Holy cow 2015. I never thought that would happen.

What's up Mama,

Hey Monday came fast haha. I am happy that I get to email though. It's fun.

The big transfer news is: I am staying in Kennewick with Elder Ro. I am happy with that. We work together well and have a lot of fun so it should be really good. We had a fantastic past couple days! We put two of our investigators, T**** and K, on date!!!!! That was super exciting.

Christmas was super fun being able to see you guys. Jeff was different than I was expecting, but he is funny so that's all good haha. I don't even know exactly what I was expecting...haha. It was good to meet him though. I'm sorry that all your kids are growing up on you haha. You can take comfort in that I am feeling good. I surprisingly wasn't even that trunky after, so it was easy to adjust back. You're an awesome Mama!  I would visit now but you're going to have to wait 7 months ;)

Christmas was super fun after we Skyped. We hung out and just had fun. Delivered cookies to our investigators. Ate some super good food. We went to a members' house and they had--no joke--about $200 worth of meat on the table haha. It was sooooooooo good! They were these huge sections of prime rib that was cooked soooooooooo good. Let's just say I was in heaven haha.

Hey, that's cool that we have some new neighbors. I will have to meet them when I get back.

I haven't gotten my glasses yet. I don't know when they are going to come in. I will take a pic. Don't worry about that.

You da best!!

Mama: Hey son!

Yeah, Monday did come kinda fast. This week will probably go fast too with New Year’s.

I don’t remember hearing about your investigator K before....have you told us about him?

I’m glad you did not get trunky!

Prime rib!! You lucky dog!

Our New Year’s snowman is going to be good this year—we got 11.5 inches of snow over Christmas, and last night we got about 8 more. The snow is finally showing up this year. And this year I should be able to make it up on the hill, with my new knee brace. yeah! 

 

Elder Sed: I totally forgot that this week was New Year's hahaha. Holy cow 2015. Never thought that would happen hahahaha.

I totally forgot about the snowman tradition too. I bet you guys are going to be able to make an awesome one. You have Jeff too, if he shows up, and he's super tall so you could even make the snowman even taller than before. That's awesome too that you're going to be able to make it up the hill.

That is A TON of snow! I wish it snowed like that up here. That would be sweet. I remember that one night when we got a snow day for school. Now that was a lot of snow.

 

I'm pretty sure I have told you about K before.

Mama: You probably have mentioned K, but I post to your blog every week and I know you always mention M****, L*****, etc., but couldn’t remember K. It’s all good.

Yeah, 2015! I never thought it would happen either. 

 

What do you get to do for New Year’s? Do you have to stay in with Sister S? Not that you wouldn’t like that....wink. 

 

Elder Sed: It should be fun getting to know everyone new when I get back, just hopefully my mission won't make me too awkward to be around haha.

What do we get to do for New Year's? We will have to be in at 6 pm. I know that for sure, so yea we will get to hang out with Sister S. It should be fun. I bet she will have family over or something so it should be fun. I will probably party it up though haha. I have to go all out right ;)? My last one in the mission field so I will try to make it fun as I can.

Well, it's time for me to go again. It was fun emailing today. Thanks for all that you do for me! Tell everyone hi for me. If you could, somehow on Facebook or something tell my RC and friends hi for me. That would be awesome if you did that. You do so much for me and I'm so grateful for it! Love you, Mama! Hope you have a great week!

-Elder Sedlacek

 

What's up Dada,

Sounds like you had a pretty relaxing week after Christmas. Mine was pretty dang awesome. I told you mostly what happened in the week before Christmas. It was pretty long. Now that Christmas is over we were able to meet with T**** and K. Guess what??? They both are on date now!!!!!!!! T**** is doing awesome. She was able to get some help from the ward for her daughters to have a Christmas, so I was super happy about that. Her girls are so dang cute, and they deserved to have some gifts for Christmas. Her baptism date is for 2/7/15 as of right now. She did tell us that she has some concerns about Joseph Smith, so we invited her to pray and to gain an answer from God about it. You guys could pray for her to gain that answer.

K is doing awesome, too. He has been reading and has really opened up to us this week. We met with him a couple times, and both of those times we were able to hear some of his concerns and address them. We had a super good lesson on the Doctrine of Christ and he committed to be baptized 2/14/15!!! I was super pumped about that. He struggles going to church just from an experience he had when he was younger, so pray that those concerns will be resolved.

M**** is doing awesome as well. She has been reading and also trying to get J**** to read as well. He struggles with reading, but once he starts reading everyday I am sure M's baptism date will be a lot sooner. Pray that J*** will feel the need to read everyday.

L***** is doing great too. This area is just being really blessed right now. I am so happy to be in here right now!

That's funny that you guys remembered that you didn't take a pic while we were on Skype. I thought the same thing right when I ended it. I guess I could have called you back real quick and taken a pic, but oh well. Grandma is just going to have to be a little mad for the months in between Mother's Day and now haha. It was awesome to see all of you guys. You're one awesome family!

Duke that dumb dog, eating all the bretzlis. He was probably just mad that you haven't taken him duck hunting ;) . I am sure he is already back to loving you again haha. I have gotten PLENTY of treats. I live with Sister S. She has every Christmas treat under the sun in her house, except bretzlis.

Well, I am grateful for all that you do for me. You're one awesome dad. You're an even better example to me than I am to you, I am sure haha. I am grateful to be serving a mission. It has blessed me so much. I have learned and grown so much in just the time I have been out. I know the gospel is true. Since you sent me that DVD of the bible videos I have been watching some of those. Christ's life never ceases to amaze me. He did live a perfect life and set a perfect example for us. I know the atonement is in place for a reason. I know Christ can heal our lives.

I love you guys. You're awesome!

-Elder Jake Sedlacek

 

 

 

Out of the hardest days, come the biggest moments.

What's up Mama,

How the heck have you been? I had a pretty good week. This week should be really fun with Christmas and all that. I actually got my packages on Saturday so they came faster than expected I guess. That's cool. You will be happy to know that I am saving them til Christmas morning to open, by orders of Sister Ware haha. She doesn't want any missionary to have to sing "I'm getting nothing for Christmas" haha. She's funny sometimes.

You like Sister S? I am glad you got to talk to her. I like her too, she's awesome. You should have gotten a couple texts with pictures this week. When we have dinner with families who have missionaries out, they always want to send a pic it seems.

I am staying healthy. The past couple days I have had some allergies so I don't know what the heck is up with that. My right eye has been bugging me because I can't see as good in it. I am going to the eye doctor tomorrow though, so I will see if I am actually blind or going crazy haha.

Amazon is amazing haha. Now that you have free 2 day shipping it's even more great!

Jeff is going to have a hard time competing with your fave son huh haha. ;)

Our investigators are doing well. It was a good, busy week. I had some cool experiences too, so it was awesome.

Mama: Hi Son! I’ve been great. I’m glad you have had a good week. Sister S said she is taking you to the doctor tomorrow. You’ll have to let me know what happens when we talk to you this week.

I did get three pics of you this week! Two from the M family and one from the Ns. They are all great!

You’ll always be my favorite son. Wink!

I forgot to tell you that Brother and Sister B gave you another $25 this Christmas. I will put it in your account.

Elder Sed: Yep, she is taking us to the doctor bright and early. 6:40 in the morning hahah. When I heard what time it was, I was like holy cow haha. It should be fun though.

Hey it's good that I'm still the favorite.Tell the Blacks thanks for me!

I am thinking about going and getting my grey suit tailored this week because it is huge on me and looks terrible. Mr Mac does free alterations but I am not in Utah and they don't have Mr. Macs here so I might just take it to a place and have them do it. I heard though that it would be somewhere around $40. 

Mama: Oh yeah, you’re still the fave. Yesterday all the kids were telling me, “But you said I’M your fave!” haha! I may or may not have told them all that.  

Yeah, I think you should get your suit tailored. I could tell it’s huge in that pic you had taken for a cutout. 

Elder Sed: Oh so the truth comes out huh haha. ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

You can be sure that I am the favorite--just an fyi.

I will be calling sometime Christmas Eve to set up the final details on the Skype. Should be fun!!!!

I will probably have my suit done then. I like that suit, just not right now because it's huge. Even the pants on my black suit are big, but the jacket fits better than it does on my grey suit so I will probably not worry about that one.

Mama: Can't wait to hear your voice!: it will be awesome. We will all be at grandpa Hilton's house.

Elder Sed: I have to get going now. It was great to talk to ya. I am glad everything is good back at home base. I hope you have a great week! Talk to you on Christmas! Love ya!

-Elder Jake Sedlacek

What's up Dad,

It was weird because when I started to read the email you sent, I was reading it as Mom sent it and I was thinking to myself  "Why is mom going to Cabela's to spend her birthday stuff???" haha!  I realized after that though that I was reading your email instead haha. That's awesome you were able to pick up a case of shells. Is that all you bought? It's going to be fun to use those next year. Jeff is going to have to come along too. If I remember correctly he hasn't duck hunted before, right?

This week for me was a great one. We had lessons with most of our investigators. I had some cool experiences too, with finding and gaining answers to prayers. I am going to give a short update of where most of our investigators are at.

M**** is still doing well. She came to church yesterday and really liked it. Like our ward back home was, our church was on Christmas in every class. It was fun. She still is having a hard time studying, but in this crazy, busy world who isn't? I think that is one of the most used tactics by Satan. He tries to convince us that we are too busy to study the scriptures, which is absolutely false. Dang Satan. Stop messing with our investigators.

L**** has been slammed with work with Christmas coming up. He is busy all this week too, which is just crazy. He still tries to find time to read each day somehow. He's awesome.

D*** we lost contact with. He got kicked out of where he was living and we have no clue where he's at now with his phone not working anymore. I hope we are able to find him soon. Miracles happen.

T****** is really busy with work too. (See the common theme with all our investigators?) The bishop went over and visited with her to see if she had any Christmas needs, so that was great. She is really awesome. Sometimes I just wish I could buy the things that she needs. It's really tough for me sometimes that way. I care about them so much and want them to have the things that they need.

C***** unfortunately got anti-ed by her boyfriend and dropped us this week. That was a tough day, but I did get a way sweet answer to my prayers immediately that day. When we got back inside that day, on Wednesday of this week, we had had a really long day and I was just ready for bed. In my night prayers to Heavenly Father, I always just try and relax and go over my whole day. I was just thinking about the days on my mission where it seems like nothing is going my way, and then all of a sudden I had a distinct thought in my mind. It went like this: "Out of the hardest days, come the biggest moments."  My thoughts went right to the Savior after that. I was just imagining the morning of the atonement and what or how Christ would have felt. He must have known that the day was going to be the hardest experience of his mortal life, but in reality the hardest day of all human history brought the biggest moment in human history as well. Out of that garden came salvation for human kind. How grateful I am for it this Christmas season!!!!!!!! It's so awesome to be a missionary this Christmas season. It may not be a "White" Christmas for me per say, but I have learned some meaningful lessons.

That answer to my prayers was just one of the cool things that happened this week. It was just a great week. I'm looking forward to this week, too. It's going to be fun to be able to see you guys over Skype.

I have got to say GO UTES!!!!! Oh yea, I am so happy they had a great game. I would have loved to see that trick play they did to score at the beginning. I bet it was awesome! I hope they can finish in the top 20 this season. That would be the icing on the cake. Now they just need to do amazing next year.

Well, I know the gospel is true. I am so grateful to be able to serve a mission. I love it! I know the Book of Mormon is true. I know the Savior lives. I know Joseph Smith is a prophet that god has called in these days. I know the priesthood is on the earth as well. What a blessed life we live. Thanks for all that you do for me Dadio. Your awesome! Love ya!

-elder jake sedlacek

I didn't always make the best decisions, but it led me to be who I am today.

 

 

Hey what's up Dad,

My week was pretty great. We were able to get some awesome work done. God is certainly blessing the  ward right now. This week we found a very promising new investigator. Her name is C****. She is in her 20s and has a couple kids and she is awesome. She was raised Christian. She is super open-minded. The first lesson we had with her, we went over the restoration. It was SUPER good. The spirit was really strong. I know she felt the spirit teach her truth!!!! Later this week, she texted us and that brought some not good news. She has a BF who is anti-Mormon and he had given her some stuff. I was able to resolve most of the concerns. I just hope she will want to continue to meet with us. Pray for the spirit to help her know real truth from God!!!!!!!! She NEEDS this right now!!!

L***** is doing great things as well. We had a lesson with him that was super good also. At the end of the lesson we had asked him to say the prayer and he didn't want to, but amazingly his girlfriend stepped up to the plate and was like, "I will do it." Ever since then, L***** is completely comfortable praying. He even volunteered to give the opening prayer in our latest lesson with him. He is praying for some guidance as to what to do about his living situation. Pray for him to be able to gain an answer he is comfortable with so he can be baptized. He wants it so bad! It has been an amazing experience teaching him and bringing him closer to Christ.

M***** has been doing great, too. They are still working on progressing towards marriage. Pray for them to be able to continue to make progress.

T****** is doing great things as well. She came to the ward Christmas party this week and really enjoyed it. She was able to meet a lot of the members of the ward. She is really struggling this holiday season though. Pray for her to have the comfort she is seeking.

The mission had a Christmas Devotional this week. That was fun. They gave out temple recomend holders that President Ware had made up for each missionary. They are super cool. I had been secretly wanting and hoping that they would do that. Lucky me! They did haha.

I am glad that the wedding was a huge success. It looked really good in the pics Mom sent. You should do it for a business. On a scale of 1-10, how stressed out were you on Friday? haha I can't even imagine how you felt. You're awesome, Daddio!

I like your idea to set some goals to stretch myself for the rest of my mission. I bet it would help me to stay focused on my purpose. You know I will do that. Good thinking Dad. I always want to be the best missionary I can be.

I don't have a clue when I will be Skyping on Christmas Day. We are going to be Skyping from our house, so we can whenever pretty much. When is the best time for you guys? I can probably plan on doing it then.

Well, I know the gospel is true. I know Jesus Christ lives and He watches out for us and leads us to where we need to be. Psalms 23:1-2. I know that all my life, I have been lead and guided by my Savior Jesus Christ. I know that is why I was sent to you and Mom. He knew that we would help each other the most. I am so grateful for you and Mom helping me and raising me to go on a mission. I didn't always make the best decisions, but it led to me to be who I am today. I know the atonement is real. God loves us and I KNOW He lives!

I love you guys tons! Thanks for all that you do!

-Elder Sedlacek

I get to spend two years just thinking about others, and I get blessed for it.

Hey mama,

How are you doing?? Sounds like you're one busy, busy mama haha. I bet with the wedding being this week that this week is going to fly by for you guys. That is exciting about the wedding. I bet it's going to be super fun. 

 

We had a pretty good week. Things are going good with Elder R. He is pretty fun. I would say we're pretty good friends. I try my best everyday to serve him. Serving someone is how you come to love them.

Hey, thanks for praying for M, L and D. I am positive it's helping them. They are all doing great. L*** did fall off date though. M**** is still looking at getting married in April. She has been reading everyday which has been GREAT! D**** is still doing good. He, like L***, has a crazy work schedule so he needs to get that cleared up before he is baptized so he can come to church.

I really liked the Christmas devotional. I totally agree that Elder Christofferson is my fave too. He always has something awesome to say. His whole talk was super good. I would say the whole meeting really helped me to get in even more of the Christmas spirit.

I hope Nicole's neck starts healing. That would suck if she has to go back in for surgery. I hope everything goes ok with her. I bet she isn't too worried about it right now haha.

You will have to tell Jeff good luck for me on all his finals. I bet he is having a blast ;) doing all that studying.

You're going to let the kids ditch though haha. I never thought that would happen. haha. Good luck also with all the wedding set up. 

I hope this week is totally awesome for all of you. I would of course love to be at the wedding, but I can't right now. I am sooo happy for Nicole that she's getting married in the temple. You guys are awesome parents! I love you guys sooooo much! Thanks for all that you do for me!

-Elder Jake Sedlacek

Dad.

I am doing great. This week was pretty good. It was fast and slow at the same time. We were able to get in contact with most of our investigators. Weren't able to have lessons with all of them, but we were able to get in contact with them. Pretty much all of them are doing great things. I know the Lord is in their lives blessing them as they allow him to by keeping their commitments. Thank you guys for praying for them. I pray for them everyday too of coarse haha. That is one thing that is great about the mission. I get to have two years to just think about others, and I get blessed for it. That is what is so great about the mission. I love it! I know the Lord is with me all the time as well. What a privilege to be able to represent Jesus Christ this holiday season.

I gave most of the updates so far to mom, but we did have a lesson with T**** this week. I don't know if you remember her, but she is a single mother works two jobs and has two kids under five. Crazy life huh? haha. I don't know how she does it. She also finds time in her busy day to read the scriptures too. She is doing great. The lesson was awesome. When Elder Arnold came to visit the mission he had taught us a new way to invite someone to baptism using the Book of Mormon, and it works so good. We invited T**** to be baptized and she said she would when she gets an answer that the Book of Mormon is true! It was a miracle, definitely. Those experiences are what the make the mission such a awesome experience. Take note little bro and sisters ;) GO ON A MISSION!

Congrats on the new calling dad. {Teaching in primary}.  How big is the teaching pool ;) You have pretty good odds that you will have 100% baptism rate as well haha. Now that is what I call missionary work haha. Our church was pretty good too. 

Hey, I wish you luck on setting up the wedding stuff. If it goes well, you should start your own business doing it. How cool would that be? You would be super busy but I bet it would be fun.

That is awesome that the UTES are going BOWLING! I hope they have a team show up just like you said. It wouldn't be cool to go and lose a bowl game. I had heard that Urban Meyer is back coaching at Florida? Is that true?

Thanks for your testimony dad. You're awesome! I also have a testimony of the gospel. As we allow the Gift of the atonement to penetrate our lives, IT WILL CHANGE US! The power of the atonement is real. It is infinite. I read in 3rd Nephi this week in chapter 1. There were some verses that stuck out to me too. Verse 4 which is where the wicked people were going to kill the believers if after a certain time the signs didn't show up, but in verses 15-25 it explains all the wonderous things that took place and the wicked people that were originally going to kill the righteous were converted. Christ was saving people the moment he was born. His life was all about salvation for us. Because he was born and died and rose again, I know we will all live again as well. I am so grateful for Christ's sacrifice for us!!!!!

I hope you have a great week dad. Have fun with the wedding this week. Don't forget to put on the grumpy pants ;)

Love ya,

Elder Sedlacek

I do believe my mission has changed me for the better for my whole life.

 

What's up Mama,

We just got back from eating lunch and the temple so now it's time to email. Yay haha. Emailing is fun though.

I had a good week. Funny that you ask if I stayed dry this week and I didn't a couple days haha. We had some surprise rainstorms and we got soaked, but it was really fun. I just really have had tons of fun this week. We got some snow later on in the week too, but now it's back to being super cold after almost 70 degrees on Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving was fun. We went to some members' homes and ate, of course. It was good. Everyone did a ham, so there was not a lot of turkey. It was good though. Really yummy. I bet it was really good food at grandpa's.

I need addresses of our imediate family for Christmas cards. Can you send them all to me if it's not too much trouble? I am working on this year's Christmas card and it's looking to be pretty good so far ;)

That's awesome the wedding stuff is looking like it's going to work out. I hope everything goes great with the wedding. I bet it's going to be stressful but super fun!

That's super funny that Mia is dibbing taking "me" {his cardboard cutout for the wedding} around hahaha. You will have to keep that cutout around afterwards. Maybe Duke will destroy it though haha.

I like that you can see progression in me just from the time I have left. I really do believe my mission has changed me for the better for my whole life. I have loved it and still continue to every single day.

Mama: Son, yay! There you are! I have been waiting for you. ;) 

It is so good to email each week. My fave time ever. It is no trouble to send you addresses. Who would you like them for?

Shoes. What is your shoe situation?

Elder Sedlacek: It's good to email you, too haha. First of all, I like Nicole's bridal pics. They look super good. I need addresses for basically everyone. 

Shoes: I have shoes that will work. It was just an idea for Christmas. I had another gift idea for me but I just can't remember it right now. I will get back to you on that one if I remember what it was eventually.

Mama: One good thing about having a wedding was that we had to compile a bunch of addresses in an excel file, so now any addresses you want, I’ve got haha. 

 

Did you enjoy the temple today, and your lunch? Did you eat in the temple? The temple usually has really good food. I’m a fan of the temple’s tapioca pudding.

Do you get to watch the First Presidency Christmas Devotional this Sunday?

 

Elder Sedlacek: I did enjoy the temple today. It was awesome as usual. Lunch was good too. Lunch in the temple????? psssshhhh that's a funny joke. The temple here isn't that big mama haha. We get a 60% off deal at Costa Vida once a week because a member owns it, so that's where we ate. You are right though that the temple does have good food. We do get to watch the devotional on Sunday. I am going to try my hardest to get our investigators there. It should be fun. I would assume you're going to watch it with the fam?

 

I have to get going now Mama. It was super fun to be able to email today. I am glad to hear you're doing well, as well as everyone else too. I hope this week is awesome for you all! If you haven't watched the new video the church has, "He is the Gift" you need to watch it as a family, and then #sharethegift. It's a awesome video about the true meaning of Christmas. I know Jesus Christ lives and he knows me and you and everybody else. The Book of Mormon is true. It brings the Spirit so much into our lives when we read it. I hope you have a great week again! Love ya!

-Elder Sedlacek

Whatz up Dad,

Hey papa. Sounds like you guys had a good Thanksgiving. Mine was good too. We had lots of fun. We went to a member's house and ate lunch/dinner for Thanksgiving. It was just the usual stuff, except it was ham. It was really, really good though. Next year is going to be fun ;)

The teaching pool has been doing good. Because of the holiday we didn't get to meet with most of our "on dates." The big news is that M**** and J**** are engaged. That was exciting news. They are working on getting married. It is weird to council somebody on marriage and I haven't been married haha. It ends up working out okay though most of the time. The Spirit does help with that, of course. M**** is still doing great. She made my day on Sunday. She got up in front of the gospel principles class and told how the Book of Mormon affects her. She shared how she can't read it out loud or her voice gets all shaky and she starts to cry. It was just cool to be able to explain to her that that is how the Spirit speaks to her. She is still doing great on the Word of Wisdom too, which is awesome.

D**** and L***** were both super busy with work this week so we didn't get to meet with them. They are both reading the Book of Mormon in the free time they do get. The rest of our teaching pool has been pretty busy as well so we are working on finding. We have been handing out tons of Books of Mormon so I am sure we will be increasing the size of the pool very soon. The new video the church has put out "He is the Gift" is way cool. It's been helping a lot to just get to talk to people about Christ instead of them just shutting the door on us.

Hey good to hear the Utes were able to pull out the win. It may have not been pretty, but it's still a season ending W, so that's good haha. The Jazz need to put their game face on and actually be good for a change haha. Maybe they are just waiting for me to get home haha. If they keep tanking it they should just try to get a lottery pick.

You will have to pet Duke for me to tell him I said hi back haha. Don't forget Molly too.

That's awesome that your wedding planning is going to work. What would you have done if it hadn't worked???? That would have been way stressful haha. Good job Dad.

As far as school, I would love to go to the U. I just don't know if I can get a scholarship there or not. That would be a major factor in the decision of where I want to go. I don't want to go pre med. I want to go PA at the moment, but I have also thought about history or something like that. Who knows haha. That's what generals are for right??

I am grateful for the chance to serve a mission. I know the plan of salvation exists for a reason. God does have a plan for each one of us. I know Jesus Christ lives again, and because he does we can too. I know our loved ones who have passed on are here to help us out in our moment of need, but we may not realize it at the time. I know the gospel is true. Thomas Monson is a prophet of god. The Doctrine of Christ is amazing! I love the gospel.

Hope you have an totally awesome fantabulous week ahead! Good luck with work and the wedding!

Love you all!

-Elder Sedlacek

Life flips on you pretty fast

Elder Sedlacek and his previous district. He is 3rd from the right.

What's up Mama,

How have you been this week??? Sounds like you've been very busy haha. I had a pretty good week as well. Transfers was fun. Elder Y got off to Grand Cooley and I got Elder Ro****. He is pretty cool. You can definately tell that he's young in the mission. He reminds me of me when I was out as long as he has been hahahaha. Funny thing is, he is at the exact point when I went to Elder J and I am out the exact time as Elder J was when I went to him haha. I remember thinking how "old" Elder J was, and now Elder Ro is probably thinking the same thing about me haha! Life just kinda flips on you pretty fast, doesn't it? haha. Anyway, he is a good missionary. Just kinda quiet sometimes.

Do you know if you or Nicole are going to send me some of the bridal pics??? I want to see the first look one haha. I bet that was fun to watch. That's dumb you had crappy weather for the pics! We had some crappy weather this week too. We had some freezing rain, tons of rain, and then at last the return of the Tri city sun haha. This week we had a meeting with one of the First Quorum of the Seventy, Elder Arnold. It was amazing! I will give an update in the email to dad.

 

I bet Mia did great on her play. If I had known/remembered it was her birthday I would have told her happy birthday last week in my email.

Why are they having you help out backstage though? Is that something you have to do or you're just volunteering for?

I bet your Thanksgiving will be way gooooooood at grandpa's. For Thanksgiving here we are going to at least one member's house for dinner sometime during the day. I don't know what else we will do. Last Thanksgiving was fun so I would assume this one is fun, too.

Mama: Son! :)

Yes, I’ve been very busy! I have all these little things to do floating through my head all the time, yet I don’t seem to get them all done. So today, since I am staying home until after we email, I have been making a list so I have them in front of me, and then I can check them off as I get them done. I think it will help. One of those things is to get your cutout taken care of. I decided to get a US President and then J.H. is going to enlarge your face from the professional pic you sent and put it on. 

 

They are having parents backstage for Scrooge because there are quite a few kids in it, and it just helps keep the younger ones acting like they are supposed to while they are backstage. Mia of course doesn’t need any help with backstage manners, but we still had to volunteer for two nights. It’ll be fun though. I like the backstage goings on. 

 

Sounds like you like your new comp, and you are getting along. 

 

Elder Sedlacek: You are super busy hahahaha. A list will help a ton I would bet haha.

Yea I like Elder R. He is pretty cool.  Like I said, he reminds me of me before the mission and at the beginning as well. It made me realize how much I have grown on the mission.

Oh, so you're on parent duty basically to keep the kids under control haha. Nothing more than you already do every single day of your life now haha.

Mama: A list will help. I’m already seeing it haha. It made me realize that if I’m going to cook a turkey for our own leftovers (hello tradition!) then I’d better buy one and get it thawed out! Normally I’ve done that already! It just shows how my thoughts are going in a million directions right now. 

 

 

Elder Sedlacek: Yeah, you better cook a turkey. That's important hahaha. I told Sister Sp***** that you make a really good turkey too, so I bet it will be way good haha.

So, you're pretty scatter brained right now then haha. That's how I feel sometimes too haha. Those are the days I just take out my planner and write everything down that I need to get done. Otherwise I forget stuff. There is a reason why my planner is my brain right now.

I have to get going in a minute but it was great to hear from you this week. I am so glad to be yo' son. Your favorite son, too ;)

I love you guys so much and am grateful for all that you all do for me. Love ya! Hope you have a great Thankgiving this week! Wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving for me since I of coarse won't be there. Talk to you next week though.

-Elder Sedlacek

 

 

What's up Dad,

My week was great this week. It was a usual transfers week, which means it goes by really slow. I also couldn't believe how busy our investigators are now that it's the holiday season. We didn't get to meet with lots of them, unfortunately. L***** is still doing great. He told us this week in our lesson that "everything he learns makes the Mormon church sound better and better. It feels really good." So yeah, he is progressing!  The hard part is still his work schedule and making it to church. 

 

M***** is still doing great. She is completely following the Word of Wisdom, which is great! Her boyfriend had to go into the ER early yesterday morning so they didn't make it to church. They also need to get married. I never thought I would be a missionary and a marriage counselor at the same time hahahaha. So far, the wedding is planned for April so I don't think I will be able to be here for the baptism. I am just really hoping and praying that they feel the desire to move it up and get baptized sooner than that.

D**** is doing well too. His employer told him that he can't have Sundays off right now because they are too busy. That sucked to hear. Hopefully he can get something figured out so he can start coming to church.

You can pray for all our on-date investigators, that they can get all their situations figured out and get baptized. The rest of our investigators are doing well. We are just working on finding new ones and working with the ones we already have.

Like I mentioned in my email to Mom, we had a meeting with Elder Arnold of the Seventy on Thursday. It was AMAZING! I felt the spirit so strong the whole meeting. It just so happened to be on the day when we had freezing rain too, so it was delayed a lot but it eventually happened. He talked a lot about the commitment ladder in the church. We are given simple commitments to keep, and we are blessed when we do. As we keep the simple ones we are able to take upon ourselves the greater commitments/covenants of the gospel. It made so much sense to me. It was awesome. He also talked a lot about the promises made to us when we are set apart as missionaries. He said, "Those promises are promises you can bank on. They were given through the Spirit of the Lord and the priesthood." I was just curious if Mom still had that paper where she wrote down the promises President Stuart said to me when I was set apart. I want a copy of it or something.

Sounds like work is going good for you. Hope it keeps being good haha.

That really really really really blows the Utes lost to Arizona! I really hope they aren't falling apart. They better just whoop Colorado. Are they going to be getting a good bowl game since they are 17th in the bowl rankings? I hope the Jazz can keep it up too. Sounds like they have a pretty good team this year.

Well, I had some scriptures that I read this week that I really liked for my spiritual thought this week. The first one being in the Book of Mormon. It's Alma 36:24-25. This is when Alma is talking about how much joy the mission can bring. I had never really thought about this scripture much before when I have read it, but I realized just how much joy the mission does bring to my life, and to your lives as well. I have really enjoyed every moment of my mission. I have grown so much! I can already tell that so I bet you guys will be amazed haha.

The other scripture was one that Elder Arnold shared with us. It is Moses 6:31 and 34, which is the promise the Lord makes to us. In verse 31 it helps explain that the Lord knows what we struggle with. He is talking to Enoch in this situation, but put your own name in there. I did it and it's really cool. I know I have been called of God by the authority of the priesthood to preach the gospel. I know the Lord is with me always. He is here to help us. This is His work and His gospel. I am so grateful to have the Lord as one of my companions in the mission at all times. I love my mission like always.

This week being Thanksgiving, I want to thank you so much, Dad, for all that you do for me. You're a great example to me. You're awesome. I am so grateful for the sacrifice you go through to keep your favorite son ;) on my mission. Thanks for everything you do! Love ya!

Have a great week!

-Elder Jake Sedlacek
 

I tried to redneck my shoes

What's up Mama,

Sounds like an exciting week back at home. My week here was pretty good. I will give more of an update to dad haha which I guess is both of you :).

The weather up here is getting to be more like fall. It's cold in the mornings and the leaves are finally changing. Fall just seems to come later here than in Utah. I will probably try to get some more shoes that are waterproof then. The ones I just bought almost have a hole in the bottom of the shoe and holes starting to form all over haha. Shoes just don't last as long as they need to haha.

Anything else I need huh. Let me think on that one. I don't think I need anything at the moment. I really don't know what I would want for Christmas haha. I am no help there. You should just buy clothes for me for when I get home. I am going to have nothing as of right now haha.

That service activity, was it part of Just Serve? Have you heard anything about that? Sounds like a good thing to do. That's terrible that the girls are treated so badly for something they cant even control. The world is a crazy place. Thats why it needs missionaries ;)

I bet DB's talk was great. How many stories did he tell? You will have to tell him hi back for me.

Guess what?????? Elder J (a former comp who has been home for a few months) proposed this last weekend!!!!! Isn't that crazy!!! He's going to be a married man pretty soon.

Marriage is just in the air right now haha. You will have to be sure to have Nicole send me an invite. 

Transfers are on next Wednesday so this Saturday we will find out what's going down. I don't really have a clue what will go on. I  guess I will find out Saturday. It's likely that I will stay since I have only been here one transfer.

I hope all of you have a great week! Love you guys tons!!!!!!!!!!!

I will talk to you next week Mama

-Elder Sedlacek

Whaz up Dad,

This week was a great one for me. It went by way faster than last week did. It ended up being alot better too. Updates on our investigators:

J***** we met with Monday and we meet with tonight. She told us in our lesson on Monday that she is seriously looking for a church to get baptized into. She is reading in the Book of Mormon and is really liking it. Shes doing great!

We found a couple investigators this week. One was a guy named ____.  He lives in a home with other recovering addicts. He seems really interested in the message and even is reading the Book of Mormon. He works a crazy schedule so that is the main struggle right now--getting him to church. Maybe that is something that you can pray for.

The other investigator was a mormon.org referal which we don't get very often. He is AWESOME!!!!! He works with a member who is a really good friend of his and that is how he recently got in contact with the church. He is originally from Canada and he shared with us a super sweet story of how he found the church originally and got back in contact with it. When he lived in Canada he was able to go through and tour the Vancover B.C temple and he said the peace that he felt in the temple is nothing like what he has felt before. He loved it and ever since that experience he has been searching for that same feeling. Because he works nights right now he has a crazy schedule, but one day he decided he was going to go check out the church building. It was locked because no one was in there so he just sat on the grass next to the chapel because he said it was the closet thing to the feeling he felt in the temple. His name is L**** and so far it's been awesome teaching him. He wasn't able to come to church yesterday but I really see him progressing very fast in the future.

M**** came to church for the third Sunday in a row. She really liked it as usual. It was awesome. They just need to get married before they can get baptized but the wedding time frame is looking like it's not going to happen until February. I am really hoping they can get married before that. They both want to get married in the temple really bad so it's only a matter of time before she is baptized.

Those are some of the major investigators we have at the moment. Of coarse there is more but these are the best stories as of right now haha.

It hasn't been raining as much this week but it's getting colder, which I don't mind. I just don't want it too cold haha. That is when I hate the cold. I will probably get some more shoes then. I tried to redneck my shoes this week to being waterproof by filling the soles with caulking and super glue and that seemed to work pretty well. It's just the shoes are getting holes and I can't fix those haha. I will have to save these shoes so you can see my handiwork haha. It's pretty funny.

That is crazy that DB was almost in the Boston marathon bombing haha. I bet that would have been a story to tell the mission president hahahaha. I bet he had lots of fun and success as a missionary. He is just that type of guy haha.

That really stinks that Utah lost so badly. I was hoping it wouldn't be like that but I guess not. It would have been amazing if they had kept that momentum going. Imagine what it would have done to the rankings haha. I just very much dislike Oregon right now. It's good the Jazz are doing good. Maybe they can keep it up and prove everyone wrong. 

I am so happy to be serving a mission right now, even as I say that every week. I really am! The mission for me has been so much of a help. I really feel it has and is changing my heart. When you sincerely apply the gospel into your life, it truly does change it from where it was and makes it that much better. I know the gospel is true. President Monson is a prophet of God. I know that!!!!!!!!!! God lives and loves us all individually. We can have a personal relationship with him through prayers of faith. I love you all so much! Thanks for everything you do for me! Have a totally awesome week ahead!

-Elder Sedlacek

If we don't use it, we lose it.

 Hey Dad,

Well, as usual, I will give the weekly update of my week. This week was really slow and pretty tough. Every apointment we had set up (which was a lot) cancelled. We got dropped by investigator, but we did have some other successes. We were able to have a great lesson with a new investigator.  His name is K**** and it was cool. We knocked on his door and he let us in, so we were asking why he let us in--most people don't do that right off the bat. He told us he wasn't intrested but that he was a nice guy and we seemed pretty cool. We then had a restoration lesson and the spirit was super strong. We asked him what he felt at the end of the lesson and he told us pretty strongly "I'm interested." It was just so cool to see someone change their mind in a matter of 30-40 minutes and become interested in the gospel. The spirit does amazing things. I can tell you that.

We had a couple investigators at church yesterday and it was pretty good. M***** came to church and she really liked it again. She told us something this week that I thought was cool. She has been really busy and had a hard time getting to her scripture reading. She told us that randomly while she is using her phone throughout the day for certain things, gospel library pops up at the point where she left off reading. Sounds like someone wants her to read her scriptures haha! I thought it was pretty cool to hear that happening. This week was fun with Halloween and stuff like that. I got to continue the tradition of carving pumpkins. It was really fun.

The weather this week has been Sooooooooo rainy. I have found out that my shoes aren't waterproof! That could be interesting come this winter. I really, really, really, really, really don't want to go buy a new pair that are waterproof because I just bought shoes a couple transfers ago. What do you think I should do?

I had an interesting thought this week in personal study. I have been reading the book Miracle of Forgiveness because President added it to our missionary library. It's a really good book. He talks about the saying "We are created to act. Not to be acted upon."  If you know what I am talking about, but I am sure you do. Anyway,  he talks about how if we don't use our muscles we lose them. It really solidified it in my mind that we are sent here to do things. Not to sit back and watch life go by. Even just from my knee surgery and the first day of physical therapy I remember really well how the doctor told me to flex my quad muscles and I couldn't do it. There was nothing there. I firmly believe that if we were meant to be acted upon, we wouldn't lose movement and ability if we just sat around. We were sent here to be about the Lord's work. That was just something cool that I realized this week. Hopefully it makes a little bit of sense haha.

Well, I am so grateful for all that you do for me. It is so awesome for me to see the blessings of serving a mission blessing you guys back home. I know the Lord lives and loves us. This is his gospel restored to the earth. Joseph Smith is a prophet of god! I love the mission! I have learned so much that will help me for the rest of my life. It's amazing. I love you guys!

Have a great week Dad, and everyone else!

-Elder Sedlacek

"Right now I go to bed, and what seems like 5 minutes later, I am going to bed the next night!"

Elder Sed showing off an apple he had just split in half with his bare hands.

What's up Mom aka Mama,
I cant believe that it's been 15 months already. That is crazy. Is
somebody getting a little trunky ;) ????? haha Don't worry, I am not.
This week just flew by. It just seems to go like that each
transfer when I get to a new area. With trying to learn all new people/a
ward, time just flies by. Right now I find myself going to bed, and what
seems like 5 minutes later I am going to bed again the next night. If
time goes this fast the rest of my mission, it's going to go by sooooooo
tooooooo fast. It was a good week though. I will probably give more
about it in my email to Dad and keep the tradition alive haha.

600 invitations! Wow, that's a lot. I am sure I will get one of those. I
would be mad if I didn't haha. and Geeze Jeff is soo popular haha. He's
like a celebrity, and Nicole with 305--that's even more haha. A wedding
is big business.

Sounds like pumpkin carving was really fun. I am going to carve one
sometime this week with Sister S (Sister S is a grandma who takes care 
of the missionaries. ) It should be pretty fun. I
will be sure to take pictures.

I bet Mia is just loving life right now with theater.

I bet Dad is going to have sooooo much fun at the couples shower
haha. You're going to make him go? That's like torture!
Hey, I am getting a package? Thanks much Mama, you da best.

Thanks for everything Mama. You're awesome. You better believe it.
I am doing great. I love my mission.
As I wrote in the email to dad, I am grateful for the atonement this
week. I know it's real,and Jesus Christ lives. Missions are the bomb. I
hope you all have a happy Halloween, and a great week! Love you all so
much! Talk to you later
-Elder Jake Sedlacek

Whazz up Pop,

My week was pretty good. In fact really good haha. It went by super super super fast. I just can't believe it's Monday again already! haha. Some of the highlights of the week: M*** came to church yesterday and she really liked it. Her member fellowshipper is totally awesome and really helped to help her feel welcome and comfortable. Then we found a new investigator last Monday named J**** and she is totally golden. We commited her to get baptized on the first lesson when she finds out the truth for herself. She loved the restoration too, which was great! Pray for her to keep up the progression.

When I was on exchanges with the other Elders in my district, the Elders in my area found a new investigator named H**** and put her on date for the 15th of November (which may or may not happen), but still it sounded like an awesome lesson. I was in the other area so I didn't get to be there, but the exchange was really good. I really get to help the other missionaries in my district during those. I used to hate exchanges but they aren't that bad now.

We had specialized training and interviews with President this week too. Those were really good as usual. President Ware is awesome. He had a really funny thing he said when he saw some of the missionaries eating Taco Bell. He said "Some people have to quit smoking. I have to quit Taco Bell". Apparently he LOVES Taco Bell but Sister Ware doesn't let him eat it anymore haha.

On exchanges it was kinda ironic. I met the family of a sister missionary I met in the MTC. She is getting close to coming home so her family is really excited haha. It was just kinda fun to meet them. It's a small world haha.

We have 13 investigators right now but I will list some names of who you can pray for. Obviously pray for M***, J****, and H** but also you can pray for T**** that we can have some time to meet with her in her busy schedule. Pray for M**** that we can meet with her too. This area does have a lot of prepared people. I just wish we could tract a little more but it's not my comp's favorite thing to do.

The weather here has been good and there are more trees here so I actually get to see the fall colors. It's been raining almost every night this past week so I have figured out that my shoes aren't waterproof haha. I think I am going to try and buy some water proof spray today and see if that helps at all. It would suck to not have waterproof shoes this winter if it's really going to be as wet as they say it will be.

THAT IS AWESOME THE UTES WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! they have a TOUGH schedule the rest of the season though. It will be awesome if they can keep winning. They are going to have to be on the top of their game. They are bowl eligible now though, correct? They will at least get a bowl game which is good. I heard Colorado is actually turning around now and not sucking so bad. That true? They really sucked before haha.

Your cowboys are doing good it sounds like. People keep saying it's going to be between Denver and Dallas in the Super Bowl.

Sounds like you did good on your lesson. They are right, you might end up with a calling to be a Sunday School or priesthood teacher haha.

Halloween this week will be the same as last year. We go in at 6:00 pm on all the crazy holidays like July fourth and Halloween. Those are the only ones I remember going in early for. It should be a party haha.

I am so grateful for all that you guys do for me. I say it every week but I totally mean it. You guys are awesome! I have a testimony of the atonement. I had a baptism interview on Saturday, and ever since then I have thought a lot about the atonement. It is really such a huge blessing of love from God and Jesus Christ. I know the power of the atonement is available to everyone of God's children no matter how far they may have gone. I know the atonement is real, and it WILL bless our life if we let it. I know Jesus Christ lives and he loves us personally. I just am grateful for the time to serve a mission. It's the bomb.

I hope you and the rest of the fam have a great week! Have a great Halloween. Don't eat too much candy haha. Love ya!

-Elder Sedlacek

No matter where we are or who we are

Elder Sed turned the big 2-0 in Pasco

 

Whaz up Mama,

I can't believe its p-day already haha. This past week went by super fast for me for some reason. It was a good week though, so it was fun. We have found a couple more new investigators and we have a couple of our current investigators doing well too. Sadly, yesterday we weren't able to get anyone at church even though there were a couple that said they would for sure come. Life happens sometimes, I guess, which sucks haha. I also can't believe that it's almost Halloween. Time is going by fast haha. Too fast sometimes.

That's good that the video of me splitting an apple worked. I had another apple split right off just a couple minutes before that video was taken. The video one just took longer because it was a tough one haha. I am glad that it eventually split haha. That is funny Jared haha. I was betting Jared was going to try and split an apple once he saw the video haha. Oh, the things you learn in Warshington haha!

I don't think I need anything though from home right now. Basically, what I have now is what I am going to have for the rest of my mission I would bet. I am doing pretty good. I did get a package from Grandpa H with a Mission belt buckle if that is the one you are talking about. Is it?

I bet Dad had lots of fun with that kind of wedding planning haha. Did he go out and buy a nice chainsaw to do it? I bet the wedding reception will look super cool though with all the outdoorsey stuff. My kinda wedding haha.

That is cool that you get to stay put in your calling. I bet you don't mind not having to be re-trained in your calling. You must be doing good at it because they kept you in it :)

I like the thought that Ana shared about the apples and seeds. It relates really well to Warshington haha. That is really cool too with her and Nate. That would be a really cool thing to have as a parent too.

I want you to know that I love all you guys tons! I am happy to be serving a mission at this time and in the Washington Kennewick mission! I love the gospel! I know it's true!
I hope you all have a great week in all that you do.

-Elder Sedlacek

What's up Dad,

I am happy you had a good birthday first off. That card took a while to send it sounds like because I had sent it so it would get to you a couple days before your birthday but it sounds like it worked out for you haha.

I had a really good week. First off, we have an "on date!!!!!!!!!!" Her name is M*** and she is pretty interested in the church right now. She had promised to come to church yesterday, but her boyfriend got called into work and she didn't want to come alone. We are going to have a member meet with her this week, and then a church tour so hopefully next week she will come, even if her boyfriend does get called in.

Another lady we are teaching is T***. She is totally awesome. She loves to read the assignments that we leave her and she is really, really interested right now. The only problem is that she works two jobs and is really busy most Sundays with work and her two daughters. She is really cool though. We have 11 other people we are working with, but these two are the fastest progressing right now and I don't have time to write about all 11 of them haha.

This week I had my first district meeting and supposedly it went well, because they all liked it. I also realized that I know a lot more about missionary work than some of the other missionaries, just because I shared a simple thought/training of something I had heard lots before and all the missionaries were like "wow" haha. I just have heard lots and lots of trainings by now that some of the newer Elders and Sisters haven't heard yet haha.

We had a Zone breakfast on Saturday and that was fun. There was a thought shared by the Stake President that I really liked and hadn't really realized before. It is from 3rd Nephi ch 13, where the Savior comes and teaches the people. He comes back the next day and in between the time when He left and came back, the people who had listened to him the first time ("members") went out and invited lots of others to come listen to Him. So the number of people was 12 times greater the next day because of the members' invitations. It is one of the best stories of member missionary work in the scriptures. Kinda cool to think about what the members can do. If we involve the members, the number of converts can be 12 times more than if it was just us doing the work.

That is a cool mission story of Ana's, of just leaving stuff behind. I could see that working in this area since there are lots of people who just walk everywhere. It's kinda sad when I have people who come up to me with literally nothing and they ask for money and I can't give them any. Sometimes I really feel sad for them and the situations they are in. There are lots of people out there that need the gospel though. I know that for sure!

The sports news is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO UTES!!!!!!!! #19 baby hahaha. I just hope they can beat USC. That sounds like it will be a super tough game. Good thing it's at Utah from what I have heard. Sounds like BYU is stinking it up without their QB. That kinda sucks for them. It looked like they had great season going for them, but not now haha.

That sucks that the 9ers lost and the Chargers too. 

It will be fun when I get home to see all the changes that have happened. It will be crazy I am sure for me haha.

I am so happy to be serving a mission right now at this time in Kennewick. You are right that my testimony has grown so much. I know the gospel is the message that will bless everyone's life no matter where they are or who they are. WE are all children of the same being who loves us all perfectly! I love being able to represent Christ and bring souls closer to him--including my own. The gospel never ceases to amaze me. I love it! I love you guys too! Thanks for all that you do for me. You're all amazing.

Have an awesome week Papa at work and what not. Love ya!

-Elder Sedlacek

Transferred!

What's up Mama,
This week was great with conference. I had a lot of the favorite talks that you had, but I will share some of those thoughts too haha.

Transfers. I am getting transferred to East Kennewick. I am also going to be District Leader over there. I don't know how excited I am for that. I really don't want leadership, but now I have it. I don't really know much of what I will do yet. President Ware took a pic with me after the priesthood session because he was going to send it to you. He went to the priesthood session with me and  Elder C and took us out to Dairy Queen, too. It was fun to hang out with him a little bit. He is so inspired. I know that FOR sure.

As far as our investigators, we didn't get to meet with many of them this week. We had a really great week planned out, but everything seemed to cancel right before it was planned. It was just one of those weeks, but it ended awesome with conference. We are still trying to find new investigators here, but I will be leaving on Wednesday, so it's not something I have to worry about, at least in this area haha. This area has been tough for that. Probably the toughest one I have had so far. I love the members of the ward though. I am going to miss some of them. Good thing I can go back and visit huh? haha.

I am glad that the Bro. and Sister W were able to stop and visit with you guys. Yesterday they gave me the package you guys sent back up. I like the slacks. I'm wearing the light grey ones right now. They are just super light. I have to get used to them after wearing dark for so long haha. Thanks for sending them to me Mama. You da best.

That's great that everything is going good back home. It's good to hear.

Mom: Well son, I'm happy to hear that you don't want to be DL, because that means you are humble. The Lord will be able to use you however He wants to because of it. I have every confidence in you, you will be a fantastic DL. 

Elder Sed: Thanks Mama. It's good to know that you believe in me haha. I have no more email time today but it was great to email home and know that you guys are doing well. I love you all so much! I have a testimony of prophets today. I know Joseph Smith restored the gospel to the earth. We have priesthood authority on the earth and God still speaks to us. Missions are awesome! Love you guys!

-Elder Sedlacek

What's up Dad,

This week was really good. It was kinda slow teaching-wise, which just sucked, but Conference was really good. I really liked almost all the Seventies' talks. It was super weird to hear them speak in a different language. I just laughed out loud when the one started speaking in Cantonese. It sounded really funny to me for some reason haha. We really tried hard to get some investigators to come to the church to watch it with us, but weren't able to get anyone to the church. We invited TONS of people to listen to the prophet,  so I hope at least someone watched it. Elder Bednar's talk was perfect for any non-members who were watching. 

I gave the major transfer news to Mom. I bet you already know by the time you read this. Should be fun to go see a new area. This area has been a tough one conversion-wise, but the members are awesome. I am going to definately come back up here after to visit some people.

That is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo awesome that Utah beat UCLA! Top 25 Baby!!!!!!!!!!! That is what I am talking about. Sucks that Taysom Hill broke his leg. He was a good guy from what I understand. BYU is probably not ranked any more because of that huh? Thanks for the updates on the sports.

Yep, Washington apples are the best. We have a lot of really good honey crisp in our apartment. I have learned how to split an apple in half with my bare hands. I took a video of me doing it haha.

That is good that you got the pic from the photographer for the cardboard cutout. I am glad it looks good because I have not seen it. I have lost some weight, yes. You guys should make the cardboard cutout life size. I bet you could mess with Duke with it haha. That would be fun for Jared haha.

I can't believe you didn't go duck hunting on the opener Dad. I am so disappointed haha. I saw some HUGE flocks of geese flying early this week, and it reminded me that the opener was very soon. We will have to go next year. Just be prepared for that haha. I will start thinking what I want to go for, and where I want to go for school. 

Well, I hope you have a great week. For my spiritual thought go read Mosiah chapter 8. I have read that recently and it really helped me to appreciate the blessing we have of having a prophet. Ammon's testimony of prophets is amazing. I know just as Ammon did, that we do have prophets on the earth. I know President Monson is a prophet of God. I am so grateful for the chance to learn from the apostles and prophets. I love this gospel and the chance to serve a mission! Have an awesome week! Love you guys!

-Elder Sedlacek

I know God still speaks!

What's up Mama,
Holy crap 14 months hahaha. That makes me sound like an old
missionary. It feels just the same though, to answer your question. I
just have to focus on the day ahead of me everyday and do my best.
Thanks for praying for B and S. I am sure it has helped. Sadly, we
haven't been able to make contact with either of them. We did
find three new investigators though this week. It was awesome so our week
was really good. We also had lots of lessons with people we had just barely
met. We just hope now that they turn into investigators. That would be
the best ever!

The weather has been really nice here. It has been about 70 degrees all day
and sunny as usual. I wish Utah would send some of the rain up here.
I like the rain haha. Yeah, the apartment is really nice. I
really like it. It's a nice place. And the dishwasher is nice too haha!
All my mission, up to now, it seemed my dishwasher was my hands haha. It's
still kinda weird to use a real dishwasher haha.

I had heard that the meeting was really good from lots of people who
watched it.  It sounds like it was. Lots of people talked about
President Uchtdorf's talk. It must have been a good one.
That is crazy that Abby is leaving on her mission. Does she leave this
week then? Seven missionaries from our ward this year!!!!!!!!! That is
awesome!

Conference is this weekend!!!!! We are going to be watching at the stake
center probably. They don't broadcast it at our ward building. I am
guessing you guys will watch on the TV downstairs. You doing anything
fun besides that with conference?

I have to get going now. My time is up haha. I am glad to hear that
you guys are doing well. Have an awesome week. Conference will be
super fun. I am so excited! I know we have a prophet on the earth
today. He speaks God's word just as prophets in the Bible did. God is
loving and cares for all of his children. I just love the gospel! My
mission is awesome! Love you guys!
-Elder Sedlacek



What's up Dad,
I will start off with the update from my week. It was awesome. It was
one of the best finding weeks I have had here in Pasco. We found three pretty
solid investigators. Their names are B & M and G. They are all really awesome.
When we first met G we talked to him about having a prophet on the earth and
he said that he wants to hear some of  President Monson to decide if he
is a prophet. What a great question with next weekend coming up huh?
haha. B & M are pretty awesome too. They grew up around
LDS kids, and since then have always kinda wondered what it's all about.
They are working on reading the Book of Mormon right now. Awesome!
As far as B and S go, we weren't able to catch either of them home this
week. We are going to try by tonight though so wish us luck.

Another cool story from this week was when we met a potential named CJ.
Some previous missionaries had talked to her and never went back. The cool
part was when were walking up to her house, I got the prompting to take
a copy of the Book of Mormon out of my backpack and carry it in my
hands, which I don't normally do because I like to have my hands free.
Well, I did it anyway. When we knocked on her door and started
talking to her, she wanted a Book of Mormon, and I had it right in my hands.
She is going to start reading it as well. It was awesome! She is solid too, just
kinda busy where she works, so we hopefully will be able to catch her
home this week.

This week we had a super long training from President Ware on planning
and it was awesome. He did give some hints that I will probably
be transferred, but he does that sometimes and it doesn't end up working
out that way so we will just have to see haha. I will find out on Saturday
where I will be headed or if I will be staying.

Are you kidding me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The UItes blew
it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They should have won that game. Sounds like they need some 4th quarter
conditioning. I bet Kyle works them to death haha. I heard Bountiful
lost to WX from Elder C so that sucks too haha. It sounds like
it was a bad week for sports. That is good that the 49ers did good
though haha.

That is a cool story for Abby of how she went on a mission. I bet she
will be able to share that with people and help and bless their lives
where ever she is going. I bet she will be a good missionary. That is
great that the ward has seven missionaries sent out this year. Totally
awesome!

That is totally insane that Utah is getting that much rain. It's almost
like Seattle it sounds like. Tri-cities hasn't gotten any rain.
It's been dry, but it's been like 70s so its been great.
I couldn't ask for anything more right now weather
wise haha. I just wish I could see some fall colors! That would be the
only thing.

Good luck with work this week. Do you think they are going to
announce something at conference? It will be cool to hear
some talks in other languages this year. I just hope President
Uchtdorf speaks English haha. I am, needless to say, excited for
conference though. It's going to be awesome!!!!!!!!

I have a testimony of the gospel. I love the power that the
Book of Mormon brings into our daily life. It is sooo important that
we make the day-to-day decisions to have the gospel in our life.
Conversion isn't a one-time thing. It's an everyday process. I know
Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. It is a blessing to have a prophet
on the earth today. I know God still speaks!
Have an awesome week!
Love ya!
-Elder Jake Sedlacek

"Mission brain"

"Ask the missionaries. They can help!"

What's up Mama,

My week was pretty good. It felt like a long time between last Tuesday and now. We moved to our new apartment (that is super nice) on Saturday. The new address of our apartment is _____.

The apartment is so nice inside. We have a dishwasher that I figured out how to start for like the first time in my life haha. I don't ever remember starting one in my life but maybe I did. Anyways, I know how to now hahahaha--as sad as that is to say hahaha. My birthday was fun, too. I got some gifts from Grandpa and Grandma D, and Ann & Jim, so make sure to tell them thanks for me. We ate all my cake and it was super good. It was a good birthday.

I bet the cabin was really fun. I love the fall colors, but up here the leaves aren't really changing yet. Maybe it's just a different climate. There just aren't many trees either, so maybe they would be more noticeable if there were more. 

I bet Mia is having fun in the play. Sounds like you guys are going to be VERY busy this holiday season haha. I bet you're going to have so much fun going from this to that, and then everywhere else.

I wish I could have seen the temple dedication. We will have to go to that temple when I get home. It looked really pretty. Did they do the dedication for church like they did for the past couple dedications?

Mom: So it seemed like a long week, huh? That’s funny. When we got back home last night, everyone said it felt like we’d been gone a long time haha.

I’m glad you are all moved! Sounds like a nice place. You’ll have to take some pics. I will send your SD cards back to you asap so you can do that.

Well, I’m glad you REMEMBERED how to start a dishwasher, because I’m pretty sure I had you do it at least once haha.

Yes, the dedication took the place of church, so that was nice. It really was a great meeting. All of us kept saying how awesome it was. 

Elder Sed: I did take lots of pics of the apartment, so when you send the SD cards back I will send one to you.

Did you get the letter I sent with the Ross card in it?

I bet you did show me how to start a dishwasher, but it's been 14 months without doing it so I was out of touch okay haha. Mission brain.

Mom: Okay, good boy on the pics haha.

Yes, I checked the mail this morning, realizing that Saturday’s mail was still in it, and your letter was there! That was great to get one after all this time! 

Elder Sed: Yes I try to be a good boy and take pics so grandma Sed won't kill me hahaha!

That's good you got the letter. I am just really, really bad at sitting down and writing an actual letter.

I am glad that you guys are doing well. Thanks for all that you do for me. I love all you guys! Missions are the bomb. Just wanted you to know that hahaha. Have a great week!

Love ya,

-Elder Sedlacek

What's up Dad,
I am doing good, and it sounds like you guys are too. I bet it was
super fun to go see all those deer and bears. It's been along time
since I have seen anything other than a bird or a white tail deer
haha. oh and ducks and geese. I see those all the time with the
river close by.

My week was pretty good. We moved this week, and with the temple
earlier in the week it was pretty busy. We did get lots of
tracting in, which was fun because that is where all  the stories come from.
Needless to say, there are still some crazy people in the world. hahaha. 

One of which was a lady who was staring out her window at us
and when we came up to her door she came outside and started talking
to us. She was really awkward and would pause for like 40-50 seconds
right in the middle of when she was talking, and then tell us exactly what
Jesus said to her, to tell us. She told us we are saved and we're going
to heaven so we don't even have to try anymore haha. That was
interesting to hear. She also talked about the devil watching
her through the red blinking light on her smoke detector. It was just
a very, very interesting conversation haha. I am sure you had some of
those on your mission.

As far as our investigators go, we were able to meet with _______

this week. It was going really well, till a bunch of teens
from their church showed up and ruined the whole lesson. It ended up
with _____ very closed-minded and not willing to listen to
anything we said. We just told him we would come back later and talk
to him. It was frustrating, because the lesson had been going so well. He had
some really good thoughts and questions, and then the kids had to show
up and ruin it. Oh well. I know he felt the Spirit of the Plan of
Salvation. He really likes it.

Our other investigators haven't been home, but we have given lots of
lessons on people's porches, which has been nice. We are just still
working on finding new "golden" investigators. We may have found one
this week, too. His name is B and he told us when we knocked on his
door that he and his wife have been thinking about coming to our
church. We left him with a Family proclamation that he was going to
study with his wife. We are going to go back and see if we can start
teaching them this week. Wish us luck with them, and pray for them too. 

The pic you got was me and Elder C tearing up a wood floor with our
ward mission leader, Ryan M. It was fun. You are right that
there are so many ways to serve on a mission. It was really fun too
haha.

That is sooooooooooooooooooo awesome that the Utes beat Michigan the
way they did at Michigan hahahaha. Now they just need to keep up the
wins. That is good that BYU won too. I have heard they are really good
this year. That is good for them.

Good luck with your lesson in Sunday School. Study up haha
Thanks for all that you do for me Dad. You're awesome. I love you all!
I am so grateful for the chance I have to serve a mission. It has been
so awesome. Because of my mission, I have really developed a love for
the gospel that I did not have before in my opinion. When
we focus on our Savior Jesus Christ, our lives will change. The Book
of Mormon is the word of God!
Talk to you next week! Have a GREAT week!
-Elder Jake Sedlacek

Happy Birthday, Elder Sed!

What's up Dad,
Thanks for the birthday wishes. I did get the package and I really
liked it. I don't know if you picked out anything for it, but I liked
it haha. The temple was amazing this morning. I just love being able to
go to the temple. It's always good.
Things are going pretty good. We are in the finding stage right now,
with being dropped by G and not really being able to catch the
Ukrainain family. The LA family you are talking about came back to
Pasco this week, so the baby is home from the hospital. He is still on
a feeding tube though. We are going around to the members of the ward
giving them a lesson. We watch a Mormon Message titled "Waiting on our
own road to Damascus" by President Uchtdorf. We ask them about their
conversion and how long it has been since they have read and prayed
about the Book of Mormon. Conversion is not a one-time thing, so it's
good to do it multiple times--every time we finish the Book of
Mormon. All of you should take that challenge too. Read and pray about
the Book of Mormon and ask God if it is truth and it will help you to
feel more of the Spirit of the hastening in your lives. I promise
that.
I had heard that the Chargers beat the Seahawks, which I was happy to
hear. That is crazy that USC lost too. I hope Utah does good over in
Michigan. They can beat them. I don't think they (Michigan) are that
good this season.
You're going to have to study up on Isaiah haha. I bet you will learn
lots from your lesson though. It will be good for you.
I am glad that you liked the pics I sent.
I did find a new pair of shoes too. I would hope that the new ones can
last the rest of my mission. I will be sure to keep the old pair of
shoes.
That is super funny that you got roped into the wedding shopping. I bet you
won't make that mistake twice huh haha. You should tell Jeff that he
does owe you big time haha. That would be funny.
It's good that things are going good with all the siblings. I bet Jared
is loving his job. That is awesome Mia did such a good job, and that
Nicole is doing good. I bet Sarah is amazing at debate haha. That is
her calling from the very beginning. And Libby is just awesome.
What Dad turned down fruit??????????????? Has he died and gone to
heaven????????? nah, I'm just kidding dad. That is good though haha. I
bet the wimpy Utah apples are nothing compared to the Warshington ones
haha. I just had an amazing apple that was huge the other day, so it's
apple season already. That is crazy. I love the fall weather though.
Here it's been still up in the 80s so it hasn't felt that much like fall
yet. The mornings are a little cold though which I really like. I
didn't even know that there were northern lights visible, so no. I didn't see
them haha.
Well dad, I hope you have a great week. Thanks for all that you do! You da bomb.
I love serving the Lord on a mission. It's amazing.
Love ya tons!
-Elder Jake Sedlacek

Tracting is an act of faith.

What's up Mama,

This week for p-day was really fun. It's the reason I am so late emailing too haha. We went golfing with the family we live with and it was super fun. First time in a long time I did that haha. I wouldn't say I did so good though.

I am glad that you are happy to email me haha. Emailing is fun for me at least.

 

This week was pretty good. We did a lot of tracting, which I am not very fond of in this area, but it's an act of faith to show the Lord I am willing to go out and do something that is difficult. We found a couple good potentials out of it too. We weren't able to meet with G this week but he did come to the Pasco stake day of service and stayed the whole time. I was hoping he was going to come church but he didn't end up coming. The family from Ukraine were out of town or something because every time we tried by, their house was completely dark. I had a dream about them that they got baptized and that was AWESOME! I really hope it's a sign of things to come. The LA family is doing pretty good. They had a bishop from up in Seattle come and give the baby a blessing and guess what? The priesthood is the power of God. The baby went from having almost no brain activity to improving. He will have mental disabilities his whole life, but he is projected to be okay. How awesome is that! I was praying so hard for that.

 

The weather is great up here! It's been hot the past couple days but it hasn't been too bad. Beautiful golf weather haha

Thanks for sending the updates on Nicole. I got both of them and it was good to hear. I am glad the surgery went well. Now she just has to get through recovery.

 

Happy Anniversary, and Happy birthday!!!!!!!!!! I sent you a birthday card with my SD card in it that should get there one of these days. Keep track of that SD card haha. That is cool that you had some Sedlacek names to do in the temple. You should send me some names for 4 temple trips, so 4 names if you come across any of them and I can do the endowments. That would be pretty cool. 

 

For our move we are going to be moving either the 20th or 22nd into an apartment. I don't really know much more than that right now. We are moving because this family has been housing missionaries for 2 years now and it's only a 1 1/2 year agreement, and they need our room for some storage.

 

That is so cool that we have more missionaries from our ward going out now. How many total is that now that are out? 

 

Thanks for emailing me this week. It was good to hear from you guys and I'm glad that you are all doing well. I have loved the chance thus far I have had to serve a mission. Missions are the greatest.

I hope you guys have an awesome week! Thanks for all that you do for me! Love you guys tons!!

Have a totally awesome week.

-Elder Jake Sedlacek

 

What's up Dad,
I had a pretty good week. I gave most of the updates on the people we
have been working with in the email to mom. I am sure you will get to
hear about them. We haven't been able to find any new
investigators yet but boy are we working on that. Finding is pretty
much all we did this week. Not my favorite part of missionary work but
it's all part of the work. I would much rather be teaching lessons
though haha. The members are pretty much the same, although this week
we are starting to go around and follow up on the individual families'
ward mission plan goals. That should be interesting.
Good job on the work stuff papa, You da best at what you do. I am sure
the church is happy they hired ya.
That is really cool all the Jonah to Christ comparisons. I have never
realized that before, but it makes total sense now. I am pretty sure
that is what the gospel doctrine class covered here too but we are in
gospel principles which is still good. It's just a lot of the same stuff
for us. Nothing better than the basics though.
I am glad that Jared is going to mission prep every week better than I
did. Tell him believe it or not I still use some of those things that
I learned in that class. It is a life saver haha. I am proud of him
for going though. I would not be expecting anything less from Jared
with all the mods he does or tearing stuff apart. The new job just
adds to the fun haha.
I am glad like I said before that Nicole's surgery went well. That
is good that Jeff is a good help to her. 

That is super cool that Mia and Libby are wanting to get into hunting.
I will have to take Libby fishing lots when I get home.
My kinda sista. Wish good luck to Mia for me on her audition. Hope
everything goes well with all that.
I am so happy that I get to attend the temple on my birthday, while on
my mission. That is going to be super cool! If it would be possible to
get one family name in my birthday package that I can take to do for
an endowment that would be awesome, but I really have no clue if there
is any. You will just have to let me know. I am looking forward to
getting more into family  history after my mission like it says in my
blessing. It seems to me from my blessing that its super important
that I do some haha.
Wish mom a happy birthday for me even though I sent a card in the mail.
That is crazy that the leaves are already changing. They aren't here at
least from what I have seen, but then again there aren't much trees. I
love the fall too. The mornings here are definately more cooled off
then they have been in a long time. It's almost cold now right when we
get up. Kinda weird haha. Hopefully the winter isn't too bad up here.
Well speaking that golfing was my p-day activity, I am done basically
except for emailing now haha. We are going to have to go golfing when
I get back. I think I figured out a good swing technique and did
pretty well on the last 3 holes. Overall though I didn't do so good. I
won't even tell you the score haha.
Thanks so much for being the best dad and family ever! I love you guys
so much. Serving a mission is something every member of the church
should do at least once in their life. I do have a testimony of the
priesthood and the atonement. This week in sacrament when I was
thinking and pondering while it was being said, I said a silent prayer
in my head to feel of the healing power of the atonement and I 

immediately felt the best peace come over me. It was great! I am so
grateful for the savior and his sacrifice for sin. Because of
Him!!!!!!!
Have an awesome week fam and dad!
love ya tons!
-Elder Jake Sedlacek