"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