Pictures 9-29-14

This is our cute little investigator Cheryl.  She doesn't have a care, so when I told her that I was headed for Vacaville, she looked me strait in the eye and goes, "Thats okay.  I can walk to Vacaville!"

Hermana Melgar-Fetzer wasn't pleased with my call to Vacaville as we've been together since the MTC!

Our last District meeting of the transfer!

The Larson's back yard

We could make our own postcard

Home, home on the range!  We finally got clouds on Friday!

Yolo Avenue in Yolo County :)

Weekly Letter 9-29-14

Hey Everyone!

So I'm getting transferred to the Vacaville 5th ward. It's literally just a hop skip and a jump away (like 10 minutes). I'm really sad to be leaving Dixon. I said a whole lot of awkward goodbyes on Sunday and gave a whole lot of long equally awkward hugs. Next time I'm just going to leave without telling anyone. It was sad :(

I can't believe it's already almost October! This week was jam packed with service, we hardly did anything else! It was fun though, I feel like the days always go by a whole lot better when we do service. On Friday we went out and washed windows at a member's house because their daughter is having her wedding reception there in a few weeks. They have the most beautiful home ever! #dreamhome! Haha, they have a river running through their backyard and a separate house for their fish and a cute little cabin looking over the river and everything! Anyway, so we're washing windows outside and I turn and look to my left and right next to my head is a black widow the size of my thumb! That was probably the scariest part of the week. That's the one reason I will never move to California, every house is over run with armies of mutant spiders.

 We also repainted the Davis Elders' apartment. That was the most disgusting place I've ever seen in my life. 

So we set a baptismal date with our investigator Sonny this week! It's set for January 17th, but we're hoping that he'll want to move it up, he's really growing to love the gospel and the people. Cheryl's baptism is still set for October 25th. That's the one reason that I'm glad I'm only going to Vacaville, because I'll be able to come back for her baptism :)

So did everyone get to watch the General Women's broadcast on Saturday? I thought it was so good! I thought it was interesting how almost all of the talks were based on the temple and being consistent in our obedience to the commandments. I hope that everyone is making an effort to attend the temple as often as possible :)

I love you all! Have a great week!

Love,

Sister Lesser

Mom:

I can't believe you got my packages already, I only sent those out on Saturday! I'm glad that my picture made it safely though :) Brother Benton is a member of the Dixon ward who is a professional photographer, and I made a special request for that picture and he gave it to me :) One of the other sisters got one of the Ogden temple. Yup, the other stuff is stuff that I just don't use. One of the ward members gave me that pair of pants and they're life 5 sizes too small for me so I sent them home to see if Mandee wanted them. If you could send a refill of the shampoo and conditioner that would be great :) I don't need it immediately, just whenever you send the next package, thanks!

How is everything going? How are the puppies? That's awesome that Dallin is going on a mission! So are you guys still doing family night and daily prayer and scripture study? 

That's good that you get to help out with Mandee's fundraiser :) Now you can get a taste of mission life as you go door to door! haha :)

Love you, have a great week!

Mandee:

I'm glad that you're still enjoying the play :) when is opening night? I'm glad that you're liking school and stuff. How are all of your classes? I suggest paying very close attention in spanish class. You WILL use it in life!!!! I wish I had taken more spanish in high school! (and payed more attention to what I did take). 

Have a great week! Love you!

Tyson:

I'll believe that you're getting taller when I see it, shorty :) I've really missed you guys too, but I'll be back before you know it! That's cool that you got to go hunting with dad! That bruise you got was nasty though, what in the world were you thinking?!?! I'm glad that you guys came back from scout camp safely. I wish it would rain here! The most exciting part of the week was on Thursday when it lightly sprinkled for about an hour. It is getting colder though, so that's nice :). 

How is everything else going? Are you still hanging out with friends a lot? 

You're 12 right? Have you done baptisms at the temple yet? If not then tell mom that you want to go right now! The temple is so cool! Pay attention to the feelings you get when you go there :) 

You should think about doing family history work! all of the kids are really into it around here, and I bet you'd be really good at it! 

Love you, have a great week!

Grandma Nanna:

Thank you for all of the pictures! I think those guys have gotten even taller, they really dwarf you and Lisa! That's cool that you got to go see them this week! It looks like everyone is doing great! How is Lacey and everyone? Do you have any other fun trips or plans coming up? 

Love you guys! Be safe!

Grandma Bowcutt:

I'm so glad that your guys' trip was safe and fun! I'm so jealous that you got to go see the grand canyon! That's on my to do list in 13 months :) 

I'm glad that everyone is doing good and that Kaden is having fun with his football games. It sounds like everyone is keeping themselves pretty busy. 

What color are you painting your upstairs bedrooms? That's exciting :) I'm going to miss that cloud and hot air balloon room though!

I loved the Women's conference, I cried a few times! I loved hearing everyone giving their testimonies and singing in their own languages, it brought the spirit so strongly! 

I'm really looking forward to conference this weekend!! Is everyone going up to Bear Lake for it?

Love you! Have a great week!

Pictures

Weekly Letter 9-22-14

Hello!

This has been a great week! We had Stake Conference this last weekend. Jeremy Scott and Robert Matthews both spoke, and it was so amazing to rehear their conversion stories and their testimonies! It is such a testimony to me of the truthfulness of this church and of the happiness that it brings to people! Two of our investigators, Sonny and Cheryl, came! Cheryl had a great time, and Sonny sent us the coolest text ever! He said, "Thank you guys for inviting me to your bi-annual conference and introducing me to your mission president. I really enjoy the family and fellowship environment. I look forward to getting to know the LDS way of life,and I feel a lot better about things after a church service. Thank you for helping to guide me. I'm starting to see that there was something missing in my life, and I'm glad you folks can help me.I look forward to the next church service. Thank you."  Ah! We were freaking out when he sent this to us!!!! 

We ended up pushing Cheryl's baptism back to the end of October because she just wasn't ready, but she really feels the spirit and knows that she wants this gospel in her life because it makes her happy. :) Jeremy Scott and Robert Matthews both got the Melchizedek Priesthood this weekend though!! It was so cool, they are both so strong in the gospel, they don't give the Melchizedek Priesthood to anyone after only a month or two of baptism!!! Dixon is going to be taken up like the city of Enoch soon. We are currently investing in painting all of the streets gold :)

Have you all heard of the new movie, "meet the mormons" that's coming out on October 10th? Go see it! Our stake president committed everyone in the congregation to go see this movie in order to keep in theaters for as long as possible. It was commissioned by the first presidency and was originally intended for the temple visitor centers and what not. Take your friends your neighbors, and everyone that you know!

Alright, I'm off my soapbox now :) Anyway, I hope that everyone has had an incredible week and that you are all praying for service opportunities and chances to share the gospel with others :)

Love you all! Have an amazing week! Be safe!

Love, 

Sister Lesser

Mom:

Thank you so much for the packages! We love the CD's and the Halloween decorations/candy and the shirt and the sheet music and everything! Getting packages is so fun :) It's still been pretty hot in Dixon, though it is starting to cool down just a bit, now we're in low 90's instead of high 90's :) 

I'm so glad to hear that Tyson planned a family home evening!! I know that if you guys have family home evening every week that you will see more happiness and peace in the home :)

So on Friday we had interviews with President Alba, and he pretty much just came out and told me that I'm getting transferred next week, so I'll e-mail you next week and let you know when I find out where I'm going :)

haha, grandma sent me pictures of the little frenchies/oldies, I can't wait to see what they look like when they grow up! 

I'm glad that everything is going good at home, I hope that you guys are staying healthy and safe. Have a great week! Love you!

Mandee:

It's good to hear that you're doing good and that you had lots of fun with your friends at Lagoon. You and that Jock kid look cute together :) I can see it! When does your play start? What part of the song is your solo? Have you figured out how to sent videos yet? You should send me your recital video and then record your solo and send it to me :) have a great week!

Grandma Nana:

Thank you for all of the cute pictures! Bracken has gotten so big! Haha, it sounds like you guys are having all kinds of fun with the dogs! I guess it will be a learning experience and you guys will make sure to keep an eye on those dogs better!

It's good to hear that Marilyn is getting a job again and that she's met a good guy! Hope that everything works out!

How has everything else been? Do you guys have any fun plans coming up? Have a great week, love you!

Weekly Letter 9/15/14

Hi Everyone!

This week has been awesome! We've seen so many miracles and have picked up a couple new investigators.One of our investigators who disappeared off the face of the planet about a month ago turned up again, and he has been reading the Book of Mormon! He's in Alma, and he says that he just gets this feeling that he should keep reading and that it contains something that he needs. It's so awesome!

One of our recent converts also blessed the sacrament for the first time and he's getting the Melchizedek this week! He is also speaking in Stake conference this weekend, and he and his family are really loving the church and finding so much happiness in it.

We have another baptism coming up on the 27th! It's this cute little old lady, Cheryl. We have to teach her very slowly and repetitively because it takes her a while to really grasp onto things, and she wasn't raised with any religion so it has been a little difficult, but she really loves coming to church and she feels the spirit very strongly. We're so excited for her!

I'm never going to complain about anything again! We met a lady with the worst luck in all of history this week! Her name is Mendy, and she has just had one accident after the other! She got in two car crashes (the second just as she was recovering from the first), and then when she was recovering from that, she went hiking with her family. On the last hike, they did a very easy handicap accessible trail, and she ended up falling into a gopher hole and tearing ligaments in both of her legs. Then just as she was recovering from that about a year ago, a ladder fell and crushed both of her hands!!! It's insane! Anyway, so because she still can't use her hands we've been going and giving her service. On Thursday we helped put together a bed frame and they made me use the giant table saw to cut the wood because Mendy thinks it's essential for everyone to know how to use one. So thankfully I didn't chop off my hand.... :)

We also had a lady named Kathleen call us out of the blue this week.We met her like 3 months ago and haven't talked to her since because she wasn't really interested, but she called us up and wanted us to come over for lunch. Apparently she's been thinking about us and wanted to do something to help us. But she must have really liked us because we're going over to her house again twice next week for lunch and to help her rip up her floors. :) I'm becoming a real handy man. haha

How is everything going? Is there anything fun coming up? Has there been a bunch of Halloween decorations put up already? Because like half of the houses have been super decked out in Halloween decorations. We're talking about full on graveyards and everything!!

Have a great week! Love you all!

Love,

Sister Lesser

Mom:

Hahaha!! Send me tons of pictures of the frenchie/oldies!! That's hilarious! 

Are you not getting my little comments that I write under each picture? huh. Well, I'm not really sure which pictures you're talking about. If it's the ones with fruit, one of them was a Papa fruit, which, no joke, is like eating vanilla pudding with big black seeds the size of your thumb. The other was probably a cactus fruit. We met some random Mexican guy who had two huge buckets full of them.

That's alright, I can wait for packages. If you happen to have any Mascara and orange face soap lying around the house that would be great. If not, that's fine too :)

Love you! 

Mandee:

It looks like you have been losing weight! What size are you now? I have a pair of brand new size 7 pants that a member gave me if you think you will fit into them. If not, I'll fit into them by the end of my mission :) 

I'm sorry that you had to stay home for lighting the B. That was super fun, but you're right, you probably would have died :)

That's fun that you get to go to Lagoon! Who else is going? Remember, you're not allowed to date until you're 16. Also, If he doesn't offer you his two hands, his faith in the Lord, and to always cherish you and make you laugh, then he's not worth your time :) You're worth more than 8 cows! haha.

When does les mis start? How much of the play are you in? Who are the leads? Are they still making you guys exercise a lot?

Have a great week! love you!

Tyson:

I've been great! We've gotten some interesting food, which is weird for an English ward in California. The other day we had dinner at the home of a recently returned missionary who went to the Philippines, so she made us Filipino food! We got some Adobo and some other weird stuff that I can't pronounce. We also are teaching a family from mexico, and they made us some Sopas, which was absolutely the best thing that I've ever eaten! It was like a little tiny fat taco with homemade refried beans, and salsa, and meat, and a whole bunch of other yummy fillings. :) Don't ever eat Peruvian food though. That is no bueno.

We don't do much beside walking around and talking to people. On Saturday I stayed home all day with Hermana Melgar-Fetzer because neither of us was feeling good. We watched some church movies like "Legacy" (Which was really good, I recommend it), and "Johnny Lingo". :) We're feeling better now though. It's starting to get really dark around 8 o'clock, and one of our members saw us walking around in the dark the other night, and she pulled over and was like, "hold up!" and whipped out this super heavy army flashlight and was like, "if you see any creapers just hit them over the head with this!" and then she drove away. :) It was pretty interesting. But now I have a weapon! It's not quite as cool as the Machete that Mandee wanted me to get, but it works for me!

I'm so proud of you for going camping by yourself! I bet you had lots of fun doing that! are you going on the duck hunt with your school or with dad and grandpa? 

I'm glad that you're enjoying school. I can't believe you're in 7th grade already! 

What is your favorite subject? Do you have lots of friends in your class? Are you still going to scouts? Who is your scout leader? What kinds of projects are you doing? Do you hang out with friends a lot? Who are your favorite friends to hang out with? What has been your favorite part of the week? Have you had any missionary opportunities? Have you been reading the Book of Mormon and saying your prayers? When do you get to go hunting with dad? Have you been practicing? 

Have a good week! love you!

Daddy:

I'm glad that everything is going good and that you've been preparing to be cavemen for the winter :). We are staying pretty busy, it's hard trying to find time to do everything we need to do in a day sometimes! It sounds like you guys have been having tons of fun :) I can't believe you let that little frenchie get pregnant! Haha, I want lots of pictures of the puppies :). So when are you guys going hunting? Is it getting pretty cold there? We hopped into the car the other day and the thermometer read 124 degrees! It was insane! Have you started on the house in honeyville? has mom picked a house plan yet?

Well, I hope that you have a wonderful week! Have fun at work and hunting and golfing and with everything else that you do! Love you lots!

Kari:

Thanks for writing me :) I can't believe that Kylie is in high school already! It sounds like you guys are having a great time and keeping really busy! How is Kaden doing in football? Is he one of the guys who play every game? (I can't remember what it's called...1st string??) How are Lindsey and Makell liking dance? What kinds of dance are they doing? How are you and Chad? Do you guys have any fun plans coming up? Does Kylie have any more out of state soccer games? 

Have a great week! Love you all!

Grandpa and Grandma Bowcutt:

I'm glad that you guys have had a great trip and that you've been safe! I can't believe that It's been raining in Arizona! Tell them to send their rain here! I came to northern california thinking that it would be cool and rainy and I got blazing hot weather and droughts!

Anyway, It sounds like you guys have been having the time of your lives down in Texas! 

How much longer are you going to be in Texas? Do you have any other fun plans coming up? 

Have a great week! Be safe! love you!

Grandpa Bick:

It's good to hear from you! It sounds like you've had a productive summer! Do you have any upcoming plans for fishing or hunting or anything else fun? Have you guys been spending a lot of time in Island park and Yellowstone? I was just thinking the other day how much I wanted to go rafting down that one river in Island park again and then go get some Huckleberry ice cream when I get back from my mission :) It's on my bucket list.  Where is the youth Duck hunt going to be at? When does that take place?

Love you, have a good week!

Lacey:

Haha, I love all of your pictures!! Cute little Stryker, I can't believe how big he is! 

I'm so jealous that you guys got to go to the temple open house! The Ogden temple looks so beautiful! It's so much different than it used to be!! 

How have all of you been? Is Skylee still playing soccer? Do you have any fun plans coming up? What was your favorite part of the summer?  

Have a great week! Love you all!

Pictures - 9/8/14

Lilly Scott's Baptism 

Sacramento Temple Day

I forgot!...

Since you couldn't find a good quote I'll send you a couple :)

2 Nephi 5:27 - "And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness."

"It's not about your ability or your inability, but about your availability. And if we prove our dependability, the Lord will take care of our capability." -Neil A. Maxwell

                   - 1 Nephi 3:7

Love you! have a great week!

Weekly Letter 9/8/14

Hi Everyone!

Things in California are pretty good. On Saturday Jeremy Scott (our recent convert) got to baptize his oldest daughter Lily, which was super exciting. She's so cute, she bore her testimony at the baptism and talked about how grateful she is for the sister missionaries and how she can't wait to be a missionary just like us! Haha. She's already being a missionary, she invited a bunch of kids in her class to come and all of her non-member family members, and it was really cool. I gave the talk (It's amazing how I can talk to people everyday, but being asked to give the talk at a baptism still gives me a heart attack!) But it turned out well, and Lily's non-member grandpa came up to me afterwards and told me that he felt the spirit during my talk and thanked me for being a good example to Lily :)

The temple was beautiful. One of our recent converts, Shelley Davis, drove us there and did baptisms while we were in the session. It's a really neat experience, and the peace that was there was unbelievable! It was a good recharge of the spiritual batteries. This was the first time that I've gone to the temple in the mission field, so it was really exciting.

This week we set two baptismal dates with our investigators, Cheryl and Steve. Cheryl is this cute little old lady. She was raised completely without religion and doesn't know a thing about Jesus or anything, but she is slowly learning and she really feels the spirit. She loves coming to church and to baptisms. At Lily's baptism she couldn't stop crying, and she said that she couldn't wait to get baptized herself! :)

How's everything going back home? Is there anything new going on? How's the ward? Has anyone had any missionary moments or opportunities to serve lately?

Love you all! Have a great week!

Love,

Sister Lesser

Mom:

I'm glad Daddy got back safely. I love those names for the puppies! That's cool that about delta, I can't wait to travel the world :) I'm so glad that you guys had family home evening with Grandma and Grandpa and that Daren joined in! That's awesome! Family Home Evening really brings the family together.

 Have you guys been having family prayer and scripture study? The Book of Mormon is so amazing, my testimony of it has grown so strong on my mission. I know that if you guys read it together as a family every night that you will grow closer together and have more peace and happiness in the home.

Did you say that you ordered the Christmas CD's? They haven't come yet, so I'm hoping that you either didn't order them or that you had them sent to the house. 

Thanks, Love you lots!!

PS. They recently changed the rules of the mission due to some disobedience somewhere in the mission, so we can no longer check e-mails during the week, and we're not going to be on facebook for quite a while. Just so you know :)

Mandee:

I'm so glad that you had such a good week :) Haha, I'm sure that you guys will get better by the time you actually perform les mis :) That's cool that Amber Johnson won. Do you know anything about anyone my age getting married or going on missions and stuff? I found out that Jenica Christensen is engaged to Joe Burgan, that was pretty exciting. Keep me updated on this stuff! 

I thought you were going to send me a video of your recital?

Be careful, driving is dangerous! I can't believe you're old enough to drive! That's insane! 

Oh! I've decided that the summer after I get home I want to do a bike trip all the way around Bear Lake and I'm taking you with me! Prepare yourself! 

Anyway, have a great week! Love you!

Daddy:

Hi! I'm glad that you made it back safely from California! I can't believe you were so close! You're right, my mission is flying by! I can't believe I've been out almost 4 months. I'm loving it out here and I've really felt my testimony grow. You know what they say, the most important person you convert on a mission is yourself! 

How has hunting been going? How's work? Have you started building the house in Corrine yet? How is everyone doing? 

Love you! Be safe! Have a great week!

Grandpa and Grandma Bowcutt:

I'm glad you guys made it to Arizona safely and that everyone's doing well! I can't believe that little Roeroe is walking already!! Crazy!! I hope that you have a safe trip to Waco!

That's so cool that you got to see that sister again :) It sounds like you guys are doing great and having lots of fun adventures! Do you have anymore fun plans coming up? Have you had any missionary experiences lately? Love you! Be safe!

Picture!

Yay! We just had a tea (lemonade) party with the laurels! It was so fun and cute!

Weekly Letter 9-1-14

Hi Everyone!

Everything has been going pretty good here in Dixon! We picked up a new investigator this last week. He's the father of one of our dropped investigators, and he's super interested and has been reading the Book of Mormon and loves it! We set a baptismal date with him for September 27th! He's even been trying to share the pamphlets and things that we give him with his daughter because he really feels like this gospel can bless his family :) 

We also contacted this lady the other day, she was doing yard work with a broken arm, so we went over and asked her if she needed help.She said she didn't and then she looked at my name tag and goes, "Sister Lesser...that is quite an unfortunate name. Why aren't you Sister Moore?" haha. I don't think I've ever had my name made fun of as much as in Northern California, if I go a day without someone commenting on my name it's unusual!

I'm so excited! We get to go to the temple in Sacramento this Thursday! Shelley Davis (a recent convert in our ward, who is the most amazing member missionary in the history of ever) is taking us. We're going to have to leave at like 6:30 in the morning to make it to the 8:30 session on time with all of the rush hour traffic and everything, but I'm still excited :)

How is everything going at home? What's fun that's going on right now? Hope that everyone has a great week! Be safe! Lots of Love!

Love,

Sister Lesser

Mom:

Why would you tell me that Dad is going to be in Fresno?!?! :( Anyway, why are you getting more frenchies? Don't you have enough dogs?!?! 

I'm glad that Tyson is doing better in school. Just keep up the good work of making him go :)

I'm sure your lessons are awesome! And It's better that Chari marry a super sweet homely guy than a good looking jerk :) I've seen way too many broken families in California, I hope that everything works out for them!

So the house we were helping with was actually an extension of the home of one of our members. We were just helping take a bunch of scrap wood to the bonfire site. We were super sweaty and had bruises on our shoulders from hauling heavy beams though! I fell into one of the holes that were dug right around the scrap pile for some reason. There were like 8 of them and they were all about 3 ft deep. When I got the "gift of tongues we were just walking around contacting people. 

We were out late because we had a lesson at the church that night that didn't get over until 9. We were leaving when we saw this white van that had driven around the parking lot like twice already. There was another similar one parked out front with people inside of it. we just kept following them around the parking lot in our car, and finally the car out front left and the one that was circling the church went around the block and then came back, but they finally just drove away as well. We talked to one of the ward members who said that they've had vandalism plenty of times.

Our basil seeds are awesome :) Growing plants is exciting. - Alma 32 :)

Hey, will you please send me some sheet music for songs that would be good to sing in sacrament meeting? (preferably a duet) Maybe like "the prodigal" or "write thy name upon my heart" or any other songs that you like. 

How is everything going? Anything fun going on? Thanks love you! 

Mandee:

Haha, senior boyfriends :) just remember, no dating until you are 16!! I'm glad that you had such a great week. Is anything really cool coming up? When do you guys actually perform les mis? what was the best part about the week? Love you!

Grandma Nanna:

Thank you for the letter! I love hearing from you guys and getting cute pictures! (and money, I like that too!!) haha. Glad that you guys had a good time at the reunion! Everyone looks so cute in those pictures that you sent! Do you have any fun plans for the week? Any new puppies? Love you! Have a great week!

Grandma Bowcutt:

It sounds like you guys have been working hard! I'm glad that you got to the temple, It's an awesome place! My mom said that you guys are going on a trip to see everyone in Arizona and Texas, have fun! Drive safe! Love you! Have a great week!