En El Campo

6/20/2011

2011-06-26T07:56:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom

Thanks for the letter and thanks to everyone that helped out in this. I haven't really been thinking about my birthday too much and I hope that they don't make too much of a big deal out of it. I hope that we can get someone to baptize soon. The last time I was here the area was 2 wards and one side was better than the other and the other were lots of rich snobs. I guess at that phase in my mission I was just kinda clueless about what the mission really was and what I could really do. Now that I'm here again it feels weird and I don't know if I feel the same about it. I think that maybe I'll get to stay here but I think my president might be concerned about me being here agian so I'll keep you updated on everything. We do live in a better bigger apartment than we did before so that is good the only thing is that we have a horrible mosquito problem. I did get my birthday package and thank you for everything. really appreciate everthing you do for me. I hope that tomorrow we can just find one really good soul to save somone that really wants our help. Tell thank you to my little brothers and sister. Just want them to know that I love them and a proud of them for being good children. I'll include the thank you as an after note. I love you Mom not much else to include in this letter but hope that everything works out well in the new ward.

Love Elder Davis

Hey dad

Thanks for the happy birthday and hope that you had a great fathers day. I hope that everything is going well at home and that you are happy with the new ward boundaries. It is sad to see familiar faces go and all that jazz but you gotta do what you gotta do sometimes. Tell jovita congrats on the good work and that I'm proud of her. I hope that Dallin is doing good down there and that he is having fun at least the mission can be a drain sometimes if you don't keep yourself busy but not serious at the same time. I really don't have anything new for this week I'm kinda distracted about where I'm gonna get baptisms from this week. I love you and pray for you. Take care and use those new gifts you got haha.

Love Elder Davis

6/13/2011

2011-06-16T06:16:00.000-07:00

Thanks for writing like I told Dad I don't have much time I have been really busy. Thanks for writing and tell everyone thanks fro the birtyhaday stuff.

Elder davis

Thanks Dad

I really don't have time toady for much of a letter. Sorry that I have been so short I think Mom more than anybody is the victim here. Just letting you know I'm safe and that we're working hard. Thanks Dad for all you do I love you.

Elder Davis

6/6/2011

2011-06-09T20:22:00.000-07:00

Thanks for writing every week I know you guys are always so busy but you always find time to write me. Wow all those guys were in the young mens with me at the same time and already have kids now. That's pretty amazing I think that I'm gonna wait about a year or so before I start thinking about that. That's funny about the Uff fighting. My president threw me a curve ball the other and just moved me again last week. What happened is that my companion was assigned to be a trainer because new greenies from Peru got to the mission and there were already 4 Elders in that area so President was all like thanks Elder Davis for being so willing for the change with such sort notice. I'm in the ward where I started the mission it's really weird to see all the faces again but the only difference is with a different companion. My new companion is Elder Koyle from Utah but he has his own house in Malibu. So basically I have a cali boy for a comp. Anyways my companion's parents gave him an email that sounded kinda urgent and that his family has been trying to contact our president all week long we're going to go check that out sorry for being so short again. I love you and tell Mom sorry.

Love Elder Davis

5/30/2011

2011-06-01T18:37:00.000-07:00

Hi Mom

Thanks for the run down back at home. I had changes today I'm in Naucalpan Estado de Mexico and my comp is from Glendale but supposedly his family just moved to Chandler so what's important is he's an Arizona boy. His name is Elder Lowe and I have heard that he works harder than a slave so this should be a pretty interestng change. I hope that Kenyon isn't drifting into things he shouldn't I'll talk to him and give a little motivation. Lately I've felt really happy for the most part I just love being in the mission just losing myself in the service. The lonliness passes after a while and before you know it I'll be back home again. By the way my return date is October 5th I go home on a Wednesday which is strange but that's what they're doing now. I don't have exact details but that's what I know for now. Tell Abuelo thank you for all the help he's given me however much it's been big or little don't tell him that. Anyways that's all i have for this week I had a baptism yesterday I'l send you pictures of that soon. I love you Mom take care and don't work too hard.

Elder Davis

Hi Dad

I heard that's what was happening I can't believe you could make a ward with a dozen streets or so even smaller. Yeah I've left a few areas like that now I got transfered today and it seems like I got sent to an area that baptizes a bunch and is easier to baptize in. I hope that everything goes well again here. My comp is from Arizona up until ust recently from Glendale but now lives in Chandler is what his family said today in his letter. It seems like this change will go by really fast because my companion is a hard worker and that always makes the transfer go by faster. Thanks for getting that stuff to me I really apprecciate that it seems that everything I have is falling apart. Forget about my garments I think I have more than one option of how to wear them now. Well my companions are waiting forme I type really slow and I can't believe it's an improvement for what i used to type like. Anyways I love you Dad thanks for being there.

Elder Davis

5/23/2011

2011-05-24T21:39:00.001-07:00

Hey Mom

I 'm going to be short today I don't have much time either. My investigators are doing great, thank you for your help on their behalf. I have been really getting to enjoy the mission like I should lately and now I only have 4 months left it's a biter sweet feeling. I really appreciate that you take time out for us I know you are a busy mother and still you seem to handle everything at the same time. Thank you for everthing. Oh and Elder Oaks came to the mission this week it was a cool experience being able to be up close and actually feel that presence in the same room. I can't imagine how it must be when the Savior comes. I love you Mom tell you more next week.

Elder davis

Hey dad

Yeah we had some improvement in a few of our investigators this past week and we have really kicked it up a notch. I really enjoy being here in the field it makes me so happy and I really enjoy Father's blessings here. My comp and I have started to really make the most of our time I think until just recently I learned how to work efficiently and make the most of every second. I think home is the last thing on my mind I actually can't believe that this has to end some time it's sureal. Well ain't gonna write much again this week some people are waiting for us and I got to get to their needs. Sorry for being brief sometimes but I just don't have enough hours in the day. I love you take care

Elder davis

5/16/2011

2011-05-16T21:37:00.000-07:00

Hi Mom

Thanks for working on getting me that stuff I really appreciate the things you do for me in spite of the fact that you are so busy. I would love to hear all of us speaking Spanish when we get home that would be really neat. II wrote Dallin last week and he wrote back he's alredy getting ready to go to Guatemala. He's doing pretty good with the Spanish he knows the sentence stucture at least and it surprises me that he picks it up well. I got Kenyon's letter and it was pretty good I really appreciate his concern. I hope that he can start focusing in on his school work and everything so that he can get better opportunities in the future. Ammon told me in the phone call home that he wasn't doing so hot either so I'll be praying for that as well. The investigators are doing good we have found some really good people lately. One is Amabel she is a woman that has suffered alot she's lost a husband and more than one child, she has one daughter right now and is really worried about how she will grow up she's in those early teenage years and starting to get a little rebellious. Her only struggle is visualizing herself in a group or church we really want to help her and get her on that track so that her daughter can follow her example. Another is Abel Cruz he has little kids 2 of which are twins so he has a handful but yopu can really see his concern for their well being. With him I think he might have a little bit of fear of what his family might think if he makes a change like that. Unfortunately that's what happens in many cases and then people just can't get over that fear it's sad to see but I try and do my part so that doesn'y happen in the future. Manuel is 18 and is pretty enthusiastic about the missionary lessons my only concern is that maybe he follows his friends counsel more than ours. His best friend is another member but a little less active right now but has the true desire to serve a mission he even asked for a blessing the day so he could have more strength spiritually to do what he needs to. Juan Carlos is very intelligent and has studied many books about religion trying to find the truth. However he isn't like other people that say that they "know" because science says so or this person has prove such a thing. I really hope that he can see what bleesings the Gospel has for him if he but opens his heart to the message. Benjamin is the dad of a member in the ward he has some really christian ides but still doesn't know entirely what he needs to do to have his wife again some day. We did sort of a service project for him today he was going to paint his house and we helped him do that I really hope that will help us in getting our message across with clarity and power. We found a girl yesterday her name is Itzel her parents are members and her mom even served a mission but they are super inactive and her mom even says some pretty crazy stuff about the church. The good thing is that her grandma is still pretty active and it seems that she has more influence on her than her very mom. I just hope that she can get baptized and feel that satisfying feeling of doing the right. We have others but those are the most willing to do things so I hope that you guys can pray for them as well. Well thats all I have for now I'll write you next week to tell you if any have had progress. I love you and hope that everything goes well this week. Take care

Love Elder Davis

Hey dad

Keep it short this week I know it's crazy to think that I'll be home soon but everything has it's end in this life but I feel pretty good at this stage I hope that I can be the instrument that my Heavenly Father needs me to be. I try to put goals that make me push myself. I know that evrything doesn't always work out perfectly but I know for sacrifice we are blessed. Thank you for the encouragement I loove you Dad stay safe.

Love Elder Davis

5/2/2011

2011-05-02T21:36:00.000-07:00

Hi Mom

Sorry about being so short in the messages but it's just that I really haven't had anything to tell you. I'm super excited about Dallin he just sounded so ready to go so I'm super happy for him. I hope that he is having fun out in the field and that he applies himself he has so much potential. I know it's a temptation to want to know evrything about him all the time but that's kind
of why we're here on Earth to be out of Heavenly Father's presence and to be able to progress. So don't worry about it too much Heavenly Father takes care of his missionaries. Right now my companion is Elder Lopez from Sinaloa he has about 11 months in the mission and is really good about getting along with everyone and keeping the peace. We've been working really hard with all the people we have but really very few want to listen. the ones that have the most enthusiasm are Amabel, Abel and Rogelio. These are the ones that have listenes most intently I really have hope that they make the choice to get baptized. More than anything if you want to pray about something you can pray to know how to help them in that decision. I wrote Adriana and Abuelo today but I still need to write Abuela and Grandma more. I'll remember to do that more. Well that's all I have for this week I hope that everyone is ok and healthy. I love you Mom.

Love Elder Davis

Hey dad

I heard about Colton that's too bad but I know he'll be fine. I don't have much time but I will talk to more next week. Thanks for writing regularly. I love you.

Love Elder davis

4/25/2011

2011-04-25T20:37:00.000-07:00

Hi Mom

My President did give me permission I have 15 minutes and I have to call before 6. I will probably send you a text and then you can call me so that I can talk to Dallin. I'll do it in the afternoon today so that he has time to talk. I don't have too much else Mom I'll talk to you more next week and on the call home. I love you and hope that everything goes well for you this next week. Take care

Love Elder Davis

Hey Dad

I got permission to call Dallin today hopefully he has a bit a time to talk I know this is a busy for him. I'll probably send Mom a message from my phone so that she can call me and I can talk to Dallin I only have like 15 minutes with him. I hope that he does good in all that he sets to I know he'll do great. I have a new companion his name is Elder Lopez from Culiacan, Sinaloa. He is a pretty good missionary not shy at all but he lacks in the teaching department. I have lots of work lately except this past week it was really slow any ways thanks Dad for writing. Don't have much else to report. I love you talk to you next week.

Love Elder Davis

4/18/2011

2011-04-18T20:36:00.000-07:00

Hey dad

I have been really working my tail off and have been feeling really good about it. I really feel like these last few months are going to go by really fast. It's crazy that Dallin is already going out and that Jared is home I didn't know that. You should give him my email adress. I had changes today but I stay and receive a new companion but I'm still waiting for him to get here I don't know much about him. All I know is that his name is Elder Lopez. I hope that we can get more baptisms this week I haven't had anything in a while like a month. I really hope that you guys get the business going that would be cool a reception center. I hope that is doing well and that everyone is healthy. I don't have much to write this week but i hope that I can get some pictures to you all soon. I love you Dad and I'll talk to you next week.

Love Elder Davis

4/11/2011

2011-04-11T20:32:00.000-07:00

HI Mom

That's great about Dallin I can talk about the temple with Dallin now and he'll understand a little more. I had written Abuelo a few weeks back I hope he read the email I sent him. I'll still send them messages and stuff but I can only do so much here i guess it will be something that I have to work on when I get home. Yeah in a few more months 2 or 3 not sure how many they ask me where they want to send me a my departure time and things. I'll be leaving the first few days in October so I'll keep you updated. Yeah I have a companion from the missionary factory(Utah) he's from St George, his name is Elder James Price and he loves computers. He heard that you guys wanted to buy a reception hall and was like oh cool because he's like a techie he likes any thing to do with technology so he knows how to run projectors and sound systems and stuff like that. If you guys ever needed some one like that he'd be the one to call. These past few weeks have been kinda slow but i think we should have baptisms soon. Other than that not much else has happened. I haven't heard at all from my president he hasn't even written me back in my weekly letters so who knows. I'll try and get into contact with him this week. I'll tell you what happens. I love you Mom

Love Elder Davis

Hey Dad

Keep at it and you'll get stronger each time you do that maybe you'll actually be half in shape by the time I get home. I'm so glad that Dallin is getting all ready it makes me really excited to think that he'll be talking Spanish one day. I've been learning tons lately I started reading the book "Jesus the Christ" and it's been helping me clear some doubts that people have about the Bible. Elder Talmage really uses some pretty hefty words and it's hard to understand sometimes but I think the spirit really helps. I loved the Sunday sessions of conference I didn't see the Saturday sessions because we had to work. I didn't really understand why but I guess everything is for a reason. Well don't have much to report this week but I'll talk to you week. Love you Dad

Elder Davis

Hey Dad

Keep at it and you'll get stronger each time you do that maybe you'll actually be half in shape by the time I get home. I'm so glad that Dallin is getting all ready it makes me really excited to think that he'll be talking Spanish one day. I've been learning tons lately I started reading the book "Jesus the Christ" and it's been helping me clear some doubts that people have about the Bible. Elder Talmage really uses some pretty hefty words and it's hard to understand sometimes but I think the spirit really helps. I loved the Sunday sessions of conference I didn't see the Saturday sessions because we had to work. I didn't really understand why but I guess everything is for a reason. Well don't have much to report this week but I'll talk to you week. Love you Dad

Elder Davis

Hey Dad

Sorrry I didn't get your letter last week. I forgot to tell you Happy Birthday last week until I was out of the internet and doing something else I felt bad but Happy Late Birthday! My comp had his birthday the day before and this family made him some pretty mean ribs. They were pretty dang sweet and we ate until we were stuffed. I loved Elder Scott's talk on Sunday I know it was about couples but I could apply it so good to the work. I liked Elder Lynn G Robin's talk too he did a pretty amazing job. Haven't had any baptisms the last 2 weeks they've all kinda flaked out. I hope that we can have a baptism this week it's the last week of transfers. My comp and I have been working really hard but the baptisms just don't want to come but we'll see how it goes this week. Yeah this has been the hole of the mission as long as the mission's existed no one really likes to be out here, but I guess it could be worse I do have everything I need here so I'm not complaining. There's a few Elders from Mesa and then Elder Kleinman from the stake but other than that I don't know of anyone that I'd keep in contact with from Arizona. I still have to burn a pair of pants for 18 months I'll record a video and send it I have the Shirt burning too. Anyways not much else to write about I'll have to look for more work this week. I love you Dad thanks for writing every week.

Love Elder Davis

4/4/2011

2011-04-04T20:28:00.000-07:00

Hi Mom

Thanks for the money I really needed it. I really appreciate that you help me so much. I love you Mom sorry for writing so early hope everything goes well for you this week.

Elder Davis

P.S. I'm attaching photos of my last baptism (Guillermo)

3/28/2011

2011-03-28T20:27:00.000-07:00

Hi Mom

I did get my backpack this week and everything was there so that was a relief. I had alot of things in there. I had a baptism yesterday the man that got baptized was extremely prepared. His name is Guillermo and has had econmic problems lately but even through these trials he's had he stayed strong through all of it. He knew that the Church wasn't a charity and that by getting baptized his problems weren't going to magically go away, but he knew that all that would come later if he stayed strong. Lots of things are happening now that's good for Xio I hope that this baby comes a little better this time. Wow Dallin is so close now I hope that he enjoys his time and works hard that's the only way to get the best out of your mission. You'll have to send me a copy of his talk so that I can read it over and you'll have to send me his MTC address too. I really am happy that we'll be able to talk in the tongue of our ancestors when we get back. Thank you for all you do Mom you've always taught me what is right and I've been able to help lots of people thanks to that. I love you Mom I'll talk to you next week.

Love Elder Davis

Hi Dad

Didn't catch your letter last week but thanks for writing anyways. I have had a pretty good week and have been giving it my best. It sounds like yu guys were busy too last week. I can't believe that everyone is getting so big. Chaz is already on his mission and Dallin is going soon, Kayla is already 16. I was looking at a Christmas card that the Luna family sent me and I can't believe how big all the little ones are. Kenyon's already 17 and he's gonna start driving soon it's completely crazy. Time goes by so fast and I can't believe that so much has changed and it feels like I just got here. That's good about family scripture reading it helps so much in all that you do and you learn so much congrats and keep up the good work. I don't have much else to write this week but I will write next week. Thanks Dad for all you help me in. I love you take care

Elder Davis

3/21/2011

2011-03-21T20:25:00.000-07:00

Hi Mom

Thank you for everything that you do for me I really appreciate it. Kayla can't be sixteen already that's way too fast! She was 12 the last time I checked. Wow anyways I have been working really hard lately and have been giving it my all. Toluca's not too easy but the work does come and I had a baptism this weekend so I can't complain. I really have been enjoying the time in the mission lately I feel good and time is flying right by. The 30 th I have 18 months in the mission I can't believe it. I sent Abuelo an email last week so I hope he read it. The mission office should have my backpack and I hope that no one took anything from there. I won't know until next week so I'll tell you later. Dallin is so close! I can't believe it it is super crazy. He'll love the temple it's an experience you'll never forget it's been more than a year since I have gone but I still rememer everything. Anyways I will have some pictures for you next week I'll see if my companion can pass me the pic. I love you Mom and I'll say that prayer for you this week. Bye I'll write more next week.

Love Elder Davis

3/14/2011

2011-03-14T20:24:00.000-07:00

Hi Mom

This week we had a pretty good start to this transfer we have some pretty promising people and are looking at 3 baptisms this week. We found a few really good people this week and are hoping that are going to be future baptisms. I don't have details right now but I will give them to you next week. I lost my backpack last week and my camera was in it they found the backpack they say but I just hope that the camera is still there by the time I get it back. That's good for Dallin I really hope that everthing falls into line for him and that he can really get ready to be ready for this experience. I have been really studying hard and ahve been thinking about the sacrifice that the Savior made for me especifically every time that I read that in my patrirchal blessing it makes me think about what I do here and that that is my purpose help him to save souls. I really want to finish my mission well and that's what I'm going to strive for these next few months that I have left. Ok enough of that I don't want to bug Mom but I have been waiting for a little money, if you can't send any that's fine but I was kinda waiting on it. If you have to choose about what you send out please send the money instead anyways I really don't have much else to tell you about this week I love you Mom hope that everything goes well for you this week.

Love Elder Davis

Hi dad

Toluca's good I guess I really didn't expect to be back here again but it's ok and things aren't half bad. I invited a person to be baptized this week and he accepted it's exciting to hear that, but the truly exciting thing is that he hadn't accepted a baptism in 20 years! It was a pretty memorable experience for me after I found out. I was completely clueless for about those 20 minutes we were in the lesson because my companion hadn't explained to me what his situation was and I was seeing that everybody in the room had a surprised look on their face. Anyways he gets baptized this Sunday and I am going to send pictures of that home. I think this is going to be a good transfer for me and my companion we already have lots of work and are going to keep it up. I think that President sent me out here for a reason and that I'm going to be a good instrument in the hands of the Lord. I am so happy for Dallin and that he has this great opportunity to grow and learn I know that I have learned alot and have grown alot. The 30 th of this month I have 18 months in the mission and only 6 left time goes by extremely fast and I do want to end on a high note so that's my goal for now. Thank you Dad for the counsel that you give me it helps so much. I love you hope everthing goes well with the reception center.

Love Elder Davis

3/7/2011

2011-03-07T20:21:00.000-08:00

Hi Mom

Thanks for Abuelo's email I think I will shoot him an email this week. I hope that you can all get organized and get all the work done soon. That's great about Dallin I haven't had too much time to talk to my president so I'll see if I get a chance this week. We had a baptism yesterday it was a super crazy day but it all got done so load off my shoulders. We had changes today I got moved to Toluca again so if Ricky comes with the package he'll just have to take it to the mission office. President put almost all of the most experienced missionaries in my zone this change things have been really slow lately so I hope to be able to change a few things around here. I've felt really good lately I've learned so many new things and I feel good about my work. Yesterday as I was saying good bye to a few people almost all were grateful with me and what I had helped them do. It was a really good feeling to see the gratitude on their faces. Thank you for the example you've always given me. I love you Mom take care and I'll talk to you next week.

Love Elder Davis

Hi Dad

Crazy stuff it's down to the wire now if he don't get his stuff in soon he'll be waiting in another mission probably in Utah a while so good luck. The patriarchal blessing is such a guide to me I've been reading it alot lately. It really helps in difficult times. Speaking assignments are no biggie now usually I have a about 5 minutes of prior notification and then I just have to wing it, so I think that 2 weeks is plenty. I miss yard sales the are the best for finding what you need for cheap but then again Mexico is also good for that the only thing is that I'm on a limited budget so can't splurge much. Anyways another transfer in Toluca again but we'll see what happens President put all the old farts out here because they're tanking out here in numbers. I really didn't miss Toluca all too much but I think it'll be a good experience I'm set on breaking new grounds out here. I love you Dad not much else is new take care.

Love Elder Davis

2/28/2011

2011-02-28T20:19:00.000-08:00

Hi Mom

Just to write you this week real quick. Not much is new around here had a baptism yesterday not many people were there but the hermano was really emotional afterwards it was a really neat experience. I wrote Dad a pretty cool experience I had this week tell him to tell it to you. I'll send pictures next week if I can I don't have my camera on hand. If you send that package with Ricky I could use a few pairs of new garments I have holes in a few right now and am not too sure how long they'll last. I'm size 34 on bottom and medium on top whatever material is fine just need them pretty soon. I get to talk to my president this week I'll ask him about calling Dallin but I'll be afraid that he tells me that I won't get to call for mother's day if I call home. We'll se what happens. I was just wondering if you've talked to Abuelo lately I wanted to ask him a few things send me his email address please so I can write him. I love you Mom and hope that everything is going well I'll talk next week.

Love Elder Davis

HI Dad

That's great about Ammon and that all have completed years (I'm not sure how to say it in English) all the crazy stuff should be out of the way for now hopefully. I have been working pretty hard lately and just making the most of my time it's been super crazy but been so worth it. I had 1 baptism yesterday I feel like butter lately the baptisms have just been slipping away for more that I try hard and get these people going they just don't want to. I get really stressed out about it and try to look at what I'm doing wrong so that i can fix it and get on track again but even then nothing comes super fast in fact it goes slower. I suppose that i have something to learn from these experiences maybe more patience I really don't know but I've been fasting and praying about it and waiting for the results to come I have faith it's soon. Anyways besides that not much else is going on I have just been doing my very best and that's all. I did have a pretty cool experience I felt like Ammon in Alma 18 when he talks to the king Lamoni. I had a lesson with and investigator and she had a few doubts about a few things in that moment I read a scripture and then afterwards she tells me that's exactly what I was thinking how'd you know? I felt really cool and then explained that sometimes we don't read mind but rather HF gives us the words to be able to help the people. We should baptize her this week so it's not too bad. I think that the mission is going to be very blessed soon if we all work that way. In May we get a vist from 2 apostles and a member of the seventy presidency. Elders Cook and Oaks are coming as well as Elder Rasband. I feel that that will be a really sweet experience and that we'll all be very edified( or at least very well reprehended ) and that we'll all get something out of it. Anyways that's what's new around here hope Mom isn't breaking her back with all the favors and little things she has to do. Well I love you Dad thanks for teaching more than nothing with your example. We'll talk next week

Elder Davis

2/21/2011

2011-02-21T20:17:00.000-08:00

Hi Mom

Saw the video I remember that moment so well almost cried again but held back a little. I've been twlling everyone that I see that Dallin is going on a mission. Guatemala is a nice place it's calm there I think you have more to worry about here and in the north. Well Mom not much has changed this week nothing new to write I love you and hope that you have a good week. I have changes in 2 weeks I will keep you posted to where I'm at so you can tell Ricky.

Love Elder Davis
P.S. I did get your txt

Hey Dad

I'm so excited for Dallin I know he'll love the mission it's such a good experience and good time to grow. From what I undestand Jensen Nevitt is in that mission so he won't stand out too horribly bad. I really hope he develops his talents before he goes it doesn't matter that he has alot of talents if he doesn't use them so I hope he learns to use them. Poor Mom she'll learn someday but she'll be a mess that day but a happy mess. No news on the other couple the judge hasn't shown his face and wont answer phone calls. Don't worry their time will come. I have really learned to appreciate time in the mission and it helps me focus on my goals better. I love you Dad don't have much to write this week.

Love Elder Davis

2/14/2011

2011-02-14T20:04:00.000-08:00

Hi Mom

Happy Valentines day Mom I love you. Hope you and Dad get some good time in today I know it's hard with kids and sometimes we don't make it any easier but that's why I'm grateful you're my mother. I hope that Dallin is really getting ready I wish I would have prepared better but can't make time go back that the nature of things. I have been thinking alot about Grandpa lately I feel at times he lets me know how proud he is of me I really hope that he enjoys his b-day on the other side today. Good luck with the weddings this month Mom you never stop but I am grateful for your example to me. I haven't talked to my mission President yet he's busy but I'll call him this week and see what he tells me. I think it'll probably be for when he leaves for the field that I get to talk to him but we'll see what happens. The investigators are all doing good but no one is really jumping to get baptized right now so we'll see who gets ready soon. The judge hasn't answered our phone calls lately and we've basically given the case over to our mission president and hopefully he gets that taken care of. Well I tried getting the pictures on the computer but this computer is weird and won't let me do it I'll try again from another one next week. I love you Mom

Love Elder Davis

2/7/2011

2011-02-07T20:03:00.000-08:00

Hi Mom

That's great tell Krissy my email or something or get his and I'll shoot him a quick email. Hope everyone gets all the way better soon. I'll talk to my President this week and I'll write you next week to see what he said. I say he's going spanish speaking but we'll see that'd be nice if the family could converse completely in español. Tell Bro Mowers hi for me and that's great news about the bead parties and weddings I hope that all goes well for you. Well my President frowns upon it he really doesn't like it too much but I'd like to come back after and show you a few of the people here so I don't know whatever you feel like and I'll make plans for it. As for the couple that needs to get married the judge is really being a pain about returning us the money and paper work so keep that in your prayers these two have been waiting patiently since november so we'll see what happens. My comp's name is Elder Guerrero from Tijuana and he's the DL I just needed to fix things that I wasn't doing well or not doing at all so I talked to President and he gave me a time off from the DL duties. I just didn't feel like I could be a good leader and tell them to do things I wasn't putting into practice myself so I asked him some time off to get back straight again and actually it's going really well. Anyways enough about that President just tells me not to look back and if I give it 100% the Lord will prepare me to be leader again. Well I almost forgot about Angela tell her happy birthday and that I love her hope that she has a great birthday. Ok Mom well that is about it I really didn't have much else happen this week just working hard to get people ready for baptism. I love you Mom and hope that everything goes well this week.

Love Elder Davis

Hey Dad

Dallin can't go for very long without hurting himself can he. He's just a mess I remeber when we were little and we were playing tag or something like that and he hit his face in the corner of a door and his eye swoll up like a ballon. Hope that he isn't a walking accident in his mission that'll be a real treat for his mission pres. Oh Mom she's just too focused somtimes on things I bet she'd walk around all day in PJ's if she had to get something done. Wow that really sucks about the flu I'm surprised that I didn't catch it and it should start to rain soon so we'll see if we luck out this year. 2 years ago they sent people home if they caught and couldn't come back without medical clearance just hope it don't get to that degree. Anyways Pday almost over and I gotta go work nothing new this week. Love you and hope everything goes well this week.

Love Elder Davis

1/31/2011

2011-01-31T20:02:00.000-08:00

Hey Dad and Mom

Hope everyone gets better that sucks that everyone is sick. I can't wait to hear about where Dallin is going to go on his mission I really hope that he goes Spanish speaking it would be nice to have the whole family speaking it. My new companion is Elder Guerrero de Tijuana Baja california and he's got little time in the mission. He's really good and I've learned alot from him in this short time we've been together. Some of our investigators are Elizabet and Carlos they need to get married and actually have had all the paper work and money paid for since November but the stumbling block here is a lazy judge that has stood us up 4 or 5 times now. So with them just pray for the judge that his heart will be softened and that he'll actually do his job. Other that has a baptismal date for this Sunday is named Luz she has heard missionaries before but has had lots of doubts. Her step son just got baptized 2 weeks ago and said she felt something special so she accepted a baptisms too. So with her just pray that she'll stay strong in her decision. Others will have to have more of a process but there's one more who hopefully will take that decision too his name is Edgar Reyes. Just pray for the ward in general barrio Morelos. I know it's seems like I was just being lazy but there were lots of little problems that kinda combined and made one big problem that had been affecting my reception of the spirit. There's nothing that you need to worry about I'm still worthy just needed to talk to President and get things straightened out. Well I hope that everything else is going well for you all back at home I love you and pray for you. Talk next week I'll have pictures ready.

Elder Davis

1/24/2011

2011-01-24T20:01:00.000-08:00

Hi Mom

Yeah I have lost a little weight I've been working my butt off but have been like super stressed out. I talked to President last week and told him that I wasn't feeling comfortable anymore as DL and asked him to lower me back down to a normal missionary. I told him that I needed some time to be able to realign myself he wasn't too happy with me but thanked me for my honesty. I'm in an area called Morelos close to the Benemerito you should ask Abuelo where he has friends around here and I might be able to go visit them. I'm dying with anticipation to hear where Dallin is going on the mission. I wish you luck in the business thing I know you can do anything you work at Mom. My new companion is Elder Guerrero from Tijuana President made him a district leader and asked me to help teach him in the new responsibilty. I don't think I need anything else I'm doing pretty good on supplies for now. As far as the account goes I think I have only a little bit left the weddings are worth while but they are pretty costly I don't have any money left at least until the people can pay us back. Thank you Mom for all you've taught me I've really noticed what a difference it's made in my life. I love you Mom I'll talk next week and send more pictures of my companion and the apartment we live in.

Love Elder Davis

Hey dad

Basically what I told Mom was that I talked to President and asked for a break I think it's been affecting my well being lately I've been sick a couple of times. He put me with a new district leader to help him be a good one too so we'll see how that goes. I'm in an area called Morelos in DF really close to the Benemerito in Gustavo A Madero right above the reclusorio norte (jail). I'm excited for Chaz we'll have 4 missionaries in the ward with him and 5 with Dallin soon so looking good. I do miss football a bit let's see how many offers I get to go watch the game with somone it's even big down here. The mission is a little weird right now Pres made like a million new changes this change and a bunch of re alignments. It's some crazy stuff. My new comp is Elder Guerrero from Tijuana baja california he's a good kid and I look forward to working with him. Thanks for the similie it helps me out haha. Well Dad work hard and I'll talk to you next week I love you and I pray for the family.

Love Elder Davis

1/17/2011

2011-01-17T17:59:00.000-08:00

Hi Mom

That's great to hear about Chaz I know he'll do great he's been ready for a while now. I've read that talk by Elder Holland many times here in the mission it's helped alot not to look back on the past if you are really repentant. Our mission pres uses the anti nefi lehi pact with the Lord here in the mission to show that worldly things are our offering to the Lord. I can't wait to hear where Dallin is going I bet it's somewhere in Mexico there's alot of missions here now. I did like the Christmas package and I did get Adrianna's and onca's too the sweaters are nice I use them alot. Tell them thank you I need to write some thank you cards even if it's generic I'll make one this week and send it home to you so that you can send it out to the others. This week was pretty eventful we married a couple and they got baptized yesterday you could see the gratitude they had on their faces and it was all worth the many hours of work we had to put into it. Their names are Lizbett and Salvador they live in pretty humble conditions but they were willing to sacrifice quite abit to be able to get married so that they could get baptized. Examples like them is what makes the mission worth it. Due to the lazy nature of most people here we haven't had tons of work this week but the Lord's elect like them make it all the while. I'm sending pictures of their baptism to you not much else is new just that my companion finishes his mission in one more week so I'm gonna focus on that this week. Pray for him his name is Elder Sanchez from Chiapas that's all Mom I love you and the whole family I'll write next week.

HI Dad,

We have a zone activity and I can't stay long but I love you promise to write more next week. I sent Mom pictures of my latest baptism.

Love Josh

1/10/2011

2011-01-10T18:09:00.000-08:00

Hi Dad

Tell Mom that her package got here barely this week due to the mission office they had it 2 weeks. My President explained to me this week that the calling is so sacred that we can't miss partaking of the sacrament something interesting that I didn't know kinda a comforting thing to know that on the mission the Lord will always forgive you for making sacrifice. He then explained to me that when we come to the mission we make an altar and on that altar we put all the worldly things that we had at home and we offer them as a sacrifice to the Lord an for that reason he is willing to forgive us. Some deep stuff I've been studying the atonement this week and I understand alot more things now. I can't wait to hear where Dallin's going to go many mothers I've met here in the mission say that it's a huge blessing to have 2 sons in the mission. Wow I didn't know that they were thinking about a realignment in the stake we'll see how that works out. As far as new stuff there's nothing new going on we just barely went to see a judge that's going to marry a few people this morning so this weekend we should have a couple of baptisms coming. Well Dad I love you and hope that everything's going well at home tell Mom I love her. I'll talk to you next week.

Elder Davis

1/3/2011

2011-01-03T18:08:00.000-08:00

Hey Dad,

It wasn't too awfully busy this week we had to be in home at 8 new years so pretty dang boring. We had a baptsm this week it was pretty nice his parents have to get married to get baptized but the papers are on the way so that they can get married this week. It's the first time that I've married anyone in my mission. Their names are Carlos and Elizabet if everything turns out they get married soon and latest next week they are baptized. There's lots that need to get married so we'll see how that turns out in the end. I really don't trust in the whole I'll get married thing so I think I'll look for more people that are in a better situation to get baptized. Anyways don't have much to write this week pretty much nothing happened this week. I love you all and take care I'll write next week.

Love Elder Davis

12/20/2011

2010-12-20T18:05:00.000-08:00

Hey Dad

We've been putting the promise to the test I did get changed again I'm back in Huixquilucan again but a different ward this time but they are all super close together, I've been running into my converts here it's really nice to see them and to know what's been going on with them. I'm sure we'll have some sort of opportunity like this Christmas. Saturday they're giving us another P-day since nobody is going to want to listen to us this weekend. I'm still DL but from the looks of it I think this'll be the last change I have as DL before they make me ZL which makes me even more nervous. I'll call on Friday btween 7 or 8 here or 5 or 6 there. I'm glad that the Lord is really looking out for us I know he is great and my testimony has really grown here in the past year or so( 30th is 15 months crazy!) I really have seen miracles in the lives of these people and have seen many things come to pass in my patriarchal blessing. I love you Dad gonna keep it sort this week.

Love Elder Davis

12/13/2010

2010-12-13T18:07:00.000-08:00

Hey Dad

Sorry for not writing last week I really didn't have a bunch of time to spend more than 20 min in internet so I wrote my pres. and Mom and that was it. I think I'll tell my pres about bro. heller today. Christmas eve we can eat with one family and as a zone Christmas day we have an activity as well as New years day but new years eve quien sabe. I think we'll do good this month Pres made a promise that if we worked hard this month we would baptize more than the other months this year so we'll put that to the challenge. Wow Drew got on the ball there with the marriage thing Kudos there. Tell Leticia hi for me if you can and hope that she gets better well Dad I told Mom that I'm going back to Huixquilucan but closer to DF this time it's really nice there in fact I have a Mall in my area. I gotta keep it short this week Dad I still gotta write Pres so I'll talk to you next week ok. I love you and take care please.

Love Elder Davis

12/6/2010

2010-12-06T23:50:00.000-08:00

Hi Mom

I have been busy this week has been hectic we hadn't baptized in like 5 weeks so things were getting tense and I was feeling really pressured so I wasn't able to think well last week. I'm still in my area changes are this next week we'll see if President keeps me here or no he said big changes are coming and he talks to me alot so we'll see what happens. Seems like you guys are really busy too but I'm trying to find the time to write a few cards the work has started to slack off a bit so I should have a little more time this month. I think what I'll do is write all the cards I need to and then put it in like a package and you can take them to all the people I need to write. We have a few investigators right now we aren't fighting with people who don't want to get baptized or take a long time if so we just write down where they live what we've taught and hopefully the other missionaries have more luck with them. I am finally doing good in my responsibilities and I don't feel so stressed out about it anymore and my leaders are happy with my work so it's getting better in that aspect. Tell thank you to all the family I really appreciate the help they give us. I really need to write Abuelo I've felt lately that he needs help in some way. I need to know what day the whole family is going to be together so that I can plan what day would be better to call and how we'l do it. Well Mom not much else to report this week just hope that every thing at home is doing well. I love you I'll talk to you next week probably earlier like 10 or 11 here so 8 or 9 in the morning for you.

Love Elder Davis

11/22/2010

2010-11-22T23:50:00.000-08:00

Hi Mom

This week was a bit frustrating we had 5 baptisms fall through and it really made me stressed and then got sick at the end of the week so didn't contribute to the happiness there but everything happens for a reason. I had been thinking a bunch about the letters lately I never have time for anything anymore in between doing what the leaders ask you to do and then what the missionaries need you have about one hour free every week but I'm trying to get some more free time in so that I can get those done some more stamps would be nice I seem to have miss placed the other ones I had. I hope this week we can get some work in before the holidays after this week everything gets really slow so I'll be praying for that, for the family it's a great time of year but for a missionary it's not so great. I'll get a few cards in this week to the family and the Bishop and possibly to the young men but the rest will probably take a bit. Well Mom not much to report this week hopefully Ican get a good picture to send home I love you and hope that everything goes well this week. Talk to you next week

Love Elder Davis

Hey dad

I'm doing fine it's been pretty cold here I was fine last year because Ihad just gotten here from Utah but this year I'm used to it already and it's cold . Ouch for Dallin I lucked out there just a couple cavities which I think I have again the food destroys your teeth here and half of what you drink is soda so it's not a teeth-friendly country here. Apart I have really sensitive teeth like Mom so it doesn't combine. This week is crunch time all I do this week will determine the amount of work I have for the holidays so the extra prayers are needed well Dad I love you hope that everything goes well in training thank you for writing even though you were busy. Not much else to report so I'll talk to you next week.

Love Elder Davis

11/15/2010

2010-11-15T23:49:00.000-08:00

Hi Mom

As far as the package goes just put stuff in that I can give to my District and a CD of the tabernacle choir. I'm looking forward to the call at Christmas too I have been really busy and haven't had time to write at all. My district is doing good I really appreciate that they work for me it makes my job lots easier. As far as investigators go I have 3 or 4 that will get baptized this week but they seem to always be busy so pray that they will be able to have their schedule free and a willing heart to get baptized. Their names are Angeles, Zugeyli,and Fernanda and possibly the son too Luis. Others are Ernesto and Mayra they need to get married so pray that they will be able to do so. Those are they most urgent ones for now so I'll put the other ones in next week. I love you Mom I'll answer all your questions next week I have to go work right now. I love you bye

Love Elder Davis

Hey dad

We had a broadcast in Mexico too it was great Elder Bednar talked about the revelation it was a pretty stinkin good talk. I've been jam packed lately my ZL's want alot of baptisms and it sucks up time and even P-day so it kinda stinks but I guess I can't complain. Well I hope you guys have a good Thanksgiving we'll see how long the new tradition lasts after I get home I won't be eatin that crap haha I love the food and have learned how to eat lots of new things. The holidays are coming soon I hope I can squeeze a little more work in before they hit. My district is doing good we've been working our tails off and they've been helping me out. My trainer is in my district and it seems like he wants to home already he only lacks 3 more weeks so I'll have my hands full with him. Not much new around here I still got to write Mom Before 6 so I will end here. Love you Dad

Love Elder Davis

11/8/2010

2010-11-08T23:48:00.000-08:00

Hey Dad

The weather is getting colder it's even getting cold during the day so I'm in sweater the whole day. That's great about Ammie I know he's gonna be a stud when he gets older. I need to write both Grandma and Abuela soon the thing is I haven't even had time to breathe but I hope some things clear upa little. Mom'll settle down in a few more years When Angela's the only one in the house... good luck there Dad. My District is doing good they are working which makes my job easier and so I don't have to be on top of them all day long. I've been getting a hold of my responsibilities more as a leader so I'm not freakin out as much but still a handful. Say hi to brother Koga for me and thank you for worrying about me. Well I don't have much else to add this week tell Mom a novel will come next week for her and hopefully pictures too. Dad I love you thank you for writing every week I'll see you next week.

Love Elder Davis

10/25/2010

2010-10-25T23:48:00.000-07:00

Hi Mom

I came to internet early so that maybe you could get the opportunity to write one of the sisters in my district. Her name is Hermana Chavez she's from Tampico and is the only member in her family she hasn't had an email from her faminly in about a month but she doesn't know that I asked for her email so that you could write her. Here is her email adress clara.chavez@myldsmail.net. Surprise her Mom she really deserves some more attention. This week I found out that one of Abuelo's teachers from the Benemerito lives in this ward his name is Virgilio Aguilar. Maybe it'll sound familiar to him. It's funny his wife was talking about it and said he was a little boy from Puebla and that he stayed with her in her house during the week.. We had a couple more baptisms this week they were really good ones she had been waiting for something in her life and she recognized it when it came around. Well that's all I have for this week I love you Mom be safe don't work too hard.

Love Elder Davis

10/18/2010

2010-10-18T23:46:00.000-07:00

Hi Mom

I can't write much this week but I will tell you a few things. I ran into your cousin the other day and it caught me by surprise and I still have no idea who she is and how she recognized me but whatever that's cool one more cousin in the mission. From Toluca I went to Metepec close by but now I'm back close to DF actually a suburb called Tlalnepantla tecnically I'm in Estado de Mexico but they call it DF. I'm close to the Benemerito so maybe you can talk to Abuelo and get the adresses of his friends around here. The district leader thing is going ok I still feel really new and not too experienced but I have the responsibility for a reason so ok. I think I'm gonna get the emails of a few of the missionaries in my district because I think their families don't write them so you guys can write them. That's all I really have time for this week but thank you for writing and hopefully all the business stuff goes well. I love you Mom talk to you next week.

Love Elder Davis

Hey Dad

I sat down today and was looking at all my letter and found Skylar's I started one for him so it should go out before week's end. I think I lost my sheet of stamps things have a way of losing themselves somehow I think I have half of what I came hear with, besides clothes. However I think that's nothing to worry about sending a letter home only costs about 7 pesos so it comes out about the same. I've had my share of those companions and hope I haven't been that companion for someone else because i do try my hardest. I'm included here in praying for Skylar, Kylie also wrote me and said that I had helped Skylar in lots and I hope I can keep doing that for him. Hope the wedding turned out pretty stinkin good I know Mom always wows the crowd even given little time and resources. About the testimonies I know that this work is the most important work here on Earth and each Prophet since Adam has preached it so I am more than satisfied with my contribution in it. There is a part of our mission theme that says Each missionary plays an important part in bringing to pass the task of Our Heavenly Father in "bringing to pass the inmortality and eternal life of man." I know I fall in that part and that I can do great things through little things.
Here is a list of the people I'm teaching and what their needs are:
1. Raquel and Jesus and their daughter Rachel, Raquel is sick with a few things and is looking for healing, also wants her husband to stop drinking and come closer to the family. We took them to church and think that Jesus felt good there.
2. Adan is 27 has kinda the same problem Cha Cha had and is trying really hard to stay clean apart is living with a woman that he wants to marry but hasn't been baptized yet so really shouldn't live with her.
3. Christian and his family Christian was into drugs and now has kidney problems because of it and is waiting for a spot to get a kidney we haven't been able to find him lately so that's him.
4. Liz she works with a member and has been listening to us but has a hard time I think letting go of parents teaching even though wrong and doesn't really know what the spirit feels like. Explained to her that going to church would help but hasn't gone yet so that's what she needs help with.
Those are the ones most likely to get baptized next so for now that's the list. Hopefully they can get over their trials and come unto Christ this week. That's all I got for this week. Oh one more thing I think I found Abuelito Santigo's name in the visitor's center in an exhibition of Mexican Pioneers, I'll try and send a picture of it next week. Thanks for writing Dad I love you take care of Mom for me.

Love Elder Davis

10/11/2010

2010-10-11T23:46:00.000-07:00

Hey Dad

I wrote Grandma last week and I felt half way decent being able to say that I miss Grandpa but he and I are doing the same thing preaching the gospel. So far this change has been a real growing experince I've been applying what I heard in conference that it's easier to be 100% obedient than 98% obedient, I've been applying that in my life and seeing that the fruits come sometimes unexpectedly. I'm glad Ammie is getting some playing time that will help him alot and will get him ready for High School, it's amazing the doors that are opened when you play a sport. I never really got to know Bro Koga very well but from what I hear he's a true sport. That's a pretty weird combo for a wedding and hopefully it turns out all good. So just about evrybody has passed through Abuela's house except for us and hopefully you're right that we don't have to live there too. I don't really know about the Xalapa or Jalapa thing my comp says it's both ways and I've even seen it on maps spelled both ways too so who knows. I really don't have anything to write about I just am trying my hardest to be a good example to my missionaries now that I'm in a leadership position so wish me luck. Thanks for writing Dad I love you and I'll talk to you next week ok.

Love
Elder Davis

10/4/2010

2010-10-04T23:44:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom

Conference was in the church building but I watched it in Spanish which kinda stank because the translators were kinda slow and missed big chunks but the parts I did hear were really good. Oy Kenyon I need to write him and get him to stop fooling around so much but anyways I hope he does better this semester. The camera is a Phillips the mark is Lumix I think if not I'll have it in hand next week to be able to tell you exactly. Ok I will write Grandma I've been really bad about writing people and need to take a few hours doing that this week. I am happy for Chaz he'll do great and I hope he gets all ready to go but he'll have to learn to get ready fast and not take his time like a girl, I actually think a girl is faster than he is you can tell Kris I said that. Well before you know it Mom I'll be home my trainer is just about ready to go home and it feels like I just got here so I think the time will fly this next year. Anyways good luck with the work Mom I know you can do it and I'll be praying for you this week. I love you and hope everything goes well.

Love Elder Davis

Hey Dad

Conference was great as always being here and applying the messages really brings meaning to the work. I was thinking about Bo this past week but it didn't occur to me that he would be in the choir but oh well I guess. I hope everything goes well in the project that you are working on and that it has sucess. Tell Chaz congrats for me and that i am really excited about that. I still haven't written Skylar back but hopefully I can get a letter to him soon i have to see how he's doing in the Mission. Well apparently I'm about 40 minutes away from Drew's last area in the mission so you can say I've been to each extreme of the mission so far and I only have to go to 2 more zones and I've touched all of it. Besides the extra responsibility I think that this change is going pretty good this area can be very fruitful I just have to work. My new comp is Elder Jaime from Jalapa, Veracruz and has like 4 months in the mission. We get along great and he has the gift of speaking and persuasion which will come in handy when it comes to work. So I burned the shirt this week it's nice to know I'm half way done so I guess I'll have to keep working hard this last year that is left just 7 more changes. Well Dad thanks for writing it's nice to hear what's going on at home. I love you and take care this week good luck again at work I'll be praying.

Love Elder Davis

9/27/2010

2010-09-27T16:26:00.000-07:00

Hey Dad

Thanks for writing and updating me on home I really love to hear about waht's going on there. Take the opportunity to go to the temple as much as you can I don't get to go until I finish my mission so ¡aprovechalo! The DL thing is going ok I had my first interview this week that was nerve-racking but I got through it with the help of the holy ghost. I guess the bigger responsibility will help me grow alot faster now but I finish the day more tired than I have ever been in my whole life. Howevever I can sleep at night knowing I did a good day's work. About the pictures I have been trying to locate a computer that has a slot to insert a sd card but haven't found one. The lost chord is to my camera and that's why I haven't sent pictures and not much time or money to be able to look for the same chord, but I'm sure I can find it if I get a minute. The one year mark is a shirt and 6 months was a tie but my comp didn't let me do it so I think I'll have a double ritual this week. I've also heard that the second year is alot faster so I got work to do now. That's exciting about Chaz and Dallin and after them alot will be leaving soon after and we'll be a blessed ward. Tell Dallin to get the ball moving or else it'll take forever to gey out into the field especially if he goes foreign, lots of problems with visas right now we're waiting on 30 americans right now who are in the states in other missions just waiting on that. I love you Dad thanks for supporting me I really appreciate it. Tell Mom hi for me and that I'll try to get those pics to her somehow.

Love Elder Davis

9/20/2010

2010-09-20T12:00:00.000-07:00

HI mom

Well I have a new area again that's 3 in 3 changes which isn't too common but whatever that's fine I think i will love it the same. I hope you can attend the temple we don't get that opportunity only when we go home from the mission. I need to write lots of people back Skylar's already written me three times and I haven't sent anything back so I need to get on that. That's good you have work I hope the business keeps growing and that it could be a steady thing. 4 hours is a tight time but I know you can do it Mom. Dallin and Kenyon should be getting letters soon then I need to talk to them especially Dallin. I miss Angela alot sometimes I wish I could be there to see her grow up but I'll catch her baptism at least. I did get the money thank you I really needed it this week I have money that supposedly I'm getting reimbursed but that takes forever so thank you and my tias for that. I really have nothing else to write this week it was pretty slow because of the 15th and 16th. I love you Mom

Love Elder Davis

Hey dad

It's hot down there still? That's surprising I don't remember the weather pattern there too much I guess. Yeah it's sweater weather alright and just gonna get colder but I won't have to worry about being in Toluca for the weather because I'm going back closer to DF. Spencer and Brett already have their Eagles?! I remember those 2 when they were still in Primary and now they have their eagles wow I'm getting old "no doubt". I get the racist thing some but not much usually just people playing with me and stuff like that but I usually don't tell complete strangers that I'm from Arizona. I guess my comp from Kansas got raised up to DL as well so I guess this was a pretty sucessful change. I think there's a talk by Elder Holland about missionary work it's called the divine companionship and it says in one part that if you are doing your work right, then you will worry about the sucess of your companion and not your own so I am happy. I guess that's all I have for now so until next week and I'll update you on how the new area is. I love you Dad thanks for your advices I really use them.

Love Elder Davis

9/14/2010

2010-09-14T11:59:00.000-07:00

Hey Dad

Good to hear about the stake center already done that's great. Anyways about callings my president already gave me my changes I'm going to be a district leader and I'm really nervous about that I don't know what to think really that I'll have to trust in the Lord in all that I do. I really haven't figured out how to really take care of myself yet and now I have to worry about a whole district so that's nerve racking to say the least. Haha you're so full of it Dad I don't even have 50 baptisms yet so that's a bit short to say the least. However we should have baptisms this week so I'll keep you posted on what goes on with that so I'l have some news next week. Other than that I don't have anything new except maybe that this week will be a huge party everywhere so I guess we'll see what we can get done. I love you and thank you and all who got a little to me thank you, I'll se if I can get them all an E-mail. Bye I'll talk to you next week and update you on everything

Love Elder Davis

9/6/2010

2010-09-06T11:58:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom

I had a pretty good week just a bit more relaxed. Good to hear that everyone is busy and that everyone is fine that really is good to hear. So who are the missionaries in the ward now and how much time do they have? I completely forget about holidays in the states and what days they are. The only thing that is coming up is Sep 15 and that will be a huge party everywhere I'll probably not get anything done that day but good thing is that I'll probably eat till I explode. I try to still talk in Spanish a little with him at least when we're out in the street but it usually doesn't happen but I still have all my Spanish for the most part so I'm doing ok I guess. Eric is going to do great on his mission that's all I can say so hopefully he keeps going strong on the upward from here till then. We just baptized a guy this weekend that had just gotten out of jail and that really wanted to turn his life around. It really reminded me of how heartbroken I felt when I found out about Cha Cha's past. I really felt that way but the only difference this time was I knew how to help him and in the position to help. We're also teaching a mother and daughter right now that are really good investigators and are hoping that they can get baptized this week and that there won't be too many problems with that. Other than that no really incredible stories just people that are listening to us right now. Well don't have much else to write for now so I love you Mom hope you can get just a little in my bank account this week I'm hurting a bit for it sorry to bug though.

Love Elder Davis

Hey Dad

I hope everything's going well for all of you and that you guys have enough time to get everything done. That's really sad again though that that happened once again. I really hope that all families included are ok and that they can accept what's happened. It makes me think that our stake must be really strong to have such challenging trials like those. I really hope that one day Mexico can be that strong and I thank the Lord that my trials get harder but so do my rewards so it's a bittersweet feeling I guess. Tell Angela and Eric hi for me and that I love them alot. Tell Ammie that I really like thart he's playing football this year and that he can be really good if he just sticks with it. Eric John will be a really good missionary when he gets out in the field and have such a strong testimony to bare with the people he teaches. I guess we're doing pretty good we had a baptism this weekend and it was really spiritual this young man with be a great member in spite of his past. Well other than that I have nothing else to report for now pretty slow week other than that. I love you Dad stay safe and take care of Mom for me.

Love Elder Davis

8/30/2010

2010-08-30T11:56:00.000-07:00

Hi mom

I've been thnking alot about the accident this week and how I would react but I can't really put myself in that position seeing I don't have children, but hopefully I'd have the faith to say that I say with conviction I will see my child again.but I've seen the examples of so many people not even members of the church with similar situations. I've really had to turn especially to scripture study and prayer lately to give all the answers the people are looking for and be able to answer their doubts. Every area I go to the people's problems get harder and I hesitate to be able to promise blessings for following the Gospel. But anyways I hope the family's doing good and all the jobs around the house are getting done. I hope Kenyon really puts his head down this year he is smart I just hope he can apply himself. I've been really reflecting on what I can say to encourage him to do better. Yeah so the year mark is almost here I can't believe how close it is now and I still feel new here so it's weird. My new comp is really good his name is Elder Wofford from Kansas and is a really good companion we work so well together and get so much sucess during as well. My ward is Las Torres in the Metepec stake it's a very fruitful area and I really like it alot, the weather hasn't been too much of a damper in this change but it's cooling off more and more every day now soon it'll get cld againand it had barely gotten a little warmer so it's almost always cold here. The mission address is still the same:Sierra de los Vertientes 310 col. Lomas de Chapultepec Del. Miguel Hidalgo C.P.11010 D.F Mexico. Haha I'll try not to make them mad anymore Mom I promise:) Well that's all that i got, for now can't send pictures I lost my backpack with the cable to my camera so I still take pictures but can't send them until i buy a new one. I'll try to get it soon and then I'll send them to you ok. I love you Mom recuerda que Dios siempre tiene la mano extendida nada la tienes que agarrar.

Love Elder Davis

Hey Dad

Not a bad week this week we had a little fruit of our labor this week with a couple of baptisms and alot of work in these next few weeks so I can't say anything bad about it. Wow I still need to write Bishop Oakes a thank you letter so hopefully I can get around to that it seems that I don't really even have time to sleep either, I've been so tired these past few weeks and can't seems to catch up on sleep. So everything just about ready to start doing Dallin's papers yet? He should be able to start pretty soon here. That's right Todd should've been home since june he left more than a year ahead of me. The music here is pretty good just from riding in the bus or taxi you hear and memorize at least parts of songs and I'm trying to learn how to play some of them on the guitar it's actually easier than I thought it was but still not a piece of cake either. However you are right about people not being able to sing the spirit is there but they can't carry a tune to save their life. It's funny in August back at home I'd still be really hot and sweaty and here I have to wear a sweater already so ironic or maybe just different. This ward is really actually pretty dang fruitful we've been working like mad and new stuff just keeps coming every week so it's definitely a good time here right now. Almost everyone we are teaching is just a really good investigator and has all sorts of questions and things like that. Lots of different stories as well ones are out of jail recently others single mothers others need to get married even if my husband doesn't. My comp is a huge help as well to me I learn alot from him and hopefully he does from me as well. Well thanks for the concern about those things I really appreciate it, it still hurts my pride though when i have to ask for things but I guess it's necessary sometimes. Well I don't have much else to say other than that I love you all and I thank you all for the help you give me especially in the prayers. Bye I'll write next week

Elder Davis

8/23/2010

2010-08-23T11:54:00.000-07:00

Hey Dad

Thanks for the news I really had been pondering all week long about that and I'm glad to know that everything went well. I had working and wondering about the plan of salvation all week long in our lessons with the people and how I can promise them to see their families after this life. I had really been praying to obtain a stronger testimony about it and I definitely feel lots better about the whole subject. I'm also glad I have the gospel in my life and that it can give me such comfort in times of need. Give my condolences to the Burrell family this week if you see them on my behalf. Huh that's funny I didn't know that they knew my mission president maybe I'll see if the opportunity comes up to tell him that I know Bro. Heller. Well don't have anything new again this week I have been trying hard these past few weeks to baptize but I think my patience is being put to the test so hopefully through hard work and dedication I can overcome this slump I'm in. I hope that you guys are keeping up with everything at home I know it's a busy time at home right now because it's busy over here too so I guess I understand completely. Well I love you guys and hope everything can wrk itself out this week. Bye talk to you guys next week.

Love Elder Davis

8/16/2010

2010-08-16T11:52:00.000-07:00

Hey Dad

That wasn't what I wanted to hear but knew this week you were going to tell me so I am sad but not surprised. I will include grandpa in my prayers and make it so grandma has the strength to get through this right now. I was hoping that I was going to be able to tell him good bye one last time here for a long while, but I'll see him again I know that much. Well that's all I got to say about grandpa before I start getting emotional and all. Now about Dallin and Kenyon that isn't things that I want to hear but I know things like that happen when no one wants to back down so I understand that even though that isn't the way you should handle it. I hope that they can keep the peace now that something dramatic has happened so I'll be praying and fasting as well for that as well as for the granparents. Yeah mission drama that's the least of my problems but some people really try hard to make you not let go of it especially you know who so that just something you have to put up with. So i got changed again but not too far just to Metepec which is actually pretty nice it's newer than Toluca so it's alot more comercial and got all sorts of nice pads just like in Huixquilucan. My new comp is Elder Wofford from Kansas city, Kansas and my Spanish is going fast so hopefully i can keep enough of it to teach the people and stay working good. We are working super hard and already have 4 baptisms lined up this week so we're doing alright I'd say but we'll keep the head down and keep on at it. Well dad that's all I got for this week so I hope you're ok with that. I love you stay safe this week and take care of everyone

Love
Elder Davis

8/9/2010

2010-08-09T11:43:00.000-07:00

Hey dad

I wish I could go back to school easy times they were great but I like it here too. I hope Dallin isn't being too much of a knuckle head I wish I had invested a little more time in scripture study before but that can't change now. He'll be a good Elder just needs to put his friends after and his duties first and not vice versa. Anyways I guess this week has been pretty eventful this week we had week-long divisiones with the ZLs and I found out that the stake president is a big cry-baby he called a conference with Pres villareal to complain about the entire zone and he and his counselours all ganged up on Pres Villareal and took advantage of him being a new President. Later found out as well that he is the only stake president that didn't accept pres' new mission plan. I was completely shocked and had never seen such a show over nothing. Anyways to please the stake pres as well he took out the majority of the zone and put in new elders. Comes down to that I got changed again just when I was getting used to working in this area. Anyways I hadn't heard about that rumor but I'll be sure to ask some of the guys going home to see what's up. Anyways that's basically what happened in this week hope that it goes well in the new area but we'll see. Anyways I don't got anything else to write so I think that's all for now. Bye I love you all

Love Elder Davis

8/2/2010

2010-08-02T18:44:00.000-07:00

It's always good to hear from home, but don't miss it too much or least not for now. Oh lala she knows how to have fun that's for sure and include other little girls wild. Hope Ammie gets into shape soon that kid will be a tank if he does and rip it up. Oh Kenyon I hope I get time to get around to a letter for him I chatted with a few minutes the other week and knows he can do better but I'll see what i can do to motivate him. Dallin needs to get a job soon or else... but I didn't know he was going to enter in school, is he going to finish a whole semester? Anyways hope Mom gets some business going soon the summer months are always good for business, are you guys still thinking about keeping the company or gonna give it up soon? Future missionaries makes my heart feel good but haven't seen Elder Kleinman I don't know if they sent him to the other mission or if he even is in the field yet, but I'll keep an eye out for him. Anyways don't got much else just a small story of something that happened this week. We went to Walmart to visit a recent convert because she hasn't been asisting church we visit her station and a guy with a helmet walks in a greets her, then he kinda shyed away but within sight. We kept talking with her and the dude kept looking at us I turn to see that maybe he wants something, when I turn I see he has his cell phone out and he takes a picture of me. I think how weird this guy is a nut, I remembered that I needed to buy a few things so we say to her we'll be right just gotta grab a few things. When we return she says to us I know why that guy was watching you. We say you do? Why? She starts to tell us that the dude thinks that we were mafians because in 1985 he had an encounter with a group of guys and that I looked like the ring leader and that the guy that I supposedly was conserves well and still looks young. He always continues to say watch I think they mean you harm and that he was going to bring her a self defense book. When she was done telling us this me and my comp were both rolling on the floor dying of laughter a few tears came out as well I laughed all the way home and still makes me laugh thinking about it. Anyways dad that's all I had this week besides a few more baptisms later I'll send pictures ok. Bye I love youElder davis

7/26/2010

2010-08-02T18:41:00.000-07:00

They're limiting us to 40 minutes on this thing so i might have to start writing from the other e-mail. Anyways that's awesome about the camping trip I remember those times and if you like getting wet you'd love it here there is no lack of water that's for sure. And btw that's crazy about the Excursion hope the gas isn't killing you guys and that'll be 2 Ford vehicles for the family as well( my truck) which if you don't care about selling would be a good idea. I am loving it here and seeing success finally got around 5 or 6 baptisms lined up next pair of weeks so really happy about that. Tell Zoram any time he wants to visit I'll accept it and any money he wants to give me too no just kidding but I'm fine and doing the work to my best. I just completed 10 months before I know it December will be here and just one more year to go. Love you Dad hope Mom's doing well tell her sorry I missed her and that I'm going to reply to Bishop Oakes' e-mail so I won't have time to write. Bye I love you all

2010-07-21T08:50:00.001-07:00

7/19/2010

Hi mom

This week has been a little more productive and have been able to finally get a baptism this week. I was so scared that we were going to draw a blank because my companion hasn't had a baptism yet and that's not good because here almost every week we can baptize so I had to show him that it is possible. Anyways hope you have fun camping this weekend it would be pretty fun to camp here in this area there's lots of places that look like up north in Arizona so it would be pretty nice. As far as work goes I'm trying to be patient and hopefully the blessings come after but definitely trying to do my best. Anyways my comp was sick this week of his stomach but it's the first time I've seen that a native Mexican gets sick of something he ate and I didn't. Thank you all for the prayers they really work and I've seen the affects of them here. Anyways don't have anything else but hope you all are well.

Love Elder Davis

Hey dad

Sweet whip a mustang convertible not bad. Too bad I wasn't there to take that thing out for a spin. Poor grandpa I hope he's hanging on ok that would be pure misery for me. What's new with grandma is she doing ok having to take care of grandpa almost 24\7 now? Eric John funny kid I can remember some pretty memorable moments from him. Definitely makes life interesting with younger kids still in the house. Yeah the new area is pretty good I still got all the commodities of the big city just without all the noise but don't have a water heater with the bucket we bathe. Funny story we have to heat water with this contraption of death that we plug into the wall socket and we only have one so I thought this looks simple enough to make. I round up a few things and get to work took me about 5 min. I grab the bucket fill it up to see if this thing works. I plug it in and all I hear is pop pop and a sizzling noise afterwards. We go outside and check the fuses because obviously the light went out, I look into one and the thing was almost completely welded shut I get it open and all black inside completely fried. I didn't need to check the other one I already knew it would look the same. It was already about 10 o'clock and everything closes early around here so we justed stayed without light the rest of the night. I love Mexico it's awesome. Anyways finally gonna have a baptism this week I was so worried about blanking out this change and my first change as senior comp. I need to find a way to get more people baptized I know we can do it just have to find the way how. Anways oh wow I still feel new in the mission and Dallin and Chaz are already getting the priesthood and Skylar's already gone holy cow. Anyways weather hasn't been too bad this week we finally could work a little bit calmer this week. That's all I got to report this week hope everyone is well love you all

Elder Davis

2010-07-21T08:49:00.000-07:00

7/12/2010

Hi Mom sorry I didn't get to write last week we had a zone activity all day long and didn't have not even 20 minutes during the week just to send you a message to tell you how I was. I did get my package I loved everything thank you all so much. I figured something would happen for the 4th of July I absolutely forgot that it was even a holiday until I looked at the date on the calender. I did talk to Abuela and I couldn't stop saying hermana when i was talking to her it was really weird. I guess I'll have to get used to talking with family members in Spanish. So about the area I'm right in the center of Toluca I have the town square and all the commodities of DF without the smog. It really is beautiful here and it gets tons of rain which is going to take some getting used to. The area is super huge imagine the boundaries of the stake and that's the area of just one ward, I think to cross from one side of the area to the other it would take at least 2 hours. Surprisingly I think we're only the second biggest area in the zone, El oro reaches all the way to Michoacan. My area includes the main part of Toluca, el municipio de Zinacantepec, and el municipio de Almoloya de Juarez. Being senior companion kinda of stinks it's more responsibility and the leaders bug you all day long on the phone. Apart from that I basically have to train my companion over again his first companion didn't work at all and he's kinda of used to not working so I really don't blame him I blame his trainer that didn't teach him right. In the mission trainers are called Dads and if the trainer only stays with his "son" one change, his next companion is called his step dad; that's what I am so hopefully the Lord blesses me with the knowledge to be able to teach him right. My companion is Elder Torres, he was born in Orizaba, Veracruz and now lives in Aguascalientes. The weather here is a bit hectic this past week it's rained every single day and it makes working really hard especially since we have such a big expanse of space and our only mode of transportation is public. This ward is good for the most part but I've never heard so much talk and absolutely no action. In theory this ward would be the best ward on the planet if they followed through with their words... but I've seen absolutely nothing. People here are really receptive but it complicates the situation when transports are as ridiculously expensive as they are and I really don't know what to do. I can't really promise them that money will magically appear in their pockets and I can't tell them either that a car will appear in the front drive way. Hopefully I find the best way to work here. Anyways that's the area for the most part besides that I have nothin to report for now. I love you Mom thanks again for the things you do for me. I'll talk to you next week bye

Love Elder Davis

Hey Dad

Well glad to hear no one got seriosly injured, but that's once again more money and to top it off Mom got blamed for it. Anyways things for the most part are going good here in Toluca besides the large geographic area I should come out of here with a good number of baptisms. Not too many that I know went to the new mission only one from my generation went to the other. New President is great we'll be just fine here in the mission, I think that things should go pretty smooth, Pres Fuentes prepared us well to accept him. Un fortunately that's what happened when Pres Fuentes arrived to the mission and he definitely had no missionary experience. The missionaries started to rip him apart and that's when he sent all those missionaries home, after the area presidency told him he couldn't send so many home but rather help the missionaries, so when the missionaries heard that they got more confidence and started making secret combinations just likr the Gadianton robbers. That's why President Fuentes always told us don't be an Elder Gadianton whenthe new president gets here. Unfortunately there will always be brown nosers and butt kissers in the mission but I'm not like that I do this for the work not for the glory. Spain won the world cup hopefully they are satisfied with that. I hope they know that the virgin Guadalupe isn't real now and that the stop saying their vain repitions to her but whatever they'll stay that way as long as they want to stay in their erronious ways. Anyways don't have much to write this week I'll keep you updated on the cool experiences we have here. Bye Dad I love you have a good week this week.

Love Elder davis

6/28/2010

2010-07-21T08:42:00.000-07:00

6/28/2010

Hey Mom

Sorry about last week Mom I was celebrating everyone wanted to do something with me including the missionaries so I didn't have tyime to write last week but I saw the messages you wrote. Thank you for all the stuff I didn't get the package this week but it'll get here soon and yes i saw the money you all sent me. Thank everyone for me and I'll be getting around to thank you cards this weekand be sending them out soon. I still have to write Bishop Oakes and thank him for all his help and service hopefully I can get it sent out soon and wish I had gotten it to him sooner. Rest this week please Mom the family needs you healthy so do that please. I don't know who my new companion is but I will have details next week for you and hopefully some new pictures. I'm going to Toluca right in the center so mostly like DF still. If Abuela does come to see me you should give her my number( ###-###-####) and hopefully I can give her directions how to get here. Our mission president left today and the new president should've arrived today as well so hopefully he feels welcome tomorrow in the mission conference. Other than that haven't had many baptisms lately due to the world cup but Mexico is out so hopefully we can get more people tp listen to us. Well Mom not much else has happened this past week so hopefully you can rest up this week for all the upcoming activities. Bye Mom I love you I'll write next week with more details.

Love Elder Davis(joshie)

Hey Dad

Sorry i missed last week I had lots planned and no time for internet so I missed writing luckily one of the sister's left me check my messages real quick during the week. Anyways I will be changed tommorrow to Toluca and they just raised me to senior comp. I really don't know if I want to throw up or be happy I guess I have to progress but the whole idea makes me nervous. Anyways thank you all for the nice birthday gifts I really appreciated that and yes a family did make a birthday dinner for me. Being a little older is scary the whole not being a teenager thing anymore is hard to grip but gotta move on that's life. I still need to write Bishop Oakes and thank him for helping me get out here and soon a letter will be finished for the ward so the bishop can read it aloud. Brother Pearson is no big surprise I knew he'd have something to do with all the changes. But I'm surprised that you didn't know that Sister tucker and Brother Flake are siblings. Poor Brother Payne I guess he lives up to his name haha but really poor guy. Hopefully you can get the Suburban back in running condition and get the family moving again. I know how little problems when not taken care of right away can turn into bigger problems I've definitly learned that lesson here so I understand completely. Anyways Dad I love you not much happened this week and no baptisms so hopefully now that Mexico is out of the world cup people will be more willing to listen this week. Bye I'll talk to you next week

Love Elder Davis

5/24/2010

2010-05-24T21:03:00.001-07:00

Hey dad

That's 2 down as far as school goes and time is going any slower before I'll be calling you gramps haha. I would've loved to see that Temple dedication, I hope before too long they have the Gilbert temple done. I hope Mom doesn't get too caught in Girl's camp she works too hard for too little but hopefully that means your guy's mansion is getting bigger every day in Heaven . Good you had time to kick back a little this week. I hope that he is a good guy my mission president pres fuentes is great so I hope he is a good one. I miss sports a little soccer is starting to get a little old but i can hold in there a little longer. Oh ammie is a hoot I miss his funny little attitude he cracks me up. Anyways dad I have a new comp and i think we're going to baptize real good this change his name is Elder Garcia from Veracruz. Anyways Dad don't have much this week but I love you and hope you are still doing good in everything. Bye I'll talk you next week.

Love Elder davis

5/17/2010

2010-05-20T05:41:00.000-07:00

Hey Dad

Glad to hear that things are growing out there at least in the Gospel. It is always good to hear that especially being on a mission. You're right I really couldn't do anything without the help of the lord, I've definitely recognized that this past little while so I think I will continue to put my confidence in him. That's great that Kenyon is showing an interest in missionary work the earlier the better. I am really glad that you've all been praying for the work over here it's really helped for sure and I have equally been praying for the ward at home so hope everything is working out. I asked Mom for the address of tio Benjamin {Molly's cousin recently passed away in Puebla and Josh wants to drop a note to them} or their Email I'd really like to give a few words to them if you can just remind her for that info I'd appreciate it. OH my address for abuelo when he gets down here is 2da cerrada del deporte (2nd house on the right don't know the number) col. Jesus del monte Municipio de Huixquilucan I hope that is enough info to be able to find me. Other than that we had 2 more baptisms this week and we're still going strong in this area so expect more news in the near future. Stay strong Dad and I'll talk to you next week ok

Love Elder Davis

Happy Mom's Day

2010-05-10T22:21:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom

It was nice talking to you yesterday too and to hear all the kids as well. Tell everyone hi for me and thank you for all their prayers and help these past few weeks they can see how good it really paid off. Apparantely we broke a mission record this week for baptisms in a week in one zone so that was cool and just a testimony builder.So anyways the baptisms this week were as follows:

Gabriela Villeda

Yuliana Vera Villeda

Manuel Vera Villeda

Jose Efren Villeda Sanchez - These 4 were baptized thursday May 6

And Sunday the 9th as follows:

Jessica Morena

Erica Carillo

Erick Barrea Garduño

Nancy Lopez Mora

Sandra Vasquez

Kaory Alvarado Vasquez

Pamela Alvardo Vasquez

Lizbeth Alvardo Vasquez

Hopefully this week we can get a couple more to finish this change out well and not burn out and die. I'm going to ask this week again that you all pray for these people specifically so that they can complete their baptism and be confirmed this Sunday in church. Anyways mom that's all I have this week for you hope you stay safe and be ablr to do all you need to do. Bye I love you

Sincerely Elder Davis

Hi Dad

Thanks for writing even though you didn't have much time. I really enjoyed talking to you yesterday as well with Mom, but with somone that knows what it's like and all I really liked being able to tell you what's happening and you know exactly what I'm talking about. I think I'll get ready for that hug you don't have that opportunity for your whole life. I just hope to continue working hard from now on I want to just do what I came here to do. Good luck this week Dad hope your training goes well and you can stay focused. Bye Dad I love you till next week. I'm going to send you half the pictures because l can't attach all of them on one email

Sincerely Elder Davis

5/3/10

2010-05-03T20:31:00.000-07:00

Hi Mom,

Glad everything is back to normal. Tell Lala I'll be home soon enough. This week was better we are going to baptize again this week so I'd ask if you can pray for all of those people so that the can follow through with it. I heard about Araceli a while back from Nellie and Shelem I hope she isn't suffering too much. If you can get me their email or something I think I'll write her something. Unfortunately the members that can afford to let me use their phone are very particular and so I don't want to ask them and the other members don't have land lines so I think you'll have to call my cell phone which is going to be soo expensive but whatever you guys know better than I do. The thing I was explaining to you was a devicve I could actually keep and would be for the rest of my mission and be lots cheaper but I understand if you can't get me the money. As far as the package goes I don't know what it has in it but the only thing I can really think of that I want is more skinny ties and that colonge I asked for a while back cause I get stinky during the day and I'm too lazy to go out and buy one oh and peanut butter it's way expensive here. Anyways that's all I have this week so bye till next week love you Mom

Hey Dad don't got too much time but the new stuff is we're going to baptize again working towards 20 already hope I get 50 before years end. Great about prom and Dallin about time he starts dating little fart he took forever now lets see if he doesn't go dating crazy. About Cody which mission to peru? I had a couple buddies in the MTC go to Peru so I could give him the heads up on who's there. Haha we'll see about he family business whatever that ends up being it seems like it's changed several times. That is true abot the time I'm already working 8 months already 4 more and the time goes even faster according to other missionaries. Anyways I don't got much to report this week so till next time.Love Elder Davis

Weak Week (at least in terms of letter length)

2010-04-29T23:18:00.000-07:00

Hey mom

Thanks for writing. Um well nothing much to say better week this week and had 2 more baptisms didn't bring my camera so I'll send you the pics next week. Bye Mom I love you and hope everything goes better this week. Sorry it's short but gotta go

Love Elder Davis

Hey Dad

Great to hear about the Court of Honor hope it actually means something to them now if not just alot of wasted time on something that is supposed to be so good. I know Mom so doesn't sound out of place that she went all out. I have a letter for Dallin ready today and am going to send it out to him. Abuelo and Tio are right there are some pretty ritzy homes here, but they are all enclosed and can't enter but the Patriarch has a pretty stylin place so it is true. Hopefully the letter has some affect on Dallin so that he will realize what is really important. Well dad nothing big except 2 more Baptisms for me this week so this is where I end.

Love

Elder Davis

4/19/2010 Letter(s)

2010-04-20T20:28:00.000-07:00

Warning: Kind of a graphic puppy story is contained in the following post, reader beware.

Hi Mom

I got the letter and the other one too they both sent it's probably just bugs. Anyways how great that you have a little time for yourself you deserve it enjoy it. Tell everybody thank you this week went by alot smoother after their prayers for us and the area. We are still working towards baptisms and getting people reactivated so there is still work to do, but the power of prayer is real. Tell congrats to Dallin and Kenyon and tell Dad sorry that I didn't write to him on his Birthday. The letter for Dallin is coming soon I've put alot of time thinking and pondering what I can say to him to help him out I am still writing a little more gets done every day. Hopefully everyone has a little more patience with me I try and start a least one letter every day for someone so they are coming hopefully soon. I am not sure what day I get to call but I found out a way that in the long will save money on the calls home. Another missionary was telling me he bought like a palm pilot type thing and it comes with a program called Skype you've probably heard about it, if not it's a program that uses the internet to communicate between computer and phone or computer to computer. If you were to buy a microphone for the computer the call would be free and 1 dollars worth of credit gets you 45 minutes to any phone so that's an option. The only thing is it would come out to be about 300 dollars so it's up to you and Dad, but I did do the math of the last call and it would be a little cheaper and wouldn't have to bother a member to use their phone, but once again your choice. If you can't send the package I can wait( I've waited long enough already) it's fine for a few more months. Anyways I don't have any crazy stories other than the ones I told to dad but I am almost out of time so this were I end. Bye Mom I love you Have fun and stay safe.

Love

Elder Davis

Hi dad

Luckily this week has been lots better as far as the work goes, but as far the temporal things go not so lucky. This week I went twice without water so I was a little crusty a couple of days this week, one of those days happened to be Sunday so double whammy. But I just put a few extra sprays of cologne on and went to work so that's life for me now. The main part of our area is pretty small but we have a bigger part that we don't go to very often because it requires taking a bus and because of the lack of work in the past the chamba(work) isn't very established so most of the town is Catholic and EVERYBODY goes to mass. We were walking down the street and it had to be about 200 people holding candles and carrying their St. Judas Tadeo figuirines ughhh I hate that stupid little statue. This week my comp has been helping out in working with the members and I think he realized that when you show a little faith in something it starts to work. Haven't pulled any baptisms yet but we're setting them up. Short sad little story the neighbors about a month ago had found a little puppy in the street and cleaned it and brought it home. The little was pretty stickin cute but a little too curious. While the neighbors were pulling in their car the thing got under the tire and... squish no more doggie. The teenage girl that had been taking care of it was pretty torn up and the hermana asked us if we could burry it soo we dug a hole for it in the garden and now it will help the little plants grow the end. Other than that don't got much else just keep praying for my area that we can have some fruits this week. Say hi to Drew and Gpa and ma their letters are in the works and coming soon.

Bye Dad love you

Elder Davis

Email 4/12/10

2010-04-12T15:42:00.000-07:00

Finally some news!!! Josh has been transferred and seems to be doing well. He needs prayers sent his way so I hope I can get everyone's help in this request. My heart is full and am hoping the best for him.

Hi Mom

I did get transferred and that's why I didn't write last week. I was enjoying my last area but change is also good. I am in a little colonia called Jesus del monte and in the delegacion cuajimalpa. I am right on the border of DF and the state of Mexico by the municipio de Huixquilucan I don't know if you'll be able to find it on a map but that's the best I can explain it for now. The ward is very small and almost all the active members live outside of the actual area limits so it makes working a bit complicated. The Bishop is less than excited to work with us and consecuently the members as well. However I have seen potencial here and have been totally repentant and have done a couple of fasts for the area and I have seen some good things happening in the past couple days and at church. One thing I will ask of the family this week is if they can pray for my comp he doesn't have alot of faith in the members and doesn't feel like supporting me and the zone in working with them so if you could include him in your prayers I would appreciate it or at least pray for me that I can receive additional guidance in what I should do to encourage him. His name is Elder Paredes he lives like 2 hours away he works really hard and is very spiritual so hopefully you guys can do that for me this week. Other than that I haven't done a whole lot this week just alot of walking and knocking doors but not alot of sucess so hopefully we will be guided this week to those that will listen to us. I loved conference this last week it was the best one I have ever seen by far and I know that it was truly inspired by a loving Heavenly Father. Well mom I don't have much else to write other than I included the pictures of my last 2 baptisms one is a boy by himself his name is Yamil and the other is a Mother and son that got baptized in less than five days and have been going to every church activity that there is so they were a golden family; their names are Carmen and Aaron. Dales saludos a mis primos y diles que les quiero y que sigan echandole ganas. Cuidate ma y te escribo la proxima semana. Bye te quiero

Elder Davis

Email 3/30/10

2010-04-05T08:59:00.000-07:00

Hey Dad

Easter well we should be able to pull a great number this week of appointments because Semana Santa is a big deal down here so hopefully we can pull some baptisms as well. I have a great movie that we show invest. it's called "Finding Faith in Christ" it talks about the last week of Christ's life and usually people cry and at the end we ask if people are willing to follow christ's example and the majority of them are and that's when we say well will you follow Christ's example and be baptized. Works like a charm it is soo sweet, we use the false traditions of their fathers and then teach them what it means and how they can give true meaning to the things that their fathers taught them in acheiving true happiness. Anyways I knew you would probably win Mom's been losing her Mexican side and needs to rediscover it. Victory is so sweet especially when I apply that to teaching practically people use their own words to bring to pass their own conversion. Talking about Skylar if you could remind him to shoot me an E-mail soon I'd appreciate it. I still haven't gotten around to all the letters I need to write so hopefully we aren't packed too heavy this week, but it's the last week of the change and usually we have the most work at that time so we'll see if I can pull it out. As far as food goes I think the pictures make it evident how much we get fed here. We usually get fed at least 2 meals daily and eat on the street like P-days or whenever the members have to cancel and give us money. 6 months! This week I'm going to burn one of my ties, it's a tradition we have when we complete 6 at 1 Year you burn a shirt 18 months a pair of Pants and when you finish a whole suit. Time flys and it hasn't slowed down a bit so I will be home before too long and be missin the mish. Well dad not much else to añadir so with that I'll say I love you and stay safe take care of Mom.
Talk to you next week
Love
Elder Davis

Email 3/15/10

2010-04-05T08:53:00.002-07:00

Hi mom

This week was good we had lots of work and had 2 more baptisms this weekend. We've been working really hard to pull the mission's numbers up and getting everything ready for the new president. I heard this week that Shelem was in the hospital for emergency surgery, but that she is recovering now and just about ready to leave. Unfortunately I haven't had time to write absolutely anything I work all day long and pass out as soon as I hit the bed so I'll have to stay up one of these nights and knock out all the letters I need to write. Congrats to Chance and Quinten you'll have to get me their e-mail or something so I can tell them myself. Oh by the way mom it's spelled Phillipines and he'll be speaking tagalog :) and last week you said that my cousin Tyler will be coming home soon haha Tyler's 3 years old but I do have a cousin Kyle that will be finishing soon. Anyways yes I will include all my areas and companions and converts in a letter and probably pictures too. Thanks for even worrying about a package Mom but don't worry if you can't get around to it, it's not urgent. Love you and tell Abuelo a letter is coming soon as well as Granma and the Chambers. That's all I have this week so until next week

Love
Elder Davis

Email 3/15/10

2010-04-05T08:53:00.001-07:00

Hey Mom

Coming up on six months already don't worry i'll be home before you have time to enjoy that i'm gone. Another baptism today but I forgot to bring my camera today I will bring it next week and update you on everything. Glad about the weddings but too bad they're not paid some day you'll learn to say no Mom,but until then I guess just await your blessing for giving charity in heaven. This week we hopefully pull out the baptisms we have planned so I am praying that they happen. I know how the kids are, with the population natuarally there are more children here and they are exactly the same so their nature doesn't change with crossing into another country. The assault was at night but I wasn't scared at all more than anything I was mad because of one stupid rat we had to work twice as hard because he took our resources to be able to work with. However we ware both physically and mentally safe no problems. Anyways don't have much this week Mom just know I love you and that you've taught me well.
Love you
Elder Davis

Email 03/08/110

2010-03-15T12:44:00.000-07:00

Hi Mom

I'm doing good this week and we've gotten a lot of work this week and things have finally started to get back into full swing since the holidays. I've been working on a few letters this week and have gotten a few done slowly though if a find any extra time I sit down and write but I don't get much that especially this week we got slammed with a lot of stuff. Yesterday at church I was running around like a mad man and there were so many things to attend to and I was running a little low on sleep, but at the end of the day when I was completely exhausted I felt good. I didn't bring my camera today but next week I will give you all the pictures I have taken recently, which reminds me if you send in the package some sort of storage device to back-up all my pictures that would be great and I need more stamps as well I 'm running low. I am so excited about Chacha, Abuela had mentioned that he was going to be able to renew his covenants soon that's great. Hopefully this week we can help a few people set a baptismal date and hopefully in the next week be baptized. A lot of Elders are leaving real soon so I think by force in the next few months I will be raised to some sort of leadership position, hopefully by then I can have a good grip on all the workings of a missionary to be able to help others. Dallin's letter has exactly what he needs to do to prepare to be ready for the mission and other brother stuff and I put the same thing in Kenyon's letter. If you could tell Brother Howell that I appreciate him sending me a letter and that a letter for the priest quorum is coming soon just haven't had time. The new mission is going to include 5 stakes from this mission and 5 from the north mission in may if you are in any of the 5 stakes it is most likely that you will go to the other mission. Transfers aren't for another 4 weeks but I will keep you updated on any changes that happen before then but most likely not.
bye Mom love you

Hi dad

Thanks for the advice it does help truly it is just hard to remember sometimes. Wow Kenyon is a priest and Ammie has the priesthood that is crazy and soon Dallin will be leaving as well. This week has been better as far as the work goes but as for unfortunate events not so lucky. We were coming out of contacting one of the references we received from the offices and out of nowhere I felt a knife in my throat and a guy saying to my comp give me your phone and your wallet, and then he says the same to me but I didn't have anything on me so he didn't take anything from me. However my comp had four credit cards and a phone that cost nearly 5,000 pesos so he was hurting. My comp is a little thick sometimes and thinks he has all the luck in the world so when I told him to put his phone away because we were in a dangerous part of town, he just brushed me off and kept walking and a few minutes later well you know the rest of the story. We've spent half the week making phone calls and visiting banks so I've learned the definite value of living within my means. Anyways that's all we did this week not any prospective baptisms this week but hopefully within the next week we'll have a handful. I love you dad and really appreciate your counsel take care don't let Mom worry too much about me missionaries have a promise with the Lord and I've been working my tail off this week so I'm not worried. Love,
Elder Davis

Email 2/8/2010

2010-02-08T17:16:00.000-08:00

Hey Dad

Thanks for the football updates but I did catch a little part of the very end of the game, what an upset and about time for Payton manning to fall. Great about Dallin he has really come far in spite of his weight disadvantage, I figured all the people that took first would've taken first I've wrestled all of them. I am so glad about Chance I think he needed to do this so he could progress more he's really come a long way. Justin Kleinman doesn't sound familiar but I guess I'll see him when he gets here maybe even be one his leaders by the time he arrives. Preston Solomon is almost done here so soon it'll be down to one Queen Creek elder until Justin gets here. So this girl that asked Dallin to MORP what's her name a lo mejor I know her and can give you the DL on her. Maybe not I'll never have the perfect companion but I've learned so much from him so I am grateful to him. Not much else this week pretty slow once again, but I will keep you updated on all that happens here. Till next week Dad I love you.

Sincerely
Elder Davis

Email 1/18/10

2010-01-19T05:55:00.000-08:00

I wrote to Josh in Spanish this week and so he responded back in Spanish. This is the letter, I'll post the translation after.

Hola ma

Ya encontremos nuevos esta semana y probablemente debemos bautizarlas pronto. No tuvimos bautismos esta semana pero espero que tengamos algunos en estas siguientes semanas. Lo siento que estas un poco enferma pero así va la cosas en la vida a veces. Ya pensé a escribir Adrianna siento bien chafa que no la he escribido pero voy a hacer lo en un rato cuando tengo tiempo. Espero que Kenyon pueda sacar buenas notas este semestre en la escuela tengo que escribir lo para que yo pueda animarlo a hacer lo que él sabe es corecto. Di a Dallin que espero que le gane en su torneo esta semana y que si quiere ganar tiene que trabajar con ganas para cumplirlo. Estoy animado por Angela ella es bien inteligente y va ser una niña bien trabajadora en el futuro. Abuela esta echando ganas a asistir la capilla y espero que se regrese a renovar sus convenios en el Templo y que puedes ayudarle a sentir un confort en hacerlo. Te quiero Ma y voy a esforzarme esta semana en la obra y en lo que NPC quiere de mi.

Tú hijoElder Davis

English version:

Hi mom,

We found new investigators this week and should be close to baptizing them. We didn't have any baptisms this week, but should have some in the next few weeks. I'm sorry that you're a bit sick, but that's how life goes sometimes. I've been thinking of writing Adriana and I feel like a dork that I haven't written her, but I'll do it in a while when I get a chance. I hope Kenyon can get good grades this semester I need to write to him so I can encourage him to do what is right. Tell Dallin that I hope he wins his tournament this week and that if he wants to win he has to work hard to do so. I'm so excited about Angela, she is so smart and is going to be a hard worker in the future. Abuela is working hard to go back to church and I hope she will renew her covenants she has made in the Temple and I hope you can help her feel support as she does this. Mom, I love you and I'm going to work hard this week doing what our Heavenly Father wants me to do.

Your son Elder Davis

Email letter 01/11/10

2010-01-11T15:59:00.000-08:00

Hi mom

This week has been pretty good we worked hard and it paid off. This weekend we had two baptisms and I got to baptize one of the guys. The first was Andres he was a bit stubborn at first to get baptised but we persisted and finally he went through with it with the help of his family. The second one was Marco Antonio Nery and I got to baptize him he had a baptimal date before this weekend but at the last minute he disappeared, but we got him down into the water this time and it was great. This is the last week of changes but I stay here in Roma for one more change at least and not going to Toluca( thank heaven because you didn't send my package Mom :/)(I've been Busy!). Anyways I saw Abish on Sunday and he looks pretty much the same and I think the members are catching on that I have cousins in the ward because a sister asked me at dinner the other day if I was Abish's brother. Happy to here Dallin is doing so good for his weight and actually place in a big tourny like round valley. And pelon is getting married already? That's amazing I remember going over to their house in the summers to go play and now he's geting married wow. I will keep praying for Kenyon and get around to writing him soon and hope I can do something to help him. Yw counselour again they really love you in the YW program probably because you're so talented Mom you always did know how to do everything and i am grateful you passed some of those genes on to me it's come in handy por ejemplo I've already had to hem two pair of pants and fix several things in the house and I am glad I have the know-how to do all of it. My comp and I are getting along just fine we work hard and do the work and have fun at the same time so I'd say we work well together. Love you Mom amd I hope you aren't too overwhelmed with things time is going by fast here hope you feel the same.

Love your son

Elder Davis

Feliz New Year

2010-01-05T12:09:00.000-08:00

Hi Daddy( whatever you say Daddy) name that movie (Grande Jake Poquito Jake),

Anyways I'm glad you got mt letter I had alot in there I wanted to be able to talk to just you about since you know what I'm going through. I love Mom, but I don't think she could relate to what I was talking about. My trainer is a great guy I try to follow his example all the time I think in my personal opinion he is the most obedient missionary in thje whole zone even more so than the ZL's themselves. Huaraches yes I've had it's just a bigger flater chalupa or picada thing nothing too fancy in my opinion, the gordas at the one place are to kill for they are made with all maíz and you can put al pastor in it with the works ooo good stuff. I heard about Dallin's gig Skylar wrote and told me and was all pumped about it. Christamas too was a little hectic here we didn't really get a chance to rest even though we were "resting", así es la vida pa and you just have to put your shoulder to the wheel and push along. Generation just means whoever came from the MTC with you at the same time so yeah I definitely had an advantage when I got here. I saw somone from my MTC district the other day and hasn't seemed to pick up almost anything at all because he is just so lost here. I thank Heavenly Father every day for the knowledge I have been blessed with and the knowledge I receive daily from Him. Well Dad running out of time again, but I love you and hope your lectura en el LdM is going well. Oh and by the way my favorite scripture I'd have to say is Psalms 37:5.

With love your son
Elder Davis

Email Dec. 28th 2009

2009-12-28T17:31:00.000-08:00

Hey Mom Merry Christmas Mom and hope you have a happy new year as well I didn't have too much happen this week after we talked other than we saw a fight and a guy pulled out a gun, but he was drunk and couldn't do anything with it before he got the snot kicked out of him by a store owner. The Christmas party was pretty good it was fun and one of the families actually the same one that let me use their phone gave a little Christmas present so I got something for Christmas. Anyways tell me how the parties go and how everyone is doing oh and tell Cha Cha happy birthday for me I forgot to say that last week.

Mission home address:

C. Sierra de las Vertientes No. 310

Col. Lomas de Chapultepec

Del. Miguel Hidalgo

Mexico, D.F. C.P. 11010

Elder Davis

Hey Mom Not much to say this week it was pretty slow. We had the Christmas party later the same day I called it was pretty fun we had Carne asada and some other stuff it wasn't a bad little dinner and devotional thing we had. That same night we were out looking for Christmas lights and we saw a fight and a guy pulled out a gun, but he was too drunk to do anything with it before he got the snot beat out of him by a store owner. Anyways I attached a couple pictures of our little bathroom/shower hope you enjoy. Oh and I will give you the address of the mission home too. Talk to you next week Mom.

Love you

Elder Joshua Lamoni Davis

(Love the bathroom pictures!?... I need to have a serious take with this boy!)

Christmas Phone Call

2009-12-28T17:23:00.000-08:00

We got our call from Josh on Dec. 24th at about 2 pm. He sounds great, at peace and enjoying his mission. We are grateful for his safety and look forward to our other calls that we get with him. Some Info that we were able to extract from him were:

His companion's name is Elder Javier and is from Tabasco, Mexico. He told us that a family from the ward is from Veracruz, Mexico and that they knew some of my family on both sides, small, small world. He has to walk and take the Metro everywhere (I'm not going to think about that too much) and he has about 10 investigators they're teaching right now.

It was great to hear his voice even though its only been a few months that he's been gone. We enjoyed every minute.

News from Mexico....FINALLY!!!!

2009-12-21T17:23:00.000-08:00

Well after 3 weeks of being in the mission field here's what we have:

2 emails and our first pictures!!!

Email from 12/21/09

Hey mom Here is the baptism. His name is Luis Alberto and he was a golden investigator. Not many people came it was small and kind of quiet but I know the Spirit was there so it was amazing! I call home the 24 or 25 so keep your cell phone on you in case you aren't home. Bye love you all and I will talk to you next week.Love Elder Davis

Hi mom here are the pictures of the mission so far and I had my first baptism yesterday it was awesome and supposed to have another one next week. I get to call home the 24 or 25 I'm not sure which one so keep your cell phone on you just in case your not at home when I call.

Feel free to caption these photos since there were no particulars provided such as who, where, what, why and how. We're working on that.

Last few emails we have recieved from Josh

2009-12-15T05:23:00.000-08:00

Emails from November 20th, 2009

Hey dad I got your letter from dear elder means a bunch thank you. I hope you have been enjoying your reading time I know I do it's the best thing I get to do here so it is precious to me. I heard about Bishop Edgley talking at stake conference and we had him here it was a great talk. I also heard Elder Taufa that Duce Latui's dad died so I thought I would tell you that. Tell me how the Bulldogs are holding up if they are out or in still just let me know and tell Dallin I'm waiting for that letter i want to talk to him before he starts wrestling season now that he is big time now with Lane hurt and what not. Anyways I have to go but i will talk to you next week. Bye dad I love youlove Elder Davis the younger

Hey mom, I got your dear elders and I also got Dad's too. Thanks for sending those I felt better we got our flights plans last night and I fly to Georgia then to Mexico city but there is a 4 hour lay-over in Georgia. I guess the plans don't mean anything unless we get our visas but I have been praying for it to come in. I hope all the kids are staying focused in school and that they are behaving bien. Anyways we are supposed to get Elder Oaks for Thanksgiving and I am excited to go to that other than that we just have one more week left. This next week will be our teaching week so we plan on having tons of lessons next week so to prepare for teaching out in the field. As far as necessities come I am fine here but if there is anything that you think I might need then you can go ahead and send that anyways that's it for this week and I'll be sending an e-mail next week with more info on travel so you'll be hearing. Love you all so much and you're in my prayers.Sincerely,Elder Davis

Emails from November 27th, 2009

Hi mom Got all your letters and the package this week thank you I neededthat. Thanksgiving here wasn´t bad we had Elder Holland yesterday morning and Elder oaks came earlier this week on Tuesday so it´s been a good week. I hope thanksgiving went well for you guys at home and that everyone is enjoying time off school. Well don't have much to say other than we got our flight plans and visas alright. I will be calling home Monday so be ready for it. I fly to Atlanta and have a 4 hour layover there so that's when I'll be calling talk to you then. Love you Mom and tell the family I love them. Elder Davis

Josh finally transfered to Mexico City he's been there 2 weeks. We didn't hear from him for what seamed an eternity, there was a long silence - 2 weeks to be exact, Can you ground your missionary?

This is what we got:

Hey Mom Don't have tons of time but I forgot to write last week. I got all the Dear Elders and even got some when I got here Shelem told me she called you so I hope you're not too worried. We have had so much success and we'll even have baptisms before Christmas! I miss you and love you all and tell the kids I'll write next week. Les Quiero mucho Elder Davis

We found out a few days ago that my 1st cousin Shelem Mora is in one of the wards that Josh is in, she's up there studying. Can you believe that?! We are just grateful for small coincidences that keep us in touch with Josh. We would have gone crazy had we not heard from someone he was okay.

Week 7

2009-12-01T09:14:00.000-08:00

Hi mom,

I missed you too this week, I got zero mail! People here are sick too, my comp had the flu this week and he was put into quarantine for the rest of the week so I have to stick with other people in my district. The nurse gave us all medicine to take so we wouldn't get it either and apparently it's expensive stuff so thankfully it was no charge to us. So Ammie was Rambo? Did he walk around with his shirt off and you painted on fake abs :)?! I knew Kenyon and his friends would do something like that, that's the typical nerd thing to do. I heard that the cops came to the house because the band was making too much noise. That was cool about the Fear Factor things with actual gross things, that sounds pretty amazing fun and Danjee would be able to tell what they were because he's a "farm-boy." We've only gotten area authority seventies and other not as well known GA's here except for Elder Perry so that's sweet about some one from the Presiding Bishopric spoke at stake conference. I wonder if President Lawes saw that we had to write in-prompt-to talks and thought it would be a good idea to do that for stake conference?! If he did that's too funny. I have gotten better about eye-contact, but I can still improve. I still look away a lot still so I'm trying. The Spanish helps with my speech as well, it forces my mouth to not be lazy so I haven't been mumbling. I sent a letter to the boys, hope they liked it and I also wrote Abuela this week too and it was in Spanish I hope it was all correct I look forward to being able to converse in her native tongue. we didn't do much stuff for Halloween all we really did was play around in our rooms with some of the stuff the guys in our zone got from packages and such. I got the package from Adriana and Onca I need to thank them both for the stuff it was a nice surprise. That address book would be nice so I'll be waiting for it this week. As far as mail goes I don't care a whole bunch, but it would be nice to get letters during the week as well, instead of waiting until Friday to be able to read it. If there is anything that you want to tell me either the Dear Elder letters get printed every night so it's all good which every way works best still I don't want to impose I know how busy you are. I'm working my hardest and trying my best to learn everything I can. Keep Brother Ashby updated as sell, he wants to hear from me so he can tell the mission prep class. I hope everything is going well finance wise as well, remind Dad to take that real-estate test he invested a lot of time into that, it could be a good thing to have. I love you Mom, hope it gets easier for you as time goes on, it does for me, be strong for me Mom. I hope to hear back soon.

Love your son,
Elder Davis

Week 6

2009-12-01T08:52:00.000-08:00

Hey guys,

How are you all doing? Are you helping Mom and Dad out around the house and other things? I miss you all so much, but I'm happy missionary work is hard, but it's really fun. I hope you guys are reading the scriptures everyday and praying, it is really important! I love you guys and thank you for the letters, I really loved them. So what were you guys for Halloween? Did you have lots of fun? Did you get a lot of candy? Tell me what you guys are learning in school. I watched conference there and it was cool, and when we all stand up and sing it's amazing to hear all the missionaries singing the songs. Which talk was your favorite? My favorite talk was by Elder Holland and the Book of Mormon and it's cool because I get to tell people the same things and so do you some day! Did you guys like President Monson's talk about the "warm-fuzzies"? On Monday for family night I want you guys to put "warm fuzzies in the jar you made at Dyna's house for all the service you guys do during the last week. When the jar gets full tell me so I can send you a special card or something.

I'll tell you a little something about what goes on here. We wake up every morning at 6:30 and we wither have gym or MDT which stand for Missionary Directed Time or we have a service assignment, luckily we don't have to do service on our p-day sorry Dad ;)! We have breakfast which is like cafeteria food so it makes you fart all day long? (Sorry about the f word, and for the ones about to come..) Then we usually have class or more MDT to study in the scriptures or Preach My Gospel. Then we have lunch which is more cafeteria food so we fart some more, it gets really stinky in our classroom sometimes! Then we have class some more with a different teacher usually till dinner. Dinner is the same, you know what that means, and then we have more MDT or a devotional or some big meeting like that. On Tuesdays we have a general authority come and it's awesome to see people that talk in General Conference and stuff, like we had Elder L Tom Perry come and he was so cool to watch in person. I hope we get the prophet here soon so I'm crossing my fingers hopefully! We also do this thing called Referral Center were we talk to people about the Church on the phone or on the Internet on chats and it's cool because they are real people in the world not like when we practice with each other or thinks like that. We also do something called the TRC where volunteers come in, they are usually members, that act like investigators and we teach them, we have to teach only in Spanish now so it's just a little bit scary, but I'm learning so it's all good. Then sometimes on Sunday we walk to the Temple and just look around and talk. The Temple looks so pretty against the mountains, it's really cool looking. Other than that, that's pretty much it that we do here.

Be good OK? Listen to Mom and Dad they know what's good for you even if you don't like it sometimes, do it anyways and you'll feel good. Lala that means you too little girl! One more thing I want you to do is go to school and make one new friend, can you do that? I'll be writing you to find out. I love you all so much I hope to hear from you soon!

Love your older brother,
Elder Davis

Week 5

2009-12-01T08:35:00.000-08:00

Hi Mom,

Sorry I sent Dad a letter before you, but I said I would write him and didn't get around to it so I did it this week. How are you? Is work still busy? Anyways it's going really well here I've never had such a short month in my life, it was crazy fast. I only have one more month and then it's off to the biggest Spanish speaking city in the world, which is full of crime and all sorts of worldly vices, fun hush?! Just kidding mom I'll be fine I don't want you to start breaking down and crying (I just want to hit him right now, not cry). I just started the lessons in Spanish this week a whole week ahead of schedule so the language shouldn't be a problem. My teachers have been pulling me aside and been telling me that I probably speak the best in the whole zone, so it's been a bit of pressure having that kind of example on others. I just hope they don't put me in a leadership position I don't like the attention already. I keep seeing more and more people from Arizona and Queen Creek, it's a Small world here at the MTC so I've been not so lonely, it's not so bad. In a week and a half we'll be the oldest district here in our zone so a little more added pressure at that point. Other than the email I sent should just about cover it for now, so I'll give you a little more Spanish now:

Me gustaria compartir mi testimonio a ti. Yo se que mi madre es la razon por todo que me he aprendido hasta ahora. Yo se que la familia puede ser eterna y que la familia es ordenado de Dios. Yo se que Jose Smith fue un profeta de Dios y el se vio a Padre Celestial y Jesucristo. Yo so que el evangelio restaurado esta en la tierra hoy y soy un misionero de esa iglesia. Se Que tenemos un profeta en la tierra hoy, Thomas S. Monson y que eso hombre fue llamado de Dios. Se que podemos una manera ser como nuestro Padre en los cielos mediante la expiacion de Jesucristo. digo estas cosas en el nombre de Jesucristo, amen.

I love you mom hope all this stuff is written right(it's not, but pretty good start) I'll be writing a letter for the kids this week too, sorry it's taken so long.

Love,

Elder Davis
"Joshie"

Week 4

2009-11-06T10:31:00.000-08:00

Hi mom this week went pretty good another district in our zone left so now we're the next oldest district. Time has gone so stinkin fast it's insane. We got some papers for our visas yesterday so I think we'll be leaving on time I am so ready to leave and start the work! On Tuesday L. Tom Perry visited and gave a great talk it was so cool to hear an apostle talk and be able to see him in person it was very up-lifting.

Today in the Temple we did sealings and I felt the presence of the child I was a proxy for it was so amazing to feel that your work is accepted I just about cried and the other couple that was doing it was crying so that is definitely going into my journal tonight. Elders McCleve and Fager have already been here and left, but there are still a few other Queen Creek Elders here so I'm not a loner here and I think the Clair's daughter is here because she's also from Queen Creek and their sons are in our stake so I'll have to ask her.

Anyways that's all that happening here this week. I'll write home to the little one's this week and give them a little taste of missionary life. I love you all stay safe and you'll be in my prayers. I'd still like every one's address too so if you still send that, that'd be great. Bye

Love
Elder Davis

Hey Dad,

Mom already got an email so I'll write you. (Hey I want both!) I didn't get a change to do it last week. 1 Ne 15 that's a great chapter I've read it many a time here and I swear we've had this talk in class so it's funny you bring it up. That's a good idea about the "warm fuzzies" my belly button lint is no longer colored, it's since been white, for obvious reason, but I had heard from Nellie about FHE even though she wasn't there. Adriana sent me a package, but I forgot to save her address so if an address book in in the working that'd be much appreciated. I have to write her a huge thank-you letter she's way too good to me.

It turns out that Elder Taufa is a distantly related, but that he does know them and is friends of that family. Ooh nieves, that sound so good right now there isn't anything even close here, which reminds me it started to snow already, none of it has stuck, but it's cold as snot here. I hate it. I'm glad we don't live here it would be so miserable to deal with it and I don't plan on returning here again.

Hno. Oswald served in Panama and Hno. Memmott served in Cali, but didn't speak solamente espanol, he was bi-lingual. I've been better about staying awake in class, but have switched to falling asleep during devotionals. However we did have 2 good devotionals this last week one was one of the district presidency members talking about the facsimile #2 in Abraham and what some of it meant and that even recent science has proven some of it true. It talked about borrowed light how the sun borrows it's light from Kolob and how we borrow our "light" from Christ, it was really quite interesting. The other was from L. Tom Perry, listening to an apostle in person is so cool. His was what we need to do to teach, it truly is inspired stuff, it is way sweet. It kinda helps things "click" in your head and gives you a bit of motivation. We sang Called to Serve and it is cool when it gets sung.

Elders McCleve and Fager have both left and Elder Fager was in my residence hall, same floor so I saw him a lot. Elder McCleve got here and had the most confused look on his face, but he turned around pretty quick and is already in the field, lucky terd. (I really need to have a talk with him about his adjectives) I also ran into the Speakman's son, the one father in the Hobson ward who passed away, he looks exactly the same it's hilarious because he looks like a 12 year old walking around. I also saw a sister Clair from Queen Creek and I think she's related to Fred, I have to ask her. There are more Queen Creeker's than I thought here.

Anyways that's pretty much what I've got for now I'll be writing home a letter for mom (yeah!) and the kids real soon so I'll have a little more for them in that letter too. I love you Dad, thanks for the support you give I know I was a hell raiser for you and mom so I know I don't deserve the stuff you guys do for me. The Temple's really put things into perspective so I'm glad I get to go often. Till next week

Love you son,

Elder Davis

PS Elder Checketts is related to Dave Checketts distantly, but he does know exactly who he is.

Week III Part Dos

2009-10-24T01:47:00.000-07:00

We got a bonus email in addition to the hand written letter Josh sent, woohoo!!!

Hi mom,

Coming up on a month already. Wow, time flies hope everyone at home is getting excited for Halloween without me this year. This week we've really picked up the Spanish speaking and been doing class almost exclusively in Spanish I'm really glad I understand all of it some guys are completely lost. The Lord has really blessed me with understanding the language. I heard FHE went pretty well without Nellie and I but that it was weird not having us there. We start teaching completely in Spanish starting next week so hopefully by then my tongue will be loosed and the language will just flow from my mouth. Nothing real exciting happened this week so that's all I have for this week. Oh but in 2 weeks we go to the Spanish consolate in Salt lake to do our visa work so I'm super excited. Can't wait!

Love,

Elder Davis

Week Three

2009-10-22T08:51:00.000-07:00

Finally some substance from Elder Davis. I need to start teaching the rest of my boys how to type, having to type a two page letter... can you say carpal tunnel, but I'm not complaining.

Hi mom,

Sorry I didn’t get around to the letter sooner. I miss you, but I’m fine here it’s starting to get better. During the week we do a lot of studying and reading. I fall asleep a lot, but I’m trying not to I want to b e a good missionary and son so I’m trying my best to make you proud. I’m so happy that you’re getting a lot more business, now I know that Heavenly Father wants me to be here doing his work. Right now I’m back at my apartment with my companion he’s not feeling well so we’re missing our meetings. I haven’t really had any other time for anything I’ve been so busy, so I guess in a way this is a blessing.

Well, I guess I’ll give you a little bit of my schedule so you can have something to put on your blog because I can only peck at best on the keyboard. We wake up at 6:30 every morning; I wake up at 5:30 to go to the bathroom because the food here sucks eww! We either have MDT, service, or gym right after we wake up so there’s always something to be awake for. MDT is Missionary Directed Time or basically study time. My companion likes to waste it most of the time so I have more personal study more than anything. We’re supposed to have everyday at least one hour personal, one hour companion, and one hour language studies, but my comp likes to do his own thing and hasn’t gotten into his head he’s stuck with me so he lays a lot of the time when we have teaching appointments, but I’m being patient with him and trying to be a good example so we’ll see what happens.

We have service once a week, it’s usually cleaning the apartment building its right after we wake up so it’s a good wake up activity so we all usually are falling asleep again by the middle of class again. We have 5 gym periods a week the only days we don’t are Sundays and P-days. We usually work up a good sweat at gym and we only get 1 laundry period a week so our room smells pretty ripe the day before P-day. My roommates are my comp and another companionship Elder Phillips and Elder Taufa. I went to Franklin with Elder Taufa so it was weird seeing him in the same room as us. He was in the 67th ward in our stake too so it was even weirder. My district is as follows: Elders Degearge, Taylor, and Cordon they’re going to Mexico City with me. Elders Checketts, Taufa and Phillips are going to Veracruz. You should write a letter and tell them what to expect there. Elders Kleven, French, Lee, Wood and Cridle baugh are going to Lima, Peru; 4 to the North Mission and one to the Central Mission (Kleven). The Peruvian Elders leave on Wednesday so our district will be smaller by 5. They are going to the MTC down in Peru and for some of their training they actually have to go out and proselyte while they’re still learning the language HA! It’s going to be sad when they leave we’ve gotten so close in these short weeks, but that’s life.

My teachers are Hermano Memmott and Hermano Oswald they’re spiritual giants and they teach with such conviction even without the missionary mantle, I can’t imagine how they were on their mission. Hemano Memmott is very calm and is a very lovable teacher; he just got off his mission in June. Hermano Oswald knows the scriptures and gospel doctrines like the back of his hand and teaches with a lot of power. They both are excellent language teachers too. My branch President is President Walker and his counselors are Bro. Johnson and Bro. Warren. President Walker is a little on the strict side, but he is very wise although he can’t speak Spanish so that’s a drawback. Bro. Warren is like and old cowboy and he is real laid back. Bro. Johnson served in Peru so he speaks Spanish and is very wise through his years of experience. Sister Johnson is also very sweet, she reminds me of Grandma.

Every Sunday 2 people from our zone have to give a talk in Spanish, but the catch is you don’t know who they are until sacrament meeting so they give you a topic that week and you have to write a talk every week just in case. I haven’t gotten called on and I have my fingers crossed, I don’t like public speaking as you already know. On Tuesday and Sunday night there are devotionals usually there is some sort of general authority there. The night before I got here I heard that Elder Holland was here giving a talk AW! That would’ve been so cool I’m mad I missed it. Every Thursday we have a large group meeting on how to become more effective missionaries, they’re pretty helpful and insightful. So that’s just a little bit of what goes on here, if I sat here and wrote all about it there’d be a whole book just on the MTC. I’ll write you next week, tell everybody I love them and I appreciate everything they’ve done for me. You’re all in my prayers at night and I can’t wait to hear from you.

Love,
Elder Davis

Week Two..

2009-10-18T13:32:00.000-07:00

... I was told that missionary letters are usually longer and better when they first arrive at the MTC, then as they get busy out in the field they only have a short time to write so the letters get shorter... Well, we're in trouble then.

I'm doing fine I'll be writing you this week use the return address on there so the letters get here faster. If I stay busy I have fun so I'm always busy so it is fun. Going to the temple here is probably the best thing I do. Tell everyone that if they write I'll write back. I love you all and hope everything going fine. That's good you're busy I'm glad to hear that.

Me gustaría compartir mi testimonio con ustedes yo sé que Jose Smith fue un profeta de Dios y el Libro De Mormon es el libro más correcto en todo el mundo. Yo sé que Thomas S. Monson es un profeta verdadero y que Padre Celestial nos ama. Saliría estas cosas en el nombre de Jesucristo. Amen.

Proof read this I have to work on it well I don´t have much Time left tell everyone else I love em too and I pray for them every night. Thanks to eveyone that contributed to helping me get out here I´ll be writing you in the near future

Love, Elder Davis

Week One...

2009-10-18T13:28:00.000-07:00

... Actually it was about One and a half weeks before we heard from him, but who's counting.

Hi mom P-day is Friday, but I only get half hour to e-mail but I can write whenever I get letters so if that's better you can do that. I need you to send an address book with all the addresses in it so I can write everyone. And you need to send that debit card tell the little ones I love em and give skylar my email address. My comp's name is elder Checketts and I'm senior comp. I might not send pictures home until I get to Mexico because access on these computers is really limited. I hope my patriarchal blessing is almost done I really need to read it. We went to the temple today the provo temple is really beautiful especially right up against the mountains, other than that Utah is kinda dumb and it's cold here. Sorry about the wait but prep wasn't till today so send letters if you need to they'll probably move faster than waiting until p-day. Bye till next week

Sincerely
Elder Davis
p.s. You can still call me Joshie it is my name:)

Parting....Such Sweet Sorrow

2009-10-01T08:59:00.000-07:00

This was the first thing I saw Tuesday morning, it was kind of bitter-sweet. Josh and his friend Skylar did a great job at packing all of the stuff he needed to take. I thought it wasn't going to fit, but they did it!

by 7 am he was dressed and ready to go.

At 8 President Lawes and Brother Howell and Eric set him apart as a full time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. President Lawes' blessing was so beautiful. The power of the priesthood is a truly special thing.

We were all very happy and proud to see him off. Dallin and Skylar even dressed up for the occasion

Had to run a couple of errands on the way to the airport and everyone was hungry so we stopped and Pro's Ranch market to get some food

Then my mom and some friends showed up to eat with us and see us off to the airport.

His brothers were all so helpful and eager to see how the process all worked that they carried all of his luggage all the way to the check in.

All of the cousins showed up to the airport to wish him good luck and give him lots of hugs and love.

Then we waited for a while until it was absolutely time to go...

...and waited a little bit more.

Then we had a few tears and lots of hugs, the little one wouldn't let him go, they would hug him then run after him to give him more hugs. It was so cute I hope Josh felts all of that love.

Eric and I were fortunate to get a couple of courtesy passes to walk with him all the way to the gate. And I do have to say that was one of the hardest things I've had to do. He had the scardest look on his face and his eyes were all welled up with tears. I gave him a huge hug and told him not to be scared and that we were soooo proud of him.

We say him take those last few steps into the plane and then Eric and I sat there and stared at the door for a second. Then all of a sudden I started to cry, so much so that I could not gasp for air, I have never had that happen. So after I started to breath and regain composure we walked back out where everyone was waiting.

We couldn't see the plane from where we were so we ran over to the parking lot where we could see his plane. It was a small one.

All the boys had a hard time with it, but especially touching was Ammon, he cried and cried. He's so sweet and they are all going to miss him so much

We stayed until we couldn't see the airplane anymore. I know he couldn't see us, but I hope he felt our love and support.

Dallin said later that night, "This is so weird, this is so weird, I don't know what I'm going to do without my best friend." I'm so glad that they are such good friends it fills my heart with so much happiness. Day one, 729 more to go and counting....