Re: Hello from Nephi!

Sounds like you all were rather busy this week! Golly!

First of all Mary is a goof, I like your hair. I think that your hair is realy beautiful. Never let anyone convice you otherwise.

JULIE'S PREGNANT! I secretly hope that it's a boy... ;)

Well, I love you and grandpa so much and hope that all is well with you two. Keep me informed of what happens out there in Nephi!
Love, Elder B

On Sun, Nov 7, 2010 at 6:54 PM, Myrna TRAUNTVEIN wrote:

We had an exciting day today. We left Nephi at 6 a.m. to drive to Layton in order to be there at 9 a.m. Toren was ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood this morning. We had Sacrament meeting first, of course, so that the ward could vote on him before he was ordained. Uncle Shawn did a great job with the ordination. We took photos and had dinner with the family and then drove back to Nephi. Each one of us went to the podium and bore our testimonies. That meant that there were eight Trauntvein testimonies in meeting. Grandpa challenged us all to bear our testimonies and we all accepted. Auntie Kim said she was very proud of us because we were each careful of the time and each of us had something important to say. None of the other families could be there. Uncle Jim is in the Young Men's Presidency in his ward and he had a talk and had to sing with the boys during Sacrament meeting. Auntie AnnMarie had to speak in a ward conference in her stake since she is the stake Young Women President. Amy J. was on call and Eric had to work.

Kimberly sent us the following before we went to Layton: "Sorina said her prayers tonight and asked that Toren would not be scared tomorrow when he receives the Aaronic Priesthood. Dane, because our youth group is so small, has been doing Fast Offering since he’s been a Deacon.  He keeps telling Toren how exited he is for him to take a route. And then Shawn told Toren that he had to knock on strange people’s doors and ask for money. His eyes got big. And I said what a lucky boy that his sister had prayed for him to not be scared." 

We had two very busy days at the temple. Friday evening had a lot of patrons and so did Saturday. I was actually surprised that we had so many patrons because of the big football games being played on Saturday. Of course you know that the University of Utah was playing but it was also the state finals for the high school teams. The Deseret News reported that it was "Black Saturday" with TCU scoring 47 and Utah scoring 7. The high school teams will all play another game for first and second places in the different districts.

Auntie Julie is now telling everyone that she is expecting a baby the last week of April. She will have to have a C-section so it really will be the last week of April. She has not felt well for the past couple of months. She has had a lot of morning sickness but she is feeling some better now. 

Little Mary gave me another compliment on Friday. "Grandma, you really need to do something with your hair. You look like a Zebra." I guess my white patches mixed among the gray do look sort of spotted but I don't think they look striped. 

Gramps and I so enjoy your letters!!!!! It is wonderful what a great job you are doing. We continue to pray for your safety and for your success. I think Heavenly Father has great things in store for you during your lifetime. I don't think that either of your uncles who went to South America ever had their photos taken holding a monkey. You are not only the first missionary grandson, you are the first on your mom's side of the family to hold a money! 

Keep up the good work of baptizing and of fellow-shipping. Remember that we love you dearly!

Lots of love,

Grammy and Gramps 

Weekly Report

Sometimes I feel as if I have so much to tll you all, but then I sit down at the computer and think, "My week is going to sound so boring to them." Although my life feels like a soap opera compad to some other missionaries I know, I feel like to you it sounds like the same things over and over again.

We had another baptism this week! We baptized a youth in an inactive family. We hope that the family might start going to church now that the children are getting excited about going to church, getting baptized and everything. Although it was crazy trying to find him. He plays baseball and trains duing th days and comes home at strange times in the afternoon. We finally found him the other day and sat down and asked him why he didn' get baptized last week. Long story short, he thought that we were going to get him last week and then we never showed up. Oops.

My comp and I get along so well, although it is interesting working with a white comp again. I keep telling people that I want Latin comps and then I get another gringo. Hahaha. But we have been learning so much working together. Ihave set some goals and right now I'm ahead of the game. I want to read all of PMG, BoM and Jesus the Christ in 12 weeks. It's possible, I just need to work hard to finish it.

I just love being a missionary so much. There are always so many lessons to learn and things to do to grow, become better and serve others. Mom and Dad, I do have to thank you for always pushing me to do servicve projects and work hard. I have been recognized out here as the Elder that serves others becuase I always seek opportunities to serve others. I keep my eyes open to opportunities to teach families by the service that I provide. Service is like a giant entry-way into people's hearts. 

I also want you all to know that I know without a doubt that if we want our families to be blessed, we will read scriptures and pray together EVERY NIGHT. The people thatgo inactive here stopped doing their family prayers and stopped reading the scriptures together every night. SO please keep doing it. We need the blesssings too much to not comply with this commandment (3 Ne. 18: 20).

Well, I love you all and hope that you are doing well at work, at home and at church!
P.S. Mom...i miss the temple soooo much and am SO jealous that you get to go!

Love, Elder B