Tuesday, March 29, 2011

The Tootsie Roll


See what happens at my house while I'm gone to a YC meeting on Sunday afternoon.

Natalie's Birthday Party









We celebrated Natalie's birthday on Monday night even though her real birthday is on Wednesday. Wynn and I will be out of town so we opted to celebrate it early this year.


We planned to have a good old fashioned BBQ but it SNOWED most of the day. We still cooked burgers outside and ate inside. It was fun to get together with everyone and enjoyed their company.















I made up a "How well do you know Natalie" game. I think everyone did a pretty good job of answering the questions.















Justin and Emily had a blast playing together.















Even Camden got to wear the birthday hat!















What a cute pair!



















The cake with one candle?















Natalie's gift from Steven & Brooke. Notice the
cute wrapping paper decorated by Emily!















She got so many nice gifts!

We love you Natalie! Hope you have a great day on Wednesday. You have always been an important part of our family and we love you to pieces! Best wishes in all that you do and always know that we love you. Always smile and be happy, you are so beautiful that way!

Matt's letter on Monday, March 28th

Hi Family!

I'm glad you liked the letter. I just needed to write! Things are pretty good here. We had exchanges on saturday. I stayed in Carp with elder Stoecker. He's was born in Germany, raised in the UK, and lived in Virginia for the last 8 yrs. He has a really cool accent! You would love it mom! We had a great day! We went to a baptism in Goleta of a bro and sis (8 and 9 yrs old) and it was so fun! The dad had to work on some things so that's why the girl waited. He held her under water until she started squirming! haha he was so nervous that he was sweating. It was so cute! Then we had lunch with our Ward mission leader then had an appt with James Placensia and his family. I think i told you about him? He's in some "shady" work... I'll leave it at that. Thay said it was the best lesson they have had! Two of his sons, Anthiny and Xavier came to church, and thaey said they will come to conference! WOO!!!!!! I think anthony and xavier are gold.. Hopefully we can help them overcome their problems:)

Mom, i love getting my friends letters. Please keep doing that!!!!! And is Andy Johnson back out??? Will you find our for me?? Bridger said he "likes his new companion, but teaches come crazy people," so I don't know of hes out or married? :)

One quick story:
A girl in Santa Barbara grew up with a member famuily as friends. She had a bad experience and kinda pushed the church away, until she went to UCSB (the biggest party school on the west coast - She was going to go to BYU, but denied the acceptance after being offended) decided it was best for her. She started meeting with the missionaries because she was embarrased to tell the family that she was wrong, sorta thing. She tried to get re-accepted to byu, but got denied and felt really poorly. She got invited to a dinner with some people and Jeffery R, Holland (I dont remember how it happened), and she said how great it was! After the dinner, he asked her if he could speak with her privately. They went in the other room, and he put his hands on her face, and said,"Don't you worry about BYU. I'll make sure you get in, don't you worry." Then he proceeded to tell her,"Please, don't be afraid to join the church. I will clear my calendar so that I can be at your baptism." An older couple in the mission - Bro and sis Tate - told us that story. Needless to say, she is getting baptized! Hehe, but i think it's a pretty low key thing. How cool!!!

Well, i'm out of time. Mom, will you look for a quote by C.S. Lewis for me? It's talks about how we picture ourselves as a cottage, but the Lord has a different idea for us. He comes in and makes some changes that hurt really bad and we find out that He has a quite dofferent idea for us. He intends us to be a castle where he could come and live. I know that's vague, but i love that quote and i need it! If you absolutely cannot find it on the internet, it's written on an index card in an old journal that i put in a box of stuff in my room - perhaps the flag box? Maybe in my drawer... Haha! But please, no need to read my journal! :) Haha but i trust you! :)

Well i love you all dearly. Expect a package this week. Dad, i would love to hear some mission stories! ;) Love you all and Godspeed!

Elder MOnk

A Princess Party

On Saturday, March 26th, Brooke and I took Emily and Camden to a Princess Party at the Paul Mitchell Beauty College in Rexburg. Oh, so much fun! Some of the students dressed as a princess and some made the little girls into princesses.

Emily was a little shy or maybe a little over whelmed but if Brooke stayed right by her she did very well.

She got to color a princess picture, have her nails done, beautiful make-up, her hair all curled and then show it all off with pictures.

It was a fun morning! We then went to Rigby and picked-up G.G. and went to lunch. It was a real girls day out. Thank heaven's for little girls!












n

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Missionary Poem

I don’t know who wrote the following poem, but it might help the family to better understand the heart and mind of a missionary as he passes through the phases of a mission experience. Think about his shifting emotions as you read this description from an unknown missionary.

Today I am frightened.

My heart is beating a silent fury.

Before me are my family and friends

I love so much and must leave behind.

Pray that I might have courage.

Today I am studying.

With all my intellect I am diligently preparing.

Preparing for the days ahead,

That I might be an effective tool in the hands of God.

Pray that my mind might be clear and alert.

Today I am homesick.

The memories of fun, school, family crowd my mind.

I almost long to return to the carefree days of my youth.

Pray that I might feel the spirit of love.

Today I am successful.

The doors of those seeking truth open to me.

They are receptive to the word.

They will be baptized!

Pray that I might be humble.

Today I am discouraged.

Lowly I trudge home through the rain.

Pondering the slammed door,

The cruel hasty words, the laughing jeers.

Pray that I might have faith.

Today I am happy.

The light shines in my eyes.

From within me I have found joy.

Today I have lived close to the spirit.

Pray that I might always find this joy.

Today I am sad.

Reluctantly and with tears in my eyes

I must someday leave this country and the people

I have taken into my heart and loved.

Pray that I might always remember.

Today I am full of love.

Love for the Lord who called me on this mission.

Love for my family who supports me.

Love for the friends who installed the desire within.

Love for those who had faith in me.

Love for those who prayed for me.

But remember today, today,

I miss you. I love you. I need you.

Pray for me always.

I am your missionary.

Missing Matt

Yesterday I went over to Skyline with the 5th grade to practice for the Patriotic program. We were in the gym for a long time, from 9:30 - 1:30. It was a long day. But, as I sat there in the gym, I couldn't help but think of Matt. Oh, how he loved Skyline, he was so loyal. He loved his Student Government class. He loved serving the students there. I couldn't help but think of all the things we attended in that gym. Oh, how I truly miss that boy. A few tears were shed and it was a hard day after that. It's hard sending a son on a mission.
"Party in the USA," was my ring tone for when Matt called me. Before he left, he changed it so it was just my regular ring tone. Needless to say, whenever my phone rings, my heart drops!

I do love having a missionary son but I DO miss him too. Sometimes my heart just breaks and I have a good cry and then I'm okay for awhile again. He's been gone for almost three months and it sure feels like it has been longer than that. Only 21 more months to go!

Some of my favorite people!

Just had to share some photo's of some of my favorite people! On Monday, we had an Emily and Grandma Monk day. She came and spent the afternoon with me. We had so much fun. We played with all my Beanie Babies, did puzzles and I even got out some of our old books that my kids had when they were little. It was such a fun afternoon. Oh, I almost forgot, the highlight was our tea party! You can't spend too much time with Emily without having a tea party. We had crackers and water. . . What a combo! Brooke came later and that is when I took the pictures of Camden and Wynn. Oh, don't they make a cute bunch?



Tuesday, March 22, 2011




Monday, March 21, 2011

Hola Familia Monk!


Well life here is great! We had a pretty busy week, not too much exciting though!

Be expecting an email maybe from Rhonda Snelling. She is like a second mom to me and i totally loive her and bro. Jim snelling! They took us to the palms on thursday and we had a great dinner and conversation. He's been a member for 6 years and they've been married for 5 years. It's such a neat story, i'll write you later today so i can have more time.

We have to submit presidents letters electronically now, so it's kindof difficult managing time. Sorry! I dont have alot.

My clarks are falling apart.. I'm so sorry! I think i will send them home and have you get a refund or something, then i can buy a new pair in Santa Barbara sometime. There are some pics to show you whats up.

We do probably an hour of tracting a day, but it's not super consistent. Nobody is really home ever (Everybody commutes to SB or LA for work) so we don't get in alot, but we get alot of potentials!

We began teaching the Plasencia family again this week. They were dropped along time ago for not keeping commitments, and they seem tough, but we have high hopes for them! (He's ina pretty shady/illegal business and he is making too much money to want to stop... He basically hosts "Bachelor Parties"... I'll let you wrap your canoodle around that...) But he has expressed a sincere desire to stop and get baptized! Hahahha its wild.

We found out his morning that a lady who is less active and we've been trying to teach her husband found out thet her husband has been having an affair... We are devastated. She is most likely crushed, and they were doing SO WELL! Agh!! The adversary is working hard on these people. Pray for us? :)

Anyway, here are some pics for your viewing pleasure. Us on the tracks, the sunset on Carp's beach, my shoe problem, the snellings and us... I think thats it. I'll probably make a cd and send home today. I'm also getting a package ready for Nat's birthday. Tell her i loved the letter!@

Well, i think thats it from Carp! I hope life is treating you well! Keep in touvh! I love you all so much! Godspeed,

Elder Monk

Friday, March 18, 2011




Hi Family!
Yes, yes, I'm ok. The tsunami really didnt hit here at all. The Channel Islands act like a buffer to us, so if the wave comes straight at us, we usually wont get it. If it comes from the north or south thats a different story. Haha! We didn't have to evacuate, but there was a warning in effect all day. The water swelled a little bit in Santa Barbara harbor, but not too much damage.
Anyway, This week was great! The spencer's went home last week at transfers, and elder Spencer was healthy enough to transfer to Ojai (O - Hi). He'll probably stay on the coast for the rest of his mission - lucky!
We started learning Sign Language this week. Wayne is teaching us and he loves it so much! It's alot of fun. We have a gospel message then study signing. Haha! WE had our regular meeting on wednesday, then wayne and pat took us out on thursday to the Palms. It's a resturant in Carp where you pick your meat (I had a 10 oz new york strip steak) and then you cook it yourself! Haha! It's way cool. I have a picture of us attached.
We had Stake COnference in Goleta this weekend. One of our investigators - Jahn and Nelly risdon) went to thte adult session with a member of our ward. It was there first time at church, so that was an awesome place to have them! Elder Halstrom of the Presideny of the 70 talked. We couldn't go on saturday (we werent invited) but we did go on sunday! It was so good.
WEll, it was a pretty slow week.. I got your package! Thank you so much! It always makes my day to get a package form the family! I love hearing form all of you and i always look forward to that!
I love you all! Godspeed,
Elder Monk
Pictures:
Duck Phone - We found this in our apartment last monday. How Awesome! It's a duck turned into a phone!
Oprah - This is the gate to Oprah's house in Montecito. I live probably 10 min from her! Haha!
Sushi - My first time eating sushi! We found some good stuff at Vons.
Wayne and Pat - This is us at The palms! They look kinda unhappy, but they totally arn't! Hhaha! Love you all!








Monday, March 7, 2011



Hi Family!

Well this week was most certainly epic in more ways than one. I will try my best to put it into words:

The church tour with Wayne and Pat went really well. They brought their friend Suzanne, who is also ultra catholic. We walked all through the church, which is unique because there are tons of BOM pictures all down the halls. It was built by the members in the 80's all by personal funds - no tithing. We finished in the chapel and watched the new Joseph Smith movie that they show in the visitor centers. I always boob through that one!! There's a little girl that is crying in one part, and she looks almost just like Ems. AWW!! But the spirit was way strong, and they had alot of good questions that got cut short because they had a dinner appointment to rush to. Oh well! We went chat with them on friday night, and Wayne is going to teach us sign language! He invited us over in addition to our weekly meetings to have a short gospel lesson and then learn sign! Haha he is so cool! He is italian, and used to be in the mob.

We tracted into a guy named Jim in Summerland a while ago, and we went up to try and talk to him (The phone number he gave us didnt work.). He was trimming his hedges, and stopped and talked to us for a bit. His sister lived in Salt Lake and her husband is a bishop. SHe died in January, so he has alot of questions. We gave him BOM and he gave us the correct phone number. He seems... elect? Haha! We'll meet with him this week.

We had some people living in our parking lot Saturday night and Sunday. Their old suburban and trailor had broke down and they thought it was safe to stop there. They were hasseling us to call the bishop and het them some help, so we did the best we could. They asked us for food, and we asked them for money to buy their food. They replied that they didnt have any money, but they liked mcdonalds and big macs. So we gave them some water. They were interesting! They sat in sacrament meeting for a while! Haha

Yesterday we FINALLY got an investigator to church!!! His name is Mark Noffz and he's married to a member who's daughter is also a member. They are SUPER less active. The whole family came!!! The Sis. Noffz and Isabelle dont like/ have dresses, so they sacrificed and bought some at target on saturday. They are really poor, so it means alot that they did that. Mark broke some ribs sledding a couple weeks ago when it snowed up in the mountains, so he only stayed for testimony meeting, but Isabelle stayed for the whole block. WOOO! Finally some success! (Not that we havent had any, it's just we havent had any progressing investigators, because none of them will come to church.)

Umm... In that package... I would really like some parachute cord. We're trying to think up some fun lessons we can do with families, and i think i could do alot with that! In my bedroom there is a red fanny pack/ shoulder bag thing that had a bunch of cord in it. Just throw all you can into the package please!! We have great plans for it :)!!!! You are teh best!!

Any decisions on the Archos? I am just curious. We love cd's too, but that would be nice because we could share both of our favorite music and make playlists. We often listen to cd's in our apartment though! whatever you decide to do, i'll still love you ;)

I got your letter, and i loved it! The theme cards look so good! I gave one to elder Manning.

Well, I love you I love you I love you! I hope the week for you is great! Godspeed!

Elder Monk






























Pictures:

Sunset in Summerland - It was stormy and rainey all day, but we drove up there and it cleared up!!

My new missionary library - Notice it includes a Quran :)! Wayne gave it to me. he says it reads like the bible, and it's actually very good! I havent read it really, but maybe at lunch times it might be fun to cruise though.

The duck phone we found in our kitchen today - AWESOME.

OK i have to send this one. It's one of my DREAM CARS! An Aston Martin DB9. This is like a $200,000 car!!! AGHH!!! It's a dentist's here in Carp. We drove by, and i made elder Manning pull over to take a picture!!! I love it:) Haha i'm a human.
We got a call form the Assistants today... We're not getting transferred! Whew! We love it here too much! another 6 weeks in Carp!

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Monday, Feb. 28th e-mail from Matt

HI mom!

Well this week was great! I always enjoy your letters!! Well, Wayne and Pat havent come to church yet (they hold pretty high callings or whatever in their church - St, Joseph - so time conflict) But we're giving them a church tour on Wednesday with our ex-ward mission leader, Bro. Keatinge. We're planning on watching Joseph Smith - the Prophet of the Restoration and have some refreshments. It should be awesome!! Hopefully if they see how our building is they'll feel more comfortable there. Pray for us!

Dad - We are meeting with a man named James Casabona from around here that used to spend alot of summers up in Rexburg and Sugar with his uncle or grandpa. He asked me to ask you if you knew Al Brian who owned the pool hall on Main. If not thats ok, but he asked us again this last week.

We're still working on the 40 day fast, so i'll keep ya posted on how that turns out. BUt so far everyone in PEC has loved the idea, it's just getting involvement.

The fruit is amazing! It's so fun - after i showered this morning, we went out and picked oranges for breakfast. MMM!

The weather has been significantly cooler lately... :( Around 50's all the time. Brr! ;) But whenever i feel cold, i think of you all at home, and i suddenly feel alot warmer! (Because i love you all, and because you have to chip through the permafrost to go outside).

We had a zone training meeting on Goleta (just above Santa Barbara) on friday with pres and sis murri.It was awesome! In may, all the missionaries in the MTC's will be learning a new curriculum called the Fundamentals of PMG, so we're learning it now so we can teach it to the new missionaries. It just goes back to the basics of PMG and how it's meant to be learned and taught - Learn to fell the spirit and then teach! Its so cool! Brigger will we learning that in the MTC probably! But we EDPEPed alot (Explain Demonstrate Practice Explain rePractice) So we jsut role-played. I got to role play with Pres. Murri! We take on the role of real investigators so we can gain insights as to how they will react etc. Cool cool!

Well, so far pretty uneventful week. We're gonna do some shopping today up in Santa Barbara, so hopefully that will be fun!

Sorry, no pictures today :( !

Well, i'm out of time! I hope to hear from you soon! I love you all, and the Church is true! I pray for our whole family everyday! Godspeed,

Elder Monk

P.s. we're getting a new mission president in July - President Fernando Castro from somewhere in South America...? But he is a teacher at BYU-I. So that will be fun! I cant wait! Love you all,

Matt