Caleb:
Happy 20th Birthday! I hope you have a great day. We love you.
Dad
Thursday, March 31, 2016
Sunday, March 27, 2016
Adam's Letter
Hi Caleb, sorry I missed last week but I was sick again with a cold. I didn't do that much stuff these past few weeks but I will most likely have some spring break stories for you next week.
Love,
Adam
Love,
Adam
Samantha's Letter
I played scientist this week and I discovered that vinegar and baking soda explode. By the way a Crosstitch is kind of like a sewing kit has a circle with fabric and you sew through the fabric so that's what crosstitch is. I also went to par this week. If you have late work you have to stay in the teachers classroom and finish it but if you don't have any late work you get to go to the gym and play games. I did three easter egg hunts.
Love Samantha
Sent from somewhere really cool.
Sariah's Letter
Hi Caleb it's me Sariah. Last week I had a play date with Lauren Blotter. We played house and we played on the tramp. It was fun. How was your week?
Tomorrow morning the Buluts are coming over. I had a birthday party to go to it with Emma and Deltas's birthday party and I made a carrot and I got gumballs. The end.
From Sariah
Sent from somewhere really cool.
Letter 3/27
Caleb:
I hope that you are developing the ability to stand for the right at all times and in all places. I hope that you are being honest with yourself about your development. Few things will result in more unhappiness than to realize that you have allowed yourself to follow lesser men into paths that you know in your heart are wrong.
I had a seminary teacher some years ago that could preach up a storm but his family was a mess. I was good friends with his daughter and some of the things she said about the way he acted around their house made me think twice. Mine is not to judge but I've often felt for me that I should be the same person in life that I am in church. The greatest compliment someone can pay is that you are constant in at all times and places. I'm not perfect, but I try.
I interview a lot of pretty incredible YSA young women. Some are frustrated that the young men their age don't seem to mind watching rated R movies and participation in activities that are below them. I take hope that there are a few young men that have made the determination to be great at all times and places. These are men that will live their lives largely beyond reproach. What a great compliment to them.
You have work to do in this area. I hope you consider this and make personal commitments to be better. The greatness of your character relies on your thoughts and actions. Hopefully you decide to become great. I know from personal experience that it's better to try to be good all the time than rather that try to pick and choose the times where lesser behavior will be accepted.
Needless to say, I didn't share your video last week with the family.
Become great. It's a worthwhile effort.
Dad
Monday, March 21, 2016
Fwd: March 20
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
From: Caleb Gibbons <cgibbons@myldsmail.net>
Date: March 21, 2016 at 8:44:51 AM MDT
To: Arla Gibbons <gibbons.arla@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: March 20
I heard about the dedication and I hope it was good. My mission
president has close to three months left. Thanks for mailing me!
Sounds like everyone is good and happy! Thanks for your emails I love
you all a lot.
- Elder Caleb GibbonsOn Mar 20, 2016, at 10:10 PM, Arla Gibbons <gibbons.arla@gmail.com> wrote:Dear Caleb,I'm so happy for you right now. Your remarks from last week's PPI sound like you're in a good place. Your goals are awesome! I wish for you to be able to continue these relationships you're forming on your mission too. And that's very possible these days. Does your mission president only have a month now?Our church today was replaced by the Dedication of the Provo City Center Temple broadcast. We just got back from celebrating Grandpa Winkel's birthday which means that your's is in 11 days! The 3 cousins going to USU, and the Fluckiger's were there along with Kevin, Braylin & their little girl Vivian. Vivian is so cute! They're moving to Florida in a few months as part of his residency.This last week, Manuel & Tiffany stopped by with their little boy Max to talk with Sydney. Manuel is a music producer and really wants to get in on Sydney's team to help them get something out there. Max is so cute too!Well, that's about it for last week's events. I hope your upcoming week is GREAT! I love you and am so proud of you!Love,Mom<image1.JPG>Samantha & Sariah on St. Patrick's Day<image2.JPG>Grandpa's 84th birthday!<image3.JPG>Samantha and Sariah on an Easter egg hunt<image4.JPG>Sent from my iPhone
Sunday, March 20, 2016
March 20
I'm so happy for you right now. Your remarks from last week's PPI sound like you're in a good place. Your goals are awesome! I wish for you to be able to continue these relationships you're forming on your mission too. And that's very possible these days. Does your mission president only have a month now?
Our church today was replaced by the Dedication of the Provo City Center Temple broadcast. We just got back from celebrating Grandpa Winkel's birthday which means that your's is in 11 days! The 3 cousins going to USU, and the Fluckiger's were there along with Kevin, Braylin & their little girl Vivian. Vivian is so cute! They're moving to Florida in a few months as part of his residency.
This last week, Manuel & Tiffany stopped by with their little boy Max to talk with Sydney. Manuel is a music producer and really wants to get in on Sydney's team to help them get something out there. Max is so cute too!
Well, that's about it for last week's events. I hope your upcoming week is GREAT! I love you and am so proud of you!
Love,
Mom
Sariah's Letter
Hi Caleb it's me Sariah. Yesterday I changed my earrings to flowers and today I changed them to pearls.
And today was grandpa's birthday we had cake and ice cream. Today we're going on an Easter egg hunt after I'm done writing this letter.
From Sariah
Sent from somewhere really cool.
Samantha's letter
Hey Caleb, I got some new clothes and Sariah changed her earrings to pink flowers to pearls. I also got a crosstitch kit and it comes with needles and a little crosstitch circle and I have fabric for it. And our cousins came over yesterday and today I played with Kevin and Braylin's daughter Vivian and she really liked it.
Samantha
Sent from somewhere really cool.
PPI thoughts and 3/20 letter
Caleb:
I hope all is well with you. Spring is slowing coming to Northern Utah. This is the hardest time of year for me because the weather is so nice outside and I have to stay inside and get the work done. Not a problem though, I just don't think about it and it ends up being "no big deal".
I really enjoyed your PPI last week. I'm very impressed with the progress you are making in your life and the fact that you are taking your mission seriously. I'm impressed that you are getting along with our companion. Getting along with people is a great trait and one that will serve you well throughout your life. Great job.
A couple of things that I'd encourage you to consider:
1) Focus on the positive, especially with people (sisters) and things (your area) that don't flow your way naturally. Change the way you think and change your life. Remember that people generally try to meet expectations and will respond more positive to you if you see the good in them.
Example - One of the new partners in our firm is always ragging on the staff when we are in partner meetings. It seems none of the staff can meet his expectations. There are two points I make, first, when he was a staff, he did the same things that he now complains that the staff do. It's the most unbelievable dynamic - I would say that he hates the same things in others that he hates in himself. Second, it is almost impossible to hide from others from your feelings of disdain for them. The staff know how he feels about them and none of them want to work for him. They procrastinate his work for the work of other partners who they enjoy working with.
I call it the death spiral. He thinks negative thoughts, he voices those thoughts, staff perceive his thoughts and they respond accordingly. And so it goes; and so it will be until HE changes his attitude. If he doesn't change he'll be relegated and marginalized as a partner. It's pretty sad to see because he is otherwise a brilliant dude.
2) I think you and I are similar in the way that we study. I don't possess the attitude to sit for long periods of time and focus on "stuff". Instead, I'll "nibble" at my projects. This is habit as much as anything but I've lived my life with this habit. College was easy for me and as a result I really didn't study very much. Instead, "studied" when I had to and really didn't focus the rest of the time.
So, I'm 47 years old and still face these challenges... I hold myself responsible. I've allowed habits to form and they've persisted with me my entire life. Here I am every day faced with mountains of work in tax season; work that requires focus and energy. That said, I've looked at myself and said, "Paul, this is who you have allowed yourself to become, how can you make lemonade out of this lemon?"
There are some keys that work for me. First, I approach a review project as if I'm the client looking at the return. It's amazing how many things I catch because of this. I am confident that I'm as good of a reviewer as anyone in the firm. Second, I do mental sprints because I'm not good at mental marathons. I pick-up, focus and then take a walk and do it all over again. That's my day. Third, I believe that I am as smart as anyone who will look at the project. I know there are better tax technicians (those that can do a mental marathons reading tax law) but I really don't think there are many better at seeing the big picture and tying it all together. In other words, I believe I'm smart and that belief has carried me through many a tough day. Finally, I've found that I can focus pretty well at night from the hours of 7-10pm (it's weird but it seems to work).
Zebra's don't change their stripes. You will not come back from your mission magically a better student. I think you are secretly haunted by that fact. What you can do is figure out what works for you and then implement that into your studies. You will always be tempted to look at others and notice the things that you don't like. This is human nature. Through concerted effort you will be able to see the positive and project positive thoughts onto people knowing that they will respond in kind.
You're a great young man. You have so much going for you. Stay positive and be confident in yourself. I love you,
Dad
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Monday, March 14, 2016
Fwd: Ferry Farm Photos
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
From: Kenneth Traveller <kdtraveller@gmail.com>
Date: March 14, 2016 at 8:57:15 PM MDT
To: Arla Gibbons <gibbons.arla@gmail.com>, Ao1hudson@hotmail.com, jennifer hudson <jenna.k.hudson@gmail.com>, Gnarlybrah56@gmail.com, cgibbons@myldsmail.net
Subject: Ferry Farm Photos
On Elder Hudson's last Monday here he, Elder Gibbons and I spent the morning at Ferry Farm. Ferry Farm is George Washington's boyhood home place. It is just a mile down the river from Chatham. This is where he chopped down a cherry tree and couldn't tell a lie. He also threw a stone or silver across the river here. The farm house was destroyed over time. They have found its location and have just begun to restore it.Enjoy,Ken Traveller
March 2016 PPI
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Caleb Gibbons <cgibbons@myldsmail.net>
Date: Mon, Mar 14, 2016 at 10:01 PM
Subject: Re: Quickie
To: Paul Gibbons <gibbons.paul@gmail.com>, Arla Gibbons <gibbons.arla@gmail.com>
I feel like I have my days and I don't. I love teaching but I feel like I've been lacking in my studies. I'm honestly probably never going to be at 100% but I'm okay with that. I love being able to meet new people and share my beliefs with them. Everyone is unique and every teaching situation is different.
I haven't, but now that I've thought about it I want more "meditation time". It may help me be more in tune with the spirit. I'll try it and get back to you next month.
From: Caleb Gibbons <cgibbons@myldsmail.net>
Date: Mon, Mar 14, 2016 at 10:01 PM
Subject: Re: Quickie
To: Paul Gibbons <gibbons.paul@gmail.com>, Arla Gibbons <gibbons.arla@gmail.com>
So I copied and pasted the format. I'll be using that every month from now on. And this took me about two hours to type...
I don't want to feel like I'm just going through the motions. I want to be fully engaged in the work and feel like when I'm done I have successfully completed my mission.What's on your "mission" Bucket List?
I want to be able to maintain friendships from my mission. The mission has definitely opened me up more. I'm able to relate to people easier and I don't want to just end my mission and close the book on all those people. I want to have a ever lasting mission is you will.Long-term Goals (for your life; beyond your mission):
As a missionary I've taught my self to pray A LOT which isn't a bad thing. I've honestly prayed more in my mission so far than I have in the past year.. It's definitely helped me come closer to God and have a better relationship with him. I've seen my testimony already triple in strength. Before I came out I was honestly struggling a little. I've seen more people in rougher situations that have given up a lot more than I have to stay in the faith. That has helped me grow a ton. I've also learned to love the members of the ward. Some are really hard to love, but they are a blessing!Spiritual – How can you preserve your testimony and build testimony in others (including your wife and kids)? Are you learning to love unconditionally and without judgement?
I've had a hard time trying to actually engage myself in my studies lately. I've been trying to help my self get immersed in the Book of Mormon and I usually end up going off in tangents. Someone out here said something very interesting at a training. He said that you can flip through the Book of Mormon and the Gospels as much as you want but you need to be searching for yourself and your investigators not just to learn the materials. He said that if you do that you will have a better time teaching with the spirit than if you just try to memorize the discussions. That is what I've been trying to work on lately and it's been helping somewhat.Educational – How are you gaining confidence through your personal study to succeed in school when you get home?
I've been working on my social aspect of my attitude. I never figured out how to have a lot of friends and keep them around. I want to be able to have a great personal connection with everyone I meet. Even after my mission I want to be able to take the skills I've learned out here and use them to make everlasting relationships.Temporal / Personal Development – Are you aware of your talents and gifts so that you have some direction when you get home from your mission? What are your talents, gifts, and abilities?
Honestly the more and more I relate to sister missionaries the less and less I want to marry one after the mission. However I don't want to marry a girl who doesn't have any values. So being only 4 months on the mission I don't want to make that judgement right now. I'm sure that I will develop those attributes for her later on in my mission.Social - What attributes are you looking for in your future wife? Are you becoming someone that your ideal girl will be attracted to?
I am actually very happy with my self right now. I'm able to eat pretty healthy for the most part out here. A lot of that is because I'm able to use some money from home to get good food! I can barely buy enough food with the msf to keep my weight down. My companion wants to do a juice cleanse to help lose some extra weight. The only un healthy food I have to eat is at members houses. Virginians usually eat poorly with a lot of saturated fat. It bugs me because I've always been raised in a home where there are greens on the table, but dinners now are mostly deep fried foods. Very rarely do I get a healthy meal, when I do I savor it. I've been working out every night now for about two months, it's kept me healthy and improved my shape. I'm continuing it and hopefully I'll be able to stay in this habit most of my mission.Physical Health - Are you confident in your own ability to eat and exercise such that you can and will maintain a healthy body?
Where I'm at right now is a very difficult place in the mission. Everyone that we talk to either has no internet or doesn't want to change. I've accepted the fact that Fredericksburg will be slow, so as long as I'm teaching I'll be happy. My goal is to get members out to most of the lessons and to invite everyone we teach to the next ordinance.Short-term Goals (mission goals; monthly targets):
I've been praying a lot and it has been helping my testimony. I want to keep that going for the entire mission. I've completely changed my view of God and Jesus Christ. I feel like I've been able to develop a personal relationship with both of the. I've seen their hands in my life more and more in the mission field, and its strengthened my testimony a lot.Spiritual - What specific things are you doing to strengthen your testimony?
Right now I'm working on the Book of Mormon. Why it is so important to our religion and how to get people to read it. In my personal study I've been able to realize that the Book of Mormon is the ultimate conversion tool. It had been meticulous tool throughout the generations to be given to us. I'm still working on the deep doctrine of the Book of Mormon and it is almost unbelievable that people won't believe in it. There is absolutely no way that book is false. My testimony of the book is stronger than ever now.Educational - What topic are you going to come to fully understand?
I love the members out here to death but they are such flakes. They will feed us and begrudgingly go on splits with us and I see their lack of motivation and it is quite annoying. I'm use to Utah Mormons who are always motivated and stand strong to their faith. This next month we will be trying to get the ward excited about missionary work. Elder Giddings is convinced that members are the key to getting people converted. I'm excited to see where it goes. And as far as companions go, I've been able to learn patience. I think that is a key trait that I have acquired out here. It will definitely help me with my future spouse. The mission president is a great leader. He loves the missionaries and cares about us very much. However he is getting ready to go home and the mission is getting really messy right now. I'm excited to see the changes that the new mission president has to offer.Temporal / Personal Development - What are you able to learn from members you observe? What about companions? What about your mission president?
I feel like I've been able to help members in the ward like missionaries more. Also, I see this with investigators. I don't want to sound prideful but some of these people have opened up to me more than the last elders. I feel like I've been able to gain their trust, as well as their friendships.Social - What random act of kindness are you engaged in?
Working out every night has me kept in better shape. Also I've been trying really hard to eat better.Physical Health - What are you doing currently to take care of yourself?
Practicing the piano is something I want to work on again. I've regained some of the hymns that I've lost. I want to get it back.***
Living up to your potential / talents:
I work hard and have a great attitude.What tasks have you accomplished this week toward meeting your goals? -
I still have a short fuse. A lot of things that other missionaries do (mainly sisters) just make me angry.What items do you recognize in yourself that need work? -
I feel like I am. I've had a more positive view about myself ever since I've been out here. It's helped with my self esteem and my humility.Are you honest with yourself when you look inward and evaluate?
Strong. It's stronger now than it's ever been. You become way more spiritual on your mission and it helps your testimony a lot.How's your testimony?
Do you feel successful as a missionary?
How much time are you taking to "be still" and consider your mission and your development?
I can work on my spending. I want to try and create a budget for myself and stay with in it. Especially with food. That is something I'm going to work on more and more and see if I can stay within the budget.What is one item that you can do today to improve yourself?
I can't think of anything right now. Thank you for this. I love continuing these, it's given me a chance to open up not only to myself but to you as well.How can Mom and I help you? What do you need from us?
"If spiritual growth is not a priority in our lives, if we are not on a course of steady improvement, we will miss out on the important experiences that God wants to give us."
-Elder Larry L. Lawrence, October 2015
Thank you for all your support. I love you guys more than words. And can you believe I'm already almost 4 months out? Anyway, I'm keeping you in my prayers and in my thoughts. Thanks a ton for your support.
Much love from your missionary~
- Elder Caleb Gibbons
Here's a format that you should recognize:What's on your "mission" Bucket List?
Long-term Goals (for your life; beyond your mission):
Spiritual – How can you preserve your testimony and build testimony in others (including your wife and kids)? Are you learning to love unconditionally and without judgement?
Educational – How are you gaining confidence through your personal study to succeed in school when you get home?
Temporal / Personal Development – Are you aware of your talents and gifts so that you have some direction when you get home from your mission? What are your talents, gifts, and abilities?
Social - What attributes are you looking for in your future wife? Are you becoming someone that your ideal girl will be attracted to?
Physical Health - Are you confident in your own ability to eat and exercise such that you can and will maintain a healthy body?
Short-term Goals (mission goals; monthly targets):
Spiritual - What specific things are you doing to strengthen your testimony?
Educational - What topic are you going to come to fully understand?
Temporal / Personal Development - What are you able to learn from members you observe? What about companions? What about your mission president?
Social - What random act of kindness are you engaged in?
Physical Health - What are you doing currently to take care of yourself?
***
Living up to your potential / talents:
What tasks have you accomplished this week toward meeting your goals? -
What items do you recognize in yourself that need work? -
Are you honest with yourself when you look inward and evaluate?
How's your testimony?
Do you feel successful as a missionary?
How much time are you taking to "be still" and consider your mission and your development?What is one item that you can do today to improve yourself?
How can Mom and I help you? What do you need from us?
On Mon, Mar 14, 2016 at 11:43 AM, Caleb Gibbons <cgibbons@myldsmail.net> wrote:
Send questions for PPI! Love you
- Elder Caleb GibbonsThat is quick. Take care.
On Mon, Mar 14, 2016 at 10:27 AM, Caleb Gibbons <cgibbons@myldsmail.net> wrote:
I'm good.
- Elder Caleb Gibbons
> On Mar 14, 2016, at 8:53 AM, Paul Gibbons <gibbons.paul@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> How are you?
>
> Sent from somewhere really cool.
Sunday, March 13, 2016
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
It sounds like you've had a more eventful week than any of us! We're so thrilled that you get to stay in the Fredericksburg ward. I'm sure they just love you! How was your baptism(s) yesterday? I can't wait to hear about elder Geddings. Has he ever served in Fredericksburg yet?
The snow is almost gone here and we're gearing up for continued work on the sprinkler system and seeding the rest of the lawn. Grass is greening up a little in the front like it did in the Fall but the seed in the back and on the east is a "no show" so far. We'll probably have to seed it again when the water is turned on. Dad is still in the thick of tax season of course, and continues to stay in Salt Lake from Tuesday to Friday.
Whitney Winkel comes home from her mission (Florida) on your birthday. We'll go down to her homecoming in April. Well, that's about all that's been happening around here this last week. You're in our thoughts and prayers everyday! Have an awesome week!
Love,
Mom
Adam's Letter
Hi Caleb, to answer you're question, school is pretty good and my grades are also good. This week her weather has been good, so I decided to hang up my hammock that I got for Christmas for the first time and I love it. I'm so sorry that this letter is super short but I don't have anything else to tell you.
Love,
Adam
Love,
Adam
Samantha's letter
Hey Caleb, this week we finished the book, twice upon a time, in three days and we went to the library and got three movies. We set up the trampoline and there was a rainstorm yesterday and me and mom went to the store and got two alarm clocks one is for me which I really needed six grade and one is for anyone who needs it.
I love you Caleb, I miss you and I hope you're doing really great on your mission.
Samantha
Sent from somewhere really cool.
Sariah's Letter
Hi Caleb it's me Sariah. This week at school on Friday we had a math games. It was fun because my teacher said I am the best lego house builder the cause I made a cool house.
And we watched the book of life and it was really good because it tells about your life and everybody got what they want.
And this summer Dad is gonna buy me a new bike and we're going to go bike together.
From Sariah
Sent from somewhere really cool.
Sunday Letter 3/13
Caleb:
Well you've now had your new companion for a few days. I'm interested to see how the change is working for you. My first companion was Jed Packer. He was a total stud. We were in Hutchinson, MN and had the time of our life. I was his last companion. After him I got Elder Ragle. Ragle was a good dude but we had absolutely nothing in common. He was a surfer boy from SoCal. Three weeks into our companionship, we got Elder Christensen midnighted into our area.
That was the beginning of me figuring out that some things were up to me. Christensen hated to get out of bed in the morning and would drag his sorry carcass around all day and want to go home early. After two weeks of that I asked him what he wanted to get out of his mission. He told me that all he really wanted to learn was how to play hockey. So, I cut a deal with him, we'd knock off at 7:30 on the nights that we weren't teaching and play hockey IF he would get up on time and have companion study, pack a lunch, and get out of the house on time. From that point it was "game on" with him.
He bought a crap-load of hockey stuff and I bought the cheapest gear I could find. We'd go all day long and he'd started getting stronger at 6:30pm. By 7 he was asking if there was any way we could knock off a bit early... If I ever wanted to tick him off, I'd schedule a discussion for that night. Anyway, we struck a balance and actually had a great time together. About two weeks into that regime, the AP's called and told me that I didn't have to lie to them about hours and discussions. I told them I wasn't. Their comment was that Christensen hadn't worked more than 20 hours a week his entire mission. They didn't believe me so they asked Ragle and got the same story. Both Ragle and I knew that if we told them how we were get the production and the hockey ended, the jig would be up. So, we never told the AP's about what we were doing.
The night before Ragle was to go home, we were playing hockey and I lifted a puck into his face and split his lip. I feel bad about it to this day; he wasn't able to kiss his mom when he got off the plane. Anyway, I think that was the most rule-breaking I did on my mission. Christensen and I were together for 2 months after Ragle left. The AP's were stunned that he continued to work with me. I think it was about March and the ice rinks started to melt. Christensen's enthusiasm waned with the weather. One morning, I asked what else he wanted to get out of his mission. He took the bait and told me he really wanted to learn to play racquetball. I told him to buy the stuff and we'd start the next morning.
Two days later was transfers and as luck would have it, he was transferred. He was super-bummed. I remember that when he found out, he went into the other room and sat in silence, just staring at the wall. He would have stayed with me if whole mission if he could. A year later, I heard from President Thompson that he'd finished his mission and wanted the president to tell me thanks. He didn't tell the president why, he just told him that I would know what he was thanking me about. I've never seen him again. I have no idea what he's done with his life but I hope he's done well. I suppose if he got a good woman he might be okay.
Enough reminiscing... I hope you like your new companion.
Also, I'm interested in your PPI if you get a minute.
Love you,
Dad
Sunday, March 6, 2016
Fwd: Elder Hudson Leaving
Caleb:
From our perspective, Elder Hudson has been a very good first companion for you. As parents, we hoped and prayed that you'd get someone that would get you off to a good start on your mission.
In a few days you will get a new companion. Hopefully the new companion will be someone that you like and work well with. One thing is certain, he won't be Elder Hudson. Be magnanimous and gracious with Elder Hudson as he leaves. There is a good chance that you'll rarely see him again in this life after he leaves. Send him off feeling great about the job he's done as a missionary.
I love you,
Dad
From: Kenneth Traveller <kdtraveller@gmail.com>
Date: March 6, 2016 at 9:20:26 PM MST
To: Arla Gibbons <gibbons.arla@gmail.com>
Subject: Elder Hudson Leaving
I'm sure you know Elder Hudson completes his mission on Tuesday. They visited us this evening so Elder Hudson could get a final root beer float. See attached photos. The two Sisters in our Ward are both being transferred so Elder Gibbons and his new companion will move into the Sisters old apartment. The best news is they will also get the Sisters car and he is happy about that.Enjoy,Kenneth Traveller
Adam's letter
Hi Caleb, so I just noticed that it saved my last letter but it didn't send it; so I'm going to combine them. First of all, R2-D2 sadly he doesn't have batteries but what's really funny is he has a place to put batteries but there are no wires, so it's like a place to store batteries.Anyway, last week I had my ski day. Basically, I had the worst luck ever. It started at lunch, I was waiting in line with my soda on my tray, and someone swung around in front of me and hit my tray, all my soda went off my tray and spilled right in the middle of the floor. After that, I sat down by the lodge to loosen my binding, then another snowboarder started to slow down too late and hit me in the arm. I decided to go down a trail and my snowboard caught some snow and turned right into a Pine tree. I smacked into the Pine and fell back onto a baby Aspen. My board cut about halfway through and I fell and snapped the rest of it. This past week, the trimester ended so we had a day off on Wednesday. Mom, Sydney and me went to Tandoori Oven and I ate way too much, so I felt sick for about a half hour after. My new classes are awesome, I know at least one person in each class and they all sit around me. Sorry that it didn't send you the letter from last week.
Love,
Adam
Love,
Adam
Samantha's letter
Hi Caleb I cut my hair this week and Adam crashed into a tree last week and dad told me and Riah a story about a cougar screaming like a girl it was so funny. I went with Sariah to get her ears pierced and Riah didn't even cry a little bit so that's kind of freaky a little.
Sent from somewhere really cool.
Spring...?
How was your week? I suppose you've said goodbye to Elder Andrew Hudson by now. I can't wait to hear of your current companion status and if you've moved or not. According to your map you sent us, it looks like you may have transferred to a new place. Is that true? By the way, we love learning about the historical sites you're seeing. You are so lucky to be in such an amazing place!
Ok, I just have to ask...what is with all the elders wearing glasses? Is it your way of "empathizing" with those who are "vision-impaired?" ;) but seriously, what's up with that? Congratulations, by the way, on your fitness efforts! It looks like your district won...?.?
The snow in the back of our house on the south side is nearly gone but I feel like it will be in the front (north) forever because North Logan city pushed and dumped all the extra snow in the culdesac onto our front yard and sidewalk. Dad and I surprised the girls Saturday morning by putting up the tramp before they woke up. As a result, they spent most of the day on it, even with Baxter!
Sydney started filming her first YouTube video at Dad's abandoned 22 East Center St. Building on Friday. It was like 60+ degrees outside but it was so cold inside that we could see our breath. She did a great job acting the part.
I started up my temple prep class today at church and had 14 seniors in there, including Jacob. Well, that's all I can think of for now. I feel like I am writing about such frivolous things but there don't seem to be too many new and exciting events happening right now.
We sure love you and hope the very best of success in your sharing of the gospel.
Love,
Mom
Sariah's Letter
Hey Caleb it's me Sariah I got my ears pierced on Saturday. And mom said I can do the ear solution all by myself. Last Saturday we put up the tramp it was really fun but we can't play on it today because it's wet. It has been rainy today and it is raining really hard and mom says it's going to hail. And I was sitting on the stairs and I hid my hands behind my back and Baxter put his head down on my lap.
From Sariah
Sent from somewhere really cool.
12 Stunning Civil War Facts
I got curious after I read the latest pamphlet you send. Which I thank for you for that. I'm sure you already know some of this stuff but here's some interesting facts... number 12 is amazing...
The Civil War was the bloodiest war in our country's history. It is often called "the first modern war" because of efficient and deadly weapons that became available for the first time. Just how terrible was this war that pitted brother against brother? Consider these 12 jaw-dropping facts:
1. More soldiers died in the Civil War than any other American conflict — and two-thirds of them were killed by disease.
About 625,000 men died in the Civil War. That's more Americans than died in both World Wars, Korea, and Vietnam combined. This amounted to 2 percent of the population at the time, which would be the equivalent to about 6 million Americans dying today. Battles weren't as deadly as disease, however. Diarrhea, typhoid fever, lung inflammation, dysentery, and childhood diseases like chicken pox were the cause of 67 percent of the deaths. And if those numbers aren't bad enough, new estimates suggest that the death total may be higher.
2. Gettysburg wasn't the only unusually bloody battle.
More Americans were killed in two days at the Battle of Shiloh than in all previous American wars combined.
On the morning of April 6, 1862, 40,000 Confederate soldiers under the command of Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston poured out of the nearby woods and struck a line of Union soldiers occupying ground near Pittsburg Landing on the Tennessee River. The overpowering Confederate offensive drove the unprepared Federal forces from their camps and threatened to overwhelm Ulysses S. Grant's entire command. Some Federals made determined stands and by afternoon, they had established a battle line at the sunken road, known as the "Hornet's Nest." Repeated Rebel attacks failed to carry the Hornet's Nest, but massed artillery helped to turn the tide as Confederates surrounded the Union troops and captured, killed, or wounded most. During the first day's attacks, Gen. Johnston was mortally wounded and was replaced by P.G.T. Beauregard. Fighting continued until after dark, but the Federals held. By the next morning, the reinforced Federal army numbered about 40,000, outnumbering Beauregard's army of less than 30,000. Grant's April 7th counteroffensive overpowered the weakened Confederate forces and Beauregard's army retired from the field. The two day battle at Shiloh produced more than 23,000 casualties and was the bloodiest battle in American history at its time.
The Battle of Antietam was only one day long but left 12,401 Union soldiers killed, missing, or wounded — which is higher than typical estimates of Allied casualties on D-Day. With 23,000 casualties overall, it was the bloodiest single day of the Civil War.
The Army of the Potomac, under the command of George McClellan, mounted a series of powerful assaults against Robert E. Lee's forces near Sharpsburg, Maryland, on September 17, 1862. The morning assault and vicious Confederate counterattacks swept back and forth through Miller's Cornfield and the West Woods. Later, towards the center of the battlefield, Union assaults against the Sunken Road pierced the Confederate center after a terrible struggle. Late in the day, the third and final major assault by the Union army pushed over a bullet-strewn stone bridge at Antietam Creek. Just as the Federal forces began to collapse the Confederate right, the timely arrival of A.P. Hill's division from Harpers Ferry helped to drive the Army of the Potomac back once more. The bloodiest single day in American military history ended in a draw, but the Confederate retreat gave Abraham Lincoln the "victory" he desired before issuing the Emancipation Proclamation.
At Cold Harbor, Virginia, 7,000 men fell in just 20 minutes.
On May 31, Maj. General Sheridan's cavalry seized the vital crossroads of Old Cold Harbor. The following morning, Sheridan was able to repulse an attempted repossession by Confederate infantry. Confederate reinforcements soon arrived and clashed with the Union Sixth and Eighteenth Corps when they reached Cold Harbor that evening. By June 2, the armies had formed a seven-mile front that extended from Bethesda Church to the Chickahominy River. General Grant was poised for a major assault to General Lee's right flank and cut off the Confederates off from Richmond, but when Maj. General Hancock's Second Corps arrived after a midnight march too fatigued to support the Union left flank, the operation was postponed until the following day. This fatal delay gave Lee's troops time to build an impressive line of trenches. At dawn June 3, the Union Second, Sixth, and Eighteenth Corps, followed later by the Fifth and Ninth Corps, assaulted along the Bethesda Church-Cold Harbor line and were slaughtered at all points. Grant pulled out of Cold Harbor after nine days of trench warfare and continued to try to flank Lee's army at Petersburg. Grant later expressed remorse for the egregious Union casualties at Cold Harbor, stating, "I have always regretted that the last assault at Cold Harbor was ever made [...] no advantage whatever was gained to compensate for the heavy loss we sustained."
3. Nearly 56,000 soldiers died in prison camps from starvation and disease — a quarter of those deaths happened at one camp.
No American prisoner of war camp had ever held more than 100 men at a time prior to 1861. During the Civil War, each camp held thousands. Although they weren't intentionally killing prisoners, ignorance of proper sanitation, overcrowding, and a lack of resources led to an outrageous number of soldier deaths. Camp Sumter in Georgia was the largest of the 150 military prisons and also the deadliest. Nearly 40,000 soldiers were imprisoned there, and 13,000, or about one-third, of them died.
4. An estimated 40 percent of Civil War dead were never identified.
With advances in weaponry and the sheer number of men killed, many bodies were damaged beyond recognition or left to rot in piles at the battlefield.
5. Amputation was the treatment of choice for broken or severely wounded limbs.
There were so many wounded men that doctors found it impossible to do time-consuming procedures like removing part of a broken bone or some damaged flesh. More than half of leg amputations at the thigh or knee ended up being fatal. That number shot up to 83 percent if the amputation was done at the hip joint.
6. Surgery wasn't sterile.
Doctors of the day didn't understand sterilization and believed infection was caused by contaminated air, so cleaning surgical tools often meant wiping them on a dirty apron. There weren't any antibiotics either. So if a doctor didn't cut off a soldier's limb, there was a good chance he'd lose it to infection or gangrene anyway.
7. There was no anesthesia on the battlefield.
Anesthesia wasn't available, so patients were given chloroform, ether, or, failing that, a glass of whiskey and a bullet to bite down on.
8. African-Americans made up less than 1 percent of the North's population but were 10 percent of the Union Army.
Black men weren't allowed to join the army until 1863. About 180,000 black men, more than 85 percent of eligible African-Americans in the Northern states, fought. While white soldiers earned $13 a month, black soldiers earned only $10 — and then were charged a $3 clothing fee that lowered their monthly pay to $7. The highest paid black soldier made less than the lowest paid white one. After protesting by refusing to accept their wages and gaining support from abolitionist Congressmen, black soldiers finally received equal pay in 1864 — paid retroactively to their enlistment date.
9. About 20 percent of soldiers were under 18.
The Confederacy had no minimum enlistment age. Even though the Union Army technically required soldiers to be 18, many officers looked the other way when it came to underage soldiers. Some younger soldiers signed up as drummers or buglers. Musicians weren't supposed to fight, but when the battles began, they often dropped their instruments and grabbed a weapon.
10. Women secretly fought in the war.
Both sides prohibited women from enlisting. However, that didn't stop them from joining in disguise. Since they were incognito, exact numbers aren't known. But some estimates say 400 women served in the war by pretending to be men. Many certainly did it out of a sense of loyalty to their cause, but historians say some women were just in it to make ends meet during desperate times.
11. The estimated cost of the war was $6.19 billion ($146 billion in today's dollars).
While the cost in human lives was the most tragic, the Civil War also had a high financial toll. Before the war, the U.S. government spent roughly $1 million a week. By the end of the war, the federal government was spending $3.5 million a day. The South was the primary battlefield of the war and suffered greatly with $10 billion in property damage and two-fifths of its livestock destroyed.
12. As of 2014, the Department of Veterans Affairs is still paying a Civil War pension.
The last surviving child of a Union Veteran still receives a small, monthly pension payment 149 years after the Civil War ended.
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