Thanks for the Email! It makes my day to hear from you! I also got a nice email from Sam, so please send my love to him. I really appreciate it! It sounds like their summer has been prety eventful! And thats too bad about chip...  Makes me really sad!

 

About the scriptures... Just get the darkets color you can. But I don't really want black. Sorry! And If i could ask for one more thing. Now before you say anything think of this: We cover a large ward (About 300-400 people) and we cover 1/3 of the biggest ward in california - no joke. Sometimes it's rather hard to find people just looking at the map, so we are lucky that Elder Schiess has a GPS. But... Elder Schiess is most likely leaving nest week, so i'm gonna be stuck here! Haha, so my requesdt would be (If it's not too much) a GPS? Gosh, i'm sorry! I know how much you are sacrificing for me, and how much you already do, and I hate to keep asking for more, but this is a HUGE help. Rarely a day goes by when we don't use the GPS, and I really think it would be good. If you want to switch and do the scriptures some other time (later or whatever) that would be fine. And I don't really need anything fancy or crazy, just a simple  one. So yeah. Do what you think. Thank you so much Mom! I love you and I hope you know that I appreciate everything you are sacrificing for me to be on a mission. It means so much to me! I hope you know how much it means to me! It really means the world to me.

 

Anyway, enough begging. This week has been great! Alot of exchanges and such, but it was good. The only hang up: I went with The second ward on Saturday with elder Burns, and they just got their car taken away, so we had to walk A BILLION miles. It wasn't to bad (I like walking).Then they had a Baptism and their bishop took us to dinner. I loved it! I like to work with the ward leaders and stake leaders here.

 

We also went with the Olive Knolls elders. Elder Denison came with me, and we had a GREAT exchange! He's from rexburg, and is a way good missionary. We had a really good time, and accomplished alot! I feel really good when exchanges go really well, and we can do alot of good work.

 

We had a FANTASTIC lesson with that one pregnant lady and her non memeber boyfriend this week too. He went to church with her parents last week because she was at work, and they talked about temples and stuff, and he told us he LOVED it and wants to go to the temple! WOO! I am so pumped about that!!! It was a miracle.

 

Yesterday they split our ward and made a new one. So currently we are covering 3 wards. Yikes! The new ward is the Snow ward - Named after snow road. (Haha ironic for Bakersfield) There was a special conference and they discussed bounderies and such, but it was way good! We are hoping for alot of good things from it! :) Haha success.

 

Hmmm... Well, i think thats it. Alot goes on , and i just forget.. I'm working on that! We are so busy that it's hard. But I love you dearly and I think the world of you! I hope you know that! It would be fine to add Greg as a friend, I think. No worries. Thanks for Bro. Clarks address! I really appreciate it. And The miller guy from menan is the one! His brother is in our ward - And somehow he is related to grandma Hayes. I don't know, haha! Tell every one hi for me! I will send Sis. LEavitt a letter today. I love you all! The church is true.

 

 

Elder Matthew Monk
  California Ventura Mission
          Jan. 2011 - Jan. 2013

32 years and counting. . .

Yesterday, Wynn and I celebrated our 32nd wedding 

anniversary.  In some ways it doesn't seem

like it has been that long but in others,

it does.  A lot has happened in those 32 years.

 I feel so blessed that we have been together for that

long and we still love each other.  

Ten reason why I STILL love Wynn. . . 

10)  I love how he always has the desire to be learning something new.

9)  Wynn can fix anything and everything.  If something doesn't work,

he'll engineer a new and better way.  

8)  He is such a hard worker and always has been.

7)  Wynn has the best sense of humor, he is always making me

laugh.  He can lighten up a tense situation.

6)  Wynn is the best Dad in the world.  He adores our

children and loves to spend time with them.  He has always been

a great example to them.

5)  He honors his priesthood and serves in many ways.

4)  Wynn supports me in all I do and listens to me 

when I need to vent.

3)  He always wants to be with me and wants 

what I want.

2)  He loves me just the way I am but supports me

in changes I want to make.

Drum roll please. . . 

1)  Wynn has been my best friend for 32 years and

hopefully we'll have many more years together.  

Matt's letter for Sept. 19, 2011

Hola Mommacita!

 

This week was a good one! a lot is going on here for us, so i'll try to let you know whats up:

 

Ok first I have a request. A missionary from our mission just got home a while ago, and I have to tell you how much I love him! His name is Greg Stoecker (Spelled like that) and he is AMAZING! Will you do something for me? Look him up on Facebook and message him for me. What would be Ideal is if you would take him to lunch or something after conference. He is going to school at BYU and is from virginia,  and grew up in England. Please oh Please? Haha it's only if you can! But he would love to talk to you and I'm sure you would absolutely love him! He wrote me and told me how much he loved me, and it made my day! He was a zone leader in Santa Barbara.

 

One more: Could you find Brother Clark's address for me? He was my mission prep teacher at BYU - Idaho. My idea is this: Get on the BYU I Website and look at the faculty and it might have an office address i could send to at the school. Im not sure on his first name, but ask natalie. Im sorry! If you can't find it, no worries! Thanks!

 

Anyway! What's going on? Hmmm.. We've had like 3 exchanges this week. On Tuesday I Elder Islas in the La Puente branch came to rosedale with me, and we had a fantastic day! We got to teach a few lessons, and we had a great time together! He is a great missionary, and I loved working with him! On Thursday Elder Cuartas (One of the assistants) Came with me and Elder Bumgardner went with La Puente, and Elder Schiess went to Highland Manor with some elders in our district. We got alot done that day! We covered alot of area! Haha! But Elder Cuartas is a good missionary! He is a great leader, and he truly feels love for all the people that he serves with. I fell very blessed to be able to work with him! I learned so much. While we were at dinner that night, Bro. Miller asked me if I knew of Treasure Mtn scout camp, and I told him I did, and he pulled up a picture of his brother that worked there with Steve along time ago. How cool! Later that night as we were exchanging, he calld me and told me that he talked to his brother who had just gone to Grandma's house (I Guess?) And that we are 3rd cousins! Hahah! Small world. His grandpa Gneiting and grandma are 1st cousins i giuess! haha Im not sure on the relation, but thats cool! I called him "Cuz" at church yesterday! The other exchange we went on was with Highland Manor. Elder Gamache came with me, and we had a GREAT day! I've had some trouble getting through to elder Gamache, and our exchange was fantastic! I really feel like i eraned his trust  that day, and made a better friend. He is such a good missionary. I work alongside some WONDERFUL missionaries! :)

 

Hmmm... A guy from the stake presidency came to our ward yesterday and told everyone that they are making a new ward between us and another ward here! What a cool thing! I'm pretty excited to see what happens nest week! Haha! Alot of growth here in Bakersfield!

 

I did get the newsletter! I loved it! Tell sis. Frei thanks for me! I can't wait for the next one! :)

 

As for pants? Hmmm.. I don't remember... These ones don't have a tag inside them.. But I think they are between 32 - 34 and i know they are 30 long. Would the reciept have the size on them? You probably don't have it from that long ago! Im sorry! But yeah. Thats the best I can do.

 

Oh yeah...

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

I have a little present for you two, but I just need to get it off... Its hard to get to the post office! Its a ways away, and It's just a pain, but I will get it out soon! But anyways, congrats! I love you and dad so much! I am so blessed to have righteous parents that love and support me. Thank you! Please know how much I love you! I pray for you everyday! I love you I love you I love you!

 

Elder Matthew Monk
  California Ventura Mission
          Jan. 2011 - Jan. 2013

My Garden

Just wanted to share pictures of what I picked out of 

my little garden this morning.

(I'm so proud)

Bird hits window

A few weeks ago, Wynn and I were sitting up to the bar

in the kitchen when a bird flew right into our window.

We were so surprised to see what was left on 

the window.

I looked outside thinking the bird must still

be around but he was nowhere in sight.

Girl's Week-end

Every year at about this time, all the girls on

Wynn's side of the family get together.

This is time for the kids to play and the

Mom's and Grandma's to craft.

We always go to Leslie & Blaine's Lodge

at Lava.

As usual, it was a fun time. . . 

 Emily, Addyson and Mercedes.

The little girls had so much fun.

 This is the whole group minus Lindsey, she had already left

when we took this picture.

 Here is just one of the fun crafts we did.

 Wouldn't be a great week-end without food.

Brooke, Melanie & Jerrica.

 Sweet little Carter.

He got to come even if he was a boy.

The girls just working on their craft.

It was a great week-end.

Always fun just to get away and enjoy

one anthers company.

I just love you guys!

Matt's letter for Sept. 12, 2011

Hi Mom!

I’m sorry, its going to be a quick one... A set of 4 Elders shared a car, and it got taken away, so we have to fandangle rides for emails. I’m sorry! But I’ll try to answer your questions:

Yes there are 4 elders in our apartment. Elder Tate (From Mesa) and Elder Dennison (From Rexburg) and us. We love it! They are way cool. We are pretty lucky.

My allergies haven't been bad at all. I did get a little cold the other day during ZLC, but I got over it pretty quick. Elder Dennison got strep, and had to stay in for 2 days, but he got antibiotics, so we were all ok. The air quality is pretty bad here (A lot of smog - 400,000 people, and we get TONS of smog from L.A.) Sometimes kids can't go out for recess because of the bad air! Haha! But we are doing fine. It rained a little this weekend, so that cleared it up a lot. And the temperature has been dropping lots! It’s usually around 98 or so during the day now! A lot better than 110 or 115. And it'll get down into the 70's at night instead of the 80s or 90s. its great!

I'm so excited for the newsletter! Tell sis. Frei thanks a million times for me! I am so excited! And tell Natalie to get o n it! I want to hear from her!!! And if I recall, she still owes me a package ;) Haha!

This week was pretty anti-climatic. We went to Ventura on Monday night and didn't get home till late Tuesday, so it was good. We had a ton of fun! There are a lot of really good missionaries in our mission! And President and sister Castro are SO SWEET! We had home evening with their family, and it was tons of fun!! :) I love them!

The lady who owns Beehive - Sister Ricks - Gave me a bunch of CD Demos that she gets to play in the store. So I got some really good music! But i do have a couple requests when you get a chance (Hopefully soon rather than later): Jericho Road, Sunday Morning (and anything else by them!), Return to Eden by Paul Cardall (I cant get enough Paul Cardall!!), Sacred Cello 1 and 2 if you can, and Reflections of Christ 1 and 2. If you could, the original is totally preferred, but if you buy it, a copy is ok. but the original is the best! Thanks mommy!

Umm we got to do a service project for project linus - some ladies get together and make a million blankets for less fortunate kids. It was fun! Hahaha lots - ladies.

If you could get me a couple more pairs of pants, i would love them! I have the Perry-ellis portfolio ones. Preferably black or dark brown, and I LOVE PINSTRIPES. Haha but seriously, no rush. I know I’m asking a lot, but those are my needs. :) I love you!

Hmmm.. I think that’s it! I love you very much; the church is true, yada yada... Just Kiddin! Haha oh and PS We spoke in church yesterday. I told everyone how much I love you all! Send my love around. . Thanks so much mom! I love you so much!!!

Mom's Birthday

Aug. 31st was my Mom's 79th birthday.

We couldn't let it slip by without a 

celebration.

We had a little get together and it

was so fun to have everyone come

and wish her Happy Birthday.

Thanks everyone for making Mom's day so special.

(Grandma to some and G.G. to others)

My nephew Kevin and his son Taylor and Mom.

(Taylor has the cutest dimples I have ever seen.  He is so cute!)

 Mom helping Tay down the slide.

 Mom, me and my darling grand children!

 It's not a birthday without the birthday girl in her princess crown.

(thanks to Leah for sharing her crown)

G.G. with Emily and Camden.

I feel bad I didn't take better pictures.

Wish I would of taken some of all the grandkids that

came.  

Next year we are going to have a HUGE celebration for

Mom's 80th.

I love you Mom, you are the best friend and the best example

a girl could ever have. 

Your awesome!!!

Labor Day Week-end with the Monks

For Labor Day Week-end we went camping to

8-mile Creek out by Leadore.

It was beautiful!

I wish Natalie would of be there to make our

trip complete.

Steve, Brooke, Camden, Emily,

Sam, Hailey, Wynn and I had a

great time.  

 On Saturday Wynn, Steve and I went on a ride.  Steven 

rode his motorcycle and Wynn and I were in the RZR.

We went to Devil Lake.  (above and below)

It was beautiful but man was it a rocky ride!!!

We had a hard time getting back after getting there.

Wynn promised me he would never take me on a

ride like that again.  It was terrible.

 Here, Steve is fly fishing.

No bites but the lake was crystal clear.

We saw a huge fish but he wasn't hungry.

 Oh my, Camden is all boy!

He loved sitting in the RZR and "steering."

Whenever a bike or 4-wheeler would start up

he was looking for it.

He truly is his fathers son.

Here we are at Everson Lake.

We went here on Sunday but Steve, Brooke and Emily

visited this lake on Saturday morning.

This is where Steve proposed to Brooke.

So beautiful and not as bad as a ride as 

Devil Lake.  Still really rock but better.

We had a nice week-end.  Fun to be with the

kids and enjoy one anothers company.

P.S.  I really do have the best kids in the whole world.

Wynn and I were just commenting on how proud

we are of each and everyone of them.

WE ARE SO BLESSED!!!

Sept. 5, 2011

Hi family!

 

Sorry, we're gonna be a bit rushed today, because Elder Schiess and I are going to Ventura at 5 for ZLC tomorrow. Sorry!

 

We had interviews with president Castro on tuesday, and we got to teach our whole zone with the Assistants. We taught the ABC's of missionary work (Attitude, oBedience, and  Companionships) It was so much fun! We did attitude and i did mine from the talk "Finding Joy in the Journey" By Thomas S. Monson from the Nov 2009 ensign. It went really well! I loved it. And President Castro is so cool! He spent time with all the missionaries, and Elder Schiess and I and the assistants got to go out to lunch with him. I love him! :) He also gave Elder Schiess and I blessings, and asked me to assist in giving another missionary a blessing. He is really powerful when he speaks! Gosh, I feel really lucky to be able to serve so closely with him! Im very blessed.

 

We did alot of work this week! It was a good one. On sunday one of the less active families that we have been working with came to church! The Rasmussens are so sweet. The mom is single - her husband died - and she has 3 kids, Mosiah(17), England(16), and Liberty (14). They are amazing! Mosiah got up and bore his testimony and told how the missionaries had been coming over every week and how he really liked it. Thats a huge breakthrough because he's been a toughy! Sis rasmussen is so sweet! But if the kids arent on board, she really can't be. So miracles have been happening! We are so blessed.  We told Mosiah how when you eat, you dont gorge yourself one day then not eat the rest of the week, you feed yourself each day. And its the smae with the scriptures! You cant go to church on sunday and call it good, you have to read and pray everyday! :)

 

We went on exchanges on saturday with the Meadows ward Elders - Moak and Peacock. I went with Elder Moak to meadows. We got to help a recent convert family - the Haners - do some service, so it was way nice! We spent time in Oildae or as everyone here calls it, The 'Dale. Its probably the most ghetto part of our mission except like delano or tehachapi. Tons of drugs and gangs, and I mean TONS, but the work is hoppin! We love it!

 

It sounds like your vacations have been super fun! Hows the Subaru treating you? Do you like it? Hows the Razer? And I loved the pictures! I really do miss Idaho! There are not really lots of mountains here... Just hills. And we're in the desert! So I love to see mountains!

 

Sorry it's so short today! We just have to get done quick. But theres a quick overview of the week! I hope you are all well, and i LOVE YOU TONS!

--
Elder Matthew Monk
  California Ventura Mission
          Jan. 2011 - Jan. 2013