July Pics

Bike Wreck

Dearest Old Man,

Why, yes. I am a sexy beast and I do it well. The bike is GREAT! I keep in shape and it increases productivity in getting places quicker and being able to stop and talk to people as we go along. To be honest, I really enjoy it. My companion was into biking before he came out on the mish and from what I've seen at bike shops and heard other people say and in time riding my bike, it may be something I'd like to pursue after the mish. I've already wrecked once, too! My companion and I were late getting to another ward in our area on Sunday so we're hauling to the other side of town and my comp took a turn too fast and biffed and I rear ended the wreckage. His bike was severely jewed then and it's still broken. We took it to a guy in the ward to get it fixed and he said we'd be better off just getting a new one. That'll be nice because my comp's bike is older than the both of us put together...

Yesm I am in Boise (Northern Boise, I think). And I haven't come across any potatoes yet. All the people we've eaten with and are close to are really quite normal. I haven't met anyone I dislike yet, either.

Holy BALLS that is so good to hear! I'm glad everything's going so well! I feel it's a blessing to me as well seeing how smooth things are beginning to run back home. I'm glad you got the car sold and I'm ecstatic you managed to pull $500 out of it. That's perfect. I think I've already told mom what to do with all the money coming outa my stuff.

I absolutely agree. My mission, even though it's only been a month or so, is indeed the most goodest thing I've ever done in my life. It's filled in all those holes in my life and really given me direction and structure. I'm adjusting rapidly and I can see God's hand in my life every moment of every day. I know this is the part of the letter when I'm supposed to get all spiritual and all but I'm saving that for the long letter I'll be sending home soon. AND I'll have you know that my swearing is nearly nonexistent now! Quitting it cold-turkey on June 22nd really wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be. But anyway more of my shenanigans and haberdasheries will be reported soon! And I didn't forget your birthday or your anniversary, also, I'd just like to do something a little more formal that's all.

love you..

tay

--
I'll never get caught. I'm on a mission from God.
--tay

Letter from Ward Family

Julianne,

Hi.  My name is Mindy B. and I live in Boise, Idaho.  We had your son over for dinner tonight.  He also was asked to speak in Sacrament meeting this afternoon.  He bore his testimony about getting his mission call to Idaho and how he is where the Lord needs him to be.  I felt the spirit when he spoke.  I have 3 boys (and 2 girls), one of which is hoping to serve in February.  Elder Ehlers was very insightful in his testimony at our house.  He has sharing how he wished he would have lived more of the missionary lifestyle before he went out and how he wished he would have spent more time in Preach my Gospel.  I'm hoping that it will sink into my boys.  He also took the time to know each of my 5 children by name and what they liked to do.  For being so new to the mission field he is doing awesome and it was a pleasure to have him here.  Thank you for sacrificing your son so that he could be here in our home at this time.  

You've done a great job!

Mindy

Butt Meets Bike

The box I sent was stuff that I didn't need out here and it was taking up too much space. The pants and the razor are MINE and, if you would please, add that to my crap under the stairs. Yes I'll sell Dallin my stereo for $50. If he wants the speakers then throw those in for another $30 or so. Add that and the money from my car to the mission fund. 

Please pass along my regards to Dad. I am so grateful we could get that much out of it! Freakin' I love Brady too and he'll love that car.

I'm glad everything's working out with the new job! I'm so excited to see pictures of everything. I'm glad that the family can all be together and get the support we need, for dad and for you. It'll be really good for the kids and for gramma, I assume. 

I'm glad Kadi had such a good time! I take it the U was good then? It's so cool she can get to know the Spirit and such. The Godhead are most certainly good guys to know! I like 'em. They lead me, guide me, walk next to me and that's been a real testimony builder, just how the Big Man works with His Spirit and the Atonement. 

It's truly a blessing how well Eric's turned out. I think about that a lot also... God loves us. That's fer danm sure. (Ha! See what I did? I switched the letters around so I didn't swear! I'm getting good at that...) How's Moose doing? What's the latest there? What's the deal with his oxygen? Keep me updated... I'm praying for the kid.

Remind Dallin to not be a WEEN and write me! I'd write more but the only time I have for writing, with and without email, is pday which is every Tuesday. So don't any of you guys think I've forgotten about you! Rest assured I'll do it... Tomorrow.

Now the spotlight's on ME! First, in regards to your questions, I am on a bike. It belonged to missionary once upon a time and one of our ward mission leaders creatively acquired it, fixed it up, and loaned it to me. I told him I'd like to buy it and he said he'd love to sell it to me. We agreed on $120 which is an exceptional deal. It's a high-quality bike and getting it new, I think, he said it was $500. So, needless to say, victory is mine!

Holy BALLS am I getting into shape! I try to exercise in the morning but with how often I'm already on the bike I'm really doing well! We don't live in our area at the moment and so we have to ride halfway across Idaho to get to our area in the first place, and then we ride around everywhere anyway. The first day on the bike, it wasn't so bad. The second day, after my rear had time to bruise, it hurt something fierce! My backside still hurts a little, but now it is bearable.

The majority of the people we teach are referrals from other members. We've got some less active people and we contact people on the street every day. We find success in that about 1 outta every 10 people. I've really learned a lot about the spirit too. It's not that I didn't have faith in Him, it's that I didn't know how he worked or exactly what he was capable of. That's been a real testimony-builder. 

But anyway life is good. The Gospel is true. I love Boise a whole pantload. The members do an incredible job at taking care of us. My companion is the bomb! He's from a small town in California and he converted from Catholicism. He's super obedient and the Spirit strives with him. He's super chill also and very humble. I love this guy, Elder Olivas, and I am blessed to be his companion.

Pass my love on to everyone and we'll get back to you soon!

love you!

tay

At the Mission Home

Dear Missionary Parents:

We are especially grateful for your son’s safe arrival to the Idaho Boise Mission and consider ourselves blessed to have this opportunity to serve with him and all the other elders and sisters here in Idaho and Oregon.  This is clearly a very special mission.  We are blessed with noble young elders and sisters, wonderful members and much success.  We will do all we can to watch over, care for and build Elder Ehlers as we move this important work forward.

We have enjoyed getting some photographs with our new arrivals.  Attached are two photos with your missionary: one with my wife and me and one with his trainer, Elder Olivas.  We hope you receive this email in good health and hope you enjoy the pictures.

With love and appreciation,
President and Sister Cannon

Mission President

Kent Hales Cannon, 53, and Laurie Ann Harris Cannon, five children, Idaho Boise Mission; Parleys 3rd Ward, Salt Lake Parleys Stake. Brother Cannon is a former stake president, bishop and counselor, stake mission president, elders quorum president, Aaronic Priesthood adviser and missionary in the France Paris Mission. President & chief executive officer, Beneficial Financial Group. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to George Ivins and Isabel Hales Cannon.
Sister Cannon is a former ward Young Women president and counselor, counselor in a stake Relief Society presidency, ward Relief Society president and counselor, counselor in a ward Primary presidency and ward Young Women adviser. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Thorold Dale and Gloria Euray Peterson Harris.

First Letter

07.03.11         
           Here it is! Letter number ONE! At last! To put the common concern at rest, I am very well, yes, very well indeed.

            HOLY BALLS! I am so happy hear about Dad’s job offer! I absolutely agree when you talk about it being a blessing and an answer to prayers. I am sincerely grateful. It’ll be good for everyone. Dad’ll get the support he needs in doing what he loves. Mom now has more things to do and place to go. Kadi can make new friends and think about considering debating whether or not she might be able to contemplate dating a variety of different boys. Eric and Spencer will have more available to them. Gramma can work at the temple and play the organ and be in a ward with six other Ehlers. And Dallin … can get a job at McDonald’s?

         Have you looked into schools? Where is Vernal relative to other cities? Anyway I’m excited to see and hear more about it all and writing to a new address will be fun, too.

4th of July Care Package from Amy

         Freakin’ the MTC is great. I’m still trying to adjust and I figure that’ll just come with more time. I received all the stuff I’ve been sent and I thank you! Mom, brownies were wonderful. Mi familia, I loved the package of pictures and letters. Amy and Bryan, happy 4^th of July!

            I miss everyone so much. I miss Karina and her cute face and I miss Brick as well. I’ve been thinking a lot about Bryson, Brick and Colin a lot since I’m at the MTC. So many things Dad’s told me over the years about the mission are making more sense now. I’m meeting lots of new things and doing lots of new people! Buena vida. And I miss my crew at Diablo.

            Anyway, my district has become like my family. I love them all because I have to. I like most of them. I can’t stand the rest. It takes nearly everything in me not to come apart. Take for example, my companion. Sometimes I wish a was completely deaf.

            Regardless, though, my gratitude with God, I am patient and courteous and encouraging and understanding. He has taught me quite a bit, directly and indirectly.

          Then there is my district leader, Elder Ofe (O-fee). He’s from Ghana, he’s got this freakin’ nice accent, and he’s BLACK! So cool … but, in all sincerity, I would follow him to the end of the earth. He’s got this faith and testimony and light of Christ like I’ve never seen before! He wields the Holy Ghost like a great big stick used for beating people. His spirit and humility are among the most Christlike  I’ve ever seen. I feel privileged to be under his leadership.

            Well, this concludes this letter. I’ll be getting back to you soon when I can get some more spare time, as it is quite scarce here.

            But I love you guys! The gospel’s true. Life is good.

            May the faith be with you …

Love, Tay

 (Handwritten letter from Tay transcribed and edited by Julianne)