Week 22

We weren't affected that much by the transfers except for getting a new district zone and having some different elders deliver our mail. I don't know if you noticed, but the mail has to come through the Joseph Smith Memorial Building before actually coming to us missionaries. I am thankful for the package of medicine you sent me; I really think it's helping me recover. 

    We still have basically the same job at the CHL, like making deliveries. However, one of the missionaries noticed that I was doing some indexing in my cubicle and asked if I wanted to help transcribe old English scripts. I told him I would think about it, and I went to a website he said would help me with my skills. Part of it is recognizing script, and since I haven't written cursive in a long time that can be quite a challenge. The website is at https://script.byu.edu/Pages/home.aspx. 

    In the Church History Library there is an elevator. It speaks when you reach the floor corresponding to the button you pressed. It does not, however, inform you if someone else from another floor is getting on, so we sometimes end up getting on the wrong floor.

    That's it for me! I hope to write again soon!

Week 21

Hi! We have had a lot of fun doing some extra indexing on Monday! We are always happy to do some extra work! Starting this year the SLC temple will not be open on Mondays, though that won't affect us too much. If we keep doing what we're doing, and maybe add a little more effort, we can perform this mission with very little interferences.
    I finally got that package you sent! However, I didn't know there was a bookmark in there and I accidentally ripped the top off! I may have to tape it back together again sometime.
    I also had a small brush with a cold. I went to the nurse yesterday, and she says that it will die down within 5-10 days. That's the trouble with the cold; there has not yet been a cure for it. Could you please send some medicine, and also another bottle of that special shampoo? If it gets here after I heal, I'll just use it for the next time I get a cold.
    I will let you know as soon as I get better and I will try to keep in touch! Thanks!

Hail and Farewell

Jacob to Tony:

Yes. We also have a buffet-style dinner and some spiritual thoughts.

Tony to Jacob:

I saw a post on the Family And Church History Headquarters Mission Young Elders Share Facebook page today that referenced a "Hail and Farewell" activity.  What is that?  Is it a monthly meeting where you say goodbye to leaving elders and welcome new ones?

Week 20

Hi everyone! I am looking forward to Martin Luther King, Jr day (though I don't remember hearing it be called Civil Rights Day until today!) We are going to spend a little extra time doing some indexing. 
    Some of our elders are the hair-cutters for us, so we don't have to worry about paying. However, there is still a sign-up sheet inside our laundry room for 12-16 elders at a time each weekend. I also write to the president every weekend at this time to let him know what we have been teaching and how our companionships are going. 
    I get some frequent emails from Elder Rodriguez with pictures from his experiences from Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. He seems to be having a lot of fun doing that!
    I am making an effort to get my scriptures done before my two years are up! I started with the Book of Mormon, and I hope to get to the other books before the year is over.
    I hope to write again next time!

Week 19

Hi everyone! It's nice to see everyone busy with the new year. We are still getting back into the habit of our regular work routines, plus we are getting ready to say goodbye to another missionary this month. His name is Elder Jacobs and he was the companion of Elder Bowers before I was. Other than that I don't think anything else out of the ordinary has happened since last time.
    I also enjoy the weekends when you rest and help take care of things for the week. I have also found a few break periods before church meetings to take time to read my scriptures. The other elders say that there are a lot of hidden gems in the Bible if you know where to look!
    That's it for now! I hope to see you again soon!

Laura Towner Connection

Laura Towner to ‎Tara

Today in Sunday School we had a missionary couple visiting from Salt Lake. I'm sorry I can't remember their names. Once they introduced themselves and described their service responsibility I could hardly sit still through class because I was certain they would know Jacob. Sure enough! When I asked them if they knew Elder Derricott, their faces lit up and they immediately started telling me all about your fine son! They told me he is working very hard, that the zone leaders speak very, very highly of him to the mission president. They told me how much he is growing and is working hard, and they told me how much they love Jacob. They work directly with him and love him very much! They read his weekly letters to the mission president and say that he is writing of positive things of how much he is enjoying his mission. Your boy is doing very well and is happy! I could hardly keep back the tears!

Angela Culletto Connection