M. gave a talk on Sunday in primary at the top it said. "There are others whose lives are blessed when a missionary serves, such as the members of his family who.....support him, pray for him, and try to live worthy of him." President Gordan B Hinckley (1910-2008) So thank you for blessing our lives in ways we do not know.
1. Did you ever get the package with the calendar in it?
2. Did you know that your body burns less calories in a warm climate then in a cold climate. So more in the winter cold then in the summer heat. That's why you can gain more in the summer if you are not working hard but I am sure you have to ride bikes and that keeps you trim.
3. Do you have a missionary cell phone?
4. How is your black bag working for you. Can you ride with it on a bike?
FINALLY A LETTER FROM AFRICA WE ARE SO SPOILED.
1.Yeah I finally got the third package with the stuff, but it had been damaged or ripped open so it came with a whole bunch of yellow tape all over it saying it had been secured by the ZA post office. I hope everything was in it, and I think it got a little wet or something, cause the apron had a big brown spot on it and the candy was all soggy chewyish. But it was cool.
2. I didn't know that, but I still think I'm about the same as when I left. My new area is a Bike area, and we only use the car every once in awhile.
3.Yeah each companionship has a missionary cell phone
4. Well the shoulder bag has been a good bag so far, but it was kind of awkward to use on the bike, so I'm using a back pack that my companion has given me now.
Sorry I didn't write last week, things have been pretty crazy around here. I got to my new area on the 10th of Feb and from there is when everything has been crazy. My first day I didn't even go with my companion (Elder Foreman) Because they had Baptism interviews, so instead I was with one of the zone leaders in their area. The next day was also crazy, because one of my brand new flat mates (Elder This) had developed Epilepsy in the weeks or so prior to me coming and he had a received a phone call the night before saying to pack his bags because he was flying home the next day (Thursdays the 11th) so our time was spent helping him pack and then dropped off at the mission office so he could leave. So because this elder returned home, we were then in a companionship of three until an elder who was supposed to go home but couldn't because of passport issues was sent back out in to the field to work with the other elder (Elder That). So that went on for about a day until Elder That, became Mysteriously ill with an unidentifiable heart illness that causes him to have these weird attacks. So he ended up staying in the mission home while we took the Old Elder with us in another three some companionship. After another day everything got straightend out with both, Elder That and the Old Elder, so the Old Elder went home and Elder That came back with Elder Foreman and myself to the original three some companionship until Sunday (Valentines day) when Elder Bullard, a returning missionary, who had gone home for surgery, was dropped of at church to be Elder That's companion. Where, during sacrament meeting Elder That had another attack and was taken back, along with Elder Bullard, to the mission home. In which they didn't return from until late that night after all proselyting had been done. Four of us spent the night in the flat and the next day was p-day which was a normal day. Then Tuesday the 16th came. This day Elder Foreman was to attend a Leadership conference because he is our District Leader. During this time I was in Elder That and Bullards area with them. It was a pretty good day everything was going good, we had some appointments, one of which we set a baptism date for an investigator, and all was well. At 1:00 we attended the mission office because Elder That had an appointment with the mission psychologist. That appointment took two hours in which during that time Elder Bullard and myself did office work. Finally at 3:00 Elder That was finished and it was time to retrieve Elder Foreman. So we waited about 20 minuets because the conference went over the normal time. Well during this time Elder That had another attack and to shorten the story he stayed at the home, came back, went back and is now currently living with a senior couple and working as an office missionary, while Myself and Elder Foreman work in our area and Elder Bullard works with different ward missionaries in an area he hardly even knows. So that is the story. and that is where we are now. Pretty crazy, kind of confusing and a whole lot of fun.
(Some names have been changed)
The new area I'm working in is what's called "Township" it's a huge area composed of little cement and tin houses all crammed together. It's a busy place and there's not a single white person anywhere, Just us, and all of the Township Kids see us and start yelling Mlungu meaning white person. I will have to send you some pictures and tell you more about it next week because I'm out of time. I love you all and Encourage you to keep praying and reading the book of Mormon.
Have Family home evening and be thankful for all of the wonderful things you have, like Jobs and other stuff.
Love
Elder T Jones
P.S. Mom, maybe you can fix my spelling and punctuation before you show the rest of the world...Just kidding, but that would be nice
Johannesburg South Africa Temple
Click on to see what our family belives.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Happy Valentines Day
Happy Valentines DAY!!! We love our family and all our friends.
It was a memorable one but we better not talk about it yet, maybe not for a few weeks or years. Peer pressure is rough its tough and choice and accountability is so important. Thanks for the cookies they were yummy!!!
Here's to some day spilling the story of doing whats right when peer pressure is exerting with all its might.
Make sure and just choose the right!
BiTs Of NeWs
ELDER TYRELL---Oh where or where has his letter gone? I think the transfer took place, and well he must not know where to email from yet in his new area because we didn't get to hear from him this week.
J. is starting the learning to drive off the farm process. I hope I don't have to yell too many times, for the sake of my safety!
C. RiBs have HEALED he is a pain in the butt again and a royal tease. They better start wrestling training for the Summer Olympics soon or he might not survive his father’s wrath from the teasing he keeps inflicting on his little brothers.
M. is ready to wrestle his last match this weekend and wants me to add video haven't figures that out yet. Also making sure he is friends with C. so he isn't on the teasing end of C. as much.
K. still hasn't realized how strong he is and is so excited to wrestle his first matches this year on sat. Watch out C. for when he realizes his strength you are going to maybe have another broken rib.
Z. wore 100 sticker to school on his shirt because its been 100 days of school Yeah!
J. has actually grown 2 inches in the last 4 months shock keep it up PLEASE!
DAD still slaving away at the grindstone.
MOM getting ready to carve it off, run it off, melt it away, burn it off and look good again after having 7 kids and 10 pregnancies. Maybe I will show the before and after pictures, we shall see.
J. is starting the learning to drive off the farm process. I hope I don't have to yell too many times, for the sake of my safety!
C. RiBs have HEALED he is a pain in the butt again and a royal tease. They better start wrestling training for the Summer Olympics soon or he might not survive his father’s wrath from the teasing he keeps inflicting on his little brothers.
M. is ready to wrestle his last match this weekend and wants me to add video haven't figures that out yet. Also making sure he is friends with C. so he isn't on the teasing end of C. as much.
K. still hasn't realized how strong he is and is so excited to wrestle his first matches this year on sat. Watch out C. for when he realizes his strength you are going to maybe have another broken rib.
Z. wore 100 sticker to school on his shirt because its been 100 days of school Yeah!
J. has actually grown 2 inches in the last 4 months shock keep it up PLEASE!
DAD still slaving away at the grindstone.
MOM getting ready to carve it off, run it off, melt it away, burn it off and look good again after having 7 kids and 10 pregnancies. Maybe I will show the before and after pictures, we shall see.
Monday, February 15, 2010
How do you show that you are so so so GREATEFUL that Heavenly Father has an amazing plan.
BRONSON STAKER Today I read and sobbed as I remembered my own families FAITH building struggle that we had to go through.( The birth and struggle of 2006 with Baby Jer having a trach and living in a hospital for 71/2 months and a very very long year after that.) So glad that someone else gets a second chance to work as a family team and make a go of the life we so badly wanted to come to this earth to be a part of.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Watch OUT J. is now driving!!!!
Finally she passed the learners test after her third try. She will now be driving, of course there is always lots of practise on a farm but now she will have to battle the people on the roads and the stop signs and the lines and the turns and the the speeds of 75 miles an hour on the freeway YIKES!!!! C. told me he has no desire to be in the car with her at 35 miles and hour let alone 75 miles an hour. I remember Tyrell was the nicest driver until he got his license and then I hated to drive with him cause he thought he knew it all and didn't drive slow anymore. As you can tell there are mixed feeling here as to whether I really ever wanted her or any of my kids driving for that matter. But I guess I have no say now cause she passed the first part of the test.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Elder Jones Going to Soweto and New Companion.
1. no members e-mail me.
2.yeah she did shock me some more. I'ts preatty sweeeeeet!!!!!!!
3.10 Contacts a day is way harder then it sounds. but we have been coming close.
4. I was just asking about it because we have been contacting a tone of people and it's hard to remember all that we should call back or visit and stuff.
Thanks family for all of the pictures. they are great! It's good to see the family having some good times in the snow, while i toast over here. Before i go much further in my letter i Want to say Happy Late BIRTHDAY to mom. I didn't forget, I just kept forgeting to mention it in my e-mails so i hope it was a good e-mail and i'm still looking for some cool gifts for everyone.
Well things have been really cool and i was wondering if dad has ever eaten ox/cow tail. We had some the otherday in a stew and it was pretty good, but it is way hard to eat you have to cook it for along time so it gets tender. but it was tasty.
Anyway, this week has been quite eventfull and supprising. Yo know how last week i told you that Elder Mcombs would be transferd and that i would be the oldest in the district? Well He is, but i'm getting transferd too. i thought i would have six more weeks here in Ridgway but i guess not. I am now moving on to my 3rd companion and my 2nd area. The place i am going is called Dopsenvill Soweto. I've been told that it's kind of a dodgey place. There are alot of tsoties (thugs) there, but aparently everyone is afarid to rob anyone there for fear of getting mugged back. So yeah i don't really know. All i know is that i'm ready know, but i wasn't ready when i got the call to leave. I'm kind of upset because we just started to teach some awesome investigators who have just been eating it up. They have been going to church and doing all of the things we've asked. It was kind of a shme but i will meet new people in soweto and it will be just as good an experience. Sorry i don't have to much else to say or any pics to send, but i will next week. Today we are going on a tour of the 2010 world cup stadium so that's pretty sharp!
I love everyone and i still enjoy letters and e-mails
Love Elder Tyrell Jones
Dear ELDER Tyrell Jones
1.Do lots of ward members email you? And what about college friends several are facebook followers on my blog is why I wondered. Girls that is;)
2. So did the sister that shocked you and came last week shock you some more?
3. Have you gotten your ten contacts this week?
4. We are not sure what you are asking when you say suggestions on how to remember people we have contacted. Dad said "huh what is he meaning and then well write everything down in a journal and make sure you keep there names and mail info." The journal is the most important record you have but you have to write it down." I will try copying some of his journal entries but he admits that he didn't write in them as much as he wished years later since he never thought he would forget names and things but sadly now looking back that's what happens so WRITE everything down that you would think is important and that you might forget. I was just finishing putting the kids to bed last night and Dad starts yelling at me to come watch this thing with him. It was a BYU documentary on the beginning of the LDS church in Africa. it was amazing how long they waited to have the priesthood and allowance to be baptized and a church organized in that country and
they were still faithful all by themselves. The Lord has a wonderful plan if we will just be willing to be mold able in his hands and do as he whispers to us. I am so grateful that you have chosen to be willing to serve him in a land that is seeking even when some of them do not realize that they are seeking.
It looks like there will soon be another mission there. Dad said that when they start pulling missionaries from one area into another area and splitting the lines up its the beginning add steps is what Dad called it. We noticed that the Durban mission has had new boundary lines and several were pulled from your mission to there because a MM (missionary Mom) made a comment about how however son was changed over to the other mission and he only has a few months left before he is done. Several Missionaries from this valley and Ephraim were called to serve in the Durban mission this month that have showed up on the MM site and so I guess you might not ever make it to the Lestho area.
Your haircut looks good so does he have his own clippers and did his Mom teach him how before he left. That's a talent they should teach all elders so it can cut their costs on the mission true? Well this week has been frustrating. And know that we think any amount in your letters are fine we are just glad we get something once a week and dont have to wait for boats to sail around the world to get it to us.
The road finally killed Dads little car. It riped the struts out and it will cost somewhere around 600.00 to fix. He has decided that it would just be better to fix the white truck and drive those kinds on the road we have. I am not sure if i told you that we went into get your old car licensed and it has to have all new tie rods done so its not drivable. And then the Red truck lost its ignition start so I have been car less and walking to Jer.'s bus and Chad brings him to me. We hope Andrew hurries to get the truck fixed but dread the gas costs cause its starting to rise again. Our road is a nightmare, Aunt Terry brought K. home sick yesterday and the oil pan got riped out of hers on that stupid road and they had just put a new one on. So when you think about buying a vehicle a small truck might be best if your going to come visit us.
J. and I went to an activities about preparing for the temple. She had to give a talk about Choice and Accountability. She did pretty well but Dad and I both had to help her to write the talk. She does not have the same skill of putting words together to make a story or subject flow like you do I Hope it will come with maturation. She had never even though about what color she would want to be at her wedding or the style of dress. All the other girls knew exactly what they wanted. I made an envelope for her temple clothing with her favorite temple which is the Oquirrh Mountain temple.embroidered on it. I think thats mostly cause she got to go inside and see all through it. There was a hanky and a temple recommend holder and a how to make a marriage work booklet. There was also a letter about what qualities she wanted in a guy to be filled out and she didnt want to do that. She wanted me to fill it out. I told her no that wasn't for
me to do what i wanted and what she wanted are not going to be the same. They had me write a letter to her and the leaders and bishop wrote a letter to her. She put on a paper a dress that she picked out and brides maids dresses and some color swatches that she picked. Then it was all sealed in a gold can to be opened when she was preparing to attend the temple to be married. I wonder how much will happen between these years. Some of the girls could be married next year so it was funny to watch how and what they choose. J. and Dainia were the only ones who were there of there age.
On Monday we go up to see if the stuff is helping Jer. to grow and if they will keep doing it for him. I am still trying to figure out the car thing though. It looks like it will be the gas hog sub that I have to drive up there.
I read the best scripture last night I even got to read it to J. and talk about that we need to really ask before we study or attend semeinary or church to help us understand what the Lord wants us to know. She I hope understood what I was meaning. 2Nephi :32-4 the forth line and then 8-9 that is a classic statment about how we need to ask and not keep questioning and have faith and belive. But for some it is easier then for others. I am sure it would be easier if we prayed more and were sincere about wanting to understand like even attending Church. So did the sister that shocked you and came last week shock you some more?
Well I just figured out how to add the photos so I guess I better send this and next time add some more I hope I do not crash the computer you are using by sending these but have fun looking and next time I will send M. and C. photos more ok. Love Ya and have a wonderful week.
The Fam
2.yeah she did shock me some more. I'ts preatty sweeeeeet!!!!!!!
3.10 Contacts a day is way harder then it sounds. but we have been coming close.
4. I was just asking about it because we have been contacting a tone of people and it's hard to remember all that we should call back or visit and stuff.
Thanks family for all of the pictures. they are great! It's good to see the family having some good times in the snow, while i toast over here. Before i go much further in my letter i Want to say Happy Late BIRTHDAY to mom. I didn't forget, I just kept forgeting to mention it in my e-mails so i hope it was a good e-mail and i'm still looking for some cool gifts for everyone.
Well things have been really cool and i was wondering if dad has ever eaten ox/cow tail. We had some the otherday in a stew and it was pretty good, but it is way hard to eat you have to cook it for along time so it gets tender. but it was tasty.
Anyway, this week has been quite eventfull and supprising. Yo know how last week i told you that Elder Mcombs would be transferd and that i would be the oldest in the district? Well He is, but i'm getting transferd too. i thought i would have six more weeks here in Ridgway but i guess not. I am now moving on to my 3rd companion and my 2nd area. The place i am going is called Dopsenvill Soweto. I've been told that it's kind of a dodgey place. There are alot of tsoties (thugs) there, but aparently everyone is afarid to rob anyone there for fear of getting mugged back. So yeah i don't really know. All i know is that i'm ready know, but i wasn't ready when i got the call to leave. I'm kind of upset because we just started to teach some awesome investigators who have just been eating it up. They have been going to church and doing all of the things we've asked. It was kind of a shme but i will meet new people in soweto and it will be just as good an experience. Sorry i don't have to much else to say or any pics to send, but i will next week. Today we are going on a tour of the 2010 world cup stadium so that's pretty sharp!
I love everyone and i still enjoy letters and e-mails
Love Elder Tyrell Jones
Dear ELDER Tyrell Jones
1.Do lots of ward members email you? And what about college friends several are facebook followers on my blog is why I wondered. Girls that is;)
2. So did the sister that shocked you and came last week shock you some more?
3. Have you gotten your ten contacts this week?
4. We are not sure what you are asking when you say suggestions on how to remember people we have contacted. Dad said "huh what is he meaning and then well write everything down in a journal and make sure you keep there names and mail info." The journal is the most important record you have but you have to write it down." I will try copying some of his journal entries but he admits that he didn't write in them as much as he wished years later since he never thought he would forget names and things but sadly now looking back that's what happens so WRITE everything down that you would think is important and that you might forget. I was just finishing putting the kids to bed last night and Dad starts yelling at me to come watch this thing with him. It was a BYU documentary on the beginning of the LDS church in Africa. it was amazing how long they waited to have the priesthood and allowance to be baptized and a church organized in that country and
they were still faithful all by themselves. The Lord has a wonderful plan if we will just be willing to be mold able in his hands and do as he whispers to us. I am so grateful that you have chosen to be willing to serve him in a land that is seeking even when some of them do not realize that they are seeking.
It looks like there will soon be another mission there. Dad said that when they start pulling missionaries from one area into another area and splitting the lines up its the beginning add steps is what Dad called it. We noticed that the Durban mission has had new boundary lines and several were pulled from your mission to there because a MM (missionary Mom) made a comment about how however son was changed over to the other mission and he only has a few months left before he is done. Several Missionaries from this valley and Ephraim were called to serve in the Durban mission this month that have showed up on the MM site and so I guess you might not ever make it to the Lestho area.
Your haircut looks good so does he have his own clippers and did his Mom teach him how before he left. That's a talent they should teach all elders so it can cut their costs on the mission true? Well this week has been frustrating. And know that we think any amount in your letters are fine we are just glad we get something once a week and dont have to wait for boats to sail around the world to get it to us.
The road finally killed Dads little car. It riped the struts out and it will cost somewhere around 600.00 to fix. He has decided that it would just be better to fix the white truck and drive those kinds on the road we have. I am not sure if i told you that we went into get your old car licensed and it has to have all new tie rods done so its not drivable. And then the Red truck lost its ignition start so I have been car less and walking to Jer.'s bus and Chad brings him to me. We hope Andrew hurries to get the truck fixed but dread the gas costs cause its starting to rise again. Our road is a nightmare, Aunt Terry brought K. home sick yesterday and the oil pan got riped out of hers on that stupid road and they had just put a new one on. So when you think about buying a vehicle a small truck might be best if your going to come visit us.
J. and I went to an activities about preparing for the temple. She had to give a talk about Choice and Accountability. She did pretty well but Dad and I both had to help her to write the talk. She does not have the same skill of putting words together to make a story or subject flow like you do I Hope it will come with maturation. She had never even though about what color she would want to be at her wedding or the style of dress. All the other girls knew exactly what they wanted. I made an envelope for her temple clothing with her favorite temple which is the Oquirrh Mountain temple.embroidered on it. I think thats mostly cause she got to go inside and see all through it. There was a hanky and a temple recommend holder and a how to make a marriage work booklet. There was also a letter about what qualities she wanted in a guy to be filled out and she didnt want to do that. She wanted me to fill it out. I told her no that wasn't for
me to do what i wanted and what she wanted are not going to be the same. They had me write a letter to her and the leaders and bishop wrote a letter to her. She put on a paper a dress that she picked out and brides maids dresses and some color swatches that she picked. Then it was all sealed in a gold can to be opened when she was preparing to attend the temple to be married. I wonder how much will happen between these years. Some of the girls could be married next year so it was funny to watch how and what they choose. J. and Dainia were the only ones who were there of there age.
On Monday we go up to see if the stuff is helping Jer. to grow and if they will keep doing it for him. I am still trying to figure out the car thing though. It looks like it will be the gas hog sub that I have to drive up there.
I read the best scripture last night I even got to read it to J. and talk about that we need to really ask before we study or attend semeinary or church to help us understand what the Lord wants us to know. She I hope understood what I was meaning. 2Nephi :32-4 the forth line and then 8-9 that is a classic statment about how we need to ask and not keep questioning and have faith and belive. But for some it is easier then for others. I am sure it would be easier if we prayed more and were sincere about wanting to understand like even attending Church. So did the sister that shocked you and came last week shock you some more?
Well I just figured out how to add the photos so I guess I better send this and next time add some more I hope I do not crash the computer you are using by sending these but have fun looking and next time I will send M. and C. photos more ok. Love Ya and have a wonderful week.
The Fam
February is soooo MUDDY!!
MONDAY!!! I as a nice Mom drove my kids up to the bus because of our muddy road. At the top they can't get the door open so I get out and sink in the mud with my sandals on. The one day I don't wear my boots. Then I turn around to go home and the car runs out of gas. HUBBY has been driving it and did not warn me. There is no way I am walking down that muddy road of ours in sandals it will reach my calves. I did get rescued and then made a mad dash to SLC so I wouldn't be late for a Dr. appointment, made it in the nick of time. Todays start has been much calmer obviously not a MONDAY!!! What do you do about needing water but having to swim through mud to get out to the world. This year I think is the worst on our road into our house.
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