Week 63 - Nov 13, 2015

Week 63 - Nov 13, 2015
Jacob: 

Hello everyone! My companion and I are getting along just fine. You can tell the ward that I am letting myself change by being more diligent in scripture study. Even after the Book of Mormon challenge has ended I am planning to read through it a couple more times before the end of my mission. I was told by President Tate that "if you don't feel like praying, pray until you do feel like praying." I haven't done the initiatories yet, but I promise to get them done hopefully before the year is up. I am starting to feel myself change in allowing myself to submit myself to God's will more often.

Are those stories about James C. Livingston on FamilySearch? I haven't forgotten about him, but a couple times during some testing in the Discovery Center I have come across our first ancestor converted to Mormonism. The only problem is I can never remember his name. Speaking of ancestors, I am expecting Great-Grandpa McLean's profile to come up on FamilySearch sometime in the near-future. Maybe if you or I had something we could get it started and not deal with the stress of others being confused about it like it did when I first came on the mission.

The lights are starting to come up, and a few of them have been lit up for a couple nights for testing, but we don't expect them all on until after Thanksgiving. I also have been looking forward to a Thanksgiving dinner for our stake. So far as I can tell we have not had any snow, but the mornings and evenings while it's dark have been a bit chilly.

Each day in the FamilySearch Center we go around the floor helping those who like to be introduced to family history research or the FamilySearch website. We also have an in-service (sort of like a mini computer class) each week and sometimes we work in the Discovery Center, where people with a FamilySearch account can do interactive activities that are aimed to encourage family history work. I was told that sometime during the next year the Church was going to start turning the main floor of the Family History Library into a giant Discovery Center. As district leader it is my job to make sure everyone in my district has everything they need, including the mail which I get every weekday.

I believe that's all for now. I hope to see you again soon!

-Elder Derricott

1. Signs on the washing machines in our apartment complex (the white ones were accidentally placed upside-down)

2. Elder Heese and I

Week 62 - Nov. 6, 2015

Week 62 - Nov. 6, 2015
Jacob:

Hi, everyone! Sounds like you have all had a good week! I bet you all have great experiences with these trips! I hope that you all stay safe while separated from each other.

We have actually had some snow today, but mostly in the mountains. I hope it's not like last year, with so little precipitation that it was a year of drought. It is cold, though. I'd go so far as to say that I need to wear my coat to and from places.

On Halloween we went to zone as usual, but we went home early to avoid those who would target missionaries. We watched David Archuletta's "Called to Serve," which I found very inspirational. We also watched "The Quest for a Go-Getter." For those who haven't seen it, it's about a man who is asked by a kind boss to fetch him a blue vase. However, the boss's other two jealous workers are determined to keep the man from getting it. It's very humorous and at the same time very inspirational. I think it's my new favorite short movie!

I have also finished reading the Book of Mormon, so I am going through again to check over anything I may have missed.

My new companion Elder Heese is very nice and kind. He likes talking to people and helping out patrons. I have constant prayers of comfort and joy, and I make an effort to look forward to each day with a positive attitude.

I think that's all that I have, but before I go I would like to point out that one of my gloves somehow got missing. I would like to request another pair of gloves because one glove by itself isn't of very good use.

Love you! Elder Derricott

Week 61 - Oct 30, 2015

Week 61 - Oct 30, 2015
Jacob: 

This month after transfers I have a new companion, Elder Heese. He can walk fine, but for long distances like between our apartment and church or Temple Square, he has to use a walking stick. I don't see Elder Bess very often, probably because he's in a different zone than I am. I did manage to get one photo with Elder Gates before we transferred, and this was after a dinner appointment with some of the senior missionaries.

I love the package you got me! I just got started on the "Boo Berry" cereal today! One thing I'm curious about is if it tastes any different from "Franken Berry." Are you going to make it a tradition to buy "Monster Cereal" each year? We don't have too much planned for Halloween, just an early release from day zone. We also get to see a movie at the stake center after dinner and some evening sports. Other than our apartments and the stake center, we don't have much else to go during the evening.

I am also near the end of my Book of Mormon challenge. Our mission is planning next to do a reading challenge based off the talks from this year's October General Conference, but I'm not sure if you are going to get anything on that?

I'm sure that the mission is planning on getting us tickets for this year's Christmas devotional, but I'm still skeptical as to whether young missionaries will be able to go to the Christmas concert. Last year's concert went over curfew time and we had to go home with our mission coordinator Elder Musgrave.

Anyways, it's nice to see that everyone is doing well and I hope to speak with you again in the future!

Elder Derricott and Elder Gates

Week 60 - Oct 23, 2015

Week 60 - Oct 23, 2015

Jacob:  Hey, everyone! I'm doing alright. This week I have been learning a bit about leadership and how I could become a better leader. I hope that what I learn will help me become a better person in the future.

I got some melatonin a couple weeks ago, and it seems to be helping with my sleep a bit. I do, however, still need some special shampoo. I have noticed some dandruff in my hair for the past few weeks. I also seem to be the victim of losing water bottles, so could you please send one asap? Maybe you could find a way to etch or paint the name "Derricott" on it?

Last week my companion and I got on computers that suddenly shut down on us. They seemed to be the only ones that shut down in the entire library, and mine wouldn't turn back on until I removed my flash drive. I'm starting to doubt my technological skills. Thank goodness for auto-saving drafts!

This week has been pretty good. We had a couple special lunches; one was at the Lion House with a sister missionary who worked in our zone at the FamilySearch Center, the other was a farewell luncheon for some missionaries who were leaving. It was a sandwich luncheon, but for some heretofore undiscovered law of physics the cheese was gone faster than the meat. I also got a flu shot, so I should be safe from the flu for the next couple months.

I feel like this mission is blessing me with good comfort and health. Since the mission started I am starting to get a feel for my budget and how to make the most of spending.

Hope to see you all soon!

Week 59 - Oct 16, 2015

Week 59 - Oct. 16, 2015

Jacob: Hi, everyone! I am having a good time working in the FamilySearch Center. I get to help out patrons, and if I get stuck, I can just ask for help from the other missionaries in the area. I have already done shopping, but I was hoping to get laundry done after emails were done. President Tate's wife Sister Tate said that some of my shirts were starting to look a bit "yellow" so I bought some "Oxi-Clean" at the store.

It's nice to hear that you are having a nice warm fall. Ours is pretty good too except for one thing: gnats. Our apartment complex seems full of them during these warm fall days, so we literally can't go anywhere without going through them.

I am basically caught up with the Book of Mormon challenge, and I am trying to find a good way to apply it to my life.

I can't wait to hear how those upcoming events turn out, especially that talk in primary! Do you know who specifically is teaching the lesson?

I'm sorry that my email isn't quite as long as some of my more recent ones, but I do have some nice pictures to share. I hope that everyone has a great week and know that everyone is in my prayers!

Sincerely, Elder Derricott

Tara :  Hi son.  Good to hear from you! Oxi clean should help a lot with your shirts... Also wash them with hot water and sometimes a little bleach.   The gnats sound really irritating...we have had a lot of them too. I don't know who is teaching primary, but it was the president, Micalla Nef, who asked for information about the missionaries.  I will let you know if I find out more about it.  Your pictures are great! I would love to get a picture of you and your companion sometime. What are your Thanksgiving plans? I think we are going to Preston with all the Derricotts.  Love you so much!

Jacob:

Salt Lake Temple

Cathedral with U of U?

Fountain

U logo on mountain

Church Office Building

Tony: I was in Salt Lake Monday through Thursday, Jacob.  We went to Temple Square Wednesday night.  We also saw the inside of the Cathedral of the Madeline on Tuesday.  We went to the Cathedral of the Jazz on Monday.

Week 58 - Oct. 9, 2015

Week 58 - Oct. 9, 2015
Jacob:

Hi, everyone! Just to get things straight I am a district leader, not a zone leader. My companion is good, but since he's new I'm still trying to help him with getting used to the mission life.

The Discovery Center is very fun! You take a tablet computer with your FamilySearch account to various docking stations which tell you about what happened the year you were born, what you would look like in the clothes of your heritage and what the migration patterns of your ancestors were. There's also two booths where you can record yourself telling stories about your self. After you're done, you can email your experience to yourself and share with your friends. There's also a Discovery Center in Seattle, so you don't have to wait if you don't want.

We have had some guests who do some funny things. One time we asked if someone would like a tablet, and they responded by holding up their own Ipad. Sometimes they dock the tablet the wrong way, and sometimes they touch screens that are obviously not touch-screens.

I also liked general conference. One of my favorite talks was by Von G. Keetch, who talked about his experience with the barriers of life. I find that really inspiring during this age.

I hope to see you again soon! Know that you are in my prayers and that I think of the best for you!

-Elder Derricott

P.S.- We found a praying mantis this week! I can't tell if it's male or female, but it's pretty cool. It's about the size of the palm of my hand.

 Mom: I loved that conference talk too! Often we can't see the Sharks that are out there. The discovery center sounds really cool... I can't wait to check it out!  Where is your companion from?  Where did you find the praying mantis? Did you catch it? We saw one on our trip to Colorado ....it was on the motel door.  They are such amazing bugs! Is there anything you need? How is the scripture reading going? I love you a ton!!  Emily got her braces off.  :)
Jacob: Yay! She looks great!

Week 57 - Oct 2, 2015

Week 57 - Oct 2, 2015
Jacob:

Hi, everyone! Not much happened this past week, except I got shown the ropes of what a district leader had to do. I have to pick up mail, give weekly reports on my district, and attend meetings while my companion does hosting. On the plus side I get a phone, so I can text the other elders about what is going on.
I work in the FamilySearch Center where I help guests with setting up an account on FamilySearch or recovering their original account or password. I also help in the Discovery Center, which gives you some interactive activities based on how well-developed your FamilySearch family tree is. I found out that one of our ancestors was born in South Africa, but it was just one and I'm questioning the quality of the information.

The stores aren't that crowded yet, but since our P-day is on Friday now it isn't that much of a problem going through crowds. We will probably watch the other sessions in the visitors centers on Temple Square. We did get some tickets for the balcony, but we're trading them in for another area. Look for me in Plaza 1 during Priesthood session!

I heard about the blood moon, but we didn't actually see it. We heard about it on Saturday and thought it was happening then. It wasn't, but I got a couple pictures of a full moon anyway. On the night that it actually did happen the sky was too hazy to see it.

I would love it if you could send some endowment cards for our monthly temple trips. I hope to see you soon!
Mom: 

Hi son.  Sounds like some fun new responsibilities!  One of dads ancestors really was born in South Africa.... Maybe we can do some research to find out what his family was doing there.  I will let you know if I find out.  We watched the blood moon and it was pretty cool... Sorry you missed it! I do like the moon pictures you sent.  

I do have some endowments that need to be done. I will send the cards to you this week. If you want to work on the endowments for them, that would be great.  Otherwise, just send the cards back when the initiatory is done.

How was your birthday?