2014 March

3rd March
Thank you mom. I haven't looked at that scripture for a while now. Thanks for sharing it and your testimony. It does a lot to help me strengthen my resolve to do all I can while I am out here and  to make sure I do all I can when I get home as well.

 

Thank you for the picture of the new little one. What is her name?

 

It is awesome that you are able to be there for Josh and Sammi.  I hope that you are able to enjoy the rest of the time that you have to be with them.

 

I am sorry to say that I haven't anything to give as an update for the week. I stayed in the Apartment for most of it with one of my companions who had the flu and is finally starting to get better. My other companion was able to Go out on splits with the Ward Mission Leader a couple times, but other than that I don't have much to tell about.

 

I love you mom! I await the day when I can learn to have a perfect love for all men. But for now I am learning just as you are.

 

Love,

 

Elder Jastal

 

10th March

 

I am glad that you got to go to the temple. It is a very beautiful place. Especially the temple in D.C. That is a great picture as well.

 

It is also fun to hear about Little Spencer. He is such a funny little guy.

I hope that things continue to go as well as it sounds like they are going. I hope that you are able to have a lot more fun with Josh, Sammi, Spencer and Eleanor.

 

At the time that you sent this e-mail I had probably just finished and left from e-mailing. As for the name I think it is a wonderful name (Eleanor).

I hope that the snow hasn't made it more difficult to do things around there. Snow.... gosh I almost don't even remember what it is like. 
It is also wonderful news that Josh will be able to be home more often as well.
As for journal writing, I am making a greater effort to remember to write down something in mine at least once a day. I am hoping that I can make a habit out of it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I Love It!

Spencer is such a goofy little guy.

I also love the little messages you are receiving from the scriptures. It is wonderful to hear about what others learn from the scriptures as I do my own learning as well.

I hope to be able to live up to the standard that is expected even after I am released from my service.

Last Monday, My companions and I had the opportunity to substitute in seminary for one of the members of our ward. We taught the class a lesson based on Alma chapters 14-22. I was super stoked because My favorite Book of Mormon verse is in chapter 22, and I was able to dress up in a costume. I found an old tie that nobody had worn in forever, and I found a cloth belt that was lying around the apartment, and I used a blanket and a little foam sword. So you get to see the little Ideas that missionaries come up when they want to have some kind of fun. I thought you all might enjoy it.

 

 

I hope that you have an excellent week.

Love,

Elder Jastal

17th March
It sounds like the trip home was a lot better than might have been expected. 
I am happy to hear about Brinya again. I haven't heard much about her for a couple of months, it feels like. I hope that she doesn't have to go through this stuff for too much longer.

 

I like that verse (1 Nephi 11:11) , by the way. That verse actually gives more information about who the Spirit is verses what it does.

Also, thanks for the pictures of Spencer and Norah. She looks adorable and the picture of Spencer is classic.

 

My week has been great. My companion Elder Wetzker got sick last Monday shortly after my companion Elder Chapman started getting better and so I was inside again for a while. I also had the opportunity this week to make some Pork Spare ribs. The members that had signed up to feed us on Thursday, had some sort of school function come up for their kids and so they couldn't exactly have us over for dinner anymore; but rather than sending us away empty handed, the Sister asked if we had the things necessary to cook with and then gave us the Pork Spare ribs and some potatoes.  So I got to make those and french fries. I was kinda nervous about the whole prospect, but I was pleasantly surprised with the turnout. The meat was delicious and was literally falling off of the bones. The french fries weren't too bad either, until we stuck them in the oven to try keeping them warm enough to eat while we left for a couple of the appointments we had during the time that the meat was cooking. Unfortunately we weren't able to eat until we had turned in for the night, but it was still good, and definitely worth the wait.

 

Anyway, I hope that you all are able to have a great week.

I love you!

Love,

Elder Jastal

24th March
To answer your first question, the weather here is great. We have had some rain in the past few weeks, but nothing to last more than a couple days. Yes, I am in Orange County. The Counties our here in Southern California are HUGE!! If you look up "map of orange county" on Google, it will show you how big it is. It covers like 30+ cities. It is crazy.

 

It sounds like Stake Sisterhood day was great. I think I remember hearing about those studies regarding family dinners a long time ago. I don't remember when though.

 

My week was great. I was actually able to get out the apartment because my companions are all better. It is awesome! This past week, we were able to work as volunteers at a couple of thrift shops, but then we had meetings during the times that we would usually work at other places, so we didn't get around to the food banks that we volunteer at. We have been able to talk to people about the gospel at the places we work. The approach we are taking is similar to the approach that Ammon took towards King Lamoni. We serve and wait for the people to ask questions so that we can answer them, and we are usually able to have gospel related conversations, at least one or two per day, during the time that we serve. Outside of that, all of our proselyting is done during the evenings.

 

It sounds like things are going well at home. Zach had told me about his Purple belt, and I had responded with how he is doing awesome and to keep up the good work.

As for the last member to have sent you pictures of me with my companions, that was Brother Peter Vidmar, he is an awesome guy.

Anyway, I hope that you all are able to have an awesome week this week and that the weather doesn't get bad. I love you all!

Love,

Elder Jastal

31st March

Sounds like there was a lot to be learned at ward conference. I hope that Grant and Zach did well at the tournament  Anyway, I hope that you were able to enjoy the week. I was able to help several people move throughout the week. I also was able to help out at the huge park that is up in Irvine. My companions and I planted a bunch of trees and bushes. Other than that, not too much happened.

 

One other thing I just thought of though, have you been able to find time yet to send out whatever it was that we had talked about at Christmas. I don't quite remember what it was that I had asked for, but I do remember asking for something. If not that's fine, I was just curious.

 

Anyway, I know that I haven't written much, but I don't have too much to write this week. I love you all and I hope that all of you are able to have a great week.

 

Love,

Elder Jastal