April 30, 2013 - Pictures Elder Kelley sent me this week...hahaha

I know I'm biased but I think he looks great! :)

April 30, 2013 - Letters from Mom and Dad and Elder Kelley's letters back to us :)

Hi Sweetie!

How was your week?  Did you make it a good one?  How are things going with your new companion?  What is his name?  I don't think you ever told us. :)  Have you found a way to serve him so you can find the good things about him and be happy?  It's a choice you know (your choice)...what school did that come from? hahaha  I can't remember.

Hey, I was thinking about the whole knife/sword thing...do your Zone Leaders know he has those?  I really don't think they are allowed on missions.  I'm pretty sure that's breaking the rules :/

Your apartment doesn't sound too bad, just a little small.  It will help you appreciate things in your life.  Be grateful you aren't sleeping on the floor with bugs crawling all over you...hehe

We have been praying for you everyday, specifically about the challenges you are having.  I hope things are better this week. :)

Hudson is doing great.  He has tons of homework and seems to work on it from the second he gets home everyday until he goes to bed or leaves for water polo practice.  If he's not doing either of those things, he is usually sleeping!  He signed up for some AP classes next year so I'm guessing he will be completely giving up television.  He eats literally a ton of food everyday.  It's almost like a joke!  Most days I get a text about 10:30 telling me he already ate his whole lunch and can I please bring him more food.  What?!?!  He already takes two sandwiches, fruit, granola bars, fruit bars, crackers, chips, protein bars, a dessert, I mean...seriously???  The dude eats a vat of malto meal every chance he gets.  He eats more than the rest of us put together.  I feel like I have to buy him clothes every other day of his life because he outgrew the ones he had.  He wears size 13 shoes.  I don't know if I can even find bigger ones and if I can, I can't imagine how much they will cost me... all the extra materials and such...hahaha  He is still practicing for the Dancing With the Stars fundraiser.  They worked two days on that last week and one of them was with the choreographer.  They are doing the Jive.  Lileigh's mom really wants them to win.  It's hilarious! The competition is on May 16th.  The Varsity Dance team chose athletes to be their "stars".  I'm sure it will be funny.  Chip is doing it and I think Michael Payne is too.  I finally talked the mom into a lifeguard theme so Hudson could wear sweats and a tank top instead of black pants and hot pink shirt with a lovely bedazzled vest.  He was about to die!  I will for sure get pics of that to send you!

Hayden is great too!  She had a nice time at Prom and she looked beautiful.  I will attach a pic so you can see her.  She was home by 11:30 that night. :)  Armani had lifeguard training the next day and she had Nationals for soccer.  It was a win win for me! HA!  She is anxious of course for school to be over and is counting down the days.  She goes to Knotts tomorrow and finishes club soccer in the next couple of weeks then she will be getting a job and start saving her money.  She starts soccer for college in July so she will get a nice break and do some cross training to stay in shape plus the college coach has a training program that starts sometime in May that she will do on her own.  She runs 3 miles at least twice a week on her off practice days.  I think one of my friends, Erin Hayden (do you remember her), owns a cross fit gym in the area.  I'm going to ask her if she has any openings for front desk help.  As you can imagine Hayden has a gazillion make ups to do for Seminary and is working on them.  She is seriously running out of time and needs to get her booty in gear on those!  Gee, I wonder where she gets that from... ;)  Lindsley has proven to be just as special of a teacher as you warned.  He is a nightmare but Hayden is pushing through.  She's talked to her counselor several times about him and I have even talked to the counselor.  It's almost over though and I promise Hudson will not have that guy as a teacher!!

Dad and I are good.  We are working hard and happy.  We are really busy doing life and planning for the future.  We spend so much time laughing about different things, the good, the bad, and the ugly!  What's life without a sense of humor? :)  We are all so excited to talk to you on Mother's Day!!  It is really so close!!  We can't wait!!

Love you, MOM <3

Hello to all my worshippers ;)  haha jk... You might wanna take that certain part out mom...thats for you guys haha.  I am so happy that I get to skype all of you soon.  I have a mother's day present for you guys...that I am trying to send home before its too late.  I hope you will like it.  This past week went a lot better than last because I realized that Life is too short to be miserable for any amount of time.  Plus Grandma Rasmussen sent me a really good quote that must have been totally inspired because it said to choose to be happy...it is a choice, and it is my choice.  Or something like that haha...but it was really good, and it made me realize also that happiness is not based off of what we have in life, or off of recognition or anything else.  Its based off of our thought process and whether we choose to be happy or not.  Last week I emailed you guys that I was having difficulties with my companion because lets face it...he's a freak.  BUT...this past week I have focused on trying to be as kind as possible...even when I would like to shove his head in a blender.  It actually has been lifting my mood as I work hard to look for the good in him and compliment him all the time.  It helps me feel better about myself because I am being Christlike, and in turn it is helping him have more self confidence, which may be all he needs.  I had an interesting experience this week.  We had dinner at this man's home up in the wealthier part of our area, up the mountain, and this guy we had dinner with was maybe a little weird and really quiet/awkward in high school and when he was younger, and some of it may have carried into his adulthood.  He has 8 kids that range from like 18 to 3...which should not be legal, in my opinion, but for some reason it is.  And he was very good at playing the piano.  His daughter and some other girl got up and sang a duet in sacrament meeting last sunday and he played the piano for them...and the whole time I just kept thinking....she sucks compared to Hayden, because she really did haha.  But anyways...we were eating dinner at his house, and this guy is like 51 I think is what he said, and his wife is in her 40's...and he told us this story about how when he was in high school the best athlete of them all, some guy on the basketball team, came up to him and thumped him on the chest one day and said...you will never be better than me at anything.  And this guy said back to him...okay, lets go play the piano.  And after that the basketball star never said another word to him.  The reason I share this story is because It really made me think.  This guy is now 51 years old, and he still remembers that bully saying those mean things to him...after all this time and it still affects him today.  It made me really think about the things I say to people and how it could hurt their feelings and they will never forget it for the rest of their lives.  So I always try and be kind and speak kind words to everyone, because I never know if what I say could hurt someone so bad that they will never forget it.  That is why I also try to be nice to my companion...as crazy and weird and maniacal as he is, because I want to be the companion that he grows the most with, and that he has the best mission experience with.  I dont wanna be the one who makes his mission a bad experience, even for the smallest amount of time.  I have really had to excersize a lot of patience this week and turn everything, (just like you said mom), over to Jesus Christ, and have faith that he will pick up the slack.  And he has a lot this week.  I am so much more content with how things went this week as opposed to last week.  

My companion's name is Elder Vance by the way.  He loves swords..and yes mother, they are allowed.  Good thing I watched the whole Buffy The Vampire Slayer Series before I left.  This way I can defend myself using the methods I learned on the show.     hahahahaha.  But fo real though.  I had some good experiences this week.   I went on a split with a return missionary who's name is Christian and we taught this woman who is really going through a hard time family wise and her sons never come and visit her and she has MS and her husband left her and took the kids with him and they live right around the corner but say they always get busy with school and stuff to come visit her.  She cried the whole lesson and said she hopes the Gospel can bring peace to her life.  I am very excited to start working with her and help her be as happy and peaceful as I am with the blessings of the gospel.  People can say whatever they want to try and disprove the reality of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but this stuff doesn't just happen, the spirit is not something we create...it is real and touches these people's hearts.  And no one can ever take that truth away.  I can't believe that It has now been 5 months since I left our humble crazy abode haha.  I am almost at the 6 month mark!!  I get to burn a tie!  I will burn this ugly one I found in my last apartment, not one of the nice ones we got.  Dont worry :)  I am almost a quarter of the way done with my mission.  I will be back sooner than you think!  That was funny what you said about Hudson.  I remember I used to text you too and say I needed more food, I guess it just runs in this awesome family we have <3    I have gotten permission to get a Whitney Houston CD!   I am soo excited because you guys all know that I was born to sing......And I have been told that I can hit those Whitney notes, so now I can put it into play haha.  Literally.   Hey mom...do you remember this...Da Gum!  - credits to Sarah and Hayden...discredit to mom, for trying to jump in and sound cooler than she thinks she is.  ;P   I love you guys a lot and can't wait to talk with you guys very soon over skype.  I will try to find members that are cool to skype with you at.  Love you - E. Kelley

Elder Kelley, 

I can't remember if I got a letter from you last week it's a blurr. But I did read The one you sent to Mom.  I remember being in the same exact situation.  The solution was that we just started talking to people on the street and in the neighborhoods of the members of the ward via tracting or street contacting.  We started teaching lessons in every member home we could get in. Literally within a couple of weeks people started saying hey these elders are hard workers I like them. It was simple we created a new vibe just by working.  Someone once said if you're on fire people will come from all around just to watch you burn and it's true.  Humans are a curious bunch.  They can't help but wonder what all the commotion is about when there is a flurry of activity happening around them.  They just have to know what's going on.  They almost always want to be part of something exciting.  So remember, a single spark can start a whole city on fire.  As for your comp he needs a reason to be more interested in his misson than those knives. Anyway if anyone can appeal to that ward and show them there's hope it's you..... just be yourself Mason.  Nothing can fail if you are the real you.  People will love you and your love for others.  You don't have to go out of your way to show people that you genuinely care about others...it's just part of who you are so again be yourself.  I love you.  Let me know if you have any questions.  I might not have all the answers but I can tell you what I did.  The Lord is on you side!

Love Dad

Hey dad just wanted to let you know that I got your email and really appreciate it.  I will send you a letter this week with questions that I have!   I am really pushed for time right now though and hope you enjoy the long email and the pictures I sent too.  Thank you for your prayers.  Please let Michael and Grandma Kelley know that I got their email and really loved them...especially the Britney Spears part in Michael's hahah..  I will respond to them next week I promise!  Love you!   Elder Kelley  

April 23, 2013 - Letters between Mom and Mason (I lucked out - he was on the computer still :)

Hi Mason :)

So, a lot of changes for you.  How do you like your new area? Are you living in an apartment or someone's home?  How many families are you guys teaching?  What's your new companion like? What's his name?  Where is he from?  Tell me everything...hahaha

I'm sorry about your negative experience.  I'm sure you learned a lot from that.  I know you were a blessing to his family. I'm sure that's why he was so uncomfortable. Guilt has a way of making you act like an idiot! It sounds like you handled it well though.  I'm proud of you. :)

Hudson just played in the Cal Cup state finals this week. They did well and took 10th place overall. He had some great blocks! He's getting pretty good but he's a perfectionist and counts every shot that he misses...shocker! He's so tan right now. 

Hayden has Nationals this week and she is busy getting ready for all the Senior activities and unlike you, she wants to do every single one of them. She's going to Knotts next week. Prom is this weekend. Her dress is so pretty. It's dark purple. I will send you pics. We had sleeves put on the dress so it's modest. It's her favorite one so far.  My prayers were answered and she won't be going on a party bus!!! Thank goodness!! Armani has lifeguard training until 7pm so I am driving her to Oceanside to meet him and they will drive down together. The great thing is they both have to be somewhere at 8am the next day, so no after party either!!! Hallelujah!! He has lifeguard training and she has a game for nationals. I've never been more thankful for sports before. HA!  She took a test at Miramar yesterday to get her into this priority registration group to make sure she gets all of her classes through athletics. She was super relieved. The counselor said that hardly anyone passes and gets in so we were worried. She did great though! She passed with a lot more points than she even needed. She is leaning towards living at home for at least the first semester until she finds some good friends to live with. She will attend a singles ward in San Diego every week so she can find good girls to live with and not have any roommate nightmares. She was awarded a bunch of money so it looks like all of her expenses will be covered for her first year and she will have no debt which is awesome!!!

Dad is doing good. He works so hard for us. We are making some changes here.  I quit my job. I am working on helping dad with stuff and may possibly in the future start doing event planning an incorporate dads videography. We are in the planning stages but we both feel really good about it. I won't move on anything until after the summer. We will be doing research and getting things dialed in until then. I will really be focusing on my health too. I'm excited about that. 

It's been great weather here! It's so warm. How's it there? Is it still winter or getting better?  Bro Hathcock got released this week in preparation for their move to the beach. I can't believe they are moving!!! Bro Kowallis was called to the bishopric. He's such a nice guy. I really like him. 

I can't wait to hear from you!  I hope you are having a great time.  Remember obedience brings true peace and happiness.  I love you so much! 

Mom <3 muaaah!

Hey Mom...yeah a lot of changes.  I am back in my old area today at my favorite members home...the Ellsworths.  We are emailing from their house today.  Unfortunatley my new area is really sucky :/  We have a whole 6 people we are teaching right now.  The elders before did no work...at least that is what it seems like.  It is not something I am used to and the stake is mean too.  They dont like the missionaries because of the loser ones that have been in this area over the years...so member trust is really bad and they dont like us.  I even met with this one ward mission leader who is a nasty old man...and really snappy and rude...and on my first day here we met with him and he was talking about an issue with my companion that had nothing to do with me at all...so I just let my eyes wander to the wall of family pictures and all of a sudden this old hag goes...elder kelley...am I boring you?  Because If I am I can take you home.    What in the ???  What is that ?  So I just bit my tongue and said...I am not...I apologize for not paying attention.    Which was probably the HARDEST thing for me to do so far in life...and you know me mom....I like to talk back...or at least I used too haha ;)   So I just have so much work to do in this new area and plus...my apartment...hahahah...oh my apartment is the biggest joke on the planet.  It is one bedroom...and it has a tiny kitchen and an even smaller bathroom...the shower is either burning hot or freezing cold...the fan is like coming un hitched from the ceiling and the whole thing is just not very nice.  That could really kill me over these next however long I am here for.  

      My companion..........he is something else -_-   Have you ever felt like overdosing on Benadryl...or maybe motrin?  Thats me everyday.   Mom...I dont know if I can do this...this kid is crazy!  He is from Idaho...and Georgia...he totally reps a fake southern accent...he loves knives and swords and has a collection of them here with us in the apartment...so I cant say anything wrong to him or he will kill me at night...I tried to make sugar cookies the other night....and he tried to control everything and wouldnt let me open the oven to check on them because he is a good cook and knows what he is doing.   Which...I will admit, I am not the best cook in the world...probably one of the worst...but I still can make a sugar cookie.  And..a part of me dies everytime I fake laugh at some dumb joke he tells...that is not even funny.  But I have to make him think I think he is the coolest person ever...otherwise my thoughts go back to those murder knives he carries with him.  He constantly tells me that everyone tells him he looks like tom cruise or keanu reeeves...and that good looks run in his family and he is gonna be the end of me.  I promise you this day that if things dont change...I will be locked up in prison next tuesday.   PLEASE HELP ME.  I will be on the south side of the train station off of Wall street at 7am tomorrow morning.  Please send me plane tickets to california...or hawaii.  I will be waiting.  Thank you.  Oh and I am greenie busting too.  Which means that I am his second companion and my job is to show him what the mission is really like...make sure he is obedient and work him really hard.  This kid thinks he knows everything too....and he is always telling me that what I do is wrong.  He has only been out for THREE MONTHS!  He doesnt even know what he is talking about.   I really need some advice guys !  I need advice from my family !  You are the only ones I can trust anymore.  

      Also...to all of my letter writing friends...I am sorry I have not yet written you guys back.  I think the list includes...Kelly Morrison, Lauren Hales, Rachel Hathcock, Brooke Morrison, Grandma Rasmussen, Grandpa and Becky, Grandma and Grandpa Kelley, Megan Hoyt, Callie Campbell, Lauren Howell, Mackenzie Wright, and so on and so forth.   I have no money for stamps...and have to wait for next week when my debit card refills to that awesome 120 dollars I get every month!   Grandma....Those cookies were sooo good, the best cookies I have ever had...no lie.  I loved them!    Please keep the letters coming, I will respond next week I promise :D 

We went on a hike this morning up a trail called waterfall canyon.  We went to the very top and saw this really cool waterfall...but it was half frozen.   I took pictures...I will hopefully get them to you a little later today !  I talked to Elder Leach for a while the other night,  he tells me his is super proud of me and how much I have changed since he trained me.  I miss him haha...he was a really good elder and I was such a brat to him now that I look back.  He told me he thinks I will be training next transfer.  That would be a really big job to do.   Anyway, I miss you guys a lot now.  I was fine the first few months...but now I am missing you guys.  I was thinking back today about all the fun things we have done as a family in the past and all the dumb things we have done too haha.  They just made me laugh.  I miss Hudson the most probably though.  No offense to you Hayden...but you were starting to irritate me with all of your boyfriends....and we already had a super close relationship and are best friends so I miss you...but I realized today and over this past week how cool little huddybo90 is.   Sorry for being mean Hudson.  I was totally jealous of you in every way.   I wish I was nicer and we were better friends....but I can't wait till I get back home so we can start hanging out for real now haha.  Maybe you can teach me some water polo at the Clarks pool!    How is Sister Clark doing by the way?  I miss her too.  I miss the whole ward actually...yes...even the XXXXX family.  I cant believe I thought we had a lame ward.  Compared to the wards up here we have an awesome ward...and everyone was very friendly and loving and nice.  Here they are weird.   Utah screws children up haha.  I got the funniest letters from Krista and Kiryn last week.  I miss them too haha. I miss Rachel too...I miss everyone...and my young mens group and all the guys in their with me too.  We have a good ward back home.  You guys better not leave it until after I get back!   I feel like I have a lot to talk about.  Luckily...for all of you...and me, Mother's day is coming up and I can talk to all of you on skype next month!  I cant wait for that.  You guys should take some real family pictures now and send them to me!  I want a good one of all of you guys together. Hey you should tell Jodi Klinger and Jessie Klinger to write me please!  I really miss them.  I just found this card that they gave to me at my farewell party...it made me laugh.  Those were the best childhood memories were with them!  And remember when you and Jodi made all of us kids wait in line at the mall in Mission Viejo so that YOU mother....could meet Spongebob and get a picture with him?  haha I will never forget that.   And why hasn't Shelly Evans or Brooke Evans written me yet?    

      

Okay...well thats a long enough email for 2 weeks huh?  I love you all so much and hope you have a great week !   Love you,  Elder Kelley !

Mason, I don't know if you will get this today but I thought I'd try real quick. 

I want to address your frustration. First of all, I'm sorry things are hard right now. I'm sure it feels very frustrating. I want you to know what I know about you...

You are a very kind hearted person and you do have the ability to make a hard situation great!  

Heavenly Father doesn't give us anything we can't handle.  You know this already.  It may feel like it at the moment but He will be right there with you helping you get through this challenge. Turn to Him. He will never leave you alone. He will ALWAYS be right there with you. 

You are a gift and you are special. Let the trivial things roll off your back. You can do it!!

Know that our whole family prays for you every day.  We talk about you so much and we do all miss you but it is almost a quarter of the way done!! :-D

Be obedient in ALL areas, even the ones that seem unimportant. I PROMISE you will be blessed for that. 

Be the Elder that will change the members hearts there. If anyone can do it, you can. It will require love and patience and kind words, something I know you have in you. 

I'm going to pray specifically that you will be blessed with strength to face the challenges there and that people's hearts will be softened. 

I love you so much!!! <3<3<3<3

Mom :)

Hey mom...thanks so much for all the advice.  I really appreciate it.  I will definitely keep that in mind and just focus on the work :)  I will try and send pictures next week...I couldnt get the cord for this week.  Soryy!!  But I love you and I have a video coming too!  I recorded something funny on my camera for all of you guys.  Tell hayden and hudson that I am sorry for not writing them back individually this week, I just have a lot to do now...and I wrote a really long email to you and dad...so just send it out to the family :)   I love you mom...and I will keep your advice in mind!   Love you!

April 16, 2013 - Letter from Mom and letter from Mason

From Mom:

I am really bad at this whole letter writing thing huh??? Sheesh haha

Did you get transferred today like you thought you might?  I have been thinking so much about you. 

I just read your letter. I loved it!  I'm so excited for your new adventure in a new area.  I'm sure it's hard to leave the families that you have grown to love but there will be new families that you will love and serve there.  There are people that have been prepared just for you.  I'm sorry about the experience you had last week.  That's too bad for that family.  We will include them in our prayers.  That guy does sound a little cray cray! 

So, transferred and senior companion.  How exciting! :) Is Weber Heights up by the college?  I think Gerald Allen and his wife live up there if it is. Spring is beautiful in Utah...hopefully it will come soon...hahahaha! I hear it one of the longest winters ever!

Hudson is doing great. He's getting good grades and doing well in water polo but stressing about whether or not he will be good enough for Varsity next year.  I told him to take one day at a time. :) He's working on the dance with Lileigh.  Her mom hired a choreographer! SCARY! They are doing the jive and she is telling Hudson he should stick with it!!! Hahahaha! Hudson was like ya, can you see it a dancing water polo player! HA! It's for a fundraiser for varsity dance. Each girl chose an athlete to dance with (Dancing with the Stars). The competition is on may 16th. We are all dying to see it. Her mom wants them to practice all the time and doesn't want anyone to know that she hired a choreographer. It sounds a little sketch! He's having fun and being a good sport though. 

Hayden had her soccer banquet last night. I did the whole thing with help from Brigette Webb. It was a lot of work but worth it in the end for the girls.  Hayden was named MVP Defense and 1st Team All League.  Her coach loves her.  He pulled me aside last night and told me what a great, exceptional person she was. He is so impressed with her character and her values.  He told me that he looks at his little girl and asks himself, are you going to be like Hayden?  Isn't that sweet?!  He asked me what did you do to raise such am amazing girl?  I just said she came that way and we talk, A LOT (hehe), and daddy/daughter dates, and driving them to school instead of carpooling. It was such a nice compliment. When he was addressing the Seniors, he said I can't even look at Hayden right now, it's going to make me weepy. It was a great night for Hayden. A good ending to HS Soccer. 

Dad and I are really good.  Just plugging away. :) Things are starting to settle down a bit now that I'm out of YW's.  Hayden is done with soccer the end of May until college practice starts in July. I'm always so excited to get your letters each week that's why I have no idea why I always wait till the last second to write you. I'm annoying right?! I'm sorry!  

I love you Mason!  I'm so thankful for your service. 

Love, mom <3 muaaaah :-)

Hey guys hows everything going down at the Kelley Household?  I hear prom is in the air...all the teenagers are talking about it here too -_-   Still have to hear the dumb high schoolers talk about the life they think is so cool...too bad its almost over for all of them and then they really live life haha  Well, I am getting transferred!  I am leaving tomorrow to go up to Weber Heights and I am also the SENIOR companion now...yeah, you read that right...the SENIOR companion now.  Everyone says that is really rare...almost unheard of to become senior companion until you have been out for at least 7 or 8 months.   SO I have a big transfer ahead of me no doubt.  I have a lot more responsibility now...like real responsibility because this transfer my companion was not obedient...but he was senior afterall...and so he was the one who had to answer to everyone...now I am the one that has to officially do all of that.   So my companion better not be a joke...or one of us will be going to jail!  I hear you made me a blog mom....you better make sure all my emails are nice before you post them to the blog haha !  I am a missionary now...but the only person on this earth who was ever perfect was Christ...so be weary mommacita, be very weary ;)   I have had a good week so far...we got to watch two church movies for p day...Charly and The Ultimate Gift!  It was very exciting hahaha....which I feel dumb for saying but they were actually really good.  So question....why have I not gotten letter from Natalie, Haley, Larry or Kayla yet?   Kelly Morrison finally wrote me...it took her long enough...dang!  I need to write all of the Tinsley family back and Ady and Brett and all of these people...but you see...I am out of funds right now.  So I have to wait to buy stamps...dont worry though...I  did not forget about you guys.   Since this will be going on my blog....I would like to make a quick shout out to all of my fans!  I love you all so much and hope you keep following me on Instagram and Twitter!  if you are truly faithful...you will never forget me.  Thank you guys !  

                   

Now that that is over....I actually had a bad experience this week.  I was teaching a lesson to this family with my companion who had just started coming back to church and  wanted their daughter to be baptized really quickly.  Their daughter is 13 almost 14 I think.  We were at the very end of the lesson when I asked the mom to bare her testimony about how baptism changed her life...because she was only baptized 5 years ago with her 17 year old daughter and the dad was the only member in the family.  She had a really nice testimony and then she started getting emotional about the fact that she hadn't been to church for a long time and so I tried to comfort her by saying not to worry or dwell on the past, because you are here now and that is what counts.  And you dont need to feel guilty for not being active because thats why Christ died for us...so you dont need to feel sad anymore.  Just focus on the path ahead.  And all of a sudden the husband started to get a little antsy and he was like...well there's nothing about the past that was bad...she has nothing to worry about...she is one of the nicest people you will ever meet in your life. And I said yeah absolutely...that is exactly what I was saying you know?  I just noticed that you were sad and didnt want you to feel guilty about anything thats all.  And she was super nice and understanding and said I know exactly what you mean...thank you ! And the husband just said...okay guys are you ready to leave?  And he was like...we are done here...and started yelling at me!  What the freak?!  And then he was like...we are cutting this meeting short today.  And the wife and kids were just staring at him like he was crazy...so I quickly said...okay well can we have a prayer before you guys leave...and he said yeah...so we said the prayer and then he just walked out the front door and slammed the door shut and got in the car.  What the ?  Yeah...   SO his family was still in the house and I said it was nice to meet all of them...they were very nice...and I apologized to the wife if I said anything offensive and she said we did nothing wrong and that we were perfect and then while we were talking with them the husband just layed on the horn and was being really rude and making himself look very dumb.  

So they left and we havent heard back from them yet.  Oh...and this was in a members home too :)  How nice right ?  Yeah...its a good thing I am getting transferred.  I felt really bad at first but the members said not to worry because I said nothing wrong and that he was just very oversensitive.  You think?  That's the last time I try to help someone jeez!  The bishop and stake president also heard because he called them and told them how offensive I was...and of course they were shocked so they asked me what happened I told them and they said I did nothing wrong and that this man is just very very very sensitive and feels guilty for the way he has been living and does not like it when people give him or his family advice.  So I felt bad...but I dont anymore.  I hope for the family's sake that he can sort things out with himself so that they can be an eternal family.  Because That is what is most important.  I still cant believe he got so defensive over nothing...I think it is that utah weather and those weird inversions that finally got to him.  But theres is nothing more I can do.  Its funny though because as missionaries are job is to declare repentance to every soul!  SO I was doing my job and I did it in a very nice way...but this man was literally psychotic.  On the bright side...a woman who has been an investigator for 20 some odd years we finally set a baptism date for her and she quit smoking and drinking coffee too!!  So she can now be baptized.  That was the most spiritual thing this week.  We also had fast testimony meeting yesterday and as you know Emily Parkers Aunt and Grandma are in the Rockcliff 2nd ward and we cover  that and her aunt bore her testimony and it was very spiritual as well.  Yesterday was a good Sunday!   

How is everything going with work, school, sports and church?  How's Bear?  Since you didnt send me my Titanic CD...I bought one instead.  Hey I heard Justin Timberlake has a new album mom !   Are you excited...I know how much you loved him in the past haha  I hear P!nk is coming on tour in Salt Lake in November.   Maybe I will sneak out and watch it....  No I didnt change the color in the pictures...just some have a flash and some dont!    But the one where I am orange and black I did the negative effect for fun haha.  How's my explorer doing?  You knopw you can sell it if you want...you and Dad are buying me a Porsche when I get back so I wont be needing that car anymore.  haha...but really...start saving now ! ;D   This one woman who is not active but her daughter  ahbury and son troy...troy is 16 and ahbury is 13..they are taking discussions and are gonna be baptized soon...she made us Easter Baskets so that was nice !  Dont worry, I am taken care of pretty nicely out here.  Well thats all the news for now.....I love you all and hope you have a happy almost birthday mom and dad...july is right around the corner!  

 Love, Elder Kelley

April 9, 2013 - Letter from Dad to Mason and his letter back :)

Good to hear that Elder Bess helped out with things. I'm sure he left some good impressions on your comp. It also sounds like things are picking up for you guys from what you said about those you're working with and some of the new contacts, that's great.

How was conference ...being there? I would think it had to be an awesome experience.  Hudson and I sat behind the Bishop in Priesthood and I told him you were there.  He was surprised and thought it was pretty cool. Utah missions have their perks!  

Well I loved conference and was able to see all the sessions and I am listening/watching it over again a little everyday.  It's awesome.  Anyway gotta go to work hope all is well keep having great experiences.  Say hi to your comp for us all.  I love you and am proud of your consistent efforts.

Love Dad

Dad, 

Yeah, Elder Bess really helped me out a lot to just not lose faith and keep on swimming haha.  Even if my companions are not obedient, I can set an example for them by how I follow the rules.  One of the best ways to teach is by example.  The Savior always taught by example.  So that's what I always keep in mind too.  I am very glad that he got to come out with us though!  Yeah we are teaching a few new families...so we have a lot of prospective baptisms that could be happening in the near future!  But I may be leaving my area on the 16th of this month because I have been in my area for a long time....and so thats usually what happens after you have been in an area for a long time.  So I will also most likely be getting a new companion too.  Which part of me will be sad, but the other part of me will be happy to experience new situations and things like that.  It will all be a growing experience, I guess thats really what a mission is...a growing experience and a conversion for the missionary as well.   Conference was so awesome!!!!   I went to the Saturday am session and we brought an investigator to it, and she just loved it and said she was overwhelmed with the spirit of truth.  It was awesome...but for that session we had to sit all the way up in the balcony...the very top one -_-    But even then it was super awesome.   Then we went to the sunday afternoon session and brought another investigator...and this time I decided to use my persuasive abilities that God has given me, and that have worked on you and Mom throughout my whole life haha. and use it on one of the security guards for the close seating.  I said hey we dont have tickets for this section, but we have an investigator with us can we come and sit down here?  and she said I am sorry but no...and I just looked at  her for a minute and I said, please?  We have an investigator and she is really excited to see the Prophet.  And the lady thought for a moment and said, you have an investigator?  and I said yeah...just look at her...and she said okay...and we got seats 7 rows away from the prophet...it was the coolest thing that has ever happened in my entire life.  I was like 40 feet away from all the apostles and prophet and general authorities and it was the most spiritual feeling ever.  Conference in person is so much more spiritual than watching it on TV....I cant believe that I have been missing out on that for all these years!  It was really cool and I had a great time and so did our investigators!  Utah missions are the best missions in the whole world.  Oh  guess what?  I saw Katelyn Hoyt at conference...she is serving a mission in Temple Square and we ran into each other and talked for a while and then she gave me her email to email her about friends back at home that she can call and introduce to the church.  Something has definitley changed about her...just a different look in her eyes.  She is really cool!  Anyway...thanks for the email and You keep up the good work too haha... I heard all about those fun little leaks that caused the ceiling to cave in hahahaha...probably not that funy if you were there for it though.   I love you Dad!  Have a great week and take care of yourself!  

   

Elder Kelley 

April 2, 2013 - Letter from Mom to Mason and his letter to the family

Hi Mason!!

This might be a little short today.  My office is torn apart.  The upstairs toilet finally took a dive and flooded the bathroom and poured out the ceiling into my office.  We had Trina here today replacing the ceiling. Over the weekend we bought a toilet and dad installed it.  I cleaned the carpets and the fan was full of water so that's off and drying. It was a mess but at least the stains will be gone on the ceiling now. :)

Things here are good.  We miss you but know you are doing well.  Like I said last week, I was released from YW's. it was really hard to leave the girls.  Sis Baca is the new YW pres.  I am the 14-15 yr old SS Teacher, Hudson's group. I'm excited! It will be fun and I get to be with the YW and Hudson.  Win win for me. The kids had the best time on the trek.  Hopefully they will tell you all about it. :).

How did things go with the elders that came over to see you?  I hope you were honest and told them the struggles you are having with your companion.  The Lord knows you are strong enough to make a difference.  We have been praying everyday for you and your companion.  Especially that he will have the desire to be obedient.

How was your Easter?  Did you get your package from us?  How did your baptisms go?  Please tell me about your most spiritual experience from last week.  I love hearing about the work.

Ryan Paynes farewell was on Easter.  He goes into the MTC tomorrow.  He has changed a lot.  He grew up a lot.  He seems ready to serve.  It was really cool to see the change in him.

Dad wants me to say hi and he loves you.  He literally worked all weekend because of the flood so we are sending a joint letter from both of us. :)

On Easter we went and had dessert with Armani's family.  His mom invited us.  They are a very nice family.

Hayden and I were just talking about how soon we get to talk to you on Mother's Day!  We are very excited!!!!

Have a great week!  Please let us know if there is anything we can pray about for you.  You are a wonderful son. I love you so much!

<3, mom :) 

Hey Guys!  sorry my email is being lame today and decided to lock me out for an hour because I was sending all these pictures to you!  I expect all of you guys to post these to instagram, facebook, and twitter.  I promise you that you will be blessed as you do so.  Since all of you basically suck at emailing me!!!!!   Any who, and nevertheless, I am still a devoted son and brother, and I am representing Jesus Christ so I will love all no matter what...even if my own family forgets to email me every week and when they do make it 2 sentences long.  You will all be lucky if I skype you on Mothers Day.  I may just send a nice letter instead ;)  Today is my P day and it has been very nice so far.  We took a nap this morning till 10 and then went to email, and then we went to lunch with some members that took us out to eat, and then we went and played with this German Shephard named Heidi who is my new best friend on my mission!  And then we went shopping and now we are emailing again.  Pictures of me and Heidi are coming soon!  I had to photoshop them all since I've gained about ten pounds and look ridiculous!!  hahaha jk, I would never let that happen!  you all know that...   I had such an awesome time with the traveling trainer.  His name is Elder Bess and he is from Alabama and he is going home in just a few months!  Anyway, I wish he was my actual companion because we have so much in common.   And he actually loves to workout...so for once we got to get something done without me having to force my companion to wake up and go workout at the Ben Lomond high school gym at 6 am every morning!  I would probably have to say that that was my most spiritually growing experience this week because he helped out with a lot of things and helped get Nambukara back on track.  He helped out a bunch!  

We went on splits and I was able to share with him all of my concerns and he was just really cool about all of it.   And we were in this lesson together and this girl we are teaching named Kat...we have been teaching her for a while and she is with this loser guy who comes and goes as he please...but she has 3 kids with him and they have been together for so long that it is considered common law marriage...but that doesn't count with the church obviously haha, and so she cant be baptized until she gets married to him or they officially break up.  So she needs all the prayers she can get from all of you guys!!  But she told me...." I have been being taught for 3 years now...and you are my favorite missionary I have ever had.  You never give up on me and you help me realize that there are angels without wings out there today,  and you have been such a blessing in my life.  I just love the way that you are open with my kids and even though they are crazy you still love them and my family.  You are just awesome and amazing and have really helped me in my life more than you could ever know."  Then Elder Bess and I invited her to be baptized on April 20th and she said yes!  She also said that she was gonna quit smoking for me and that she wants me to baptize her!!  It was just so exciting to hear all of that and just to know that I am making a difference in some people's lives.  So that was the most spiritual experience I have had this week.   But stay tuned because I am sure there will be many more to come.  

Megan Hoyt wrote me a letter and told me that she got called to the Orlando Florida mission!  Lauren Hales also worte me and told me she might be getting married to Alex Flores in August !?!?  What in the mother!!  She better take a a ken barbie doll with her on her wedding day and pretend that that is me!  I will be so bummed to miss her wedding :(  But whatever makes her the happiest !   It  was the craziest thing the other night on Easter...we ate dinner at these people's house and they started talking bad about SoCal....they were like, well I would never raise my family in California...that is just so ignorant of those parents thinking that it is a wholesome place to raise children....so right there I cut her off and said..." What I think is funny is how I saw your daughter making out with her boyfriend on the street corner yesterday rocking a tank top and short shorts.  My sister never did anything like that.  I think Utah is a much harder place to raise a family than California.  In California we actually have to stand up for our values.  And people respect that.  Out here you have LDS people who are out doing everything all the non members are doing.  So before you start talking bad about my parents...I hope you realize that you got more issues going on here in Utah than we ever did at my home...and we were born and raised in Southern California."   And she said, you know what....I am sorry.  I shouldnt judge.  And I said thank you and we had a great dinner after that.  hahaha, sorry but people need to stop being so close minded here and realize that they are the biggest impediment with missionary work and how judgemental they are of everyone.  It is just not okay.

I laughed so hard when I head about that toilet incident haha....I hope everything is okay now. Trina is so funny huh?  I loved the easter package that you guys sent me...from stainer the Easter bunny...I laughed so hard when I read that hahaaha.   Thanks for all of the cool treats!   Hey when is Armani gonna start writing me...that is a wonderful opportunity for missionary work.  I won't go crazy or anything like that...missionary work has really tamed me and I know how to approach the gospel now with people.  That is the only way I will approve of this boyfriend!  Anyways.....I love you all soooo much.   

Hudson:  You shouldn't talk to anyone!!  Just love everyone okay?   And yeah...some choreographers are gay hahaha....I remember that when I went to Hollywood dance day with Jenee and dad.  We had a very scary guy...he was barely a guy too haha....you will make varsity if you practice really hard and all the time.....anything is possible!   Don't forget that!  

Hayden:....hows the whole school situation?  Are you still doing those tributes for me?   How about those instagram posts?  How could you run out of things to say!  You live life everyday!  How about your day at school...or your soccer practice, since I know drama always happens at soccer practice haha....you either come home crying or mad.  

Dad:  I missed hearing from you this week....but I understand since you are tired and all that haha...long weekend with that bathroom remodel haha!     I was just thinking the other day about that horse video you made of me haha....and monkey boy!   We had a cool dad haha....you still are cool...but you have to face the facts that you are growing older....so of course older men are grumpier and all that.   But I wanna see more pictures of you and mom!!   Anyways...keep up the good work as a dad and a hard worker!  I love you!

Mom:  I cant believe that you got released from young womens president!  Sister Baca is a great person and is very nice as well!   I am sure the young women will like her, but not as much as they all loved you! haha   How's that list of priests coming along?   I would like to write some of them!  How about the address book?  haha  I love you mom, and I was so happy to get that picture of you today!  I love that picture, you look so pretty!   Hey can you also please send me those family pictures that we took at the beach a long time ago?  The ones that dad hates?  Because I love those ones...we all look so happy and it reminds me of all those fun childhood memories in mission viejo and going to see spongebob with jessie and morgan and jodi and all those fun things too!  Can you send me those?  And text jodi to write me and tell jesse to also !  I miss them!  and tell becca dove and kelly morrison to write me please!!!!   I miss them all so much !  

Bear:  Make sure to bug mommy this week and always get in her way and do all of that too !  I love you buddy !

March 26, 2013 - Letter to the Family

Hey Everyone!  

I will just tell you all what has been up with us this week.  I decided this week I am going to respond to all of you in one email.  First off....we have not had any baptisms this week, but we are for sure having one this Easter weekend, may be 2.   It will be so cool for these people to be baptized on the weekend that the Savior was ressurected!  Lucky !  Anyways.....we have been walking everywhere for this past week because we ran out of miles for our car for the month....we only get 750 a month.  It has really been a good workout for me though, and walking as a missionary is kinda fun because we run into so many people to talk to on the streets.  We just met these people that the woman is less active and her husband is a non member...he is a retired MMA fighter and is very scary looking...but they are the coolest people.  The woman totally reminds me of aunt Tawnie.  It's awesome haha.  They have 3 snakes and they let us watch them feed the snakes just the other day.  That was pretty cool.  We are also working with this awesome family...the mom is really pretty haha   but she is working through some things and may have to be excommunicated and then re baptized.   She made some big mistakes and went through a divorce after being married in the temple and all that.  But she is super cool.  I am really excited to be working with all these new people.  We had two dinners last night and so that should make you feel good about me not starving out here.  My companion is still as disobedient as ever...which really makes me mad...but luckily we are having these traveling missionaries who are gonna be with our companionship this Wednesday and they go around the whole mission basically helping missionaries improve their behavior, obedience and areas.  So Elder Bess will hopefully put him in line.  To give you all an idea of how bad he is...we heard that Pink is coming to Salt Lake City for her concert tour and I was like...I wanna go sooo bad, and he was like, I'm fine with it as long as no one else finds out......WHAT ?!?!  That is seriously bad.  He always wants to go in early and take naps and all that...but I say no.  He gets mad when I do that....What can I say...the guy is Satan.  But he is really funny so that makes it fun haha.  Otherwise I would wanna kill him right now.  Straight up.  I have been wondering where all my packages are ahaha....not happy!  jk  But I hope I get some good one's for this Easter :) 

Mom:  Where have you been...all my life?  haha   I love you and miss you.  I used you in an example the other day about how you listened to me and dyed your hair black and then got mad at me because you didnt like it.  haha   I miss you and I hope everything is going well with work and life.  I havent worked out these past 2 days...I am so ashamed of myself...you are doing better than me.  I just woke up late because my LAME companion keeps turning my alram clock off because he likes to sleep till 8!!!  Thats something I need to talk to him about...that is not cool at all...it causes me to be disobedient because he shuts it off so he doesnt have to hear it and wake up in the morning too!  So props to you mamacita!  Keep up the good work.  I have been showing everyone all the pictures on my instagram that have you and dad in them!  They think we have such a cute family...and we do haha ;) Anyway I love you and thanks for the support haha

Hayden:  Anyways...it is a good thing you are taking a break from that wretched phone of yours.  Gosh....I hate your phone and moms phone...always did.  I love you and I was walking the other day and tripped over the curb and said ....Kidding mehm?  haha and then I started laughing uncontrollably and did the cackle like we used to and my companion was just really scared hahaha.  I miss you...hows soccer?  keep praying, I pray for you guys everyday.  Thats when you know your special :)   Have fun at trek...I am glad you and huddy got to be together!

Hudson:  ey buddy.  sorry doesn't excuse forgetting to email the coolest person you know...and will ever know!  Jk haha......I am glad to hear you are doing great.  What a good goal to have with the Varsity water polo and the ODP program.....Olympics here we come!   I am sad I have to miss out on your high school life...but I will be back in time to see your senior year!!  Yay!   I dont know why the writing is looking like this now.  I hate these computers in the Logan tabernacle...they are for old people and don't auto correct!  Sorry haha.   Are you dating anyone yet?  Hows the dance production coming along haha  Hows lilly?  I hate how she spells her name so I just dont spell it like that lol!  hAVE A GOOD REST OF THE YEAR AND SPRING BREAK! yOU FINALLY GET TO BE WITH JERRY SMITH HAHAHAHAHA JK JK!  LOVE YA!

Dad:  papa nichols!!!  I miss you.  I was thinkiong yesterday about how we used to always go riding together in the riverbed and you used to get mad at me cuz all I ever wanted to do was go running and it used to hurt your knees and get rocks all in your face haha.  Thank you so much for the advice...I love to hear from you and all the things you tell me to help me out.  If anything we just have a short time left together and then we may have new companions!   I love you all and hope all is well.  You need to be getting to the gym too dad...dont think you are out of the attack zone from me.  You and mom need to hold each other accountable haha!  Love ya!

Bear:  I love you son.  

  

Love you all !!  Elder Kelley !  :D