Week 27

Hi Everyone! I am so excited that you get to see my email every single day! I love knowing what you are doing while I'm away.
    As Elder Bowers is now gone, I am the senior companion now. I didn't even have to leave the apartment! Elder Musgrave said that means that I have to be supportive to Elder Salle so he doesn't get too homesick. I told him that it's normal and it wears of in a couple months. I still find it hard to believe that it's already been six months already. The other elders say that after the halfway point the end seems to come quicker.
    In those baskets I would like some Cadbury eggs, plus one of those pointers I mentioned in an earlier post. I would also like a mini Lego set (it's okay if it's less that $10.)
    I hope that you have fun, and I also wish Erik the best of luck on his mission!

P.S., I was going to send you a picture of some areas covered in snow, but I forgot to recharge the batteries. By the time they did charge, the snow was mostly melted. That's why I don't have any pictures for this week. :(

In Which We Hear More About Jacob

Tara's aunt and Uncle, Mike and Linda Hair, are Special Events Missionaries on Temple Square.  When they are serving, they keep an eye out for Jacob, and let us know if they see or hear anything about him.  Here is their latest report.

Linda: "I have great news. We just got home from serving at the conference tonight. Another amazing Tabernacle Choir concert, might I add. And this sister said to me, I need to save my husband a seat. He is helping with an emergency with one of our elders. But he will be here before the concert starts. I assured her it would be fine to save him a seat and while we were talking I found out that her and her husband are over the missionaries serving in the mission that Jacob serves In. I told her that my niece's son serves there and asked if she knew Elder Derricott. Tears came to her eyes and she says they love him. They have watched him grow and become more outgoing all the time. Their names are Elder and Sister Musgrave. She had so many good things to say about your Elder. He is hardworking such a sweet Elder. Elder Derricott has definitely formed a bond with Elder Musgrave, he likes talking to him and they are privileged to know him. After the concert, she introduced her husband to me. Just didn't have a chance to visit with him because of all of the people trying to exit the conference center. Just thought you would like to know.
     
I know you are missing him and I hope it helps to hear how he's doing. And to think what are the chances of Sister Musgrave coming to my section that I am helping with out of that huge conference center and finding out they are serving with Jacob. I think it was no chance at all but an experience provided both you as parents and me that he is being watched over and having a good mission. Glad I could be part of it."

How To Talk To Jacob

I've found that you can "talk" to Jacob if you happen to be online between 12:15-2:15 on a Saturday.  Here's a transcript of our conversation today:

Tony: Hey, Jacob. I'm up at the UofU at a computer conference. How long are you on the computer today?
Jacob: I started on the computer at 12:15 and I will be off at about 2:15.
Tony: So, what do you usually do for the 2-­hour span. It seems that today you've spent the first hour reading messages and crafting your weekly note.
Jacob: Yup. I also take some time to do some indexing or looking at the arbitration results. By the way, I do receive copies of the Young Elder's Epistles from time to time, but that link you sent me about it doesn't work. I think for some reason it's being blocked. What's it about?
Tony: I don't remember what link it was. Do you have it handy? I'll look back in my Sent Items and see if I can find it again.So, do you do indexing and looking at arbitration results at other times of the week, too? What other things are allowed during this special 2­-hour window?
Jacob: We do look at indexing results from time to time, but with the job of being a scribe that may be less often. We also have time to look on LDS-­approved websites.
Tony: That link doesn't work for me anymore, either. It must have just been to an electronic version of the newsletter. Anyway, the point was whether you read them; which you answered that you did. The second point was whether you've ever considered submitting anything to them. Have you?
Tony: Is the job of being a scribe the same thing as being a transcriber? Tell me more about it.
Jacob: I read old handwritten documents and type what is says letter for letter, then send it to someone else in our department to see how I've done. Seeing that it should be confidential, I dare not say anything else about it.
Jacob: I have considered submitting, but I wouldn't know how.
Tony: Doesn't it show how at the end of the newsletter? I seem to remember that.
Jacob: I'll check the next time I see one.
Tony: Do you get feedback on how well you're doing? Is it pretty easy? I'd imagine that some documents might be easier than others.
Jacob: Yes, yes, and yes.

So, if you've ever sent an email to him without a response - it's happened to Tara and I multiple times - you might try the "almost-synchronous" conversation method.

Week 26

Hey, everyone! I must admit that the selection of emails I got today is a little different than what I usually receive. It's nice to see that you have had a lot to do this week! I especially like the silhouettes of Sherlock and John on Emily's birthday cake! When I saw the video I thought I heard bits of "Twinkle, Twinkle" mixed in with "The Imperial March." 
    My new companion is Elder Salle. He is a convert to the LDS Church and he's very excited to be a missionary! He's going to help create org charts and keep the inventories in check. 
    I'm sorry I don't have much to say, but I hope to say more when the time comes. By the way, if Erik gets a new mission email, please send me the address.

Week 25

Hi everyone! I am so excited that they let us back in the temple! I am also excited about Erik getting his endowment! I hope he has a good time! He told me about that mission, and I think I have a general idea of what he's going to experience. 
    We receive transfer sheets this week after our district meeting, so I don't yet know who my next companion will be or if I will move to another apartment. I should know by next week, though!
    My favorite part of the Book of Mormon is with Korihor the anti-Christ's conversion. It is sad that he couldn't speak and got trampled to death, literally! I hope I'm getting my facts straight. 
    We are having some clouds pass over Salt Lake City, but we haven't received a lot of moisture. I hope we're not heading for a drought season! 
    Hope you all have fun with Emily's birthday tonight and tomorrow! See you soon!

Week 24

Hey everyone! I am having a lot of fun here! This week was RootsTech, but the missionaries had other duties so we didn't get to go. We did, however, help out a couple of people with their research. They knew how to do it, but they were having technical problems. I was honestly winging it the first time around, but I actually helped out the second time.
    I liked the Valentine's Day package you got me! I found your "Idaho Spud" and gave it to Elder Bowers, just like I said I would! He was very greatful for my kindness. I also received a heart-covered box with lots of candy in it; would you happen to know the story behind that? I was almost ready to buy a large tube of toothpaste this week until you sent those others in the package.
    I made my first dry-cleaning run last week, and I'm quite impressed with the work they can do in in a week! The temple has been closed almost all month, but we will be back next week for our monthly endowment session. See you later!

Week 23

Hi everyone! I now have a new job at the Library; I will be working as one of the transcribers. I can't send any photos because I feel like this is highly confidential work. I believe that after my two years are up I will say that I have accomplished something on this mission.
    Things are warming up here, too. It almost feels like summer here! I found that I didn't really use my coat that much during this week alone. My nose has still been runny, but not quite as much as when I had that cold a couple weeks ago.
    Valentine's Day won't affect us that much since this year it's on a weekend, and so will President's Day (and Emily's birthday, of course.)
    Elder Bowers is going to be leaving this month on the 25th, and he says it will be fun because it's the same day as his birthday. I'd like to give him a departing/birthday gift before he leaves. I was thinking I could give him an "Idaho Spud." It will be sad to see him go, but I will wish him the best of luck!
    -Elder Derricott