Mail Call!

Here's the latest from Michelle.

Daddy,

It has been a very busy week...and the first half was very nerve racking...I about died of nerves....lol. My greenie is pretty awesome though. Sister Lott is from Mesa, AZ - born and raised. She has 3 younger brothers, 1 younger sister and an older sister. She is the first in her family to serve a mission. I'm so excited to have her here with me in the Knik Fairview ward - she is great!

Training is an awesome responsibility. President and the APs were telling us that there are 2 names from your mission that you'll always remember - for good or bad - and that's your mission president and your trainer. Ever since I got my transfer call, a week and a half ago, I've noticed that I'm more bold and more focused...this is really pushing me to be the best missionary I can be so that I can help Sister Lott be the best she can be. It's awesome to know that Heavenly Father, President Lewis and the Assistants have such faith in me. :D I will send pictures home next week...I'm going to get a new box that isn't as beat up and I'll re-package everything, along with the memory card, and send it off next week. :D I love you!

Love,
'chelle

Still in Wasilla!

This is a picture of Michelle and Sister Aitken. Sister Aitken was Michelle's last companion. Michelle now has a new trainee. I don't have a name or picture yet.

I received the following email from a member in Wasilla. It makes a dad proud!

Greetings Bro. Barrett,

I'm Bro. Bill Hayward, and was asked by your daughter to let you know that she is not being transferred this time around. She was not able to get to a computer her last P-day to inform you herself, hence the request.

Also, I wanted to let you know of the wonderful Christlike example she is and how very much we enjoy having her in our home when occasion permits. Her countenance is reflective of the Saviour, her deep dedication to the work, reflected in her every day conduct. It is plain to see both her heart and mind are focused, in the right place and she is always looking well beyond the mark.

When at our home, her example for my two younger daughters (12, 14) along with my sons (16, 18), has served to strengthen their resolve to serve missions,and she is very much loved by all, but perhaps most by my daughter Leilani, 14.

We wish to thank you for the support you've provided her as an ambassador of the Lord. You can be proud of your daughter--and justifiably so--for the work she is doing. Your efforts in teaching her eternal truths have not gone unnoticed and have had the desired effect. Truly, she will return home to you, a stronger, wiser, better prepared young woman; able to magnify her divine calling in all she's called on to do.

Yours in the Gospel,
Bill & Christine Hayward and family

So, Michelle is still at the same address. Go ahead and mail those Birthday cards! Also, I've put this picture and one of the Hayward family in the mission pictures.

Snail Mail

Here's a letter (click here) I received from Michelle's Mission President. It's very exciting! Look for the magnifying glass icon. It'll make the picture bigger so you can read it.

I still haven't heard from Michelle, but I believe she is still in Wasilla. I'll post it here when I find out for sure.

No mail... :(

I haven't heard from Michelle today, so I don't yet know if she has moved. I'll let you know when I hear something.

Mail Call!

Here's the latest from Michelle.

Daddy,

Oh man...Bloodsport is so much fun! I'm going to have to teach people how to play after my mission...maybe I'll get my institute group to play. :D

Erm...so I'm sending a package home today...and I just realized I forgot to put the memory card in it...I'll probably be sending a mini package home sometime in the next couple of weeks then so you can get it and have pictures...though there are some pictures in the package...le sigh.

Poor Grandma...I'd scream too if a dead rat fell out of something I was moving. I can't really picture Grandma screaming...lol

Yay Seminary! Who is her [Sarah's] teacher? What classes does she have at the high school?

I PASSED OFF MY FIRST LESSON THIS WEEK!!!!! :D

There's a new sister area opening next transfer - one sister is going home and three more are coming out...rumor has it that I might train...crazy stuff...we'll find out Friday.

If anyone is going to send me cards or packages have them sent to the mission office...or wait until next week when I can get you my new address. :D

Is Allison still preparing for her mission?

I hope you have a good day! I love you!

Love,
'chelle

PS - everytime I see a mixer truck here I think of you. They're not backwards here like they are in Utah. :D

Mail Call!

I received an email from Michelle on Tuesday! Here are some excerpts:

Daddy,

Yay we get to email today! :D I hope you had a good Labour Day! We played Bloodsport in the morning, did our shopping, wrote some letters, had comp study, went to dinner and picked raspberries, and then went over to a member's house to wish their daughter a happy 8th birthday!..it was a pretty good day. :D

Right now I'm working on the Old Testament - and I'm in Ezekiel. It's pretty good...kind of repetitive...the people didn't listen very well...sigh.

I will get the pictures sent out this next week. I keep forgetting the package at home and then the post office was closed yesterday. I have the package sitting out in plain sight now though so it'll get sent off. :D

I am passing my first lesson off on Wednesday - I'm ready and my District Leader knows it - it'll happen or else I'll throw a dodgeball at him...:D

So Ben Miles is actually in Romania now... Crazy!

Well, I think that about covers everything. We have a baptism on Saturday - more details about that next week when I have more time! I love you! Have a lovely day!

Love,
'chelle

Snail Mail

Hi everyone,

I received a "real" letter from Michelle on Thursday. Her mail server was down on Monday. That's why we didn't get any email from her. Next Monday (Labor Day), we probably won't get mail from her either. She usually checks her email at the library, which will be closed because of the holiday.

She says she getting better at the sports that they all play on p-day. Most of the rest of the letter was reminding me that it's her birthday on September 26th and she wants lots of stuff.

It would be great if everyone who reads this would send her a birthday card! I'd love to see her get dozens and dozens of cards! So please, send her a card and have your friends and families send her a card! She'll be turning 22!

Important! Send your cards so they reach her before September 17th. That's transfer day and she could be moving. If you can't get it to her by the 17th, wait until after, to see if she'll be moving.

Okay... this will only be exciting if everyone and their dog sends her a card. Just do it!

Thanks!

No mail... :(

Just a quick note to tell you that I haven't heard from Michelle this week. It could be that she had some sort of conference on Monday and they had to reschedule their P-day.

I'll let you know when I hear something. Anyone tried those recipes yet?

Mail Call!

Hi everyone! Sorry I didn't post last week. My computer crashed and I had to slick the hard drive and start over from scratch. The good news is that I was able to back up everything before it was too late.

So, here's the past two weeks letters. They are both very short. It's like she's busy or something! :) I'll start with this weeks letter, which except for a little personal stuff is only a couple of lines.

Daddy!! :D

Crazy business this mission stuff - and crazy how time flies! Things have certainly changed in my perception of the Gospel and of who I am and where I am headed - that sure knowledge makes all the difference. :D

Well, we've got lots to do today. I love you!

Love,
'chelle

Here's last week's letter.

Daddy,

I'll try my very best to get the package sent out this week - but we're super tight on time today. If it doesn't go out today I will send it next week for sure.

Wasilla is great - we will definitely come back and visit this place for sure! :D

It is so nice to have a companion for more than 6 weeks - I love it! :D

Oh man...I didn't know about the whole apostle thing until we were doing a lesson about following the prophet and the member told us that President Faust had passed away that morning - crazy! I can't wait to see who the new apostle is either - keep me posted! :D

I love you too Daddy! :D

Love,
'chelle

Post Script... She didn't say anything this week about mailing a package or pictures... sigh...

Mail Call!

Here's the latest from Michelle. It sounds like she's staying put this transfer.

Daddy!

I am at the halfway mark(on Wednesday)...that's so weird to me!! It seems like a little over a week ago that you dropped me off at the MTC...and at the same time it feels like it was an eternity ago...crazy!

What lies ahead?...probably training in the next transfer or so....that's kind of scary, but hey...if the Lord, President Lewis and the Assistants think I can do it than I have no doubt that I can. :D

I did not move this month! I'm so excited - I love Wasilla! It's pretty much the best ever! :D I also get to keep Sister Aitken - I haven't had the same companion since Sister Hubbard and I stayed together my first and second transfers....it's really exciting to have some continuity. :D

Oh man...those recipes are sooo good! The Halibut Tacos are much healthier than the lasagna...but they're both REALLY good. :D

OH! I have a really good talk for you to read! "O Divine Redeemer" by Neal A. Maxwell from the November 1981 Ensign. It's really good! :D

I have a package that I will be sending off next Monday (I forgot it in the apartment today...) and I will stick the camera card in there...that way I can get some pictures off it for some people before I send it home. :D

Guess who I met yesterday?! Truman G. Madsen. His grandson was serving up here and finishes his mission today so the Madsens came up to get him, along with his mom and sisters. So, we had a special missionary fireside with him yesterday...it was really good. :D

Well, I love you! Have a great week!

Love,
'chelle

Lastly, if there is anyone reading this that is not sure of our belief in Jesus Christ, please read the article that Michelle mentions in her letter. Just click on it.