January 27, 2014

     There was a bit of a problem with Ken's email last week which meant that he didn't receive a letter from Carson.  But it finally arrived today...  

Hey thank you. that is kind of sad that you just barely started the snowmobiles up. Here Mark lowry would love it. People on bikes every where. Also just as crazy as him they are zipping in between traffic and doing cat walk down the road, it's pretty crazy. But ya haven't i been promoting a side by side for how long again... but hey i haven't hit anything yet. ya sure gophers of course but they don't do damage. but other than breaking the clutch in the car i haven't broke anything else. But other than that it isn't me you should be worried about... Kaylee, Taylor and ashlee are on there way. hopeful the car will survive because that car was really chick magnetic. But it wasn't as good as the truck through. so feel free to just drive the car and the chevy until i get back. Let the girls destroy the van. Your warrenty is about up right so either way it is about on it's last legs anyways.

But hey this last week has been alot of work. but it has been alot of fun. We are again tied for 1rst on the standards of excellence board once again. I think we should slow down abit or else president might get the wrong idea and put us in the office.

Hey thanks for everything and hope everything is going good for you guys back home.

Love you guys.

 And then Grandma sent us the letter she got from Carson last week as well...

WHOLE COW. Really 138 km wow that is insane. I don't know if i could go back to that. Here it's like a casual sea breeze nothing crazy like that. I don't know if it getting colder i just feels like it is getting hotter. Starting to get a fairly impressive farmers tan going on. but hey that is good and it sounds like grandpa doin well. He really appreciates you and all that you do for him. We all do that is why you are the best grandma in the WORLD. :) I don't know about the whole retentions rate here because i haven't been here very long but they seem pretty committed so lets hope for the best. Hey thank you so much. Hope you guys are doing good.

Are you still teaching school every once and awhile?

Hey love you guys and hope you are good.

Carson

So that brings us to today!  I got up at 3:30 to start my weekly email watch and he started writing us around 5:15 am.   By the time he got to my letter it was about 6:30 am.

HEHEH. That sounds like alot of fun for Kaylee. but ya that sounds very interesting. That is cool that you had the missionaries over. But it most of felt like having two Carson running around. Bugging the sisters and just having a good time. How are they? But that does sound like Dad having fun and taking no prisoners. Hopeful Darren can recover. I was killing myself when i read that. Work sounds the same though people getting hit and you having to do some crazy stuff. Like STAPLE his Head back together.

Please don't talk about food, all i get is rice rice and more rice and chicken too. Im starting to get alittle concerned about future heart attacks. but i'm young hopeful i can recover in the future.

That sounds like alot of fun.

Ya this last week has been alot of fun and interesting events. My comp has some kind of illness but doesn't want to go to the hospital so we worked. but we had a few good lessons and even a few new investigators. Also Sunday we had district conference, and we weren't to excited about going, but we went but we had some bus trouble and traffic was really bad. and our determination to get there was dwindling. But the zone leaders where like, you got to come, so we went and we got there we looked in the door and sitting on the stand was... President Hicken and his wife. we where like Yikes. we went in and of course the back was full. so we had to go and sit at the front. and then president got up to speak and he had us stand up because we where the best missionaries in the mission... my face was alittle red i think.

But your first 12 weeks on mission is what we call training so the new guys is taught how to be a missionary and you get to watch the district over and over.

Are those elders using Ipad or do they still us scriptures?

Also at this conference the area seventy was there so it was extra awkward. but one of our investigator family was thereand the wife is a member and we have been trying to get the husband every since Sibanda. but his job has a very interesting schedule so we are never able to met him or teach him but he comes to church. and he said to use you know i want to talk to you guys. i want to be baptized. both me and elder o just about fell over. It was crazy but it was awesome.

Been a good week. and hope you guys are doing good.

Love you guys and hope you don't get sick

 And then...our in the moment emailing...

Hi Carson,

  We are just having scripture study right now.  Imagine you are reading Alma chapter 30 verse 41.  Dad's ready to go!  Ashlee's gonna stay home from school today...sick!  Kaylee finished her exams last week so has not shown her face yet this morning.  She's having troubles showing up for scriptures lately.  Not sure what to do about that.  So Taylor will be the one going to school today.

    How do you get heart attacks from rice and chicken?  I thought that was pretty healthy eating.  It's the greasy burgers and the chips that block the arteries!

    Sorry to hear your comp's not feeling well.  Keep an eye on him and hope he feels better soon.  Do you have to pay to go to the hospital or does the church have some kind of payment system for you?

     District conference sounded fun...just not the trip to get there.  How long did it take for you to get to where you needed to go?

     That's awesome about being the best in the mission!  Just don't let it go to your head!!!  This is the Lord's work and he's blessing you for being obedient!  So just keep working!  But I am very proud of you.

    I love that story about the investigator family man wanting to be baptized.  Good for him.  Good luck in teaching him and I hope all goes well.

Mom

oh um ok. well there isn't any of the burgers over her so i'm good then. what a relief. it is easier if we just pay for it. realistical it isn't very expensive but we don't know if his sickness is health or dental so sometime next week we will be going to the dentist.

Well i took us maybe 30-45 min. should of token half that but we had to walk alot. Yup that is very true thank you so much. Hope to hear from you soon.

So how much did it cost when you went to the hospital?   Just curious I guess.

Going to the dentist in Africa.  That should be fun.  You know how I love dentists!

Did you get your packages this week?

when we went last about 10,000 Tsh,

No not this week but i got some chips from grandma, my comp is kind of ticked right now.

What kind of chips?  Pringles?  The girls laughed when they were telling me that she just sent the original can of chips to you.  Did you have to pay anything for that?  Did you have to send some money back to Nairobi so that they will send your package to you?

ya pringles. no but there is packages in kenya that they won't send down because they want us to go up there and get them. No pres isn't responsible for packages, it is up to the AP's and the Ap's want us to get them the next time we are in Nairobi. But for some of us that chances isn't going to be for a while it seems. so it sucks but life goes on i guess.

How is it going?

That really does suck about the packages.  It doesn't seem very fair that they make you wait like that.  When do you think you'll be in Nairobi again?  I still think you should just be able to slip them some cash and they could deliver them to you.  It might take awhile too but at least there would be light at the end of that tunnel

  How is it going?  Well, Ashlee and I are sitting on the couch cuddling in front of the computer.  We are watching The Pioneer Woman's cooking show.  No I won't tell you what she's making...but I'm getting good ideas for what I want to make for supper.  The fireplace is going and it's kind of cozy.  Dad's walking a fast steady pace on the treadmill and Taylor is running around getting dressed, making her lunch and watching for the bus.  We still haven't seen any sign of life from Kaylee yet.  She had a 6 hour nap on the couch after church yesterday...so I'm sure she was up all night and now will think she gets to sleep all day.  She's going to get a surprise when I wake her up to do dishes and laundry!  

Speaking of laundry...how are you doing in the clothes department?  did you get some new pants yet?  or a new shirt?  How are the socks and shoes holding up?

Who knows... Thats what we all thought two but we didn't have ksh and they want it from us or some one else will have to bring it down for us.

Well you better go and check on her who knows she could be dead...

hahah... um... clothes ya, reminds me i got to do laundry to night, i haven't got anything yet but everything is all holding together somewhat. Socks and shoes are good. but hopeful i get to Nairobi soon i want that package.

Maybe the next time you are at the bank...you could take some of your extra tsh money and have it converted to ksh money.  That way...when you next find someone headed to Nairobi...they can take the money up there and bring you back the package. 

I want you to get that package too.  If it's the one I sent at Christmas...I had a few things in there for Elder O too. So I hope you get it soon while you two are still in a companionship.  Best things for the best missionaries!

Did you get the message/picture of Brett that I forwarded to you this morning?  Looks like he's having fun...just like you did!

ya i saw that kid he'll have alot of fun in Toronto. ya i got to figure this stuff out. Tell dad he will be surprised with what he sees on the computer today, keep it as a surprise though.

Ok...I'm not sure I know what your surprise is though.  His computer was down last week and unable to receive any incoming emails so the poor man had to go a whole two weeks without a letter from you.  That would have devastated me...but your dad is a trooper!  He's excited to go to work today and is hoping to have TWO letters from you.  

So...what's the surprise?  Can you tell us or do we have to wait too?

no i will let you see. but you can tell him. i'm doing my best to follow your advice but i was caught.

Can't wait.  (What was my advice?  I have a lot of nerdles of wisdom but can't remember which ones I've blabbed to you.)

Hey...how many people write to you each week?  How many emails did you have to return today?  Did the bishop contact you?  And the stake pres?  Dad says he never wrote either one of those guys when he was on his mission.  Did they ask you to email them updates or something?

it was the one you gave to me last time. but don't worry they had a hold of me for a min. and then i broke out and ran away. No neither wrote to me this week. Don't worry it just something i wanted to talk to them, and i was wanting some advice from them. but everything is ok

Still not figuring out what you mean.????   Are you sending me a picture?  Ashlee and I are getting excited!  

Not just tell dad not to freak out and i'm sure he will tell you all about it when he comes home. But realistically it isn't a big deal. so ya almost out of time. Talk to you next week.

Wait...what was my advice?

Well, I guess if you're gone...see ya next week!  Love you lots and have a fun...SAFE...week!  Take care. 

Love you to the moon and back

Ashlee says.."make good choices!"  She sang it when she said it too!  Love you ...  Bye!

Stay away from girls...

That is good advice.  Glad I thought of it.  Wait...you said they caught you!!!!   ?????   How am I supposed to wait till 5 pm tonight???!!?!?!??

Yes don't worry i am still keeping that principle and there was only one almost scary experience.

Dad just walked in.  His blood pressure is soaring right now!  "Didn't I just tell him about that last week?  I mention it every letter.  Did he get my letter last week?"  Hahahahah

Nothing happened. Just a few pictures where taken and then i ran for it. all i was think was ken is going to kill me, and then all i was think after that was other girls back home your done ok bye.

Thanks for every thing. Talk to you next week hopeful ken will have cooled down.

Thanks Carson.  Ashlee and I are killing ourselves laughing cause Dad is getting mad at us for not telling him what the full story is.  His imagination is running wild.  "Am I going to be mad?"  he keeps asking. 

Oh carson...good luck this week.  Keep it missionary rated!

Love you

And then....drumroll please....Carson sent us this picture of himself and we finally understood what he was talking about. Brace yourself Ken!!!

BLESSINGS OF MISSION

Oh my.  You're right.  I'm not telling Dad about this one.  He can wait to explode about this to the secretaries at work.  Hope you're ready for his lecture next week.  Prepare now.  

Ashlee says good thing you're in a different country!

Girls...get thee hence!!!

 When Ken got to work in the morning...this was the letter from Carson that was waiting for him!!!

Hey it sounds like you guys are doing

Ya the sisters told me about the your snowmobiling trip. and yes i'm very jealous. but ya this last Sunday we had district conference. and we where very late. bus broke down and the traffic was bad. and at first all the other people said we had to be there but i didn't see the point UNTIL we got there.

The area seventy (Elder Giddey) was there and Pres. and his wife where all there. Had anyone told me that before. NO. I bet you can see may face of shock. OH but the fun didn't end though. Just as we entered and sat down. Pres. got up and spoke. and he had the whole crowd stand. and then he sat them down. and the he started talking about member present lessons. and then he says, "Elder Williams and Elder Ojjogolo please stand up." all i could think of was fetch, this is what we get for being late. and then pres said, "these two are the number 1 in the whole mission, you can sit down." i can tell you my face was red. and i was freaking out. but it was cool and after that it was a good conference.

 Um ya about girls. So i think i sent you a picture. I can explain. i was walking around at the District party and all these girls came around and wanted a picture. and that was the poses that wanted. and even last week a bunch of girls where wanting to run after me. these woman 25-35 where talking to us in kiswahili and i wasn't getting what they where saying. But watoto which means children. That is about the time i started to run. But what they said was. I want only one White kid from you.

Yikes run run run and don't look back.

But other than that very interesting experience it has been a good week.

Hopeful this email will reach you guys in good spirits and hopeful kaylee keeps her head about here, and i' am pretty sure that everybody was entertained when i was running around trying so hard to get a date. hope you guys are alright. and hope work is good.

Hey love you guys.

Talk to you next week

Carson

     Well...that was an interesting week!  Can't wait to see what next week brings!


LATER THAT DAY...

     Grandma just sent me her letter from Carson...it's kind of cute!  This is just a little portion of what Grandpa Walburger wrote to Carson first...

Hi Carson, Grandpa calling' Here's hoping' you're healthy, happy, and having fun. Just for a minute think: Calgary Flames: They acquired two big tough guys as enforcers for the season: MEAN MEN, 

However as luck would have it, they happened to score a goal. In the following celebration they embraced, then KISSED!!!!!!!! It was ugly! 

Ha ha ha!!  Carson must have loved that because this was his reply....

Great that is all i wanted to hear. hockey just died alittle inside of me.

Yes i have heard of that saying and i am trying to a bind by its principle. (Grandpa told him that the harder he worked...the better looking his future wife would be!)

Yup thank you some much for that really enjoyed it.

Hope grandpa is doing good.

Thanks again hope you guys are doing good.

Also i got your packages. Thanks for the chips i really enjoyed them. However everybody was chasing me trying to steal them. so i had to run.

But thanks again

Love you guys

Talk to you soon.

Carson