more from Elder Lott...

3-20-16

So I bet you are all wondering why I titled this email best man.  So tomorrow we are having a wedding for our investigators and they want me and my companion to be the best men.  I thought it was pretty cool that they wanted us to do that.  So tomorrow we will have their wedding and then they will be baptized after their wedding.  So it is going to be a pretty awesome day tomorrow!!  We also have meeting tomorrow, sort of a zone meeting but I think our mission president and his wife are going to teach us about easter and stuff.  On thursday morning we went to our investigators house for their interviews.  We had some lunch before we interviewed them.  We cut open some fresh coconuts to drink.  I tried to climb a coconut tree and I couldn't do it haha!!  I was also in my missionary clothes so that made it a lot harder.  I would be down to try it again in clothes I wouldn't care that got ripped or dirty.  So we bought some slingshots last week that were 35 pesos so while our district leader was interviewing them we just shot the slingshots the whole time. It took awhile though, but they passed though.  After that we went straight to a birthday party for one of our investigators kids.  He was turning 1.  He is a cute kid.  We showed up and they weren't even ready yet so we just chilled at there house for awhile while they were preparing and then we shared with them.  Sometime this week we were riding tricy.  I was standing on the back and we stopped to get up on the highway.  It couldn't make it up the little hill I hopped off to help push.  Then when I stepped up to get back on a heard a huge tear!!  I ripped a whole in my pants that is so big haha.  As soon as I heard it I was like oh man!!!   Then on saturday we were out working and I was just standing there eating my ice cream thing and the strap to my bag ripped.  I guess it is just the week for everything to break haha.  It wasn't to hard to fix though.  It is starting to get super hot here though.  Yesterday I wanted to die!  It was a brown out from 8 am until like 4:30.  So we didn't have power while we were at church.  Priesthood was miserable haha since that was our last class and it was just so hot!  This morning we were supposed to go on a zone activity, but it didn't happen so we just ended up playing some games and stuff at the church.  Transfer week is next-next wednseday so it is getting closer and closer!  I don't think I will transfer, but we will see what happens.  We get the transfer list next monday so we will know then.  Well I love you guys and have a great week.

Love Elder Lott

3-27-16

Well there was a problem with pics today so that is why it is so big.  Any ways this week is transfer week!  We just got the transfer list this morning and my companion will be transferring also another elder in our apartment is transferring.  There is a pretty big chance that my next companion will be my last companion.  This past tuesday we had a special training from our mission president.  It was really cool.  He taught us about the last week of Christ's life and the stuff that he did during the last week.  It was really cool to be able to just listen and learn more about easter and the mission of our savior.  So last week I said I was super excited for the wedding and baptism on tuesday.  Well monday night we found out some bad news that the husband broke the word of wisdom on sunday night.  It was pretty sad to hear that because they were only 2 days away from something that would have changed their lives forever.  Also the hard part is, is that they just moved to the other missionaries area.  So we can't go there frequently now, unless if we get permission from the district leader.  So technically now they are the other elders investigators.  It was really sad to hear about that, we did our best to prepare them so what can you do.  They announced their wedding and baptism last sunday in church and yesterday they didn't come to church.  I am guessing that they are really embarrassed that it didn't happen.  I just hope that they don't fall away and I also hope that the other elders will continue to teach them.  On wednseday I went on splits with elder rotamula my old companion.  This past thursday we had a sister rm work with us.  She went on her mission where my companion lives so he knew her when she was on her mission and he just happened to be assigned in the stake that she is from so she worked with us.  On friday I went on splits with my zone leader Elder Haacke.  He is from Idaho falls and me and him are really good friends so that was a good day.  My companion worked in their area and he said he barely got any sleep cause it was hot and he missed the a/c.  Well I guess he better adapt fast because he is transferring haha.  On sunday in church they didn't really talk about the resurrection.  I was hoping that all their topics would be centered on that, but they didn't talk much about the atonement and stuff like that.  Me and my companion shared about it though in the lessons that we had yesterday.  I am just grateful for the atonement and resurrection.  I am glad that I have the chance to repent of my sins and try to become a better person everyday.  I am grateful for the resurrection and that the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ and that I have the opportunity to live with my family forever.  I just want to wish you guys a Happy Easter!  I love you guys so much and I hope that you have a great week!!

Love Elder Lott

Sorry I don't have any pics this week.  The computers at the net shop weren't letting me upload them.

So cort got his mission call this past week.  I don't know if you guys went to see him open it.  He is going to Arequipa Peru.  He also leaves on june 21st!!!!!!!!  I was really happy for him, but a little sad cause if it was like one week later we would be able to see each other since my release date is the 22nd of june.  I am pretty excited to see who my new companion will be.  He will most likely be my last companion too.  I can't believe that march is already over.  The days are just flyin by.  I love you so much.  It is going to be fun to do some stuff with you guys when I get home.  I love you and I hope you have a great week

Love Elder Lott

4-3-16




So this past week was transfer week on wednseday.  Tuesday was elder sorrondas last day in paddad so we went around to a lot members and he said his goodbye's and stuff.  So my new companions name is elder causing.  He is from the bottom island of the philippines.  This is second area so he is still  pretty new.  He is actually the batch of elder sorronda so he has been in the mission for like 6 months.  Elder sorronda was really good at english and I think that is what he wanted to speak when he was with us, but my companion now knows like no english.  If I say only a little in english he is like huh haha.  Well good thing I can speak tagalog.  So I am back to doing what I have been doing like my whole mission, leading the area haha.  Its not to bad though.   The savillo family is really progressing.  We went and taught them yesterday.  The lesson went pretty good the only problem was that the little kids were being a little loud.  It will be really cool.  I am hoping that they will be able to be baptized this cycle.  They are so nice.  On saturday a kid in our ward got baptized so all 4 of us went to his baptism.  So I haven't watched conference yet.  We will be watching it this weekend.  This will be my last conference in the mission whooo! Next time I will be able to watch it on the couch and be able to go out to eat haha.  Other than that it wasn't a super busy week just got a new companion.  There is a very high chance to that he could be my last companion, which I would be fine with me.  At least so far.  Sorry again this weeks I can't send pics.  My card is all messed up and stuff.  So I couldn't figure out how to send them.  I don't know what it was, but I will try hard next week to send some pics.  Love you guys have a great week

Love Elder Lott

4-10-16


This week was a good one. As usual we had our district meeting on tuesday. It was a good meeting but I cant remember what we talked about haha. On thursday we had a service project at a members house. We were helping them set up for a wedding. The funny thing is that they announced it in priesthood on sunday for like a quorum service project and like the only one that came was the elders quorum president. Some showed up late and they were just in time for the food. I guess that is one way to do it haha. We didnt do much though. We cut some bamboo poles down with some machetes and stuff so they could hang tarps and stuff on them for shade. I dont know it is pretty fun though hacking away with a machete!! We didnt even do it that long, but I got a blood blister on my hand. My hands are so soft now it is crazy. Dont really get callis's teaching the gospel haha, maybe a paper cut haha. On saturday me and elder sorrondas recent convert, brother vince got married. We went to the first two sessions and then went back to their place for lunch. Then we went back for the last session. Wow there was some really good talks this conference. I had a hard time staying awake sometimes though haha. I realized that they talked a lot about families and stuff.  I really enjoyed that. I couldnt relate it all to my life right now though since I dont have my own family yet. Who knows maybe in a couple years it will apply to me. I am not sure what my favorite talk was. Elder holland is up there though, top 2. I definately wasnt asleep when he was speaking. He had a great talk!! It is really hot here now!! We were walking to the csp (service project) and me and elder oredsons comps were using umbrellas and there isnt a cloud in sight haha. It is just something they do here in the philippines. It is pretty fun messing with them though. Hopefully I get can get a good tan though haha. As for our investigators we are just trying to fix some things and get them to attend church. The savillo family is progressing good and they are so awesome! This was a good week! Hopefully we can repeat it cause I dont have very many left!! I love you guys and I hope you have a great week

Love Elder Lott

4-17-16

Well after a couple week you finally get some pictures!  It is not the way I would choose to send them, but my sd card is being really dumb so I will send them any way that works.  The weeks are just flying by!  I am actually down to single digits this week!  It is starting to get really hot here.  I think that it was on average mid 90's all last week with humidity.  I think one day they calculated it and it was like 111 degrees one day!  So I just pretty much want to die!  Even back home at the hottest time I don't remember just walking and getting soaked in sweat.  Well here just walking and it is like you poured a bucket of water on my back!!  It is a pretty miserable heat!  It is always nice to come back to the apartment and crank on the a/c, my favortie time of the day haha!!  Can't wait for utah weather though!  This past week we had our zone meeting.  Then yesterday we went on splits.  I worked with elder oredson the american.  It was pretty cool.  I asked him how my tagalog was and he said that he didn't understand some of the stuff that I was saying, which made me feel good.  He is doing better at the language though than I was at that point.  Work wise it is going good.  The savillo family is progressing really good.  We gave them a baptismal date fore may 14th.  I am pretty sure that may 11th is the transfer day.  I am not 100% sure it will happen on that day, but hopefully I don't get transferred.  This cycle is already half done so there is only three more weeks to go.  I hope that I won't get transferred this next cycle.  I am hoping that this will be my last area.  Also it would really stink to have to pack and then pack again in six weeks!  Yesterday we had dinner at our bishops and he had some pineapple.  It was so good.  I am pretty excited to be able to get a nice big pineapple for like 40 pesos.  I remember I would buy like 2 a week last year when they were in season!  Also mango season is almost here and I am going to eat a ton of them since the next time I will want fresh mangos I will have to buy them at the grocery store.  Thats pretty much a summary of my week, and there is not many of them left!:)  Well I love you guys. Have a great week

Shout out to my bro Adam!:)  Happy birthday bro!  I love you man, can't wait to beat in some madden haha!!

Love Elder Lott

4-24-16

Another week in the books.  Tomorrow we have our zone conference.  We have them like ever 3 months so this is probably my last one.  Also the last one for our mission president and his wife.  They go home like a week after me or something.  So we got all of our investigators problems fixed.  We had to ask what we should do because of their situations, but its all good.  They just have to come to church now and follow the word of wisdom.  It is just coffee, but they are doing good.  They are so awesome!!  We also have a 17 year old investigator.  She is progressing and wants to be baptized.  The only problem is we have to get permission from her parents cause she is still a minor.  Anyways her parents are iglesia ni christo.  So it will be really hard to get them to approve it.  At least that is my guess.  We haven't talked to them yet, but they found out she was coming to our church and they got mad at her.  So I am not sure what will happen there.  It is so hot here.  I know I say this every week, but I can't wait for utah weather!!  Other than that not a whole lot happened this week.  It is just getting closer and closer to transfer day!  Well I love you guys have a great week

Love Elder Lott  

We love you Alex!!!!   See you soon!!!

Lotts more memories made...

Happy 18th B-day Ryan !!!!!

The pinewood derby was the night of Ryan's 18th bday.  This made for a fun evening for us and brought back fun memories of derbys of years ago.  Below is a picture of Ryan at one of his derbys and he was roughly the age that Adam is now.

Adam was so excited to build his car.  He took 4th place.  We were thrilled that he did much better than last year.  He had been so disappointed last year that he didn't win any races.

Ryan

We love you sooo much Ryan.  This would have been an exciting time in your life.  You would be graduating from high school shortly and waiting for your mission call.  But you had more important things to do and are where our Father in Heaven needs you.  We miss you more than words can describe.  We patiently wait to be reunited with you again some day and in the meantime try and live our lives to be worthy to be with you again some day.  I am so thankful for the love of my Savior and that he continues to carry us and comfort us in our times of need.  Ryan, you are doing amazing and important things beyond the veil and someday I can't wait to learn about them.  I am so blessed to have had you in my home for 14 wonderful years.  And even more so, I am so blessed to have the opportunity to have you with me someday forever.  It's a hard journey at times, but is well worth the sacrifices.  I love you my son.  Happy birthday as you celebrate in heaven.

Ethan is so silly.  He was pretending to read this letter from Alex with his reading glasses.  He also told me he was being a dad with his baby by him.  He's so sweet.  Anyways,  I bought the glasses a few months ago from the Dollar Store because he was saying he couldn't see very well.  Finally after wearing them for a few hours he caved and told me they hurt his eyes and he could see fine without them.  He had just thought it was cool to wear glasses.  Once in awhile he still puts them on for fun.  He looks so cute in them.  I have tried them on.  They age me about 40 years.  I will pass until I really need them.

 Spring is here and the yard work begins.  Fun times.  We will make sure to save all the extra hard work for when Alex is back.  JK  Even though really we are not joking.  JK

Great weather for another cookout

 We enjoy attending the rodeo at the Golden Spike arena in Ogden.  I pulled out this hat I have had for years and Mike convinced me to wear it.  The boys wore their hats as well.  We had a nice evening, especially eating the yummy consessions.  At one point the boys went down in the arena with about 100 other kids for a chicken run to see who could catch a few loose chickens the fastest for a prize.  Ethan was disappointed he didn't win, eventhough the odds weren't in his favor due to there only being about 5 chickens let go and a 100 kids chasing them.  It was fun to watch though.

We enjoyed helping at the annual Hooper City Easter Egg Hunt.  Jaime was the bunny again this year.

 March 26, 2016

We got the family season passes to Lagoon this year for Christmas.  The kids were all so excited to go.  Ethan hasn't been since he was almost two.  He was so excited to ride the white roller coaster.  Let's just say it didn't go well.  It started going and he got a look of terror on his face.  He was so scared no tears were able to come.  It broke my heart.  I guess we need to work him into the big rides.  So I hit the kiddie land with him and Mike went on all the big rides with Jaime and Adam.  By the end of the day Ethan had gone on a few minor roller coasters and was being more brave.  But I think it will still be a while before we attempt any of the big ones again.

 3-16-16

Silly Adam really wanted the Tooth Fairy to come so he tied a piece of floss to our end table to try and pull his tooth out.  He didn't succeed.  But gave it a valiant effort.  I have even caught him trying to pry it out with pliers or a butter knife.   Of course I had to strongly discourage both of these ideas.

 March 25, 2016

Fun at Kangaroo Zoo with cousins

 March 30, 2016

Spring Break in LA

The weather wasn't the greatest but it didn't stop the boys from hitting the waves.  They had so much fun.  Mike even was brave and got in.  I happily watched from the dry sand wrapped up in blankets.

Adam and Ethan had fun building sand castles.  They boys would then try and stop the waves from knocking over the sand mounds.  It was actually pretty funny to watch them try and block the waves in various ways.  Ethan even tried blowing it away.  Logically they should have just started building them a few feet further away from the water, but I think it became a quest for them to beat the waves.  Of course they didn't have much success, but they had fun trying as they worked together.

 Jaime didn't brave the water like her brothers did.  She did get creative and make this hand print out of shells she had collected.

Newport Beach Temple

 Fun at the pool.  The pool was much warmer than the ocean so Jaime joined in the fun.  I enjoyed the hot tub.

Spring is here and you know what that means.....

 time to catch frogs in the yard.

April 12, 2016

We love you Ryan.  You are always in our hearts.

Happy 10th B-day Adam !!!

Hey you are now the same age as me!!!

Lotts and lotts of catching up to do... oops!!

December 2015

Seeing the Lights at Temple Square.  We literally had to walk a mile from where we ended up parking, but it was well worth it.

Dec 16, 2015

Jaime's choir concert

The tradition of building a fort and sleeping in it on Christmas Eve continues.

Christmas morning 2015

The highlight of Christmas was talking with Alex !!!

Happy Birthday Mike!!!

December 27, 2015

12-29-15

Adam's ski trip with Dad.  He's a natural, just like his mom.  JK  But his is a natural and he had a blast.

December 31, 2015

We went to see the lights in downtown Ogden.  We have lived down here for almost 15 years and had no clue about these lights.  It was pretty fun and we now plan to go back every year.  And guess what, there weren't very many people considering we waited until there was only 4 hours left in the year.  I am sure the crowds were also sparse considering it was a balmy 10 degrees out. 

The happy girl before and after braces.

January 6, 2016

Jaime was sure to rub it in to Alex in an email that she got her braces off before she turned 15 and he didn't even get his braces put on until he was 16.  He still had baby teeth that ended up being pulled so he could get his braces on.  And he got his braces off the week before he turned 18.  Poor guy!!!

Jaime takes after her mom and isn't a huge fan at skiing.  She was brave and did try it out once this year with her Dad.  But she sure does look cute at least!!!

January 15, 2016

Ethan went skiing for the first time this year.  He was so excited.  I have to admit I was very nervous about this.  Luckily my prayers were answered and he had a blast and was a very quick learner.  Sadly on his first time he was already more brave than I am. 

Crazy long story... but I thank my Heavenly Father for keeping us safe.  This could have ended in a disaster because we lost our power steering and then lost our brakes as we were coming down Trappers Loop up Ogden Canyon after skiing.  But we were protected and all was well.  And I know little miracles came from above to make this happen.

Jaime at the auto show.

 

Boy am I glad she still can't drive for a year.  And she wasn't too surprised when I told her I wasn't going to get this for her 16th birthday.

The last week of January we followed Mike to California while he worked and we played.  Thanks for letting us tag along again!!!

To pass the time on the trip Ethan composed this.  It was actually quite funny.  I was very proud of his imagination and his spelling and I am especially glad it's not true.    "Ethan James Lott.  He suffered for his family in a avalanche and a bear ate Ethan after the avalanche." 

Adam rescued a little frog from the pool.  The weather wasn't great but the kids still did have fun swimming.  One day I was wrapped up in a blanket with gloves and was still freezing so after two hours of swimming I made them call it quits so I could thaw out inside in our room.  Apparently it was warmer in the pool and they could have swam for hours longer. 

Thank goodness their teachers sent some school work that they could do when they were getting to rowdy in the hotel and I needed to get them to start listening again.

Goo  What is it good for??   Need I say more???

Like my new reading glasses???  JK

Adam enjoyed playing basketball this season.  He has improved so much from last year.  I am especially proud of his sportsmanship.  Sadly his team lost all their games.   They did their best and still had so much fun and didn't complain, even though I am sure it was discouraging.

At the dentist in style.  And even better, no cavities with all three kids.  Yeah!!!!

Another ski trip

Here is proof that I actually went skiing.  The boys can't get enough.  To be honest I am done after about two hours on the bunny slope, but I did go strong all day with them.    I am glad Mike has some boys that like to ski as much as he does.  Maybe Jaime and I will just keep to our strengths- shopping.  Hee Hee

Happy 20th bday Alex.  We love and miss u sooo much.  See u soon !!!

 2-10-16

2-11-16

Adam had to get two teeth pulled and one lasered.  Apparently three of my five kids have teeth that won't drop from the roof of their mouths and have to have the gum lasered off of the teeth so that they will come in properly.  Poor Jaime had to get it done twice before her's came in correctly.  Thanks Mike for passing this crazy gene onto our children.  (Jk  We have no idea why this happens.  I just tease Mike that it's his fault.  Because of course it's not mine.)

2-12-16

We love you Ryan!!!

Prove Temple Dedication

 2-15-16

2-17-16

 Mike surprised me with a 21st wedding anniversary trip to Oklahoma.  Mike, I love you sooooo much !!!

 Check out the car he rented for us.  Jk.  It was just in the parking lot and I wanted to trick the kids back home.

I was so excited to mark another state off my list.  Now I only have 9 to go.  Too bad they are scattered all across the US and aren't close together.  Road trip here we come!!!

Feb 28, 2016

 Jaime received her YW recognition award.  We are very proud of her.  What a beautiful daughter she is, inside and out.  She was so sweet and wanted to finish it before my birthday as a present for me.  We love you Jaime and are sooo proud of you. 

Mike took Jaime driving one evening in the church parking lot.  He took this picture and then remembered he took one of Ryan doing the same thing at about the same age she was.   Sure enough, he was right.   These memories are sweet for us.  Ry, you will always be apart of our lives.

 Mike let me know it's a good thing she has awhile before she turns 16.  She was pretty nervous and he had a hard time getting her to go faster than 5 miles per hour.  And I guess it was a good thing she didn't go fast because at one point her told her to stop and without even pushing on the brake to slow down, she pulled on the emergency park brake and they came to an abrupt stop.  She now knows what it's used for and hopefully that won't happen again.  Good luck Mike, I turn this job of drivers training over to you completely.

2-29-16

 Happy 10th birthday to me.  I celebrated at Chuck-E-Cheese with my nephew who shares my birthday and was 1.

 The birthday kids.   Happy 10th and 1st b-day!!!

March 5, 2016

 A BBQ in the pasture after a days yard work.

I guess white men can jump!!!

 Playing b-ball with the boys at the church while I made copies for Relief Society.

March 12, 2016

 decorating Easter eggs

We love you Ryan!!!

Sooo many wonderful memories to cherish for a lifetime !!!  We are so blessed!!!  And the memories keep coming !!