8-26-08 Tues.

We received a nice letter and photo from Jake’s Mission President, R.J. Anderson. (We were glad to see the name tag, Aunt Sue had placed on him when entering the MTC, has stayed.) He told us that from the airport they took the new missionaries by the Albuquerque Temple en route to the mission home. (We’re wondering if Jake had been so tired he had fallen asleep, as he has failed to mention seeing the temple.)

He said that Jake and his companion had been assigned to work with the Cortez 2nd and Mancos Wards. Mancos is approx. 15 miles east of Cortez. If you go to the Mormon.org web site, place your courser on the “Worship With Us” tab then type in Mancos, CO . It will show you the location of the Mancos building and the chapels in Cortez. On the map you can see how they must drive right by Mesa Verde Park. However, his first P-day did not consist of site seeing, but rather playing tennis with some members.

The mission president also reminded us “It is against Church policy for full-time missionaries to have visits from family members, relative and friends…The missionary is to maintain singleness of mind on the work of the Lord.” However, Jake stresses that it is very okay for everyone to send him mail and occasional care packages.

He says “Colorado is great, hot, but great”. He reports it’s been about 97 degrees. However it appears he is concerned more about the weather of the future. “I’m just praying for a transfer before I get snowed in here!” (They’re in a pick-up truck for goodness sake!)

He shared the following: “I met a Bro. Walkis yesterday evening at his house. He is a paraplegic from a dirt biking accident but he has one of the strongest testimonies of anyone I know! I think he taught us more than we taught him that night!”