Sunday, November 3, 2013

Babes in the Back Country

Eileen, Laura, Alice, Loralee, Amy in Aspen, September 2013

Hi Megan,

How are you? Your letters are wonderful and you sound like you are working hard and enjoying your time as a missionary. How is your health? What are you eating? What do you need? It was a busy week this week - like usual. Lots of testing and teaching in the Library. We finally had a district librarian meeting which was good and hopefully we are headed in the right direction finally. I have no faith in our district anymore. Christina and I are working to pass a Bring Your Own Device Policy with Parents and PTA. It has been a lot of work to put together a presentation and we are getting ready to present at PTA.  I have been on conference calls with teachers around the world starting the Flat Classroom Project again. It is so fun to connect students with other students and watch them collaborate on a multimedia project.  It was my annual Girl's Weekend this weekend - Babes in the Backcountry trip. We went to Carbondale so we could stay halfway between Glenwood and Aspen. We were going to ride the train but last Monday, I got an email saying that the tracks had been damaged in the flood and that they were going to put us on a bus. We decided we did not want to ride a bus so we canceled the Amtrak trip and Loralee drove her car. What a bummer! We wanted to see the different route and the leaves from the train. The flooding has affected so many things! Amy Lloyd came with us this year and we had a wonderful time! We ate at some fun restaurants including a taco dive that is delicious! We ate some amazing BBQ last night We shopped in Aspen, Glenwood and some of the Basalt shops, watched a homecoming parade in Basalt and the Carbondale Potato Days Parade - who knew there were so many parades! The flowers are still beautiful but not for much longer, we woke up to snow on the rooftops on Friday. We hiked around the area too. There is an amazing flower garden for John Denver in Aspen and they had an outside farmer's market that was fun to wander through. I sent you a few pictures of the weekend. I am back tonight inspecting Rachel's room and getting ready for another week. I came home to a very clean house. You Dad is so nice to always try to make sure that I don't come home to a mess.  We talked to Jake and we are trying to figure out how to get him to conference next Saturday. The leaves are so amazing that I think we will drive through the canyon to Kris's house and then she says we are going to take the light rail into SLC for conference so we won't have to deal with traffic. Then we are going to take Jake back to Logan Sunday morning and head out. It will be a whirlwind but hopefully worth it. I really hate giving up my sit around in my pj's weekend but I hope this creates some memories! Kris is suddenly saying today that Nathan and Ryan won't be able to sit through Conference so they aren't going to go. So...I guess Jake gets to go to two sessions and possibly bring a friend. Look for us in the Saturday afternoon session! We will be thinking of you! Love to you!

September 2013 Missionary Letters

Hello Megan!
How are things in the land of the tulips? We miss you and are thinking of you often lately. Today was Josh's farewell and he goes into the MTC on Wednesday. Our ward will have 5 missionaries out - so weird - I don't remember ever having this many missionaries from a ward we have been in while in Colorado! Trenton will go out in December and then we will have 6! Unbelievable!
Can you tell me what your luggage brand is and if you like it? The Brown's are asking for a suggestion for luggage for missionaries - if you know of one you like better let me know about that too.
I had a busy week at school. It was Constitution Day - I sent you a few pictures and we put 100 flags up in front of the school again. It always looks to great! We studied George Washington and won a picture of him from Mount Vernon.
Rachel and Elizabeth had YW in Excellence on Wednesday night. It was fun - they did a Dorothy skit and Rachel was funny. Elizabeth quoted the 6th article of faith from memory and Rachel sang a solo. Rachel is singing a lot lately, she even sang the National Anthem at the Softball game this week - a solo....
We fed the sister missionaries Friday night and had breakfast for dinner. They are an interesting pair. One is a 25 year old form Toole and the other a 19 year old from Cour d' Lane Idaho.
We got tickets to conference today so it looks like we are going to drive to SLC for conference. We have tickets to the Saturday afternoon and Priesthood sessions. 7 for the first and 4 for the second so we will have to split into 2 groups with the Beelek's.
I am getting the kids ready for the Primary Program and hoping that they are ready for Sacrament Meeting. They put Sis. Haley in as YW President today. I really liked Sis Theurer as YW President. She was so good to Elizabeth and I am sorry to see her leave.
Take Care! I love you!
Love,
Mom
Sent from my iPad
 
I just got off the phone with Jake and he sounds tired. He says that he doesnt get to bed before midnight and he is up for his 7:30 class every day. I think it wears him out sometimes. But I remember what it is like when you are on campus. It always seems like something is going on. He says that he is doing well and all his classes are going well, but his calc class is hard an he only has a 82% on his homework. I dont think that he has had a test yet and I think he is getting nervous about it. Did he tell you that he is the first counselor in the Elders quorum. He said that he is working on getting all the home teaching companions together but he is saving all the good looking dorm rooms for himself (selfish!!). He went on a date the other night to the wind caves with some girl and he doubled with one of his new found friends.
 
We are thinking of going to conference in SLC. The stake finally got us some tickets and we are trying to decide if we really want to drive that far for just the weekend. It will be a pain but I think it will be worth it. I've never even been in the conference center (EVER). So I would like to go. 
 
This week was rather boring for work. but I was able to sell quite a bit, which will be nice because commission has been a little low lately.  I did talk to David Leslie and he asked about you and how you were doing? He always was a fan of yours. He said that James is going to graduate this year and is thinking of graduate school.
 
Josh Clarine gave his farwell talk today and I think he is leaving on his mission on Wednesday. It seems odd that they are all going on missions now. Trent will be next in a month or two. Trent, Kawika, and Bro. Cleverly sang today and they sounded wonderful. However, they could have used Jake (Im not biased though). They could have used you! By the way Rachel sang the National Anthem for a softball game on Saturday, she tried to get someone to sing with her but nobody in her group (forget the name) could sing with her. Her voiced has really matured and she can sing harmony like nobodies business. I can hardly wait for you two to get together and sing! That would make a Dads heart swell up and bring a tear to his eyes. 
 
So enough about us, how are you doing? are you getting enough to eat and do you have enough money? How are your investigaters coming along. I know you have a baptism scheduled soon, is that still going well? How is your companion? Is she adjusting okay?
tell us about a typical day. I know we have asked before but I though you might have a different perspective now that you are "old hand" at it now. I have been diligently reading the BoM but I think I have lost focus on my, Christ like attribute, because I am looking for so many other things in my teaching. I notice the attributes but I really dont get time to study them like I want. All because I am focused on what I am teaching this week, or next week, or tomorrow for that matter. Tell us about your mission president and his wife. Do you see them very often? Do you write a letter to him every week? Have they started the "social networking" part of missionary work that the general authorities talked about several months ago?
 
Anyway, I love you!!!
 
Dad.


Dear Sister Israelsen,

Happy Birthday Zuster Israelsen

Dear Sister Israelsen,   Well, what a week. This week Colorado has received about 15 inches of rain. this is more rain than we have ever had in recorded history of colorado. It has caused a whole bunch of damage in different towns. Lyons (a town on the way to Estes Park) is pretty much gone, it have been flooded out and most of the homes are either gone or damaged. Longmont has been flooded like you wouldnt believe. Next is Greely, they have so much water. the news said that 19,000 homes have been damaged and around 5000 homes are gone. Its hard to explain all the damage thoughout the state. We have had roads closed not to far from us that have been flooded. Even some of the towns around Denver have had a lot of flooding, like Aurora. We have had such a dry summer this was a real shock. it have rained for the past 6 days and its not done yet. now it stops for a few hours and then all of the sudden we get another big heavy rain.   This week I had a big sales meeting at my office. they brought all the sales people and customer service people to Lakewood. There were about 50 of us. My company just seems to keep growing. I was presented a "major award"! ooooohhhhhh, right? Not really, I have had so many differences from my boss that this award was a "major surprise". Oh well, I'll take what ever I can get.   I had an amazing missionary experience this week and it is on going. One of the Ladies in my office has been really sick with Pancreatic cancer and she has been going through Chemo and radiation therapy. It really drags her down. She is a little order, about 63, and she is small to begin with. She has lost about 30 pounds, not sure where she lost it because she was pretty small to begin with. Anyway, she is Catholic and she was telling about her trials and I just offered to give her a priesthood blessing. I told her about the Priesthood and that she could receive a blessing if she wanted. That was a couple of weeks ago, well on Tuesday, she pulled me aside and asked if she could have that blessing. So I arranged to do it on Thursday. I told her that I was going to invite the missionaries in that area and would come over after work. Well, she called me on thursday and she was having complications and needed to go to the doctor for more tests but we are going to do the blessing this week some time. I found out that one of her daughters is a Mormon. So I will let you know how it goes next week.    I cant believe that you 22! it seems just like yesterday that you were bouncing on my knee and just learning how to walk. Boy how time flies. Speaking of time, you are just about down to the last 6 months of your mission. You need to do everything that you can because the time will fly. I remember my last 6 months and it went so fast. I really just want to wrap my arms around you and give you big hug. So, give you companion a big hug, not too ackward and let her know that was from me to you. I am so proud of you! You have been an awsome example to me and I am inspired by you. Keep up the good work!    I Love you, I Love you, I Love you!   Happy Birthday!   Dad

Happy Birthday Zuster!  What a lucky thing to have your birthday land on your P-Day! I hope your do something really fun today! Did you get our card? Grandma Gail sent a note with $100 in it for your birthday and mission. We put it in your account so buy something you need or something fun or something you want! :) Eat yummy food and enjoy the day!  I sent you the picture from our pond and will send you a few more from the flooding. It is amazing what is happening here. There are 1200 people now who are unaccounted for and 17,000 homes that have been damaged or destroyed. It is simply stunning and devastating. It is still raining now. Boulder and Jeffco schools are canceled tomorrow and they have closed Huron from 120-144 for deep flooding and they had to do a water rescue today. Church was cancelled after Sacrament Meeting to send people home when Broomfield police asked that people get off the roads. The water is now heading towards the plains and Nebraska and they are all seeing flooding and problems. I am sure that the missionaries will get to help people with the clean up.  Rachel wrecked the Honda this week in the neighborhood. She ran into the neighbors rock and landscaping and popped the tire and took off the front bumper. She drove the car home when she couldn't get Dad or I on the phone (on the tire rim). As Dad and I drove in, she was in the driveway crying and standing by her car and a police car drove in behind us. They went back to the house where she ran in to the rock and they told her that she would have to pay for the rocks to be returned and the light replaced. The policeman told her that she should never leave the scene of an accident. She was lucky because the homeowner didn't press charges and the policeman didn't give her a ticket but she is going to have to pay for the landscaping and the car to be fixed. Meanwhile, Dad is driving her to school after seminary and she has to get up and leave early with him. What a crazy day! She was on her way to a haircut that we have been trying to get her into since June... I went downtown on Wednesday to PBS for training with my Super School News Team and then to the State Department of Education to testify about Common Core Standards and their use in the classroom. It was very nerve wracking but interesting.  Tuesday night, I had DPAC down at Yale and Monacco so I am a little tired of driving around Denver!  We have had a quiet weekend - finally! It was nice to read and enjoy the rain until it started to get a little scary today. We just got off the phone with Jake who had fun with Homecoming week this week. He sounds a little stressed about Calc Class. His calling is taking quite a bit of time too.  Take Care Little Megan and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! I love you, Mom p.s. I finally got a hold of someone from Piano street and was able to cancel your account and they took 3 months worth of charges off your account... Sent from my iPad

Week of September 8, 2013

Dear Sister Israelsen,

 Well, what a week. Its sounds like you are having a bit of success!! I have been praying for you and more importantly for your investigators to follow the Spirit. It is hard, this whole "agency thing". Each person needs to feel the spirit and then decide if they can change. Did the Spirit strike them hard enough to make that change? Even after they make that change they still have to have that desire to follow it constantly. Many of them stumble and fall but, who knows, years down the road another missionary (full time or in the ward) will gather them up again. All of us are children of our Heavenly Father and every one is important. No matter how many times they may fall. I think that we are very blest to have both grown up in a family that is active and in many ways knows the lifestyle and accepts it into our hearts. We have a very strong heritage and we should thank our fore fathers over and over again for their faithfulness and testimony. You know, Agency is a double edge sword...People can choose to not follow Christ and they can choose to follow Christ. How much sweeter is it to know that when someone follows Christ on their own accord! They choose exaltation! What a wonderful thing. Okay, this week started out horrible! I have been very busy and so has your mother. All of the sudden the refrigerator broke!! I called the repair guy and he told me that it couldn't be fixed. IT WAS DEAD! So I had to take time out of work to find a replacement frig. Well, that old frig is old enough and expensive enough that I was not going to replace it with a similar frig. The replacement of that frig is about $7000! What! 7 grand! no way was I going to spend that much. So I went to Lowes and bought a new frig for a lot less (still a very nice frig). Then the guys came to deliver the new frig and the movers said they couldnt move our old frig because it was to big and it was built into the cabinet. Boy was I mad! so I called the delivery manager and the next day he had 3 guys over here to move out the old frig. Good thing he had 3 because that old frig was very, very heavy. All the time that I was trying to get this done, I was trying to get work done so I could go camping on Thursday. what a pain. So... I finally got all that done and went camping with Bro. Ellis, Bro. Mussack, and Eugene Mosher (he flew in from Kansas). We went to Rocky Mountain national park. The moment that we got there we hiked about 3.5 miles to Mills Lake. So that they could fish. I dont like fishing so I just read a book and hiked further around the lake. Then we hiked out another 3.5 miles and went to our campsite to cook dinner in the dark. The next day I got up and did it all over again! I loved it. It is so beautiful and peaceful. I think we should go next summer when you are back. What do you think? At night the Elk were bugling, it was music to my ears. Maybe I am just getting older but I like just sitting and listening to the peaceful outdoors. My BoM reading has been taken hostage! I  started reading with a goal of studying "Charity" but I find myself preparing for my lessons in seminary and I forget about it. I will do better this week. Currently I am reading in Alma. I want to read through the BoM by the end of the year, and I am reading in Nephi where I am currently teaching from Seminary. Where I am reading for seminary i am studying more in depth to try to help the youth understand the doctrine and principle of the gosple. I only get through about 3 or 4 chapter a week for this. I outline my whole lesson on sunday and then study every night about the next days lesson. I feel like I am reading the BoM  3 times all at once.  Craziness, but I am learning so much! I love teaching the BoM. I love you and I am praying for your continued success!! Do Your BEST! Dad
Hello!
Right now I am multitasking and listening to Jake on a conference call with Dad.  He went skeet shooting and is having fun at USU!  He doesn't have a stove in his apartment so I sent him an old microwave omelet maker and he made that today for lunch.  

I had Primary music today and am checking the shape of their songs for the program.  We also practiced playing the bells for I am a Child of God.  I'm not sure how to choose the kids who will play the bells.  

We were at the Dischner's last night for dinner with the Potters and Campbells and they asked about you.  Also, a friend that I went to college with has a son who just got his call to your mission.  We sent them your blog link.  Watch for Elder Nye in December.  

How are your companions?  You talk a little about them but don't tell us how you are getting along.  Are you mostly feeding yourselves?  It only sounds like you have a dinner appointment once or twice a week.  

Sister Lundgren said that her primary class wrote to you and they mailed their letters and she wonders if you received them.  I told her that it takes a long time for you to get mail from the mission home.  Did you get the packages from Land's End?  We can't believe you are going to turn 22.  How can that be?  

Your Dad went camping and hiking with Cory, Eugene Mosher and Rob.  They went fishing but Dad didn't go fishing since the last time he went fishing the only thing he caught was his ear.  He had a fun time!

Our fridge went out this week and you can't replace the in the cabinet fridges for less than $7000 so we decided to take it out and put in a stand alone fridge.  It has been quite the process and I hate having the expense and the trouble of it.  Your Dad tried so hard to make sure that it was taken care of before he left.  We mudjacked the basement and the garage and the floors are all even but now we have to have someone come and re-stretch and lay the carpet.  

School is crazy busy and I can't seem to keep up with all of it.  I have a team of kids who are going to do Super School News downtown at PBS and broadcast it on PBS.  We go down for that this week.  Christina and I watched 50+ videos from kids at our school and had to choose two girls for the anchors.  The girls blew the boys out of the water and we just couldn't bring ourselves to choose a boy over the girls.  Anyway, it will be interesting.  We are also celebrating Constitution Day on September 17!  We are having the scouts bring the flags again and we got a portrait of George Washington from Mount Vernon awarded to our school.  So, we are studying about George all day.  It should be fun.

Church was interesting today, Sis Clark gave a great talk about the importance of having children and why it is still a commandment.  The Richin's talked about their experience at the last 3 Treks and when they told about the year all the kids went home because of the heat, I thought of you.  Primary Music is a work out and I am trying to like it better but it is clearly not my strength.  I am good at the management side of it but just can't sing.  Wish you were here!  

I sent you pictures of our tomato canning adventure for Labor Day - they are very expensive but Rachel couldn't take life without macaroni and tomatoes anymore.   

Take Care!
We Love you!
Right now I am multitasking and listening to Jake on a conference call with Dad.  He went skeet shooting and is having fun at USU!  He doesn't have a stove in his apartment so I sent him an old microwave omelet maker and he made that today for lunch.  

I had Primary music today and am checking the shape of their songs for the program.  We also practiced playing the bells for I am a Child of God.  I'm not sure how to choose the kids who will play the bells.  

We were at the Dischner's last night for dinner with the Potters and Campbells and they asked about you.  Also, a friend that I went to college with has a son who just got his call to your mission.  We sent them your blog link.  Watch for Elder Nye in December.  

How are your companions?  You talk a little about them but don't tell us how you are getting along.  Are you mostly feeding yourselves?  It only sounds like you have a dinner appointment once or twice a week.  

Sister Lundgren said that her primary class wrote to you and they mailed their letters and she wonders if you received them.  I told her that it takes a long time for you to get mail from the mission home.  Did you get the packages from Land's End?  We can't believe you are going to turn 22.  How can that be?  

Your Dad went camping and hiking with Cory, Eugene Mosher and Rob.  They went fishing but Dad didn't go fishing since the last time he went fishing the only thing he caught was his ear.  He had a fun time!

Our fridge went out this week and you can't replace the in the cabinet fridges for less than $7000 so we decided to take it out and put in a stand alone fridge.  It has been quite the process and I hate having the expense and the trouble of it.  Your Dad tried so hard to make sure that it was taken care of before he left.  We mudjacked the basement and the garage and the floors are all even but now we have to have someone come and re-stretch and lay the carpet.  

School is crazy busy and I can't seem to keep up with all of it.  I have a team of kids who are going to do Super School News downtown at PBS and broadcast it on PBS.  We go down for that this week.  Christina and I watched 50+ videos from kids at our school and had to choose two girls for the anchors.  The girls blew the boys out of the water and we just couldn't bring ourselves to choose a boy over the girls.  Anyway, it will be interesting.  We are also celebrating Constitution Day on September 17!  We are having the scouts bring the flags again and we got a portrait of George Washington from Mount Vernon awarded to our school.  So, we are studying about George all day.  It should be fun.

Church was interesting today, Sis Clark gave a great talk about the importance of having children and why it is still a commandment.  The Richin's talked about their experience at the last 3 Treks and when they told about the year all the kids went home because of the heat, I thought of you.  Primary Music is a work out and I am trying to like it better but it is clearly not my strength.  I am good at the management side of it but just can't sing.  Wish you were here!  

I sent you pictures of our tomato canning adventure for Labor Day - they are very expensive but Rachel couldn't take life without macaroni and tomatoes anymore.   

Take Care!
We Love you!

I had Primary music today and am checking the shape of their songs for the program.  We also practiced playing the bells for I am a Child of God.  I'm not sure how to choose the kids who will play the bells.  
We were at the Dischner's last night for dinner with the Potters and Campbells and they asked about you.  Also, a friend that I went to college with has a son who just got his call to your mission.  We sent them your blog link.  Watch for Elder Nye in December.  

How are your companions?  You talk a little about them but don't tell us how you are getting along.  Are you mostly feeding yourselves?  It only sounds like you have a dinner appointment once or twice a week.  

Sister Lundgren said that her primary class wrote to you and they mailed their letters and she wonders if you received them.  I told her that it takes a long time for you to get mail from the mission home.  Did you get the packages from Land's End?  We can't believe you are going to turn 22.  How can that be?  

Your Dad went camping and hiking with Cory, Eugene Mosher and Rob.  They went fishing but Dad didn't go fishing since the last time he went fishing the only thing he caught was his ear.  He had a fun time!

Our fridge went out this week and you can't replace the in the cabinet fridges for less than $7000 so we decided to take it out and put in a stand alone fridge.  It has been quite the process and I hate having the expense and the trouble of it.  Your Dad tried so hard to make sure that it was taken care of before he left.  We mudjacked the basement and the garage and the floors are all even but now we have to have someone come and re-stretch and lay the carpet.  

School is crazy busy and I can't seem to keep up with all of it.  I have a team of kids who are going to do Super School News downtown at PBS and broadcast it on PBS.  We go down for that this week.  Christina and I watched 50+ videos from kids at our school and had to choose two girls for the anchors.  The girls blew the boys out of the water and we just couldn't bring ourselves to choose a boy over the girls.  Anyway, it will be interesting.  We are also celebrating Constitution Day on September 17!  We are having the scouts bring the flags again and we got a portrait of George Washington from Mount Vernon awarded to our school.  So, we are studying about George all day.  It should be fun.

Church was interesting today, Sis Clark gave a great talk about the importance of having children and why it is still a commandment.  The Richin's talked about their experience at the last 3 Treks and when they told about the year all the kids went home because of the heat, I thought of you.  Primary Music is a work out and I am trying to like it better but it is clearly not my strength.  I am good at the management side of it but just can't sing.  Wish you were here!  

I sent you pictures of our tomato canning adventure for Labor Day - they are very expensive but Rachel couldn't take life without macaroni and tomatoes anymore.   

Take Care!
We Love you!

We were at the Dischner's last night for dinner with the Potters and Campbells and they asked about you.  Also, a friend that I went to college with has a son who just got his call to your mission.  We sent them your blog link.  Watch for Elder Nye in December.  
How are your companions?  You talk a little about them but don't tell us how you are getting along.  Are you mostly feeding yourselves?  It only sounds like you have a dinner appointment once or twice a week.  

Sister Lundgren said that her primary class wrote to you and they mailed their letters and she wonders if you received them.  I told her that it takes a long time for you to get mail from the mission home.  Did you get the packages from Land's End?  We can't believe you are going to turn 22.  How can that be?  

Your Dad went camping and hiking with Cory, Eugene Mosher and Rob.  They went fishing but Dad didn't go fishing since the last time he went fishing the only thing he caught was his ear.  He had a fun time!

Our fridge went out this week and you can't replace the in the cabinet fridges for less than $7000 so we decided to take it out and put in a stand alone fridge.  It has been quite the process and I hate having the expense and the trouble of it.  Your Dad tried so hard to make sure that it was taken care of before he left.  We mudjacked the basement and the garage and the floors are all even but now we have to have someone come and re-stretch and lay the carpet.  

School is crazy busy and I can't seem to keep up with all of it.  I have a team of kids who are going to do Super School News downtown at PBS and broadcast it on PBS.  We go down for that this week.  Christina and I watched 50+ videos from kids at our school and had to choose two girls for the anchors.  The girls blew the boys out of the water and we just couldn't bring ourselves to choose a boy over the girls.  Anyway, it will be interesting.  We are also celebrating Constitution Day on September 17!  We are having the scouts bring the flags again and we got a portrait of George Washington from Mount Vernon awarded to our school.  So, we are studying about George all day.  It should be fun.

Church was interesting today, Sis Clark gave a great talk about the importance of having children and why it is still a commandment.  The Richin's talked about their experience at the last 3 Treks and when they told about the year all the kids went home because of the heat, I thought of you.  Primary Music is a work out and I am trying to like it better but it is clearly not my strength.  I am good at the management side of it but just can't sing.  Wish you were here!  

I sent you pictures of our tomato canning adventure for Labor Day - they are very expensive but Rachel couldn't take life without macaroni and tomatoes anymore.   

Take Care!
We Love you!

How are your companions?  You talk a little about them but don't tell us how you are getting along.  Are you mostly feeding yourselves?  It only sounds like you have a dinner appointment once or twice a week.  
Sister Lundgren said that her primary class wrote to you and they mailed their letters and she wonders if you received them.  I told her that it takes a long time for you to get mail from the mission home.  Did you get the packages from Land's End?  We can't believe you are going to turn 22.  How can that be?  

Your Dad went camping and hiking with Cory, Eugene Mosher and Rob.  They went fishing but Dad didn't go fishing since the last time he went fishing the only thing he caught was his ear.  He had a fun time!

Our fridge went out this week and you can't replace the in the cabinet fridges for less than $7000 so we decided to take it out and put in a stand alone fridge.  It has been quite the process and I hate having the expense and the trouble of it.  Your Dad tried so hard to make sure that it was taken care of before he left.  We mudjacked the basement and the garage and the floors are all even but now we have to have someone come and re-stretch and lay the carpet.  

School is crazy busy and I can't seem to keep up with all of it.  I have a team of kids who are going to do Super School News downtown at PBS and broadcast it on PBS.  We go down for that this week.  Christina and I watched 50+ videos from kids at our school and had to choose two girls for the anchors.  The girls blew the boys out of the water and we just couldn't bring ourselves to choose a boy over the girls.  Anyway, it will be interesting.  We are also celebrating Constitution Day on September 17!  We are having the scouts bring the flags again and we got a portrait of George Washington from Mount Vernon awarded to our school.  So, we are studying about George all day.  It should be fun.

Church was interesting today, Sis Clark gave a great talk about the importance of having children and why it is still a commandment.  The Richin's talked about their experience at the last 3 Treks and when they told about the year all the kids went home because of the heat, I thought of you.  Primary Music is a work out and I am trying to like it better but it is clearly not my strength.  I am good at the management side of it but just can't sing.  Wish you were here!  

I sent you pictures of our tomato canning adventure for Labor Day - they are very expensive but Rachel couldn't take life without macaroni and tomatoes anymore.   

Take Care!
We Love you!

Sister Lundgren said that her primary class wrote to you and they mailed their letters and she wonders if you received them.  I told her that it takes a long time for you to get mail from the mission home.  Did you get the packages from Land's End?  We can't believe you are going to turn 22.  How can that be?  
Your Dad went camping and hiking with Cory, Eugene Mosher and Rob.  They went fishing but Dad didn't go fishing since the last time he went fishing the only thing he caught was his ear.  He had a fun time!

Our fridge went out this week and you can't replace the in the cabinet fridges for less than $7000 so we decided to take it out and put in a stand alone fridge.  It has been quite the process and I hate having the expense and the trouble of it.  Your Dad tried so hard to make sure that it was taken care of before he left.  We mudjacked the basement and the garage and the floors are all even but now we have to have someone come and re-stretch and lay the carpet.  

School is crazy busy and I can't seem to keep up with all of it.  I have a team of kids who are going to do Super School News downtown at PBS and broadcast it on PBS.  We go down for that this week.  Christina and I watched 50+ videos from kids at our school and had to choose two girls for the anchors.  The girls blew the boys out of the water and we just couldn't bring ourselves to choose a boy over the girls.  Anyway, it will be interesting.  We are also celebrating Constitution Day on September 17!  We are having the scouts bring the flags again and we got a portrait of George Washington from Mount Vernon awarded to our school.  So, we are studying about George all day.  It should be fun.

Church was interesting today, Sis Clark gave a great talk about the importance of having children and why it is still a commandment.  The Richin's talked about their experience at the last 3 Treks and when they told about the year all the kids went home because of the heat, I thought of you.  Primary Music is a work out and I am trying to like it better but it is clearly not my strength.  I am good at the management side of it but just can't sing.  Wish you were here!  

I sent you pictures of our tomato canning adventure for Labor Day - they are very expensive but Rachel couldn't take life without macaroni and tomatoes anymore.   

Take Care!
We Love you!

Your Dad went camping and hiking with Cory, Eugene Mosher and Rob.  They went fishing but Dad didn't go fishing since the last time he went fishing the only thing he caught was his ear.  He had a fun time!
Our fridge went out this week and you can't replace the in the cabinet fridges for less than $7000 so we decided to take it out and put in a stand alone fridge.  It has been quite the process and I hate having the expense and the trouble of it.  Your Dad tried so hard to make sure that it was taken care of before he left.  We mudjacked the basement and the garage and the floors are all even but now we have to have someone come and re-stretch and lay the carpet.  

School is crazy busy and I can't seem to keep up with all of it.  I have a team of kids who are going to do Super School News downtown at PBS and broadcast it on PBS.  We go down for that this week.  Christina and I watched 50+ videos from kids at our school and had to choose two girls for the anchors.  The girls blew the boys out of the water and we just couldn't bring ourselves to choose a boy over the girls.  Anyway, it will be interesting.  We are also celebrating Constitution Day on September 17!  We are having the scouts bring the flags again and we got a portrait of George Washington from Mount Vernon awarded to our school.  So, we are studying about George all day.  It should be fun.

Church was interesting today, Sis Clark gave a great talk about the importance of having children and why it is still a commandment.  The Richin's talked about their experience at the last 3 Treks and when they told about the year all the kids went home because of the heat, I thought of you.  Primary Music is a work out and I am trying to like it better but it is clearly not my strength.  I am good at the management side of it but just can't sing.  Wish you were here!  

I sent you pictures of our tomato canning adventure for Labor Day - they are very expensive but Rachel couldn't take life without macaroni and tomatoes anymore.   

Take Care!
We Love you!

Our fridge went out this week and you can't replace the in the cabinet fridges for less than $7000 so we decided to take it out and put in a stand alone fridge.  It has been quite the process and I hate having the expense and the trouble of it.  Your Dad tried so hard to make sure that it was taken care of before he left.  We mudjacked the basement and the garage and the floors are all even but now we have to have someone come and re-stretch and lay the carpet.  
School is crazy busy and I can't seem to keep up with all of it.  I have a team of kids who are going to do Super School News downtown at PBS and broadcast it on PBS.  We go down for that this week.  Christina and I watched 50+ videos from kids at our school and had to choose two girls for the anchors.  The girls blew the boys out of the water and we just couldn't bring ourselves to choose a boy over the girls.  Anyway, it will be interesting.  We are also celebrating Constitution Day on September 17!  We are having the scouts bring the flags again and we got a portrait of George Washington from Mount Vernon awarded to our school.  So, we are studying about George all day.  It should be fun.

Church was interesting today, Sis Clark gave a great talk about the importance of having children and why it is still a commandment.  The Richin's talked about their experience at the last 3 Treks and when they told about the year all the kids went home because of the heat, I thought of you.  Primary Music is a work out and I am trying to like it better but it is clearly not my strength.  I am good at the management side of it but just can't sing.  Wish you were here!  

I sent you pictures of our tomato canning adventure for Labor Day - they are very expensive but Rachel couldn't take life without macaroni and tomatoes anymore.   

Take Care!
We Love you!

School is crazy busy and I can't seem to keep up with all of it.  I have a team of kids who are going to do Super School News downtown at PBS and broadcast it on PBS.  We go down for that this week.  Christina and I watched 50+ videos from kids at our school and had to choose two girls for the anchors.  The girls blew the boys out of the water and we just couldn't bring ourselves to choose a boy over the girls.  Anyway, it will be interesting.  We are also celebrating Constitution Day on September 17!  We are having the scouts bring the flags again and we got a portrait of George Washington from Mount Vernon awarded to our school.  So, we are studying about George all day.  It should be fun.
Church was interesting today, Sis Clark gave a great talk about the importance of having children and why it is still a commandment.  The Richin's talked about their experience at the last 3 Treks and when they told about the year all the kids went home because of the heat, I thought of you.  Primary Music is a work out and I am trying to like it better but it is clearly not my strength.  I am good at the management side of it but just can't sing.  Wish you were here!  

I sent you pictures of our tomato canning adventure for Labor Day - they are very expensive but Rachel couldn't take life without macaroni and tomatoes anymore.   

Take Care!
We Love you!

Church was interesting today, Sis Clark gave a great talk about the importance of having children and why it is still a commandment.  The Richin's talked about their experience at the last 3 Treks and when they told about the year all the kids went home because of the heat, I thought of you.  Primary Music is a work out and I am trying to like it better but it is clearly not my strength.  I am good at the management side of it but just can't sing.  Wish you were here!  
I sent you pictures of our tomato canning adventure for Labor Day - they are very expensive but Rachel couldn't take life without macaroni and tomatoes anymore.   

Take Care!
We Love you!

I sent you pictures of our tomato canning adventure for Labor Day - they are very expensive but Rachel couldn't take life without macaroni and tomatoes anymore.   
Take Care!
We Love you!

Take Care!
We Love you!


Mom

Canning Tomatoes, School Starts and Jake at USU

Hello Little Megan!

How are things in the land of the tulips?  What a week - first week back with 5 full days at school.  I am exhausted! The library is slammed all day trying to get everyone oriented to the resources and make sure that they know what to do.  It is fun but very tiring.  Dad was gone all week which makes things even more interesting for me.  Rachel was great help picking up Elizabeth at the bus stop and taking her to Mathnasium and then I would pick her up.  She goes to school so late and gets home so late that schedules are crazy to coordinate.  I went to Legacy for the Parent Info night and went from class to class on Rachel's schedule.  She has a hard schedule with challenging classes but she is up for the challenge!  They are making the move to standards referenced grading and it will be more difficult to get a high gpa I think.  The trade off is supposed to be a greater ability to pinpoint the weak spots and help the kids.  Thursday night, I met President Hatch and Hickman at the church with Sis. Hart and we went to the Cross of Christ Church to meet with Pastor Ann and drop off a housewarming gift for their new addition.  She took us on a tour and we took a picture of Christ.  I sent that email to you so you could see what we sent.  It was a nice time and we are making some strides into other churches and slowly making headway and relationships.  Dad and I went crazy with errands yesterday, we had to pick out tile for the basement bathroom and also tried to choose a cabinet.  We also went out to the farmer's market to pick up some tomatoes.  Rachel is craving macaroni.  The tomatoes were $64 per bushel but we just bit the bullet and got 2 bushel.  We are going to can tomatoes all day tomorrow.  I hope it goes fast.  It is Labor Day weekend over here, can you believe it?  There are only 5 Sunday's left before the Primary Program and some of our songs are not ready so I need to get busy with that. Today was fast Sunday and it is so hard for Elizabeth but even with the Ellis boys eating, she held her guns and didn't eat.   I am sending you a link to our family blog.  I am not as good at keeping it updated as I have been with your blog but I like you to click on these three blogs so that our international traffic shows up more.  




Thanks for doing that.  I am wondering how things are going with your companions and if you got the money attached to the letter we sent.  

We talked to Jake on the phone tonight.  He is having a blast and loves USU.  Of course, the fact that there are about 80 girls and 12 guys in his ward is helping him.  He talked about how the girls feed him and that they actually cook.  He sounds happy and I hope that his credit load doesn't kick him.  He has 18 credits and a lot of homework but if he stays on top of it, he should be ok.  He loves the guitar class and his Book of Mormon Class too.  

Take Care, can you let us know what to do about purchasing a ticket for you?  Do we just do that automatically or do we have to talk to someone?  We are going to start watching the flights in the hopes of getting a deal.
Love you!
Mom

p.s. The pictures were sent to me from Jake, I don't know what the meaning of the muscle shirt pic is.  This middle picture is kids going on a QR code scavenger hunt in the library for orientation.

August Letters to Megan about Jake to College and Starting School

Dear Sister Israelsen,
 
This week has been a week apart. Your mother went to Oregon last week and got home on Sunday night really late and then Monday morning I woke up and took off for my trip to Kansas City and Indianapolis. So, finally we were back together on Friday night. We were both so tired that we were just glad to be back together.
 
So, Moms birthday was on Monday and I had to leave for my trip. what a bummer of a birthday. I got tickets to the Buell to see "sister act" on Oct. 4th then I found out today that we may not be able to go on that day. We'll see. It is so weird to only have 2 kids at home right now. We just talked to Jake and he is having a great time at school, but he did admit that homework and assignments were getting really hard to keep up with. He also has a Chinese teacher for Calc II and he has a hard time understanding her/him (not sure which). He also said that he only had about 10 guys in his ward and the rest were girls. Either more guys are going on missions right now or its just that the girls are better at attending church. I think more girls attending is more likely the case. He also told us that his roommate called this morning from the hospital because he got alcahol poisoning last night!! Thats kind of scary, a lot of young college students die from stuff like that. I hope hes okay, Jake thinks he is.
 
I am so happy for you now that the work is picking up! I know that the Lord can work many mighty miracles. You just need to be there and do your best and he will provide the rest. Stay close to your investigators and involve the ward members, this will give them the best chance for conversion. 
 
By the way on am reading the BoM 2 times right now. I have been listening on my iphone and I am in Alma and then I am reading each day to prepare for my lessons for seminary. What a challenge. I like just listening because it is giving me a much better understanding of the whole book, but then I like the individual reading because I have to prepare to teach it and I am learning the doctrine so much deeper. I love my calling! It may be hard to get up early every day and prepare for my lessons every night but I love learning more about the gospel and its fun to teach the youth. Most of them are in a delicut place, trying to understand if they are really believe the gospel. Most of them know it is true but they have to gain a testimony for themselves. They have to want to acknowledge that they have felt the spirit and understand that it is true. It takes time and effort on their part to get there. I keep trying to tell them that, hoping that they will get there
 
By the way, I am so impressed with your hard work and knowledge of the gospel. I can tell that you have truly felt the spirit of the Lord and have accepted him in your life. I have known that for a long time, but recently I have felt that through your letters. They are faith builder for me. You have been a shinning example to our family and many people that follow your letters. 
 
Trent Brown got his mission call this week to Fresno, CA. He announced it in chruch today and he seems really pleased. At first I thought he might be a little disappointed but like most missionaries out there they understand that their call is truly from the Lord and he is sending them were they are needed and there is a purpose for them going to that place at that time. 
 
Rachel almost got in her first accident the other day. She was driving and someone cut her off and actually scratched the front bumper of the Honda. She stopped but the other guy did not. She was so shaken up that she did not get his license number. Plus she had Elizabeth in the car with her and I guess one or both of them were screaming and had to calm down before they could continue home. It happened on 120th and Pecos, not far from home. Just a quick lesson on defensive driving. It doesnt matter if you are wrong or right when you drive. Its just best to stay out of any accident by trying to anticipate what the other driver is doing. 
 
I Love you and I am praying for your continued success! I am also praying for your investigators, it takes a lot of courage to make "that mighty change" like it says in the scriptures but when they are touched by the spirit anything is possible. Even the most hardened people can change, when they accept the Lord.
 
Dad


Dear Sister Israelsen,
 
Well this has been an interesting week! Jake has been out late very night because he is getting ready to leave for school. His last day of work was on Thursday. The dischners gave him friday off so he could get ready for school. An on top of that they gave him a $250 bonus. They said that he was a great worker and if they had more like him that theywoudl be millionaires. I think they are just nice. So, Jake and mom and Rachel went to logan to move him in and then they visited with family in Logan. Then they went to Chris's (by the way they have sold their home and are moving, not sure where yet). Jake is moving in with some guy from Pennsilvainia, I'm guessing that he is not a member of the church because he moved his coffee maker in first thing. Looks like a good missionary opportunity.
 
We went to Water World with Elizabeth and friends on Monday for her birthday party. They had a lot of fun and a little sun burned. Rachel even went with, which I was glad for because she went on a couple of the rides with them so I didnt have to. I still went on the Zoomerang with Rachel. Elizabeth and one of her friends went on it too. Her other two friends were to scared to go.  WEll, she had a full day of fun. Then on Thursday she went to one of her friends for another birthday party. They went to the mall and got makeovers. She was in heaven. Then on Saturday she went to another birthday party where they played games, it was a sleep over but we had her come home at 11pm. Not fans of the sleep overs as you know. 
 
Rachel got her Drivers license this week which I am very glad for so when I am gone next time she can drive Elizabeth when needed. She is very pleased with herself because she passed on her first try, which she told Jake about over and over again. Get ready when you get home she will probably do the same to you. I think that she likes to be the first to do something in our family. You know its hard to come behind you and Jake. Its her claim to fame. 
 
Oh, I almost forgot to tell you about the biggest thing this week. Jake went to get his Patriatical blessing and we all went. The spirit was so strong. I even mentioned how strong the spirit was and Jake agreed and then he said that it was the strongest that he has ever felt the Holy Ghost. What a spiritual experience. What a great family home evening (just not at home). You should ask him about it, because it was very special. 
 
Your Mom is headed to Oregon this week to do a training for some teachers there. We are going to miss her, and then I have to travel the next week. 
 
Oh, by the way Bobbi got her mission call this week to Washington, Vancouver mission. I know she is pretty excited. Not only that Bobbi and Nicki are excited to get Jake to school so they can line him up with a bunch of friends of theirs. I think they will keep him busy. 
 
Today President Toombs asked about you, I told him that you were in Belgium and he asked if you were successful. I told him that it has been hard and he said he know how you felt. In your last letter you were excited that one of your investigators came to church, I was so happy to hear it because that is success!Keep up the good work.
 
I love you and I miss you.
 
Dad

Hello Zuster!

How are you?  I am writing this email from Kris's computer in Fruit Heights today and we can't get it to read my phone so I am going to send you some pictures one at a time.  I started school this last week with teacher meetings and getting the library ready.  It is always exciting to go back to school.  This year, I am turning my orientations on their head and have placed QR codes all over the library.  The kids will take iPads and follow the clues, do the assignments and prove to me that they know how to navigate the library.  I am doing that for older kids and still doing the regular orientation for the younger kids.  We are proposing a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy to staff this next week so that the kids can bring their own iPads or Chromebooks to school.  We have been working on a presentation and the ability to vote as a staff with a google survey.  It will be interesting but I think it is the way to go.  I was exhausted before we ever left but Jake, Rachel and I drove to Logan yesterday.  We left early and drove and sang our way through Wyoming.  It was a fun car ride and Jake and I took turns driving.  Rachel is behind on her AP homework so she was supposedly finishing that in the back seat but whenever we asked, she was watching something like Chicken Run or an equally intelluctually stimulating movie.  We got to USU and found Jake's apartment.  His room mate and parents were there moving in too.  We moved in all of his stuff and then made a list of everything that he still needed.  Then we went to Desert Book and Wal-Mart to get him rounded out.  He needed a new set of scriptures and a case before he starts his prep classes.  He was hard on his scriptures and many pages are missing.  He also got a highlighter like the one you had because you liked it so much.  We forgot odd things like silverware, toilet paper and hangers.  Also there are two drawers that will lock and his room and his apartment all have hotel like locks on the doors.  I hope he doesn't lock himself out of his room while in the bathroom.  We went to see Grandma and Grandpa but they weren't home - go figure!  We left them a note and stopped by Kelly's.  Sheldon opened the door and didn't know who we were until he saw Jake, then his face lit up...  Grrr.  :)  Anyway, we had to give him a hard time about that.  Brandon was there too and his leg is doing much better. Taylor wasn't there but we saw her beautiful wedding dress.  We couldn't stay long because we had to pick up the scriptures and still eat and take the Wal-Mart load into his room.  We finally left Logan about 10:30 and didn't get to the Beelek's until about 11:30.  We went to church with them today in their new ward in Draper.  We are sending pictures.  The one in front of the Draper Temple was taken just outside of their church.  The church and the temple share the same parking lot.  They are buying a lot near the temple and it is a beautiful area.  The kids seem very excited about their new adventures and new schools.  All will be going to a new school except for Michael who will be riding the train to Ogden to continue going to his nerd school as he calls it.  Tomorrow is their first day of school so we are all getting up very early to leave by 6:30am.  They have to drive to Draper everyday and it is an hour each way.  They are moving out on Thursday so next week should be much better for them.  

I am flying to Oregon this week on Wednesday after teaching the first two days of school.  Hopefully everything will work out and our conference will be worth it for the teachers.  I am a little worried about it but oh well, it is what it is at this point.  Church was really good today, Sacrament meeting was about prayer and then RS was about unity.  I can tell that the Beelek's will love this ward and are very excited to move there.  

Have a good week!  
Love you!
Mom

P.S. When you are reading this I will probably be driving through Wyoming again so think of us!  By the way, did you get the money that I taped to the back of your letter?  
P.P.S. I am in denial about leaving Jake tomorrow - sad day for me!  He is ready to go though.

Dear Megan,
 
Okay now I can respond to you. I had to go back a re-read your letter. Mom even added a picture of Fufu that she found on the internet. Do you have any idea how amazing your mother is? She seems to have so much energy, I just cannot seems to keep up with her. 
 
This month I have really been working hard to get ready for seminary. Getting up at 5am will be hard to begin with, since I have been staying up late and getting up late all summer. One of the things that I have been drawn to is a devotional that featured the head of the seminary program. He said that it is okay to have doubts. Doubts about the church, doubts about your life, doubts about your situation, etc..... But what you do with those doubts is what counts. If you soften your heart to listen to the Lord, and try to find the answers in the scriptures, and live the commandments, then the Lord will answer your prayers and turn your doubts into Faith. Building faith over time from one trial to the next, until you come to the perfect knowledge of the truth. It doesnt all happen at once but after much patience, then you will receive "line upon line, and precept upon precept". 
 
In your letter it sounded like you followed the path to gain greater faith, not more doubt. You are an amazing daughter!, and you are a wonderful example to me. In fact, I went back to my missionary journal to see how I was feeling at times, especally when we couldnt get anyone to listen. it seems like after the trial of my faith, then the Lord would bless me when I least expected it. Keep up the good work and He will bless you, when you least expect it. In fact, it sounds like he is blessing you already. Take every small/large blessing and write it down. You will see that he is extending His tender mercies everywhere. And not just for you, but people around you.
 
Okay, now I want to be less dramatic. I had to travel for a couple days this week, but it felt like a month. I have been back to Hormel so many times. This big account started with a couple problems and then started to be increadably great. Then all of the sudden it started to go bad again. We are having problem after problem with the loggers going bad, the system works great and then we will get a logger that leaks! Arg, the one problem that we thought we would never have. anyway work is....well, work.
 
The ward had a 40 day fast that ended today. The ward mission leader (bro. brink) got everyone to sign up for a dinner over 40 days and then had the families fast the day the sister came to their house. Then they broke their fast with dinner and a spiritual thought from the sister encouraging us to "open our mouths" and invite our friends. We have been thinking about your last letter and wondering who we could invite. We are waiting for the right moment but I think we will invite our neighbors across the street. They have a girl one year younger than Elizabeth and then we will invite the sister also. We are trying to be better missionaries!
 
We are also trying to do better at reading the scriptures at night. Jake and Rachel have been reading the BoM on their own so we decided to read the D&C. Still trying to get better at every night. Not the most successful but plugging along anyway.
 
Jake is getting is Patriarticle blessing tomorrow night. Those of us that can fast, will but I am really looking forward to listening. He leaves next week for School and like you we are really going to miss him. I cant believe that it is hear already. 
 
Well, that seems to be all the news that I can think of, I know your mother sent her letter again from last week that wouldnt send and she sent some China pictures.
 
I know the Lord has been blessing you with tender mercies. Sometimes things are hard but keep your chin up, remember what the Lord has done for you and then you will be able to continue with a smile. 
 
I love you so much, and miss you. Lose yourself in the work and the Lord will bless you. 
 
Dad.