June 25,2011

Dear Mom,
I am doing well. Yes, I got the brownies. Originally, those photos were for your birthday, but don't tell Dad that. Not a whole lot is going on in my district, which yes, is still the same one. The only real problem is that our District Leader is a little bit of a jerk (but keep that under your hat). One of the elders moved out of our apartment yesterday, and boy, let me tell you, he went overboard on the cleaning. As for a story, here's one from wwwwwwaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy back in the early days of my mission: Elder Flatland (I think I have mentioned him in a few of my emails) broke a chair while Elder Squire (you remember him, right? my 1st companion?) was sitting in it. Let me tell you, Elder Squire was M-A-D MAD. After that incident, I said to the elder next to me, "Remind me never to get Elder Squire that angry".
Anyway, I had better get going.
Love,
Elder Huston

june 17th letter

Dear Dad,

I am doing very well up here. This week has been awesome, due to 2 things that happened: 1. This young elder out here, Elder Thomas (I think I have mentioned him in one of my emails) out of the blue asked me, "What shoe size are you?" I told him, and he said, "That fits perfectly with my plans." Needless to say, I was both confused and scared. But then he expained that he had this pair of shoes that have been in his family for a while, and they wouldn't fit anybody. So he asked if I wanted them. Of course, I said yes; besides, they will do until I get a new pair of insoles for my other ones (I've worn holes into the old ones). And 2. I went to this concert in the Brigham Young Memorial Park; the people playing was called Mercy River. It was awesome.

Well, I had better get going.

Loe,

Elder Huston

June 4th letter

Dear Mom,

Mission life is treating me pretty well. The fact that the tweezers were in that aisle would explain why I couldn't find them. As it is, every time I go down that aisle (yes, I have had to go down there for things like shampoo, etc.), I get the BIGGEST case of the willies. (Shudder) Anyway, my medicine is going fine. As for a story...There is one that comes to mind. This is one from way back in the early days of my mission. Well, this elder out here, Elder Talbot (you know, the Phantom Elder) is extremely OCD. I am talking on the level of Adrian Monk here. Everything on his desk is perfectly parallel, perpendicular, and equidistant to everything else. Anyway, his companion at that time, Elder Savage (you might remember him from the day you dropped me off here) would always mess with him by saying, "Crooked, crooked, crooked. Everything is crooked." Well, one night Elder Savage said it when he didn't change anything, so Elder Talbot had to check to make sure that every thing was still organized the way he needs it. So mean, and yet so funny!

Well, I should get going. Lots to do.

Love,

Elder Huston

Dear McKenzie,

I am afraid that every EFY is different (at least, I think it is). The main thing I did at mine was go to some various classes and learn more about the Gospel. My favorite part was the dance (of course). Beyond that, I am afraid I don't know.

Well, I hope this email has been helpful to you. Tell everyone I said hi.

Love,

Elder Huston

May 28th letter

Dear Mom,

I am doing well. Yes, it is finally starting to warm up out here. Yes, I got my package. Thank you!Since you asked, do you think you could send me some tweezers? I have turned Wal-Mart inside-out looking for some. Yes, Monday is a holiday for us. (WOOT-ETH! PAAAAARRRRRRRTTTTYYYYYYY!)So, I plan on mostly catching up on sleep, maybe play a board game or two. By the way, we got a new district leader, which brings up a funny story: Last night, when he did check-ins, he said, "Welcome to the promised land. You are out of the wilderness now. Let Moses take care of you." So, I piped in and said, "Don't worry, I'm already on it."Funny, huh?Oh, yes, fun times out here.

Well, I should get going. There's so much time and so little to do! (Wait, strike that; reverse it)

Love,

Elder Huston

Dear Dad,

I am doing fine. It sounds like you had a good time in Toronto. Ketchup-flavored chips? Really? Anyway, I have a joke for you. Blonde Inventions: Glass hammer; inflatable dartboard; left-handed pencil; clear correction fluid; black highlighter; waterproof tea bags; Braille driving manual (yikes!); dehydrated water; screen door on a submarine; helicopter ejection seat (ouch!); air conditioning for motorcycle; wooden barbecue (amazing one-use only!); glow-in-the-dark sundial; gasoline fire extinguisher; battery-powered battery charger; fake rhinestones; fireproof matches; glow-in-the-dark sunglasses; mesh umbrella; and solar-powered flashlight.

Well, I better get going.

Love,

Elder Huston

May 21st letter

Dear Mom,

How on Earth did you already find out about that?!I just barely saw him maybe 3 1/2 hours ago! Dang, he is fast!Anyway, I am doing pretty well out here. As for what to do with Zach, don't worry. Truth be told, I was pretty much the same way at first. But after awhile, he'll change. Oh, before I forget, tell him his big bro has 2 things to say to him: #1. Lock up our room but good before you leave and mail me the keys! (I am not joking in the least! Install a deadbolt if you need to, I don't care!) And #2. You know that first batch of pictures I sent to you all? You remember the one where there was a guy wrapped up in a blanket? The one who was wrapped up? Tell Zach that if he sees him, tell him to run for his life! You see, that guy was a missionary who has since left, and his hometown is none other than Boise! The reason why I say to run, he is in no way, shape or form the brightest crayon in the box. Oh, who am I kidding?! The guy is dumber than a post. Seriously. Anyway, no I did not get it yet. Oh, and also, I kind of ran out of my allergy meds the other day, and I remember you asked me to tell you if that happened. My companion's arm is fine, it's healed up pretty well. The part that makes it a pain is trying to sew up the sleeve that he tore up. I am with you on the part about sunny and warm. It's been raining up here all week. As for a story, here's one: Last week, I lost my umbrella. And let me tell you, I was freaking out because I had heard that it was going to rain all week. I had just about lost all hope when, TA-DAH! One of the elders had apparently found it and handed it to me. YAY!It just goes to show you, so long as we do all we can, the Lord will provide a way!

Well, I should get going.

Love,

Elder Huston

May 7th letter

Dear Mom,

I will be calling at around 6:00 PM, so yeah it's a really good thing you gave me your cell #. Anyway, you don't really think that bum of a Jewcifer brother of mine will listen to me, do you?(Just kidding, I'll talk to him;although I can't make any promises beyond that; besides, I need to tell him about someone who he might run into). Oh, and before I forget, tell Zach that his big bro has 2 messages for him; he's a pretty smart guy, he'll figure them out. The messages are: "The cake is a lie." "I JUST LOST THE GAME!" By the way, you should be getting a package from me pretty soon here; I sent it on Thursday, so it should be there pretty soon. Which reminds me, in all of the pictures on the camera, don't worry, no one is in any real danger.

Well, I had better get going. There's so much time and so little to do. (Wait, strike that; reverse it.)
Love,

Elder Huston

May 14th letter

Dear Mom,

As a matter of fact, I do remember my first formal. Man, was that a blast!No, I am not required to wear a suit coat in the summer (except for meetings), so yeah, I'll be getting those dry cleaned pretty soon. If you could possibly send some of that Blast-O-Butter popcorn I love so much, I wouldn't mind. Yes, I got some more socks. My shirts and pants are holding up fine. As for a story...Oh yeah, here's one for you. You see, our apartment has a balcony, and one day Elder Gee (my companion) was out on it. Well, Elder Allred (as a joke) locked him out. Unfortunately, Elder Gee had some eggs boiling, so he needed to be there, fast. So, he decided to jump off of the balcony, so he could run back to the door and get in. Well, Elder Gee miscalculated the landing, so he scraped up his arm fairly badly and tore up his sleeve. Well, everyone learned something that day: Elder Gee learned not to jump off the balcony (or trust Elder Allred to restrain himself from locking him out); I definitely learned some patience; and Elder Allred learned that it is not a good idea to lock a person out of the apartment.

Well, I should get going. Still lots to do today.

Love,

Elder Huston

April 30th letter

Dear Mom,

Life out here is exactly that: cold, wet, and bipolar. The motto out here regarding weather goes like this: "Hey, it's stopped hailing." "Wait five minutes, it will start up again." No, I have not tried out the phone yet. The work is going fine. Yes, I am still in the same district. As for how long a person stays apartment leader...It kind of varies. I really do not know how long you stay one. I don't have any real power, actually. The position is primarily coordinative, rather than administrative. My primary duties as apt. lead are: 1. Coordinate cleaning duties, as needed. 2. Hold apartment councils, again, as needed. And 3. Report to the District Leader apartment-wide concerns. I really don't know if I like it yet. You see, I was only made official yesterday. Tell Emily (and everyone else, too) that I love & miss them too.

Well, I had best get going.

Love,

Elder Huston

April 23rd letter

Dear Mom,

No, it is not warming up too much out here. At least it doesn't snow (much) anymore. Yes, I got the Easter package. Which reminds me, the other elders in the apartment wanted me to thank you for them. They loved them! As for a story, here's one: While Elder Shaw was living with one of my old companions (Elder Shipton), he (Elder Shaw) had this fan (which was actually Elder Shipton's) blowing all the warm air right out the open window. Well, Elder Shipton got fed up w/ it and took it back. When Elder Shaw came home & found out it was gone, he goes up to Elder Shipton and asks, "Where's my fan?" "I have it." "Can I have it back?" "No." "No, seriously, give it back." "No, you are grounded from it." "You can't do that!" "I just did." (BTW, as both apt. and district leader at the time, he could do that.) So hilarious! Which reminds me, you are never going to believe this: As of next Friday, I AM APARTMENT LEADER! WWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT! The funny thing is, I had a feeling this was going to happen, due to the fact that our current apt. leader is leaving the mission soon, and I am most senior in the apt. Hifive, big success!

Well, I better get going. Lots to do.

Love,

Elder Huston

April 16th letter

Dear Mom,

All is well here. The situation with the phone (as I have told you at least twice now) is that it won't work. Something about the SIM Card registration failing. So if you could please get that figured out, that would be great. Since you asked, do you think you could send a leather shoe care kit? I have been having the hardest time finding one. For the picture with me & John Bytheway, it is on my companion's digital camera, so as soon as he gets around to emailing it to me, I will send you a copy. I am still with the same companion. The names of the other 3 elders in my apt. are Elder Gee (my companion), Elder Allred, and Elder Cornelison. As for a great story...Oh yeah, here's one! The guy who wrote hymn #298, Bro. Klopfer? Well, he told us (a couple weeks ago) about how he and his family escaped from Germany during WWII. It is an amazing story, and I happen to have typed copies of it. I can send some copies of them in the package that will contain the disposable camera.

Well, I'd better get going.

Love,

Elder Huston

April 9th letter

Dear Mom,

I thought that conference was great. As for that comment Pres. Uchtdorf made, I seriously wanted to stand up after the session and yell, "By a show of hands, how many people were doing that just as Pres. Uchtdorf said that?"I know this is going to be a strange request, but do you think you could send me a sharpening stone? It's for this set of kitchen knives I was able to get my hands on; they are getting a little dull, and you know how dangerous a dull knife can be! As for a funny story... Oh, here's one! Well, there is this one elder out here (I believe I have told you about him, the crazy Russian? The guy who went out in the middle of a blizzard in shorts & a t-shirt?) by the name of Elder Shaw. Well, one day in his apartment the other elders in the apt. were talking about the military. Elder Shaw came in, heard what they were talking about, and said, "I hate the military. If I ever got the draft, I would run into Canada!" (By the way, did you know that doing so is a felony?) Well, two of the elders present (one of whom has some anger issues) who are big into the military chewed him out for a solid 45 minutes straight. Moron (no, I am not kidding; this is the guy who sniffs books to get high and is obsessed with a little boys choir).

Well, I better get going.

Love,

Elder Huston

April 1st letter

Dear Mom,

Fortunately, I am feeling better. Yes, I could get some more socks; the only reason I said anything was because you had asked. Anyway, the reason I am emailing you now is that the Library will be closed tomorrow. By the way, did you ever find out what the deal is with my phone?

Well, better get going.

Love,

Elder Huston

march 28th

Dear Mom,

The answers to your ?'s, in order, are: 1. Not much, I guess, aside from the fact that IT IS SNOWING UP HERE, RIGHT NOW! IN LATE MARCH! What is with this crazy place?! Isn't it supposed to be spring?! 2. Not yet. 3. Ditto. 4. Yes. Fortunately, I can buy some out here. 5. Just fine. 6. Funny you should ask, because I am running seriously low on socks. 7. Yes. 8. Greatly. 9. As a matter of fact, yes. We made this completely up ourselves (well, not completely; we started with a recipe my companion already knew, & added some stuff). We took some potatoes, mixed veggies, macaroni, Ragu sauce, and ground pork, mixed it all up in a big pot, and cooked it. We called it Jewish Pork (tee-hee!). As for a faith promoting story...Oh, yeah, here's one: Yesterday, we had a fireside given to us by our own President Simmons. Apparently, at one time, he was serving a senior mission in Africa, and he said that despite (or rather, because) the fact that they have nothing, they are some of the happiest, most patient people in the world. By the way, I am truly sorry that I did not email you on Saturday, but I am afraid that I was sick.

Anyway, I better get going.

Love,

Elder Huston