2014-12-13

Hi everyone! I would like you to know that I got that box of Christmas presents that you sent. I can't wait to open them up on Christmas day.
    Speaking of Christmas, I had a little scare. This week I noticed that the tickets for the concert had a time of 8:00, which meant the concert would extend over the curfew of 9:00. I expressed my concern to the mission president, and he said it would be alright; he and his wife were going too, and we will probably meet up with them after the concert and go back to our apartment together.
    It's still pretty warm here, and today we had a small rainfall. However, I did notice that it was somewhat chillier in the mornings and evenings. Perhaps this is a sign of cold times ahead? 
    Anyways, here is a set of photographs I took of Temple Square the night the Christmas lights first turned on this year (plus my beautiful phone book tree.) Fortunately, they were saved onto my camera and transferred to my new flash drive. I will also send you a package in a brown paper bag, so that's something you shold look forward to. Until then, I will probably see you again soon!

2014-12-06

Hi guys! We had a little bit of snow in November, but it hasn't stayed for long. We haven't had any snowfalls since then. I hope to see at least one snowfall before Christmas comes around. 
    The mission gave both of us tickets for the First Presidency Devotional, so we'll be doing that. We get to see the Christmas concert next weekend, and the guests will perform in Music and the Spoken Word the day afterwards. I am so excited!
    Last weekend after emails we went to eat at the Garden Restaurant on the 10th floor of the JSMB. We had a nice waitress serve us, and we found that somebody had paid for our meal. The only thing we really bought that night was our desserts. Tonight we plan on eating in the City Creek food court. 
    Anyways, I thought up some more things that I would like for Christmas;

• 3-5 re-useable shopping bags
• A watch
• Pocket-sized set of scriptures
• Colored pencils with a carrying case

    It's so great to hear from you guys! I hope to catch you again!

11-29-2014

    Hi guys! Just wanted to let you know that I am having a good time here. Thanksgiving went well. Basically it was just like a pot luck; you get different variations of the same food items. This year I was actually careful to not over-stuff myself.
    The next day we made our own Christmas trees out of old phone books. One guy commented that his tree looked like a Dalek from Doctor Who. I was suprised at the amount of ink I got on my hands. Afterwards we watched a recording of last year's Christmas concert with John Rhys-Davies and Deborah Voight. Later that night, we went to Temple Square to see all of the Christmas lights turned on. It was a pretty big crowd, considering how popular the lights are.
    We were looking aroud Deseret Book and Walmart and wondering what to get you guys for the holidays. If you think of anything, let me know ASAP.
    See you guys later!

Jacob and his trainer from New York

(This is another letter and picture from the Rodriguez family to us.)

Sister Derricott,

Thought you’d appreciate another picture of your Elder. i took your advice and found an I love NY shirt. He was so cute, his face lit up when he saw it, and then wasn’t sure what to say.  I asked him, “do you like it?”  YES he responded. Good. So one more thing, I need to give you a big hug from your Mom. So I stepped forward and gave him a BIG hug from you. He looked a bit confused, but still had that very sweet smile on his face.  It was apparent that he and Elder Rodriguez hit it off. Elder Rodriguez went on and on about how much he loved your son. It was a highlight of his mission serving with him and serving him. You have a fine Elder and should be very proud of him.

2014-11-22

Thanks for setting up that blog for me, I wish I could see it. I'm glad that Elder Rodriguez is doing fine. His father came to meWednesday and gave me the Christmas concert tickets. I'm not sure I already told you this, but the guest artists are Santino Fontana fromFrozen and the Sesame Street Muppets. If you go to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's website each Friday, you will see a reveal for each muppet. So far there's Count Von Count, Elmo, Grover, Rosita, and Abby Cadabby (in that order.)
    I also got that stuff from New York; an "I <3 N Y" t-shirt and a box of chocolates. The Rodriguez family were sure exited to give that stuff away!
    I am running low on soap and shampoo, could you send some more up for me?
    I also have some general idea of what I want for Christmas:

• Socks
• Speaker for tape player
• Small LEGO set or minifigure
• Advent calendar
• Another flash drive (mine broke :(.)

Could you give of the wishlist to Erik and Emily? And as always, keep in touch!

Nov. 19, 2014- Elder Derricott Sighting

(This is from Gil Rodriguez.  He is the father of Elder Rodriguez, who was Jacob's first companion.  Elder Rodriguez is finishing his mission and his parents are in Salt Lake City (from New York) to pick him up. )

Look Who I Saw!
So Elder Rodriguez won tickets to Mormon Tabernacle Choir but the concert is in December. So guess who he thought should get his tickets. Yup his greenie. So sweet your missionary is. We will see him on Friday. Got him a couple things.

2014-11-15

I too have experienced snowfalls this week. I am told that there were at least 20 vehicle accidents when it first started. Thankfully none happened near where I walked and worked.
    For Thanksgiving we are going to eat at the church, so you don't need to worry about getting food for me. We'll try to avoid the Black Friday crowds and instead look at the Christmas lights on Temple Square. I saw some people working on setting them up just a couple weeks after I got started on my mission.
    I have been trying to get the tape recorder to work, but at normal volume the music just sounds unnatural. Perhaps if you send me a speaker I might get better results.
    I have something I have neglected to ask you; which of my ancestors worked on the Salt Lake Temple? I would like to tell others, so that information would really be helpful to know. 
    I haven't really come up with anything I really want for Christmas, but I will try to send a list before the month is over.