June 23, 2014

     Finally a lovely conversation with Carson today!  But first, here are some of the pictures we sent him:

     Here is my lovely swimming pool...oops...I mean garden...after all the rain we had last week...

     

                    

     

    

     

                     



And then Kaylee was "taunting" Carson about our new horse training truck:

But here is his letter to me this week:

Hey how is the best mom in the world doing. That is really awesome except for all of the rain. Dad is getting better though right. President has had me reading scritputes and other stuff. D+C 100 and 31 where good and it helped me out a bit. Um ashee being banished to the basement that doesn't sound new. ya that most be a lot of fun. That is the one thing i miss though is to hear ashlee back talking and giving it to every one. Except when she turned on me and said. "Who cares about YOU, your leaving soon!!" some love. But that is what i miss. for sure i ll take your advice i'm sorry about that but now a days i'm a really trouble maker. you could ask the bevans or the mishlesons and they would look up at the sky and be like Williams eh that missionary what are we going to do with him. Even just before the bevans came Elder Michelson phoned and said that he talked to elder Bevans and said that if Williams gets out of line up there just phone and i'll be up there to take around out of him. For sure i was kindly scared until his wife said, no you would only corrupt the poor boy more than he is. We laughed.ya but lately everything is going good and loving life in Mwanza not to sure about the couples but they are good to. everything is awesome don't worry about me. Thanks again for your concern. Love you lots

It's so good to hear from you this morning.  Rough weekend at work for sure!  But reading your letter is my biggest highlight.  That's good about the pres giving you scriptures.  I'm going to go read them right after this.  I definitely DO NOT miss Ashlee's talking back!  I hope you're not a big trouble maker Carson.  I raised you to be a sweet boy and a great missionary.  Don't let me down!!!  :)  :)  :)  So glad you're having a good time but any missionary stories for me?  They are always my favorite.  Any baptisms or lessons this week?

ya next week we are having a baptism and this guy when we met him he was as drunk as a skunk. but now he doesn't have an addiction and he is a teacher so you give him these books about the gospel and he reads these suckers like nothing else, and then you ask him do you have an questions and he'll look at you and say that he understands everything and that the books are self explanitory really really crazy.

That would be pretty awesome to do that.  How is the companionship working out?  Any new foods you are trying this week?  

So....what kind of trouble have you been in with the couples?

Everything is going good this kid is crazy but funny no arguments everything is just chill. No but this week all i have eaten is Ugali and meat or Ugali and Beans all is good. No trouble but you now i kind of like to make fun of some people and i like to have fun so with the michelsons there was only two times he wanted to take me and beat me, the first time he caught me and got me very nicely but the second time he missed me by a little. so with the new couples being from Cardston area it is kindly becoming a Raymond vs Cardston battle lots of fun don't worry.

Ok you're making me a little worried that you are having to get beaten by the senior couples.  Hmmmmm.  Interesting.  

How is the traffic in Mwanza?  I know you weren't allowed to drive or ride bikes because of the volume of traffic...is it just as crazy in Mwanza as it was in Dar?

ya i wasn't fun he got me in a headlock and kindly squeezed almost poping my eyes out. in Mwanza it depends on the time and where you are at. It isn't like Dar for sure but we don't ride bikes and the people here are crazy like dar they will grab you and drag you into the bus for a ride not the funnest but it for sure is interesting.

Carson, I have to admit one thing.  You are pretty versatile to be talking to both me and Kaylee at the same time this morning.  How are you keeping the conversations straight?  

Oh, I remember what I was going to ask you?  Have you gotten any packages recently?  Did Ojjogolo ever get the package of chips and gum that we sent him?  I'm trying to plan your next package...any requests?

oh i have my ways but it is for sure interesting Nope not recently but for sure Nut rolls oh henrys and eat mores and gum are on the tops of my list.

Ok...I'll get on those right away!  I thought I might start planning some Christmas packages soon so they get to you in time.  Do you ever notice that I wrap my letters around the package but under the brown wrapping paper?  So I thought I would wrap your Christmas packages in Christmas paper first and then cover them in the brown paper.  So if you get those ones...don't open them until December!!  Good luck with that!!!

Ok i think i can handle that but make sure it isn't wrapped to much in duct tape people might start to think i'm crazy or something really appreciate thank you alots.

Oh Carson...I just love ya so much.  You are awesome!  Can't wait to hear what you think of Kaylee's next email to you.  She's laughing like an evil villain!  Must be a good one.  

Speaking of duct tape...do you need anymore of that?

oh i just got the package with a roll in it hey speaking of laughing like a evil villian hehehehe lots of fun with the duct tape this week, these other missionaries are pretty unsure about me right now.

Oh no....what did you do?

I can see it now...making origami Canadian animals from duct tape.  or a duct tape belt.  Or wait...a duct tape wallet!!!!  Did you have duct tape arts and crafts corner?

nothing.... Yet! >:}      hehehe no why would i make something if i can have more fun doing something else...

Now I need to know!   Are you making duct tape ties or duct tape pants?  Or are you being truly evil and duct taping your companion to the wall?  

hehehe wait i mean what no why would i do something that horrible to one of the lords annoited no why would i do something like that,

Ha ha!!!  You're funny!  Any big plans this week?  It's the last week of school for your sisters.  What am I going to do with these girls under my feet all summer?  

Not really this week is kindly the same but on thursday there is a rc from Dar that i want to see before he lives and on saturday we are having a baptism. so other than that we will have to see. i don't know maybe you can take them on a holiday or a cruise or something

Sounds like a great week for you.  Good luck with everything.

Take the girls on a cruise??   I think not!  I would like to get away just me and your dad!  I think we could use a break!!! I'm thinking the girls can stay home and work and clean and take care of the place while we're gone.   

and because of time we have to go soon so love you lots guys hope all is well. Talk to you next week.

K bye!!!  Love you lots.  Thanks for everything!!!  Take care!  Love you!

sawa not as sudden as last week right,

oh well love you too and tell kaylee to stay away from my truck. Love you lots

Here is a video on what ugali is and how to make it...

Ugali (pronounced oo-ga-ly) is a staple starch component of many African meals, especially in southern and east Africa. It is generally made from maize flour (or ground maize) and water, and varies in consistency from porridge to a dough-like substance. 

And here are the scriptures Carson was talking about:

D&C   Section 31

Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Thomas B. Marsh, September 1830. The occasion was immediately following a conference of the Church (see the heading to section 30). Thomas B. Marsh had been baptized earlier in the month and had been ordained an elder in the Church before this revelation was given.

1–6, Thomas B. Marsh is called to preach the gospel and is assured of his family’s well-being; 7–13, He is counseled to be patient, pray always, and follow the Comforter.

 1 Thomas, my son, blessed are you because of your faith in my work.

 2 Behold, you have had many afflictions because of your family; nevertheless, I will bless you and your family, yea, your little ones; and the day cometh that they will believe and know the truth and be one with you in my church.

 3 Lift up your heart and rejoice, for the hour of your mission is come; and your tongue shall be loosed, and you shall declare gladtidings of great joy unto this generation.

 4 You shall declare the things which have been revealed to my servant, Joseph Smith, Jun. You shall begin to preach from this time forth, yea, to reap in the field which is white already to be burned.

 5 Therefore, thrust in your sickle with all your soul, and your sins are forgiven you, and you shall be laden with sheaves upon your back, for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Wherefore, your family shall live.

 6 Behold, verily I say unto you, go from them only for a little time, and declare my word, and I will prepare a place for them.

 7 Yea, I will open the hearts of the people, and they will receive you. And I will establish a church by your hand;

 8 And you shall strengthen them and prepare them against the time when they shall be gathered.

 9 Be patient in afflictions, revile not against those that revile. Govern your house in meekness, and be steadfast.

 10 Behold, I say unto you that you shall be a physician unto the church, but not unto the world, for they will not receive you.

 11 Go your way whithersoever I will, and it shall be given you by the Comforter what you shall do and whither you shall go.

 12 Pray always, lest you enter into temptation and lose yourreward.

 13 Be faithful unto the end, and lo, I am with you. These words are not of man nor of men, but of me, even Jesus Christ, your Redeemer, by the will of the Father. Amen.

D&C 100 Section 100

Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Sidney Rigdon, at Perrysburg, New York, October 12, 1833. The two brethren, having been absent from their families for several days, felt some concern about them.

1–4, Joseph and Sidney to preach the gospel for the salvation of souls; 5–8, It will be given them in the very hour what they should say; 9–12, Sidney is to be a spokesman and Joseph is to be a revelator and mighty in testimony; 13–17, The Lord will raise up a pure people, and the obedient will be saved.

 1 Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you, my friends Sidney and Joseph, your families are well; they are in mine hands, and I will do with them as seemeth me good; for in me there is all power.

 2 Therefore, follow me, and listen to the counsel which I shall give unto you.

 3 Behold, and lo, I have much people in this place, in the regions round about; and an effectual door shall be opened in the regions round about in this eastern land.

 4 Therefore, I, the Lord, have suffered you to come unto this place; for thus it was expedient in me for the salvation of souls.

 5 Therefore, verily I say unto you, lift up your voices unto this people; speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts, and you shall not be confounded before men;

 6 For it shall be given you in the very hour, yea, in the very moment, what ye shall say.

 7 But a commandment I give unto you, that ye shall declare whatsoever thing ye declare in my name, in solemnity of heart, in the spirit of meekness, in all things.

 8 And I give unto you this promise, that inasmuch as ye do this the Holy Ghost shall be shed forth in bearing record unto all things whatsoever ye shall say.

 9 And it is expedient in me that you, my servant Sidney, should be a spokesman unto this people; yea, verily, I will ordain you unto this calling, even to be a spokesman unto my servant Joseph.

 10 And I will give unto him power to be mighty in testimony.

 11 And I will give unto thee power to be mighty in expounding all scriptures, that thou mayest be a spokesman unto him, and he shall be a revelator unto thee, that thou mayest know the certainty of all things pertaining to the things of my kingdom on the earth.

 12 Therefore, continue your journey and let your hearts rejoice; for behold, and lo, I am with you even unto the end.

 13 And now I give unto you a word concerning Zion. Zion shall beredeemed, although she is chastened for a little season.

 14 Thy brethren, my servants Orson Hyde and John Gould, are in my hands; and inasmuch as they keep my commandments they shall be saved.

 15 Therefore, let your hearts be comforted; for all things shall work together for good to them that walk uprightly, and to the sanctification of the church.

 16 For I will raise up unto myself a pure people, that will serve me in righteousness;

 17 And all that call upon the name of the Lord, and keep his commandments, shall be saved. Even so. Amen.