April showers brings May flowers

3-23-15

Wow the days are just flying by!  This week went by pretty quick.  This morning we just went to the gym because it was raining so we didn't get to play basketball...dang!  Maybe we should just have p day tomorrow!  This week wasn't to busy I was sick for a couple of days so we didn't do a whole lot because I felt like bad!  We have started to reteach our recent convert though.  She is a nice lady.  All our other investigators are slacking a little.  Like we are teaching them and they want us to keep teaching them but they won't come to church.  It is just a bummer. Our area is pretty big now so we have to have like 1 day a week in each part of our area.  This past saturday and sunday we had stake conference. President Rahlf and Sister Rahlf spoke at the one on sunday.  It was pretty good.  I did set up a hammock in our apartment.  I bought it like 2 months ago and I haven't even been able to set it up yet, but I just did a couple of days ago and it is pretty cool.  It denver colors, oh ya.  You may think that those fries and chicken nuggets look good, but that is not entirely true.  The fries are amazing but the chicken nuggets are a different story.  I looked at the ingredients and the number 1 ingredient is chicken lean and fat!!  It ain't even real chicken!  I guess that is what you get for buying a 38 peso bag of chicken nuggets!!  Well have a great week.  Hopefully my next email will be more interesting!  Love ya

Love Elder Lott

 

 (I just realized this is his bed.  I wonder if they even have a kitchen table??)

 

 

 

 

       (Boy he's looking skinny, but still great.)

 

 

 

 

3-30-15

Hey everyone.  Well that week went by fast.  This past week I went on splits with an elder in my district.  It went alright.  It has been raining a lot this past week.  It is nice.  I am just glad it wasn't raining this morning, so we could play ball.  We have just been teaching the investigators that we have now and like reteaching and stuff.  So conference is for you guys this weekend.  It is the week after for us.  This past week I have had like no money.  I was out of support.  I have been living off of pancit  for like the whole week.  I am happy that my support came.  Sorry my companion wants to leave.  So hopefully I will finish later or maybe I could finish tomorrow.  I love you guys

Love Elder Lott

Sorry I don't have any pictures this week.  I need to take some pictures of my new apartment and send them to you.

 

 

	4-6-15

Hey mom.  I bet you are wondering if I am ok because of that typhoon.  I am fine.  It was really weak.  It only rained a little bit during church.  That is it.  We didn't get anything.  I wish that it would have rained because then it would make it not so hot.  That is cool that you guys got to go to the redwood forest.  Those trees are big.   I wish I could have been home for that easter egg hunt.  I really wanted to eat some of that candy.  I really enjoyed that.  We haven't watched conference yet.  It is this next weekend.  So it will be past easter for us.  So how many missionaries are out in our ward right now?  I just hit my 9 month mark a couple of days ago.  That is crazy that taylor is coming home already.  When I came out she was just nine months in.  That went fast before you know it I will be home.  Have a great week love you mom

Love Elder Lott

Hey everyone.  You all are probably wondering how I am doing since you saw the weather.  I am fine.  It wasn't even that bad.  It only rained a little bit during church and that was it.  I was hoping that there would have been more rain and wind because then it wouldn't be so hot!  I included some pictures of my new apartment.  I really don't like it.  It is all on the second floor so it gets really hot.  There is not much in it and our bathroom is disgusting.  It  stinks.  I also have to shower using a bucket.  Our shower head doesn't work!  It takes about 30 minutes to fill up a 2 liter bottle with water because our water pressure is really low...I could keep going haha.  The work is going really good.  Nothing super interesting happened this week.  I am just trying to get better at tagalog and stuff.  I feel like I am doing better, but when I talk to people I feel like I am not!  I just hope I know it before I come home...haha just kidding.  So with conference.  I know that you all watched it this past weekend.  For us it is this upcoming weekend.  I wish that I could have went to the priesthood session though with dad. About that pizzookie...do you think you could send one in a package to me, that looked  good.  Seriously!!  Well I love you guys.  Have a great week

Love Elder Lott

pics of my new apartment

nothin special.  Its like living in a cement box

Gross !!!

 This is where he sleeps.  The poor guy doesn't even have a real bed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

4-13-15

Hey mom.  The answer to those questions that you asked me.  I have no idea watch is on our toilet, but when I use it it stinks.  It is really gross.  As for the rats I haven't caught another rat.  I haven't noticed any.  Any big ones at least.   I have seen some small ones but that was in my last apartment.  I haven't seen anything in the apartment that I am in now.  Dang dogs.  I miss them.  All the dogs here are imbreds and they are all gross.  So we watched conference this past weekend.  One of my favorite talks was the one by Jeffrey R. Holland in the sunday afternoon session.  I realized that they talked a lot about families and marriage and stuff.  An answer to your question in the letter you sent me.  Have I thought about the future?  I think about it a lot.  I have thought about school, work, and getting married.  I know I have a year left out here, but before I know it I will be home.  So yes I think about it a lot.  Cool you and jaime are doing riding lessons.  Keep up the good work.  You will get comfortable with it.  Have a great week mom    love ya

Love Elder Lott

 

Hey family.  I just want to say happy birthday adam.  I am glad that you got my card.  I love you man.  Can't wait to play some football and madden with you guys.  As for this week...well It hasn't been that good for me.  On wednseday we went on splits with our zone leaders.  I have some bad news and some funny news.  So I guess I will give you the bad news first.  So our recent convert that has the monkey...well now they don't have the monkey.  Darn it was pretty cool.  Later that night we oymed (open your mouth) a lady.  We were talking to her and gave her an articles of faith paper.  We were talking and the lady was like alam ko lahat.  Which means like I know everything.  It was just pretty funny.  I wanted to laugh.  The rest of the week went downhill.  I have been sick since thursday!!  So not much happened this week since I was sick.  We did go to general conference though.  Someone must have downloaded conference or something because we just had it in our chapel so the members didn't have to go to santiago.  In the saturday afternoon session there was only 5 people in that session...including me and my companion.  The bishop also.  Great showing...haha.  One of the talks that I liked was by Jeffrey R Holland and how all of us need the savior to be able to return to heavenly father.  I also like the talk by Renlund??  I can't remember his whole name.  I realized throughout this conference that they talked a lot about families and marriage.  I am so grateful for eternal families.  I love you all     have a great week.  I guess right now it is the 12th there right now.  Have a good 12th.  Miss you ryan

Love Elder Lott 

Happy Spring Break

 

Mike worked in northern California over the kid's spring break.  We tagged alone and enjoyed a week of sleeping in and relaxing.  Mike still doesn't consider weeks like this a vacation.  But he did get to do a few fun things with the fam while he wasn't working. Thanks for being a great sport and bringing us along.

 

(redwood forest)

relaxing in the room

 

 

 

 

We made a quick trip to the beach.  It was freezing.  The boys still had a blast and didn't let it stop them.

There was a bowling alley behind our hotel.  We went and had dinner there one night and bowled as a family.

 

 

 

Our little dolphins

 

 

The beautiful Oakland, California Temple

 

 

 

 

worn out from all the swimming

Silly boys.  My aunt gave Jaime these hats.

 

We enjoyed a yummy pazookie (a pizza sized fresh warm cookie topped with ice cream) after dinner.  We were stuffed and weren't able to finish it.  A few extra mouths would have come in handy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Easter Every Bunny 

 

 

 

Jaime helping fill and sort 10.000 eggs for the Hooper Easter Egg hunt (we had other helpers as well).

 

 

 

Ethan and the Easter Bunny, aka Jaime.

 We love you Ryan !!!

 

 April 12, 2015

we rode our bikes to the cemetery to visit Ryan

 

 

 

 

We ate cookies and listened to church music with Ryan.  It was a beautiful Sunday day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I sent Ethan to his room to be in time out for not listening.  He was mad and apparently hid under his bed.  When Jaime went to get him a few minutes later for dinner this is where she found him.  Poor tired guy.

 

 

 

We went to Get Aire in Kaysville.  The kids had a blast.

 

 

Ethan needs a shave.  We let him sleep with it on, but I wouldn't let him to wear it to school.  Yes, I am a party pooper.

Happy 9th Birthday Adam

 4-13-15

Alex and Ryan would both have been proud of him in his new cowboy hat.

 Our little cowboy in training

   

We celebrated Adam's birthday at Chuck E Cheese.

 

 

 

 

"Pure religion is more than a declaration of belief; it is a demonstration of belief.  As we seek to become even as He is, with a sincere desire to bless our fellow travelers, we will be provided opportunities to forget self and lift others.  These opportunities may often be inconvenient, testing our true desire to become more like the Master, whose greatest service of all, His infinite Atonement, was anything but convenient.  When you are in the service of you fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."

 

   Pure Religion  

  April 2015 Ensign

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

oh bats...

  

March 9, 2015

So this week is transfer week.  Wow that cycle flew by really fast.  Are apartment is shutting down

for sure, but I have to pack...again!!  I just packed and now I have to did it again!  This week was just a really interesting week.  On monday we found out that Elder thayn was going to manila on friday to do some finger printing.  He wasn't the only one, there was a ton of missionaries that had to go get it done.  Then on Wednesday I went on splits with Elder Sefita who is going to be my companion.  It is pretty cool I will have 2 american companions right in a row.  Most likely, it is not guaranteed that I will be his companion, but we got the transfer list today and elder thayn will be transferring.  Then on thursday we went to the zl's at like 5 because elder thayn had to go to cauayan the next morning.  So on friday I was in a threesome with the zl's.  I liked it.  At one point in the day me and elder young played a pick up game.  Someone videoed it, I just wish that I could send videos.  Then on saturday morning we went to diffun and I baptized the sisters investigator there because he asked me to do it.  Man that picture is priceless.  When I went to the zl's on thursday night I didn't think to bring my baptismal clothes because I thought that we would just go back to our apartment and get them and then go the baptism in diffun.  I didn't realize though until saturday morning that if we did that we would go to cabarroguis to get my clothes, go back to diffun for the baptism, and then go back to cabarroguis for the next baptism.  So we ended up not going to get my clothes.  So I had to use the ones that they had at the church.  They are the ones they have at the temple, kind of, but they were all to small for me.  That was the biggest one that they had and as you can see it is like 5 or 6 inches short!!!  The baptism went really good though and then after they had some very interesting food!!  We walk out and I smell something, it didn't smell to bad though.  We walked over to where the guy was cooking and look in the pot and it is bats!!  Not the whole bat just the wings!!  Who would eat just bat wings, they say that they are really good.  We were late for our next baptism, which I am really happy about because that means that we didn't have to eat there.  But we all decided to try them.  I was a little bit hesitant at first, boy that's a shocker, but who can say that they have tried bat wings!  So we each grabbed one.  It was just a bat wing.  It was super thin, but I tried it and it was disgusting.  The other elders didn't like it either, but  what is the point of eating bat wings.  There isn't even any nutrition in it anyway!!  Then after that we went to our baptism.  Before that though we went to our apartment and go my baptismal clothes.  So we were at the baptismal service and then it was time for the baptism.  We go to walk into the font and the water was green!!  They must not have drained it or something the last baptism.  It looked like the color of the river or something.  I was really happy that those people got baptized.  Sure I was happy that I got to baptize them, but it is not about the numbers it is about helping people come unto Christ.  Then at about 6 we went back the zl's area.  Then Elder Thayn got back at around 8 or 9 with some of the elders that went to manila.  I gave elder thayn 1000 pesos and elder young gave him 500 because we wanted him to buy us some stuff in mania.  So I told him that I wanted some arby's but he said that he didn't see that.  We did get some good stuff though.  He brought us back a baconator and a dozen krispy kreme donuts each!!  I still have 6 donuts and the baconator, but those krispy kreme donuts are delicious!!  So I will still be in the same area this next week, but I will have a new companion.  I love you guys have a great week!

Love Elder Lott

 Wings anyone ???

My niece who is on a mission included this story in her last email.  I loved it and wanted to share it.  It's a wonderful message that we all need to hear sometimes.  She is on a mission in New York City and says...

At a food place, they have stories on the takeout bags and I found this story which I thought was amazing: "A legend tells of a man who used to carry water every day to his village, using two large pitchers tied on either end of a piece of wood, which he placed across his shoulders. One of the pitchers was older than the other and was full of small cracks; every time the man came back along the path to his house, half of the water was lost. For two years, the man made the same journey. The younger pitcher was always very proud of the way it did it's work and was sure that it was up to the task for which it had been created, while the other pitcher was mortally ashamed that it could carry out only half it's task, even though it knew that the cracks were the result of long years of work. So ashamed was the old pitcher that, one day, while the man was preparing to fill it up with water from the well, it decided to speak to him. 'I wish to apologize because, due to my age, you only manage to take home half the water you fill me with, and thus quench only half the thirst awaiting you in your house.' The man smiled and said: 'when we go back, be sure to take a careful look at the path.' The pitcher did as the man asked and noticed many flowers and plants growing along one side of the path. 'Do you see how much more beautiful nature is on your side of the road?' The man remarked. 'I knew you had cracks, but I decided to take advantage of them. I sowed vegetables and flowers there, and you always watered them. I've picked dozens of roses to decorate my house, and my children have had lettuce, cabbage, and onions to eat. If you were not the way you are, I could never have done this..." A lot of the times, we focus on our weaknesses and our imperfections. It's ok to acknowledge that we have them, but never think that our Heavenly Father cannot use us because of them. If we are willing to do His will, He will be able to work with our weaknesses.

Adam has started reading the Bible on his own for the last few months.  He has been using an old copy of mine that is falling apart.  He recently asked me to please get him a new one.  I picked up a cheap pocket sized one for him.  When I gave it to him he gave me the biggest hug ever.  It's moments like this that make the not so great days worth it.  He is already on page 100 and we are so proud of him.  He has such a sweet testimony and teaches me so much through his little example.

Our cute pioneer

Trek is coming up and so we did a little shopping.  Jaime looked very stylish in her pioneer clothes.  She was a little disappointed I didn't buy her the entire outfit.  I only got her the bonnet and bloomers because I don't feel like making them.  We hit the DI and got a good deal on the rest of  her clothes.

I was recently doing family history work and was searching on the site findagrave.  I wasn't having luck finding the person I was looking for and figured I would type in Ryan's name and see what came up.  Sure enough there he was there.  I admit it made me sad.  But then I remembered that he is doing a great work up there and that we are actually working as a team as I do family history down here.  That makes me happy to know we are still connected in many ways and someday it will be wonderful to meet all the people he has influenced for good on the other side.  It gives me a big push to work on my family history because I know that he is counting on me to do my part down here.  I don't want to let him down. 

Here is another quote I recently came across and liked.

March 15, 2015

The boys have been having so much fun filling Easter eggs for the Hooper Easter egg hunt.  They got up early Sunday morning and quietly filled these before church. 

Silly Ethan on clearance for 22 cents. 

 Any takers??  Just kidding.  He's at least worth a dollar. 

Happy 17th Birthday Ryan !!! 

March 16, 2015

  So as you all know this past week was transfer week.  My new companion is Elder Sefita he is from hurricane utah.  He was born in somaoa though but he moved to utah in 2007.  He goes home in october.  It is pretty crazy that I have 2 american companions right in a row though.  I didn't get pictures of my new apartment, but I will have them for next week.  It is nothing special it is just like 3 big rooms.  I did take my first bucket shower of my mission though in this apartment.  The shower head doesn't work.  Apparently there is a new york in the philippines.  On the way to Cauayan we passed a little statue of liberty it is really small.  Now that there is only 2 elders in Caborrogusis our area is huge.  I wish that we had a bike, but we just have to walk or take a tricy.  The work is going good and I hope that we can be able to handle our area, because now it is big, but it alright.  I love all you guys have a great week!

Love Elder Lott

PS- Sorry my email is so short this week.  It was transfer week

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYAN!!!!

LOVE YOU BRO!!!!!  I WISH YOU WERE STILL HERE MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!         I MISS YOU!!!!!!!!!!!

Remembering Ryan

March 16, 2012

 He was so excited to get these boots.  He was also so sweet and let his little brothers open all of his presents for him.

 March 16, 2015

It reads, Ryan from Ethan and you are fun and you are a brother.   He wrote this all by himself.

We went to the cemetery and ate pizza and cupcakes.  Then we wrote a little note or the services we and others had done this week on the balloons. 

Thank you for all those who reached out to our family yesterday and also to those who participated in doing acts of service in honor of Ryan this week.  It really touched our hearts and I know many things were done that we don't even know about.  I know our family wouldn't have been able to make it through this difficult journey without all the love and support we continue to receive.  But most of all, thank you to my Heavenly Father and his Son.   Because of His great plan and the sacrifice of His Son, I can be with mine again someday.  I love my Savior and all He has done for me and my family.  Because He loves me, He sacrificed His life so we may all live again someday.  I can't wait to fall down and worship Him someday and wash His feet with my tears of joy.

The Plan of Happiness does bring true Happiness !!!

news from Elder Lott

3-1-15

 

Well there is only one more week left in the cycle.  It seems like it just started.  This past tuesday I went on splits with one of the elders that are from Cabarroguis B.  Because I am trying to get down some of their area before the transfer.  Because most likely I will be in that area.  Then on Wednesday I went on splits with one of the zl's.  Something really funny happened during the splits to.  After our last lesson we went outside and this guy without his shirt on was like hi Elders.  Then he walked over to us.  We talked to him for a minute and he said that he used to be in the Philippines army or something like that.  He wasn't really old but he said that he just decided to quit or retire or something.  When we were on that subject he said something pretty funny.  We were just talking and he was like "I know you guys are from the CIA".  I thought that was way funny.  Me and the elder young are both white so that is probably why he thought that.  But instead of telling him that we weren't members of the CIA, Elder Young told him, how do you know that?  Then we oymed ( I don't really know what that means ?? I Will Have to ask him ) him and left.  After splits we went and ate at that pizza restaurant.  The little kid behind me in the picture was like talking to me the whole time we were eating.  His mom was a little annoyed but it wasn't bugging me to bad.  He was only four and he wasn't shy at all.  He kind of reminded me of ethan.  Then on saturday morning, since my companion is the district leader we went to go interview a baptismal candidate for some missionaries in our district.  We were there and he said that he wanted me to baptize him.  So I don't know if he was being serious, but I could have a baptism this saturday.  If that is the case I would be honored to do it.  Then after that baptism interview the zl's came and interviewed me and my companions investigator for baptism.  She passed.  So we will be having a baptism this saturday.  Which is awesome.  Also after our baptismal interview our investigator gave us a meryenda.  Which is like a snack.  I don't like surprise meryenda's unless it comes from a package.  But we had beans and there were little like 3 inch fish in it.  Just the whole fish.  I tried not to get any but I accidentally got one.  I was facing away from the lady, but our zl was in front of me and he told me like, whats with those facial expressions Elder Lott.  As a joke because he knew that I didn't like it, but I was having a hard time eating it. Then I had a little rice left and the fish.  I watched how they ate it.  They cut the head off and just ate it whole.  So I cut the head off and then ate it with the rest of the rice that I had.  And boy was it gross.  They just have a lot of weird food dishes here.  This past week I also rode in a jeepney for the first time in my mission.  That is what those two vehicles are.  It is just a way of transportation and they are normally all decorated and stuff.  Everyone says the motto for a jeepney is: there is always room for one more.  Because they cram you in those things and the vans to.  Pretty much there is nothing here that is built for american size.   It is also starting to get very hot here.  Sweat like crazy.  A big thing that Sister Rahlf pushes is hydration because it gets so hot here.  I am actually glad that I transfered from Tugue because that place has the hottest record temperature in the philippines.  I think it was like 40 degrees C or something.  I doubt that is including the humidity though.  Like all the people here use umbrella's and stuff to block out the sun.  I mean it works, but I would feel retarded if I was carrying around an umbrella when it was sunny.  Last week on P day I bought some ground beef.  A couple days ago I made a burger and some homemade fries.  I got my bacon and bbq sauce on there..mmm so good.  Then yesterday for lunch I made some spaghetti.  I used a sauce package that I got in a package and put some ground beef in that, then I topped it off with my Parmesan cheese.  That was dang good to.  I am just a chef now, haha just kidding.  This morning we played basketball and my leg is doing a lot better which I am really happy about.  Cause it sucks to be injured!  Well that is how my week went!  Since I have been on my mission I have realized how much the Atonement means to me.  I still have a lott to learn, but I am grateful for the atonement and Jesus Christ's sacrifice for me as an individual.  I love you guys have a great week

 

Love Elder Lott

 yummy pizza     check out the kid behind him

 in a jeepney

 He says this money likes him because he brings it bananas

 

 A cool tree

 

 

trying to stay cool

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remembering Ryan Week

 

 

 

 

My mom had a special idea about how to celebrate Ryan's birthday, which is March 16.  She said call it "Remembering Ryan".  From March 8-15 announce that it is "Remembering Ryan Week".  Ask everyone to do service in memory of Ryan.  It could be going to the temple, giving blood, taking someone treats, making cards for children at Primary Hospital, baby sitting, etc.  On March 15th have everyone email the list of things they have done to honor Ryan.  On March 16th write all the service on the balloons you buy and then release them up to Ryan.  This is a special way to remember Ryan and could be done each year. 

 

 This really touched my heart and I think it is a great new tradition.  If you don't want to share your acts of service with us that is totally fine.  You could write them on a balloon yourself and let it go in private.  Whichever you choose, I know he will be smiling down on us all as we all do things to help out those around us and help make the world a more happy place one act of kindness at a time. 

 

 

 

We love you Ryan.  We will always remember you.  ...until we meet again

 

 

mcarjlott@msn.com or text 801-499-0890