Matt's letter for January 30, 2012

Dear Mom -

It has been a good week! So update: I bought new shoes - Clarkes! They are different from the last ones. They are Black Slip On, and I love them a lot! Elder Cook has some just like it, and he loves them. They are good! So thanks!!!! I also got insoles for them on Friday. They are better than the last ones – a lot firmer, so it feels pretty good. Things are getting better! I'll keep you posted.

We have met with the Bentleys a lot. Robby leaves for his mission the same day as Elder Cook, and Bre got her Patriarchal blessing yesterday. So cool! We went to Robby's farewell yesterday, and he quoted us in his talk! It was a really neat experience. We went over last night to play a board game that we made for them, and He invited us to come see him get set apart on Friday (They are diving to Provo on Saturday). Woo! They are a great family. I love them lots! Bre texted last night and said how much she loves us, and that we are her best friends besides her family. Woo! I love them so much. 

Our apartment is SO Trunkey. It’s terrible. Elder cook isn't that bad, but Elder Christensen who goes home the same day is WAYY Trunkey. He's been packing his stuff for about 2 weeks now. His companion elder Hamilton is having a hard time with it. He doesn’t want to be here anyway, and has almost gone home like 3 times now, so its crazy tough. Its even hard for me! I don't even want to go home, but i find myself thinking of home a lot, because that’s all anyone ever talks about! Grrr... I think they should not tell the missionary when he is going home, then call him the night before and say "There's a plane ticket fro you at 9 am! Get Packed!" It would be so much easier for the companions. Anyway...

I hope the journal paper comes quick! I am running out! (And that’s good) maybe 5 sheets left. I'll conserve. So far I have kept my resolution to write everyday. (Not write everyday, but have an entry for everyday) :) so its good!

Would it be too much to ask for a couple new white shirts? The pockets are falling off of a couple. I've fixed them a couple times, but it’s getting really bad... If not, its ok. You just have a JC Penney there and I know they have the ones I like. For your information the tag says:

    Stafford 

 Performance

The Supershirt

   Athletic

      16

They have the stretchy neck and short sleeve. And the material is really thin (I think broadcloth?), not the thick heavy stuff. No worries, I’m in no rush! Sorry that I ask for so much stuff. It just seems that lately everything has been disintegrating, falling off, tearing, or catching on fire. Hahah! You are the best mamma jamma!

I'm glad you got your card! I hope your birthday was AWESOME! And sorry about the card... It was the best one! :/  We're going to the temple tomorrow with the Knapps. I'll be sure to take a bunch of pictures for you! 

Life is pretty good for me. Thanks for all you do! I love you. you're in my prayers!

Elder Matthew Monk

  California Ventura Mission

          Jan. 2011 - Jan. 2013

 A really cool bridge in Moorpark! It’s really cool!

 We found a scenic vista on an exchange! 

Beautiful!

 We had lunch on top of a parking garage in TO for Elder Christensen birthday. 

This is the view!

 A guy in the other ward won an emmy! He let me hold it.

 Wowow

  Making the game...

 -a work in progress...

The game! 

It’s the tree of life, with the spacious building and a dirty fountain.

 We just made a bunch of cards - move forward if good, 

back if bad. It’s pretty silly, but way fun! 

We laugh so hard when we play it! 

It is great. 

Missing Matt

Feeling kind of home sick for Matt today. 

Oh my, I miss that kid so much.

I got the cutest B'day card from him

in the mail, it made me cry.

Since I turned 52 years old,

he listed 52 things that describe me to him.

So cute even if the card had an old guy

in glasses on the front with the words,

Another birthday and still going strong!

On the inside it said,

And more often.

Have a Good One.

(Sounds just like Matt doesn't it?)

Matt has been gone for over a year  now.

Last year on my birthday,

he flew to the Ventura, California Mission.

(I often think I need to change the music
that goes with my blog but then
I hear  Ventura Highway and my
heart sinks, it just goes with
Matt's mission and I can't
change it).

I am in such awe of all my kids serving missions.

As I think back of when I was 19 years old I don't know that

I would of chosen to go on a mission.  Yah, I had a 

testimony but I don't know that it was strong enough

to leave everything I knew behind and go serve

the Lord for two years.  

I feel very blessed to have kids with such

strong testimonies.

I believe the Lord did save his best for last and that's 

who will lead our church and that's who will

raise the next generation.

The church IS true and I'm proud

to be part of it!

My B'day

Just had to share about my birthday this year.

Yah, I kind of don't like my birthday very much.

Now, I love everyone else's special days

but I really don't like the attention.

But, I love it when I do get treated like

a queen on my special day.

On Sunday, my dear Mother had a special

dinner for me.  I loved the fact that

I didn't have to fix Sunday dinner.

All my kids were there except for

Natalie, she had the flu, and of course,

Matt.  My Aunt Pat, who shares

the same birthday as me, Uncle Sam,

my sister, Jana and my brother Paul

were there.  Nothing like good food

and wonderful company to make

the day.  

Then, on Tuesday, my actual birthday, 

Brooke wanted to take me to lunch.

I was looking forward to having a fun

lunch date with her and the kids.

Tuesday morning she called and asked

me come over to their house

when I got off work, they

had a surprise for me!

I was so excited!

After work I headed on over and Emily

greeted me at the door in her

Cinderella dress and holding a 

special card she had made just

for me.

 (Smile)

As I went into their house I could see

the surprise!  Brooke and Emily

had prepared a "Tea Party"

for us for lunch.

It was the cutest thing I have

ever seen.

Brooke had borrowed a tea set

from a friend and it was

just beautiful.

We had heart shaped sandwiches and

Emily poured each of us some "tea"

(apple juice).

We had a wonderful lunch together and 

I felt so special.

It was the most wonderful thing

and I enjoyed it so much.

(The people I work with kept asking,

this is your daughter-in-law?  They 

couldn't believe a daughter-in-law

could treat her mother-in-law with 

such love and grace).  

I'll tell you, I couldn't be more

proud because I have the most

wonderful daughter-in-law and 

grand daughter  in the world.  

Thanks to you both for making

my b'day so special.

I simply loved the Tea Party!

I'll never forget it.

Emily loves to play Tea Party

and every time she comes to

my house we play with

the little dishes.

She got a kitchen for Christmas

and plays with dishes at her house

constantly.  

A Tea Party for Grandma's B'day

was the perfect gift!

Oh, this is not the end.

My in-laws came from

Rigby and took Wynn, Natalie

and I all out to dinner.

We went to the Hong Kong

and it was so good.

I got lavished with so many wonderful

gifts.  For not liking my birthday, I 

sure have a huge smile on my 

face today because yesterday

was the most perfect

birthday ever!

from Matt

Dear Mom!

Let me answer your questions first:

That is some splint you have to wear at night.  Is it helping? Yes. It's awkward to wear, but I think it is helping. it just keeps my feet at an angle to stretch the tendons. yup! 

So, are you seeing a different dr. than the one you saw before? Yes. That was bishop Kesler in Bakersfield. I am seeing Doctor Benson here in TO.

Who is paying for it? Doctor Benson. Missionary Medical pays for everything (but a $10 co-pay) but he has picked everything up for me. I asked at the counter last week if I needed to pay, and the receptionist said that it was taken care of. I am so blessed!

Is our insurance supposed to take care of those things? Nope!

Did you get you some new shoes? I will be today. I just haven't had time yet! Haha

Is it just one foot or is it both that are giving your fits? Both. But we're getting it worked out!

I hope that answers some of your questions for you! Elder and sister Zwick were amazing. I feel very blessed to have been able to meet him! We had a ZLC with him on Tuesday, so that was a pretty personal meeting. We got to talk with him one on one a little, and it was great! He asked us "What are you willing to Change?" and that was sort of the theme for the day. We also talked about our calling and lots of other stuff. I wish I could tell you all about it, but there are just no words. In my journal I talk about it, but all i can say is, " It was so good." Over and over. Haha! I'll write today and tell you more about it.

Thanks for the letter and all of the emails! Its fun to hear about all the friends. Bridger also wrote me, so that was good! Sounds like all is well. Also, thanks for calling me fat! I'm hurt and offended. Haha JK! I still weigh about the same, it has just moved to my face, I think. We eat out A TON here, and we cover 2 really big stakes, so we drive a lot. We are working on exercising more, and parking the car lots, so it’s a work in progress. :) Love you!

Yesterday we had stake conference. It was all of Sothern California, and Elder L Tom Perry spoke, s o it was a wonderful meeting. It was broadcast from Salt Lake to here. So cool! We are so blessed.

We had an amazing lesson this week. We have been working with a family named the Bentley's. Their son Robby is going on a mission in 2 weeks to D.C. and their daughter Breanna is just coming back to church, so we have been teaching them. Their parents are so-so, but coming along (Dad had an affair a month or two ago, and they are working things out) but the whole family was there! We started teaching Bre and Robby, then mom came in and was asking questions about his mission, than dad came in and joined in, then we started talking about the holy ghost and revelation. It was one of the most amazing lessons ever! Everyone was involved, and Bre even started to cry. After we left, Bre texted and said thanks, and that we are amazing. The spirit was so strong! it was amazing. They had us for dinner a couple days later (We had BBQ tri-tip!) and they invited 2 non-member friends that may be meeting with us soon! It has been a great week. 

We are going to the temple next week! Woo! It will be so fun. It is elder Cook's birthday and Elder Christensen, so we all 4 get to go down. I can't wait!  It is going to be awesome. 

It has rained here a little lately! But we're glad for the moisture. No complaints here.

If its not too much, i need a couple things... I am almost out of journal paper (Which is a good thing, because i have started to write again! :) so that’s good) and a new wallflower thing would be super cool. (I love that thing - it makes our old apartment smell nice) Thanks for all you do for me. I really really appreciate you! 

Well, I think that’s it! Here are a couple pictures! These are elder cooks birthday at the Bentley's. So good! They are sweet! :) 

I hope you know I love you! Keep in touch! Thanks for all you do! 

--

Elder Matthew Monk

  California Ventura Mission

          Jan. 2011 - Jan. 2013

From Matt

Monday, January 16, 2012

I did get your package! Thanks so much. I love the quote book! It is for women, but most of the quotes are for everybody. I love them! :) Thanks so much.

I am attaching pictures for you! I'll have to send a couple emails with all the pictures!

So we had dinner with the Knapps yesterday. They live in Lake Sherwood just outside of Westlake. It is Crazy! They took us on a drive through the gated community that they are looking to either buy or build. You have to have a name, a password, and ID to get in! There are guards and everything. It’s on a country club that costs like $40,000 a year to be a member. There’s a picture of will Smiths gate and Wayne Gretskies house too. HOLY COW! You cannot believe the money that is in there. 

Well, This week we had a good one! Did you get the Fat picture of me from the Knapps? You should text them back! They were wondering why you didn't answer! Haha We had dinner with them at the Macaroni Grill that night. They are so sweet!

We had a baptism yesterday! Her name is Jessi Bell, and She got baptized in Rancho Cucamunga, where her family lives, and her boyfriend’s family baptized her. She was taught here, but baptized there. We heard it was good though! :) 

Our Chinese investigator, John, is in China until the end of the month, so we can't teach him. We wanted to Skype or email, and President thought it was a good idea, but it’s against the Chinese Law to do any sort of proselyte. He is solid though, so it will be ok. 

Elder Craig Zwick is coming to our mission this week! We have a zone leader meeting with him tomorrow, and a conference with him Thursday. I’m pumped! It will be a lot of fun.

We had a meeting with the stake presidency of Newbury Park and President Castro on Saturday! It was good. President also told us that next month when we have the same meeting a 70 will be visiting just president Castro, so he will be bringing him along to the meeting, then to Johns' baptism right afterword! Holy cow! Haha

Umm Elder cook is amazing, We have so much fun! It seems like all we do is laugh. We get along so good. We are looking for more people to teach right now, so we do a lot of less active work. It is good!

Mom and Dad! I think you should be temple workers! You can just do it once a week! It would be soo cool. A lady in the ward that got baptized a year ago is doing that, and she LOVES it! It’s like a mini mission. Think about it!!!

Thanks for all you have been doing for me!  I appreciate you sending money. It means a lot to me. I am so thankful! Thank you. 

So this week I have been thinking about how powerful prayer is. It is a direct communication with God! We get so caught up in life that we forget we have that and we get lazy. God is our Father in Heaven, and just like a real dad, wants to hear from us. I love being able to pray! It is a huge blessing. I also know that Jesus is the son of God and that he Lives! He loves us perfectly. I know that we are lead by a living prophet today, and i know he loves us and wants us to be happy. The Gospel is purely made for us to be happy. That’s why I love being a missionary and a member of this church! It makes me HAPPY! I love you all at home, and I pray for you daily. Thanks for you loving support and prayers! I appreciate and need them. Keep em comin! :) I know that church is true! In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Well, I hope it is an amazing week! I love you! Thanks for everything! 

Love,

Elder Monk

 Thousand Oaks stake center

 My bed

 My district

The splint I have to wear at night.

 Will Smith's gate

 The Country Club

A huge house

Monday, January 9th, 2012

Hi Mom!

 

Well, it was an awesome week! I will try to answer your questions:

 

  I'm anxious to hear all about Thousand Oaks.
*Are the members as great there as they were in Bakersfield?

 No. But the church is way strong! we cover 2 stakes (YSA). The Thousand Oaks Stake has a big stake center (Everyone calls it the TO Temple - It is MASSIVE! 2 Chapels, 2 gyms, 2 floors, and really new!) it is a great area.
*How often do you get dinner from members?

Maybe if we are lucky once a week. But there are some families in other wards that usually have us over weekly. The Knapps have us over every Monday. They are awesome!
*How is the Ward Mission leader?

 Way good. His name is Chris Davis and he is like 23. Nice guy, and SUPER involved.
*Are there lots of rich people there? 

TONS. The Knapps live on Lake Sherwood a fake lake where rich people live. Will Smith lives there, and a couple other rich people.
*If the people are rich, are they as receptive to the gospel?

 Uh, so so. Everyone we talk to is way nice. There are a lot of Jews, but everyone is way nice. We work mostly off refferrals.
*How close to the coast are you now?

About 20 min. you can't see it, but we get coastal breezes.
*Didn't you say you were over a young single adult branch again?  Do you like that?

Yes I am. It is way fun! Really Spread out, but fun.

 

Hope that answers some of them! I am doing good. We are at the Library, so I have to hurry so Elder Cook can have a turn.

 

So I went to the doctor again for my feet. The doctor gave me a perscription for a better anti-inlammitory thats like 10x stonger than the old one. They also taped my feet and they will be making me new orthodics and getting me night-splints. WOOO! hahha, but he said that this will take care of it. He also told me that if i want to get better that I need new shoes.. So......If it's not too much, I might need a little money for those. I'm sorry! He said they are just worn out. I don't want to! But he said i really need to. Please don't be mad.. I am going to buy pants today (Mine are shot) probably 2 pairs, so maybe (I don't know know how much shoes cost...) maybe 50? or whatever you think. thank you so much for all your help mom. I didn't know this would happen.

 

We had a Dia de los Reyes (Day of the Kings) party at a recent converts house on Friday. It was so sweet! I will send pics soon.

 

Do I need to have my new atm card activated? Or does it do it automatically?

 

GOSH! Everyone here is so crazy rich. A guy in the other ward pulled up to church yesterday in a brand new Maserati. Yikes! He invented bluetooth. We went past Jackie Chan's house the other day too. And Brooke White (3RD place in american idol with DAvid Archuleta and David Cook) is in the Westlake ward too. We are having dinner at their house soon. Her name is Brook Ray - she got married. Haha! Its a crazy time here.

 

We are teaching a Jew named Courtney. SHe is so sweet! Her family is super loaded, but she is so sweet. The work is going great here!

 

Sounds like things are going good for you! I hope everyone is doing well. I pray for you often. I LOVE YOU!
--
Elder Matthew Monk
  California Ventura Mission
          Jan. 2011 - Jan. 2013

From Matt

Monday, January 2^nd, 2012

Hi Mom!

Well, things are good for me. I loved our phone call! Thanks for being amazing.

So Thousand Oaks (TO) is awesome. It’s been about 75 degrees everyday

I’ve been here. WOW! It’s beautiful. We're like 20 minutes from L.A.

and lots of stars and rich people live here. Brook White - the one

from American idol that got like 3rd place with David Archuleta lives

here! I met her husband at church yesterday. Brother Ray - White is

just a stage name.

There are a ton of Jews here! Agoura Hills has like California's

population of Jewish people. We are teaching a Jewish Girl that is

getting baptized soon. Woo! One of the recent converts here (That just

left to BYU) was also a Jew. Woah! Crazy time.

I'm glad you had fun with Brother Johnson. He is so nice! I wish I had

time to talk to him... But it’s ok! :) Glad you enjoyed the almonds!

They are tasty. The CD's are actually just cases. I have all the CD's

here in a binder. And I just don't use those speakers very much. The

battery always ran dead. So sorry! Thanks for putting all that stuff

away. I’m sure there will be more! hahah

So I live in Thousand Oaks on Avenida De Las Flores. It is a beautiful

place! We live with two other elders and it is way fun. One is struggling 

a lot and has only been out 2 months or so. His

companion Elder Christensen goes home in 5 weeks, as does mine, elder

Cook. Elder Cook is a BLAST! He is from Gettysburg, PA. I haven't

laughed so hard since I was with Bridger. We have tons of fun. I'm so

lucky!

We cover the West Lake Village YSA ward, and it is a blast. We had

dinner with a member in Malibu Lake last weekend and their house is

LEGIT. Oh man, it is crazy rich here. Idaho boy is blown away. I miss

our little house! Haha but its pretty cool.

We have a zone leader training meeting starting today in Ventura until

tomorrow, so that will be fun. On the 17th or 18th we will be having a

zone leader meeting with elder Zwick of the 70. That should be fun!

Woo! Rubbin' shoulders with a general authority! :) haha

Krissa Hegsted? Woo! That was fast. Haha I kind of expected that. Good

for her! Tell them to send an announcement my way that would be fun.

Can you believe that hump day is Thursday?!?! HOLY COW!!!!!!!!!! Haha

It is crazy how fast time goes. Can you believe it???!?!!! I hope to

see some camels in the mail! So yeah! Be thinkin of me! :) I'm

always thinking of you. I hope you know how much I love and appreciate

you! You are the best mom I could ask for.

I don’t think there’s anything else! I'm working on some pics, so stay tuned.

Elder Matthew Monk

 California Ventura Mission

         Jan. 2011 - Jan. 2013