I LOVE SKYPE!!!!!!

So, our Christmas phone call with Elder Jake Man was sooooooooo fun!!!!  He called at 9:00 a.m. (right during Church!)  he had called a couple of days before to schedule with us, so we planned ahead and Santa came for Kayci at 7:00!  We had a nice visit and got the updates on everything from companions to cereal choices!  He was going to a members home that evening to open his presents.  His presents were already there because cute Sister Bruner had called me and asked for all of Jakes favorite traditions so she could try to reproduce as many as she could!  She told me that she had Skype (her son was "skyping" her that day because he is on a mission, too!)  They had their computer all set up when I got home from work and we got to watch Jake open his presents!  It was so fun!
Last year I think it would have been hard for him and it may have made him homesick, but I actually think it was good this year.  He said that we all look the same!  Niner made an appearance in front of the computer and the rest of us tried our best to get "face time"!
I made the mistake of telling Jake that it looked like he was getting enough meals... that just made him think I thought he was FAT!!!!!  I told him that all I was thinking was that he was healthy and doing well.

Technology is good! 

I'm so grateful to know that he is doing good.  His testimony is growing and he sounds so grown up!  (That until he was making faces into the computer while on skype!!!)

Anyway, here's his letter...

Thank you Mom sooooooooooooooooooooooooo much for the gifts and the tons and tons and tons and tons of other stuff that you sent me!!!!!! It was way fun to see you all!!!!! Everyone looks the exact same the way that I left them. Apparently I am different looking from the time I left from your comment about me looking like I am getting well fed hahahaha! JK. I swear I'm not fat! I just look jolly..........like Santa!

Anyways everything is going good here, there really isnt much else going on other than the stuff that I told you yesterday and last night. So all that I have to say is that I love you and tell the rest of the fam that I love them too!!!!!

Seriously though, thank you again for the presents that you sent me,(especially the You Are My Sunshine Book that was really cool) I feel spoiled all the freaking time because I have a way awesome family on top of them willing to do all of this stuff for me!!!!! You guys are seriously the most awesomenest peoples!!!!!!!!

Love Elder Lynam (line-em-up)

P.S. I will be sending my SD card home pretty soon. So watch out for it

P.P.S. hi

12/19/11

 

Hey Mom!!!

 

Thanks for the letter and the news on the packages!!!!!!! I feel so freaking spoiled!!!!! We will be getting our packages at the Christmas Devotional on Wednesday. And thanks again for putting that extra money on my card. I totally forgot to tell you that the first day that I was on the San Juans, we had to pay a ferry ticket to get on and it costed about 54 dollars!!!! I was able to get the money re-embersed onto my JP card, but when I had to pay the ferry ticket I had to use my home card. So if you want to take off 54 dollars from my card that would be awesome!!!!! And I also want to cash my checks, but I need to set up a bank account somewhere to do that. Which one would be the best for that. There is no American Express here hahaha. I liked it a whole lot more when you took care of stuff like this for me!

 

Everything is going good up here too! Elder Rashcka is really cool. He's a really funny guy and has a way cool testimony!!!! Our investigators are doing good also!! We hope to get in and teach a lesson to Paulene and Paulete tommorow. And Church was really cool too because there was a ton of less active members there!!!! So hopefully they keep coming! And Elder Raschka and I have been passing out those gift DVD's like CRAZY!!!! Everyone that we have given them to has had a positive response. Thank you again so much for the gift package to make those. It will help people see that we're not so weird after all hahaha.

 

Thanks again so much mom for all that you do for me and everyone else!!! I cant believe that I get to talk to you this Sunday!!!!! I will talk to you most likely around 9 in the morning your time. I will be checking this email tommorow during Mormon.org time to see if you have anything else you want to say about the phone call this Sunday. Tell everyone that I love them and that I miss them!!!!! And know again that I love you too!!!!!

 

Love Elder Lynam (line-em-up)

12/14/2011

Dear Mom!

How is you doing?  I liked your e-mail about "this is me- not e-mailing you!"  hahahaha!!!  Hopefully that e-mail that you got yesterday will make things all better!

So transfers went well yesterday.  Elder Bytendorp is now in Redmond with Elder Hall.  I served around Elder Hall when I was on the San Juans.  And my new companion is ........ drum roll..... Elder Raschka!  He's a way cool kid from Oroville, California.  He's a convert to the Church, too!  He converted when he was 14 or so.  He used to go to the the Baptist, 7th day Adventist, and some other churches.  Needless to say, he knows his Bible really well.  I love having a convert as a companion because it will really help the people that we teach see a living witness of someone who had a similar belief to theirs and now is LDS!  I'm pretty stoked!

He's a twin and his brother is a convert, too!  They are both on a mission right now.  They went in to the MTC on the same day, and flew out on the same day... one went to Pocatello Idaho and Elder Raschka went here.  I think that's pretty cool!

I'm pretty excited about this transfer!  I can't wait to see all of the new Elders in our Zone.  We have Zone meeting today at 10:30 so I'll be able to see everyone then.

In our zone, we have tons of Spanish speaking elders!  Apparently the Spanish work in this part of Washington is growing.  Our District Leaders, Zone Leaders and the Bothell missionaries are all Spanish speaking.  Just us and Juanita are the only English speaking Elders in our district.

12/15/11
Guess what today is?...... MY YEAR MARK!!!  I can't believe that it's already here.  I have exactly one more year until I'm done!  Time goes by so fast at times.  I need to not waste a minute!!!!

So, the work is going good up here.  We asked Kiki and Emanuael to be baptized when they have come to know that the things we are teaching them are true.  Kiki said that she will read the Book of Mormon and if God tells her that it is true, then she will be baptized.  She said "there is no hiding from it!"  I love how humble she is.  Emanuel is the same, but he may have a harder time giving up his past religious ways.  He's inactive in his faith, but we still think that it will be hard for him to change.  But, he said that he will read and pray about the Book of Mormon with Kiki.  So, hopefully all will go well with them.

We have some really awesome people that we are working with, too!  We have Pauline and her sister, Paulette, Travis and Pearl.  We are also working with some less-active members that we are hoping to briing to Church this Sunday.

We have a few cool things that we're doing this transfer.  We are going to a Christmas Devotional next Wednesday.  We are spending Christmas Eve with a member family called the Skiles.  And, of course, Christmas Day with the Bruners!  I'm not for sure yet, but we might be doing our temple trip this transfer, too!  So, I'm pretty excited!

There are alot of friends that I've made out here that are going home in about a week.  One of them is Elder Thorpe.  When I was with him, he was at his 13 or 14 month mark.  He's going home a little early for school, but still!!!  It's crazy how time has flown since I've been with him!  I'm sure going to miss all those guys!

Thanks again for all that you do for me, mom.  I really appreciate that you're willing to do the kind of stuff that you do.  If you would make sure to have stuff for Elder Rashcka for Christmas, that would be really awesome.  I'm sure it's hard for his family with two missionaries out.

Tell everyone that I love them and tell Niner that I "ruff" him, too!

Love,

Elder Lynam (line-em-up)

ps.............. hi!

Christmas Picture 2011

Here's Elder Jake Man's Stocking this year.... I made this out of an old shirt and belt of his. 

 I hope Santa fills it up good for him!

12/5/11
Dear Mom!
how are you doing? Thanks again for the letter and the awesome package that you sent last week!!!! That's cool to hear an update on Emilee and Cassidy! That's so cool that Parker is going to be home in a couple of months! It will be good for Ryley to have his brother around. Let me know how I can help him in any way. It sounds like their family isn't going through the best times.
So, other than that, how is everything going? That's coold how you guys are putting together an arena. But that's not good how the new puppy broke her leg. I hope that she gets better.
I also heard that you talked to Sister Bruener in our ward the other day! She's a way cool lady! She told me about how fun it was to talk to you and how she knows that you're a nurse and a bunch of other stuff! She has a son out on a mission, too, and I think she's going through withdrawls of not having her son home hahahaha! She's a way awesome lady and I'm so glad that I have her in our ward.
And it's also way cool how you talked to Elder Bytendorp's mom! I didn't know that his mom had breast cancer. I will definately not let him know that you told me. Yesterday during fast and testimony meeting he bore his testimony and in it he told about his mom having breast cancer. I will sure be more sympathetic and patient with him. I would be totally down if something like that happened to you.
So, now to more happy stuff... we had a totally awesome week! We are helping a less-active family become re-activated. We hot a new investigator that is from China. We have another new investigator and his wife, and we have found some pretty cool potentials!
I don't know if I told you this, but our investigator from Africa, Kiki, her sister died a few weeks ago. It's really sad, but at the same time, it's really interesting that we came in contact with her just a bit before her sister died. I definately don't think that is a coincedence. Her heart has been softened to the Spirit, which will help us teach her. Before she left for Africa, we went over and said a prayer with them. And she asked about what we believe about life after death. We told her and she totally believed what we taught her. Especially about how her sister is not far from us because the Spirit world is actually on Earth. So we hope to get in and teach them this Sunday or next week sometime.
I'm doing good! So is Elder Bytendorp. The district is way cool, too. It's way cool to serve around Elders that you've served with before.
To answer your question about what time I'll call on Christmas Day, I honestly don't know yet. I will get back to you ASAP.

Thanks again Mom, for all that you do for me! It really is fun to have a Mom who does fun stuff like these Christmas things for me! Tell Roberto and the rest of the fam Hi for me and tell them that I love them so much. Tell Niner that I "Ruff" him, too!!!!
Love,
Elder Lynam (Line em up!)
ps Hopefully, I will be sending some new pics pretty soon! I might send them at the end of this transfer.

11/29/2011
dear mom!
first off, I'm totally sorry that i have been a slack-o-rama with the writing of letters. I'm really surprised that i haven't seen the ninja puppy yet!!! I would rather not be sliced in half today!
So, can you believe that I've been out almost for a whole year! I[m going insane! This mission has been going by so fast! It's going to be a wierd feeling knowing that I have less than a year until I go home! I am definately going to so my best to not relax my efforts but to get better and better and work harder and harder!
So, in your e-mail, you siad that you talked to Emilee and cassidy. How are they doing? That's way cool that you are close enough to them for them to stop and talk to you for awhile! If you see them again, tell them that I said hi!
So, have you heard anything from big d? I need to get his email address. How is ryley doing? and his family? Anything new with su? anything new with the ward? Anything new with you and the fam? Let me know if there is anything I can do to help with anything.
Oh! I heard that you talked to elder Bytendorp's mom. How is she? And that e-mail that you sent me about Elder Sear's mom writing you was pretty cool. I saw wlder sears the other day when we saw elder Anderson of the twelve, and he seems to be doing good.
Thank you again soooooooooooooooooooooooo much for the tree and the package. I felt bad because Elder Bytendorp was expecting a package the other day and when we went to see if we got mail, I got two packages! hahahaha! I spent a ton of my p-day putting up the tree.12/2/11
OK, I'm sorry that I suck so bad with the writing of letters! iT'S BEEN PRETTY BUSY LATELY. aNYWAYS, i WAS WONDERING, HOW DO YOU THINK WE SHOULD HAND OUT THE GIFTS? sHOULD WE PASS THEM OUT DURING THIS MONTH? sHOULD WE WAIT UNTIL cHRISTMAS EVE AND CHRISTMAS? OR SHOULD WE DO BOTH? lET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER FUN CHRISTMAS IDEAS THAT WE COULD DO THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.
sO, i WAS WONDERING ABOUT SOME...... oh! i WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE PACKAGES. YOU SERIOUSLY ARE THE CHEEZE WHIZ BIZ NIZ WHEN IT COMES TO THESE THINGS. iT REALLY MAKES THINGS WAY FUN.
sO, i WAS WONDERING IF i COULD GET SOME THINGS FOR cHRISTMAS. hERE IS A SMALL LIST FOR SANTA!
1. nEW WHITE SHIRTS
2. mY BLACK SUIT PANTS ARE TOO TIGHT! iF i COULD GET A BIGGER PAIR OF PANTS, THAT WOULD BE GREAT!
3. sOME STUFF ON OUR FAMILY HISTORY. i NEED TO SEE IF i CAN DO SOME ON MY OWN, BUT i REALLY DON'T HAVE THE TIME. iF YOU COULD SEND SOME STUFF ON OUR ANCESTORS, THAT WOULD BE AWESOME!
4. kEEP BEING RIDICULOUSLY AWESOME!
5. tIES
6. aNYTHING ELSE THAT YOUR HEART DESIRES!
7. oH, SOMETHING FOR MY COMPANION, i DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL BE ELDER BYTENDORP WILL BE WITH ME FOR CHRISTMAS BECAUSE TRANSFERS ARE ON THE 13TH, SO i'LL LET YOU KNOW WHO IT IS.
sO, EVERYTHING IS GOOD HERE. wE HAVE BEEN TRACTING A TON! wHICH IS PRETTY EFFECTIVE IF THERE IS NOTHING ELSE TO DO. wE HAVE ACTUALLY FOUND A COUPLE OF REALLY COOL POTENTIALS THROUGH TRACTING. wE FOUND pAULENE, pEARL AND A TWENTY YEAR OLD GIRL NAMED aNNIE THAT WE MAY HAVE TO GIVE TO THE sINGLES WARD ELDERS.
tHE CAR HAS BEEN KIND OF OUT OF COMMISSION FOR SOME PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE HAD WITH IT FOR A FEW DAYS AND THAT MAKES IT HARDER TO BE REALLY EFFECTIVE. bUT WE'VE GOT A FEW LESSONS SET UP FOR THIS WEEKEND. wE HOPE THAT EVERYTHING WILL BE GOOD WITH THEM!
tHANKS AGAIN, mOM, FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR ME. YOU SERIOUSLY ARE WAY AWESOME!!! tELL THE FAM THAT i LOVE THEM AND THAT i SAID HI! i LOVE YOU, mom!
lOVE,
eLDER lYNAM
PS i FORGOT!!!

Hey Dad!!!!

 

Thats cool that your going up to Wyoming. If you can tell Grandma and Grandpa this small letter at the end of this letter that would be awesome!

 

Thats cool how everything is going good down there too. I forgot how old you are now......26?

 

Anyway everything is going way good up here. We are getting some really awesome people to teach and the lessons that we have with them are really cool too!!!! We have been doing a ton of visiting of members to find out who is active and who is not. Out of all of that we are teaching one less-active family and hopefully going to teach two others. So we'll see how it goes. We really want to get one of the less-actives families to the Temple. So hopefully everything goes good with that. We just need to get them to Church too.

 

The transfer is just barely over and Elder Bytendorp is leaving this area. So I'm going to get a new companion tommorow. I am going to miss that guy. He really was a fun companion!!!! But that means that I get to drive the 2011 Ford Fusion for another transfer!!!!

 

Thanks again for all that you do Dad!!!! Tell the girls and Heather that I love them and that I miss them a ton!!!!! I cant believe in about three days I'm going to hit my year mark!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Its all down hill from there!!!!!!!................hopefully hahahaha. Love you too Dad!

 

Love Elder Lynam (line-em-up)

 

Dear Grandma and Grandpa Lynam

 

How's it going guys!!!!? Sorry its been so long to get you guys this letter. How is everything going? Everything is going way good up here! I am having so much fun!!!! We are teaching a ton of people and working on re-activating some less-active families and getting them to the Temple. We even have a girl that is on date for Baptism for the end of this month!!!!!

 

I have to say that I have learned and grown so much since I have been out here. Whats really cool is that I see time and time again how the gospel is true and how families are forever. This gospel has changed me so much and has helped me see what our purpose is for being here on earth for this small moment in time. I know that the Church is true because again of how my life has been changed forever. I have experienced even more happiness and joy than ever before in my entire life so far! This gospel has saved me from really hard and sad times while growing up. And thats why I'm out here. I want to let the whole world know what I know.

 

I also want to thank you two. You two have given the gospel to your children, one of them being my dad. And in turn, he has given me the gospel. Because of you guys I experience the most happiness and joy everyday. Thank you guys so much. I hope to see you guys soon! Tell everyone up there that I love them. And know that I love you guys too!!!

 

Love Elder Lynam

December 5, 2011

Dear Mom!!!

Thank you so much for being better with letters than I am!!!!  I finally got my letter out to you the other day.  So sorry for that again.  I heard that you talked to Sister Bruner in my ward for like alot of minutes!  I swear moms with boys on missions have a secret combination or something!!!!!!  hahahaha.  She told me all about the conversation and that she thinks that your the bomb and how much fun it was to talk to you!!!!  I'm really glad to have cool people like her in my ward.

So, I'm going to write you a letter that is ON TIME this time!!!!  But tell everyone that everything is going good up here!!!!  And we got a new investigator from China somewhere named Fred.  His family doesn't sit in on the lessons but we talk with him.  He is kind of a tough shell to crack, but hopefully he will read and pray about the Book of Mormon by the next time we see him.  Other than that we have been finding some pretty good potentials.  We did a TON of tracting this week because our car was out of comission for a few days!!!!  I also am implementing your "White Christmas" idea!!!!  We have three ornaments on the tree so far and we hope to get others up there soon!!!  I am also going to put together those gifts and give them to our potentials, investigators and less-active members.

Love you Mom, tell the fam that I love them a ton too!

Love,

Elder Lynam!!!!!!!!

I was wrapping presents for my Missionary last night.  I was trying to put different things in each of the boxes so the just white shirts weren't by themselves.... this one made me cry.