Letter from E. Simonson

We got an awesome letter from Jake yesterday...but it is a little too long and a little too personal to share all of it with you. I will share some, and post a few of the pictures that he sent. He sent his whole card home with about 174 pictures and a dozen or so videos...and as you can guess, most of them are beautiful buildings and grand architecture! We don't know a lot about all the pictures, but here are a few I thought I would share. This first one was actually taken in the MTC, but who would have known that they would be companions soon after in Charleroi, Belgium?

This is Elder Schmutz and Elder Simonson.

In his letter he writes this: "So a little more about my week and being companions with E. Schmutz. We are learning lots...this week we realized we needed a lot of help from Heavenly Father. Throughout the whole week when we had questions or didn't know what to do...we would ask each other and when neither of us had answers we would ask the Lord. It was really good, we really searched the will of the Lord."

This is of one of Jake's favorite people, Elder Von Allmen

Jake told us about him..."Elder Von Allmen is so awesome, he is from Switzerland and he has always been near me. In Brussels he was my Zone Leader and then when I moved down here he became my ZL here. He is so good and he speaks perfect English, French and German. The first time in Brussels when I met him I didn't believe him when he said he was Swiss...he sounds just like an American!"

These next two pictures were some of the
investigators they had in Brussels.

Jacob's first companion and trainer, Elder Musters from Canada, and their first apartment in Brussels.

This was Jake's first day in Belgium, a couple of pictures that he took with the Pres. as he took the new missionaries around to a few places.

The Longest Week!

Last week the time just seemed to get away from me...one day melted into another, and boom it was gone.  Danny and Trisha leaving Monday morning for home and then Tess and Jake were here a couple more days...taking them to Salt Lake on Wednesday for their flight.  I was able to see Jaron and Heather and all the kids for a little bit, Brent and I got to eat out and do quite a bit that week, but it just seemed to FLY!  This week however, has been the LONGEST week ever!  Everyday it seemed like it should be Friday already, even when it was only Tuesday! Today, I got out of bed and thought, "What day is this?"  FRIDAY, finally...just two more days through the weekend and this week will finally be over...WOW, it has seemed long!  I can't wait for Monday, when we can get another email from Jacob, last week stunk...and Brent is looking forward to Saturday when he can go riding again.  I just can't believe it's only been one week...seems like three!

Oh, and P.S...just want to thank Jake (Larsen) for putting Picasa on my computer!  I have had some time to work with it and play with it...and it truly is amazing!  I have put all my pictures on it and really love it!  Thanks Jake!

Happy New Year!!

Today, Jacob performed his first baptism in the mission field. He baptized Dylan, and the Mission Leader Patrick baptized Esther. They have been working with them for a while, and Jake has written home every week about how wonderful they are and how well they were doing. I am so happy that he was able to see it through and baptize them. Once again, thanks to Patrick, we were able to see pictures right away!

Elder Dewez, Dylan, Elder Simonson

Elder Reynolds, Dylan, Esther, Patrick Natus, and Jacob

Christmas came late...

We had Christmas a little late this year. On Sunday after Christmas, all our kids, except Jacob of course, were able to finally make it home. We all waited to open presents until everyone could be here. It was just like Christmas, we didn't know the difference, the kids had already had one, but it felt like a second one for them! Brent got a new bench grinder, a Blue Ray Video Player, a Blue Ray Movie, some Cracker Barrel Pancake mix and Syrup and a new pair of Skull Candy headphones from the kids. I got an awesome pair of driving gloves, a cute "Family" magnetic board, a classic Scrabble game and a Cricut Personal Electronic Cutter! All of the kids spoiled us rotten...a special thanks to them, we had a very nice Christmas! Brent also got a new 42" LCD TV and I got a new video camera for Christmas, so unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of our Christmas, only videos, but I will share a few of them with you.


Jaron and Heather

Clinton and Katie

Tess and Jake

Trisha and Danny