Week 46

Week 46, July18, 2015
Jacob:    Hey everyone! Life in Salt Lake has been pretty good! I can't believe that it's almost been a year! For the past few weeks I have been wondering, "Where has all the time gone?"
    I don't know if you know already, but our new mission president President Tate assigned a Book of Mormon challenge. Starting August 1 and going on for 3 months we are to read, mark, and ponder the Book of Mormon every day. President Tate also invited the families of the missionaries to participate in this event, so if you wanted to join me, that would be great! I am looking forward to it and I hope to learn a lot!
    I'm glad to see that Erik made it back safely! He sure looks like he is enjoying his return! I understand it may be hard for him to get back into life at home, but he is in my prayers and I hope for the best for him. By the way, what is the picture he and everyone else is looking at and where is it?
    I am glad to write every week and I hope to be the best I can be!
    -Elder Derricott

Tara:  Hi Jacob! Sorry I didn't get a letter sent... It's been a crazy week. I did send a package the other day so it should be there soon. Erik is doing good but it has been very disappointing to him to come home and not extend his mission. Your prayers are appreciated! The picture is in the Byui center. It was in a world fair pavilion many years ago and was donated to the college. It depicts the plan of salvation. I will write more in just a minute, but want to send this so you know I am here. Love you!

Tara:

I  excited about your Book of Mormon reading challenge. I will join you, and see if the rest of the family wants to join also.  How has your sleeping been? A few suggestions are to drink some warm milk before bed, or you can take a melatonin pill. Melatonin is just an herbal supplement... Not really a drug. You can get it in the vitamin area at walmart or a drug store like Walgreens. I hope it helps.    Let me know.  

I think we are going to the Idaho museum today. They have an exhibit about pirates that I think grandpa would enjoy.  We are mostly getting ready for a bunch of family to come tomorrow to hear erik report his mission. 

We love you so much and think of you every day. Be good and do good! Take lots of pictures for us!  Love you!!!

Week 45

Week 45, July

Jacob: Hey everyone! Another sunny week in SLC, though we did have a thunderstorm that kept me up through one of the nights here. I guess we probably needed it, seeing that it has been pretty dry for the last month. Actually, I have been having trouble getting to sleep lately; any ideas?
    I also have got a hair cutting appointment set up for tonight. On this mission some of the young elders have volunteered to cut hair for free, and so far they have been pretty good at their job. They don't leave a lot of hair untrimmed, and they are very nice. I still love shopping, though I feel like I need to use up some of my surplus items before stocking up on more!
    When I first heard Erik was coming home, I was under the impression that he would be back for some time and departing some time later. I was disappointed that he will not continue to serve on a mission after all, but I am getting over it. I can rest with the satisfaction that he has done his very best to bring himself closer to God. Also, I enjoy the possibility of seeing him after my mission is over.
    Well, be sure to take care and have fun!
    -Elder Derricott

Week 44

Week 44, July 3, 2015
Jacob:     Hello, everyone! It sure has been hot here! I expected it to be like California sometime later in July or August, but it has been pretty warm throughout all of June. Frankly I would like to get through the heat as quickly as possible.
    This week I was told that with some members of our data team were going to be absent from a meeting next week, and they needed somebody who could access a certain file required for our team. They asked me if I would be willing, and I said yes. So I got a loaner laptop for the meeting locked away in my work area, and I will be sure to give it back after the meeting.
    This 4th of July we are going to help with cleaning the church and deep-cleaning our own apartments. Later we will give special lessons, have a barbeque, and watch a special movie about Independence Day.
    Don't worry about me getting what I need, I'm doing just fine. In fact, when we went shopping this morning I told Elder Teichert that I needed some detergent and he allowed me to take one of his detergents!
    It's great that you could share the gospel with a few people! I do hope that those people will find what they're looking for!
    Love you all and good luck!
    -Elder Derricott

Tara: Sounds like you have a good plan for the holiday weekend. We are going to the library right now, while Emily is at a water party. Then we will pick her up and go home. We might go to the drive in tonight and see inside out and tomorrow land. Not sure yet. We are glad you are doing so well.  Stay cool and know we love you!!

Jacob:   If you do see them, tell me how they are! I might add them to a list of movies worthwhile to see after the mission is over!

Tara:  Will do.  What movies do you already have on your list?

Jacob;     I have Return to Oz, The Black Cauldron, Avengers: Age of Ultron, and that LEGO Simpsons episode I never saw, among others

Week 43, June 27

Week 43, June 27, 2015
Jacob:  Hi, everyone! How are you doing? What are your plans for the 4th of July weekend? Our day zones in the mission will be closed the day before, so we will probably be getting a schedule sometime next week of what exactly will happen.
    Like I said before, the summer days are hot. I don't know if I said it before, but because it gets so hot out on summer days we wear white shirts in non-public areas like the Church History Library. However, we do have to wear suits in public places like Temple Square and our church.
    I'm sure you heard that the Mormon Tabernacle Choir is going to be on tour for the next couple of weeks. This means that instead of performing in the Tabernacle there will be two special pre-recorded episodes of Music and the Spoken Word, one for each Sunday they'll be gone. After the Choir gets back, they will move to the Conference Center for the rest of summer.
    I got the pictures of girls camp, and some of those pictures of what I did in the past. I think I remember most of those events, and it's great to know that I am thought of. I don't have any pictures to show you as of now, but I will try to get some shortly! Love you all!

Tara:  Hi son! So good to hear from you! It's hot here too... Though not as hot as in your area.   Tell us sbout you new mission president? I posted that last pic of you and Elder Teichert on Facebook. His mom was so happy to see it. She said that he hasn't figured out how to email pictures home, so I told her that maybe you could help him. It would be good if you could teach him how to do that.

Jacob: I'll see what I can do


Tara: We don't have big plans for Independence Day... Emily is going to march in the parade. I will take some pictures of it for you. Who is your new president, and have you had much interaction with him yet?

Jacob:  Our new president is President Tate. We haven't had that much interaction yet, but we expect to talk more with our monthly interviews with the president.

Tara:  I'm sure you will get to know him and love him,, just like President Workman. I haven't gotten that book for you yet, but am working on it. I miss you and love you. We pray for you every day and are so happy that you are loving your mission. Keep up the awesome work and continue to share your experiences with us. We love you!!!!

Jacob:  As I sit here I was looking around the room, and I noticed some people with stickers with their name, the FamilySearch logo, and the words "1st Time Visitor" (not necessarily in that order.) It's nice to know that so many people are interested in their family history!

Tara:   That is cool   I just got a new calling as a ward family history consultant!  I don't know what I need to do but I am excited to learn!!!  Hopefully you will be able to teach me!

Jacob:  I'm not sure I would know anything, I'm not a consultant.

Week 42

Week 42

Jacob:    Hi, everyone! I have had a pretty good week. Nothing too exciting except our mission president, President Workman, is going home this month. We expect an announcement Monday about who the next mission president will be. I hope that he will be a good president and do some things that will help this mission and make us better missionaries.
    I'm sorry to hear about Vance and Marie. I did enjoy our short visits with them. If you see them again, tell them I said hello. I didn't expect you to be so busy during the summer, but I bet you have a lot of fun anyways!
    I am still working on that project, and the team I'm with expects to finish it up before the end of summer. Most of the stuff we work on in the Church History Library are categorized as either sacred, private, or confidential. I'm afraid I can't really show you what it's like inside the library, but I would like to take you with me on a tour as soon as my mission is over.
    I had somebody in the Family History Library take this picture. The picture is of me an my current companion, Elder Teichert. He works on scanning images in the Church History Library. It's a bit different working with somebody who's not working on the same project you are!
    I hope to see you again really soon!
-Elder Derricott

Tara:  Hi son! I love the picture!!!! When I get pictures of you boys it makes my day!  Dad and I are just getting ready to go to the temple and do some sealings. I am looking forward to that tour when you are done. I hope it doesn't happen till September 2016 though!  . Keep up the good work. I love you!

Week 41

Week 41

June 13, 2015

Jacob: Hey, everyone! I'm doing fine up here in Salt Lake! Things are starting to warm up here. From what I'm told you can just wear shirts and ties in "private" areas like the Church History Library, but in more "public" areas like the Family History Library, Walmart, church, etc., you have to wear a suit jacket.
    We have had a good week with work and all. We were surprised to hear on Sunday that we were supposed to prepare a lesson for our Zone conference the next day. It's kind of hard to do stuff that seems like last-minute to you, but we found a way to get our lesson plan in a short amount of time (plus we just learned that they can be 15 minutes long instead of the regular 20 we used to do.)
    I wish I could have been there for the family reunion. But here on the mission it's like having a family, too. I can't believe that summer got here so quickly; it feels like California in Salt Lake!
    I haven't received my package yet, but when I do, I'll try to record the time that it gets to me so that I can plan ahead in time for special events like holidays, birthdays, etc.
    Love you all and hope to see you again!
Elder J. Derricott

Tara: Hi my boy! It's so good to hear from you! Dad and I are in Pocatello right now, and we are heading to Preston later today. We are going to spend a few hours with the Derricott family, then head back home. We are having a fun weekend,celebrating our anniversary. 

It sounds like you did a good job preparing for your zone conference on short notice. Sometimes those are the best lessons because you have to rely so much on the Spirit. What was your lesson about? I am preparing to teach the young women about the Priesthood tomorrow. Have any good ideas to help me?

I'm glad that your mission feels like a family. It is important to learn to love the people you are working with. 

I love you! 

Jacob: We taught about Family History Work. Considering that we are on a Family History mission, I find that very appropriate. I hope that you have a fun weekend! Happy anniversary!

Tara: Ha-ha! That does sound appropriate. Are you still doing any drawing? Are you and Erik writing to each other? 

Jacob: I still do some small stuff from time to time, but I'm trying to focus on personal study in the scriptures and the mission library. Speaking of which, I don't believe I have Our Search for Happiness, do you think you could send a copy to me? I could also use another pocket hymnal, I lost my old one. Erik and I also write to each other each week, so don't worry about us!

Week 40

June 5, 2015

Jacob: Hi, everyone! I have had a pretty crazy week this week. First, during “Music and the Spoken Word” the cameraman fell of the podium and I got scared when one lady screamed. Then we heard about the death of Elder L. Tom Perry last weekend. The flags on Temple square, and apparently on every Church property in Utah, were flying at half-mast pretty much all week. I won’t be attending his funeral because I have a lot of work in my zone to do.

The weeks of summer are starting to warm up, though I think I saw what looked like storm clouds a little earlier this morning. Things are still going good around here, though we seem to be getting to our areas a little later than I would prefer. We’re shopping in another Wal-Mart this weekend, but the mission feels that the exact details should remain confidential.

Do you have any plans for the upcoming weeks? How have you been entertaining yourselves? I like hearing what has been happening back home! I don’t know if I told you, but I need some more shopping lists for the next few weeks. Other than that, I should be good for the summer. Love you!

-Elder Derricott

Tara: Hi son! That does sound like an exciting week!  I am at the cemetery right now, cleaning head stones for an eagle project.  We have a Derricott family reunion at our house today and tomorrow. I will take lots of pictures to send you! Was the guy that fell ok?  Yikes?  I will send you some more menus. Anything else you need?  Our week has not been as exciting as yours.  Mostly we just worked. Did you get the pics of our Hamilton trip? Do you have any pics for us today?

Jacob: We haven’t heard anything about him yet, but I hope he gets better. I got your pictures, and they are pretty fun to see.

Tony: I just got off a conference call for work.  Now I'm taking the rest of
the day as a vacation, waiting for relatives to arrive for this
weekend's reunion.  I may go help Kimball Russell wash headstones at
the Burton Cemetery for his Eagle Project.  He started at 8.  But my
conference call was at 830.  I may also go play soccer with my lunch
group if relatives haven't shown up by then.  We play Tuesdays and
Fridays at 1130.

Tara: Can you tell us why you are going to another place to shop? I hope all is well. I know that you are well taken care of so I won't worry!  How is it going with your new companion? I hope you are enjoying him and becoming good friends.  

Jacob: All I can say is that an elder got hurt and the mission feels it would be safer if we shopped elsewhere.

Tara: I see.  I hope he wasn't hurt too badly. Is there anything else you need me to send you?  

Jacob: I shouldn’t need anything else, but if I think of anything I’ll let you know as soon as possible.

Jacob: The flag has been half-mast all week in memory of Elder L. Tom Perry, who died last weekend.

Tara: It is pretty sad about Elder Perry... We all love him a bunch! Thanks for the pictures!

Tony: I like the pictures, too; especially the ones that have you in them.