Week 46

Week 46, July18, 2015
Jacob:    Hey everyone! Life in Salt Lake has been pretty good! I can't believe that it's almost been a year! For the past few weeks I have been wondering, "Where has all the time gone?"
    I don't know if you know already, but our new mission president President Tate assigned a Book of Mormon challenge. Starting August 1 and going on for 3 months we are to read, mark, and ponder the Book of Mormon every day. President Tate also invited the families of the missionaries to participate in this event, so if you wanted to join me, that would be great! I am looking forward to it and I hope to learn a lot!
    I'm glad to see that Erik made it back safely! He sure looks like he is enjoying his return! I understand it may be hard for him to get back into life at home, but he is in my prayers and I hope for the best for him. By the way, what is the picture he and everyone else is looking at and where is it?
    I am glad to write every week and I hope to be the best I can be!
    -Elder Derricott

Tara:  Hi Jacob! Sorry I didn't get a letter sent... It's been a crazy week. I did send a package the other day so it should be there soon. Erik is doing good but it has been very disappointing to him to come home and not extend his mission. Your prayers are appreciated! The picture is in the Byui center. It was in a world fair pavilion many years ago and was donated to the college. It depicts the plan of salvation. I will write more in just a minute, but want to send this so you know I am here. Love you!

Tara:

I  excited about your Book of Mormon reading challenge. I will join you, and see if the rest of the family wants to join also.  How has your sleeping been? A few suggestions are to drink some warm milk before bed, or you can take a melatonin pill. Melatonin is just an herbal supplement... Not really a drug. You can get it in the vitamin area at walmart or a drug store like Walgreens. I hope it helps.    Let me know.  

I think we are going to the Idaho museum today. They have an exhibit about pirates that I think grandpa would enjoy.  We are mostly getting ready for a bunch of family to come tomorrow to hear erik report his mission. 

We love you so much and think of you every day. Be good and do good! Take lots of pictures for us!  Love you!!!

Week 45

Week 45, July

Jacob: Hey everyone! Another sunny week in SLC, though we did have a thunderstorm that kept me up through one of the nights here. I guess we probably needed it, seeing that it has been pretty dry for the last month. Actually, I have been having trouble getting to sleep lately; any ideas?
    I also have got a hair cutting appointment set up for tonight. On this mission some of the young elders have volunteered to cut hair for free, and so far they have been pretty good at their job. They don't leave a lot of hair untrimmed, and they are very nice. I still love shopping, though I feel like I need to use up some of my surplus items before stocking up on more!
    When I first heard Erik was coming home, I was under the impression that he would be back for some time and departing some time later. I was disappointed that he will not continue to serve on a mission after all, but I am getting over it. I can rest with the satisfaction that he has done his very best to bring himself closer to God. Also, I enjoy the possibility of seeing him after my mission is over.
    Well, be sure to take care and have fun!
    -Elder Derricott

Week 44

Week 44, July 3, 2015
Jacob:     Hello, everyone! It sure has been hot here! I expected it to be like California sometime later in July or August, but it has been pretty warm throughout all of June. Frankly I would like to get through the heat as quickly as possible.
    This week I was told that with some members of our data team were going to be absent from a meeting next week, and they needed somebody who could access a certain file required for our team. They asked me if I would be willing, and I said yes. So I got a loaner laptop for the meeting locked away in my work area, and I will be sure to give it back after the meeting.
    This 4th of July we are going to help with cleaning the church and deep-cleaning our own apartments. Later we will give special lessons, have a barbeque, and watch a special movie about Independence Day.
    Don't worry about me getting what I need, I'm doing just fine. In fact, when we went shopping this morning I told Elder Teichert that I needed some detergent and he allowed me to take one of his detergents!
    It's great that you could share the gospel with a few people! I do hope that those people will find what they're looking for!
    Love you all and good luck!
    -Elder Derricott

Tara: Sounds like you have a good plan for the holiday weekend. We are going to the library right now, while Emily is at a water party. Then we will pick her up and go home. We might go to the drive in tonight and see inside out and tomorrow land. Not sure yet. We are glad you are doing so well.  Stay cool and know we love you!!

Jacob:   If you do see them, tell me how they are! I might add them to a list of movies worthwhile to see after the mission is over!

Tara:  Will do.  What movies do you already have on your list?

Jacob;     I have Return to Oz, The Black Cauldron, Avengers: Age of Ultron, and that LEGO Simpsons episode I never saw, among others

Week 43, June 27

Week 43, June 27, 2015
Jacob:  Hi, everyone! How are you doing? What are your plans for the 4th of July weekend? Our day zones in the mission will be closed the day before, so we will probably be getting a schedule sometime next week of what exactly will happen.
    Like I said before, the summer days are hot. I don't know if I said it before, but because it gets so hot out on summer days we wear white shirts in non-public areas like the Church History Library. However, we do have to wear suits in public places like Temple Square and our church.
    I'm sure you heard that the Mormon Tabernacle Choir is going to be on tour for the next couple of weeks. This means that instead of performing in the Tabernacle there will be two special pre-recorded episodes of Music and the Spoken Word, one for each Sunday they'll be gone. After the Choir gets back, they will move to the Conference Center for the rest of summer.
    I got the pictures of girls camp, and some of those pictures of what I did in the past. I think I remember most of those events, and it's great to know that I am thought of. I don't have any pictures to show you as of now, but I will try to get some shortly! Love you all!

Tara:  Hi son! So good to hear from you! It's hot here too... Though not as hot as in your area.   Tell us sbout you new mission president? I posted that last pic of you and Elder Teichert on Facebook. His mom was so happy to see it. She said that he hasn't figured out how to email pictures home, so I told her that maybe you could help him. It would be good if you could teach him how to do that.

Jacob: I'll see what I can do


Tara: We don't have big plans for Independence Day... Emily is going to march in the parade. I will take some pictures of it for you. Who is your new president, and have you had much interaction with him yet?

Jacob:  Our new president is President Tate. We haven't had that much interaction yet, but we expect to talk more with our monthly interviews with the president.

Tara:  I'm sure you will get to know him and love him,, just like President Workman. I haven't gotten that book for you yet, but am working on it. I miss you and love you. We pray for you every day and are so happy that you are loving your mission. Keep up the awesome work and continue to share your experiences with us. We love you!!!!

Jacob:  As I sit here I was looking around the room, and I noticed some people with stickers with their name, the FamilySearch logo, and the words "1st Time Visitor" (not necessarily in that order.) It's nice to know that so many people are interested in their family history!

Tara:   That is cool   I just got a new calling as a ward family history consultant!  I don't know what I need to do but I am excited to learn!!!  Hopefully you will be able to teach me!

Jacob:  I'm not sure I would know anything, I'm not a consultant.