I am Jean Valjean (Letter from July 15)

Hey Family

                 This week was really good. On Monday we woke up around 6 and went to go do a workout thing called cross fit with a member. It was lots of fun but it is expensive (the first time was free). Then we just hung out and had a good P-Day. Tuesday we went to zone meeting and had had a good time there. Then we came back and tried to see some people but like no one was home. Wednesday we taught the Plan of Salvation to the young men and then had them teach it back to us. Thursday we drove down to Walnut Ridge and picked up a baptism gown for Tamra from Pocahontas. Then we came back up and saw the Peels and Tamra. Then that evening we went to the play Les Miserables with Tamra. One of the members named Bro Rose was in the play. It was very good. On Friday evening, Tamra got baptized!! She didn't want very many people there so we didn't announce it. It ended up that their was a lot of people that showed up. She brought 4 of her friends (all non-members) and her parents came. It was very good and spiritual.

from left to right: Elder Salisbury, Pres LaVetter, Tamra, Me

Saturday we went up to Piggott and saw some investigators up there. One named Chance and another named Juane. They are cousins and Juane's wife is named Nicole and she is a member. We had a good time and their only struggle is they are afraid to come to church. They are really legit but it uses all our miles to go up there once a week. Sunday, church was good and afterwards we went to the Johnson's for lunch. An investigator named Jerry was there. He is a collage student studying physics and he lives in Blythville area but we are the only ones that have taught him. He goes to church with Bro Johnson (a high councilman) so they go to different wards each week. Bro Johnson is also his physics professor at ASU. It was a good lesson.

               That is about it for my week. I will send pics of the baptism. It sounds like y'all had fun in Oregon and at home. Sorry to hear about Gracie breaking her arm. Hope you all have a great week.

                                                                                                                             -Elder Talbert

Happy 4th of July!! Letter from July 8

Hey Family,

                 This week has been good and busy. On Monday we went to the park and hung out with the Pocahontas Elders and Brianna and Zac and Ray. It was lots of fun. We played Basketball and four square. We then went and had dinner at one of the members and had FHE with them. Jerry was there and so we taught him a little about the Book of Mormon and then we played card games. I was really good at them. On Tuesday we had district meeting. After district meeting we went on exchanges and Elder Davis and I went to Blythville. Elder Salisbury and Elder Holmgren stayed in Paragould so Elder Holmgren could interview Tamra. We went to the church because president was going to be there to interview some people but they didn't show so we went to their house to see what was up. They had been told by their landlord to move out that day so they were moving. We went and told president they weren't coming and then we helped them move for the next 4 hours. On Wednesday we went and exchanged back then we went up to Pigget and Rector to visit some people. We went to a recent convert's named Mark and hung out and taught his family. Thursday we went to the Charles for the day. Tamra came with us. We went and hung out and had a BBQ. We then shot off 5 cannons that Bro Charles and his sons had made. (I will send pictures). 

The 5 cannons we shot

The cannons going off

That evening we ate watermelon and sat in our apartment and watched the fireworks. It was good but fairly boring for a firework show. Friday was Tamra's B-day. We visited some people in the morning, then in the evening had a party for Tamra. We mostly sat around and talked but we also played some games and ate some cake. It was lots of fun. Saturday we went up to Rector and Pigget. We went to Nicole's and had dinner and taught her cousin and husband. It was our second time teaching her cousin and he had already read to chapter 15. Which is awesome for a newer investigator. Now we just need him to come to church. Sunday was fast and testimony. It was really good and there was a baby blessing we participated in. It was for Jeff and Amy Charles' baby. That is Bro Charles son and his wife. Second hour we taught like usual. Then we were also asked to teach priesthood. It was on the Word of Wisdom and there was no manual/ lesson for the week so we had to make it up. We just taught like we would teach an investigator but a little more advanced. It was a good lesson and I wasn't nervous while teaching. That evening we shared Bill Carpenter's conversion story with Tamra and we have been pushing for her to get baptized soon. After the talk was over she said she wanted to get baptized this week so we will have her baptism this upcoming Saturday. It will be awesome.

                 That is about it for the week. I hope all have fun in Oregon and that dad and Nathaniel have fun. Know that I love and pray for you all. Have a great week.

                                                                                       Love Elder Talbert

July 1, 2013

Hey Family

                This week has been good. Monday we went and hung out with the Pocahontas Elders and Tamra for about half the day. Then Brianna came up and had gone swimming so after she was done she hung out with all of us for a while. We went bowling in the evening. I am really bad at bowling. I succeeded in losing both games. Tuesday we had district meeting. After district meeting and we went and visited some people but it was mostly doorstep visits because they were all busy. Wednesday we did service for Bro. Charles. I think I have told you about him, but he is an old guy on oxygen and still keeps very busy doing yard work. We helped him break up some pallets with some hammers. The hammer I was using made me feel like Thor swinging his hammer at a guy on the ground. I think it made me stronger. That night we went to the church for young men's and taught the young men the first lesson. Friday we went up to Pigget to see some people and we had a get together at a member named Deidra's house. It was lots of fun. Saturday we went and painted Bro. Charles fence. He is also a steel worker and built his own fence and has since painted it green. It was fun and I got paint all over me. Sunday was very good. Church was good. They young women talked about girls camp. It was a good day.

                 That is about it for my week. Thanks for all you do and have a good week next week. Hopefully it will not be as boring as this last week. 

                                                                       -Elder Talbert  

Hey Family

                 This week has been good. On Monday we went down to Pocahontas and hung out. We hung out at the church with Brianna and played Settlers of Catan. Then we came back to Paragould for dinner. On Tuesday we did service/yard work stuff for some members in the morning. Then we visited a few people and had dinner with the Edlers. They are a cool family that feeds us every Tuesday. On Wednesday we did more service. This time for Brother Charles. Then we saw Tamra and went up to Piggot and Rector and up north. Thursday we had specialized training in the morning. We met the Pocahontas Elders in Jonesboro and they were running late so we were going to be late. Then about half way there we had a flat tire and had to pull over and change it. It made us more late. When we finally arrived we were about 40 min late. When it was over we came back and went to a members to help them move. By the time we got there they were already packed so we helped them clean their house. Sunday we went to church and it was really good we had a lot of recent converts there. Then after church our branch had decided to watch the broadcast next week but we really wanted to see it so we went to a members house and watched it. It was awesome and I really liked watching the little video clips during Elder Nelson's talk. I think I knew some of the people in the video clips. It was good and I am excited to know if we can use more of the internet more for our work. It would really help. 

    

                         That's about it for my week. Glad to hear you all had a good week and you had fun in DC. The spy museum sounds awesome. Hope you have a great next week.

                                                                                                                -Elder Talbert

Happy Father's Day

Hey Family

                  Happy Fathers Day! This week has been great. On Tuesday we had zone meeting. We went down to Jonesboro where the Musicks picked us up, then we continued to West Memphis. It was a good meeting. Then we went and visited an investigator named Tamra. She is an awesome 18 yr old that has word of wisdom problems and is having a hard time quitting mostly because all her friend do the same stuff. Wednesday we did service for a member named Bro Charles. Then we went out teaching with a member named Bro Kirksey. We went and visited a lot of less active members, then we went out teaching with another member to some Spanish appointments. It was kinda awkward because only the member could speak Spanish so we just sat there awkwardly. Thursday we went to the circus in Jonesboro with some investigators. It was good but a lot cheesy. On Sunday church was very good. We teach gospel principles and it is fun. This week the young men and young women came in because their teacher wasn't there. For dinner we went over to Bro Rose's house. He is awesome and is growing out his hair because he is in Les Miserables.

                 I am glad to hear all you are doing awesome. Thanks for the GPS mom. I hope you all have a great week. Have fun in DC mom and dad.

                        Elder Talbert

What's up with the cape? Are we going to the opera?

Hey Family

               This week has been great. On Tuesday, I started to pack and we went and visited the Rasdons, Ray and Sharron, the Lindseys and the Oetjens. People kept asking me where I was going  but I didn't know. I kept telling them I might go to West Memphis or Paragould. 

me and Brianna and Zac (Zac is standing on something he is really about my height)

 Ray, me and Sharron

Well on Wednesday, the Musick's came and we loaded all my stuff into their van. Then we drove to Jonesboro and picked up the Paragould Elders and loaded all of Elder Rich's stuff in the Musick's van. We then went to Memphis to transfers. When transfers were about to start we went inside the building and they had just varnished the gym floor so it smelled bad. After the opening song and prayer we all went back outside because we couldn't stand the fumes. We then had transfers outside even though it was about to rain. It was the fastest transfer meeting. It was only 15 min, usually transfer meetings are an hour. Well I got transferred to Paragould. My companion is Elder Salisbury. We were both thinking that I was going to Parargould. Elder Salisbury is from Savannah, Georgia, but he lives in Ogden, Utah. He has been out for about 9 months. After the transfer meeting ended it started to rain and has been raining on and off all week. It is kinda cool. We waited for the Musicks, then we unloaded Elder Rich's stuff and loaded in Elder Mayberry's stuff (he is going to Pocahontas and that is funny because he was one of the ones that opened it in November). Then we went to give a blessing and back to Jonesboro. Then Elder Salisbury and I went back to Paragould. The rest of the week we have gone teaching. I have been meeting all the investigators and members. On Sunday, I was asked last minute to tell about myself and share my testimony in sacrament. It has been a great week.

                That is about it for my week. It sounds like you are all having fun cleaning and swimming. Thanks for everything you guys do for me and know I love and pray for all of you.

                                                                                                                love, Elder Talbert 

thou shalt count to 3 and 3 shalt be the number thou shalt count

Joseph's letter from June 3

Hey Family

                This week has been great. Monday, we went fishing with some of the members. Then then we went and visited some investigators named Oetjens (said eh-tons). On Tuesday, we went to district meeting then I stayed in Paragould on exchanges.

 It was lots of fun. Wednesday, we exchanged back and went to a missionary meeting. Then we visited Ray and the Oetjens. Friday, was fairly boring except for family night that evening. I am getting better at ping pong. Saturday, Ray got Baptized. It was awesome. It was not in a river because of all the rain that we have been getting. We have not had any really bad storms just some rain and thunder and lightning. 

Then on Sunday Ray got confirmed. The Oetjens came to church. Church was very good and it's cool you will be teaching the Gospel Doctrine class mom. Then this morning I have received word that I am getting transferred on Wednesday. I am excited to see where I go, but kinda sad to leave. That is about all for my week. 

 

                Its great to hear you are all doing well and having a good summer. Hope you all have a great week and fun as you are in summer break.

         Love Elder Talbert