Thursday, October 25, 2007

La da da da di da da da! (song?)

So here are some pics from last weekend when Millie came to visit. We had a vizeetor, vizeetor (movie?)

First, we went to Scott and Estelle's on Sunday morning for a delicious breakfast of banana pancakes, bacon, eggs and canteloupe. Yum! And on Friday night we went to Applebee's for some deliciousness. We also got to go to the Kumferman's on Sunday night for a ab fab dinner of chicken alfredo and breadsticks. But, sadly, Millie had to leave Sunday night. It would be really cool to see her before she goes back to Alaska, though. I really wish I could see her again. (Like our favorite youngest cousin!)


Uh, the first picture is of our cool waiter, Ben. He gets a picture on my post because he was 1: really cool. 2: is only 27 and teaches 2 sections of math 108, my dreaded math class. So we're going to go get help from him. And C: he likes to play match maker, just like me! Then the last picture is from Tabitha's 19th b-day party on Sunday. yay!


And here is a nice, long and very inspiring e-mail from Buzz:

(I think the part about Daniel is referring to how he got 1st chair, Tenor 1 for the middle school all northwest choir. That means he had the best tape for Tenor 1 and can go sing in Vancouver, B.C in like February or something. Way to go him! And for the foreign ward stuff, I have no idea what he's talking about. Perhaps someone could shed some light on that topic...)


Dear Everyone,

Sister Baker did tell me about Daniel. That is so cool! I was surprised, but then again I wasn't to surprised. I remember once upon a time Daniel was singing a song. I think it was Fair Kenai or something. I gave him a little compliment saying that it sounded good. And it's funny because for the next few weeks he would be singing that song when he didn't think anyone was listening to it, trying so hard to sound better each time. I think a small compliment goes a long way. I know it does for me. Any kind of compliment, as long as I don't let it go to my head, boosts my spirits and helps me to stay positive. A kind word is the greatest reward one can have.So if I have to come home to a foreign ward after my mission is up, I wouldn't be too upset. I would be saddened of course, but I always thought it would be kinda cool to give a homecoming talk in a ward where I only know my family and no one else. But for the most part, whatever the Lord wills, will.All right, so the big news is that my Zone and myself got to spend all Monday listening to a General Authority. Elder Kikuchi came to our mission for a tour and gave us some way awesome trainings. He was very impressed with our mission and he reported that out of all the missions in the US and Canada, ours is in the top three (if there are rankings). He gave us many ways to improve our conversions. He helped us so much by teaching us how to invite the spirit into lessons. On his mission, he served the two years, and when his two years were up, his president asked him to stay another six months. At the end of those six months, his president asked him to stay another twelve months. I can only imagine what kind of missionary Elder Kikuchi must have been. A spiritual giant! I am positive that he spent every second of those 3 1/2 years learning how to be a better missionary. And he has spent his life still learning. And he taught us some of those things he learned. There are times when I wish that I could do more work or better work, but I simply don't know how. And then I feel myself getting a little bogged down because of the massive weight of the responsibility resting on my shoulders. Then i always seems that just a the right time, something happens t lift m shoulders; something beyond m own power to do. Suddenly all those primary songs that I have sung all my life are ringing true in my mind. "I Am a Child of God", "I Want To See the Temple", "A Child's Prayer", "Families Can Be Together Forever", "I Know When I Am Baptized", and even songs like "Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam" were all teaching me eternally true principles. It is astounding to see all the wonderful doctrine that is beautifully displayed within those simple childhood songs. After the closing prayer was given at the Kikuchi conference, one elder stood up and asked Elder Kikuchi if we could sing him a song in appreciation of his coming to our mission and teaching us so many wonderful things. We sang him "Called to Serve." It was a very stirring chorus sung by young servants of God. He sang along with us for the first verse, but the second verse he stopped singing and simply listened, but you could see his mind at work. After we finished singinghe made a statement that the Spirit truly bore witness of. He said, "I felt impressed to tell you something. As you know, your mission president, President Brailsford, will be released in about 7 1/2 months. I felt impressed to tell you that sometime before he leaves, I don't know when, but sometime before he leaves, this mission will have baptized close to 200 people in one month." Then he gave a few more words of engouragement and the meeting was closed.This mission has never baptized over 100 people in one month, and very few missions in the United States have ever done that. So to hear that statement come from the mouth of Elder Kikuchi was astonishing, but I know that because the Spirit bore witness of his words, that it will happen. We have tremendous leadership, diligent and well-trained missionaries, and the help of the Almighty God in these efforts, so I know that it will happen.I thank you for your prayers and I do feel them. Every day I feel them as they are offered from the mouths of faithful saints from all over the world. This work is true. The Church of Jesus Christ has been restored in all of its fullness, power, and glory. The heavens are open to man and God has called His prophets throughout history to lead and direct us in righteousness.I don't know what else to say, but that I know this Church is true. Jesus Christ is our Savior and he lives and loves us.I will close this epistle soon. Transfers are coming up again! I don't know what to expect, but I don't know what not to expect either, so everything is peachy. I would like to stay in Charleston for at least one more transfer to see some things through, but whatever the Lord wills, will. We will be going with a member from here to see more of the sights around Charleston today. We had to take our P-day today (Wed.) because of the Kikuchi conference.Anyway. I love you and wish you all a merry Halloween and and splendid times into the Holidays! Arf! Arf!

Hearts,Elder Buzz
And here is a picture of Buzz with his hair parted. He's district leader and had to do it for this zone conference that they had. haha! I hope he still does it when he gets home...tsts!

5 comments:

Gwendy Lynn said...

Im glad you got to see Millie! Hey Ive got an idea if you really want to see her again before she leaves (and maybe I could meet her at the same time) The tie buzz is wearing is the one I gave him! Its my favorite (cuz its green)!

DKSBrayton said...

Yeah! I love the Carlson clan. You guys are fabuloso. Tell them all hi from way up North!

Anonymous said...

BE MY LOVE-UH, wanna be my love-uh, wanna be my love-uh! :) I know that song, but you're missing a 'da'! :)
LOVE YOU! Love, Bananiebutts

Unknown said...

hey heidi, long time. so your in REXBURG?! BECAUSE IM IN SALTY!!!! come visit me!!!! mary is coming this weekend! anyways so ya , buzz is looking so old.

Gwendy Lynn said...

Heidi! I totally cant wait to come see you! Seriously! It would be the bestest thing for me right now!

Awesome song! This was for this semester's Guitars Unplugged!