March 26 letter

Here are your questions in order:
What's you favorite thing to eat at the COB?
I really like the pizza bar on Mondays.
Do you have chores?
Not exactly.
Are there other elders that work with you in Data Analysis and how many things do you analyze each day?
There are no other elders in my district who work in Data Analysis. Come to think about it, only one other elder in my district who even works in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, and that is the new guy.
Do you ever use your cell phone?
Not very often; I mostly just use it for an alarm clock.
Do you get to go to the visitor center?
I have only been there once, and that was my first week here.
Who's your favorite room mate/companion and why?
Definitely Elder Savage, because you can have a conversation with him on just about anything.
What's the best or most interesting thing that's happened to you this week?
It was actually something that just happened about an hour ago. I was coming back from grocery shopping when Elder Wilkinson (he is my assistant zone leader) and I stopped at Wendy's for a quick lunch. This man there gave us $10 for a meal. How nice is that? Anyway, they moved the young elders around a bit so we have a new companion in our district named Elder Walker. Unfortunately, they moved the young Elder Ford out. By the way, do you think you could send a few other things in my package? If so, I would greatly appreciate it if you could send a bunch of those funny lists (e.g. 50 Ways to Mess with People in a Computer Lab,etc.).
I miss you all.
Love,
Elder Huston

Dear Mom,
In order, the answers to your questions are:
We sent out your treat box on Monday. When did you get it? Just trying to figure out how long it takes a package to get there.
Friday.
General Conference is in a couple weeks, are you going to the conference center? Let me know so I can watch for you on TV.
Yes, but possibly only for the priesthood session.
Have you tried any good recipes?
Not yet, but I will pretty soon. Sunday, in fact.
Do you cook just for yourself or for the other guys too?
Usually just me.
When you go to the COB from the JSMB do you get to walk underground in the tunnels or do you walk outside?
I walk outside, mainly because even though there is a tunnel, it goes through the underground parking area.
The FDA (data analysis) department is really starting to grow on me. It is growing a little more enjoyable. Oh, for my next package, do you think you could send some short-sleeved church shirts? It is starting to get a little too warm for a full suit.
I love and miss you all terribly, but I am glad I came out here.
Love,
Elder Huston

March 13, 2010

Mom's questions are in red.

How do you like your new companion? He is pretty cool, although he has a tendency to go off on very intense tangents, and combine that with the fact that he talks just like someone who grew up in New York, and it is kind of weird.
Do the cookbooks I sent have what you're looking for or should I send you a different one? They have what I need for now. What are the Family Home Evenings like? Pretty much like any other, except we call it "District Meeting". Do you go to the temple every week? I try to. How's the Money situation? I am fine Tell me one good experience you've had so far. This Monday we had a talk given to us about Passover. I learned a lot about Jewish culture, and the talk was given to us by this guy named Daniel Rona. He is a Jew-turned-Mormon. How cool is that?!
In my next package, do you think you could send me some sweets and more cactus jelly? I have had a serious craving for sweets lately.
Say hi to everyone for me. I love you.
Love,
Elder Huston

week 4

Dear Mom,
If you could print out those maps and picture and send them, that would be great. I can print, but it costs money to do so. Also, if you could send me my dictionary and any Book of Mormon-ish card games you could spare, that would be great. You see, we are allowed to play games as long as: a) they are appropriate and b) they are not too competitive (e.g. Risk). Oh, and also if you could send me a couple of recipes for various marinades, that would be greatly appreciated. I love you.
Love, Elder Huston

Letter for week 3

Dear Mom,

The answers to your questions, in order, are: (mom's question's are bolded)

Are you staying warm? Do you need a hat or anything?

Mostly. I could use a scarf.

What do you do in data analysis? Will you do that for the whole 2 years? Does your companion go with you, or is he in a different department?

We audit records. In other words, we prepare them for temple work. Most likely. He works in the Church History Library.

What is the greatest thing that has happened since you've been on your mission so far?

Everything is so different, I am still a little shell-shocked.

Hey what did your companions think of the cactus jelly and syrup?

Have not tried it yet (I just got it on Friday).

I know this is a little embarrassing, but... I kinda forgot Dad's email address. There, I said it. Oh, by the way, one of the elders in our apartment moved out! So, in a week we will be getting a new guy in our apartment by the name of Elder McReynolds.

In the next package you send me, could you please send the following items:

• a picture of an ironwood tree;
• a scarf;
• earplugs;
• a pair of non-denim pants for P-days;
• and a street map of Salt Lake City.

I would get the last one myself, but I am not allowed to use computers for non-Church-related purposes. I would get in HUGE trouble if I got caught doing that. Don't worry, I would only use it to find a couple of fast-food places I want to try, and yes, I would buy within my budget.

Please and thank you.

Sincerely,

Elder Huston

February 20, 2010

We added mom’s questions in red so his letter would make sense.

Hey there, Mom!
The answers to your questions, in order, are:

Are you having breakfast and lunch at your apartment, then eating at the COB(Church Office Building) for dinner? Do you need any menu ideas, or treats from home?

1. I have lunch at the COB, and no, I am good for now.

Did you get the other packages we sent? Funny t-shirt huh?! Who is the Elder we didn't meet? Tell us about the Elders in your apartment. Where are they from?

2. Yes; I LOVED the shirt!!!!!!! 3. The "Phantom Elder's" name is Elder Talbot; he's from Colorado Springs. There are 2 other elders you did not get to meet: Elder Ford, and Elder Temple (he's from Indiana). They're pretty cool, but... let's just say these guys make our family look normal by comparison.

Did you get to go to McDonalds with your gift certificates we sent? 4. Not yet.

How is the work going? What is your favorite thing so far—and don’t say the food! 5. Great; finding/researching new names;

Now that you’ve been here two weeks (for your training), are you going to be transferred? I don't think I am leaving this apartment anytime soon. I just got assigned to work at the JSMB, in Data Analysis
Tell everyone I said hi, and I will email you soon.
Sincerely,
Your loving son





McKenzie's Comments: I wished I had counted the number of times mom checked her email today waiting for this, but it was probably 500+!

Hi Mom!
I am checking in to tell you about my mission so far. All of the guys in my apartment are really cool (if a little crazy at times). I have found out a lot about our family's genealogy. I have solved a few problems with our records(finding out who people are, etc.). Please ask Dad if I could do the endowment for Daniel Clare Allison, because he reserved it and never did it. You see, this Friday I am going to the temple to do an endowment, and they recommend I do it for a deceased family member. Also ask him to look at the Church family history site, as well as ask him how it is possible for someone to be sealed to their spouse when they have not received their endowment, because a lot of our ancestors seem to have the same problem. I have a few requests for what to send in the next package you send me: my EFY photos, my high school year book, and some prickly pear jelly/syrup, if possible. I love you, and I will try to send an email every week.
Love,
Elder Huston

McKenzie's Comments: Anyone besides me think the EFY photos, a high school year book, and prickly pear jelly are odd requests? Now the pictures and yearbooks may not be so odd, maybe all the other missionaries are showing their pictures to him, but prickly pear jelly? Really?