Mail Call!

Here's the latest from Michelle. She isn't moving, by the way. I think Wasilla loves her too much. :) Notice what I put it BOLD below. I know we've heard it before, but I'm really hoping this time!

Daddy!

Snow...and we still have it...but it hasn't been fresh since Sunday or Monday...so it's really crunchy since it's melted and then re-froze at night...super slippery! It's been in the 30s most of the week..crazy stuff!

Ooooh...fall colours...pretty. :D We got a week or so of fall up here...and then it was winter. lol Why did I think that I was getting tranferred? Because I've been in Wasilla since May 19th...and I'm still here. lol. Transfer number five in Wasilla and moving on to companion number 4 in Wasilla..lol. Sister Aitken and I are swapping companions so I'm getting Sister Lott's MTC companion, Sister Grace - I pick her up from Palmer at 5pm today. :D So...no address change. :D

I'm sending you a little package today(one of the envelopes you provided in your package)...with a memory card and a list of what the photos are. You should get it this week. The other package you'll get next week. :D

Umm...for Halloween we have to be in by 6pm...and I think we're all going to go to a member's house together and play games or watch church movies or something cool like that. :D They keep us in because it keeps us out of trouble.

I'm SO NOT trunky*. I love being missionary! It weirds me out to think that I'm already almost at my year mark....crazy weird!

Well, time to go! I love you!

Love,
'chelle

*To be "trunky" means to be anxious to go home. To be ready to pack your "trunk" or suitcase and go home. Sometimes missionaries can get so excited about going home (trunky) that they kind of lose sight of what they're supposed to be doing. They "go home" mentally a month before they go home physically.

Mail Call!

Here's the latest. I find it funny that she actually wants to go to one of the coldest places in the world.

Daddy-kins!

So, We woke up to half an inch or so of snow on Saturday morning and it's stayed warm enough that most of it is still here...I fully suspect that we are full on into winter now...yay for coldness!

Guess what!? I'm totally Alaskan! I was outside this morning in basketball shorts and a hoodie and it was only 26 degrees...crazy huh? Yep...good times..lol It was raining Friday night when we went home..but it must've turned colder during the night because there was snow Saturday morning.

Aw...I wanna carve pumpkins...

...transfers are in a week...and I'm pretty sure I'm leaving...sad day. We find out Friday morning.

Do the weather reports say whether Fairbanks has snow or not? I suppose I could find out in a week or so...if I get transfered there. I'd kind of like to get transfered to Fairbanks for the winter - I think it'd be fun to be able to say that I survived a winter in one of the coldest places. :D Sister Lott still gets excited about snow. She has seen it before but, only like twice....she's from Mesa, AZ.

Yay for a package! I'm seriously going to send you one either this Monday or next Monday...it depends on whether it gets put back together today or not. :D Well, I've got to get! Love ya!

Love,
'chelle

Update

Just a quick update on the address. The new one I posted a couple of days ago should work, but the official address, according to the post office, is now posted under "Current Address". It's just a different Zip code.

New Address

I've put Michelle's new address in the "Current Address" link, over on the right. She's still in Wasilla, but they've moved into a small apartment over a garage at a members home. She says all the other missionaries are jealous. Apparently it's a very nice apartment.

Mail Call! (finally...)

Yay! I finally got email from Michelle. I'm just a little excited... So, she still doesn't know her new address (who doesn't know where they live!?). Here's the latest...

Daddy,
Hello (finally)!! :D Sorry about the lack of communication. Last week we didn't make it out to the library (poor planning) and the week before I could check my email but it wouldn't let me reply to anything...argh. I am glad that you got my note card last week.

Training is going well. It's not as crazy as it was at the beginning but, it's still crazy. There's just so much to do and nowhere near enough time to do it all in. I have some pictures of Sister Lott and I...I'll have to print one up and send it to you next week. Sister Lott is doing good. She's so funny - we got not even half an inch of snow yesterday morning (it was all gone by last night) and she was freaking out, she was so excited..lol...it was cute.

I didn't get transfered...transfers aren't for 2 weeks. But, we did move apartments. I'll have someone send you a quick email this week to let you know [of the address] for sure. :D Until then just have people send things to the mission office. :D Yeah...so weird to think that I entered the MTC a little over 11 months ago and that I've been in Alaska for a little over 10 months...crazy!

Well...since I haven't emailed in 2 weeks I have a TON of emails to catch up on. I love you Daddy!

Love,
'chelle

Change of Address

I received a post card from Michelle today. It really didn't say much except that she has a new mailing address... however, she doesn't know what it is yet. So... once again, I'll let you know when I know. For now, you can send mail to her Mission Home address. Click the "Current Address" link for updates, including email and Mission Home address.

Still No News...

I still haven't heard anything from Michelle. Monday was a Holiday (Columbus Day), so the library where she sends and receives email was probably closed.

No mail... :(

No mail from Michelle this week... so far.

Have any of you been using the weather report link I have for Wasilla? It's on the right, below all the other links. It shows the sunset and rise times among other stuff. If you click on it you'll get the weather report for Wasilla. Right now they're forecasting snow up there for Friday night!

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.