Two Latter day Saint views of the Book of Mormon Musical

1.view.  A Latter-day Saint view of Book of Mormon musical  Head of Public Affairs, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Michale Otterson Writes for the Washington Post.
2.view. I used to think that Broadway was so cool.  Yes I once lived in New York and worked there as well, attending a few shows as well during my college years. Well its now not so cool when you think that it has a play that makes fun of the very thing my son has given up two years of his life to serve the Lord in doing good things. Yes he is Elder Jones a Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and he shares the Book Of Mormon with others in AFRICA.

While serving he has done many Good Things like distributing school supplies at an orphanage, serving a native when his home was destroyed by a hail storm, or carrying buckets of water so that orphans can wash dishes, hands, and clothing. My son did those things this year while serving an LDS mission IN Africa (2009 to2011). This leads me to state that after seeing many reviews but not the play itself, along with noting that I have never liked South Parks shows written by the same authors as this musical I am not ever if given the chance going to waste my time nor money on such a show like this.
I would far rather put money towards a box filled with supplies to help a child read or food that will grow a strong body knowing it will be sent to Africa by the Mormons!

Read this mans review to see another view point by clicking  above on the red link.

I echo the statements he makes and I maintain this same Faithful statement:

We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul-- We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things. Article of Faith:13

Broadway is not always what its cracked up to be truth find here.

African Saints find hope in the gospel (and perform Book of Mormon productions of their own)

A truely uplifting story that holds real truth about what the

BOOK OF MORMON gives to the African people.
Click that link back there to read real info and here good things about the gospel.

Lookin for Light

1.Was the worms good that you ate the kids want to know?
1. The worms were actually pretty good! YUMMY!

2. Can you read all the letters we have sent you on your email?
2. yup I can read all the letters from the beginning of my mission

3. Extra birthday money now in your account coo?
3. I hope I will be good for cash, there are a few things that I wanted to get before I come home so it's all good

5.So is Germiston far from the mission home I can't google it cause of the computers issues

5.It's very close. only about 30-45 minutes drive.

6. Yeah I would probably hang out with any of my companions on mission.

7.Is your trainer companion (sorry name is gone from me at the moment) and Elder Formen someone that you would want to have invited to come to a big home come party on the Sunday you talk? Oh and the Mission Pres. since he will be here before you.

7.Same and I would really think it is cool if President Poulsen could come to my home coming and probably some good friends that I know but I wouldn't make a huge fuss about it.

9.How did the teaching of people go this week or did you mostly have to focus on doing Zone Leader activity?
9. The teaching has gone great this week, I'll fill you in on that in the meat of the email

10.So really how are you doing is what Dad and I really want to know.

10. I'm doing good, I had the chance to talk with President Poulsen on Monday and that really helped me to come to terms with the whole going home early and what not, he also gave me some career advice and education advice so I hope I can apply it.

11. Jo asked if you have been attacked by locus ever while on your mission.

11.Nope I can't say I've ever been attacked by locust, should I be?

12.What is the first thing you want to do when you come home Jo wants to know.

12  The first thing I want to do when I come home is have a big weekly planning session where I can make sure that I have good things to do when I get home.

13. Do you love the county fair as much as Jo does we are arguing about this so please solve that wonderment.

13. I'm not sure how to measure who loves the county fair more because you can't really measure love. You can only measure what you do to show that love. I do love going to the county fair and watching all of the stuff that happens their, but I didn't ever do much in it

14.Jo has lots of Questions. When you are done with the mission what do you want to do with your life? Who do you want to marry? What kind of girl do you want to marry? Do you feel mature enough to get married? Rule Number 1 you better make sure she is my best friend PLEASE PLEASE she has to think I am cool and not be a snotty brat and I am going to visit you so she better like me that way lots ok. JO JONES said all that!!!!!!

14. All questions pertaining to this question can not be answered at this time! Please hold for further information. Thank you!

Dear Family
Well this week has been a pretty good week I would say, but I usually say that about most weeks. Let me get out my planner and try to remember everything... o yes here we go. Well on Monday we had the regular old p-day activities, along with a trip to the office to talk with President Poulsen and hand in some forms, we also gave a birthday card to Elder Watts, one of the best senior missionaries ever, by 6:00 we went to our first appointment, I can't say it went that well, the family was very skeptical and wouldn't accept a booklet or a return appointment, they felt that we would do better to teach others about Jesus Christ because they were already born again and saved. We left and that was about it.

Tuesday Started with President Poulsen calling us to talk about our zone and get a report on how things are going and after that we went to Bedfordview to visit Bro Rodrick Jones who is still healing from breaking his hip. He will hopefully be ready for baptism by the end of July. Most of our appointments cancelled that day but we had a lot of good to do because we planned well. We ended up doing alot of contacting on a street corner with a box's of pamphlets and Book of Mormons Reading Free Books. We handed out alot of pamphlets, a couple of Book of Mormons and made some great appointments. Our day finished off by teaching a man named Joseph who lives across the street from the second councilor, he isn't progressing very well and either are his colleges that live with him. We are considering spending time else where because they just don't keep commitments

Wed was similar to Tuesday the same with Thursday, but Friday was great. We got to go to the temple, and then we did exchanges straight after. I went to Alexandra with Elder Wagner. I really enjoyed the Day, Elder Wagner and I had a heart to heart about making decisions, and how sometimes its better to just go and do, rather than sit and stew. He told me that sometimes it's hard to do that because we are afraid of making the wrong decisions. I hope the day helped him out. I feel like I learned a lot.

Saturday was really full. We had appointments starting from 10:00 until 8:00 every hour, unfortunately only 3 of those appointments kept. The first was with a recent convert the second was with the bishop and the third was missionary correlation with our ward mission leader. I hope the day was a success on the side of gaining a relationship with the bishop. We actually made him and his wife dinner, because his wife is sick with a baby on the way. Elder Palmer is a former chef so he cooked up a nice meal for them. Afterwards bishop introduced us to his neighbors which was awesome!

Sunday was a normal day, we finished it up with a meeting with the  Stake Presidency concerning the different area's and their relationships with the wards and branches. It was really effective and I think we'll see good relationships coming from it.

Overall it's been a great week and I dont' have much to complain about.
Love Elder Jones

P.s. Something that would really help is if you ask about how we are doing at achieving our goals as a zone.

Looking for light this week in all we do.

I have had a great week this week with lots of wonderful enlightening things come into my hands. When a person is keeping their eyes open to see truth and gain knowledge its amazing how it can just pile up in your lap. Some days writing a letter feels so hard because I want to share with you all the cool little bits of truth and light that I have gained and I just can't stuff it all in a letter. Please read Moroni 10:30 and contemplate all the gifts that the Lord has for us to partake of in the world. I am going to print a small article and send to you hoping it gets to you about gifts and all the things that we can learn if we but keep our eyes on the Lord at all times. Which of course is what your whole two years have been about learning to do so that you can bring his children to the light. Now as you are approaching the space where that mantle changes shape and is not as focused because there are so many other things that will came into your day this article helps to remind me and will you how to keep that focus daily. Its really a book that was written by a person who was on a mission and had many delays to their mission getting started so in that time frame of delay she took the time to write and she felt impressed to give words to paper about her thoughts and if I can I will find the book so I can read the whole thing cause I really liked the info in it. Its called Light in the Wilderness: Exploration in the Spiritual Life out of a magazine called LDSMAG.com
So when you get a letter in the mail that's what this is about but in the mean time look up gifts in the topical guide and focus on that a bit if I am allowed to guide your scripture study a bit. This week has been lots of arranging of the kids and the boys trying to finish the field that Dad went into debt to buy seed for. I sure hope it turns a huge profit cause ugha everything is so expensive right now. C and Mc marked, planted and did the whole field at Whites. Its a huge thing he had to buy seed three times to finish it. I really wish I could get the computer to be nice to send you pic but it has big issues and is baulking at times to even send a letter. I think there are too many videos and I do not know how to edit and get them burned to cd to unload them off this hard drive. Well here is a ton of newsy news. Treton is buying a house  with his new paying job he makes more then Dad does on start up. So when you want to if you need to live in the Lehi area he needs roommates till he finds a girl to marry. Heather keeps thinking your going to school up that way and told he to tell you that. Sister Mary Macintosh who you used to get fast offerings from passed away but they never even said that she had gone so twice now Mc has been sent to gather and he could get no one to respond to his calling at the door the way C taught him to do. Whites basement and all the houses along that way not Mike and Robins has water in the basement. The river jumped bank because our trees that the river pushed out have blocked the path and it went off into those old gravel pits out there and took out the road. Mechams have to travel along the top of the hill road to get out now. Its going to be alots of constructions to repair all the mess.

Today at Church Dad had an adventure and I can say the Lord works in mysterious ways. Jer was throwing a fit about needing food and he had taken him out when a lady who is new in our ward and has a guide dog walked out and he watched her go down the stairs. When she reached her car she slumped over and he put Jer down and went out to see if she was ok. He caught her just as she went to the ground and had a seizure. He could barley get his phone out of his pocket and then called me which I was like what the heck he can't handle the little guy. But that is of course not what he said when I quietly tried to answer the phone in the middle of sacrament meeting. He practically yelled go get that ladies Mom that has the guide dog. Which I guess I looked scared because after walking to the middle of the chapel and sliding into the seats to get the Mom who is really old and carry all her bags of stuff out several people like EMTs (Tom, James) followed me out the door. Including Brother Zufelt he was already calling 911. Dad was crouched on the ground holding her trying to get her to breath and talking to her calmly. Jer was gone so I had to go find him and then he was all thrilled cause the ambulance arrived. I do hope she is ok. I ride the bus with her son and I wish my kids could be a little more caring and not so labeling cause the teen has some issues but most of all he just wants to be accepted.The poor dog was beside himself watching and whining and pushing her to move. Dad said that was one of the reasons he knew something was wrong including that she was slumping over. So today I guess we can be grateful for a temper tantrum cause the Lord works in mysterious ways and she would have landed really hard on that cement had Dad not been there.

This week is going to be strange cause Mc has week long scout camp and C is going to go to wrestle camp this year. He most likely will be picked to be the leader of the group. I sure hope you can weld some Christ like spirit upon him with your new found learning of the gospel. No really he is a very good kid he just gets way hyper at times and then Dad and I could wring his neck. If he is kept super busy and tired then he is less wild but some days I wish they would call him to work at the ice house soon. All the last year kids get to work the hours first though so he has to be patient. C helped a young man who joined the church this last two years by just being his friend for a bit. They dug out the field at the head so that the water can go down it and then went and headed up to the Fathers and Sons, Brother Zufelt took them up and they slept on a cliff edge crazy kids but he still didn't come to church sadly today. If we had a bigger car I would pick him up. Maybe you can help C know how to keep him more activated since the young man is supposedly going to wrestle again and that can be one way C could be a good influence to him. Well I can't really think of any other news and since pictures are being stupid I guess I will close. But please tell us your thoughts and feelings and the week that you have had. 

Love you lots and lots. Everyone says hey don't get trunky and dig really deep over the next few weeks cause you are making a huge difference in the Kingdom of the LORD!!!!!!!

Looking Ahead

Dear Family
Well some Highlights of the week was when I Ate Mupani Worms. Which I was going to send pics but the computer is on strike.
Unfortunately I'm really finding it hard to think right now so next week will be very full of info.
Love all of you lots
Elder T. Jones

Dear Son

 1. Did you decide if you wanted to have me tell Will when you were coming? He is going to school all summer. So are you basing off of price or shared?

     1.Sure you can tell Will. I would like to stay in the dorms because it's cheaper. I don't care about having my own room. I would actually prefer a roomate. The best dorm is called Castalija Hall (not sure on spelling) If the meal Plan is Required then maybe it would be better to stay in a complex. I'm not really sure right now. I may have to just trust you, but do somthing that will be easy on my pocket

2. The Dorms are 600$ a semester plus you have to buy a meal plan. Which Dad really is not in the liking to much because then you have to eat when they are in and it costs 950$. He says he lived on noddles and mac and cheese of course thats why he hardly eats it these days.

    2. I don't know if it is possible to get on to campus for the august semester but if possible I think it would make life easier. But again I trust your judgement and I will be patient.

3. Because of thinking that you were not going to be here until a month into the online classes. I picked ones that were easy, should I maybe change a few to the needed english or science since you will be here right on time? Also the ones I did pick are all usable especially if you do go into counseling but you could spread them over time a bit more now with how the time frame is working out.

    3. Sign me up and get me on the road to graduate. If i can get on campus i could take campus classes as well.

4. There are some scholarships that you can try for again like the one where you went and did that interview the first time.  I will just fill out forms for you on all levels if you say yes and then which ever ones will work with your late return we can go for them. Leadership YES NO Benifactor YES NO?

 4. Yes Benifactor Probably Yes on anything i can qualify for, but don't get me into debt.

5. So what is that stuff mogula or how ever you spelled it that you never want to eat again?5. Magoudu Is Cow intestines

6. There is a missionary Mom who her son is now in Tazaneen and if you want to know about anyone who had finally made it into baptism she can ask him and I can pass it on. His name is Elder Welch. You should tell your companions to tell thier Moms to join http://www.ldsmissionarymoms.com/ its really fun for us Moms to be connected and ask questions of each other when we need to.

    6. I know Elder Welch, I see him every once and a while it's ok.

Ok on to news.

This week has actually felt like a million weeks in one and then all the things that we have done. Mon started with pulling out 7 of the old trees from behind our house that were stuck in the big spillway making the river back up horrendously. The next day we lost 5 more its really sad to look at and the river has been declaired a state desaster. Ron B has moved back to central and he came and took Mc with him up on a big 4wheel ride to see if they could get near the cabin but nope still way to much snow up there. Then on Sat we dehorned our cows there were four and one was Jo's show steer that was huge. C was the one who held on to the head while Dad sawed away. He was covered with blood and loved every second of it Jo videoed the the whole things. First time for all the kids to watch that go on. They had a bishop bike hike breakfast and Jer got a bike for his birthday and was in seventh heaven as he rode and crashed his first time too. C made him crash he said but it was really the case of he let go at Jer's insiting and it had a bit of a hill so ya crash but he recovered. Kailey made it to rodeo Queen and she was way thrilled. Jo is going to try for the Riding club one because she wont have to model anything so that way no fussy dresses to have to be found. Well the road over to Monroe Joe Town hill is firmly closed so its the biggest pain to have to go all the way around. The river is over the top but they really could dike it higher and then it wouldnt run over. D M  blessed his little baby Boy today. And Sam Owens will be here on July 20th. But they are keeping Devon there till after Christmas so that will be three Christmas that he will be gone while on his mission. Still not much info from him they all said they just get one liners like great week well gota go. He is in Main right on the coast and its rainy and cool.

Please keep working hard and praying strongly and giving many of those other missionaries a super great example. I sure hope you were able to get another baptism in this weekend. I think you said that you had one but the computer is so slow that I can't go back and look at your letter from last week. Also I hope you get to do the Zone Leader stuff that you said you hoped to implement after learning it last week. See I knew one day you would learn to be the best leader ever now think about how you can use that skill at school or in church callings as a Young mens leader later on in your life. Well I have to get sending this off. Dad says to not go ding door ditching it would not look good right now (just kidding you he says).!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love all of us the family and we think your the very best missionary there ever was

Mormon Missionary we love you.

Well this week has been pretty exciting I could say. Starting with Tuesday we had Zone leader Council which really helped a lot on how we can better improve our zone performance. Zone leader council took most of the day to attend, but we did have some time to visit an investigator and a member family that invited us for dinner. I'm really excited to apply the stuff to our zone.

Wed we had another interesting day. We had some appointments up to about 4:00, and then all of our appointments after that had to be cancelled because the Assistants asked us to go and pick up a missionary from the airport, because they were going to be in the north east. Well we did as we were asked and we went to the airport and waited a long time until the missionary finally came out of the terminal. We picked him up because he arrived 2 weeks before his MTC date, so until he enters the MTC he is going to be working in our zone with Elder Heward. He has quite an interesting story. He is originally from South Africa, but he has been spending the last year in Utah. He went to Utah looking for his long lost father, Found his father, Found that he was a member of the church, and ended up joining the church as well, and decided to serve a mission. He got his call to serve in the Johannesburg mission, because there actually wasn't any other option due to visa problems. In all of this he accidentally overstayed his visa and got thrown in jail for 4 days so now he is in South Africa early. Story of a life time!

    Thursday was interesting. we had planning as always. And then we had exchanges so that our Investigators could be interviewed for baptism. I went out of the area because I don't quite know it yet, and I went to an area where the missionary has been there as long as me, and that was our only option because the district leader had to go do the interviews.... Lets just say we were a bit lost and we didn't make it to our appointments. The car also started to overheat so we had to take it to a petrol station and get it cooled down. In all of that we did manage to contact some great new people, one of which was a father led family and we set 2 appointments so you can't say the day wasn't a success.

Friday was also interesting. Due to the recent events of Elder Van Heereden's life we had to pick him up and take him to the U.S. consulate building so he could turn in some forms that would allow him back into the United States after his mission. He plans to go back because he has a scholarship to BYU. That didn't really take a lot of time so we were back in time for district meeting. Which was great! The rest of the day went ok. We did a lot of finding and also an interview for some Elders in the zone. It's been hard to be in our own area this week but it's paid off. the Zone just achieved 30 baptisms with a goal of 31 so we were really close to making it for may. I'm sure we'll make it for June with a goal of 30.

Saturday was a normal day apart from when the first thing we had to do was change a tire on our car that had gotten a screw in it. After changing and fixing the tire, we were rolling awesome.

Sunday was great, we found out that we cant use our shower because all of the plumbing is plugged up and whenever you flush the toilet the base of the shower fills with sewage water, so we went over to the other Elders flat to shower and prepare. We made it to church on time and filled the font! As church started we had another interesting experience with one of our investigators named Ral, coming to church completely out of his mind I'm not sure what he was doing, but he was definitely under the influence of something very hardcore, because after a while he could hardly stand straight or stay awake. He kept falling on my shoulder and then waking back up. Finally we had to go out with him and try to figure out how to get him home. It really makes me feel sick inside to see so much self induced pain. He is definitely struggling so keep him in your prayers.

     On a lighter note we had 3 baptisms and the baptism went wonderfully. It was the baptisms of Renaius, Sarah and Tafadzwa. It was a good end to a week. Other than that we are now staying in a different flat until the plumbing is fixed up.

1. Baptisms did they go through?

1. Answered

2. Where is your companion from again?

2.He is from England

3. What is the town area like there?

3.It's a lot like Monroe but bigger

4. Did you need money put in account it should be working for you now.

4.well i don't know if i need money but i could probably use it.

5. Is there anyone that has inspired you while your serving there whether its a member or one who joins.

5.I would say Elder Van Heereden

6. What is one food that you would like to never see again since being on your mission.

6.um..... i don't know. Probably Mgoudu (this is cow intestines)

7. DO you HAVE you temple recommend up to date
7.yes
8.How is the changes with the mission president affecting you?

8.hasn't happened yet

9. So now are you being able to run with the change of place and companions?

9.I'm getting it now

Well that's all i have time for
Love Elder Jones

To my dear Missionary son

I am trying to make sure you get at least one note this week as I am at Beths typing it. The computers at home are having issues so that's why I am thinking ahead as we have to take Dads in to get fixed and we might not have it back in time to write a note Sunday.

I need to know out of those two classes which one you would want of the jump in class, Marriage and Courtship or the Public Speaking if taking the time to drive up there is something you want to do. I have to get the registration on it done next week. It can be dropped up till Aug 22 if you want to change you mind but as of right now one has to be picked and on your schedule before the class filles up. Its not really one I want to pick but I did say that the Marriage one would be the best as a class working towards graduation just pick based on the names and then we will reevaluated as the time gets near.

The kids are done with school today and so summer has started. I hope I can keep them busy. I have decided that I wont work because first I have no car to drive. And I kind of need to be here to referee the kids being at home. Jo and C both are going to be working at the ice house so that xxes me out of a car to drive. I also need to be on top of Jer and keeping him eating. I found out that I still may have the job come starting school because the boy who I sat with will be back on the bus come Aug. So it looks pretty good for my chances.

Well enough about me. We want to hear what your adventures are right now. Now that your in a new spot.

We think we have asked you every question that is possible to ask we too are having a hard time thinking up things to ask. Maybe I need to ask Mark and Chad what they would like to know about you now that you have been there so long.

Well Maybe there will be more letters later this week but as of right now that's it for my computer time as I have got to head for home to keep the roof on since they are all there and most likely doing the swim in the mud or play in the water while they change it since they think summer is here. The crazy thing is there is still all the snow in the mountains to melt and its cool all the time unless we have a really fast snap of warm up.

Love you lots keep up the good work for the Lord. Have the best week ever

Transfered to Germiston South Africa

Dear Family
Well I'm now in a place called Germiston and I'm serving with none other than the Famous Elder Palmer, the same Elder Palmer that was in my district in Tzaneen for 7 months. So far I'm still trying to get my barrings in the new area and zone, but I'm enjoying it. I'm not struggling to adjust to my companion because I already know him really well. We are hoping to have 4 baptisms this coming Sunday. I've already been on exchanges with one of our District leaders and he's a great focused missionary. His companion's  name is also Elder Jones so it was funny because everyone in their area thought I was joking when I introduced myself. Our zone is really doing great on their goal achievement, The goal for this month is 31 and we are at 22, which will probably be completed by this coming Sunday. It's nice to see that we can achieve our goals of bringing souls to Christ. Sadly I am struggling to think of things to write so I'm going to have to think a minute..... Well I've really got nothing, I'm just going to have to wait until I've had a full week here in Germiston and then I'll have lots to say, Lots of questions from you guys really helps as well.

Love Elder Jones
Which one of my cousins is coming home early???

The family news.
So the rest of the news and to answer your question.

The missionary who came home early was one of your older cousins that came home like 3 weeks early to start school and I am not sure who Aunt Carol was saying it was when she was telling us about Trents new job. It could have been one of hers or someone in their ward I am not sure, it was just someone that came up in our conversation because of the school timing and such. Sam (from Cape Verda) comes home in July and is going to be going to school here in Richfield and working is what I have been told so far. Devon well he only writes like one liners so I don't know much except that he is in Main right now and loves being a missionary and is not done until Dec some time. That's all of the cousins that are out right now.  Today was high councilor Sunday. Brother Brady (who also served in Johannesburg South Africa and taught Tyrell is highschool) 

spoke and he talked about education. You should read D&C 88 75 to 79 in 79 it talks about all the areas that we should study so that we can be prepared in all ways. I did not catch the scripture spot but then he said the one that says "the only thing that we can take with us at the end of our lives is that knowledge that we have gained, and based on what we spent our time learning will dictate the levels of the places and glories that we can attain to. He went on tell tell us that it is so very very important to encourage our children to learn and that he is watching a slipping of kids that just want to get by and it is and will affect the world that we live in. It will also affect the quality of life that your family has in the end he stated. He said that often youth will say they want to be a doctor and then it will list out the 4 years of college plus the 4 years of med school and then if you specialize there could be even as much as 5 more years by that time most say never mind I will be to old. But when you reach that age where you would have been when finally done with school are you going to be in a better place if you never started or choose to do something less hard and are you actually fulfilled in what your doing because your still going to reach that age sooner or later. And if learning is so important then why shrink away from it if that is what keeps you healthy (look at note late in this letter on healthy part) and gains you a higher place in the here afters. Not that he thinks the only way is college but that doing and always always learning is so so so important. Of course I think that is the most important thing you can do, continue to always stretch your mind at all times. Interestingly enough did you know that is one of the things that keeps a person from disintegrating into all timers keeps the brain healthy is to try to learn an new puzzle or game and they rehabilitate the elderly that way once they get them on medicine to help combat the issues that can start. one dang important reason to learn right. His was a really good talk that's for sure.

Well school is fast coming to an end and the kids I hope I can keep them busy. The weather is so dang weird. It has literally rained for a whole week straight Sat was so sunny and then today back to black dark thundering storms. Its so wet we cant plant and the river is scary. The bottoms at our house are a total river now. All roads closed to Annabella except one and its even getting risky. Because they rebuilt our bridge in down by Mills our road is ok but all the new fencing and rip rap that we put in in 2005 and stuff is going to be soon ripped out as the debris keeps hitting it. I watched a huge tree going down the river the other day and hope that its not off our banks in the bottoms. The snow is not even melted at all as a matter o fact it snowed more in the tops and the ski resorts will be open until July they said. Pictures don't even do the mess justice.

I will send some soon as I have finally gotten them all cleaned off Dads computer so now I just have to off load the camera.

We are also all holding our breath as there is a really bad virus that kills horses that got brought from Canada to a show in Ogden and if they find one horse in our state with it then they will have to cancel all shows and that sucks cause the state show was to be held here at the Blackhawk and Jo has every intention of winning and being there no matter what. Cristy also had a baby and is it a beauty they named it Coco. It was born on the 17th.

Just so you know Dad did send a Birthday letter but when I looked to see if you had returned a note to him I came to realize that he had somehow deleted instead of sent and he has not gotten back on again to fix that. Please know that he tried but I am not sure what happened because he did the whole thing this time without my help except setting him up.  

Well where are you in that huge land and tell us our adventures for this week. We love you lots.

Love Mom

Oops we are running out of question ideas after these many months. Heck after all this time we need ideas give us some.

Happy Birthday to the Missionary!!!

So this week has been a good week.
I'm not going to have time to write much, but I would like to ask some q's mom. Which of those Classes listed will be required for me to take and which ones will help me be on track for graduation? I spoke to my Mission President and he recommended that I start school as soon as I can and if that means October then so be it. I just want to be smart about it and know how to schedule it right. Give me some details on how things might work out if I was able to do all 12 credits. Whether it be both online and at school or one or the other. Cause I'm not sure if I got it clearly. I really enjoyed that Mothers Day phone call. I think if anything it helped me to focus alot better.

Anyway, let me give you the weekly rundown.
As you know we had zone conference on Monday so I sent you an e-mail on Tuesday and the rest of Tuesday was p-day so we only had a few appointments that night. Our first was with a member family that we have been trying to get involved in inviting their friends to Church and just be missionary minded, it was a great lesson. We showed some missionary DVDs and then talked about how important it is to have investigators who have friends in the church, otherwise they are likely to go less-active or inactive. Sister Klopper could totally relate because that is how she still feels. She is partially inactive and she just feels like she doesn't fit in with everyone else. the church is a lot different then the church she used to attend. Either way I think things are going well now because their whole family came to church this Sunday and it's usually only Bro Klopper who comes. After the klopper family we saw a nice little family that is excited for baptism(the only thing is that as of yesterday they are no longer in our ward boundaries so we won't be teaching them anymore it will be the Mamelodi Elders.) They are in the beginning stages of being taught but their great.

Wednesday was also great, we started off by visiting two different members and trying to get them engaged in just getting to know their neighbors and it's working because one of them told us a whole lot about one of his neighbors that he just decided to go and talk to. I hope that leads to baptisms in the future. Later the day went well and we decided to do some Business tracting (If you don't know what that is please ask because I'm not sure if I explained it) and we set up some appointments from that. later on we went to the Van Dyk family to teach their neighbor who was progressing well but sent us an sms yesterday telling us that she didn't want to participate anymore, I'm not sure why I guess will just have to find out from the Van Dyk family tonight. After seeing them we taught another family that is now out of our boundaries, Chriselda and Ishmael, and that also went well.

Thursday was our weekly planing just as usual so straight after planning we got lunch and then went of to do business tracting again, it also proved successful. After a long while of business tracting we Visited the Baldwin family and we did some missionary work with them. They have recently giving out some Church DVDs so we were talking about the next steps that they were going to take to continue helping their friends learn the gospel. After that appointment we just did some running around trying to visit past contacts and do some finding because our night appointments had cancelled.

Friday was great. We attended District Meeting with The Soshanguve district and I'm not sure if they were really prepared because it was very short and we talked about things that we had talked about before so I don't know. After DM we got lunch at Subway, which is rare in South Africa because there are only 14 of them in the whole country and it turns out that there is one around here. After lunch we did more business tracting, and then taught Chriselda again. I'm not sure what happened but her husband dodged out on us. After Chriselda we visited the Van Dyk family to see Lina again and it went great so I just dont' understand why she doesn't want to see us anymore.

Saturday was mentally stressful! It's week five of the transfer and on the Saturday of week five we get the news about who will be leaving and staying and who will be getting leadership calls and what not. So I was on edge because there was a definite chance of me leaving, and a slim chance of me staying do to the fact that Elder Hatch goes home next transfer. So it was in the back of my mind all day and finally when we got the call it turns out I am leaving. Where I will be going I don't know, but I know I will still be a Zone Leader. I leave on Wed. so you will find our where I am next week. Anyway the day was full of tracting around and checking up on old contacts, o yeah and a member invited us over for dinner and cake since it was my Birthday. Elder Lechner also bought me some Birthday muffins and left them at the members house for me to pick up. I did where the glasses, but not all day.

Sunday was a good day, we had church and I gave my departing testimony, after Church we had Lunch with the Vermulen family and it was awesome because they had invited a nonmember to church and he also came to lunch. He is one of the Daughters driving instructors and I guess she talks to him about the church all the time so he wanted to visit. I tell you it's just that easy to invite someone to church. The lunch went well and we got to know him really well. He's Defiantly prepared to have the gospel in his life. After lunch our next appointment that kept was with Bro Aubrey and his family, unfortunately Bro Aubrey didn't want to join us so I hope everything is ok. After Aubrey we went to an appointment to find no one home so we hit our back up plan and found a family to teach. The family is a family from Uganda and they are not currently going to church, they accepted the invitation to come next week so I hope that goes well. That pretty much ended our night as well as the week. We came home did call ins and I flopped on the bed to go to sleep.

2. Tell us an adventure that you had this week.
2. Well an adventure would just have to be as shown above.

3. Please fill us in more on what your Pres. said and about the come home early thought that I presented because of school?
3.He just said that he doesn't like the idea of missionaries going home and having time to waste. So he suggested I enroll.

4. What is the thoughts of psychology coming up for these days based on that you talked about in the phone call. What made you start talking to companions and flat mates about it for? Is it because of the Zone Leader position that you are in?
4. I will have to explain that one another day, but it's not just from being a Zone Leader

5. Did you read that cool talk that I sent you it is so good to be able to share with new members on ways to grow closer together in marriage and family life.
5.I haven't yet but it's sitting on my desk ready to be read.

6. Did you ever read the scriptures I sent yet?
6.Can you send them again I can't recall that right now, Sorry I love you

I love all of you and I'm glad to know everyone is doing great.
Elder T. Jones

Mon, May 16, 2011
HaPpY BiRthDaY you are now grown up so they say! How does it feel and we hope you wore our party glasses all day long just kidding. 21 or did you even remember that is was your big one and that it was that day of days?
Answers About College online when you get home.
 These classes are all online done at home classes that you will start as soon as you sleep and then wake up you will have to work hard and fast to catch up but the teachers seem to think you can and for sure if you keep missionary study a part of your life you will be able to. Permission has been given to start a month late if necessary.
Now I want to know more about what your Mission Pres. said to you about going to school because one of your cousins came home early so that he could enter the school date on time and I did not know this but it is an option if the end of mission is so close to the start of school. You of course would need to pray about that and maybe decide before the Pres. switch happened but you would still need to live at home as I can't get you into the campus classes they are filling way to fast along with the fact that you have no place to live. The jump in classes for Oct. are not working and are not enough credits to cover all for the use of the grant money which is a requirement. Most important Dad wants you to be here and start fresh in Jan on campus as he says "your going to have a hard enough time just adjusting to coming home and doing school bam as soon as you hit here unless you arrange to come back earlier to start the online classes and then you still will have to adjust and I guess because it was really hard for him he thinks it will be really hard for you too". Also call it selfish on all of the families parts but we just can't stand the idea of you going right off to school and not being with us for just a little bit, Jo said today that she can't wait to have you here and just do things with you. I would say that Dad is the one who keeps dropping hints about it the most whenever the statement about doing the jump in classes came up and you leaving so soon after getting home. But he is more ok about the fact that you would stay and do online class work before leaving to head off to school on campus in Jan. He is nervous that you will need to really focus and work fast though but he wants you to not wast education time as it can really affect how long it takes to get through. I hope you can feel the love at the moment and not the what the heck they are all trying to keep be from growing up and leaving if you get my drift.
Saturday we spent cleaning and cooking and moping to have dinner with the missionaries that ended up having crossed over planes so we told them to just come get the food they could have it for dinner tomorrow as we were supposed do dinner tomorrow after all the mix up but then they couldn't because of correlation meeting. They never showed up to get the food so we are not sure whats up with that. Early in the morning we did weighing in sheep for 4H for K first time, Jo is doing a steer and a pig and C is doing only a steer and Mc wont do any of them this time. We got a new ice cream maker so tonight we spent making homemade ice cream with our hand crank gallon mixer. T came and a friend of Jos called Mari. I think they had fun but it took a very long time to make the stuff. The river finally is overflowing the banks and the whole bottoms is under water with the field starting to slowly look like a new lake moving ever closer to the house. I will send pic soon but the computer has so many on them that we have to either get sticks or cds and burn them off before it crashes the drive. Jo and C are whipping through their online class so far. Its kind of hard to get them to settle down and do some time but all I have to do is tell her that T can not spend time with her and then she kicks in to gear and then C out of competitiveness gets caught right up fast with her. I wish he would do a Spanish class online as he and even you (a language) need to do that for college graduation stuff. The online school has plug ins that help you learn the language maybe when he gets done with this one which is finance stuff. Oh I think Dad hopes that you can help him pour flooring in the basement so that we can get heat coils down there, he all of a sudden is like it has just got to get done. He to is thinking of doing an online class with math to start getting his degree finished.
Well that's all the news for the week, Love you will all my heart and hope that you have the greatest week ever, that maybe you can teach a new person or help someone grow more in the gospel and that includes a missionary or yourself.
i love u tyrell love jer jonesqwfkrnergelkgjgxzzxcvwkejc3lkutj54rwe;6hy4fkj3mre5g4mtrekgjm4kfhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh,
bhffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg yep typed by him love jer.