from Matt

April 30, 2012

Hi Mom!

Well, Things are a lot better between EB and I. And just when things start to go how they are supposed to... TRANSFERS. EB is going to thousand Oaks in the Los Robles ward, and I’m staying here with a missionary who has been out for 6 months I think. Everyone says he is super nice and funny, so I’m excited for that! I just hope he is obedient and diligent... It will be a pain if he's not! I'm thinkin' this will be my last transfer here, so it will be good to leave it in capable (I hope) hands.

We had a pretty good week. EB and I got to talk for a bit the other day and really work out some problems. I did some things that really hurt him, so I (Like dad always said) went to him with my hat in my hands and apologized. I really love this guy a lot... so it’s good that we got to work some things out. I fell like if he could have just talked to me about these things that we could have avoided a huge fight, but, whatever. All I want to do is make him happy, because when he's happy, then I can be happy too.

Before I forget... Could you please send Reflections of Christ, and Reflections of Christ: Another Testament to me? I hope that’s not asking too much... but I REALLY LOVE THAT MUSIC, and it would be so much appreciated. :) Thank you so much. Originals would be preferred, but its up to you. THANK you so much!!!! :)

We got to do Mormon Helping Hands on Saturday! We helped clean u p this campground park thing and clean out fire pits. Woo! A lot of fun. It feels good to get out and do some work.

Did I have you put John and Michelle King's name in the temple?  If not, you should! They are the next most promising people in the Golden Hills ward... I love them a bunch! I can't wait for them to get baptized... Hopefully soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Umm... Nothing too exciting around here this week.  A pretty normal week. Things are going good though! :) I'm pretty happy. I 'm excited for a new companion. A fresh start wit some one who's been out a while. YEAH!

That’s good you got your room done! Congrats! And I'm glad you like my room! :) haha it served me well.

Natalie’s letter helped a lot. I love that girl bunches!

RILEY IS GOING TO COMMENCEMENT?!?!?!!! Holy cow!!! HAhaha he is growing up quick! Golly.. And Dale! WOW!! Where is he going again? Let me know.

A scripture I read yesterday in my personal study that I loved: 2 Nephi 10:20. Awesome!  I love finding gems in the scriptures.

I'll probably send you another letter today.. It’s a lot easier for me to do that, and I like it more too! Hahaha I’m glad you like them.

Well, I love you bunches! Say hi to everyone for me! You are the best :)

--

Elder Matthew Monk

  California Ventura Mission

          Jan. 2011 - Jan. 2013

A Good Read

I don't read as much as I should.  :(

Every time I sit down with something

I want to read, I feel guilty.  

I feel like I should be studying my

Sunday School lesson.  

I teach the 14 -18 year olds and

there are usually about 20 kids there on

Sunday.  I have to really know my

stuff.  It's a fun class but I do have

to study for it.

Anyway, Natalie brought by a book

and she highly recommended it to me.

So, Sunday afternoon I sat down to 

read.  This book is the best, I

truly enjoyed it.  It gave me hope and

peace.  I filled my ears with tears

so many times. 

 (laying on the couch and reading).  

It's about a girl from Provo who

is in a plane accident and has

burns over 80 percent 

of her body. 
You might of seen her on the
Oprah show last season.

A good, easy read, I give it

two thumbs up!!! 

from Matt

Monday, April 23, 2012

Mom

Oh my goodness what a crazy week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Things have been getting better with EB. Still though... he is SOOOOOOOOO quiet... He will NOT talk in lessons. He really needs to break out of his shell. Poor guy... I love him so much! HE is just struggling. His desk is plastered with pictures of his friends (Which is the biggest struggle for him because he is way homesick for them and his fam.) and quotes that he made up like, "Just accept it," Everyone... love everyone...," "Don't just endure to the end, enjoy to the end," I just know he's having a tough time, and it makes me sad to think that he is "Just enduring" his time here. I feel like I have SO MUCH FUN, but he almost... doesn’t want to. Sigh! Pray for me.

So the craziness: On Saturday we went to the church around 11 am to start filling the font, and we were moving all the soft chairs from the relief society room to the font room with a dolly. We got everything set up so PERFECTLY and were arranging a display of church materials and programs outside the door when the fire alarm went off! We started looking around for what was wrong, and we found water pouring into the room from the opposite side of the font. We ran into the kitchen to see if there was a fire, and behind the kitchen there was a metal door that had almost a foot of water behind it pouring into the room. The fire department came (About 12:25, the baptism is at 1:00) and picked the lock (No one had keys to it - all the bishops were in Ventura for training by Elder Scott) and got the alarm off and the water off. What happened was the water heater is like ours at home - on demand - and the exhaust vent ran about 1 inch from the fire sprinkler in the closet and it got really hot (We smelled smoke) burst, calling the fire dept. We flooded (about 2 inches of water) about 1/3 or so of the whole building! As Monica and Rachel (And their family!) came in the alarms went off and all the chairs had been moved from the font room, so we started congregating in the chapel, and started the service. It was a beautiful service! Everyone felt the spirit so strongly. The font had to be filled the rest of the way with cold water, so we all went and stood and watched Bro. Weaver baptized them both, then afterwards everyone clapped! Haha it was so funny. I was blessed to be able to confirm Monica, and Elder Bostrom, Rachel. It was so neat! (We did the confirmations then because there was a stake meeting on Sunday in East Bakersfield - Elder Jay E. Jensen of the pres. of 70 and Pres. Castro came! ) It was such a crazy day. The fire dept helped clean up some, then they hired a cleaning crew to suck out all the water. There was SO MUCH WATER! Holy cow.. The Adversary did EVERYTHING he could to stop that baptism. But Monica and Rachel were so ready it didn't matter. Rachel said she was happy, then paused and said, "Its more than just happy...  Its Joy!" What an amazing experience. We have been so blessed up here! Afterwards sister weaver asked me, " How does it feel to have accomplished what your mission president said when he asked you to go to Tehachapi and Baptize that lady and her daughter?" It feels so good. I can definitely see the Lord's hand in my work. I AM SO BLESSED!!!!!!!!!!

Rachel when to a YSA Fireside that night in Bakersfield with Elder Scott, and afterwards someone told him she just got baptized, so he asked her if he could hug her! HOLY COW!! Then they both got to talk to President Castro after the conference yesterday. They are so blessed!

Today we went almost to Lake Isabella for a zone activity - we went on a hike and shared some scriptures. it was fun, a lot of stress though - we had to ask a member to take us down there - over an hour, then wait 2 hours while we hiked. But it was good.

Sounds like things are going well for you! I'm glad to hear. Keep me posted! (Or packaged... :) I love you tons here are some pics!

--

Elder Matthew Monk

  California Ventura Mission

          Jan. 2011 - Jan. 2013

The sunset in Bear Valley! Pretty!

ME and a random Llama! Haha we saw some buffalo, so we stopped to take a picture and he RAN to us! haha

The weavers, Monica and Rachel, and us!

some of the water sown the hall - All the rooms along the lesft were soaked, and many on the right. Holy Cow! :)

Moab 2012

Last week all the guys went to Moab!

Yup, they just packed everything up and

away they went.  They left Wednesday

night and came back late Saturday night.

Sounds like they had a great time!

I love the fact that Wynn loves to go

ride dirt bikes with his boys.

Building lasting relationships.

(He's such a good Dad!)

AND. . . while the men are away, the

girls will play.  .  ,

We had a great Souper-Saturday with

*Soup

*crafts

*and great company.

(Kind of excited for next year)

The only picture I have from the week-end.
Aren't they so cute!

from Matt - April 16, 21012

Monday, April 16, 2012

Hi Mom!

 MONICA AND RACHEL are both getting baptized on Saturday! We went to the Weavers for a lesson and to prep Monica for her interview that was later that night, and after we finished going through the questions, Monica asked Rachel if she wanted to say anything, and she paused and said, "...Yeah... I think I’m ready!" So we went straight to the church and they both got interviewed and passed!! WOOO! So we set up the service and got everything organized, and EB and I will be doing the confirmations. :) I'm so happy! I think I've said it before, but when there are the greatest challenges (Companions, work, etc.) there are the greatest blessings. I know I am just trying my best to be obedient and diligent, and I think the Lord recognizes that, and gives according to faith. It's nothing we've done, its just the Lord working through us. I AM SO BLESSED.

I got both the packages on Saturday! THANKS SO MUCH! And I did get the one from the Kinghorns. Tell them I love them! I loved the pictures and the tie and the daily note thing-very inspirational. Thank you so much! You are the best mom!

I think you should get a tape recorder! It sounds like Bridger has one, and I think that would be a ton of fun. If you do, record a bunch of stuff THEN send it! :) Remember I suggested this with Elder Schiess! It would be fun...!

I did get some music from sis. Ricks, but could you send the Relections CD's? Both would be nice if you could... (Reflection of Christ, and another testament) and originals are preferred... I take good care of all my CDs! and we're not supposed to have copys.

In my old room there should be a tie in the closet - remember the ugly olive colored one with flowers? Will you find it and send it PLEASE? There is a couple that are investigating (John and Michelle King) that have competitions on who has the ugliest tie, and it would WIN! Haha I told them about it and they want to see it. If you can - no worries.

I'll fill out the questionnaire and send it home today.

The mail should be OK... I don't know what happened. But I think you'll be fine from now on! :) Thanks so much for your patience. 

I loved the newsletter! It sounds like everyone is doing awesome! :) Send my love please.

Teaching has been picking up. We have gotten a lot of referrals, so that is exciting. We are going to start teaching a guy in the bishops (Of Bar Valley) house, so that wioll be a blessing. A senior in the Golden hills ward invited his friend Kayleigh to take the lessons, and she is, and she says she is going to get baptized! So exciteing. The work here is doing so well! People have been basically coming to us and saying, "Can I get Baptized?" It is one miracle after another! Thanks for all your prayers! keep em coming! To add to your temple list:

John King

Michelle King

Monica Evans

Rachel Evans

Andres Lauriault

Lonnie Minor

Seth Minor

I think thats it for right now. Thank you for doing that! We cant go to the temple, so its nice of you to do this for us. LOVE YOU!

Well, I think that’s it! We had a massive snow storm friday and saturday - I'll attach some pics. It wasn’t too bad in Tehachapi, but up in BV it was SICK! We had fun.

I love you!

--

Elder Matthew Monk

  California Ventura Mission

          Jan. 2011 - Jan. 2013

Snowy trees!

Me in a members driveway! LOOK AT THE SNOW!

The road we were on

our new truck!

snowy trees

snowy trees

from Matt

Monday, April 9, 2012

Dear Fam!

HAPPY EASTER!!!

Things have been good here. Miracles out the WAZOO! Haha! My feet are doing SO WELL! I haven’t been wearing the brace... I need to. But they are doing well. No more sliver! Yeah! I wrote a list of things to tell you about, so here ya go:

Did I tell you I got pulled over? FOR DRUNK DRIVING? Hahah! A 2 weeks ago or so we were on our way home from washing our truck before we took it to Oxnard, and a state trooper pulled us over, and asked if I had been drinking. I said no, I don’t drink, and he made me GET OUT of the car and take a sobriety test! He was being way mean too! Then he said, "Just kidding! I'm from the Bear Valley Ward!" AGH!HHH!!!!!!!!! I was so scared! hahah it was pretty funny though! :)

I haven’t got your package yet... Maybe today? You can send packages here for right now, but everyone else and everything else to the office. I have been getting flat mail, so its good. I've gotten a couple letters from people in Westlake, telling me how much they miss/love me. :) Warms my heart! I thought I would never get in tight with those people! :) Life is good.

In the next package, SEND MORE PICTURES! (Please) I Love THEM! I loved the pics you sent today. Everyone looks so good! :) Send my love.

Monica is getting baptized!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This will be the first baptism in the Golden Hills ward in over a year we are told.:) The ward is PUMPED about it! Whenever we talk to anyone, they say how good we are (Not being prideful), but it s good to get the support and HELP that we need so desperately in missionary work! FIND PEOPLE FOR YOUR MISSIONARIES TO TEACH IN OUR HOME! You will love the feelings it brings. Have a non-member come to dinner and invite the elders. DO IT! It is amazing the spirit it brings. Haha! We had a lesson with Monica and Rachel last night at the Weavers - SOOO GOOOD! Love them. LOVE EM LOVE EM LOVE EM! :)

We had 2 people in the BV come to church yesterday, and 4 in the GH ward, so a total of 6 Non members! WOW!!!! That is so good, especially for here. We are blessed!

We actually have a lot of potential here. We are going to invite John and Michelle King, Bro. Minor and Seth Minor, and Amybe Sis. Ray to be baptized within the next week or so. :) YEA!!! Things are going so well here.

I'm struggling a little with my companion. He is a great missionary, but he doesn’t like me a lot. I'm not just saying that, he has expressed that a couple of different times, and he gets really down because of the (seeming) lack of work. When we don't have appointments, we usually don't have a lot to do, but we busy ourselves. It’s been hard for him to adjust, and you can tell he's really homesick and misses his mom and friends. I know how he feels! I remember when I was being trained, and I didn't care too much for ELder Manning either. But looking back, I know he was doing his best, and that he loved me! I even got a letter from him last month. I look back fondly on our time together. Any Ideas? Suggestions? Hints? Cheats? Let me know. I need it. Getting him to participate and talk in lessons and finding situations is like PULLING TEETH! So, I've got a head start on my dentistry and orthodontics program ;) hahaha! I pray for him so much, and I try so hard! We are different, that’s for sure, he's really quiet, and so I talk more. Then, he gets mad at me for not involving him in the lesson, but if I don't say anything he'll just sit there and stare at them. Haha i know he's trying hard. Keep us in your prayers! We need it. I love him lots :)

As for everything else, life is FANTASTIC! I really like Tehachapi, and we're getting in tight with the wards. We have lots of work, so it is good. People here are just READY to hear the gospel! I don't know the previous missionaries, but sometimes I wonder what they did with their time :) Monica is just itching to get wet! SHE CAN'T WAIT! So exciting. :)

Thanks for all your prayers and love and support. I love YOU! You are the best. Keep in touch! Snail mail would be fun if you have a second. Do you think you could send me some stamps, too? I’M SORRY! They are just so expensive. :) Thanks mom! You are an angel! I know you are an Angel because you always help me feel the Holy Ghost. And as we read in 2 Nephi 32:4, "...Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost..." So there you go. DOCTRINE as to why you, my dear Mother, are an ANGEL. :) I love you!

--

Elder Matthew Monk

  California Ventura Mission

          Jan. 2011 - Jan. 2013

Easter 2012

Easter was a special day. . . 

We got to go our own ward and then

Wynn and I attended Brooke and Steven's 

ward and heard Brooke speak in

Sacrament meeting.  Oh my, she

did such an amazing job.  I love the

spirit she had with her.  She was just

so calm and spoke was such

a sweet spirit.  We love you

Brooke, you are amazing and 

we are blessed to have you as

part of our family.  

After church, we got to have an Easter Egg hunt.
Of course, it's not a hunt without the snow boots.
I think Emily is truly an Idahoan.
Ready for snow at anytime.

Natalie is helping Camden find his eggs.

Such cute kiddo's!

Drum roll please. . .  introducing the newest member of Steve and Brooke's family.
Little Leisel
Oh, isn't she so cute?

Brooke loves her new little puppy.

So does little Emily!

The family with their new addition.

The proud parents!

The kids with their loot.

Family Pizza Party

Last Saturday, my brother was here with his

wife and daughter and her kids.  My niece

was here too for a visit.

My Mom put together a fun pizza party so

everyone could see each other.  

This is my oldest brother, Mike, getting kisses from his grand-daughter, Addison

My Aunt Pat and Uncle Sam

My family -
Paul, Me, my Mom, Mike and Jana

My sister with her three boys -
Jeremy, Eric and Kris

Cactus Gardens

We loved the cactus we saw in Arizona.

We stopped and bought a bunch of little cacti

and I brought them home and made

little gardens for all my kids and still

had some to spare.  

Natalie's B'day

It was Natalie's birthday on the 30th

of March.  We had to celebrate our

beautiful daughters special day.

Steven, Brooke and the kids gave Natalie a darling
Tea Pot with cups and saucers.  Here Emily, Natalie
and Hailey are having a tea party.  

Brooke and our little Camden.

Camden with Natalie ready to open her presents.

Emily and Natalie

We love you Natalie!  Hope you had a special day.

You are an important part of our family.

We wouldn't be the same without you.  

 

 

Spring Break 3/24 - 3/30 2012

I hate it went I feel like I am behind!

So, today is catch up day. . .

Two week ago was our Spring Break.

Wynn and I went on a road trip to

Arizona.  Just a get away and some

time to enjoy one another and spend

some time together.  

 On our way to Phoenix, we enjoyed the 

Wupatki National Park.

 We also enjoyed the Sunset Crater

Volcano National Park.

 What a cute husband I have!

 Walking tour of old Indian Ruins.

 Sedona, AZ

 Pink Jeep tour on the Rim of the mountain.

 A catholic church built into the mountain.

 Tortilla Flat, AZ

A Famous authentic old Stagecoach stop.

 We loved the cactus!

 We had to stop for a photo!

 We enjoyed all the weird shapes and sizes.

 Goldfield Ghost Town on the Apache Trail

 Mesa, AZ temple Easter Pageant

 Some of the cast.

 Such a beautiful temple.  It is one of

the oldest.  Build in 1927.

 Cactus garden on the temple grounds.

Always so fun to go on a vacation.