Pictures from Sam's, Ben's David's and Jonathan's games

Life at our house as written to Elder Seamons on Sept. 15, 2013

Dear Joe

I now have 6 more points than Sam has ever scored. We had a really good game this week. We should have won but we lost in overtime 16-14. I scored the lone touchdown in regular time. We did a lot better this week and I'm excited for next week because we played the cowboys and they've gone to the mini-dome 3 times. So we're going to win this week. On my touchdown we were 5 yards from the goal line and I knew it was my touchdown. We ran a 31 dive, right up the hole right by the center on the left side. The ball snapped and I moved up the hole clapped onto the ball and tucked my head down and plowed right through the linemen knocked down the linebacker and plowed right over the line. I had a bunch of tackles. I was ray Lewis. On one of our punts the kid was running to the outside and I came up to meet him. The kid looked in my eyes and instantly covered up the ball. I hit him so hard he was knocked 5 yards out of bounds. I made a couple of kids cry.  I had some monster blocks. So we're going to win this week. Tyson Hall got his mission call. He's going to Chile. School still sucks.  Have fun. Do some good.

Ben

P.S. I'm so mean I make medicine sick.

Dear Elder Joe,

Well this week was good kind of, the Varsity team lost in overtime to Rigby who are actually #1in 4A right now so it was pretty good they beat Poky. The JV game was heartbreaking because we were up 14-0 at halftime than they came back and won us 20-14 so we were pretty mad after the game but hey we only had 19 kids on our JV team so I thought we were doing pretty good. We head into our Bye week this week so we got to get ready for shelly or Blackfoot were playing one of the two so we got to go win them next week and get back on our winning streak all the teams are 1-2 right now so we got to get back on track. Well keep up the good work and put your shoulder to the wheel. I still start kickoff and kickoff l

Samuel

Dear Joe,

Ok first things first I was center defender on the left side but I might get moved around. We had 7 humongous thunder storms this week. Jonathan finally got some broccoli from the garden. The Rec. reffs is DUM! Because Uncle Randy's team did a bunch of fouls! So see ya!

                                From,

                                     David (a bit distracted today, but he loved the advice you gave him!)

Dear Joseph,

I had a soccer game on Saturday I am midfielder and defender. David helped us do drills before the game. I had pack meeting this week. I got my wolf, religious knot and 3 arrows and 2 belt loops. Here is my story about faith. Nephi and his family needed the scriptures so they tried to get them from Laban but he wouldn't give them to him. Nephi had faith that Heavenly father would help him get the plates. So he went back found Laban drunk and cut off his head. Then he got the plates and went back to show his brothers. It was important for Nephi's family to have the scriptures so Nephi had faith Heavenly father would help him get them. I love you.                            Love Jonathan 

(Jonathan had to write a story about faith for his religious knot and he wasn't sure if he did it, so he wrote his story to you today, now he feels like he legitimately got the religi0

Dear Joseph,

Today in stake conference they read out Tyson Hall's name to be an Elder.  Ben found out he got his mission call to Chile somewhere on the west coast in the central part of the country.  He enters the new MTC in Mexico City on Jan 14.  Yesterday Sam, Ben, Papa Joe and I went to the Utah State vs. Weber State game.  It was USU's home coming and the beat Weber 70-6.  It started raining half way through the 2^nd quarter so Sam and Ben decided that we would leave when USU got to 70 points or when Weber got their 2^nd first down for the game.  So with a couple of minutes left in the 3^rd quarter Utah State got 70 points and we left.  We listened to the rest of the game on our way home.  Weber got their 2^nd first down after Utah State put their 3^rd string in in the fourth quarter.  Ben's game on Saturday went quite well.  They played some great ball but missed the win in overtime.  Ben put the first 6 points on the board when they handed him the ball on the 5 yard line and he just plowed his way into the end zone!  Thursday mom went up to Rigby to watch Sam's game and they came up shy at the end to hold back the Rigby JV.  Then on Friday for the second week in row Sam got to dress up for the varsity game for his special team assignment of kick off and kickoff returns.  But Preston never got in a position for him to see any non-special team time on the field.  Grandma Seamons woke up again with Vertigo just like she had last spring so she is really dizzy.  So please remember her in your prayers so that the dizziness will go away and she can be back to walking well again.  Sam didn't think he needed to take anyone to homecoming this year so some poor girl in the high school missed out on an opportunity to go to the prom this year.  Well let us know more about your new companion.  We hope that all is going well and that your German keeps improving.  So take care and be well.  Love,  Dad

Dear Joseph

Another week has flown by.  It's been a good one.  It sounds like you ar e liking your new companion, I hope that it continues to be a strong companionship for you.  I know it helps so much to feel that you have someone that you can work well with.  I'm sure as you work together you will see some good success in Rosenheim.  We have been praying for your investigators and less active members and hope that they will be able to take the steps to enjoy all the blessings of the gospel in their lives. 

We had Stake Conference today.  It was really good.  Tyson was made an Elder and apparently got his mission call last Thursday.  He is going to the southern coast of Chile and will report to the Mexico MTC on Jan. 15.  Sis. Hall says they're kind of sad that it will be such a long wait for him, but maybe he's in school and needed to wait until it was out.  Anyway, I knew you'd be excited to hear about him.  I hadn't seen him for awhile, so I didn't realize he was progressing towards his mission so fast.  I'm very happy for him.  I have been trying to find Sowensky's email and found his facebook page, so I messaged him, but I haven't heard back from him yet.  I think he went to the MTC on the 12^th, so I'm guessing his email will be something like sowensky.lumene@ldsmail.net.  Anyway, I'm not sure, but that's my best guess, I thought I'd give it a try and see if he responds. 

The Stake Presidency talked at stake conference.  Pres. Swainston talked about just pushing through sometimes when we hit things that block our path.  He used a football analogy, which I thought was pretty brave of him, since he admitted, he didn't know much about football.  But he talked about how sometimes the guy running the ball just plows through the line and the blockers trying to hold him back, but still he makes some progress towards his goals as opposed to trying to run around the obstacle---like running way out to the side, but not really going forward or gaining any yardage, because of running around the obstacle.  Anyway, it was a good talk and he told us to listen to a talk by Elder Christofferson called trials, or something, I need to look it up, but apparently it's a fireside talk.  So l'm anxious to read it. 

Pres. Rounds talked about how grateful he was for everyone's prayers and referred to a talk given at conference that talked about trusting our youth more and letting them make decisions for themselves.  I have to admit, this is a hard one for me.  I don't know if I just gave suggestions, if anyone would even hear me talking, but I guess that's a weakness I have.  He talked about suggesting to his boys that they take a look at their ipods and see if there was anything on there that they might not be comfortable with and suggested that they might even want to include some hymns on their listening lists.  Anyway, of course, they took his advice and willingly found things they thought they should get rid of and added several conference talks and hymns to their ipods, all voluntarily.  Hmmmm, this is just not something I see happening in my family.  I guess I just need a little more faith! 

Pres. Keller talked about loving one another and loving the Savior and seeing others as the Savior sees them---of course, he always talks about love.  Anyway, it was good and of course, I'm sure anyone might change if they felt the love he shows to everyone so freely.  Elder Porter of the 5^th quorum of the seventy was the concluding speaker.  He talked about revelation, love, following the living prophet and brief prayers.  He told a story of an experience when Pres. Packer visited his ward and suggested that the opening prayer be brief and then told him to come to his office later and he would explain why.  The why was simply that we needed to express thanks more than we should ask for things we need or want.  Anyway, needless to say, the closing prayer was brief! 

We have worked on getting a better situation for Jacob at school, so tomorrow he starts a half-day of kindergarten on Mondays and Wednesdays and then a half day of Preschool on those days as well.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays he'lll just have a half-day of Preschool in the afternoon.  I had hoped that we could make this Kindergarten/Preschool schedule happen every day, but I don't want to kill him off either, so we'll see how it goes.  We finally got an aide for him to ride the bus to school and be with him during Kindergarten, so cross your fingers and say a prayer for him that everything works out well.  I really want him to try and catch up a little this year so he isn't so far behind, but that will depend on how he does with this schedule, I think.  I am happy with his kindergarten teacher and think he will really like her.

I drove up to Sam's JV game in Rigby on Thursday night.  He told you it was a heartbreaker, and it was.  I'm going to try and post some pics/video from that game, so look for that in your email.  His number is 51 and he has the fancy blue and orange shoes.  Ben had some pics from his game as well.  His number is 31.  Anyway, hopefully you will be able to see some of their highlights, although I've been told recently that I'm not the best videographer!  Oh well.  It's hard to watch the game and the camera at the same time.  I also got a flat tire in Rigby and had to track down Jaden Panter's Dad to come and help me change it and then drive home on the donut tire at 35 mph.  It was a really long night!

The homecoming game was quite thrilling!  I thought Preston played really well, Johnny Iverson played well as well as RJ Harris, Preston Hobbs, Kaden Cole, Austen Smellie, Mckay Dodge, the Coleman kid, etc.  I asked Sam which guy on varsity is playing his position and he sayd it is McKay Dodge and then I guess Owen Sparks backs him up.  Which, prejudiced as I am, I think Sam might be able to back Mckay up just fine, but he seems happy to be on the kick off team right now.  I told Sam I thought the tight end looked like a good alternative position for him, but that is what Johnny I is playing right now, so don't know if he'd have much chance there as well.  Ben was thrilled that his team did better this week and that he scored a touchdown!  Ben and Sam and Dad and Papa Joe went to the Utah State Game last night and had a great time as USU beat Weber 70-6, kinda slaughtered them, I guess.  David had fun playing a rec game on Sat. morning.  Since I already paid for rec, I decided to have him play when he could.  They lost to Josh's team---and David was sure it was the ref's fault.  He did play pretty good though.  The cutest thing was him helping warm up Jonathan's team, he just went out there and lined them up and passed to them and had them then try to kick into the goal, then he tried to play keep away individually with each one of them.  I'll try and send some of those pics also.  He was really good with those little kids.  Jonathan was looking a little winded in the game and not putting much effort in, until I pointed out the fact that Ella was constantly in motion and doing a lot without looking very tired, he seemed to straighten up a little then and quit moaning about being tired.  I think he could be talented, but doesn't have much endurance right now, plus has David's pessimistic streak in that every time they are behind he wants to quit or cry about it.  I'm really not seeing David do that this year, which is nice.  I think he's finally maturing a bit in that area.  I hope David's coach does move him around so he has more chances to play in different positions.  But for now, he seems okay with defender. 

Well, that's about our week.  Sam starts bass lessons again tomorrow night, so we'll add that into the schedule.  When I was reading off the schedule to dad tonight, he said, so is this just a nightmare week or is this normal, I said it was just normal and actually we're lucky that Sam has a bye this week, so we don't have to worry about his games.  It does seem like we are constantly running, but I'm not sure how to change that.  Just one day at a time, take a deep breath, and keep on plowing ahead, I guess!  Anyway, we love you and pray that you are safe and have a wonderful week.  I did send a package off to you on Monday, so hopefully, you will get it soon.  Please let us know when you get it.  We love you and are very proud of your dedication to the Lord and his work.  Hey, I forgot to tell you that Rivkah Steele got married on Friday.  Sis. Steele asked me if Stuttgart is in your mission, because she has a brother that's on a mission there.  I wasn't sure in looking at the map, but it could be.  Anyway, maybe you'll run across them if that area is in your mission.  Take care, be safe, we love you, Mom.

Another letter from our ausgezeichnet missionary!

Hey Guys,

Good to hear from you again and good to hear that everything is still going well. Ben, that is super cool you got to score a touchdown!!! Thanks for all the indepth details, i reallly appreciate that. Im glad you felt you played good, and i hope you and your team get the job done next week!!! Good luck buddy! Sam, sounds like you had another good week at football. Sorry about the loss bud, but it sounds like your team is playing alot better together. Keep up the good work buddy, stick in there, and.....WIN!!! Hey David, thanks for telling me your playing center defender on the left side. That is really cool, and hopefully my letter can help you understand a little more on how you could play your position better. I would be careful though David, i don't think you are allowed to play both rec and competitive soccer. It was against the rules when i was younger so be careful. Also, did you not have a Competitive game this week? You should tell me more about your games, i would love to hear more! Anyways, have a great week buddy, play hard, score some goals, but most importantly, play good deffense (oh and have fun too)!!! Jonathan my man!!! Wie geht's dir?!? Es freut mich von dir zu hören!!! Wie geht es das Fußball speilen? Hast du es gern? Wow, das ist wunderbar, daß du so viel in "Scouting" getan hast! Es freut mich das zu hören!!! Danke für die Geschichte von Nephi. Ich mag diese Geschichte und wir können so viel davon lernen. Du hast es recht, der Glaube ist ganz vichtig. Wir müssen Glaube immer haben, damit der Herrn uns helfen darf. Wenn man keinen Glaube hat, ist es ganz schwer zu leben und Glücklich zu sein. Johathan errenerst dich das immer und ich verheiße dich mit meinem ganzem Herz, daß du immer glücklich sein wirst!!! (Tell mom not to judge my German). Jacob!!! Glad to hear that you have finally got to start school!!! How is it? Are you having fun? I hope you have as much fun in Kintergarten as i did!!! Watch out for the girls, they got cooties!!! Take care little buddy, and i hope you have a wonderful week at school.

 

Ok here is my week:

Monday: We did a FHE with one of the less active ladies in our ward (Schwester Morgner). It was nothing more than a lesson and essen, but i think it helped her alot and she seemed really happy to have someone visit her. We talked about putting our trust in the Lord and how that when we do that he will bless us and make our burdens light. We tried again to commit her to chuch, but she is still thinks that nobody in the ward really likes her. AHH!!! Kind of frustrating, but we'll keep on working with her, im not giving up on her.

Tuesday:  Had District Meeting and then we went contacting most the day cause our German class fell out. We found a really cool young man though who had interest in life after death. We swapped numbers and gave him a Book of Mormon, hopefully we can meet with him this week.

Wendsday: We did service for Schwester Morgner, then we had another Less Active lesson with the Less Active member we found in Bad Endorf. His name is Peter Schlesinger, and it seems like he has had alot of health problems the last couple years. He also got kicked out of his house earlier this year and is living in a "concentration cell" at the edge of Bad Endorf, which is really sad. Despite all that has happened though, his faith seems as strong as ever. He has a year bahn card which means he can travel free from here to Denmark, so he says he tries visiting a differnet LDS Church in Germany or elsewhere every week. Super cool guy, hopefully we can meet with him again.

Thursday: Basically went searching most the day trying to find this less active member in our ward. The good news is we found him, the not so good news is it took three hours to do so. We took a bus down to Nussdorf, and stopped there thinking that he lived in that stadt (it's what it said on the Mitglied list) but it turned out that he lived about 6 kilometers out of town in a little dorf over the mountain. It was amazing we found him, cause we only had a map of the city of Nussdorf, and really had no idea exactly where we should go. What was really cool was after we had been walking for about an hour looking for this member, Elder Jerman and I felt impressed that we should stop at this one house and ask if maybe somebody knew where this street was or the member we were trying to find. Well, we knocked on the door and an older lady answered. We asked if she knew where this strasse was at and she actully did, in fact, she knew the member we were trying to find. That was super cool, and after getting directions from her, we went to his house, unfortunately he wasn't home, but hey, we know where he lives now!

Friday: We had an eating appointment with the Krugel family and actually started teaching his little girl the lessons in preperation for her baptism. She wasn't to interested in listening and left about half way through our discussion. We then attempted teaching Bruder und Schwester Krugel about how because Joseph Smith was a Prophet that the Docterine and Covenants is indeed scripture from God. It went a little to long, and it ended up turning into a an argument at the end. Im not gonna lie, i was getting pretty frustrated with him but luckily Elder Jerman took control of the situation and we left them with all of us laughing. I don't know what to do with them though, it is super hard and im not really sure what to say to them. Bishop Kainz is going to come with us next time, so hopefully he can help us resolve some issues, including if there daughter will be able to get baptised when she turns 8.

Saturday: We did service again for Familie De Fillipo then later that day we met this guy who was trying to get to Budapest, but for some reason got stuck in Rosenheim with no money, and no way to get home. He really had nothing with him, his cell phone was dead and he didn't have enough money to take the train to Budapest. So, we talked to him a little bit gave him some money and said we would come talk to him in the morning.

Sunday: Had church went well. Found somebody's wallet on the side of the road and walked 5 km to give it back to him. Bought our Budepest friend dinner, great day.

Monday (this morning): Woke up and went jogging with a BOM auf Hungarien trying to find our Budepest friend before he left. We found him, talked to him a little about the BOM, got his address back home in Budapest and told him we would send our missionary friends to his house sometime.

 

So ya, that was my week pretty awesome. To close, i would just like to add my testimony to that of Jonathan's that when we truly have faith in the Lord, he will indeed make a way possible to do what he asks. It is really interesting that Jonathan chose this story to share with me, cause for personal and companionship study today we studied this very topic how faith and hope are tied into one. Briefly i would like to share a scripture i found today in Romans 4:18that talks about Abraham and how despite the fact that he and his wife were super old and it was, as most people would think, impossible for them to have children he never doubted that the Lord would keep his promise and provide a way for him to indeed be "the Father of all Nations". He had faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and he also had hope that the Lord would indeed keep his promise. I love what it says in Ether 12 about this topic. In verse four it says: "wherefore whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world...which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men." and in verse six it says, "and now i Moroni would speak somewhat concerning faith, i would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for which are not seen which are true....for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." I bear testimony that as we have faith and hope, trusting in the Lord and his atonement we will be deleiverd through our trials and tribulations and in the end have the "knowing" that Jesus is the Christ and all things are possible through him.

Ok well i got to go. Take care you guys, have a wonderful week and remember you are always in my prayers. Love ya!!!!

Life at the Seamons house Sept. 3-Sept. 9 as written to our missionary!

Here is our letter to Joseph this week, just a little insight and an attempt to keep a journal!

Dear joe

How are you? We lost to marsh valley by 6 points because we were running a stupid offense were all thyey had to do was send five blockers right up the side. I got a bunch of tackles though. I didn't really run as much though. I only ran up the middle. They had a really big running back though. He was bigger than me. He was a pretty good linebacker too. I still got pretty good yardage though. but this week I'm gonna make sure my team works a lot harder so we don't get beat. It was really dumb though because all they would do was send 4 or five blockkers at me and the tackle so they had enough time to make the cut. Any way school is still terrible. My student teacher can bench 600 lbs, squat 800 and leg press 1500lbs. He was going to go to the olympics but he shattered his knee. He played football and wrestled in highschool. He had like 7 sacs his senior year as a D-Tackle. He also use to have  a wrestling record of fastest pin in 7 seconds,he's really big. well have fun.

Ben

Dear Elder Joe,

Well this week was pretty cool we destroyed Marsh Valley in football this week, the JV won 26-22 ( It was pretty much freshman on that team with a couple sophmores), and I only played Varsity this week but we creamed them 34-7 in the game, the only reason they scored is because we had our backup backups inby then and the refs also called back three touchdowns on us so it should have been closer to 60-0 but oh well what can you do. I started on Kickoff and Kickoff return and then played some D end and got a couple tackles in the game including the last play of the game where I layed out the kid. Are coach was happy because we won even though a bunch of people quit this week we still won the game. Kaleb Talbot quit, but honestly I don't blame him because he had a friend die and his dad had a stroke on the same weekend so I guess he just needed a break for a while but I think our team can still play well we just have to play smarter. Anyway hope things are great this week in Germany and I'll try to beat Rigby this week for homecoming.

Samuel

Dear Joe,

What's going on in Germany.  We lost our soccer game on Thursday but we got a little better. But the defence wouldn't listen to the coach like he told us to set the line on a certain spot on the field but they just didn't listen and cost us a goal. And another time I told the defence to go up because they were right by the goaly. So we lost. Do you have any tips? I had a pretty usual week. Mr. Shumway is mean because on a question I did a decimol answer and he expected everyone to do a remander answer. So he got mad.  So see ya.

                                                         Love,

                                                                   David

Dear Joseph

we went to bens game. we worked on laborday. we went to the movie called percy Jackson. we went to sams game they won the game. I played with my kitties. we picked up apples. we went to church.  how are you. I read harry potter. I love you             Love, jonathan

Dear Joseph,

Guess what time of the year it is?  Right. Is pick up apples, put them in buckets then feed them to the cows season.  So this week we've made several trips to the cows with lots of apples.  Also after a dry hot summer we now had a few good rain showers to help moisten up the earth.  Mom actually turned off the sprinklet outside for the first time in months of constant sprinkling.  Sam was happy this week because they beat Marsh Valley pretty soundly and he got to play Varsity which meant that he got to have the big dinner with the varsity team thursday evening after football practice.  Sam got to go in the last 2-3 minuts of the game and really shined well; the anouncer even finally mentioned sams name over the public address system.  Then on saturday Papa Joe had to take David to his soccer game down at Hyde Park while Mom took Ben to his game in Jokeatello and Jacob and I went to Soda Springs to see Sam run in the cross country meet up their.  Their were 15+ teams there.  Sam ran in the JV race he did pretty well he came 54th out of 193 runners with a time of 20 min. 50.3 seconds(that averages 6min 37 seconds per mile).  I think he did quite well for his first x-country race in years and his first 5k race.  He was the second Preston JV kid to cross the finish line.  He did say that it was harder than he thought it would be, but felt good about it.  Most of the rest of the week seemed to be fighting with the school and district wondering why they werent prepared to take Jacob into kindergarten this week.  It wasnt as busy at work this week which I guess is good after a long extremlly busy summer.  So how is your new companionship going?  We pray that all is going well for all of you and for your investigators. Take care.                  Love, Dad

dear Joseph,

Hope you have had a great week!  Have you gotten your new companion yet?  I'm sure this will be different to be with someone besides your trainer now.  I hope that you are a good match and that your companionship will be a good one.  How are your investigators doing?  We have prayed a lot for Frau Sherer and Familie Ojo and Andreas, I hope that they were able to make good progress this week.

I hope that I'm making sense tonight because it is late again and I'm trying to get this done before midnight.  This week has not been my favorite.  We have had lots of struggles with the school district and getting Jacob to school.  It just feels like all we've done all week is complain, write letters, and complain some more, without much progress!  But hopefully, we will get things rolling this week.  I did go to kindergarten on Tuesday with Jacob, last week, but it wasn't a very good experience for either of us, so hopefully, we will be able to find something that will work better for us this week.  I hope that we can resolve this problem soon, because I don't like feeling so much at odds with  the bus driver, the teachers, the principal and the superintendant.   Unfortunately, Jacob is caught in the middle of everything and so his first week back to school has probably been very confusing for him.    Kind of sad that we have to fight with the district about everything for him.  Anyway, I'm determined that we will have a better week, or at least get something done, instead of waiting and talking and waiting and talking and doing nothing.  Argh!!!

Samuel had a great time playing varsity against Marsh Valley.  He did well and I thought the team played well together.  I think it meant a lot for him to play up on varsity and he seemed pleased to finally win a game!   Ben really struggled in his game this week.  He played well, but his team really should have done better against the opposing team, as they were very small and Preston was a much bigger team.  But they seem to have a hard time working together or being aggressive enough.  Ben was quite discouraged, but he still did his best and made a lot of good plays.  I didn't get to see David's game this week, because it was on Saturday, while I was in Pocatello with Ben.  David did Farmer's Market with Papa Joe, so Papa Joe took him to his game.  He is still quite frustrated with his team, I do hope they are able to get better and play better together.  Jonathan is still waiting to play his first game this week, so it will be interesting to see how we are able to be in 4 places at once on Saturday!  I guess we weren't thinking very well when we signed everyone up.  We definitely need another driver.

Today at church, Br. Clare Christensen and his new wife, Linda spoke on missionary work.  They did a great job and Sis. Christensen offered a unique perspective about looking at the journey, rather than the end result of missionary work---baptism.  She talked about her second husband, who apparently wasn't LDS, but was a devout Episcopalian.  However, the ward, especially her home and visiting teachers really fellowshipped him well, and he received a testimony of temple work and did a lot of genealogy that went all the way back to one of the orginal translators into english of the bible.  I guess this man developed cancer but was comforted by the gospel and the members of the ward.  He never was baptized, but prepared a lot of names for temple work, that LInda and Clare will be doing soon, and also as his family members attended his funeral and learned more about the people who served him in the ward, they were impressed with the church and took back a good impression to their own homes.  It was a good reminder to us, that even if we don't always see the end result of baptism, that many people will be touched along the journey if we are good examples, truly love them and fellowship and care for them.  I thought it was quite a unique talk.  Kyle Beardall also gave his 'homecoming' speech.  He did a good job, but seemed to have so much to say and could barely express the half of what he'd experienced on his mission.  He gave one example of having an investigator write down a question that he had of the Lord and then flip through the Book of Mormon and read the first scripture that he came to to see if it answered his question.  I'm not sure if the Lord wants us to make the Book of Mormon appear ''magic'', but I think he does want us to know that the answers to our questions are in the scriptures, and they are his words to us.  Anyway, it was good to hear Kyle talk.  He seems very happy these days and is dating a cute girl named Rebecca Frandsen.  I hope it works out well for them, they are a cute couple, she reminds me a lot of Aunt Brenda---similar look and very outgoing and nice.

Can you let us know if there is anything you need?  We are going to get your birthday package sent either Monday or Tuesday.  So if there's anything in particular that you want, please let me know and I will send it.  What about your black wool coat?  Would that be good for the coming cold months?  Otherwise, you will probably need to buy a coat there, so start looking around and asking the elders what they think is the best solution.  Shall I send the package to Rosenheim or to the mission office address?  I think the last package took about 3 weeks, so I am probably cutting it a little close!  Can you believe you are no longer going to be a teenager!  Wow, Jonathan thinks 20 sounds pretty old and Jacob liked finding a 2 and 0 to put on your card.  Two decades old now----I'm sure you are full of wisdom!

Well, I know this letter seems a bit rambly and short, I think my brain is having a set back from all the late night canning I have been doing!  I can't seem to think of anything else remarkable that we have done this week.  Anyway , it's probably because everyday seems to get a little faster and the weeks are already flying by!  It's that good old Fall sports/school/harvst mania that happens every year.  I guess we just keep going with it!  We had a good lesson about being unified in RS .   It was one of the Lorenzo Snow lessons.  One of the scriptures I liked in particular in John 17: 19-21, especially 21 that says "That they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou has sent me. "  I thought  that really put forth that if we are not one, we can't bear testimony to the world of the Son and his mission.  In the manual it says that Jesus prayed to his Father that those he had given him out of the world might be one as he and the Father were one, and says he, I pray that thou wilt give them the same love which thou hast for me, that I may be in them and thou in me, that all may be one.  There is something very important in this, and we have got to practice ourselves until we become like the Father and the Son, one in all things.  Later on he says that "For unless the Apostles and those that believed on them were united, the world could not believe in the mission and purposes of the Savior. "  .....If we have division in our midst; if we be divided either spiritually or temporally, we never can be the people that God designs us to become, nor can we ever become instruments in His hands of making the world believe......In order for us to effect the purposes of God we shall have to do as Jesus did--conform our individual will to the will of God.....in all things, and to live so that the will of God shall be in us.   And then later he uses the example of David and Jonathan, as they were bound together and had the heart of one.  I think it is interesting to think of what an amazing friendship these two had, when Jonathan could have become bitter like Saul did that David was the chosen one, and yet he chose to love David and no more do him harm then let his arm be severed from his body.  (1 Samuel 18:1).  Hmmmm, I remember naming my boys David and Jonathan because of the great friendship that existed between these two great men, but especially because of Jonathan's great love for David (the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul).  I hope, that my sons will become as these great men. 

I'm kind of preachy tonight, but maybe it's because I've felt so at odds with everyone this week because of the problems we've had at school.  I can see that if we are not unified and our hearts are not knit together, that it is hard to get anything accomplished and the fruits of contention are dissatisfaction, restlessness, and the feeling of not being able to accomplish anything.   I guess I'm the one that needs to learn how to be more unified with my neighbor, my family, my ward, my leaders, etc.  Otherwise, life can be frustrating and nothing is accomplished.  I liked Pres. Snow's first example as an introduction to the lesson of how Brigham Young asked him to ask the saints that had come to Utah to begin contributing to the Perpetual Emigration fund and he felt very hesitant at doing so, because they had suffered so much and had little or nothing to give, but as he asked them to give, they did so willingly and gratefully and from many small efforts combined together, they were able to accomplish great things in bringing many more saints to Zion, who would not have been able to.  I guess that's another way we are unified is in serving each other, even when we ourselves are in need---kind of ironic.  Just take the focus off ourselves and focus on others and our burdens become lighter. 

Okay, Okay, I'm going to bed, I hope all this rambling makes sense or at least gives you something of worth for the week.  Oh, one more thing.  I subbed at the high school this week and was helping out in Mr. Smith's room (ha, ha,.....I know I was not helping with geometry, just taking notes for students) and I was introducing myself to him as Joseph and Samuel's mom and he asked how you were doing.  He came and found me later and said:  "I just wanted to tell you that Joseph was a really good kid, but he was more than that, there was something really special about Joseph, he meant a lot to me, there is something really special about him."  Anyway, I thought that was great!  You are something special, and I'm grateful to be your mom.  I know the Lord has many great and wonderful things in store for you.   Your mission will be a great journey in discovering what he has in store for you!

Love you, Mom

Another letter from Elder Seamons! He has a new companion, Elder Jerman!

Hey Guys,

Well another week has gone by and it sounds like you are all still alive. Sorry Ben and David that your games didn't go as well as you had wanted, but i hope things will go better for you this week. Sam you beat Marsh Valley!!! Thank Heavens!!! And it sounds like you also got to play a little varsity time too. Super cool man!!! Keep up the good work and congradulations with your cross country meet! Dad said you did really good, keep up the work man, it will pay off next February (STATE CHAMPION!!!) David, you got to tell me what position on the back line you are playing, so that i can know kind of how to help you better. It sounds like to me that your team is not keeping their shape on the back line, and also not marking up on people. If you are playing outside deffender, make sure you are always a little bit ahead of the center back, or the middle deffender and make sure also that you are even with the outside deffender on the other side. If you are the middle deffender, back sure you are a little bit behind the two outside deffenders and also that you are even with the other center deffender (if there one). Shape on the deffensive line is super important in order to properly deffend the goal. Don't mess around with off sides, it's too risky, just try to stay in front of the top forward and always make sure that he is marked up. Practice your 1 on 1 deffence with Sam. That will help you alot, even if he does play football, Sam can dribble pretty good and he is a lot bigger than you, so you will have to be aggresive, and smart. Also, remember that "keep away drill" i did with you Sam and Ben where i would dribble the ball and keep it away from you guys? Try doing that with Sam, Ben, and Jonathan. I think it would really help you with "pressure situations" and ball control. Cool im sending you a letter this week so look for it in the mail. Ben, whip your team into shape!!! Be the leader that they need on that team, and try (if at all possible) to play so well that it makes up for some of the not so good players on the team. Good luck this week bud!!! JONATHAN!!!!!DUDE, you have your first game this week! That is so exciting, good luck and let me know how it goes!!! JACOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I miss you buddy, sorry school is being dumb, i'll say a prayer for you. Hang in there man! 

My week:

Monday: Had p'day and then went on a couple of forbei's. Nothing to exciting.

Tuesday: Had Zone Training, really great, had dinner by the Schönwald family and had German Class. We have two German students now, and we finally found some stuff on the internet in there "middle eastern language" to help them better understand what we are trying to teach them, because both of them only speak a little english. It was super cool, and i think they are finally understanding, what we are trying to teach them. Cool!!!

Wendsday: Elder Armstrong had to finish packing in the Morning, then we went to the De Fillipo's new house and helped them paint and prep their floors for tiling. We were there the whole day and i think (i hope) they appreciated our help.

Thursday: We went to Munich to drop Elder Armstrong off, and pick Elder Jerman up. He is so cool! We have gotten along great so far, and hopefully things get even better. We went by on a referal from one of our members, had a lesson, and now he is a new investigator!!! So exciting! Unfortunately, he will be out of town until the end of this month, or the beggining of next month, but he told us he would read in the Book of Mormon before we meet next time. It was awesome, his name is Martain, and everything he said to us was so Golden, his beleifs and his confusion with some of the Practices of the Catholic Church made us both feel that this is what he has been looking for, to answer those questions and concerns he has in his life.

Friday: We did weekly planning, and went on a couple forbei's, then that night we had a really awesome lesson with Schwester Kissler one of the less actives we are working with. She has had a really tough life, and it has been hard for her the last couple years having her daughter move away for college and also have alot of surgeries repairing her knee and arm. We talked with her about putting our trust in the Lord and what that means. We also talked about how we can gain comfort through the Atonement because Jesus Christ really does know what we are feeling/going through. Our joint teach Bruder Greenhalgh was awesome and helped resolve alot of the concerns she was having. Good day.

Saturday: We did some more service for Frau Ford, she hasn't read in the Book of Mormon yet, but she told us she read a little in English 40 or 50 years ago. We invited her again to read in it and also invited her to church. Hopefully something comes of this one day, i really do hope so. We also had a lesson with the Ojo Family on the Plan of Salvation and it was super awesome. We brought the Newly Weds Thomas and Geresich Lubke and they did an awesome job teaching. The best part of the visit was when Geresich invited the Ojo Family to walk to church with them in the morning. They said yes, and it was an answer to our prayers, cuase we had been praying for something like this to happen. For some of the members to reach out to them and help them get to church.

Sunday: Well, the Ojo's didn't end up coming to church, but Schwester Kissler did (3 weeks in a row). We went by the Ojo's later and it turned there youngest two were really super sick. Elder Jerman and I gave them both blessings, and they seemed to be doing a little bit better by the time we left. If you would, please keep Benita and Bennett Ojo in your prayers, they really need it. We went by also later that day on the Furyk Family that day (he had just gone through another round of Kimo last Monday) to see if we could help them, but he says even though thinks are rough, he knows the Lord really is there for him. He shared with us his "conversion story" and let us know that he will never forget God. It was so awesome to see such faith in a man regardless of how much pain/trials he is going through right now. If you could, keep Family Furyk in your prayers also. They need it.

 

So ya, that was my week. To close i want to just share a little bit of Bruder Furyk conversion story with you cause i thought it was super cool. He said he and his wife were at home one day.His wife was super sick and they had called the Docter to come by and check her and as they were waiting, they heard a knock at the door. Thinking it was the Doctor Bru. Furyk opened the door and there were two elders there. He told them that that his wife was very sick and that they needed to go away. He shut the door on them, and about 5 minutes later they heard a knock at the door again, thinking again that it was the Doctor, he opened the door and it was the same to elder again. They quickly asked him if he beleived in God and he said of course, they then said they could give his wife a Priesthood Blessing if the truly beleived it could help her. He said that he and his wife felt like it was the right think to do, so they allowed these two elders to do so. He said as soon as they were done with the blessing, the pain his wife had immediately went away, and she was as good as new. They then started investigating the Church and were eventually baptised. To this testimony and story of Bru. Furyk i would like to add my own testimony of the power of the preisthood. I trully know with my whole heart that it is indeed the power of God. It is the power he used to create the heavens and the Earth, the power he uses to touch and change the lives of people, and the power which leads his church here on the earth today. I am so thankful that i was able to grow up in a house where the preisthood authority presides, To have a Father who exercises his that authority righteosly and who has lived a life that has kept him worthy and able to exersise that preisthood worthily. Thanks Dad, for all the father blessings you have given me throughout the years. I know it is because of them that i was able to do as well as i did in school, sports, music, and just life in general. I am especially greatful for the blessing you gave me the morning before i left to the MTC. I don't think you know how much it meant to me, but i want you to know it has indeed changed me as a person and as a missionary. Everything you said in that blessing was what i needed to hear, and i know that because of that blessing you gave me, that i will be the missionary that you, mom, and Heavenly Father expect me to be. Thanks again for all that you do for our family dad. I love you and mom so much and hope you never forget it.

I wish you all the best week ever, and pray you have success in all that you do. Take care and remember i love ya all a lot!!!

Letters from us to Joseph..........a brief glimpse into our life!

I just realized as I was posting Joseph's letters, that I am missing a lot by not posting our letters to him.  Everyone writes their own, so I think it's kind of a unique glimpse into their view of life at the moment.......maybe it's like keeping a journal without knowing it!  I would love to cross that off my list!

Here is our last one:

Dear joe

How is Germany?  I t sounds fun. School sucks. The only fun class is Mr.         Young's. We lost our game saturday. It was stupid. If you took away half a quarter we would have won.I only got to carry the ball  4 or 5 times the rest I was blocking. Still, I got 45 or 50 yards. they had some really big kids. He was huge. Our next  game I am determined to win no matter what rven if I have to take the ball myself.I hope you have fun. Do some good.

Ben

( I am mad at Ben---he said he wrote you a really long letter.....hmmmm, he's going to need to work on the definition of long here.)

Dear Elder Joe,

Well busy week this week and for the next couple of weeks. I played JV and Varsity this week in football, we lost both which is not very good at all, but the good news is that I got my team's one and only sack of the game. We had 12 people academically ineligible for the first game because of the grades that they had last semester, so with only 6 total lineman allowed to play, most of them backups I got to play the whole game without any breaks at 4:30 in the middle of the day, it was not fun, If it had been a little bit cooler I think I would have been fine but it wasn't and the sun dranined the energy from me. Anyway I did get to do varsity but only got to play a couple of plays but I did lay somebody out on Kick Return so that was good but not much happened after that. Well we play Marsh Valley this week so we better win or I think the coaches just might blow up ( even though we did better than last year I thought the coaches were still pretty mad). Well school is school so thats alright and none of my clases are insanely hard (yet) so I'll just keep doing everything I can to keep doing good in school and in football. Oh you should also know in one of the plays of the JV games I did manage to get somebody's helmets off on one of the plays I thought it was pretty cool and so did my teamates but coach thought I had been to rough in the play and told me I was lucky that the ref didn't see it and flag me.  (I think Jacob may have erased some of Sam's letter, sorry!!!)

Samuel

Dear Joseph,

What's up. During my soccer game, coach made me captain of the defence and my defence wouldn't listen. And another kid told the defence to do the exact oppisit I said. Such as I was trying to move the defence up so we could raise the offsides line, but the kid told them to stay back when the ball was on there side and another tme I told the defence to spred out and they only shuffled like 2 feet. And another time a preson on the other team had the ball and there was another person by him so I told the defence to pull up so it would be an offsides but no they didn't listen and cost us a goal. So what sould I do? And mom accidently sent my white shirt to the DI so I had to wear a plain white shirt at my game. So see ya.

                                                                                                       David

Dear Joseph,

I went to my soccer practice on wednesday. we went to the movie called planes it was not as good as cars. I watched the Dark night yesterday (he wasn't supposed to!!!!).  Ella got baptized. I went to Ben's game on saturday. I learned the 13 Article of faith. I Did secret sevice I made moms bed.           Love  Jonathan.

Dear Joseph,

Well I guess the 2 Jepsen sisters cant take it anymore of you being so far away so this wednesday they are flying to Italy to at least be back on the same continant as you for the next three months.  Ha, ha.  Anyway they are doing a study abroad program with BYU for this trip to Italy.  You need to figure out how to email us some pictures so that we will be able to recognize you when we see you again.  Who knows your head may look like uncle Jon's and we wont be able to recognize who you are if we dont get any pictures. Ha, ha again.  I am a comedian.  I cant remember if we told you that 2 weeks aago they released Paul Mckay as scout master and put in bro. Kurt Iverson as scoutmaster and paul is now the High counciler from our ward.  Then again it was about 2-3 weeks ago that Joseph Seamons was released as stake young men's secretary.  The sports section showed USUs crosscountry team running at their invitational and it said that Coby Wilson took 8th place and was the fifth manfrom usu to cross the finish line.  It also indicated that he is a red shirt freshman this year.  But anyway that sounds like it could be good for him to finally make it to school after so many years.  Sam and Ben had their first games this week and they both did well on a personal level but their teams lost their games by a fairly wide spread.  Sam had to line up against a kid that was 4 inches taller and 60 lbs heavier than he but still did well he got one solo sack in the JV game and played better than 85% of the whole game on both offence and defence.  Ben did well as a back they used him mostly as the big bruiser back their to hit anyone who made it back to him; but anytime that they decided to give his the ball he plowed forward averaging 8-9 yards per carry.  He played a lot on both O and D.  They only pulled in out of the game at the end to allow the other players on the team the manditory 10 play per game the league rules require.  Well summer is soon winding down and fall will quickly be upon us all the major work is done in the fields and it is time to button up all the loose ends,  so I hope that fall is a long one to do so.  Jacob will be beginning preschool and kindergarden on tuesday so I'm sure he'll like that when that happens.  Keep working hard on your language studies and put yourself out their talking to the people and little kids and the Lord will bless you in yours efforts and make up the differance.  Take care  of yourself and  eat right and healthy.                                          love,   Dad

Dear Joseph

It seems like we are getting a late start/end to writing our letters tonight, so I will hurry and get this done, hopefully before midnight! 

We loved your letter last week.  It sounds like you are doing really well and of course, very busy, and a also feeling a little better about your German.  I hope that you were able to have a good teaching week this week, and I hope that Familiar Ojo made it to church!  We prayed for them and I put their name in the temple, so we're hoping they made it there.

It has been a good week and is gradually getting busier as we add games, practices, lessons, etc., into our school schedule.  This week I am going to be taking Jacob to school on Tuesday and he is going to morning Kindergarten.  They still don't have an Aide for him, so they weren't quite ready for him to begin, but it looks like I will just go and help on the first day and see if they can find someone soon.  We'll have to have him out for 90 minutes in between Kindergarten and Preschool, so I think I will be staying in town quite a bit everyday!  We'll see how it goes.

This week Samuel and Benjamin and David all had their first games of the season.  David's was on Tuesday, so I went and took Jacob with me, since everyone else had practices and dad had to be to mutual on time.  I don't know that I got to watch a lot of the game, because of course, Jacob kept me pretty occupied.  I tried french fries, chicken nuggets, large drinks, etc., to see if I could entice him to sit by me and watch the game, but I guess that was just not enough to keep him down for very long.  Anyway, the parts that I did see it seemed that David was doing a good job of being all over the field---much like you were as a Defender.  He's a little frustrated with the Defender line, as most  of the other kids are not nearly as aggressive, but there is one other kid, Ramone, on his team that is doing a pretty good job as a midfielder.  The forwards seem a little slow and weak, but I'm not sure, since I'm watching David the most.  Their footwork seems a little slow still, so hopefully that will improve.  I think they were disappointed, because the team that they played was a pretty inexperienced team, but they still lost to them.  They did some good things though, so hopefully, they can build on that. 

Samuel did well at his game, but unfortunately, a lot of his line was out because of grades.  I think Samuel played a different position, but seemed to do well with it.  He didn't look like he felt very good to me---but it may have been the heat or something.  Anyway, I didn't think he look as energetic as he usually did.  He did have a little encounter with another player and got chewed out by his coach for grabbing the other kid's face mask----gotta love the seamons' temper!   Hopefully, he will try to restrain himself next time!  Benjamin's team seemed to have similar problems to what I saw last year in that they come out really strong, score, and then basically shut down when they are scored on.  I'm not sure.  I thought Ben looked okay, but maybe not quite as aggressive as he should be.  I didn't see him carry the ball, but dad said he did well.  Anyway, I hope both of these boys have better seasons this year----this may be a long fall if we have the same record as we had last year!  Jonathan is always quick to point out that they will probably lose------how did I raise such a pessimist?  I need to leave that kid home unless he changes his attitude!

We had Glenn Beck come and speak at the Worm Creek for a fund raiser for the theatre.  I guess he owns a farm up in Weston Canyon now, and offered to do a fund raiser for the theatre.  There were a lot of people there so I think we did pretty well.  I've never heard him talk before or heard any of his programs.  I've only read some of his books (The Christmas Sweater, I think you read this also, since I have it.)   Anyway, I thought he said a lot of good things, and Ben and Sam thought some of the ideas I got from him were pretty extreme, but that's okay.  It's interesting to hear some opinions of people that are out in the world and look upon our area as a refuge and place where people are quite sheltered.  I guess we are and we need to be ready for whatever lies ahead, but I'm not sure if I'm all that paranoid yet, maybe I should be.  Anyway, it was interesting.

Dad and I went to the temple saturday after we got back from Benjamin's game.  We hopped out of the car, beat everyone into practicing and picking up apples and then jumped back in the car an hour later to head to Logan.  Kind of a crazy day, but I haven't been to the temple since Shelby was married, and it was the last day of the month!  Anyway, we got to see the new temple movie.  I really enjoyed it.  I think it had quite a different feel to it and as a result I looked and understood part of the ceremony differently then I had before.  One of the things I liked best about the movie was the part of the Savior.  For some reason, his voice was just what I pictured the Savior's voice would be like, or just what I thought the Savior would feel like.   It was a kind, quiet, and very gentle voice, yet it still held strength,  It's hard to explain.  But I guess it was just the spirit that I felt in listening to his responses to the Father and then as he taught.  Anyway, it meant something more to me this time to see a representation of the Savior that I felt represented my own feelings about him.  Also, Eve's encounter with Satan was very different and I understood things differently in their responses to each other.  Maybe because Eve seemed much more emotional in the film and firmly desiring to do what was right and yet deceived because of that desire by Satan.  It made me think a lot about how Satan gets to us.  It isn't the out and out evilness that deceives us, it is when the right information is given to us and changed just a little to get us going down the wrong path sometimes, even when our desires our good.  I think Satan makes us feel cornered sometimes and that there isn't anything else that we can do about our circumstances or decisions that we have to make.  He may make us feel trapped or despondent or troubled about our circumstances.  For example, if we are sinning or having a particular problem or trial, he may make us feel that there is no way out or no other way, other then what he is showing us or what we are thinking.  I guess maybe that made me think that we have to be careful and make sure that we are always following the spirit or prayerfully consulting with the Lord in decisions and directions that we are going.  Because the Lord can see things differently then we can and the Lord's way is not going to make us feel trapped and incapable of changing or going a different direction.  I think that's why I liked the Savior's representation so much, was because I felt hopeful, peace, relief, safety and love everytime the Savior was shown.  Maybe that is how people feel when they are trying to make changes in their lives---especially, if they are trying to change to live the gospel, they may feel trapped in sin and the direction their life is going, but the Savior brings relief and peace.  He can show us how we can change, he can make us feel safe and secure and happy.  And he knows the right way to go, and will show us the way is easy and simple, something we can't do for ourselves with our limited knowledge.  Anyway, it was interesting to think about the ceremony in a different way and I felt that there were many things I understood, or want to understand better next time I go. 

The fast meeting today was very good.  Bishop Westerberg gave his testimony on the sacrament and talked about how, when he was Bishop, that he had to listen very carefully to every word of the sacrament prayers to make sure they were correct.  He then said he realizes that he still does the same thing and the sacrament has come to mean so much more to him as he listens to every word and thinks about the Savior and renewing his covenants.  Sis. Betty Jo Jepsen continued on with this same idea and talked about how the whole plan of salvation is really contained in the sacrament prayers because they talk about how the Savior has provided the atonement for us and that we are to think on him and his sacrifice and how it will provide the means for us to return to our Heavenly Father.  It was very thought provoking.   Sis. Greene talked about how much the Savior loves each of us (she recited the words to "If the Savior stood beside me"), regardless of where we are on the path, and used experiences that she had with Robbie's accident and the many miracles they experienced as he recovered.  Eldon Wilcox and the Bishop talked about how grateful they were for the many people in our ward that do their calling and their jobs and help others in the ward.  How we all have a part to play in helping one another---be it cleaning the church, visiting each other, teaching each other, or being where we need to be.  Sis. Wilcox talked about the importance of visiting and home teaching and what a difference it can make in our lives when we have good home and visiting teachers that watch over us. 

I visited with Pres. Rounds yesterday at Ben's game.  He looked a little fragile to me.  I guess they were able to get all of the mass out during the surgery, but they still will have to do chemo and radiation treatment to make sure that they didn't miss anything that will come back or continue to grow.  He seemed a little frustrated with his circumstances---the most frustrating being the fact that he had to go to the bathroom all the time because of the steroids he's been on, and that he can't work out---(that was probably his number 1 complaint!), and that he can't drive anywhere by himself.  It is interesting to see how such a vibrant person as Pres. Rounds is enduring this trial----I'm sure it is very frustrating to him to have to be so dependant on others right now, not be able to do things that he is used to doing with a very fit body and kind of feeling like he is in limbo right now as he looks forward to treatments that may make him feel even worse.  We are lucky to have good health----a blessing we sometimes take for granted until it is taken from us.  He and his wife both asked about you and are certain that you are doing a great job, because they think so much of you.  You are lucky to have had such great people in your life----I know they have made a difference in who you are and what you will become.  That is a great blessing in your life to have associated with men such as Pres. Rounds and others in the stake presidency and stake leadership positions.

I also talked to Emily, who just returned from Alaska, where she was a railroad tour guide.  She is taking online classes from SUU and we find out that she is actually in my online music class.  Kind of funny how we are all interconnected.  She is a cute girl and I wonder if she will serve a mission, I'm sure she would be great.  I forgot to ask about Collin----I'm assuming he's on a mission right now, but I wasn't sure where he was called. 

Okay, I better get going and see if I can sneak through Grandmother and Papa Joe's back door so I can send this to you.  Remember to tell me if there's anything you need/want.  I will send some of these ward missionary letters to you.  I guess Marco was companions with the Elder Wilberg that was hit by a car in Malaysia and died this past week.  I think Marco had trained him and was sad about his death.  I guess many people were fasting and praying for his recovery, even the Apostles, and yet he still went---his parents issued a statement that said they felt that he was continuing his mission on the other side of the veil.  I'm sure that he is, but that would still be a tragedy to lose your son as he served his mission.  So, be safe!  You are doing a great work and we love reading your letters and seeing the growth that is taking place in your life.  You have been so blessed, even through the tough times, we are so grateful for your faithfulness and desire to serve the Lord.  I know that He loves you so much and is pleased with your efforts and he will bless you as you serve him.  Have a great week!  Love, Mom

Another letter from our missionary! Love Mondays!!!!

Hey Guys,

Hows it going? Sorry to hear the games didn't go as well as everybody would have liked. I hope you learn from your mistakes this week so you WILL win next week. Wow Ben, that is impressive 50 yards on 5 carries!!! No offense to your coaches, but i think they might be idiots, cause if you do the math if you would have carried 15 times you would have had 150 or there abouts. Anyways, i hope they let you run it more this week, and i wish you guys a win this week (mom said you aren't playing as agressive as you were last year, whats up with that!?!??!) Sam, sorry to hear about your lost man, that is rough to play at 4:30, but hopefully it cools down and you guys won't have to play so early next time. Keep hydrated, from what you said, it sounds like you didn't have enough liquids in ya. I would recommend drinking alot of Power/Gatorade over the 24 Hour period before you play. I know i did that sometimes and i could deffinately notice a difference in my level of energy. Good luck next week, hit hard, play harder (don't loose to Marsh Valley, please!) David! Sorry about your game man, if you are Captain of the deffence line, you got to be nice. Talk to everyone on your back line before and after the game and make sure they understand why you are telling them to do what you are telling them to do. If you are playing center back in the middle, then you can see more then anyone else on the field, if you are on the outside fullbacks though, you need to listen to the ceterbacks, cause they can see more of the field then you can. Also, don't get to obsessed with off sides! Don't try to pull up to pull somebody off sides, it is super risky, and i know when i played, more often then not, when we tried it, it didn't work. Just play smart deffense, don't mess around/worry about off sides, just listen to your coach, and make sure you are always between the front forward and the goal. I'll write you more later!!! Jonathan!!! Good luck with soccer and violin you stud!!! Keep working hard in school and be nice to everyone. Jacob!!! Good luck with Kinderschule!!! I hope you have a great time, be nice, and make sure you are always smiling!!!

 

Cool my week:

Monday: We did a FHE with a less active family in our ward, the Sonnabends. It was really fun, they have two little (1 and 2) who are super funny and both speak better German then i do (how is that for a moral booster?) We had a great time and Elder Armstrong gave a great lesson on Ward Missionary work.

Tuesday: We had District meeting then we had a finding day. I went with Elder Young and we actuallly ended up teaching a lesson to a former investigator together. It was kind of wierd cause i was the senior companion, so Elder Young was depending on my German to get us through the lesson (the blind leading the blind). It went pretty well though, and i understood most of what he was asking us. We also had GMK and German that night (we have 2 German students now!!!) Great day!!!

Wendsday: We had lunch and did service for an older lady in our ward. I gave the lesson on how we need to trust in the Lord to endure through our trials. It went good, we did Garden Arbeit. Went well. Later that everning, we had a Lesson with the Ojo Family, did the Restoration, and had dinner with the newlly weds Thomas and Gerecksich Lubke. Thanks for putting the Ojo Family's name in the Temple, they really need it.

Thursday: We did Service all day in Kiefersfelden, super fun, we had seven missionaries there working, got a lot done. I miss cleaning the ditch, moving pipe and hauling hay.

Friday: We had a really cool experience, we brought one of the less active members in our ward, Schwester Morgner who can speak spanish to come with us to Traunstein to do a lesson with Familie Krugel cause Schwester Krugel can only speak spanish. It went really good, but took an hour and a half longer then expected (those spanish people can talk for quite a while). It was awesome though, cause i think/hope in a way they will reactivate eachother, kind of wierd to say, but they talked a little how "if you come to church i will come to church" sort of talk. Nice!!! We also went and helped Familie De Fillipo paint more of their house, it was super fun! Also, we got transfer calls on Friday, i am staying in Rosenheim, but Elder Armstrong is going back to Hog (his third time there). I get a new compaion, Elder Jerman. He is from Utah and Elder Young went to school with him. Says he is pretty cool. We have transfers this Thursday.

Saturday: We did weekly planning and went and helped Frau Sherer with her yard and assembled a bed together. Super fun, she calls us her Grandkids now, and shared with us a cool experiece that i will tell you about in a minute.

Sunday: Had a great fast, great testimony meeting, and everybody was sad to hear Elder Armstrong was leaving. He bore an awesome Testimony on Member Missionay work and i know it touched a lot of people's hearts, it sure touched mine. Ojo's didn't come to church again though, we went by later that day, but they weren't home. Im not sure what to do, something really needs to happen with them.

 

Anyways, that was my week, to close, i would like to share with you Frau Sherer experience and share testimony daruber. When we were there, she was telling us that the first day we came by her house, she had been praying that morning that God would either send her a big wad of cash, or somebody that could help her with her house and yard, cause she couldn't do what needed to be done. It is important to note, that Frau Sherer is trying to get her house ready to sell, but she is over 70 and has nobody else, no relatives no children no nothing, to come and help her. She said a few hours later, we came by and knocked on her door and after a little while asked if we could help her at all. We came back later that week to help her and ya you know the story from there. Hearing that was a huge testimony strengthener to me that this is really the Lords work and we are really instruments in his hand in helping his Children 1. Draw closer to him and 2. Give and help them with the things in life that they truly do need help with. I know if the Lord was here right now on the earth, he would be doing the exact same things we are doing. Visiting those of his Church who have gone astray, and inviting others to come follow him as he goes around helping others. Remember we are all missionaries, the prophets have said it countless times and as it says in D and C 4 "if you have the desire, you are called to the work." You guys don't have to go tracting or such things, but i promise you if you will truly prayerfully look for the oppurtunity to be a missionary, the Lord will give you oppurtunities to be an instrument in his hand to answer the prayers of others.

 

Ok, i've got to go. Take care you guys, have a great week, remember how much i love and pray for you, and most importantly WIN THOSE GAMES!!! (oh and i guess being happy is important too)

Bis Später,

Elder Seamons