Week 34

Week 34  
 Hi, everyone! I am having a good time with the mission. I took a trip to Mr. Mac to fix a button on my winter coat (they do repairs for missionaries for free!) By the way, I have lost my umbrella and I can't seem to find it anywhere. Could you send a new one asap? Also the speakers I got don't improve the music; I just get more volume.
    However, we did have a stake conference this week, and we held the last session last Sunday morning in the Assembly Hall. Around 2:00 we went to an organ recital in the Tabernacle where a guest organist played "Toccata in D Minor." and some uplifting musical pieces. I don't think we would've had any other opportunities to see it for the rest of the year, seeing our regular stake meetings go from 1:00-4:00.
    I am glad you got to speak with Sister Beard, and we expect her to be back safely next week! She might be able to help us in the following weeks with a project dealing with missionaries since Joseph Smith's time.
    We sure have had a good time on this mission so far. My year mark is approaching slowly, but the other missionaries say that after that it all goes downhill from there. It feels like I have lived here my whole life! I am excited to read your emails each week!
    Hope to write again!
                -Elder Derricott

        

Week 33

This week has been a pretty good week. We got some more projects that need transcribing, and we work hard to balance our time for other things. I also sent some pictures of what we do during each week. This wee we had a snow storm, and I took some pictures before it all melted away. I also went with Elder Salle to the Assembly Hall because he was singing at a senior missionary conference (young elders held one the previous week.)
    I have been taking some time to read some stories of faith and devotion from Church magazines. Other than that, nothing else has happened. I did, however, see a quail today!
    I hope to hear from you again soon!
    -Elder Derricott

Week 32

These weeks have been pretty good; we're just getting through our work quicker than expected. We may need more work soon!
    It turns out that we were wrong about that driver's ed class this afternoon. There was apartment inspections this week, so we had to revert back to our regular schedule and the Assistants to the President moved our actual time to 6:00-8:30 this evening.
    I did enjoy General Conference this last weekend. My favorite talk was "Where Justice, Love, and Mercy Meet" by Jeffrey R. Holland because as I am on this mission I figure out more about Christ and his life and miracles each day.
    We both enjoyed our Easter packages and I hope to send you some pictures soon!
    <3 Elder Derricott


Tony: Glad there are pictures coming. Have you taken some that you haven't downloaded yet?  Or are you still looking for something to take pictures of?

Jacob: I did find some good ones, but it may be some time before I can actually upload them.

Tony: What's involved in uploading a picture?

Jacob: Actually the camera is hooked up in the same way as a flash drive, but it's hard when you don't actually have the camera with you.

Tony: So you just need to remember to bring it with you next time, huh?

Week 31

Hey, everyone! I just wanted to let you know that I am doing fine. Yesterday I got that Easter package that you sent, and Elder Salle and I can’t wait to open it. Of course, we still remember to set Easter as the day of Christ’s resurrection. He did it so he could know how we feel and so he could atone for our sins. I have a feeling that one or two speakers in General Conference will focus on this principle.

                Elder Salle and I got set up to do some more transcription exercises. Of course I can’t say anything else other than it’s going to help others who do research make it easier to find that person’s information. We had a pretty hectic schedule this week, but we still press on! It’s warm in the mornings, but it can get quite chilly at night. I hope you’re doing alright, though.

                With fond love, Elder Derricott

Tony: Do you still have exercise time every week?  We see pictures on facebook occasionally of boys playing basketball. What do you do during those times?

Jacob: With the warmer weather we started to have sports on the field across from the stake center. It’s been a lot of fun so far

Tony: So what sports do you engage in? Does everyone play the same games at the same time? Would you like us to send you a frisbee or something?

Jacob: Yep. It’s pretty much everyone playing one game each night. I don’t think a Frisbee is a good idea, in case some passerby happens to have a dog.

Tony: Every night is good. Do you still think you're getting your 10000 steps per day?

Jacob: Yes.

Week 30

Hi, everyone! I have been having a good time while on this mission. We are so excited about General Conference next weekend! I wish it would get here sooner; your email surprisingly came quicker than the package you promised!
    My companion, Elder Salle is from Saratoga Springs, UT, and he likes singing and music. He is also very interested in studying other religions, which makes sense since he is a convert for 10 years. He knows a whole bunch of music for the organ and piano, and has been asked a couple times already to play for our ward and our morning devotionals at the CHL.
    I'm afraid you're not being specific; what types of restaurants are you referring to? Are these missionaries in the same mission as us? I know that we're allowed to eat at the food court in City Creek and the restaurants at Temple Square, but as far as I know we're pretty much confined to that basic area except during shopping days and dinner appointments with senior missionaries. 
    Well, I hope that God will keep giving me strength to make it through the mission. See you all later!

Week 29

    Hi everyone, I just wanted to let you know that I am excited for General Conference in a few weeks. I haven't been able to fix my camera, so I might need another one. What would you like me to do with the old one?  
    We have not had any bedbug problems ourselves; I think we're okay as long as we keep our apartments clean. I don't need any bedding, but I would like a couple more pairs of black socks and maybe a pair of white socks.
    I hope that the others will get better soon, and I wish all of you good luck! 

Week 28

Hey everyone! How's it going? I'm glad to hear that Erik is getting ready for his mission and I hope that he has a good time. I wish him the best of luck!
    It's starting to get warmer down here, and we had some much-needed rainfalls this week. I haven't seen anything sprouting up through the flowerbeds yet, but I will let you know as soon as possible. We go to the temple every third Wednesday for endowments, and try to find spots within the month for other sessions. 
    This week our zone leader took the Assistants to the President on a tour around the CHL. We got to show them what we do and I showed them a little bit of some transcriptions I did last month. 
    By the way, when is General Conference? Are tickets available? Even if they're not we can still see it in the Legacy Theater or North Temple Square theater, so I won't worry myself sick over it.
    Well, hope to hear from you soon!