2 John 1:12

"Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full."


See you all this week!

It's Finally Here!

And I'm not talking about the end of my mission; though that's here, too.

I'm talking about the Hartford temple!

Since it was announced in General Conference in October 2010, I've anxiously awaited the day when we'd see a picture. This week, the Church released this artist's rendering of the building and I absolutely love it. I think it is perfect. I'm so excited for the great people of Connecticut! This will be such a Heaven-sent blessing to so many and I can't wait for it to be completed.

A Man of Superb Equiptment

Since we last spoke, I've been transferred to North Adams, Massachusetts and my companion is my best missionary-friend and MTC companion, Elder Bleazard. So I'm pretty happy. North Adams is a very rural area that reminds me a lot of Island Park with many Rigby influences. For those of you who are familiar with Eastern Idaho, this should give you an accurate picture of the scenery, the people, and "downtown".

In addition to covering this corner of MA, our area extends to a township in New York and a few towns in Vermont, where we went for dinner yesterday. One of these Vermont towns is Whitingham- the birthplace of Brigham Young. It was strange that in a town of (no lie) zero stop lights and (to my knowledge) zero Mormons, we saw his name on probably 10 different signs.

Since I am a descendant of Papa Young, I found it especially interesting to see the monuments erected in his honor, the spot where his house once stood, and the school he attended. That school, by the way, is now a museum that houses many of his belongings. Unfortunately and ironically, it's only open on Sunday.

President Evans always speaks of New England as "the cradle of the Restoration of the Gospel". As I stood on the steps of a monument (not pictured here) honoring this great pioneer and man of God, those words sounded in my mind and I couldn't help but feel like I was standing on hallowed ground and that something marvelous happened here. Then I remembered: something marvelous did.

I'm Alive!!

For those of you who were wondering, I am still alive (if any of you even check this still). I am now serving in Massachusettes in the mission office and finding it fun and chalenging. For those of you who have written me recently, thank you and I promise you will be receiving letters from me shortly. For those of you who haven't written, shame on you. You should just take a minute to do that. Love you all!

Day Trip Back to HARTFORD!

We had a really awesome opportunity yesterday to take a trip with the Phillips family to Hartford to witness the baptism of Franky. If you don't remember Franky, he is one of the people I taught in Hartford.

Brother Clifford and Brian Sanchez (the kid I baptized) were also at the baptism. It was so awesome to see them and everyone else from the Hartford ward that I grew to love so much!

I'm so grateful for the chance I had to go back and see Franky get baptized and to catch up with old friends. I'm especially thankful to the Phillips' for taking us! Thanks to everyone who made yesterday special! And for all of you reading this at home, you can make my future days special by sending me some letters!

I LOVE to See the Temple

This week, we had a great oportunity to attend the Temple. A woman that Elder Flake baptized a year ago went through for her endowment and asked that he be there. Since the temple is in our mission now, we're allowed to attend semi-regularly.


We drove up with a member in our ward, Brother Floyd and had a fun drive. He's hilarious and I'm so grateful to him for helping us out.

The whole experience was wonderful. Except the part where I got really trunky because for the last 14 months I've been told that the only time I'd be able to attend the temple was right before I went home. Well, I went to the temple and I still won't be home for ten months. That's ok though.

Write me! Seriously.

It's Pick on Elder Jardine Week Again!

Jump on the band waggon before time runs out!

Technically, I suppose the clock has already expired since the afore mentioned week was last week. Also, this bandwaggon was only for police officers.

Here's how it went: 1 week. 1 poor missionary. 2 traffic tickets.

The first, the result of running a red light. A light that was run in order to avoid plowing in to the side of a mother and her baby who pulled out in front of me. Did the cop see that? Was he interested in that part of the story? NO! Of course not.

The second was on our way to transfer meeting. After having to PAY to get on a FREEWAY, I was pulled over and ticketed for going 75. Was the cop aware that all freeways should be at least 75? Did he realize I was going slower that my peers all around me? NO!

What'er. I digress. I just have a very sour taste in my mouth for the state of Massachusetts and police officers.

On a much lighter note, I got a new companion and we are doing great! Have a great week, y'all. Write me so I don't feel like such a loser! Thanks!!