Happy Halloween! Hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday!
10.30.2007
Elder Ehorn
Hey everybody! Mom and Brian thanks for the extra cash. They have got to get this system figured out here for the missionaries. Noone in the whole mission has money. Its really hard to do missionary work with no money or food. So as you all heard maybe I am going to start training a new missionary on Nov. 2 Isnt tht crazy? I feel like I am still brand new in the mission. I guess I still kind of am. I am way excited though because I think It will get me all pumped on the work again. Thats crazy about the fires in california. Glad to hear that everyone is ok. I have been a little bit sick lately. Sore throat and the runs. haha The runs is such a funny way to say it. Thats good mom that you got to talk to all those people. Glad to hear they are doing good. The Area is pretty good. We are making progress with the Branch so that is good. Me and my comp just picked up a new family that is awesome. They are so interested in the gospel and have been keeping all their commitments. Hopefully they will be baptized next transfer if they keep progressing like they are. They have 5 kids and the wife is pregnant with #6. I really like going their and teaching them. Yeah its been rainy season for a few months. The rain is so crazy here. You hear it coming and then Boom its pooring rain and the lightening is just awesome. I have the feeling that I might not be in this area to long. I think maybe 1 or 2 transfers I will train then I will transfer. We have such a unified zone here. Its called Toledo zone. We are just super good friends and have such a good time when we are together. I will attatch the picture of the zone activity. We went hiking the had a testimony meeting on this sweet hill. It was awesome. Alright well thats about it for me right now. Thanks so much for the package you sent mom. It will probably bee like 4 weeks before it gets here. Love ya!
Elder Joel Porter Ehorn
10.26.2007
Fleeting Moments
I have been realizing lately that my kids are growing - too fast! Ty is almost 3 months now so he is out of the newborn stage and into the baby stage. Where did those little size 1 diapers go? Drew speaks in sentences (that usually only we can understand) and has some seriously great dance moves. Ethan has this little life that I am not the first witness of anymore - he goes to school and has to tell me what happened there. He did a magic trick for show and tell this week and I MADE HIM tell me how it all went down - play by play.
Do you think it's legal to strap video recorders to their heads?
I Feel Better Already!
I just read a book - yes, a book. It was a book about being a mom. It wasn't one of those books that tells you everything you're doing wrong. Instead, it takes a new approach and actually validates the good, the bad and the ugly. I think I may have turned over a new parenting leaf and I think all mothers who feel that we have expectations of ourselved far beyond what is realistic should read this book. Here are two direct quotes from the book and you can tell me whether this is something you should read...
"You consider a trip to the dentist your special "alone time.""
"You find that slowly browsing the aisles at Target, by yourself, is better than therapy."
See, there are other women out there just like me. I feel better already.
Read it!
"You consider a trip to the dentist your special "alone time.""
"You find that slowly browsing the aisles at Target, by yourself, is better than therapy."
See, there are other women out there just like me. I feel better already.
Read it!
10.25.2007
Are you kidding me?
Why do people say, "Wow, you've really got your hands full." That is not a compliment. Never, ever say that to someone unless you are offering to help. I've heard that seven times in the last two days. It is an observation that I'm well aware of. I feel better now that I've gotten that out. Thank you.
Joel - Monday October 22
Gotta love this missionary! Here is the latest and greatest from Elder Ehorn:
The work is pretty good. we had another baptism this last saturday. This kid is awesome. I feel so bad for him though. He has had the hardest life in the history of the world. His dad is a former alcoholic. And alcoholics here in the philippines are a lot worse than alcoholics in the u.s. his mom left the family. he is 11 years old and is in 1st grade because his parents were retarded. He cant read. He lives pretty much by himself. every once in a while his older brother stops by. He is only 17 though. He cooks for himself washes his own clothes, by hand of course. he is completely independent and he is 11 years old. We had him like look at the pictures in the pamphlets and do service for his neighbors, and of course pray to know the truth about the church before he could be baptized. He is so awesome. I cant beleive I have forgotten to tell in my letters about all the baptisms we have had. ooopps. anyway back to Ramil. that is his name. So when I told him he needs to bring an extra pair of underwear to his baptism he got all silent. I was like oh great whats wrong. Then he continued to say that a rat had eaten his last pair of underwear. I fealt so bad. He doesnt even have underwear. That is life in the jungle for an eleven year old. He is not the brightest kid but he has the biggest heart ever. makes me want to cry. but of course I wont because I am a man. anyway, that is what is going on here.
The work is pretty good. we had another baptism this last saturday. This kid is awesome. I feel so bad for him though. He has had the hardest life in the history of the world. His dad is a former alcoholic. And alcoholics here in the philippines are a lot worse than alcoholics in the u.s. his mom left the family. he is 11 years old and is in 1st grade because his parents were retarded. He cant read. He lives pretty much by himself. every once in a while his older brother stops by. He is only 17 though. He cooks for himself washes his own clothes, by hand of course. he is completely independent and he is 11 years old. We had him like look at the pictures in the pamphlets and do service for his neighbors, and of course pray to know the truth about the church before he could be baptized. He is so awesome. I cant beleive I have forgotten to tell in my letters about all the baptisms we have had. ooopps. anyway back to Ramil. that is his name. So when I told him he needs to bring an extra pair of underwear to his baptism he got all silent. I was like oh great whats wrong. Then he continued to say that a rat had eaten his last pair of underwear. I fealt so bad. He doesnt even have underwear. That is life in the jungle for an eleven year old. He is not the brightest kid but he has the biggest heart ever. makes me want to cry. but of course I wont because I am a man. anyway, that is what is going on here.
10.18.2007
Joel's Emails
I'm a little late in posting these. Let's just say that the last two weeks have been a total and complete blurr. We're so lucky we get to hear from Joel - isn't technology amazing?
Here they are in the order they came!
October 8th
Hello everybody. HOw is everyone?
Thanks for all the emails ande for all of the support. I like the idea about sending all the stuff to the Philippines. But its against the rules. Weird dont you think. well against the rules for you to send it to me and me to disperse it. Even though there are a lot of people in our area that need white shirts. maybe you could send one to our branch president. Anyway. I am really struggling here in the new area. I am just super stressed about all the problems and the work. But Im trying to do my best. There is no food in the town and I am like rock climbing all day long since It is so Jungley. So because of my constant exercise I lost 7 pounds this week. To go on the Lamac diet and lose pounds fast just call 1-800-jungle. ha its ok though. I know the Lord is going to be teaching me some very important lessons here for my life. Just continue to pray for me. I need it right now. The work is so hard here but It is rewarding. Sounds like everyone is doing good. I'll write more next week
Sincerely Elder Ehorn
October 15
Hello Family and Friend,
Thank you for all your emails and words of encouragement. It really helps. That is so good that everyone wants to help out here in the Philippines. I decided that if I sneak the stuff to the people and they dont know its from the missionaries that it will work. :) so if you want to put together stuff to send then that would be awesome. Most importantly would be white shirts and ties. Remember the people here are very small. So like If you bought a shirt that was my size that would fit the fattest person in the whole philippines. So just a variety of sizes would be good. Dont spend a lot of money. Just by shirts from D.I. and ties from D.I. as well. You would understand why if you were here. think quantity not quality. does that sound mean? I hope not. My area is still ridiculously hard but I am trying to keep high spirits. I sure am learning a lot about myself here. I could say I am learning a lot about people in general. I wish you all could witness the things I have witnessed here. Absolute miracles happen all the time. I was able to listen to all the sessions of conference this last weekend. We rented a big truck for the branch and took everyone on the 1 and a half hour to the nearest stake center to watch conference broadcast. they broadcast it a week late here. I was especially
impressed with the talk by Henry B Eyring about Gods Hand in our life and how he wrote down things everyday for like twenty years straight or something. amazing. I challenge all of you to do that. I am going to do that here on the mission as well. I think we will really gain an appreciation for the help of the Lord in our lives. Oh I forgot to mention there is another way to help out. There is a new foundation here that is open for donations. It is called "The Elder Ehorn has nothing when he gets home foundation." Cash donations are excepted to zions bank acct # Ask Jill Ehorn-Foy. This Foundation help recently returned missionaries named Joel Ehorn, finish his schooling, try to buy a car, and continuing his service to the beautiful women in the world by taking them on dates to hopefully meet and eternal companion." You know those kind of admirable things. haha im funny. but seriously. I want you to know here in the mission we have the investigators set goals for things they want to achieve otherwise they have no direction. So if you all would like to set a goal for yourselves, I want you to know that you have my prayers backing up your goals and I am always willing to hope. Ha. Love you all. The Mission is amazing.
Sincerely Elder Joel Porter Ehorn
Here they are in the order they came!
October 8th
Hello everybody. HOw is everyone?
Thanks for all the emails ande for all of the support. I like the idea about sending all the stuff to the Philippines. But its against the rules. Weird dont you think. well against the rules for you to send it to me and me to disperse it. Even though there are a lot of people in our area that need white shirts. maybe you could send one to our branch president. Anyway. I am really struggling here in the new area. I am just super stressed about all the problems and the work. But Im trying to do my best. There is no food in the town and I am like rock climbing all day long since It is so Jungley. So because of my constant exercise I lost 7 pounds this week. To go on the Lamac diet and lose pounds fast just call 1-800-jungle. ha its ok though. I know the Lord is going to be teaching me some very important lessons here for my life. Just continue to pray for me. I need it right now. The work is so hard here but It is rewarding. Sounds like everyone is doing good. I'll write more next week
Sincerely Elder Ehorn
October 15
Hello Family and Friend,
Thank you for all your emails and words of encouragement. It really helps. That is so good that everyone wants to help out here in the Philippines. I decided that if I sneak the stuff to the people and they dont know its from the missionaries that it will work. :) so if you want to put together stuff to send then that would be awesome. Most importantly would be white shirts and ties. Remember the people here are very small. So like If you bought a shirt that was my size that would fit the fattest person in the whole philippines. So just a variety of sizes would be good. Dont spend a lot of money. Just by shirts from D.I. and ties from D.I. as well. You would understand why if you were here. think quantity not quality. does that sound mean? I hope not. My area is still ridiculously hard but I am trying to keep high spirits. I sure am learning a lot about myself here. I could say I am learning a lot about people in general. I wish you all could witness the things I have witnessed here. Absolute miracles happen all the time. I was able to listen to all the sessions of conference this last weekend. We rented a big truck for the branch and took everyone on the 1 and a half hour to the nearest stake center to watch conference broadcast. they broadcast it a week late here. I was especially
impressed with the talk by Henry B Eyring about Gods Hand in our life and how he wrote down things everyday for like twenty years straight or something. amazing. I challenge all of you to do that. I am going to do that here on the mission as well. I think we will really gain an appreciation for the help of the Lord in our lives. Oh I forgot to mention there is another way to help out. There is a new foundation here that is open for donations. It is called "The Elder Ehorn has nothing when he gets home foundation." Cash donations are excepted to zions bank acct # Ask Jill Ehorn-Foy. This Foundation help recently returned missionaries named Joel Ehorn, finish his schooling, try to buy a car, and continuing his service to the beautiful women in the world by taking them on dates to hopefully meet and eternal companion." You know those kind of admirable things. haha im funny. but seriously. I want you to know here in the mission we have the investigators set goals for things they want to achieve otherwise they have no direction. So if you all would like to set a goal for yourselves, I want you to know that you have my prayers backing up your goals and I am always willing to hope. Ha. Love you all. The Mission is amazing.
Sincerely Elder Joel Porter Ehorn
10.06.2007
Tractor Grandpa
We arrived in beautiful Iowa on Thursday afternoon and had a great day catching up on lost time and introducing Ty to Grandpa and Grandma here. Ethan and Drew sure love their "Tractor Grandpa" and they love coming here where they can act like "country boys," roaming the hills, playing with the dogs and of course, getting spoiled by their grandparents. Sadly, Thursday evening just before bed, Carl suffered a heart attack and passed away. We are heartbroken over the loss of our beloved "Tractor Grandpa" but have found comfort in the great memories we have made here over the years. We are so glad that we were able to spend time him - though that time was much too short. Please keep Eric and his family in your prayers during this difficult time. They are wonderful people with big hearts and we are so grateful to know them and have them in our lives. There doesn't seem to be words to give Carl the praise and adoration he deserves but he was surely loved. We took this picture of Grandpa with Ty (who's middle name is Jensen after Eric's Dad) the afternoon that we got here. How lucky we are to have this memory to add to the many others!
10.02.2007
Deep Thoughts by Jenn Daniels
While in Hurricane last weekend (that is pronounced hurra-kin for those who have never listened closely to someone from southern Utah) we were lucky enough to go to Zion National Park and spend the afternoon. There were several wonderful surprises about that glorious fall day. The first great surprise was that we got into the park for free. No, we didn't sneak in. No, the park ranger did not think my husband was super hot and deserving of a freebie. (But for the record, he is super hot.) It was National Public Lands Day which is like a holiday for the national parks. Isn't it great to be an American?
It was an amazing afternoon for a variety of reasons:
1. Grandma Jill ran down the trail like one of the grandkids.
2. When Drew saw a small rapid, he yelled out "Look at the big waves!"
3. Ethan found a piece of wood that looked like a gun - and hasn't put it down since.
4. I carried Ty around in the baby bjorn. Snuggly!
5. My sisters (and their husbands and kids) were there. Joel - we missed you. Seriously, we really did.
6. Skipping rocks.
7. The weather was a perfect 70 degrees. For the first time in about six months, it felt a little chilly.
8. A little exercise does the body (and mind!) good.
9. Eric's face lit up everytime the boys smiled.
10. I learned something new about myself. (For those who aren't bored yet, read on.)
So while I was there, and since I've been home, I have been reflecting on our little adventure. Here's my train of thought...
While on the shuttle the guide announced that 2.5 million people will visit Zion this year. I couldn't help but think about the 2.5 million people and wonder how many of them actually look at Zion and its majesty and don't see the beauty. Or how many of them see it from a scientific standpoint? How many actually look up at the red rock, cascading water and lush landscape and see the hand of God? Which got me thinking - I have a pretty normal life. Odds are that I won't ever be famous or filthy rich. I won't find the cure for cancer or find the solution for world peace. My realm of influence is relatively small and when I make mistakes or have great success it doesn't readily change the course of my existence. My day to day life can get a bit hectic but for the most part, there isn't an abundance of miraculous events. Or is there? I have come to the conclusion that my normal life is punctuated by extraordinary moments. What makes those moments extraordinary is my acknowledgment of them. Zion probably isn't all that spectacular to a number of different people. But it is to me. By acknowledging a tender moment, a blessing, a spirit, a feeling, I am also acknowledging my Heavenly Father and His hand in my life. So many thanks to National Public Lands Day and a shout out to the entire parks system. I have gained a new perspective on my life as it is. That's really as deep as it gets for me.
It was an amazing afternoon for a variety of reasons:
1. Grandma Jill ran down the trail like one of the grandkids.
2. When Drew saw a small rapid, he yelled out "Look at the big waves!"
3. Ethan found a piece of wood that looked like a gun - and hasn't put it down since.
4. I carried Ty around in the baby bjorn. Snuggly!
5. My sisters (and their husbands and kids) were there. Joel - we missed you. Seriously, we really did.
6. Skipping rocks.
7. The weather was a perfect 70 degrees. For the first time in about six months, it felt a little chilly.
8. A little exercise does the body (and mind!) good.
9. Eric's face lit up everytime the boys smiled.
10. I learned something new about myself. (For those who aren't bored yet, read on.)
So while I was there, and since I've been home, I have been reflecting on our little adventure. Here's my train of thought...
While on the shuttle the guide announced that 2.5 million people will visit Zion this year. I couldn't help but think about the 2.5 million people and wonder how many of them actually look at Zion and its majesty and don't see the beauty. Or how many of them see it from a scientific standpoint? How many actually look up at the red rock, cascading water and lush landscape and see the hand of God? Which got me thinking - I have a pretty normal life. Odds are that I won't ever be famous or filthy rich. I won't find the cure for cancer or find the solution for world peace. My realm of influence is relatively small and when I make mistakes or have great success it doesn't readily change the course of my existence. My day to day life can get a bit hectic but for the most part, there isn't an abundance of miraculous events. Or is there? I have come to the conclusion that my normal life is punctuated by extraordinary moments. What makes those moments extraordinary is my acknowledgment of them. Zion probably isn't all that spectacular to a number of different people. But it is to me. By acknowledging a tender moment, a blessing, a spirit, a feeling, I am also acknowledging my Heavenly Father and His hand in my life. So many thanks to National Public Lands Day and a shout out to the entire parks system. I have gained a new perspective on my life as it is. That's really as deep as it gets for me.
10.01.2007
TOP SECRET!
I've been thinking about it for a while now and have decided that, for safety reasons, only those people who I know and love can spy on me. Destiny's story was the kicker...I was a little freaked out by it! (It was about a mom in Utah who was at the park when a stranger walked up to her and knew her name and her kids names...all from her blog. SCARY!) From now on, my blog is TOP SECRET!
HOT.com
We had a great weekend in Hurricane for Alison's baptism (my niece is 8!). It was great fun to see the cousins play so well together and it really seems like our little families are getting so much older. More on the weekend later. Joel sent a package with these super cool pants which he so kindly modeled for us. The pants say hot.com all over them which I think is a nice touch since they obviously are.
So here's the email for this week:
Hey fam and friends!
Im glad you got the package. Yeah those pictures were funny werent they. haha Me and my comp were laughing so hard as we took them. Always have to have a little fun on the mission or else you go crazy. The new area is so hard but I know that I am going to learn so much here. My comp is awesome so that is good. His name is Elder Almoite and he is from Quezon city which is where the Manila temple is. I got pretty seek this last week and so that made the new area really hard. My body has to get used to the jungle. He said his first three weeks in the area were miserable. fever, nose bleeds, achey body. I have only had the fever and achey body. I think I am over it all now. Hopefully I am adjusted. Are branch is very week so that is going to be our focus for now. After that we will really focus on finding lots of people to teach. I have pretty much received revelation that this is going to be my most challenging area of the mission but will also be my greatest opportunity to grow. I think that is meant in so many different ways. That is cool that everyone was there in st. george for the weekend. wish I could have been there. Oh well. Elder wilson aka mikes little brother is going home a transfer early. So he will go home in december instead of the end of January. Its so he can start school. They let missionaries do that so they dont have to wait like 8 months to start school. Well thats about all I have to stay this week. Maybe I will have some cool stories next week. I will try to get some pictures sent off as well. I wish you could all come see the area. The rice fields and waterfalls and everything that is amazing here. Ok thanks so much lots of love
Elder Ehorn
P.S. My brother rocks!
So here's the email for this week:
Hey fam and friends!
Im glad you got the package. Yeah those pictures were funny werent they. haha Me and my comp were laughing so hard as we took them. Always have to have a little fun on the mission or else you go crazy. The new area is so hard but I know that I am going to learn so much here. My comp is awesome so that is good. His name is Elder Almoite and he is from Quezon city which is where the Manila temple is. I got pretty seek this last week and so that made the new area really hard. My body has to get used to the jungle. He said his first three weeks in the area were miserable. fever, nose bleeds, achey body. I have only had the fever and achey body. I think I am over it all now. Hopefully I am adjusted. Are branch is very week so that is going to be our focus for now. After that we will really focus on finding lots of people to teach. I have pretty much received revelation that this is going to be my most challenging area of the mission but will also be my greatest opportunity to grow. I think that is meant in so many different ways. That is cool that everyone was there in st. george for the weekend. wish I could have been there. Oh well. Elder wilson aka mikes little brother is going home a transfer early. So he will go home in december instead of the end of January. Its so he can start school. They let missionaries do that so they dont have to wait like 8 months to start school. Well thats about all I have to stay this week. Maybe I will have some cool stories next week. I will try to get some pictures sent off as well. I wish you could all come see the area. The rice fields and waterfalls and everything that is amazing here. Ok thanks so much lots of love
Elder Ehorn
P.S. My brother rocks!
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