August 4, 2013

From Mom: Are you glad to be back in Singapore? How was your trip? I'm striving for 50 sales this pay period ... I only got 25 last time which isn't enough. If I can get 50 sales two pay periods in a row they will put me on inbound where I think I can make more money. The commission is less but the sales are better because people are calling us instead of us calling them.

I got my CD made Monday night. Matt did a great job helping me! But then I couldn't find my folder which had the application and bishop recommendation in it so I asked the bishop to do another one and redid the application. I got application packet sent off Thursday so now it's a waiting game until I hear something. It took almost 2 hrs for less than 5 mins of recording.

I don't understand why people, lately, have been in awe of me. It's kind of strange that they think I can do so much so well. Although, I know I can do stuff well but no one usually notices that much - or it hasn't been this obvious. I had two sisters say something like that to me today at church.

Dad doesn't have much to say so I'll just add it to this letter. He's got a job once he gets his life and health insurance license, which he's studying for now. Extend Health sells Medicare Advantage plans, something Dad's done in the past. He'll be making $15/hr plus commission. When he gets started with them (by the way, they pay for his licensing) and I raise my sales we should be able to finally pay for you mission monthly and also be in a good position to pay on Michael's as well. He has some money that will go towards his mission but I want to pay for it monthly and then see if he can have some for when he comes home. Dad also suggests that you buy at least one cook book there ... in English, of course. Hopefully you can find all the ingredients for the recipes here, in the states.

One of the missionaries who just left is back home for a couple of months. He was diagnosed as having anxiety while in the MTC and will be going thru counseling for a couple of months. He's very outgoing and fun so it was just as much a surprise to him as anyone else. Michael's still set for farewell on August 25th and Karlene & I will be singing along with Leslie Johnson, so it won't just be family performing. They kinda frown on it being a family affair now.

Our call center raised the most food for the area food bank of the 4 or 5 we have - 144 lbs per agent - so we had a big celebration and lunch on Friday. I took a picture of everyone as they were dishing up. Mary is the most left, Adrienne is the one with the long, dark hair and Sarah is the one on the right, she's my Sales Coach (team leader). I also have a picture of a butterfly right outside the window where I work.

Oh, by the way, Michael is finishing up his Mormon.org profile so I took his picture so he could post it. Here it is. He's going thru the temple on the 24th and farewell on 25th so the family can come down just the one time instead of having to come a second time. I guess there's a new temple movie that's longer than the current one. I'm looking forward to seeing it. We're supposed to go this Saturday for ward temple night. Our temple is closed for a couple of weeks to get the new movie going so we'll be going to the Jordan River temple - one of the biggest in the valley.

I'll be looking forward to hearing how things are going in Singapore!

From Michael: Good luck with the greeney if you get one, but if not have fun. This week has been the same as all the rest of the other dull boring weeks except for going to the temple and mission prep. Still weighting to go to the MTC. I'm hoping it could come sooner put I doubt it being moved faster.

From Faline: Not much happened this week. Mom showed me a picture of Durian sliced up but I want to see it before it's sliced. I got to see some of our cousins this week. I am playing the PS2 today but it's getting close to bedtime so I'll have to stop. That's about it.

Butterfly just outside the window at Progrexion

Celebration lunch with Mary, Adrienne and Sarah

Michael's mormon.org picture

July 29, 2013

To Mom: Not much is different here but today is transfers so I'll find out if I'll stay or I'll go today and later I'll email you with the news.  I hope all goes well with dad getting a new job and your addition goes well.  My computer is terrible so no pictures today. 

To Dad: It is good to get in shape.  Sometimes I wonder if I'm in shape even tho I'm bicycling every where.  Oh, and here in Asia there are many holidays that use fireworks but I haven't seen 1 firework the entire time I've been out.  I'll email later with transfer news.

To Michael: PMG is Preach My Gospel and the reason I warned you about that is because I have seen a few who didn't stick aren't as happy on their mission.  Today we get transfer news and there is a slight chance that I will be training. 

To Karlene: Actually I never thought of you as ADHD I only though you to be annoying some times and like the rest of us but I guess that all of us have something wrong according to the world.  Just think you are just a different type of genies then everyone else.  Maybe when I get home I can help you relax after I sleep for a while.  Today we find out about transfers. 

To Faline: I'm going back to Singapore so I'll be able to get you a picture of durian.  I got transfer news yesterday. I got transfered to Singapore 3rd Ward. Glad to hear you're having fun.  Till next time.

July 28, 2013

Hi Summer,

From Mom: I listened to Beyond 5 on youtube. I liked it but Michael wasn't impressed. In case he didn't say anything, he sang with Abram and Gabe in church today. It was a song I found on lds.org in the youth music section "Priesthood Men" and it sounded good. Several people let me know they enjoyed it. Of course, we had another missionary farewell. This time it was for JD Davenport going to Mexico Oaxaca mission.

I took Michael, Karlene & Faline shopping for clothes last Thursday. Michael was able to find suits in the men's department that fit! He has most of his stuff for his mission. He just got a packet from his mission president that explained that his mission is a biking mission. I don't think the bike he has would be good for the mission but maybe he can find one once he gets out to VA. Karlene and Faline start school on Aug 19th. I didn't get much but I think they will have enough clothes to look stylish.

I didn't get to make my CD last week. The people who said they would help me never returned my calls. So Matt, Lori's husband, is going to help me tomorrow night.

Work is going ok. Dad got a nibble from Extend Health which is the main company in the building I work in. That company takes up a bunch of space on the two floors. Progrexion only has a small corner of the 2nd floor since we only have 40 or less people working there. We don't know specifics yet but it's insurance so they would pay for him to get his life and health insurance licenses back. This would only be temporary, thru the end of the year but maybe it could become year-round or he may work with another group that does insurance with seniors, kinda like he did before only with a better plan.

I better go. Karlene & I are gong to sing Aug 11th and then have a duet with the choir on the 25th, when Michael has his farewell.

 I took Karlene & Faline out to watch the fireworks on the 24th. There is a vacant field across from the apartments where we sat on the curb and watched the fireworks from all around us. We were able to see at least 8 different displays! We had fun!

From Dad: Well, it looks like I'll be getting my life and health insurance licenses back only for Utah. I started working out this past week trying to get in better shape and slim down. Sometimes Mom comes with me. I lift weights while she works on the elyptical. 

From Michael: What is PMG? Better yet why did you worn me about that? I have nothing else to say, so what's up?

From Karlene: I got mom to take us shopping for school clothes and found some skinny jeans that I can fit over my calves. They are size 12 and really comfortable. On Tuesday I get to go to girls camp and finally complete my fourth year hike. I found out that I am ADHD and bad weigh deadlines. The first part I guess you already knew but I confirmed it today. I was very hyper until Sunday school came around and I had to fight just to answer two questions. On the way home dad asked a question and I was jumping off the car's seat. Mom kind of kept my hyperness going and when I got to the apartment I recited the young women's theme as fast as I can. Alex still likes to play with lasers and torment your cat. I start school on the 19th of August.

From Faline: By the way, on the Spyro, you know those buttons, well you need to do a technique with the spiders that you're supposed to do on the buttons. You're supposed to squish the button once you get to the spiders. We went swimming again this week. We even got Michael to go this time. It's raining today and was overcast most of the day so not so hot. We need the 2nd memory card for the PS2 but can't find it. I got to do Christmas stuff this Sunday. We got presents from our teacher. I got to see some new stuff but so far there's only one that people keep stopping me on this one movie, I can't remember the name of it. 

Faline and Michael playing in the pool.

July 22, 2013

To Mom: P-day hasn't changed.  Last P-day we went and got a lot of stuff for the apartment we moved in to about 3 months ago.  It was the only chance we had and when we were done we only had time to get ready for our appointment so we e-mailed Tuesday after district meeting.  I didn't mean to worry you, sorry.  So far the worst thing that has happened was me getting over stuffed at members houses and having several dinner appointments on 1 night.  When I fell off my bike I got some scrapes and bruises but that's it.  Sister Mains takes good care of us and if anything happens to us she has us email our family ASAP.  You know how I said I have to worry about getting over stuffed, well, yesterday I had 3 dinner appointments with enough food to feed all the missionaries in Kuching.  I'm fine I promise.  Next week we find out about transfers and we are having a zone activity so I might be emailing a little latter.  With all these farwells you'll start having homecomings all the time too.

From Mom: Glad you're ok. One of the homecomings will be yours, of course. I noticed that you finally used your bank account so that makes sense. Hope you're enjoying your new apt!

To Mom: It's good and right in the middle of our area.  I used the money in my account for a hard drive so in case my camera gets stolen I have my pictures still with me and I also got a case for it and a media player so I can look at the stuff on my hard drive and some suvinears the mission takes care of what we need but we needed to go and purchase them.  I will be getting some other suvines latter.  Have you heard of a group called Beyond 5? It is a christen band that will be preforming August 12 here in Kuching and the missionaries are encouraged to invite members and investigators to there concert.  Most of them are mormon save 1 and the only reason I've heard of them is because they're coming and because 1 of the members of the band is the grandson of a senior couple serving in Miri.

From Mom: Cool! I'll have to look more in youtube or something. Talk to you next week!

To Dad: Sounds nice.  Yesterday I had dinner 3 times and each time was way more than I can eat.  Each of them were for some ones birthday and 1 was for 2 peoples birthday.  Not much else happened.

To Michael: What about the Orson Scott Card books?  Oh, I know someone who knows him.  Just a word of addvice, keep to the white hand book and PMG when you're on your mission and your mission will be the best and the memories will be awesome. 

To Karlene: You cat is huge.  Malaysia is awesome.  You'll get to see all my pictures when I get home and of course I'll be sending some too.  Next time I'll send a picture of another unique building in Kuching.

To Faline: I'll see what I can do.  It's called Duran.  I'm doing good.  I bet you're getting real good at video games and maybe you'll need to help me when I get back.  Till next time.

July 21, 2013

From Mom: I finally have met several sisters and know some of their names. The Relief Society had a social the other night. I found several who live in our apt complex. One girl, Sam, was asking everyone how to get into labor because she was ready to pop! We found out yesterday that she actually had her baby, a girl, Thursday night, right after the social, I guess. I'll be taking dinner in Tues night along with her neighbor, Heather. Heather was the one who watched the cats when we went to the family reunion. I also was introduced to Kim Dimond, whose husband is a sound man who will help me with my Tabernacle Choir CD I have to send with my application. Thursday I'll get that done! 

Last week I almost contacted your mission president. I was concerned when we didn't get your emails by Monday. I wasn't sure whether to be worried or not. I'm glad you finally sent messages Tues.

By the way, the peppers mentioned in Dad's letter were about the most deformed I've seen, so they wouldn't have been capable of stuffing! I think you would have liked it. I'm getting closer to finishing the Book of Mormon. I'm finally in Mormon. I have an app on my phone that keeps track of how much is completed in my reading. It's fun to be able to mark off chapters and see that I've almost completed 90% of the book.

Michael's farewell talk will be August 25th. We'll see if we get to sing on that Sunday or not. I like doing the song with Karlene but the recommendation is to not have only family members doing anything else on the farewell program. If I have a ward member sing with me or us then we might be able to pull it off. Grandma and Al are supposed to be coming down probably on Friday so they can be in the temple with Michael on the 24th and then see his farewell talk the next day. It will be fun to be able to go to the temple with Michael and Dad.

There have been a LOT of farewells lately. Almost weekly we have another one. Last Sunday was Elder Dylan Knight, this Sunday Sister Devon Trop and next week is another one. Then we have Michael's and one in October, so there's a bit of a break.

I better go. Hopefully you'll get to write Monday morning unless p-day has changed. Let me know.

From Dad: I went swimming with Karlene & Faline yesterday. The water's kinda warm but then so is the air (over 100). I've been talking to some guys about possibly going back into insurance. Mom fixed a stuffed pepper recipe only she just cut them up and put them in the mixture like stew. She said the peppers were unstuffable!

From Michael: I sincerely doubt that I'll be able to go crabbing. So did you get to feed the crocs. Congrats on getting a baptism. these Orson Scott Card books are really annoying when trying to listen to music. I feel like babbling, but maybe I'll weight.

From Karlene: yep and a little boring. I now have 5 friends most of which are adults. I still hope that you are having fun.

Alex just won't stop growing he now weighs 15 pounds.

From Faline: I guess Mom said that we already have pictures of that fruit, although it would be nice to see what it looks like before the outside gets off. It has spikes and smells terrible, you said. There's been lots of missionary farewells in our ward. I'm playing Spyro right now. How are you doing, Summer?

July 16, 2013

To Mom: In Utah the hole state seems to shut down on the 24th.  In the MTC we were annoid with it because we didn't get any mail and couldn't go to the MTC store to look around.  Sounds like your almost there with the aplication for the choir.  This past week one of the sisters got really sick and had to go to the doctor, she's feeling much better now and doesn't want to take it easy.

To Dad: Your 29th anniversary makes me old because I will be 28 in a couple of months.  Happy anniversary.Sounds like grandma is doing alright.   They had a dead chicken for the pinata.  It is always hot here it is just a question if we will get cold from sweat or from rain.  It is very cold when it rains here.

To Karlene: As they say here "jangan risauh."  It means "don't wory."  If you want a lot of rain you should come here and you'll get drenched almost on a daily basis.  Sounds like things are like normal. 

To Faline:  Not much new at the moment just looking for more people to teach.  Do you remember what the fruit was called.  Your summer break is going good I hope.  Till next time.

July 14, 2013

Hi Summer,

From Mom: We went to the temple last night with some of the members of our ward. It was very nice! We were in the biggest prayer circle I've ever seen - there must have been at least 10 couples in it! It was really neat. I have my application and bishop's recommendation for the Tabernacle Choir packet ready. Now, I just need to make my CD. Our new RS President, Sister Yorgason, knows someone who might be able to help me. Also, Carrie is supposed to talk to one of the ladies she visit teaches who just got into the choir to find out how she did hers. Lori said that the choir manager used to be in their ward before it split so he's another resource.

I got to write my own script that would match my personality better but get the same information (at work) and I'm starting to get more sales and convert more people that I call back. There was an interesting posting for a part-time job for the church. It's an MTC Investigator Actor - pretending to be an investigator who will meet with missionaries on a weekly basis to help them get used to that part of their missions. It would be fun if I didn't already have something else to do.

Michael's farewell is August 25th and he goes thru the temple on the 24th. Grandma & Al are planning to be here. If I prepare a song with another member of our ward who isn't in our family I can sing on the same day. I'm working on the same song I did just before we left Marsing, "Fill the Well Within" by Sally DeFord. Karlene was going to sing with me but said it would be okay to have someone else sing with me - she said there's always the family reunion!

I don't know of anything else that is going on but next week will be our first 24th of July in the state of Utah - it's a state holiday as well as a church remembrance and is almost as big as the 4th of July, I think. We'll find out! Karlene should be going to girls' camp at the end of the month. She doesn't think she wants to but I say otherwise. I think she'll really enjoy it, more than she thinks she will, and may learn a thing or two. At the very least she'll make a few friends ... I hope.

From Dad: Congratulations on your 3rd baptism! When you go check out the crocodiles just make sure you're not the pinata. I don't know if they told you but Grandma Doris had eye surgery last Friday. I think she's been watching too many pirate movies - she wants a patch. It's getting pretty hot over her. Your mom keeps wanting to turn up the temperature in the house, I keep turning it down. By the way, we just had our 29th anniversary on the 12th...so does that make us old? Anyway that's all for this time.

From Karlene: It likes to rain here or just this week. I fell asleep and woke up all wet with the area dry and it was raining outside. It kept up for... I don't know how long, but I was still tired.  Alex has been eating from my hand since he got his adult food and Crookshanks likes it, but it makes him sick. Alex still does summer-salts trying to catch a laser that a lady from our new ward gave to Alex. Utah is ok,but I miss Idaho.. 

From Faline: Really? That's Dad's talk. I'm catching up to Karlene, although she's still growing but I'm growing faster than she is right now. We went swimming Thursday, on one of our rainy days. I started reading to Mom last week. So what have you been doing? By the way, you know the type of fruit or vegetable that you had to cut open with a long knife? I want a picture of one of those. That's mainly it.

We love you!