February 22, 2011
Dear Mom,
Thank you so much for the Dear Elder letters. It is so much fun to get mail. It is something I look forward to every day. My companion's name is Elder Flood and he is going to Mexico. I'm keeping my room clean for the most part. I think you'll be happy about that. We are doing our laundry right now. Everything runs really smooth here. It is very structured! It's something I need to get used to, but I think it will be a blessing in my life. I can already pray and testify in Spanish and I memorized the purpose and first vision in espanol. I love you so much!! I hope you got my e-mail I sent it to (the wrong e-mail but it cracked me up)..., and ksawyer2@cox.net and Sawyerjacob@yahoo.com. I think that through this letter my e-mail and Meagan's letter, I've told you everything.
Love,
Jacob Sawyer
What a blessing it has been this past week, we got an e-mail and 3 letters! Love that Jacob Boy!
Monday, February 28, 2011
A letter to Meagan
2-22-2011
Dear Meagan,
Thank you so much for your letter I read it on the plane. It definitely made me remember some good times! I told Steele "What's under your scriptures?" He told me the story and we both laughed really hard. I e-mailed today. My P-days are on Tuesdays, and I only have 30 min. so I don't have enough time to write what I want to. I was told by Branch Pres. that there's a possibility that I won't get to go to the Peru MTC because it is so full of missionaries, but we'll see what happens. One of the Elders on my floor is from Peru. He left this morning for Pocatello, Idaho. I was talking with him and he said that ....that if I work hard and si tengo mucha fe (Have much faith), I'll be ok. He also said that IF I have fear the people won't listen to me. So I should never have fear. He also said to pray a lot. Make sure you share this with Jared and Mom and Dad.
Love,
Elder Sawyer (I don't have a first name any more. :) ha ha!)
P.S. Hey, make sure you got my e-mail if not try my e-mail address I sent it there too.
Meagan tucked a little note inside Jacob's back pack before he left. Jared wrote him a note a little later and was the first sibling to send real mail to him.
Dear Meagan,
Thank you so much for your letter I read it on the plane. It definitely made me remember some good times! I told Steele "What's under your scriptures?" He told me the story and we both laughed really hard. I e-mailed today. My P-days are on Tuesdays, and I only have 30 min. so I don't have enough time to write what I want to. I was told by Branch Pres. that there's a possibility that I won't get to go to the Peru MTC because it is so full of missionaries, but we'll see what happens. One of the Elders on my floor is from Peru. He left this morning for Pocatello, Idaho. I was talking with him and he said that ....that if I work hard and si tengo mucha fe (Have much faith), I'll be ok. He also said that IF I have fear the people won't listen to me. So I should never have fear. He also said to pray a lot. Make sure you share this with Jared and Mom and Dad.
Love,
Elder Sawyer (I don't have a first name any more. :) ha ha!)
P.S. Hey, make sure you got my e-mail if not try my e-mail address I sent it there too.
Meagan tucked a little note inside Jacob's back pack before he left. Jared wrote him a note a little later and was the first sibling to send real mail to him.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
The first REAL letter from the Mail box written on 2-16-11
Dear Mom and Dad,
My first day has been amazing! It was awesome to spend time with Steel and Chance before I came. It feels like I have been trying to drink out of a Fire hose. We learn so much in a small amount of time. When I first got here one of the MTC Presidency paired us with another "Host" missionary and he showed us to our room and we picked up what I needed at the bookstore as far as things I will need in the field and as I learnt the language: water purifying kit and preach my gospel en espanol, etc. Then we went strait (straight) to class where we started our language training. We pretty much got to know each other and talked in Spanish the whole time, well we did as much as we could. Then all the MTC presidency and thier wives spoke to us about our purpose and one of the wives said, you are going to like this Mom, "Now is the time to be your best self." We then had lunch. The food is pretty good. It's all you can eat and I ate a lot! They also serve ice cream for every meal...I think. (In his e-mail he clarifies.) We then went to 3 different rooms and in each room there was a scenario in which missionaries were talking to investigators and we asked questions if we were the missionaires and had discussions. My companions are Elder Rapier and Elder Flood. Elder Flood is from Indianapolis and he is going to Mexico. I forgot what his mission is called but I think it means cow horn or something. (Kent says it is Cuerna Vaca.) Elder Rapier is from Duncan, AZ and he was on my plane. He is pretty cool. I told him my grandparents live in Pima. he went to E.A. It seems like we are cramming so much in, and with not much time. But in reality we have a lot of time. It's Awesome here!! I love you all so much.
Love,
Jacob Sawyer
What a surprise to get a letter even when we got an e-mail too! That makes a mother get a little teary deary!
My first day has been amazing! It was awesome to spend time with Steel and Chance before I came. It feels like I have been trying to drink out of a Fire hose. We learn so much in a small amount of time. When I first got here one of the MTC Presidency paired us with another "Host" missionary and he showed us to our room and we picked up what I needed at the bookstore as far as things I will need in the field and as I learnt the language: water purifying kit and preach my gospel en espanol, etc. Then we went strait (straight) to class where we started our language training. We pretty much got to know each other and talked in Spanish the whole time, well we did as much as we could. Then all the MTC presidency and thier wives spoke to us about our purpose and one of the wives said, you are going to like this Mom, "Now is the time to be your best self." We then had lunch. The food is pretty good. It's all you can eat and I ate a lot! They also serve ice cream for every meal...I think. (In his e-mail he clarifies.) We then went to 3 different rooms and in each room there was a scenario in which missionaries were talking to investigators and we asked questions if we were the missionaires and had discussions. My companions are Elder Rapier and Elder Flood. Elder Flood is from Indianapolis and he is going to Mexico. I forgot what his mission is called but I think it means cow horn or something. (Kent says it is Cuerna Vaca.) Elder Rapier is from Duncan, AZ and he was on my plane. He is pretty cool. I told him my grandparents live in Pima. he went to E.A. It seems like we are cramming so much in, and with not much time. But in reality we have a lot of time. It's Awesome here!! I love you all so much.
Love,
Jacob Sawyer
What a surprise to get a letter even when we got an e-mail too! That makes a mother get a little teary deary!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
This is what we did.
The first e-mail was like manna to our soul!!! The computer screen didn't seem to be big enough! We are so thankful for the opportunity to communicate so quickly with him. I guess we better get some shorts and his watch in the mail.
First e-mail! Hooray!
Querido familia,
the MTC has been wonderful so far! the first night that i got here it snowed and it snowed on sunday as well. The Food is pretty good and i lied they don't serve ice cream every night just 2 times a week. I think that i'll put on a little weight while i'm here because i eat so much every meal haha. My companion is elder Flood now i don't have 2 anymore. Elder Namazi is elder Rapiers companion now he is going to Colorado english speaking and because he tore his ACL he has to stay in the MTC. Actually it's a blessing that he can still be here they were going to send him home but someone came up with the idea that he could stay here and brush up on his spanish so he can maybe use it in the field. He grew up speaking it so it is working out nicely. He has such a strong testimony he said he was so discouraged after he got hurt but he said he prayed and he knows that everything happens for a reason. Because he is on Crutches we had to move down to the floor just beneath were we were originally. The floor we are on now is a lot better than the one that we were on. On our floor there are all the people in advanced spanish and it is good for us because we have to speak spanish with them. some of the guys are learning to speak english and the stuff they say is so hilarious. One of the Elders is from Nogales and when we went to the temple while it was snowing we had a snowball fight because he had never been in the snow before. Our Teachers are Awesome! Hermano Quintana is form N.M. and he went to Ecuador on his mish. and Hermano Shwarz is from Gilbert AZ, but he went to GHS:(!, he served in Texas. We already learned how to pray in Spanish and how to bear our testimonies in spanish. The Language is coming along pretty well. I forgot a lot of stuff i learned in High school but i think it'll come back to me. (Perhaps he has forgot how to punctuate and capitalize. Frankly, I don't care! We got to hear from him!!! Hooray!) Everyone told me when i first got here that once you make it to sunday it goes by really fast. they were right the first 2 days were long but after that it seems to fly by! there is always something that we have to do, Even on P day haha. i just got back from the temple and that is always and a mazing experience! I have seen elder priday a lot. He is learning Samoan in the same building as me but just one floor down. I've also seen Elder Jeff Tayler (I think this is LaDawn's cousin Coton Taylor's son) and Elder Cole Patterson it's cool to see people i know from home. On sunday we had one of the most powerful Firesides that i've ever been to. It was about music and how it can bring the spirit. They haad some elders request their favorite hymns and at times it was roudy but the excitement and the spirit were both there. I can testify that music is the language of the soul!!! the last thing that they had us do was we sang Called to Serve at firts really quite and then we got louder as the song went on. almost like we were marching over a hill and the people could here us getting louder as we got closer. tonight we have another fireside, Fingers crossed for an apostle haha. i feel like i'm forgetting something that i need to tell you but i'll keep in touch with you guys. I love you all!!! soooooo much! thank you for the Dear elders i found out that i love g etting mail so keep bringing it on and get some of my friends to use it hahajk. (I don't think he is jk. If you have a minute....) Love you once again!!!
With love,
Elder Sawyer
P.S.
I forgot my watch could you possibly send that to me? along with maybe 2 pairs of athletic shorts? i only have one and they get pretty rank haha. i bought a plastic watch for like 3 bucks and right when i opened it it broke :( (Bless his heart! He cracks me up. I hope his mother sends him some more shorts so his companions can stand him. hehehehe)
so i've been using it as a pocket watch haha i miss everyone but i know i'm supposed to be here!
the MTC has been wonderful so far! the first night that i got here it snowed and it snowed on sunday as well. The Food is pretty good and i lied they don't serve ice cream every night just 2 times a week. I think that i'll put on a little weight while i'm here because i eat so much every meal haha. My companion is elder Flood now i don't have 2 anymore. Elder Namazi is elder Rapiers companion now he is going to Colorado english speaking and because he tore his ACL he has to stay in the MTC. Actually it's a blessing that he can still be here they were going to send him home but someone came up with the idea that he could stay here and brush up on his spanish so he can maybe use it in the field. He grew up speaking it so it is working out nicely. He has such a strong testimony he said he was so discouraged after he got hurt but he said he prayed and he knows that everything happens for a reason. Because he is on Crutches we had to move down to the floor just beneath were we were originally. The floor we are on now is a lot better than the one that we were on. On our floor there are all the people in advanced spanish and it is good for us because we have to speak spanish with them. some of the guys are learning to speak english and the stuff they say is so hilarious. One of the Elders is from Nogales and when we went to the temple while it was snowing we had a snowball fight because he had never been in the snow before. Our Teachers are Awesome! Hermano Quintana is form N.M. and he went to Ecuador on his mish. and Hermano Shwarz is from Gilbert AZ, but he went to GHS:(!, he served in Texas. We already learned how to pray in Spanish and how to bear our testimonies in spanish. The Language is coming along pretty well. I forgot a lot of stuff i learned in High school but i think it'll come back to me. (Perhaps he has forgot how to punctuate and capitalize. Frankly, I don't care! We got to hear from him!!! Hooray!) Everyone told me when i first got here that once you make it to sunday it goes by really fast. they were right the first 2 days were long but after that it seems to fly by! there is always something that we have to do, Even on P day haha. i just got back from the temple and that is always and a mazing experience! I have seen elder priday a lot. He is learning Samoan in the same building as me but just one floor down. I've also seen Elder Jeff Tayler (I think this is LaDawn's cousin Coton Taylor's son) and Elder Cole Patterson it's cool to see people i know from home. On sunday we had one of the most powerful Firesides that i've ever been to. It was about music and how it can bring the spirit. They haad some elders request their favorite hymns and at times it was roudy but the excitement and the spirit were both there. I can testify that music is the language of the soul!!! the last thing that they had us do was we sang Called to Serve at firts really quite and then we got louder as the song went on. almost like we were marching over a hill and the people could here us getting louder as we got closer. tonight we have another fireside, Fingers crossed for an apostle haha. i feel like i'm forgetting something that i need to tell you but i'll keep in touch with you guys. I love you all!!! soooooo much! thank you for the Dear elders i found out that i love g etting mail so keep bringing it on and get some of my friends to use it hahajk. (I don't think he is jk. If you have a minute....) Love you once again!!!
With love,
Elder Sawyer
P.S.
I forgot my watch could you possibly send that to me? along with maybe 2 pairs of athletic shorts? i only have one and they get pretty rank haha. i bought a plastic watch for like 3 bucks and right when i opened it it broke :( (Bless his heart! He cracks me up. I hope his mother sends him some more shorts so his companions can stand him. hehehehe)
so i've been using it as a pocket watch haha i miss everyone but i know i'm supposed to be here!
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Arriving in Utah
Well, he arrived safe and sound in Utah. He was picked up from the Airport from his good friends, Chance Bozeman (Sending in his papers soon.) and Steele Ayers (Russia, Moscow Mission reporting May 25). They took Jacob to breakfast and then for a little tour of BYU. Jacob called from Steele's phone. Kent and I were shopping in BIG Lots. That phone call made me cry the most. It was so good to hear his voice!
At the airport
The Ohio Guy!
There was a boat load of Elders there. I think there were about 8 or 10 of them running around and there was one sister from Gilbert too. Jacob said they took a picture before they got on the plane. I can't wait to see it!
These photos of all of us were taken by "The Ohio Guy". He asked where we were going. We explained what Jacob was going on a mission and then he asked Jacob what exactly he was going to do. He explained that he was going to preach the gospel and serve the people.
Getting ready to go to the airport
We got up the next day. I woke Jacob up for the last time for two years. We fixed him a ham and cheese omelet. He was already in his shirt and black pants. He looked like a missionary. He forgot to leave a tie out so he went and grabbed one from Kent's stash. Jacob did a final check of his stuff and made sure he had his ticket and information. We loaded up in the car and away we went. The feeling of peace that we felt the night before after Jacob was set apart continued with us. Truly a tender mercy!
Packing
Packing was just plumb frustrating! Everytime I wanted to go shopping, Jacob said "Do we have to do it today? Harry wants to...." or "I was going to go with Cody and Harry." or "Well I was going to work out with Kevin,Brooks and Harry. Can we do it later?" But eventually we did get him packed but not before Brooks, Kevin and Harry, Cody and all his pals came over on February 14. You know who else came over? Sister Sellers and her boys! The boys went in with the crowd and me and Meagan chatted. Soooo fun! On Tuesday, I don't know what happened to Jacob but while I was at work, he packed himself. We just went over it when I got home. He called a few times during the day while I was at work. He did a good job!
Called to Serve
Picture for his mission papersIn September of 2010, Jacob submitted his mission papers. We waited and waited. We thought they would come on Thursday, September 30. But NO papers on Thursday. Jacob was working at Little Caesars Pizza in KMart and doing a little work for Brother Arlon Smith's landscape business. On Friday, October 1, I got home before Jacob. I went to the mailbox and sure enough, there was a white envelope from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I put it back soJacob could get it.
That night he invited his buddies over and some family. It was scary and fun too! Where would he go?
Peru Lima West Mission!!!
Reporting: February 16, 2011 to the Provo MTC
Wow, this was about 19 years ago! He was about 4 months old. Pretty crazy! Now he is on a mission!
Wow, this was about 19 years ago! He was about 4 months old. Pretty crazy! Now he is on a mission!
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