dear: week twenty seven.

hello to week twenty seven!

{woot! woot!}

this week marks 9 months... can you believe it!?

crew sent home quite a personal email this week-

he expressed many feelings, emotions, frustrations and joys.

here is a bit from his email:

one thing is for certain:

trials, hardships and challenges only make us stronger.

he's becoming a "changed man" indeed-

and we can't wait to meet the new crew in just 14 months! 

{i'm obviously counting down the days. ops!}

happy thanksgiving to you crew!

dear: week twenty six.

hello from crew! 

week twenty six already? 

he sent home an email full of love, happiness and advice!

oh, and lots of great pictures this week:

above: a sure sign that crew is a missionary. what fun ties!

companions for two years, but friends forever.

now, for  some words of love, fun and advice from crew:

happy twenty six weeks crew!

we pray for you every day.

we love you more than all the seconds you study your scriptures.

xoxo

dear: week twenty five.

happy november.

it's happy because it's another month down in the books! 

hip hip hooray! 

here are a few words from crew this week:

.........

50 days until christmas?

never have a been more excited for christmas than this year.

my heart skips a beat just thinking about the fact that i'll get to speak with

crewser on the phone is just 50 days! 

p.s. dear santa: please make the time go fast until christmas day! love, elease

dear: week twenty four.

big news for crew's mission!

i'll let crew do the honors of telling you:

sounds like crew will have his work cut out for him!

there's nothing like a good push of motivation.

right, crew? 

we miss you dearly! 

dear: week twenty three.

home sweet home.

this week, crew sent us a quick email and a peak into his humble abode.

take a look where crew is living this transfer:

mexico is his home for the next 16 months.

home is where your heart is...

and crew's whole heart is definitely in mexico;

shared amongst the people, the culture, the gospel and the work. 

speaking of home, we can't wait to have you back home.

however, couldn't be more pleased that your home is somewhere else for the next year.

we are proud of you!

we are sending lots of love from your home back in the states. 

dear: week twenty two.

hola to week twenty two!

crew's week in 5:

1. saying goodbye to beautiful valle de bravo.

{and to his "favorite" family. are favorites allowed? ;)}

2. jumping right into a new area and new companion.

{crew's frist american companion!}

3. a handful of baptisms and confirmations!

he sure is staying busy. 

4. a request for the book: "The Day of Defense".

5. holes in shoes; a sure sign of hard work.

{and lots of walking, of course.}

he was happy to recieve a change in area and companions!

change is good-

it keeps you on your toes.

good luck in your new area crewser! 

xoxo

dear: week twenty one.

this week's email and pictures are arguably my favorite so far.

he is just so happy.

i know i keep saying that- but, happiness just seems to be radiating from within him.

crew's week in 5:

1. scored two goals in the big soccer game. "watch out for elder carlson!"

{he felt some true "brotherly chemistry out on the field".}

2. HUGE party in the center; crazy costumes!

3. found a "golden family of 5" to teach and hopefully baptize.

4. being able to watch and understand general conference in another language.

5. missionary life seems to be a dream come true. 

dear: week twenty.

October marks a new month.
it also marks one more month down for a total of 7 months completed.
 this also means- only 17 more to go! yahoo!
is it that obvious i'm counting down the days?
of course, i want him out serving a mission-
but, that doesn't mean i can't miss him like crazy. 

crew's week in 5:
1. weather is changing; it's hard to keep up.
{hot in the day, freezing at night.}
2. Zone meeting in Metepec. "can't wait to see elder castro!"
3. received letters from good, random and old friends this week.
{"if only i was allowed to email them back!"}
4. interviews with the president. all is well!
5. struggles demand patience and courage.

dear: week nineteen.

this week crew was on the go-
which, left us with a short email and no pictures.
{sad!}
but, as usual, he assured us all is well...

glad to know he still has his sense of humor.
long or short letters,
we love you all the same crewswer.
but, that's not to say we are looking forward to a long email next week. ;)

dear: week eighteen.

...and just like that, week 15 is already at our feet.

looks like crew feels the exact same way:

*this is one of my favorite pictures of crew so far.

that smile of his is awfully contagious.

we love you crew.

days: 168

weeks: 24

area: Valle De Bravo

dear: week seventeen.

this week, here are a few words and pictures from crew!

{what a gorgeous place for a baptism, right!?}

...........

that smile of his, says it all.

days: 161

weeks: 23

area: Valle De Bravo

dear: week sixteen.

it's a big week for crew:

6 month mark.

yahoooo!

we so happy crew has done so well in his first 6 months.

but, more than anything- we are comforted by his happiness,

his love for our Savior and for his motivation in serving the people of mexico.

congratulations 

on hitting the 6th month mark, crew!

p.s. one more picture from the week that we loved:

dear: week fifteen.

rain, rain, go away!!

i'm going to let crew's pictures do al the talking this week.

why? because i love the pictures from this week.

his purity, his big heart an that smile just melts my heart. 

dear: week fourteen.

crew's week in 5:

1. companionship is a joy and a challenge.

2. the atonement is "everything in life."

3. "miracle baptism" this week!

4. "i need to stop being such a baby." 

{it's good to be hard on yourself every once in awhile, right?}

5. his love for his mission president is growing by the second.

dear: week thirteen.

hello to week thirteen in mexico!

here are 5 things from crew's email and week:

1. "summer flew by!" that's what happens when you are busy and happy.

2. frustration with the fact that no one will commit to marriage.

3. "receiving handwritten letters are the best!"

4. happy birthday to dad!

5. knock, knock, knock- that's what he spends is entire day doing in this area.

that's it for the week!

it brings great comfort and ease to read of crew's love,

success and joy each week.

we are all so proud of your, crew. 

days: 154

weeks: 22

area: Valle De Bravo

dear: week twelve.

i may be biased, but in my opinion-

he's the best lookin' missionary out in the field.

it's been another week; week twelve to be exact. 

i cannot believe how fast the time is going.

i can only hope the time is going by slow enough for crew 

to embrace it all in- but, also fast enough so that he feels like he's 

accomplishing great things while he's out there.

5 things from crew's week:
1. sleep over with the zone leaders! can you say fun?
2. baptizing a "vijita". {grandma, in spanish}
3. sick with the 'GRIPA.' yuck!
4. receiving an awesome package from home.
5. a big adventure climbing a giant mountain.
{oh and explored a cave "the size of a football field.}

days: 147

weeks: 21

area: Valle De Bravo

dear: week eleven.

change is in the air:

crew got transferred, which means a new area with a new companion.

he is thrilled about this; read for yourself-

 

wonderful to know and hear he is doing awesome!

he loves the mission, the work and the people.

we are all cheering you on, crew! 

xoxo

days: 140

weeks: 20

area: Valle De Bravo

dear: week ten.

you can all give me a big fat spanking. 

i deserve it for slacking off so much on crew's blog.

but, i have made a commitment to get back on it. 

why? because crew has sincerely asked me to.

so, let's back on track- starting off with this picture:

i love this one of him and his good friends out in the field. 

stay tuned for the weeks to come!

like i said, i am promising you and mostly crew,

i will stay on top of this!

here we go {again!}

days: 133

weeks: 19

area: Tezozomoc Camarones

dear: week nine.

1,2,3 say cheese!

due to crew's email being a little jumbled, personal and short...

this week, i'm just including the photos!

he is doing great!

had a happy 4th of july, but misses home just a little,

received a few letters, which is always a good thing,
more baptisms and plenty of adventures!

even though it's past {and now a long time ago}, he wishes you 
all a very happy forth of july!! 

i know crew would agree with me, the forth of july is one of the best american holidays. if not the best one.
can't wait to hear what his favorite mexican holidays will soon be. 

days: 119

weeks: 17

area: Tezozomoc Camarones

dear: week eight

playing catch up!

i promise, i really am trying to stay caught up on this blog.

if only crew new that i'm four weeks behind....

but, he doesn't! so i am safe... at least for now.

"I had another baptism last night! He is 17 years old and composes/plays really cool music I wish I could understand it all! He learned everything so quick and was ready for his baptism so fast. We also have another young girl and boy close to baptism too! I couldn't be happier. This week, we found a mother and a daughter who I believe are oro or escogidos! In english Gold or Chosen! This is what we call the people that God has prepared for us and that are ready for the message He has for them!... I recieved more letters- which obviously makes me so happy! I still haven't figured out how long it takes for them to get to me or for me to send to you- but hang in there! I am sending some soon!... The temple is amazing, but is under construction. They are repolshing Captian Mornoni!...The Spanish is coming along really well! Im talking a lot more in the lessons and I'm having an eaiser time expressing my feelings! We havnt had that many contacts lately so we dont have many progressing investigators. But we are having a lot of baptisms! This week we will pick up some new investigators!...The metro is crazy here- I love it and it is only 3 pesos... so less then 30 cents!... Everything is going great! I'm loving the work. I want to be a little lazy at times but elder aranda is really good and keeps me going! After the food my body craves sleep! We are working really hard and it is paying off!...I will be sending letters tomorrow if I get around to writing them today! I think Elder aranda and I are going to help other missionaries paint their apartment!...Cant wait to receive a package! I cant wait to see some photos! Hope everything is going well at home. Thanks for the little updates!...Yes. I have lost a little weight! Close to 9 Kilios!!! Figure out what 9 kilos in pounds is! All I'm going to tell you is, I'm looking good! But, you all knew that before!

Thanks for all the prayers! I miss you guys! Talk to you soon!!!!

Your son, Elder Carlson"

if you know crew, this next picture wouldn't seem out of the ordinary at all.

he loves his graffiti, doodling and discovering it!

and hello! this is just gross....

this week was full of baptisms, graffiti and cockroaches!

all happy things in crew's eyes.

days: 112

weeks: 16

area: Tezozomoc Camarones

dear: week seven.

rain, rain, go away!!!

{or not! By the sounds of it, he seems to love it}

"Good week!!!!! 3 baptizms back on track!! We were suppose to have 5, but right before they went to change into their baptismal clothes, they flaked out.... It was so annoying!! They are so ready to make the best decision of their lives, and it's so sad to see them walk away. Hopefully they will commit next week! My fingers are crossed! The old lady we baptized is 76 years old and she is one of 24 for brothers and sisters! Can you believe that? There are 26 people total in her family.... Her dad is still alive he is 110 years old. Crazy!!!! The young girl is Laura- She is my favorite! I love her family. We have family home evening with them tonight! The work is going great  and I love my companion. We are working so very hard which makes for fun times! Even though the time is flying by,  Sunday is the always the hardest day for me... I just love sundays at home. I love having a coke after church with a tuna sandwhich! And simply relaxing! hahah. I miss the family so much.... but, it is all good! I wouldn't want to be anywhere else right now. 

I finally received some letters yesterday! You could say that last tuesday was almost better then any christmas.... hahah. I  loved all of your letters. It was so nice hearing from home. 

During this week it rained like no other!!!!  I have never seen rain like this nor have I ever been so soaking wet! The rain is amazing though!! Quick story: There was a street that was completely flooded, and since I was already soaking wet I said to myself, "I only live once".... so, I walked out into the street. The water was close to my knees! This will be a memory to keep forever. I get soaked everyday! It is guaranteed to rain around 4 in the afternoon for the next 2 months!!!

Love your son,  ELDER CARLSON"

so happy to see so many smiling faces!

especially happy to see crew's smiling face. 

isn't he a stud?

i have a feeling ladies will be lined up at his door when he returns.

{good thing he has 19 months left! he's growing up too fast!}

and we all know, i'm going to be awfully picky with who end ups with this awesome catch!

after all, i'm his sister... that's my job. 

it's also my job to miss him, and trust me-

i miss him like crazy.

days: 105

weeks: 15

area: Tezozomoc Camarones