Week 42

Week 42

Jacob:    Hi, everyone! I have had a pretty good week. Nothing too exciting except our mission president, President Workman, is going home this month. We expect an announcement Monday about who the next mission president will be. I hope that he will be a good president and do some things that will help this mission and make us better missionaries.
    I'm sorry to hear about Vance and Marie. I did enjoy our short visits with them. If you see them again, tell them I said hello. I didn't expect you to be so busy during the summer, but I bet you have a lot of fun anyways!
    I am still working on that project, and the team I'm with expects to finish it up before the end of summer. Most of the stuff we work on in the Church History Library are categorized as either sacred, private, or confidential. I'm afraid I can't really show you what it's like inside the library, but I would like to take you with me on a tour as soon as my mission is over.
    I had somebody in the Family History Library take this picture. The picture is of me an my current companion, Elder Teichert. He works on scanning images in the Church History Library. It's a bit different working with somebody who's not working on the same project you are!
    I hope to see you again really soon!
-Elder Derricott

Tara:  Hi son! I love the picture!!!! When I get pictures of you boys it makes my day!  Dad and I are just getting ready to go to the temple and do some sealings. I am looking forward to that tour when you are done. I hope it doesn't happen till September 2016 though!  . Keep up the good work. I love you!

Week 41

Week 41

June 13, 2015

Jacob: Hey, everyone! I'm doing fine up here in Salt Lake! Things are starting to warm up here. From what I'm told you can just wear shirts and ties in "private" areas like the Church History Library, but in more "public" areas like the Family History Library, Walmart, church, etc., you have to wear a suit jacket.
    We have had a good week with work and all. We were surprised to hear on Sunday that we were supposed to prepare a lesson for our Zone conference the next day. It's kind of hard to do stuff that seems like last-minute to you, but we found a way to get our lesson plan in a short amount of time (plus we just learned that they can be 15 minutes long instead of the regular 20 we used to do.)
    I wish I could have been there for the family reunion. But here on the mission it's like having a family, too. I can't believe that summer got here so quickly; it feels like California in Salt Lake!
    I haven't received my package yet, but when I do, I'll try to record the time that it gets to me so that I can plan ahead in time for special events like holidays, birthdays, etc.
    Love you all and hope to see you again!
Elder J. Derricott

Tara: Hi my boy! It's so good to hear from you! Dad and I are in Pocatello right now, and we are heading to Preston later today. We are going to spend a few hours with the Derricott family, then head back home. We are having a fun weekend,celebrating our anniversary. 

It sounds like you did a good job preparing for your zone conference on short notice. Sometimes those are the best lessons because you have to rely so much on the Spirit. What was your lesson about? I am preparing to teach the young women about the Priesthood tomorrow. Have any good ideas to help me?

I'm glad that your mission feels like a family. It is important to learn to love the people you are working with. 

I love you! 

Jacob: We taught about Family History Work. Considering that we are on a Family History mission, I find that very appropriate. I hope that you have a fun weekend! Happy anniversary!

Tara: Ha-ha! That does sound appropriate. Are you still doing any drawing? Are you and Erik writing to each other? 

Jacob: I still do some small stuff from time to time, but I'm trying to focus on personal study in the scriptures and the mission library. Speaking of which, I don't believe I have Our Search for Happiness, do you think you could send a copy to me? I could also use another pocket hymnal, I lost my old one. Erik and I also write to each other each week, so don't worry about us!

Week 40

June 5, 2015

Jacob: Hi, everyone! I have had a pretty crazy week this week. First, during “Music and the Spoken Word” the cameraman fell of the podium and I got scared when one lady screamed. Then we heard about the death of Elder L. Tom Perry last weekend. The flags on Temple square, and apparently on every Church property in Utah, were flying at half-mast pretty much all week. I won’t be attending his funeral because I have a lot of work in my zone to do.

The weeks of summer are starting to warm up, though I think I saw what looked like storm clouds a little earlier this morning. Things are still going good around here, though we seem to be getting to our areas a little later than I would prefer. We’re shopping in another Wal-Mart this weekend, but the mission feels that the exact details should remain confidential.

Do you have any plans for the upcoming weeks? How have you been entertaining yourselves? I like hearing what has been happening back home! I don’t know if I told you, but I need some more shopping lists for the next few weeks. Other than that, I should be good for the summer. Love you!

-Elder Derricott

Tara: Hi son! That does sound like an exciting week!  I am at the cemetery right now, cleaning head stones for an eagle project.  We have a Derricott family reunion at our house today and tomorrow. I will take lots of pictures to send you! Was the guy that fell ok?  Yikes?  I will send you some more menus. Anything else you need?  Our week has not been as exciting as yours.  Mostly we just worked. Did you get the pics of our Hamilton trip? Do you have any pics for us today?

Jacob: We haven’t heard anything about him yet, but I hope he gets better. I got your pictures, and they are pretty fun to see.

Tony: I just got off a conference call for work.  Now I'm taking the rest of
the day as a vacation, waiting for relatives to arrive for this
weekend's reunion.  I may go help Kimball Russell wash headstones at
the Burton Cemetery for his Eagle Project.  He started at 8.  But my
conference call was at 830.  I may also go play soccer with my lunch
group if relatives haven't shown up by then.  We play Tuesdays and
Fridays at 1130.

Tara: Can you tell us why you are going to another place to shop? I hope all is well. I know that you are well taken care of so I won't worry!  How is it going with your new companion? I hope you are enjoying him and becoming good friends.  

Jacob: All I can say is that an elder got hurt and the mission feels it would be safer if we shopped elsewhere.

Tara: I see.  I hope he wasn't hurt too badly. Is there anything else you need me to send you?  

Jacob: I shouldn’t need anything else, but if I think of anything I’ll let you know as soon as possible.

Jacob: The flag has been half-mast all week in memory of Elder L. Tom Perry, who died last weekend.

Tara: It is pretty sad about Elder Perry... We all love him a bunch! Thanks for the pictures!

Tony: I like the pictures, too; especially the ones that have you in them.