Hey family,


Mom, you are a genious. We've been trying to come up with names for old missionaries all week, but ripe missionaries is definitely the best. I'll make sure it spreads like wildfire. Ya I think its finally hitting me that I'm a ripening missionary, its kinda cool, but also really stinks....ha.

The snow isn't too bad. WI really doesn't live up to all the hype, it doesn't get THAT cold and doesn't snow THAT much. It is going to get down to -9 on Wed without windchill, and a high of 3 (probably feel like -10ish) which is the coldest its been while ive been here. Its usually around 20, which isn't bad. Appleton is amazing at getting snow off the roads with these huge plows that clear a lane and a half while dumping out like a million gallons of salt so its really nothing any new missionaries should be worried about (or moms..). Its been snowing consistently for the last week, probably a total of about a foot or two. We always wish it snows because it means more service oppurtunities. We are yet to make a snowman, but it will happen. Your poor snowman is wilting.

Ya J and K are doing great. Yami (their Mom) was in FL for the week so the boys had to come by themselves (dropped off by the sitter). We were going to pick them up at the curb, but they came right in and started walking into the chapel by the time we found them. They are going to be a great addition to the YM program in a year or two. They even stopped drawing and put their folders away for the sacrament and then listened to some of the talks. Pretty amazing kids.

Mike is also doing good, they weren't able to make it to church yesterday because Melisa (his fiance whos a member) has the flu. We do have an appointment to meet with him on tuesday and we're going to talk about Temples and eternal families. He does have a date for Feb 5., which is 2 days after transfers so if one of us leaves its going to stink. When we were teaching him last week about prophets we asked him what he thought of the idea that there was a prophet on the earth today. He sat there for a little bit then said "I don't know, I'll have to pray about it." He is so solid. It seems like in this mission (I don't know about other ones) that either someone really gets it or they really don't, not a lot of middle ground. Mike gets it. Thank you for your prayers for the people we're teaching.

Ya the training was really fun and I geuss it paid off because the zone set 8 news dates since last week! 16 for the mission. To answer your question, it was at the last zone conference last, last fri. We also had some trainings by the mission Pres and assistants. Then of course we did some roleplaying and stuff. Zone conferences are usually good overall, though they can go a little long sometimes.

Um other random stuff, the Hmong missionaries moved in with us into our town house (3 bed, 2 bath, 2 floors and a basement). So once again I am with Elder Saunders a lot. Hes training this transfer, Elder Loder from CA. We are now doing service at the ' Paper Discovery Center' which is a lot cooler then it sounds. We get to give tours and help people make paper (we are experts now). Its a little unorthadox, but a great way to talk to families. Every time we've gone people have asked us who we are and what we do. They also do origami stuff ;)

Ok have a great week everyone,

Love