Feb 7th

hi guys, I will put my response in between your lines; looking like this;-}


from us:
wow...I can't believe it's February all ready.  I'm sorry we haven't gotten the box to you - it's going to be late.(thats okay)  Money ran a little tight this month.  And on that note - it's nice and wonderful that you would want to pay back for your mission, but it's one of those pay-it-forward type things.  It's not something that you can really pay back.You saved what you could and helped get yourself out there.(you are not helping my argument.....[light joke])  We have been soo very blessed having you there.  It's kind of a no-loose situation.(how so?)  So just work your hardest and keep up your spirits and remember to help others when you get home.
Also - just get your pants done out there - it's simpler and probably cheaper.(probably)  I haven't had a chance to talk to missionary mall, but seems like it would just be easier.(okay, actually, I asked around and I was informed that it would likely cost about $12.00, so there.)  As for your other pants...sigh.  Take pictures and send them home so we can get a new one of them.(okay, them flat rate boxes are useful)  Any thrift stores around??(not really)  Steve and Inez found several suits at a thrift store in Lodi that he wears...we looked when we were there last year, but they didn't have anything your size.  It would be great if you could find something there...for less than $20 or something.(yes it would), gotta go, love you!!
My co-worker's son got to his mission last week - Angola, Africa.  He's pretty excited, apparently loves it lots.  She said he used 'love' it 17 times in his letter.  Cracked me up.  Just a little happy to be in the field, ya know?  Imagine being in the MTC for almost 3 months...(figures)
How are things going??(slow........)  Any more progress on prospective baptisms?(unfortunatly no, quite a few of our investigators and their families have been either sick or gone alot these past few weeks)  Having fun with your companion? (um, ya we get along, I mean he isn't a bad missionary in any way I guess it's just getting used to some of the things he does and trying to determine where to compromise and where to not, but he is a good teacher and he works well with some of the people we come in contact with so we don't really have any problems[I find him to be very opinionated some of the time but it's nothing I can't deal with] so ya, he's good) We found something that I hope will be helpful that I'll be sending in your box - but it's a surprise and hopefully will make you curious.  ;)  You know me, love to torment ya!!
Made some fun protein bars and just to drive one of the new trainers at Griffs place crazy, made some protein doughnuts.  The new trainer was claiming that Bowman's had protein doughnuts in their store now.  right....  So I made some chocolate ones and took one in on Saturday.  Griff wanted to know where I'd gotten the recipe and if I'd made it with whole wheat.  Yup.  My own version of a recipe...not from a fitness magazine.  lol(sounds like fun)
Anyway - got to go to a Baptism on Saturday - I think we told you Lian was getting baptized, right?  It was fun. (sweeeettt!!!!!, and yes you did) Then Dad and I spent the rest of the day at Grandma Dahl's house going through Grandpa's stuff.  She wants to get all of it cleaned out.
We are working on family history for FHE...or meant to tonight.  We kind of ran out of time.  I was determined to write you BEFORE Tuesday...  See - I made it!!  I realize it's just barely...
I'm afraid it's not going to be much longer, I'm really tired and need to get to bed.  sigh.
I hope things are going well.  We pray for you and hope you are well and finding people to teach every day.  We hear about other missionaries and how they're doing and everyone is asking about you and how you're doing.  We pass on what you tell us, but I have to say -That's not a heck of a lot!! lol  I know - you only have so much time and can only type so fast.  It's just your mom being a winer and I don't have any cheese to go with it.(but that wine does sometimes give ya gas to cut it!!!)
Remember the church is true, Jesus is the Christ and we have a wonderful prophet on the earth today.  The Book of Mormon is True and we are so very blessed to have it in our lives.
Take care - keep safe and keep smiling.
We love you!
mom
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LATER;-}
Elder edward C. D. Parker