid October.  I'm having surgery on my shoulder on Oct 4th so hopefully will be feeling better by then.  It seems like your stuff is taking at least 2 months to get to you so I better be proactive or you won't get it in time for Christmas.

Love you

Mom

Sept. 4, 2017 Labor Day

Well, the first week of school down. Carson drove every day. He's not too bad of a driver. Kourtney rode with a couple of days. Friday he had to be to school at 630am so she didn't go with that day. I think so far he likes his classes and teachers. He said one of the teachers is a little different. But I don't remember which one.
It's nice to have somewhat of a routine again. School, practice, homework, bed. 😊. Ym on wed. They went shooting with the miamaids. I guess only 2 of the girls showed. But they had fun.
Thursday they played at mountain crest. They played well and won. I don't remember the score. Carson played almost the entire game. Chance had some really good plays and Sean played quarterback for most of the 4th quarter. So that was good. The freshmen were the only team to get a win against them.
Friday Carson had a back to school party at the school. Then we headed for the cabin. Saturday we waited for Taylor and Kayla to get there and went out on the lake. It was a perfect day for wakeboarding. Carson and Taylor road the tube for a bit. We had lunch and then Carson was on the wakeboard. He gets up every time but is still working on actually riding it. Like I said the water was awesome and he was doing great and then the boat decided to not run 😳. We were clear over on the east side of the lake where we always go, and the boat just bogged out. No power. So we got Carson in the boat and headed back to the marina. We were just praying we would make it back. It backfired a few times and almost died. It's acting like it's not getting any gas. But it was full. We went maybe 5mph the whole way back. As we were getting to the wakeless area we were passing the coastguard boat and I thought. Ok if it dies here we will be ok😊. It didn't. We got it in and back on the trailer and then I could breathe again. It was a little bit scary thinking about it dying clear across the lake where there really weren't any other boats to speak of. Even simple prayers Are answered. I could feel the answer come that everything would be ok. (I didn't know if that meant getting back to the marina and the boat on the trailer or not, but I knew we were going to be fine).
It was still a good day. We went back to the cabin and on our way up Snowberry there was a lady and a little boy that were walking. Their 4-wheeler had broke down. We stopped and picked them up. Since we had the boat we took them up to the cabin with us and Taylor gave them a ride back to their place down by the golf course in his jeep. While we got the boat backed down the driveway. They Taylor, Kayla and Carson went to the chevron to get the propane tank for the grill filled and get some drinks. We played games and relaxed and had dinner when grandma and grandpa got there after their shift at the temple.
After dinner we all went downstairs and watched a couple episodes of Scorpion.
Sunday we slept in and had brunch about 11. And just relaxed. Watched a Harry Potter movie or 2 and read. Had dinner and came home around 7.
Carson has football practice this morning at 8, so he and dad went to pick up Sean. It's kind of crappy that they ruin the last holiday of the summer with football☹.
We don't have anything planned for the day but maybe dad and I will finish the stairs for the deck. I guess we'll see. Jolene And Kevin invited Carson to go to the flow rider with them. So he has something to do today at least.
We were planning to go out in the boat but that ship sailed. On to plan ?
So how was your week?  Anything fun happen?  Anything bad?  It's amazing how fast the days seem to go by. Do we need to do anything with your stuff for school?  I'm guessing that you need to get most of your stuff in order by December like you had to before. Let us know what we need to get rolling for you. Scholarship, housing etc. it's all coming fast even though it seems far away still.
Well, I hope you have a great week!
Love you
Mom

This week was pretty chill. We had a great time. But the truth is we were traveling a ton.... I don't like traveling... It SUCKS!!!!!!!! Hahaha we had to travel so much because we were practicing in a choir. We practiced and traveled more because we had a multi zone with Elder Ochoa. The Area President. Wow those guys are so powerful... I cant believe how powerful they speak. The thing is that they don't even speak and make doctrine or the ways that we should do stuff complicated it is all so simple but as humans we mess everything up. He told us we don't have to teach the lessons point for point we just have to teach repentance. And we only should teach the people that want to repent. Anyways so we found 2 super amazing investigators this week. One is Lionel he has 3 church attendances and he hasn't ever been to a church in his life. He is a boyfriend of a member so he has been going and he is really awesome he wants to learn and know so much. The other is Jose. He read the Restoration pamphlet 4 times and had questions and he wants to come to church to know more. He asked God what church he should join and a couple days later we showed up. So he Is super positive. Also I am staying in my area but getting a new comp. My comp is going to go open a new area and train. So that is pretty cool. Love the heck out of him. Going to miss him but its all good. Well that was my week. Love you!

Mom:  I didn't realize it was transfers already. That's a bummer you are getting a new companion again. You must be hard to get along with 😉. Did you get your package?  I'll send your backpack and keyboard tomorrow since the post office isn't open today.

Jackson:  Yes I got my package sounds good I'll be waiting for it

Voice Recording:
Well, Another week down, Another month down too.  We're in the month of September now.  Wow, a lot of time has been going by really fast when you think about it.
So, this week was a busy week, like a little bit different kind of busy.  Cuz to be honest, we did not have that many lessons, we did not do much in the field of missionary work.
 But, this week, Monday was just a normal P-day.  Then we had Tuesday, which in the morning we had to go to a choir practice because Elder Ochoa, the president of the area, the Seventy, was going to come to our zone and have like a multi zone here and all that jazz.  So Wednesday we had to that too in the morning, we had to so to San Miguel to practice in the choir and everything. and then Thurs rolls around and they said to be there at 7am to practice and we were like wow, that's way early because we were supposed to be there at 8am to practice, that's what they said.  So we get there at 7:30am and we're like we aren't going to practice and the other Elder is going to be pissed, the Zone leader, because he's the one who plays the piano and everything.  We started practicing at 7:45am and 8 rolls around and 830 rolls around and they're like we're going to have everyone come out here and Elder Ochoa, Pres. Duran and his wife are going to sit down here and take a picture of all your zone.  So you guys gotta line up and do everything like that.  So we got lined up and we stood there for like 15 min. it was like 845 almost 9am.  You know how it is, you can't just stand there and sit there and not talk to people so we started going to talk to other people and they're like hey, hey, you guys gotta get back in line and stuff like that.  We're like What?  Are you kidding me?
He showed up at like 930am, Elder Ochoa and President and then we went and sang Have I done any good in the world today?  In Spanish there's a hymn, the 7th hymn, you can sing it to the tune of 6.  We did kind of a mix between Israel, Israel god is calling and the other hymn, it was pretty cool.  Elder Ochoa talked to us and taught us that what we need to do is find more people and set more baptismal dates.  He said we need to be more direct with the people, we can't be messing around with them.  We just gotta ask them if they want to repent, because that's what we're here to do.  We are here to ask them if they want to repent and receive a remission of their sins.  I really liked that, it was really powerful to listen to them.  The wives of Pres. Ochoa and Pres. Duran those 2, it was really great.  That was Thurs.  Then Fri rolled around, we moved 300 bricks.  But these bricks, the bricks in the US are small, these bricks are like 1/2 a cinder block is what a brick here is.  We moved 300 of them.  A lady wanted us to help her  out so we were like ya cool.  and we did it.  It was pretty cool to learn how they do it, and we learned it and we did it.  But what happened was too, he threw one and he was like, these bricks aren't like bricks in the states. They break really easy, and one was already broken, but he didn't see it and he threw it and I went to catch it and a piece fell off and smashed my nuts.  Like I was on the ground for 10 minutes.  Almost crying it hurt so bad.
Then Saturday we had to go into Ilopongo, we had to go into the Centro because my Companion is going to train, it's pretty cool.   It's pretty funny because he's going to go open and area, I'm staying here.  But that's how it is, so we had to go there.  We went there with Elder Hughes and everybody like that with the people who are already training.  It was fun, it was good, it wasn't bad. Yesterday my companion was saying good bye to a lot of people because he's out of here.  Today we'll see if I'm leaving too.

Sept 11, 2017

I'm not sure if this is upside down on purpose or if they just don't know how to use their camera?  :/

Well this week I got a new comp. He is Elder Hernandez from Mexico... To be honest Mexicans are hard to get along with... They think they are better than every other latin out here. But whatever. We are working really hard. We have a teenager that should be getting baptized in a few weeks he is super cool. He hasn't been to a single church in his life. But we are working with him so he can be baptized. Then we are also trying to have cool activities and everything but not many people want to show up. We will have to see how this change goes. The pic was on the bus with an Elder that was in my 1st district.

Peach days weekend. What a joke!  I came to town in Friday morning about 10 to get gas to go to Ogden and pick up grandma at Kenworth and there were people already going to the booths in the center of town. The post office was all sequestered off on Wednesday. It's nuts!  There were people putting out blankets and chairs on Thursday morning when Carson went to school at 730am. How do people have time to sit there all day watching their stuff?  It can't be left unattended until 3pm. I just don't get the draw to it all.
Last week was pretty uneventful for the most part. Carson played in Pocatello on Thursday they won 49-6. It was kind of a sad game. Our kids looked like superstars but they didn't necessarily play that great. 😕
Friday I went to help sell programs at the first home game. A bunch of the freshman boys came too and they sold quite a few. Even though it was out of their comfort zone. I figure they should have some ownership in their fundraising. It's not the parents responsibility to do everything.
Saturday we made salsa and went to Justin Adams wedding reception.
Sunday was just the normal.
Hopefully things are going well. Let us know what's new.
Love you
Mom

Voice recording:
Well, this week this week we had changes, I got a new companion, he's from Mexico his name is Elder Hernandez.  He's pretty cool.  He's alright, he's got a year working hard.  We're getting it done here.  I'm finally senior companion, but it doesn't matter.  Last week, it was really cool because we found 23 new people to teach and that's always been a difficulty with me here.  We're doing good.  Like I really don't have much to say, this really doesn't have much battery left.  I gotta get some new ones, but we are working hard trying to get some people to get ready to get baptized.  That's pretty much what we did this week,  We just had changes and I was just showing him the area, visiting a few people, looking for new people.  So there you go.  That was our week.  Love you.

Mom: Peach days weekend. What a joke!  I came to town in Friday morning about 10 to get gas to go to Ogden and pick up grandma at Kenworth and there were people already going to the booths in the center of town. The post office was all sequestered off on Wednesday. It's nuts!  There were people putting out blankets and chairs on Thursday morning when Carson went to school at 730am. How do people have time to sit there all day watching their stuff?  It can't be left unattended until 3pm. I just don't get the draw to it all.