Week 91 - May 26, 2016

Week 91 - May 26, 2016
Jacob -

Hello, everyone! We have had transfers this week, and this time around nothing has been changed. I'm still with Elder Robinson in the Access Services part of the Family History Library. Our prep day is still on Thursday, so that might be a slight obstacle.

This week I have had the opportunity to listen to Music and the Spoken Word with guest artists GENTRI, so it was a great opportunity to listen to them in person for the first time. I have heard some of their songs from the music players the other missionaries had including "Guide Me to Thee," which they performed with the orchestra.

I don't know if you heard, but on Memorial Day we're planning a pancake breakfast at our stake center, then we're hiking to the Salt Lake cemetery and later some other activities. I've forgotten if  any of our ancestors were there, so if you could send me any information about who might be there and where the are (preferably in the next hour or so) I would be thankful!

Do you have any trips planned for this summer, or are you waiting for me to get back for that cruise? I have been doing well, and I am eager to get what I can done before the mission is over!

Well, see you later!

Sincerely, Elder Derricott

Tara -  Hi son!!! So good to hear from you!  Once again your p-day snuck up on me!!!  So sorry!  We are doing good!

I think we do have some ancestors in the salt lake cemetery.  I will try to look real quick and see. We don't have any trips planned till after you get back... Emily has a lot of summer activities and Erik will be in school till the end of July.


Sounds like you have a fun Memorial Day weekend planned... We will probably have a barbecue, but I don't know if anything else special.  Maybe we will go to visit a few graves, like Grandma Graces and Uncle Vances.

How are you feeling and how is the exercise going?

I love you!!!!

Week 90 - May 19, 2016

Week 90 - May 19, 2016
Jacob -

Hello, everyone! I am doing very well. I have been doing good this past week. We had our bi-monthly "Hail and Farewell" dinner to say good-bye to all the missionaries leaving this mission and say hello to all the new ones coming in (it's hard to believe that the next one will be the last one I will be attending!) But I'm still trying to stay strong through the end!

It's nice to hear about what everyone's doing! I would like to be with you when you are trying new things. I think it would be nice to go to another country, but only if we can have at least somebody who knows the language! I would also like to show you many of the things that I learned about the mission!

You don't have to worry about getting me a copy of the Ensign, I already have one, plus a study guide. I will be going through it a couple times before the end, plus a month of whatever reading challenge we have next. I am also trying to stay healthy and getting some morning exercise into my day. Sister Tate told me that because I work inside most of the time I would need some supplements to add to my diet. The only problem is that I bought so many that I don't think I can use them all up before the end of my mission!

I work hard to feel the spirit everyday that I am here. I pray that everyone will do their best and make the most of their time here. I want Emily and Erik to know how proud I am for their effort to get more done. Bless you all!

-Sincerely, Elder Derricott

Tony -  What kind of supplements did you buy?You can probably bring them home with you.

Tara -  Hi son!  I'm just starting a student meeting. I loved this nice long letter! I love you a ton!!!!

Emily - Hey Jacob! Has anything funny happened to you this week? Love ya!
 

2016-05-13

2016-05-13
We got an e-mail from Sister Barbara Shurtz, a missionary in Jacob's mission. 

Sister Shurtz - These are pics from our training Olympic s and him getting his red lanyard

Week 89 - May 12, 2016

Week 89 - May 12, 2016
Jacob -

Hello, everyone! I am doing very well over here in the city. This week we had a mission conference, and I learned a lot that might help me sometime in the future. We also learned that President Oliver, of our branch, has some form of cancer and he expects to die within the next six months. I think a good idea would be to pray for him so that he can feel better, but if not then maybe pray that his death will be painless as can be.

I had a fun Mother's Day phone call, and I am doing very well and keeping my focus on the mission. However, President Tate told me that when I next met him I should have an ecclesiastical endorsement form. I'm asking the mission coordinator, Elder Musgrave, for help on that part. I was told that on the report I would need my student ID, so could you send that for me if possible? I was also wondering if there were some sort of animation class or something on BYU campus that I could look at?

Not much has happened this week, it was pretty much the same thing as most other weeks. I am, however, trying to improve my morning exercise routine. I have now included that "planking" exercise.

Well, that's it for now! See you later!

-Sincerely, Elder Derricott
 PS. My mistake; it was President Larsen that has the disease, not President Oliver

Tara - Hi son!   Good to hear from you! I'm not used to your new p day schedule so sorry I do t have a letter ready for you!   Sounds like you are doing good!   We will pray for pres Larsen!!!!  I don't have your I card here at work with me, but will send your I number when I get home tonight, so check your email for that.  We are good... Just working and Kurds going to school this week.  We sure miss you and love you!!!!

Jacob -  I will probably get it sometime next week, then?

Tony - Your I-Number is : xxxxxxxxx

Week 88, May 5, 2016

Week 88 - May 5, 2016
Jacob -

Hello everyone! It's fun that you got to see and be in these concerts. I still try to go to Music and the Spoken Word as often as I can, so I'm not too upset. However, my call home is expected to be around 10:00 and my companion will call around 9:00, so we might have to miss out on MSW. At least now you know.

President Tate told me to remind him at our next interview and he would help me with the Ecclesiastical Endorsement. My next meeting should be in a couple weeks or so, so I hope to get started on that soon. As for lessons, I can't think of anything I need now. I would, however like to take a class that deals with Photoshop so that I won't be left in the dark. After all, it's not like riding a bicycle.

I got my underwear, and they seemed to do well for the first week. I just washed them today, so I hope that they are still a good size for the rest of the week.

Turns out I was misinformed about our weekend activity last week. Instead of the concert we went to see Press Forward, a musical about the life of Nephi and his brothers. It was pretty entertaining, and if you wanted to see it the group who performed said they would post a video on YouTube.

For the most part, I am pretty healthy. I do have a question on how to prevent diarrhea, so I would be very pleased if I could receive some answers.

Thank you for listening to what I have to say. Happy Mother's Day!

Sincerely, Elder Derricott

Week 87 - April 28, 2016

Week 87 - April 28, 2016
Jacob -

Hello, everyone! Transfers have happened yet again. My P-day is now on Thursday, so you will have to make adjustments accordingly. I still have the same companion, but this time I am in Access Services. Basically that's making sure that the books in the Family History Library are in order. The first day was pretty eventful, though. I had a little bit of training with the library's computer programs, and I hope to be able to know how to use them. I also have a new companion, Elder Robinson. He's been out for almost as long as I have, with a two-month difference.

This weekend I am excited because the whole mission is going to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Spring Concert. From what I hear, the concert will feature Mack Wilberg's work The Prodigal. It's a new piece featuring the famous parable set to lyrics. It will be exciting to see how it all works out. I will try to send some pictures for you.

I want to shop for some more fruits and veggies, so I have a couple questions. First, are there ways to determine the freshness of a melon (watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, etc.?) Also, what is the best way to preserve green veggies? If there is anything else you would like me to know, please don't hesitate to tell me.

I think that's it for this week! I hope you all have a good week!

Sincerely, Elder Derricott

Tara -

Hi Jacob! Fun to hear from you today!!!! I am at work and can't take a lot of time writing... Did you move apartments? I sent garments yesterday so they should get there in a few days.  Did you get the gift card for new shoes?  

Keep green vegetables in the crisper of the fridge, and if they start to go bad, cut off the bad parts before it can spread, so the good parts stay fresh longer.  As for melons, don't buy any with soft or sunken spots. You can smell them, where the vine was attached, and if it smells like melon it is supposed to be ripe.

At first you said you have the same companion, then later you said your new companion is Elder Robinson? I am a bit confused? 

I love you and am glad that you are doing good!!!! I would love some more pictures, and to hear about the spring concert.  Our church us from 2-5 in the evening, so if you can do your Mother's Day phone call in the morning, that would be best.  Love you tons!!!!

 

Jacob -I am sorry for the confusion. I do have Elder Robinson as my new companion.
Any other advice on freshness of food?

 

Tara -Keep it in the fridge, and only buy as much as you will eat within a week. It doesn't stay fresh much longer than that. Also, wash it before eating. Don't put bananas in the fridge because it makes them turn brown.

Did you get the money for shoes? 

Jacob - Yes I got the money for the shoes. I also took the opportunity to buy the shoes this week!

Week 86 - April 23, 2016

Week 86 - April 23, 2016
Jacob -

Hello everyone! This week has been interesting. There has been some sort of bug going around with the young elders, and unfortunately I was one of the victims. As a result I haven't been able to get up early to do early morning exercises. Fortunately my cold is going away and I hope to do better this upcoming week. I have also been taking some medicine and stuff with Vitamin C to help me out with the cold.

We also had the opportunity to go on another monthly temple session this week. It's a good time to think and reflect on what God has done for us so that we can retain our agency.

We had our stake conference last week. I especially liked the testimonies given by some of the stake members. I would like to take the opportunity to bear my testimony next time there is an event like that.

It's nice that you can have such a nice trip up at Yellowstone. I'm not sure when, but some of the young elders say that we might be going up to the location where the Bible Videos were filmed. That's just a rumor, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

I haven't gotten that gift card yet, but I hope that the money can be enough so that I can get some new shoes. Also, this last week I have somehow ended up with only four pairs of undergarments and I might need some more. If you would be so kind as to send me some asap I would be very happy.

I don't believe I have heard of the Salt Lake Children's Choir, but I would like to hear some of their stuff.

I hope that I can get better, and I hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely, Elder Derricott

Tara -  Sounds like an unfortunate laundry mishap!  What size garments do you need, and how many pairs?  I'm sorry you haven't been feeling good, and hope you get better soon. Which temple did you go to?

Jacob - I need about 5 pairs of medium-sized garments. We went to the Salt Lake temple and I expect that we will keep going until the mission gets enough money for another temple trip.

Tara -  I will get some garments sent soon. I love the Salt Lake temple, but have only been inside a couple times.  What a blessing it is that you have been able to go so much! What kind of medicine are you taking got your cold?

Week 85 - April 16, 2016

Week 85 - April 16, 2016
Jacob -

Hello everyone! I'm doing well here at SLC. We had a young missionary conference, and we learned a lot about setting goals. I find this spiritual because I was starting to set some goals earlier in the week, and I feel like this conference was an an answer as to how I would get started.
So this week I decided to measure myself at the nurse's office and check my BMI, and apparently I'm in the "overweight" range. Fortunately I started to do my own morning exercises earlier this week, so I hope to be somewhat trimmer by the time I return home. I would like your advice on how often I should check my weight.

I'm glad that you're visiting Yellowstone. That's something that I would like to do after I get back. President Tate said that if I was planning to go back to BYU I would need an ecclesiastical endorsement so that next time we meet (which should bee within a month) he and I could get started on it.

The one place that sells missionary shoes, Mr. Mac, has some good quality shoes. However, they are quite expensive. I suppose you could try to find their website and see if you can send the money, but if that doesn't work you can just buy some shoes and send them here.

That's it for this week! I hope to hear from you soon! I also hope to hear more about Grandpa and Grandma's Disneyland trip! ;)

Sincerely, Elder Derricott

Tony -  I think you should check your weight as often as possible. I check mine daily.

Week 84 - April 9, 2016

Week 84 - April 9, 2016
Jacob -

Hello, everyone! This week has been pretty good. I enjoyed General Conference a lot! We wanted to watch the first session in the stake center, but it turns out that it had been reserved for those who speak Mandarin. We were lucky there was a technician there to set up a television in another room, though we lost the signal at some point during the first part and missed one of the speakers. Our district leader found a way to get to the theaters for the other sessions without running into the protestors, and we had tickets reserved for the Priesthood session.

I wasn't surprised that President Monson made what he had to say short, considering his health. I was, however, surprised by the way Elder Holland spoke in his message; it felt a lot more calm and inviting than some of his speeches I've heard in the past. His speech was perhaps one of my favorites this General Conference. I hope that I can look forward to every tomorrow with a smile on my face.

So concerning the early missionaries project, we're coming down to the end of a batch. I don't know if the leader in charge of the project has some extra papers for us to work on for it or if they are planning to have us work on something else once it's done.

I have been making an effort to try to get up earlier and get some more stuff done in the mornings. It's been getting warmer here, too. During the afternoon my companion and I have to watch out for wasps flying around the heat near the buildings. Got any advice?
I believe that that is everything I have to say for this week. I hope that you all have a good week!

Sincerely, Elder Derricott

Tara -  Hi son! I also thought Elder Hollands talk was amazing. It was probably my favorite too. What kinds of things have you been working on when you get up early?  My only advice for avoiding the wasps is to run faster than them!😉.

Me and Elder Hellebrand at the Stake Center

Week 83 - April 1, 2016

Week 83 - April 1, 2016
Jacob - Hello, everyone! Sounds like you had fun with burning away the back berm. It's a good thing that the fire wasn't too dangerous.

I hope that Erik gets better from the surgery. I will be praying for him throughout the week.

I am also excited about General Conference, and I will hopefully send some pictures. I am looking forward to what the apostles and presidency have to say. I noticed that President Monson had some troubles staying up during last conference. I hope that he does better, whether in this life or in the next life.

Sorry I don't have much to say, except

the early missionary project is coming along great. Two young elders have left me and Elder Hellebrand to do most of the work because one of them had medical release and his companion was sent to another zone. Hopefully we get some more help next transfers!

Love you all and I hope to see you soon!

-Sincerely, Elder Derricott

 

Tara -  Hi buddy!   How are things?  Sounds like all is well on the missionary front! Are you going to attend priesthood session of conference?

 

Jacob -  Yes we will attend priesthood session. I hope to be on the camera for you!

 

Tara -  We will certainly be watching for you!  Thanks for the pictures too... I love the flowers! I hope I get one with your handsome face soon. (Hint, hint). Love you tons! We are just getting ready to leave for Montana. 

Week 82 - March 26, 2016

Week 82 - March 26, 2016
Jacob -

Hello, everyone! I am looking forward to Easter very much. I forgot that tomorrow is fast Sunday. It's a good thing you told me now before I got too far with my package. I am also looking forward to General Conference. However, because of that we are not going to shop for next week; we will instead shop for two weeks today and save money for the week after GC. Also, due to the Women's Session we will not have sports in the stake center. Instead we be back at the apartments hanging out with the other elders.

I got to watch the broadcast of the dedication. It surprises me that people would get to the spiritual thoughts before the dedication, but I guess the rule "save the best for last" can apply in this case. It was a very spiritual experience. Transfers did happen, but the only thing that affected me and Elder Hellebrand is that we moved apartments. Guess the Church History Library believes we're too valuable to lose. Also, our shopping time has been moved down from noon (waaaaaaaaay down) to 4:00 in the afternoon. I guess this means that we will have to do our laundry after lunch.

Well, nothing exciting so far, so I guess I'll see you later.

-Elder Derricott

PS- I don't have pictures this week, but I promise to send you some for next week. My understanding is that Saturday P-day elders write the day before Conference during zone.

Tara -  Sounds like you are doing good. Tell us about the process of moving apartments... How does that work?  Take some pics of hanging out with the other elders tonight.  That would be fun for us.

Jacob -  You get a transfer sheet the day before transfers, and after night zone you spend time packing up things that will go into the new apartment after transfers.

Week 81 - March 19, 2016

Week 81 - March 19, 2016
Jacob -

Hello, everyone! I am doing very well in Salt Lake City. We went to the Bountiful temple for our monthly temple trip, and we hope that similar events will happen in the future. We have also had  apartment inspections by our housing coordinators, along with fire and emergency training in case of an emergency. Maybe that's something you can do next family home evening?

Peter and the Starcatchers sounds like fun. If you still have the book, I would like to get set up with reading it after I get home. I am also looking forward to being in school again.

For Easter we are probably going to listen to a special program in our stake meeting. I will be looking forward to that package.

During the day we work on the Early Mormon Missionaries Database, like adding some Church History Library artifacts to the database. I like my companion a lot. However, we have transfers this upcoming Tuesday and I don't know if I will be his companion for much longer.

We are working on improving the living conditions of our apartments, like slowly building up on emergency supplies and working on meal plans.

This week in the Doctrine and covenants I am learning of what is mentioned in the Word of Wisdom. One of my former companions told me that this revelation was received at a time before the world knew that tobacco, alcohol, and other such substances actually did more harm to the human body than good.

That's it for this week! I hope to see you again soon!

Sincerely, Elder Derricott

Tara -  Hi... Are you still there? I am just leaving a relief society service project where we made some clothing for refugees and toys for orphans.

Jacob -  That's very nice. I hope that we can get something like that done sometime on the mission.

Tara -  How's your health? Is there anything you need us to send in your Easter package? The temple trip sounds great... Let us know the dedication of the Provo temple goes.

Jacob - If there are any special pens that can write on dark-colored material, could I get a hold on some of those?

Tara -  I will see if I can find any.  I love you!!!

Week 80 - March 12, 2016

Week 80 - March 12, 2016
Jacob -

Hello, everyone! Not much has happened this week, but I did see that Temple Square has been working on putting up some flowers (they still haven't taken down all the Christmas decorations yet!) Anyways, we are going to have a temple trip this week, and President Tate managed to hire a bus to take us to the Bountiful temple. Elder Musgrave has agreed to give everyone 8$ for lunch afterwards, so that's something to look forward to. Not this upcoming Sunday, but the next Sunday, we are going to view the Provo temple dedication, so that's something to look forward to. We are also having our carpets shampooed sometime this month; we're still waiting for more information about that.

Anyways, I have been having a lot of fun with the Doctrine and Covenants challenge. I learned a lot about the different people that Joseph Smith interacted with, like the guy who used to be a Shaker and tried teaching the other Shakers about the restored gospel, which they initially rejected. I also learned about a time when Joseph and his brethren attempted to maneuver the river and learned that the Adversary was taking control of the river. Pretty interesting stuff, alright.

Well, I hope to hear from you soon! I look forward to this time every week!

Sincerely, Elder Derricott

Tara -  Hi son... I wasn't expecting to heR from you till this afternoon. Why so early? I didn't get a chance to write to you yet! We are all good. Dad and I are out walking along a river this morning.  Tell us about the doctrine and covenants challenge... The temple trip and lunch sounds awesome!


Jacob - My companion and I had the idea to come here in the morning and do our laundry in the afternoon. That way, there's less crowds to deal with.
We're reading through the Doctrine and Covenants three times in a row, just like our previous challenges. I'm surprised that you haven't heard anything about this beforehand; we started our second time through this month.

Tara -  This is the first we have heard of the challenge. So did you already do your shopping today? How is your sleeping going?

Jacob -  We're still shopping at noon, there's just not a set time for emails or laundry. My sleeping is doing much better, now that I have those earplugs. By the way, is there any way that I can clean them so I won't have to throw them away?

Tara -  Try some soap and warm water on the earplugs. If it doesn't work, you can buy more at Walmart or someplace like that, anything else going on? We sure love you and miss you!

Week 79 - March 5, 2016

Week 79 - March 5, 2016
Jacob -

Hello, everyone! Looks like everybody had a fun week! Is there a chance that your "Scotch Christmas" is going to become a family tradition, or was it that one week only? I would like to have an opportunity to celebrate it with you. I thought of a humorous video on lds.org about a boy learning to play the bagpipes. I didn't even know that Lori even had bagpipes.

I am still the district leader, but President Tate says that he wants to give everyone on the mission a chance for leadership so I might not be a district leader for much longer. Elder Hellebrand is very talkative and great to get along with. He is also kind and likes to hold the door open for people, even if it's a large crowd.

I got the earplugs, and they seem to be helping a bit. I haven't seen much that looks like spring started, but I'm hoping that will change in the future. I am having a great time here.

Just one thing I need. President Tate told me that my release date is on August 25, but he wants to make sure that I get back in time for my fall semester. Could you maybe tell me when the start date is so neither of us are in the dark? It would shave off a lot of time.

Many thanks.

Tara - 

Hi there! Good to hear from you.   I'm glad you are living your mission so much... It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for sure!  Elder Hellebrand sounds like a great guy... Where is he from? 

We did Scotch Christmas last year so I'm hoping it will be a tradition that we continue... Maybe we can even add other countries that our ancestors came from!  

What else is going on with you?

I am excited and sad to get your release date... I miss you a ton, but the mission has been so good for you!!  It looks like the fall semester starts on Sept 12th. I will start working on your registration, etc... If that is what you plan on doing. 

Week 78 - Feb 27, 2016

Week 78 - Feb 27, 2016
Jacob -

Hello, everyone! I am doing well this week. I am still in the same apartment, but my assignments and companion have changed. I am now companions with Elder Hellebrand, and he is very fun to be around.
I have been transferred back to the Church History Library which, if you remember, was the zone I was in when I first started the mission. Right now I have been assigned to adding more sources to the Church History missionary website. My evening zone is Research Essentials, which allows elders the opportunity to learn new skills on family history work, and then put those skills to work and help them find more about their lineage. Because some elders are tied up with other assignments during the day, this is the perfect opportunity for them to relax and get some research done.

That's basically it for me. I'm planing on cooking a pizza for dinner tonight, and the rest of the evening is a blur. Some say that sports is cancelled because there is an event in the cultural hall tonight. Some also say that sports will be held outside instead, but I'm skeptical on that claim.

Anyways, it sounds like you are all making the most of your time over there. I would love to get those pictures and, if possible, a copy of that homecoming talk. Thank you and have a good day!

Sincerely-

Elder Derricott

Jacob -  I haven't seen anyone reply for over an hour. Is everyone alive?

Week 77 - Feb 20, 2016

Week 77 - Feb 20, 2016
Jacob -

Hello everyone! Turns out I was mistaken about those spots on my foot. Turns out they were dry spots and they needed a little lotion. I guess the only thing to tell is that the mission president is concerned about clean apartments and he wants us to clean out our apartments before next transfer comes around. We did a deep-clean in our apartment last night and today, and all we have to do is make sure it stays clean.

It's nice that Carissa got home safely, and I can't wait to see her and the family when I get back! Could you send a copy of the homecoming talk?

It has been warming up here, too. There was a surprise snowstorm this Thursday, but the weather today has basically melted it away. While we were walking home we noticed that the snow melting off the side of the Tabernacle made a "waterfall" off the south-west side. I don't like the mud either, thank you very much.

Basically that's it for this week. I would like to have a set of multi-color pens and a set of earmuffs or earplugs for sleeping. I think it would help out a bit when I sleep. Thanks!

Other than that, I am doing very well! I will be in touch and I will let the Musgraves know if my p-day schedule needs to change so I can email you.

Sincerely,

Elder Derricott