Saturday, March 19, 2011

March 19th, 2011

Dear Mom,
I am doing well over here. Yes, I got the box of goodies. The only medication I appear to be running low on is my Adderall; but don't worry, I think I have enough to last me another 2 weeks or so. Yes, I still have the same companions. The work is going fine. I did get a ticket for conference; I got the Sunday afternoon session.
Well, I better get going. So much to do, so little time.
Love,
Elder Huston

Saturday, March 12, 2011

3/13/11

Dear Mom,
I am glad that Zach has been called to Boise, Idaho. No, I did not get the box yet (keep in mind, we only get mail on weekdays, since the JSMB is closed during the weekend). Yes, things are warming up here, slowly but surely. Yes, last week I did cook something good: London Broil; and MAN, was it good! Well, something special just happened this week. We get to go to Wal-Mart! And, if all the young missionaries are on their best behavior, the mission presidency might consider allowing us to go there for the rest of our missions!As for conference next month, yes, I do get to go; as for which session I will go to...I can't remember for sure. I think Sunday afternoon, maybe? I'll have to get back to you on that. I believe I am starting to run low on Clonidine (meaning I don't know off the top of my head I have left, but I'd say I still have enough for another week).
Well, I'd better get going.
Love,
Elder Huston

2/26/11

Dear Dad,
I am doing fine out here. My companion, the self-proclaimed cannibal? He just finished his mission yesterday. So I have a new companion, who, oddly enough, works in the same zone as me. I think part of the reason that he was moved was because he was one small step from killing his companion. The crazy Russian (yes, his old companion was born in Russia) kept their room so cold, he had to sleep in the living room. The Russian is so crazy, he went out into 20 degree weather (and that's without the wind chill factor) in nothing but shorts and a t-shirt! HE (the Russian) IS CERTIFIABLY CRAZY! So, I am sure they figured that he needed a break from the crazy. So yeah, I can see why they moved him out of there. Oh, and since you asked, do you think you can send me some prickly pear syrup? Please and thank you.
Well, I better get going.
Love,
Elder Huston

2/26/11

Dear Mom,
Things are going OK here. We are in the middle of a snowstorm ourselves out here (nothing major). When everything is closed down (which only happens about once in a blue moon), we stay in our apartments all day and play board games, etc. Usually, we do not get to go sightseeing. I have had to teach on a few occaisions.
Well, I'd better get going.
Love,
Elder Huston

2/12/11 One Year Out

Dear Mom,
My week has been fine. Yes, I got my package. Those gloves are exactly what I needed. It is starting to warm up a little bit. I did try one new recipe: sausage-stuffed mushrooms. They were pretty darn tasty. Yes, I still have the same companions in my apartment. If I could sum up my first year in one sentence, it would be: Wow, did that just happen? As for a funny story, here is one for you. You see, my second companion (Elder Talbot) is exremely OCD; I mean on the same level as Adrian Monk (seriously). Anyway, you know my first companion, Elder Squire? Well, he had crookedized some of Elder Talbot's stuff, which just drives him crazy.So, while he was fixing it, he said to me, "I really hate it when people do that." Then I said to him, "But didn't Elder Savage do the same thing?" Then he explained that whenever Elder Savage would do it, it would all still be straight, it would just be at a 45 degree angle instead of a 90 degree angle. Then he said, "Elder Squire, on the other hand, isn't straight at all." I started laughing my head off, and when heasked why, I said to him, "Do you realize what you just said?" And after I told him, he started laughing too!
Well, I better get going. Lots to do.
Love,
Elder Huston

2/5/11

Dear Dad,
I am doing fine. I could use another pair of warm winter gloves (the gloves I currently have, I am afraid, do not work too well). I did get the box. I just have one question about one item that was in it: the Chia plants. Why? I like fresh herbs as much as the next guy, but I am afraid that the climate out here is far from ideal for growing those (plus, I am sorry to say, I don't have the time or the skill to take care of them). Oh, by the way, my companion loved the hot sauce; on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the highest), he gave it an 8 (I'm not going to lie, I was a little disappointed; I was kind of expecting a more violent reaction; then again, my companion is, apparently, the guy who would eat jalapenos by the jarful).
Well, I better get going. Lots to do.
Love,
Elder Huston

1/29/11

Dear Mom,
You did beat me to the computer (by 1 hour). I am doing fine. Yes, I am still in the same apt. with the same elders. It is OK about the orange peeler and the pics. I do have one funny story I have to tell. This appened a few months ago. You know the button up shirt you sent, the one that I wore to Institute? I came out of my room wearing it, and one of the elders present... Well, let's just say that shirt maybe cost, what, $5? The look on his face: priceless. Absolute horror. He said: "What singer from the 80's did you kill to get that thing?" One of the other elders said: "Michael Jackson." And I said: "Hey, I was doing the world a favor." I am doing fine on meds.
Well, I better get going. So much time and so little to do. (Wait; strike that. Reverse it.)
Love,
Elder Huston

1/22/11

Dear Mom,
There are some last minute requests I have; though I should warn you, they are going to sound pretty strange. I would like you to send: 1. Some blank CDs (as it turns out, we are allowed to download Mo-Tab songs and make our own personalized CDs); one of those cases that can hold a bunch of CDs (to save space and not have them all over the place); an orange peeler; and the one you will find the weirdest of all, some of that After Death hot sauce Dad really likes (you see, my companion is nearly done with his mission, and he LOVES spicy food, and I do not think that they sell that kind of hot sauce in Wyoming [his home state], so I would like to give it to him as a going-away present). As for a story, I will tell you one of the funniest things one of the elders I work with has said. You see, one night, he had apparently had a nightmare, and he woke up and (I kid you not) yelled: "PANCAKES! THE WAFFLE ATE MY PANCAKES! GIVE THEM BACK!" Weird, huh?
Anyway, I gotta get going. So much to do, so little time.
Love,
Elder Huston

1/8/11

Dear Mom,
That goofball with the red nose? That is none other than my fearless District Leader. No, I do not think I cooked all that food (I might have, I'm not sure really which picture you are talking about). If there is any way you could get me the name of the elder from Justin/Elder King's ward, I would greatly appreciate it. The speakers work fine. I loved the t-shirts. If possible, do you think you could have Grandpa Rick send more glogg? You know, if it isn't too much to ask. Yes I got that email, and I was able to answer him back. It's really cool to hear from him.
Anyway, I better get going. There is lots to do.
Love,
Elder Huston

12/11/10

Dear Mom,
I really liked the Devotional. The only problem was getting out of the Conference Center. It was a madhouse! The work is going along just fine. No, I would not mind at all. I could use some recipe ideas for a Christmas dinner. Oh, and I finally remembered what other places the food court has: Suki-Hana, Roxberry, McDonalds (of course) and a place called Red Iguana. I don't know if any of those places have gift cards, but if they do, that would be a nice gift. Maybe also some snacks, and anything else you think I could use (note the italics). I will let you know when I might be calling ASAP.
I love you all so much.
Love,
Elder Huston

11/27/10

Dear Mom,
The answers to your ?'s, in order, are: 1. Good. 2. Oh yes. 3. No. 4. Of course. That blizzard has long since blown over. 5. Yes. My companion is great. 6. Yes. 7. Yes. 8. I would have, but I would always bring it out at night, and he always goes to bed early. 9. It is pretty good. It took some getting used to, but I would say I have got it down. 10. I found out something crazy about a month ago. My 2nd companion, Elder Talbot (you know, the "phantom elder"), well he is our new Assisstant to the President. Go figure!
I love you all so much.
Love,
Elder Huston

11/20/10

Dear Mom,
My week has been pretty good. Yes, I got it. Probably the CD player. When I read that card, my first thought was, "Why I am I not surprised that it was Zach that sent this one?" I thought the hat was hilarious. No, surprisingly it is not snowing here yet. I do not think I get a cake tonight (unless I buy/make it myself). We young elders get to go to this big Thanksgiving dinner at the church. Very well.
I love you all so much, and I hope I have a good birthday too.
Love,
Elder Huston