Another One Bites the Dust

Another week full of stories and another digital page that makes me feel that my words just cannot express to you all what has happened to me this week. I have been learning, growing, doing, being, stretching, trying...so many different things! One week flies by so quickly, then the months start adding up. I've started to realize that life is not just the mission. I've realized this week, with a few of my friends having gone home already, that there is life after the mission, like this will all end and I will be starting a new chapter in life. It is rather strange to be on your mission and realize that life is going to be different. I assume that it is somewhat like life after kids have grown up and moved away from home, after all one gets quite accustomed to the routine: bedtimes, making meals, brushing teeth, praying/reading scriptures as a family, sporting events, music programs, church, church activities, etc. The list could extend forever, but my intention is not to bore, rather to uplift and inspire.

 

So, Where is Elder Bolton really going with this story?

 

This week is when I realized that I am doing something extremely important in my life. I am becoming. I am forming lasting habits, ones that will help me in my entire life to be the father I want to be, be the best husband I want to be, be the leader the Lord would have me be, and be the son my Father knows I can be. I am reading my scriptures daily and learning new and amazing things. I am praying meaningful and heartfelt prayers so many times during the day. I am filling my head with thoughts and ideas of how to help others, how to be a better missionary, and how to be a better companion to my companion. To me this is all miraculous: from such small and simple changes life becomes amazingly more significant and one can truly become who they are supposed to be.

 

Even though life may be difficult I know that it is possible to make it through tough times. This week was rather difficult with the families we're teaching, with the zone, overall lots of things went wrong. However, I am still happy and I had the opportunity to experience some cool revelations (kinda personal...to be shared at another time).

 

One Saturday night Elder Lundquist and I were left making Tang for an activity; well, making it and putting it into about 500 little plastic bags to hand out to people with 500 pieces of bread. We stayed up SO late preparing this litte treat for the members that I ended up sleeping like 3 1/2 hrs and working the next day, Sunday, the toughest day of the entire week, for 15 1/2 hrs straight. Talk about tough. I only got super tired like once during the day. It was at my weak point and it was pretty fresh outside sitting down while talking to a family. I was starting to doze off and then my companion indicated to me that it was my turn to teach. Hahahaha. That was pretty funny. I must have looked high...I was out of it. But after that I was fine! It was rather amazing. I was able to realize some ways to improve my missionary work, ways in which I can teach better and help people with their difficulties better.

 

Well, I am super happy and excited to have more successes and top learn and grow more this week. I have run out of time, as it is getting rather late. I do want to to know that I love you all and hope that you are happy. Follow your inspirations and your paths in faith and you will receive blessings for your obedience.

 

Love, Elder B

About Dad's Day

Kimberly wrote:  The Dance Review is Monday, June 13th 6pm Davis High School, Saturday, June 15th 12:30 pm Syracuse Founders Day, 1500 South 1900 West in Syracuse.

Myrna wrote: OK, the review is this Monday, right? Dad will be in Colorado and I will have the truck because he is taking the car. Could I come to your house (if I can find it on my own) and ride up with you?

Kimberly wrote: Yes, we are going  up early. Or you could go with Shawn.  Let me have him call you.

Myrna wrote: 
RE: Sorina/Zoey Dance Performances:

I think that I am going to have to bypass the review. It breaks my heart but I am snowed under with the newspaper. Rebecca was supposed to go to all of my meetings for me while I was gone but she did not. She did go to a couple but not some of the most important (school board, county, court). It was the end of the school year for her kids. I have been listening to tape recordings and trying to get things put together but I am not doing well. Then we had more drug arrests and a trial that I need to get taken care of. I have missed so many of the kids things this last couple of months that it makes me sad. I didn't get to any of the Howard's recitals or concerts either. I also missed Mary's program. (I did get to two graduations, however, and a funeral and helped with a baby.) I think that I am getting too old to keep this newspaper stuff up. I really need to quit the paper but that is my grandkid money so I hate to do it. Also, I have not helped you with your move at all. If there is something I can do this Friday, I would love to come up and help out. Our shift does not work on Friday during the pageant. I will go to the temple alone on Saturday.

Please, please forgive me and send photos. Thanks.

Kimberly wrote: You are always forgiven.  It’s just me and Sorina on Friday.  Dane leaves for Trek Thurs-Sat, and Shawn and Toren go up to BS Camp on Friday (that sounds funny).  We have a baptism to go to in Layton on Saturday, and Dane to pick up, and my dad’s birthday party.

We still have a lot of our stuff in storage at Jim/Julie’s.  I don’t know what Shawn has worked out with that.  It’s a slow process getting things put away here.  We’ve had a lot of back and forth to Layton these past few weeks.

AnnMarie and Brandon and kids came and helped us unload twice.  It was very nice of them.  It was while you were away and I asked AnnMarie not to tell Jim we were moving those days because I didn’t want him to come all the way up to Layton to help us move.  (He had told Dad, he’d come up and help us, and we thought that was too far, and he is always so busy, and they just had a baby, and I still have the present sitting in my room) .

Also, we could come down Sunday.  Are you planning a special dinner, and is so, could we help?  We are out of Church at 2 pm.


Myrna wrote: We are planning a dinner and Melanie, Ben and Mikaela will be here. You are welcome. Dad was thinking that he would like me to make meat balls but I don't know if that will be best or not. Let me know what you think.


Kimberly wrote: Whatever you make will be fine. I can bring a salad of some type, a desert—lemon meringue?


Myrna wrote: A salad would be wonderful!!!!!!!! Who is coming and who is not? I usually don't worry about it.


AnnMarie wrote: I wonder if Kim wanted everyone to see the entire string of emails between the two of you.  It has her telling me not to tell Jim about the move.
I'll reply separately.
AnnMarie

Myrna wrote: SHOOT! I am sorry. I thought that I had erased all of the beforehand stuff. Looking at it, I did get most of it. RATS!!!!!!! Sorry everyone. I am just going to go somewhere and cry. I think that all of you should just bypass me with email. Forget that I am part of the family!!!!!!  I want my mommy.


AnnMarie wrote: Well, I had intended on being subtle.  I think we call that reaching the tipping point, Mom.  Now would be a good time to turn off the computer, put in an old movie, pop some popcorn and remember the good old days when the most stressful thing was washing clothes for 10 people, feeding them all, cleaning the house, working, cutting articles and measuring them, school activities, preparing a lesson for church, PTA fooferah, and making random trips to the hospital.  That isn't relaxing?  Well maybe it is perspective then.  You've handled worse stress, this too will be handled--and handled well.
Ams


Kimberly wrote: At least 5 of us.  Unsure about Brigitta.

Well, hopefully I didn’t say anything bad…

Love all of you.  Hope I’ve been in the family long enough that everyone will put up with my talking out of turn and quirks.
Kimberly

I Am Ready for the Jacket!

I am already nuts, but, I am getting worse. Soon I will be the whole nut TREE. Some of my high school friends, however, tell me I have always been like this. We work together at the temple. I suppose they should know. They have known me longer than Dad has.

Melanie, Jim and Julie want you to use their new truck that seats six rather than rent a car. I thought I was going to use their black truck and that you could then use our truck but I was wrong. You will use their new truck. NOW I really do need to know when you need to be picked up at the airport.

Shawn, we have a dumb new cellphone system. Apparently it hangs up on people and then, when they try to call back, it just goes right to voice mail.  It doesn't beep us or anything. In addition, it won't call back. Jim and Julie signed a family contract until October and then it is gone.

Kirsten, show this to Dad. I don't know what is happening with Auntie's party. I thought Nanci was doing everything except for getting the church. Apparently I was wrong. Auntie Eva called a talked to me for an hour. She is quite concerned because I have not sent her the photos Jim and Carma need. She doesn't think they will have time to do it now. It took them eight-months to do hers. Also, I got a facebook post from Nanci and she wants to know what we have done.

For all the Utah kids, Dad will be home for Father's Day. I think that most people coming will be here after their churches let out but just when, I am not certain. Does anybody want to tell me that and I will know when to feed people. Eric works until 4 p.m.

For all those coming to the family reunion on the Fourth, we have the campground from Friday through the Fourth. Fireworks in Nephi will be Monday evening but they will be at a different location after they set a field and a driveway on fire last year.

Anniversary. Dad and I are surprised and happy that we survived together for nearly 50 years. Our actual anniversary is on September 9. We are not so worried about a party. We are just happy to still be together. 

If Dad goes first, I will manage to live alone and will not need to be babysat. When I get too old, put me in a home. Dad says the same goes for him.

AnnMarie, Dianne and Shirl are likely no longer my friends. They think that Eric was arrested falsely and that the charges against him will be dropped because he was only with the ones selling and was not selling himself. She said the newspaper, meaning me, made him look like a criminal. If she is right, I will, of course, print that. I have been collecting the sentencing records from the first 50 arrested. Most of them were sentenced to prison but then the sentence was reduced to somewhere between 160 to 240 days in the county jail with work release. Is that the common sentence?

AnnMarie wrote:

My reply:

We will be coming on Sunday.  We get out at 2:00.  We can bring a side dish or rolls or something else.  Maybe he would like some funeral potatoes.  I could do a couple batches.

 

I wouldn't worry about the Nichols yet.  See what happens in the process.  If we are unable to prove our case, then something can be done in print to follow up.  I imagine it is very difficult for them.  I am sorry they are going through this.

Sentences are as varied as the people themselves.  There is an entire matrix to determine what the sentence will be for any given defendant with many components including whether someone is on probation, prior felony convictions, prior misdemeanor convictions, what level of crime is being sentenced (felony 1, 2, or 3, or misdemeanor), and the list goes on.  It is common for a judge to impose the statutory sentence of prison for felonies, and then suspend it and order jail time, probation, fines, drug assessment (if applicable), and other sanctions.  Also, I would double check the sentences on the first 50 -- I think it is not common for them to have work release.  I was told that no one has done work release for two years, but don't quote me.  I am fairly certain that a few went to prison, but don't quote me.

 

AnnMarie

Not to Brag

Maxine Gordon wrote: I don't want to brag or make anyone jealous or anything, but I can still fit into the earrings I wore in high school.

Myrna wrote: Lucky you! I used to wear clip-ons and then I had my ear's pierced. I can't wear the same earrings. I can now officially say that nothing I wore in high school still fits not even my class ring.

RE: More About Oil‏ at Fish Lake

Pitts, Alan R 
6/01/10 


Myrna:

I trust that you had a great holiday with much of your family.

This informatiopn regarding oil near Fish Lake was interesting because My Father took me fishing there several times. We were not fishermen but we did row the lake, swim and had a fun time. We cooked our meals over an open fire which dad was good at there was a very small store near wshere we camped.

Thanks again
Love you
al

I sent an article entitled: "Sigurd's wells prove Utah is oil country," which was written by Lee Benson in the "Deseret News." Al's response was interesting because it is about his father, brother of my grandfather, Tom.

"SIGURD, Sevier County — About three miles south of this farming community of 430 people, on the way to Fish Lake and, beyond that, Capitol Reef, the oil wells stick out like, well, like city people.
"You couldn't miss them if you tried. It's like you turned the corner and there's Houston.
Welcome to the first oil boom in Utah in at least 25 years and the first in Sevier County since the dinosaurs died. Over the course of the past two years, the Wolverine Oil & Gas Corp., a Michigan-based company, has struck it rich with seven wells now in operation, another three ready to come on line and who knows how many more after that.
"Upwards of 15 tanker trucks a day leave the Covenant Field Wells loaded with upwards of 3,000 barrels of crude. By the end of the year, as the new wells begin producing, that figure could be up to 4,000 barrels and beyond.
That'll run a lot of tractors.
If you drive by the new landscape, however, know this: You cannot fill up at the factory.
I found this out the hard way when I pulled up in my Subaru and asked Tony Cook, the products foreman, if I could fill my tank right there at the well. By avoiding all the middlemen, who knew how much a person could save."

The article continues but I will not quote it further.

Listen to hear about LHT.‏

Myrna wrote: Tonight on BYU Classical 89 radio at 8 p.m. on Marcus Smith's show, John Bennion is interviewed. He pays a tribute to Leonard Trauntvein as a great educator. We were told about the program by Marcus and listened to the first broadcast this morning.

Thanks to all!

Emily Trauntvein wrote: cool!

Tyrone wrote: Thanks.


Charlotte Kilfoyle wrote: Wow! Thanks for sharing and what better compliment to a successful educator!

Miracles

Howdy family! How y'all doin this fine week? I have been doing very well! I hope that you all had a fantastic week this past week.

My companion and I were going to baptize 3 families this weekend but they all fell through and some of them do not really even seem positive anymore. It is a sad thing when people allow themselves to be influenced so much by those around them that they do not make the decisions that they KNOW they need and should make. We were a little upset because we weren´t able to baptize, yet we were given the opportunity to teach and find some new really cool families. Counting successes and lessons learned instead of failures helps me to stay positive and animated about this amazing work.

This week I was able to experience some miracles in my work. I did divisions with one of my ex-companions (considering there are now a total of 4 missionaries in my zone who have been my companion) and we went and worked in his area after doing two appointments in mine. We had some really spiritual lessons in both areas. My investigators were uplifted and so I was I. It was interesting to be with one of the companions that I did not necessarily get along with super well and having some really great experiences with him. I was able to teach with the Spirit and feel a change in my investigators, and I was also able to see some miracles. Now, I have to be honest, when people don't respond to questions that I ask them or they just act rather rude to me I get irritated. I know that I shouldn't get upset but sometimes I just allow myself to be weak and act in such a manner, yet that night I was talking to some of that Elder's investigators and I was able to actually take advantage of a gift that I have: I was able to discern other's needs, concerns, doubts, problems, etc. all based on Spiritual revelations. I was able to look a man in the eyes and say that I knew what problems he was having in his life, that God knew and that God would bless him if he did certain things. I was able to promise, with amazing clarity and power, blessings to this man in the name of my dear Savior. In all reality I have no idea if that man will continue to be an investigator, but I hope that in that moment he felt the power and conviction in my heart.

The sad thing is that normally when such amazing things happen we find out later on that these people no longer desire to investigate the church. It is quite odd and sad, but at the same time it is very true. I had some truly remarkable experiences and my words do not suffice such spiritually fortifying and uplifting moments.

We should be seeing some miracles in Puerto this week, starting off with the announcement and commencement of a SECOND CHAPEL here. We will see if that happens this week or not, regardless, this week we are looking at baptizing two other families, I really want to baptize them! We are also preparing two activities this month for District Puerto Cabezas. We will be trying to have more activities for the branches and the district over the next little while to help keep people involved in the church and help them get to know each other better. I am also working on developing Christ-like attributes. I realized that I need to progress daily and become the servant the Lord needs me to be, so I have decided to work daily on becoming more like my Lord and Savior. I want to become a better future husband, father, leader, etc. and the best time to start is now! I mean, if we recognize something is wrong in our lives, why take such a long time to change something that we can change now? It's quite ludicrous. Anyway, I have set that as one of my new goals.

I am really happy for these experiences that I am given daily to learn and to grow, to change and become better, to be tested and tried. I am grateful for all of the people I have baptized on my mission and for the wonderful friendships that I have forged with members, missionaries and my mission president. I know that these two years are two years of my life that are almost like tithing on my life, and they are going to be unforgettable. Thank you all for your constant love and support, prayers, thoughts, letters and packages. Sincerely, these things make me so happy and help me stay focused on passing the love you have given me around to all these people I teach here.

Make good choices. Be obedient. Keep calm. Carry on.

Love,
Elder B

Cousin Diane

Hi Myrna,  My internet situation is a bit shaky.  Anyway Ticaboo is 13 miles north of Bullfrog at Lake Powell.  I live here.  It is such a beautiful place!  If you are ever down here, be sure to visit.  Phil has a yacht at Halls Crossing so we go back and forth between the house and the boat.  We are simply enjoying life.  Hope all is well with you.  Take care, Hugs, Diane (Pitts Morrison)

Eva About Helen's Party

Eva wrote:

HI, HON,
     I CALLED LAST NIGHT (TUESDAY) AND AGAIN TWICE THIS MORNING
I DO NO KNOW HOW TO GET HOLD OF YOU.
NANCI SENT ME AN EMAIL; SHE IS DESPERATE TO KNOW DETAILS
ABOUT HELEN'S PARTY.  SHE HAS BEEN  IN THE HOSPITAL WITH
A PHYSICAL BREAKDOWN.  SHE HADN'T TOLD HER MOM YET WHEN
SHER WROTE ME.  SHE SAID SHE WILL BE HERE WEDNESDAY AND
WILL  DO WHATEVER IS NEEDFUL.  SHE HAS BEEN UNABLE TO GET
HOLD OF YOU. SHE ASKED IF I COULD CONTACT PEOPLE OR WHATEVER.
PLEASE GET BACK TO ME ASAP; I AM NOT SURE DICK EVEN KNOWS
ANYTHING ABOUT IT.  
HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON.  
LOVE YOU,
EVA

Myrna wrote: We have been away on our family reunion and at Alyssa's farewell concert. I have sent numerous e-mails to Nanci.

Erin Wrote

I love yall most. my therapist is a total dweeb. ask megan i told her in email. Do you have her email? Well if you dont hereit is: funsize.meg97@gmail.com.  i told her all bout it. i feel sheepish even after that last visit a week ago!I love yoou bye.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!