Fortie Family Flyer
August 24 – 30, 2009
Dear Family and Friends,
It’s been a bit quiet around the house. Michelle and Jennifer went up to Seattle to visit Nathan and Paige for a few days before school starts (in fact they missed the first day of school). Brian is busy starting school so we see him now and then.
I rode the scooter to deliver pictures to Repartee Gallery then kept going to BYU to take an inventory before school starts. It’s a nice ride and takes me about an hour and a half (going on farm roads through Lehi and then down Geneva Road to Provo). I took my camera because the scenery is great but I didn’t dare stop on my way there (had to get there before the places closed) then I spent so much time at the BYU bookstore doing inventory and organizing pictures that by the time I got back to the scenic stuff it was too dark. Oh well, maybe next time.
The yard has needed work after our week in Montana so I got my little push mower that used to be my grandpa Fortie’s, and mowed a section every day for exercise (Some parts were too long and I had to use my power push mower). It took me the whole week a little at a time but it was good for me. As I was mowing along I thought how much life, or at least any new stage in life, is a lot like mowing a lawn. When you first start out around the outside, it is fairly difficult with all the unusual shapes and edges to go around. As you move more and more toward the middle, with careful planning, you straighten out the lines so you are able to go fairly quickly along straight rows as each time around gets faster and faster and shorter and shorter until you finish. Now the very end is a bit like old age. You go around in small circles until you are dizzy and can’t stand up anymore but that’s another topic.
I read one of Elder David Mounteer’s old letters this week (missed it when it first came our way) and he said he was impressed at how people on his mission where willing to give up life long activities to join the church. He specifically mentioned people having pictures of virgins and saints on the wall that they had been praying to all their lives and suddenly they are all gone and their life is changed. I also had someone (I think on Facebook) challenge everyone to do a 40 day fast from the things of the world. I think that would be interesting as a family to try, and then maybe record the results. Perhaps everyone needs to give up some things they have been doing all their life to move to the next level.
Well anyway, no grand activities beyond picking the girls up from the airport and hearing of their grand activities. They had fun and now it’s time to go to school. I’ll try to get them to tell about it.
Oh, we went as a family to see the movie “Up” on Saturday. I had heard it was good but we were laughing out loud through most of it and the audience clapped at the end. Great show and I recommend it if you haven’t seen it yet; it’s a keeper.
Sunday was rather busy with church, home teaching, Trek fireside and squeezing dinner in between with grandpa, grandma, Chad, Alicia and Spencer. They had prepared dinner for us but then we realized the trek fireside was at 6:00 pm and we couldn’t get everything done, go to their house, then get back to the fireside. They were kind enough to pack dinner up and bring it over. It was a great dinner that Alicia had prepared and though we had to eat fairly quickly we had fun. Spencer rarely comes here so he had to explore our house for a while which caused everyone to go around childproofing the place as he went. It was great to see him; he sure is growing up fast. He even folded his arms during the prayer. WOW!!
The Trek fireside was great. They showed the movie of the trek and it was done very well. Michelle was on there a few times and afterwards they said they always like to interview her because she has something good to say beyond the typical one word answer they get from most kids.
While home teaching the Bishop said that he was at girls camp when they did their skits. He said Michelle played a boy in the skit and was so funny that everyone was laughing so hard they could hardly breathe. She is such a ham sometimes but then that’s what it is like with all our kids everyday. The girls say their friends think our family is crazy (I think they mean that in a good way).
Well, that’s it for this week.
Hope your trek is a good one,
Ken and clan
From Brian:
Dear family,
How is everyone’s end of summer. Fall is creeping up and showing its signs.
This week on Monday for singles ward family home evening we all went on a hike. If you can call it a hike, it was more like a stroll or a jaunt that took about 10 minutes. We walked a little ways up a trail up yellow fork canyon and stopped and talked and threw the Frisbee around.
On Tuesday I woke up early thinking I had classes at school. I got there thinking I was about 10 minutes late for my Politics class and it turned out classes started on the 26th a Wednesday so all Tuesday and Thursday classes begin on Thursday. That was a relief. So I ended up talking to financial aid about my grant, seeing a councilor about my classes and what to do about a future transfer program. She recommended getting a letter of completion for general studies and then transferring down to UVU or up to USU in a year for Pre-Med.
After that I went across the street to the Hospital on 9000 south to talk to my doctor about medication and insurance and stuff. I also checked to see if the hospital had any jobs I could get into. That would work out nice to work across the street from where I go to school.
On Wednesday I did some studying on my own and then had an Institute class at night. It is New Testament and I love the teacher. She uses the scriptures too, but it is also more of a History class, about the time period, what the culture was like, and Old Testament Jewish culture leading up to Roman rule. She has a bunch of artifacts from that era and brought a suit of armor from a Roman soldier to show us. I tried it on. It is a cool class! I have learned a lot. You get the context of what some scriptures are talking about because that is how their life was back then.
On Thursday I had my first college classes in the morning. I went on Bangerter Highway and it was a parking lot from 104 South to 90th south. Some guy at 4 in the morning in a jeep had ran a red light, got hit by a semi and died. The road was closed off and I and everyone else was about 10 minutes late (including the professor) for my Politics and Government class.
I loved the class; he is a really cool guy, lectures well, is interesting and keeps your attention. He pronounced my name right and I said “wow I’m impressed you said it right, no one ever does.” He said “well do you know a Max Fortie?” I said yes that I had met him once. He played trumpet with him in band. He also knew Eldon from high school, said he was an excellent basketball player. I was confused for a second; I’d never heard anyone bring up basketball referring to Eldon.
He was passing out pencils; he said he got them from a quick trip to the golf course. He said to get it you have to clap and bark like a seal. So I did, no one else had, so I went “Arrhh Arrrrhhhh!” and he laughed and said, “you are a marked man Mr. Fortie, you better watch it now.” We had a good talk after about Max, Eldon and also the health care bill, which I asked about (kind of a priority for me.)
I had my speech class after and really loved that class too. It was mostly introducing and he let us out early, but very informative instructor and kept your attention well. He had us get up in the front and tell about ourselves. Which I was surprised terrified some people just to do that. I had taken the class because I love speaking and thought it would be fun. Some you can tell were perhaps strongly encouraged by parents to take it because they had no communication skills at all.. Some, who appeared to not get out much, were white as a ghost and scarred to death in front of people. I think we are all going to learn a lot from the Principles of Public Speaking class.
At night I had my English 1010 class. It was ok, just English, not a fan. But it’s got to be done so I’ll make it through it. The teacher was just all right, kind of strict and less interesting. I loved my English 1010 class in high school. I should not have to take it again at all; it’s a repeated class. But my grade in the concurrent enrollment course was not as good as medical school wants. So here I am again in it. She gave a huge chapter to read over the weekend.
On Friday we did some cleaning and then I drove down on my scooter to Provo to go see Greg and Daniel. I got lost for about 40 minutes, which was lame. I wish Utah valley would do like Salt lake and all go off the same address system. See in Salt Lake City, Riverton does not have it’s own address; neither does Sandy or Draper or West Jordan. They all go off downtown Salt Lake, off the temple. But Utah valley no, good luck. You have Lehi, American Fork, Orem and Layton (which Layton is not even big enough to deserve it’s own address system), all different from each other. So if someone says come to 800 South and 400 West, is that the 800 south in Orem, Spanish Fork or Provo? Going down there I think I passed at least 4 separate 800 south’s. They just need to drop their pride and all go off of one city like the Provo temple.
Ok off my soapbox there.
We hung out at their apartment, made food and just talked. We went down to the pool and hot tub and met some people down there. Daniel and I talked a lot about missions and experiences, while Greg found himself a female to talk to. He told me a lot about Japan and culture there. We shared cool conversion stories and our favorite baptisms. We all had fun. We listened to some excerpts from conference and I showed them pictures from our Montana trip. We got to bed at almost 1 in the morning. Then I had to get up at a little after 6 to head back for school.
Saturday I have classes in the morning. So I left Provo very early, luckily not getting lost on the way back, as much. When I was coming back into Salt Lake I was stopped at a light. This girl in a big old Ford in front of me (who I recognized and am pretty sure is in my ward.) put on the gas when the light turned green shot forward and I heard a slam and the truck halted. I thought “oh my gosh there was a smaller car in front of her and she just rear ended him.” This very angry looking guy got out like “what are you thinking!?” we all drove around her stopped on Bangerter and kept going. But I thought “this is the beginning of a very bad day for her, it’s not even 7:30 quite yet and she just got in an accident.” I went to my anatomy class and it was really good. It is way long, 3 hours, but I like it. The teacher is good. I studied some when I got home and then at night as a family we went to see UP. I almost died laughing. I kept thinking, “I have got to be bothering the people next to me.” That is the loudest and most frequent I have ever laughed in a movie. I almost fell out of my chair or busted a gut. That is my favorite Pixar now it was hilarious. There are not as many funny liners like other movies, but instead just bizarre or awkward situations that drag on forever and make you laugh cause it’s so dumb.
On Sunday I had correlation with the missionaries early in the morning and we talked about how we have sort of lost our investigators. They fell off the face of the earth. One of them when one sister got transferred just would not return the sister’s calls or mine. He wanted to get baptized too. Which is not a good sign at all, makes you wonder if he liked the sister. Another one I can’t seem to get a hold of even though he’s way serious. So I got to speak in sacrament meeting. The missionaries spoke first then I did.
It went pretty well, I talked about some experiences on my mission where members stepped in and did what they are supposed to do. I had some really neat quotes I found from President Kimball, Elder Holland and Elder Ballard on member work. The spirit taught me a lot as I spoke. Something that meant a lot to me is that Cody Hurbison who is my hero in the ward, he is one of the most Christ like people I have ever known, he came up to me after and said “that is the most excellent talk I have ever heard on missionary work, and I’ve heard a lot of talks. Very moving and motivating.” It made me feel like at least someone listened and it sunk in, the fire is lit in one heart at least. Actually several people commented on it, but I worry that it was just an “enjoyed talk” where I want it to be an “I’m changed” talk.
I had felt prompted to challenge them at the end to pray that the Lord would open their eyes as they went about their day, to notice missionary opportunities. Because they are all so busy with college and work and dating, if we don’t look for them we can miss them completely so I told them “ask the Lord to show them to you.”
At night grandpa, grandma, Chad, Alicia and Spencer came over for dinner. It was kind of rushed because the girls had a fireside at night. I went over after church to the Elders Quorum Presidents house and helped him and some others make calls to people who had been neglected for the past few months and not been home taught. We just checked up on them at least on the phone, to see how they were and that someone was thinking about them.
Then after dinner Dad, Mom and the girls and I all went to the stake center to watch the Trek video that Michelle was on. It was much longer than the one I was a part of years back. Quite the big deal that someone took a lot of time on. IT was very moving and cool to see the parts Michelle was in.
Well best get this off it was a great week. Love you all and I’ll talk your ear off later.
Love Brian
From Elder Fortie:
Well outside world, life is good, I love serving as a missionary, things aren't necessarily going the way I want them to, but that seems to be the case with most of life all your life. We give the best we have to what we have. Mission life is no exception. But make no mistake I am loving it. The bishop of this ward is the best bishop I've seen in my mission, he is amazing and we love working with him. Also I have been working so hard to get the members back on the ball with many things from missionary work to temple attendance and getting church programs going that many of the members have grown very close to us and trust us very much. They call us asking us if we will bring an investigator to their house for a family home evening, and I don't even live in their area. The members in other area's trust and like my companion and me better then the missionaries in their area so they want us to come over, it's sad to have to tell them sometimes they need to support their missionaries and not us, though I do appreciate their kindness. On Saturday we took a group of people to the Oakland visitor’s center to see that, and it went really well. The Joseph Smith movie never ceases to impact me no matter how many languages I see it in or times. Sorry to be so short, but I have to go pick up a few elders from the shop, they had to take their car in to get worked on, and a couple other elders are stuck in the city... so guess who is the clean up guy? Sigh... it's okay, I was called to serve! I just didn't think I was gonna end up spending all my time serving missionaries haha! Take care everyone, keep a smile on, sorry to be brief. Who's cast out one of their "marbles" yet? GET ON IT!!! I cast one of mine out and I already feel the change!Love Elder Fortie
From Michelle:
Hi again!
I know it’s been a long time since I’ve written. It seems that my life has been pretty crazy since I last wrote! I’ve had girls camp, Montana, and Seattle all in a row there! We really had no time to rest, it’s been go go go!
Girls camp was so much fun! We have some great girls in our ward and luckily they all get along very well! So we had lots of fun playing volleyball, hiking, making cute little crafts, playing games, and tug of war… all sorts of stuff! One thing that we had the opportunity to do was a challenge course. It had a large zip line that we got to go on, and all sorts of other activities that taught us to rely on each other and have faith and trust. It was a really neat experience and I was really impressed with all of the girls as we all pulled together and found solutions to each puzzle together, never fighting, and always positive! Another fun thing we did while the bishopric was there for the bishop’s night. We put on skits! Now being the theatrical person that I am, I always have a lot of fun with them! Our skit was about “Modest is Hottest” and I had WAY too much fun being the guy that got to hit on all the girls! :] I was wearing guy’s clothes, and we used charcoal to give me sideburns and a goatee. I used all my best pick-up lines, like “did you have Lucky Charms for breakfast? Cause you’re looking magically delicious!” and “If you were part of a volcano… you’d be the lava… cause you’re hot.” It was a lot of fun, and I had the bishop in tears he was laughing so hard. I had a lot of people there tell me that I make a good guy, and that I really look exactly like me brother (Jason) or my dad. I didn’t know whether to take that as a compliment or not… seeing as I’m not sure the fact that I play a good guy is exactly what I should be aiming for! And second, because my dad is more than 50 years old, and I don’t really want to look that old quite yet! So that was girls camp!
Then the day I got home from girl’s camp, I left with Grandma and Grandpa to Montana to visit the Rauckhorst family! We played on the boat all week and had LOTS of fun with their Seadoos on the water! On land, I also had some fun on their four wheelers! Man I love those things!! It was just a lot of fun to be with cousins and laugh! We also spent some time at nights around the campfire, and laying out looking at stars, which I love!! So that was super great for me!
Then Saturday, once we were back in Utah, we went to Spencer’s 1st birthday party! Alicia did a really good job with it, and it was super cute!! It was fun to see Spencer enjoying his first cake and his first ice cream! He’s now a true Fortie with an ice cream addiction to go along with the name! He played in the sprinklers and just entertained us all!
Sunday morning, Jennifer and I flew into Seattle to go visit Nathan and Paige! We went to church with them, and then had a lovely evening of walking along the shore with Paige, Nathan, and their little dog, Avery. The next day, us girls spent the day shopping while Nathan was at work. (Literally, we were gone ALL day shopping!) I guess that’s just what us girls do best!
The next day, we went to Nathan’s army base to see where he works and to get the grand tour of the place! It was immense! It was really kinda cool to see where he spends all his time! Then us girls went and saw the movie Julie and Julia. It was pretty good, although we all agreed that it seemed like they could have done more with it. Then that night, we went to see the Space Needle! The view from up there is spectacular and I had a hard time leaving it behind! It was such an incredible thing to see all the city lights and all the boats and everything! Wednesday, both Paige and Nathan had to work, so Jennifer and I just got to relax, kick back, and spend a little time in the pool! It was a nice way to relieve stress right before school starts. That night, Nathan got off early, so we ate dinner, and then all sat down and played a game of chicken foot... or at least I think that’s what it’s called… :] We had a really fun time there and were glad they let us come up!
I got home and had one day of school on Friday… and it wasn’t too bad. So maybe I’ll survive this year after all! Haha.
But for now, I’ve got to get to bed! I have school in the morning and unfortunately it’s pretty late!! So I love you all and hope things are well with you! Remember, success is no more than this… to rise each time you fall. Have a great week! Best of luck!
Love,
~Michelle Fortie
From Jennifer:
Hey everyone!
I know it seems like FOREVER since I wrote, probably because it has been! But I have excuses! We had girls camp which was so spiritual for all of us, we had so much fun and the priesthood all laughed there heads off watching us sing our girls camp songs and doing the dances with them! Testimony meeting had us all balling and there were things in there that touched us all in our own ways. It was such a great time and all of us young women grew closer.
We went to Montana to visit our cousins, the Rauckhorsts, and go to their cabin, it was so much fun! We rode the Sea-do all over and I got to drive it a lot! Then we got to take the boat around and did lots of water sports! I tried wake boarding, on the first time… I couldn’t get up, then the second time I started to… but fell back down and finally the third time I again started to but fell back down… my only mistake was still holding on to the rope I pulled about four muscles in both arms the rest of that day and the next I couldn’t grip or hold on to anything. It was tragic! But I still got to do the rope swing and enough fishing for three years, in my opinion. (=
Next Michelle and I headed out to Seattle all by ourselves like big girls. We then met up with Nathan and Paige and had an amazing week! We got to know Paige really well although Nathan had to work bunches and if he wasn’t working he was sleeping, but we did get to see him a couple times and he made us laugh a bunch. While there, we went shopping, went to Pikes Market (the famous one were they throw fish) and to the space needle, took a walk along the beach with Nathan and Paige and caught up on the chick flicks we were deprived of as children with four older brothers! We had an amazing time and were sad to leave Nathan and Paige and that beautiful city!
Well bed is calling! Good luck to you all! Jason I love Sarah! I will tell you why next week!
If the world didn’t suck, we would all fall off!
-Jennifer Fortie
Monday, August 31, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
August 17 - 23, 2009
Click on these links to see pictures
Montana -
Montana -
http://picasaweb.google.com/kensbestpics/MontanaTrip2009#
Spencer's birthday party -
http://picasaweb.google.com/kensbestpics/FamilyAugust2009#
Fortie Family Flyer
August 17 – 23, 2009
Dear Family and Friends,
Yes, as I mentioned in my last letter, we made it to Montana in one piece on Sunday (we did pass a pickup that had flipped over, the police hadn’t arrived yet but it seemed that others had stopped to help and everyone was out and sitting on the side of the road so I don’t think they were hurt very bad).
Monday morning I took the younger kids out for a bike ride while the older ones went to visit Tyler at work and do some shopping. Grandpa drove us up the canyon about 6 ½ miles and we rode back to the house. I told the kids to look for some good pictures along the way. Jennifer found a few but they all headed back to the house pretty fast. I was the last one to arrive but I did get some good pictures. I took a nap and then we ate and went out to take some family pictures. It was a bit late and was rather dark in the woods where we went but I think we got a few good shots. We got home late and were thinking of waiting to go to the cabin in the morning but decided that would drag out until the afternoon so we got ready and headed out. We arrived at about 1:00 am and hit the sack.
Everyone slept in except me, I always wake up early. I went out and took the canoe out to wander through the marshes for some nature shots. It’s funny, all the amazing things we had available to us and that was one of the most enjoyable things I did, go out in the canoe looking for good pictures of nature early each morning.
Well, there is no sense detailing each day, for each was filled with the same great stuff – boating, playing on the Sea Doo, canoeing, rope swing, wake surfing, etc., etc., etc. I had planned on a trip most of the way around the lake on the 4 wheelers or motorcycle but never made it. Our 3 days raced by and came quickly to an end with sunburns and aching muscles from activities they haven’t seen for decades (at least on me) as the only evidence we had to show for it (besides pictures). I had never been on a Sea Doo before so my first attempt was with Michelle after she went for the first time with Whitney. She took me around then I went by myself then I then went with Jennifer. The next day I tried standing up and doing some sharp turns. I found that to be a rush. Then on Thursday Brandon drove while I rode on the back to take pictures of those skiing behind the boat. After that I gave my camera to the people in the boat and Brandon was kind enough to let me drive for a while. Cheryl drove around in circles to create some rather large waves for us and we both stood up and raced through the waves jumping over some and getting rather wet from some splashing over the top of the Sea Doo. Finally, toward the end, we jumped a rather large wave only to come down right into the side of another large wave which we proceeded to sink right down into popping out the other side completely drenched. It almost tore both of us off but we managed to hold on and had a lot of fun coming out victories. Those on the boat couldn’t believe we went completely underwater and managed to come out the other side still holding on. It was quite a trip.
They asked me if I wanted to wake surf but I thought my ankle wouldn’t be strong enough. I finally decided to do it and to my surprise it was easier than waterskiing. I never really mastered letting go of the rope and staying on the wake indefinitely but I still had a lot of fun. My kids couldn’t believe their old dad could do such a thing and were rather shocked. They then took me to the rope swing. It was on a fairly steep hill and was a very long rope (maybe 30 feet) which put you out over the water (at the other end) about 15 feet up. I didn’t think my old self could do it but finally decided to try. I was able to hold on and had a blast. I even outlasted my kids on it. They were kinda no shows on most things so I had to have all the fun for them - kids these days. They did go out on the tube the last half of the day and that was fun as Whitney (who was driving) tried to knock us off by having us jump the wakes she turned back into. It was fun. Grandpa and grandma seemed to have a lot of fun on the Sea Doo. They were out on it all while the rest of us tried our hand at surfing and such. They covered that entire lake it seemed.
We didn’t just play all day. I did manage to take some individual pictures of Cheryl and her kids and we also put a new roof (shingles) on their shed which had started leaking. Being the great roofers we are I hope it lasts through the first storm.
Well, Friday came and we cleaned the cabin and headed home. We were rather late and didn’t get home until about 1:00 in the morning making everyone tired and ready to sleep for a while. Even I slept until 8 and realized I needed more (I drove all the way home) so I went back to bed and finally got back to sleep and didn’t wake until 10. We then got up and I got the pictures off my camera so I could take pictures at Spencer’s birthday party. We made it just in time for his party at 1 in the afternoon and Alicia did a great job of putting on a beach party for everyone. The decorations were great, the food was superb and Spencer almost had as much fun as the rest of us. He was having fun but of course had no idea what this great party was for. He enjoyed running through sprinklers with Steve’s kids and playing with wrapping paper and his new Elmo. The cake was a bit strange to him but he got used to it quickly. We stayed and played golf and I won for the first time in a long time. Finally we were all tired and it was time to get home so the girls could pack to go to Washington in the morning.
Sunday morning Tami took the girls to the airport and came home and slept. I was tired all day and didn’t do much but take care of family pictures and write letters and do some genealogy.
That’s the bare bones of the week. It was a lot of fun and being at that cabin waking up to the sound of different kinds of water birds each morning was great. Wouldn’t mind having one of those places myself.
Well, keep your head above water and have a great week,
Ken and clan
From Brian:
Dear family
How is everybody? This entire week we were in Montana. We left you off last week arriving there at the house and now to conclude the cliffhanger episode of “Fortie’s Travels!”
Almost lost my cool there. So Monday Tyler went to work and I wandered about the house shooting pretend guns at small children and sunk so low as to watch some bizarre chick flick with my sister. (Hanging out with my sister wasn’t the low part just for clarification, but the chick flick was.) Then Michelle and I went to Tyler’s work and he got food for us for way cheap. We all worked out in the yard for a while, trimming and stuff. Grandpa mowed the lawn like 14 times for about 5 hours. I think he fell asleep at the wheel or something. We then at night packed up our stuffs and headed for the cabin at about 11 O’ clock. It’s a 2-hour drive.
We got there dragged our stuff in and all went to bed very tired.
Tuesday morning I woke up early and dad was coming downstairs to go out and take some pictures. I went out on the deck to read. The other kids started to get up and they watched “Baby’s day out.” We all started getting our own breakfast. Michelle and Whitney came down slightly resembling zombies. “Ugghhhh Yargggghhh.” They said… sort of. It was hilarious to watch those two try and make breakfast, like dinner and a show.
Michelle flung a knife, dropped a blob of butter on the floor while trying to butter her bagel. Whitney said “what happened to our toaster?… We used to have one.” And then got the “I don’t know what to do next” look on her face. She tripped over the same chair twice in like 2 minutes and almost died, and Michelle sort of meandered around. They could not fit their bagels in the said toaster once it was found and were distraught. They looked like it took great pain to make food. It was funny.
Then we all went outside to go out on the boat. It was cool to watch the kids on the wakeboard. I sat in the boat; I have tried to wakeboard in the past a few times and just end up in the water in the fetal position trying not to swallow the whole lake for several minutes. Not fun to me, not worth it.
Whitney does very well though, getting some good air and even letting go of the rope at times and going on her own. Lots of practice I guess. Connor too for his age tried some cool tricks. Brandon came by on the sea do and I told him to trade me and pull up along the side of the boat so I could ride it. I stepped onto the sea do and it began to drift away. I found myself doing the splits, as I did not want to fall in the water. I stretched farther and farther and Whitney was right there on the back of the boat so I said “Whitney, Whitney! Whitney!! Help!” I was about to go in when she grabbed my arm so I had something to pull against and could pull the sea do back. It hurt so badly, I have never stretched that far and never want to again.
That thing is fun to ride! You get going fast and cruise around the lake. I got up to 53 miles an hour. My favorite thing to do on there is chasing the ducks and try to run them over. And talk to them telling them they won’t escape, laugh maniacally and sing dumb songs at the top of my lungs, oh yeah it’s a blast. Then they sent Connor away to the rope swing. After looking for dad, who was in the canoe, for a while with no success, I went to the rope swing and left the sea do back to Brandon so I could swing. All of us went off the swing. It was about 60 feet of rope on a very tall tree. You go on a platform about 4 feet off ground and swing off into the lake. It’s about a 15-foot drop at the peak of swinging out. I did a Tarzan yell and a wookie call. I told Whitney to go off and do a barbaric YALP and was quite surprised at how well she took the assignment. She did the coolest barbaric yelp I have ever heard from a girl, sounding somewhat like a yeti with an ingrown toenail. Michelle went off once despite her fear of that.
We were all worn out by then and went back to the cabin. Some made dinner, but Brandon, Connor, Jennifer, Michelle and I took the four wheelers on a drive in the mountains. We came back and ate dinner. We were all laughing so hard eating outside on the deck, and wasps kept trying to eat our food. Connor caught some of them in a cup and napkin and lit them on fire. This was sort of morbid during dinner.
I told about how almost all bees and wasps are girls, which I learned from my Trainer on my mission who was a beekeeper. At night we watched the Trail of the Pink panther, which was hilarious until Cleauseu disappeared and never showed up again.
On Wednesday Tyler came in the morning so I had another guy to hang out with. Then we all went out on the boat again. They broke out the surfboard and I tried to get up on it to no avail. I experience the same unpleasant results as I do on a wakeboard. I know if I practiced more I’d eventually get it. I am just not sure if I would be willing to swallow that much lake water until then. Grandpa did it and got up for a bit. When Tyler was out on it I was enjoying being dry after having been out of the water for a while myself, but everyone kept egging me to tackle him. So I jumped off the back of the boat and tackled him off the surfboard.
We got some cool pictures of everyone on the boards. Dad got pictures of Aunt Cheryl, Whitney and Connor looking spectaculous in their garb to impress the masses of Missoula. We made a fire, and sat around looking at the stars and glowing planets. The sky is way clear up there and the lake looks amazing in the starlight. We all had some good talks. Funny how fire and night sky seems to do that. Inspires deep, meaningful conversations and gets you to talk about things you normally don’t.
When we all got to bed I was so seasick, or rather lake sick. It got worse when I closed my eyes. I lay in my bed and it felt like it was rotating in a circle and occasionally sloshing up and down. This went on for a good 30 minutes until I fell asleep. I woke up at about 2 in the morning to Ashley talking in her sleep, speaking only gibberish and nothing I could understand as words. The funny thing was that Tyler kept responding to her. She said “zibaraneubdlsasarbernes.” And Tyler said “What!?” and then she said more gibberish and he said “What!?” again in a very angry tone. Four times he did this. It was hilarious to listen to.
On Thursday we all got up and after some pictures of some people, we hit the boat again. Tyler and I were out on the sea doo trying to run over the birds on the lake. The sea gulls fly away about 30 feet away but the loons just wait and wait like little curious dare devils and then dive under the water right before you run over them. I had been driving and then Tyler traded me and about 1 minute after trading he, while trying to turn sharply and create waves, flipped it over. We were floating in the lake with an upside down sea doo, like “oh dear, now what.” After some careful coordination and a few attempts we got it back over. Tyler Connor and I did commando jumps off the back of the boat. We all went off the rope swing some more and spent some time looking for some fallen goggles that Brandon scarred off of Jennifer.
Then we had to repair a roof of a shed, which did not agree with my seasickness so much. I kept rocking and felt like I was going to fall off and plummet to my untimely demise.
At night we made another fire and everybody told jokes around it. Tyler told this extremely long and pointless yet funny joke about a horse race.
On Friday we all got up early to prepare to leave. We all made breakfast, and cleaned and did laundry to get ready to go. Tyler and I drove back to his house and everybody else met shortly thereafter. They packed up a whole bunch of snacks for us to take and we said goodbye to them all. Then we headed out for home. It took a lot longer to get back than it did to get there for some reason.
On Saturday we got home at about 1:30 in the morning and sacked out. Then later we woke up to go to grandpa and grandmas for Spencer’s first birthday party. He was so cute at his little beach themed shindig. I think it’s mostly for the parents, cause he really won’t remember it. But it was cool. Alicia went all out, with decorations, beach food like little cupcakes with graham cracker crumbs made to look like sand on them. And blue frosting to look like water, with little teddy grahams playing on the cupcake beaches. They had little umbrellas on them too. They were way good. We had Swedish fish and jell-O squares, vegetables and ‘octo-dogs’ which were hot dogs slit up so they looked like they had 8 legs. I got a picture of my octo-dog coming up on the cupcake beach and taking one of the unsuspecting teddy grahams into its clutches. Spencer opened his presents with great vigor and enthusiasm, losing interest after a bit and having to be helped. That was to be expected, he’s only 1. It was funny, he was really surprised and interested in some of the things. He desecrated his cake, probably only getting about 3 spoonfulls actually in his mouth. It was funny. To see him running around with his little hat and beach glasses in the sprinkler was funny. We had a good time.
On Sunday was the dedication of the Oquirh Mountain Temple. It was amazing, the spirit was strong when President Monson talked about Tongans who got funds from some youth so they could go to the temple to be sealed. And especially when Elder Eyring gave the dedicatory prayer the spirit filled the room like a river of rushing water. He had some powerful wording and I wish I could remember it.
It was a good week.
Love you all,
Brian
From Elder Fortie
Dear one and all!!!
I'm sorry to say, but I am not coming home from a mission any more, I miss you all, but I'm loving this way to much and I refuse to admit that my time is growing short, your just gonna have to come out here and join me and we'll all just be missionaries together! Lets get to work!
This week I went through the temple with The Matute family as they took out their endowments!!! Sister Matute is the first person I baptized and to be able to go through with her to see her take out her endowments was remarkable! THAT IS WHAT MISSIONARY WORK IS ALL ABOUT!!! Not only was the Matute family there, but in that session, we were accompanied by 35 People that I have taught and helped prepare to go to the temple on my mission!!!! 35!!!!!! Whether I taught them when they were investigators preparing for baptism that have now progressed even further to the eternal blessings of the temple, recent converts that I helped prepare to enter the temple, or less active members that I helped bring back so that they could receive the blessings of the temple they should have long ago worked for. DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW FANTASTIC IT IS TO SEE THAT MANY PEOPLE THAT THE GOSPEL HAS HAD SUCH AN AMAZING EFFECT ON THEIR LIVES AND THAT YOU HAVE WORKED WITH TO HELP BRING THEM TO THE MOST SACRED MOMENT IN THEIR LIVES ALL TOGETHER IN THE MOST SACRED PLACE ON EARTH AT THE SAME TIME WITH YOU!!!!! HOLY SPIRITUAL HIGH OF SPIRITUAL HIGH'S!!!!! So many people were just overwhelmed with the spirit and I was just in heaven, I had no idea they were all coming, I thought it was just going to be the Matute's! Oh what a glorious feeling it was to see them all there, and to know I had been a tool in the hands of the Lord to help bring them to that point! Oh it was amazing! Then afterwards I went over to the mission president’s house and we had a chat for a while and I was just giddy, he thought it was funny but was very excited for me.
The rest of our week, to be honest, went kinda slow, everyone is starting school so that made things crazy and near impossible to get a hold of anyone, but I don't mind! I got to go to the temple and participate in that marvelous occasion! My trainee sure has had one great first transfer! The lucky son of a gun got to see us baptize someone his first transfer (something that only happens an average of 2-3 times in our mission) AND he got to see recent converts go through the temple for their first time! I don't think he even grips how amazing that is, that almost never happens! I am one of VERY few missionaries in this mission that have been able to see that happen and I feel so blessed for it!
Other then that I've just been on errands for the president, jumping around the bay on exchanges trying to help some missionaries, I've seen some good success with the work in their areas I've been able to help them get started (haha), now I just wish I had time to see some in mine! But this week we're already seeing things pick back up again, so we are excited!
Well I got to get going, take care one and all, GO TO THE TEMPLE THIS WEEK!!! Do you realize how wonderful of a blessing it is to have a temple!? I have been really cracking down on teaching people the importance of utilizing the temples this past week, and I have seen great changes because of it. Keep on smiling! Do something good for someone.
We had stake conference last week (that I had to translate on the spot, we missionaries never get warned about anything) and one of the stake councilors gave a talk where he talked about when he was young he liked to play marbles, but he had one marble he never wanted to use to play, because when you shoot them out you have a chance of losing them, and it was his favorite marble, and he was not willing to let it go, he was willing to let go of his other ones, but not that one. The more marbles you put out the more you stand to gain, but he would not risk this marble, he made excuses and justified keeping it hidden and keeping it. He compared this to sins, or bad habits, some of them we are willing to let go, to sacrifice, but others, we justify, we keep them, we don't want to lose them. The more we put out the more we stand to gain, and we’re willing to give up the ones we don't care about to much, but our favorite ones, the special ones, those we keep, those we hide. He challenged us, as I am now challenging you, to pick your "favorite marble" and give it up. To find your bad habit that you justify, to pick out that little sin that you hide, to throw down your excused problem that you just keep putting aside, that you don't want to give up, the one you "keep", and cast it off! Throw that cat’s eye into the game! Don't make more excuses as you are reading this! Don't brush it off as not really a problem, or that some good people do the same thing and it's not a problem for them! Toss it! Stop harboring it, don't shelter it, DO NOT KEEP IT! Let it go as you have others. Do not hold on to your "favorite marble". Pray for courage to do so, and for understanding as to why it truly will make you a happier person.
Stay strong, and love one another! I have been getting a great deal of training on that subject as of late. I find so many of us that have the true gospel in our lives forget that love one to another is what everything Christ did is based upon. If we are true followers of him, we will follow his example and do as he does. Moroni 7:48 talks of this love, and those that achieve this love, will be like Christ, We shall see him as he is for we shall be like him!
Go with God!Love, Elder Fortie
Spencer's birthday party -
http://picasaweb.google.com/kensbestpics/FamilyAugust2009#
Fortie Family Flyer
August 17 – 23, 2009
Dear Family and Friends,
Yes, as I mentioned in my last letter, we made it to Montana in one piece on Sunday (we did pass a pickup that had flipped over, the police hadn’t arrived yet but it seemed that others had stopped to help and everyone was out and sitting on the side of the road so I don’t think they were hurt very bad).
Monday morning I took the younger kids out for a bike ride while the older ones went to visit Tyler at work and do some shopping. Grandpa drove us up the canyon about 6 ½ miles and we rode back to the house. I told the kids to look for some good pictures along the way. Jennifer found a few but they all headed back to the house pretty fast. I was the last one to arrive but I did get some good pictures. I took a nap and then we ate and went out to take some family pictures. It was a bit late and was rather dark in the woods where we went but I think we got a few good shots. We got home late and were thinking of waiting to go to the cabin in the morning but decided that would drag out until the afternoon so we got ready and headed out. We arrived at about 1:00 am and hit the sack.
Everyone slept in except me, I always wake up early. I went out and took the canoe out to wander through the marshes for some nature shots. It’s funny, all the amazing things we had available to us and that was one of the most enjoyable things I did, go out in the canoe looking for good pictures of nature early each morning.
Well, there is no sense detailing each day, for each was filled with the same great stuff – boating, playing on the Sea Doo, canoeing, rope swing, wake surfing, etc., etc., etc. I had planned on a trip most of the way around the lake on the 4 wheelers or motorcycle but never made it. Our 3 days raced by and came quickly to an end with sunburns and aching muscles from activities they haven’t seen for decades (at least on me) as the only evidence we had to show for it (besides pictures). I had never been on a Sea Doo before so my first attempt was with Michelle after she went for the first time with Whitney. She took me around then I went by myself then I then went with Jennifer. The next day I tried standing up and doing some sharp turns. I found that to be a rush. Then on Thursday Brandon drove while I rode on the back to take pictures of those skiing behind the boat. After that I gave my camera to the people in the boat and Brandon was kind enough to let me drive for a while. Cheryl drove around in circles to create some rather large waves for us and we both stood up and raced through the waves jumping over some and getting rather wet from some splashing over the top of the Sea Doo. Finally, toward the end, we jumped a rather large wave only to come down right into the side of another large wave which we proceeded to sink right down into popping out the other side completely drenched. It almost tore both of us off but we managed to hold on and had a lot of fun coming out victories. Those on the boat couldn’t believe we went completely underwater and managed to come out the other side still holding on. It was quite a trip.
They asked me if I wanted to wake surf but I thought my ankle wouldn’t be strong enough. I finally decided to do it and to my surprise it was easier than waterskiing. I never really mastered letting go of the rope and staying on the wake indefinitely but I still had a lot of fun. My kids couldn’t believe their old dad could do such a thing and were rather shocked. They then took me to the rope swing. It was on a fairly steep hill and was a very long rope (maybe 30 feet) which put you out over the water (at the other end) about 15 feet up. I didn’t think my old self could do it but finally decided to try. I was able to hold on and had a blast. I even outlasted my kids on it. They were kinda no shows on most things so I had to have all the fun for them - kids these days. They did go out on the tube the last half of the day and that was fun as Whitney (who was driving) tried to knock us off by having us jump the wakes she turned back into. It was fun. Grandpa and grandma seemed to have a lot of fun on the Sea Doo. They were out on it all while the rest of us tried our hand at surfing and such. They covered that entire lake it seemed.
We didn’t just play all day. I did manage to take some individual pictures of Cheryl and her kids and we also put a new roof (shingles) on their shed which had started leaking. Being the great roofers we are I hope it lasts through the first storm.
Well, Friday came and we cleaned the cabin and headed home. We were rather late and didn’t get home until about 1:00 in the morning making everyone tired and ready to sleep for a while. Even I slept until 8 and realized I needed more (I drove all the way home) so I went back to bed and finally got back to sleep and didn’t wake until 10. We then got up and I got the pictures off my camera so I could take pictures at Spencer’s birthday party. We made it just in time for his party at 1 in the afternoon and Alicia did a great job of putting on a beach party for everyone. The decorations were great, the food was superb and Spencer almost had as much fun as the rest of us. He was having fun but of course had no idea what this great party was for. He enjoyed running through sprinklers with Steve’s kids and playing with wrapping paper and his new Elmo. The cake was a bit strange to him but he got used to it quickly. We stayed and played golf and I won for the first time in a long time. Finally we were all tired and it was time to get home so the girls could pack to go to Washington in the morning.
Sunday morning Tami took the girls to the airport and came home and slept. I was tired all day and didn’t do much but take care of family pictures and write letters and do some genealogy.
That’s the bare bones of the week. It was a lot of fun and being at that cabin waking up to the sound of different kinds of water birds each morning was great. Wouldn’t mind having one of those places myself.
Well, keep your head above water and have a great week,
Ken and clan
From Brian:
Dear family
How is everybody? This entire week we were in Montana. We left you off last week arriving there at the house and now to conclude the cliffhanger episode of “Fortie’s Travels!”
Almost lost my cool there. So Monday Tyler went to work and I wandered about the house shooting pretend guns at small children and sunk so low as to watch some bizarre chick flick with my sister. (Hanging out with my sister wasn’t the low part just for clarification, but the chick flick was.) Then Michelle and I went to Tyler’s work and he got food for us for way cheap. We all worked out in the yard for a while, trimming and stuff. Grandpa mowed the lawn like 14 times for about 5 hours. I think he fell asleep at the wheel or something. We then at night packed up our stuffs and headed for the cabin at about 11 O’ clock. It’s a 2-hour drive.
We got there dragged our stuff in and all went to bed very tired.
Tuesday morning I woke up early and dad was coming downstairs to go out and take some pictures. I went out on the deck to read. The other kids started to get up and they watched “Baby’s day out.” We all started getting our own breakfast. Michelle and Whitney came down slightly resembling zombies. “Ugghhhh Yargggghhh.” They said… sort of. It was hilarious to watch those two try and make breakfast, like dinner and a show.
Michelle flung a knife, dropped a blob of butter on the floor while trying to butter her bagel. Whitney said “what happened to our toaster?… We used to have one.” And then got the “I don’t know what to do next” look on her face. She tripped over the same chair twice in like 2 minutes and almost died, and Michelle sort of meandered around. They could not fit their bagels in the said toaster once it was found and were distraught. They looked like it took great pain to make food. It was funny.
Then we all went outside to go out on the boat. It was cool to watch the kids on the wakeboard. I sat in the boat; I have tried to wakeboard in the past a few times and just end up in the water in the fetal position trying not to swallow the whole lake for several minutes. Not fun to me, not worth it.
Whitney does very well though, getting some good air and even letting go of the rope at times and going on her own. Lots of practice I guess. Connor too for his age tried some cool tricks. Brandon came by on the sea do and I told him to trade me and pull up along the side of the boat so I could ride it. I stepped onto the sea do and it began to drift away. I found myself doing the splits, as I did not want to fall in the water. I stretched farther and farther and Whitney was right there on the back of the boat so I said “Whitney, Whitney! Whitney!! Help!” I was about to go in when she grabbed my arm so I had something to pull against and could pull the sea do back. It hurt so badly, I have never stretched that far and never want to again.
That thing is fun to ride! You get going fast and cruise around the lake. I got up to 53 miles an hour. My favorite thing to do on there is chasing the ducks and try to run them over. And talk to them telling them they won’t escape, laugh maniacally and sing dumb songs at the top of my lungs, oh yeah it’s a blast. Then they sent Connor away to the rope swing. After looking for dad, who was in the canoe, for a while with no success, I went to the rope swing and left the sea do back to Brandon so I could swing. All of us went off the swing. It was about 60 feet of rope on a very tall tree. You go on a platform about 4 feet off ground and swing off into the lake. It’s about a 15-foot drop at the peak of swinging out. I did a Tarzan yell and a wookie call. I told Whitney to go off and do a barbaric YALP and was quite surprised at how well she took the assignment. She did the coolest barbaric yelp I have ever heard from a girl, sounding somewhat like a yeti with an ingrown toenail. Michelle went off once despite her fear of that.
We were all worn out by then and went back to the cabin. Some made dinner, but Brandon, Connor, Jennifer, Michelle and I took the four wheelers on a drive in the mountains. We came back and ate dinner. We were all laughing so hard eating outside on the deck, and wasps kept trying to eat our food. Connor caught some of them in a cup and napkin and lit them on fire. This was sort of morbid during dinner.
I told about how almost all bees and wasps are girls, which I learned from my Trainer on my mission who was a beekeeper. At night we watched the Trail of the Pink panther, which was hilarious until Cleauseu disappeared and never showed up again.
On Wednesday Tyler came in the morning so I had another guy to hang out with. Then we all went out on the boat again. They broke out the surfboard and I tried to get up on it to no avail. I experience the same unpleasant results as I do on a wakeboard. I know if I practiced more I’d eventually get it. I am just not sure if I would be willing to swallow that much lake water until then. Grandpa did it and got up for a bit. When Tyler was out on it I was enjoying being dry after having been out of the water for a while myself, but everyone kept egging me to tackle him. So I jumped off the back of the boat and tackled him off the surfboard.
We got some cool pictures of everyone on the boards. Dad got pictures of Aunt Cheryl, Whitney and Connor looking spectaculous in their garb to impress the masses of Missoula. We made a fire, and sat around looking at the stars and glowing planets. The sky is way clear up there and the lake looks amazing in the starlight. We all had some good talks. Funny how fire and night sky seems to do that. Inspires deep, meaningful conversations and gets you to talk about things you normally don’t.
When we all got to bed I was so seasick, or rather lake sick. It got worse when I closed my eyes. I lay in my bed and it felt like it was rotating in a circle and occasionally sloshing up and down. This went on for a good 30 minutes until I fell asleep. I woke up at about 2 in the morning to Ashley talking in her sleep, speaking only gibberish and nothing I could understand as words. The funny thing was that Tyler kept responding to her. She said “zibaraneubdlsasarbernes.” And Tyler said “What!?” and then she said more gibberish and he said “What!?” again in a very angry tone. Four times he did this. It was hilarious to listen to.
On Thursday we all got up and after some pictures of some people, we hit the boat again. Tyler and I were out on the sea doo trying to run over the birds on the lake. The sea gulls fly away about 30 feet away but the loons just wait and wait like little curious dare devils and then dive under the water right before you run over them. I had been driving and then Tyler traded me and about 1 minute after trading he, while trying to turn sharply and create waves, flipped it over. We were floating in the lake with an upside down sea doo, like “oh dear, now what.” After some careful coordination and a few attempts we got it back over. Tyler Connor and I did commando jumps off the back of the boat. We all went off the rope swing some more and spent some time looking for some fallen goggles that Brandon scarred off of Jennifer.
Then we had to repair a roof of a shed, which did not agree with my seasickness so much. I kept rocking and felt like I was going to fall off and plummet to my untimely demise.
At night we made another fire and everybody told jokes around it. Tyler told this extremely long and pointless yet funny joke about a horse race.
On Friday we all got up early to prepare to leave. We all made breakfast, and cleaned and did laundry to get ready to go. Tyler and I drove back to his house and everybody else met shortly thereafter. They packed up a whole bunch of snacks for us to take and we said goodbye to them all. Then we headed out for home. It took a lot longer to get back than it did to get there for some reason.
On Saturday we got home at about 1:30 in the morning and sacked out. Then later we woke up to go to grandpa and grandmas for Spencer’s first birthday party. He was so cute at his little beach themed shindig. I think it’s mostly for the parents, cause he really won’t remember it. But it was cool. Alicia went all out, with decorations, beach food like little cupcakes with graham cracker crumbs made to look like sand on them. And blue frosting to look like water, with little teddy grahams playing on the cupcake beaches. They had little umbrellas on them too. They were way good. We had Swedish fish and jell-O squares, vegetables and ‘octo-dogs’ which were hot dogs slit up so they looked like they had 8 legs. I got a picture of my octo-dog coming up on the cupcake beach and taking one of the unsuspecting teddy grahams into its clutches. Spencer opened his presents with great vigor and enthusiasm, losing interest after a bit and having to be helped. That was to be expected, he’s only 1. It was funny, he was really surprised and interested in some of the things. He desecrated his cake, probably only getting about 3 spoonfulls actually in his mouth. It was funny. To see him running around with his little hat and beach glasses in the sprinkler was funny. We had a good time.
On Sunday was the dedication of the Oquirh Mountain Temple. It was amazing, the spirit was strong when President Monson talked about Tongans who got funds from some youth so they could go to the temple to be sealed. And especially when Elder Eyring gave the dedicatory prayer the spirit filled the room like a river of rushing water. He had some powerful wording and I wish I could remember it.
It was a good week.
Love you all,
Brian
From Elder Fortie
Dear one and all!!!
I'm sorry to say, but I am not coming home from a mission any more, I miss you all, but I'm loving this way to much and I refuse to admit that my time is growing short, your just gonna have to come out here and join me and we'll all just be missionaries together! Lets get to work!
This week I went through the temple with The Matute family as they took out their endowments!!! Sister Matute is the first person I baptized and to be able to go through with her to see her take out her endowments was remarkable! THAT IS WHAT MISSIONARY WORK IS ALL ABOUT!!! Not only was the Matute family there, but in that session, we were accompanied by 35 People that I have taught and helped prepare to go to the temple on my mission!!!! 35!!!!!! Whether I taught them when they were investigators preparing for baptism that have now progressed even further to the eternal blessings of the temple, recent converts that I helped prepare to enter the temple, or less active members that I helped bring back so that they could receive the blessings of the temple they should have long ago worked for. DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW FANTASTIC IT IS TO SEE THAT MANY PEOPLE THAT THE GOSPEL HAS HAD SUCH AN AMAZING EFFECT ON THEIR LIVES AND THAT YOU HAVE WORKED WITH TO HELP BRING THEM TO THE MOST SACRED MOMENT IN THEIR LIVES ALL TOGETHER IN THE MOST SACRED PLACE ON EARTH AT THE SAME TIME WITH YOU!!!!! HOLY SPIRITUAL HIGH OF SPIRITUAL HIGH'S!!!!! So many people were just overwhelmed with the spirit and I was just in heaven, I had no idea they were all coming, I thought it was just going to be the Matute's! Oh what a glorious feeling it was to see them all there, and to know I had been a tool in the hands of the Lord to help bring them to that point! Oh it was amazing! Then afterwards I went over to the mission president’s house and we had a chat for a while and I was just giddy, he thought it was funny but was very excited for me.
The rest of our week, to be honest, went kinda slow, everyone is starting school so that made things crazy and near impossible to get a hold of anyone, but I don't mind! I got to go to the temple and participate in that marvelous occasion! My trainee sure has had one great first transfer! The lucky son of a gun got to see us baptize someone his first transfer (something that only happens an average of 2-3 times in our mission) AND he got to see recent converts go through the temple for their first time! I don't think he even grips how amazing that is, that almost never happens! I am one of VERY few missionaries in this mission that have been able to see that happen and I feel so blessed for it!
Other then that I've just been on errands for the president, jumping around the bay on exchanges trying to help some missionaries, I've seen some good success with the work in their areas I've been able to help them get started (haha), now I just wish I had time to see some in mine! But this week we're already seeing things pick back up again, so we are excited!
Well I got to get going, take care one and all, GO TO THE TEMPLE THIS WEEK!!! Do you realize how wonderful of a blessing it is to have a temple!? I have been really cracking down on teaching people the importance of utilizing the temples this past week, and I have seen great changes because of it. Keep on smiling! Do something good for someone.
We had stake conference last week (that I had to translate on the spot, we missionaries never get warned about anything) and one of the stake councilors gave a talk where he talked about when he was young he liked to play marbles, but he had one marble he never wanted to use to play, because when you shoot them out you have a chance of losing them, and it was his favorite marble, and he was not willing to let it go, he was willing to let go of his other ones, but not that one. The more marbles you put out the more you stand to gain, but he would not risk this marble, he made excuses and justified keeping it hidden and keeping it. He compared this to sins, or bad habits, some of them we are willing to let go, to sacrifice, but others, we justify, we keep them, we don't want to lose them. The more we put out the more we stand to gain, and we’re willing to give up the ones we don't care about to much, but our favorite ones, the special ones, those we keep, those we hide. He challenged us, as I am now challenging you, to pick your "favorite marble" and give it up. To find your bad habit that you justify, to pick out that little sin that you hide, to throw down your excused problem that you just keep putting aside, that you don't want to give up, the one you "keep", and cast it off! Throw that cat’s eye into the game! Don't make more excuses as you are reading this! Don't brush it off as not really a problem, or that some good people do the same thing and it's not a problem for them! Toss it! Stop harboring it, don't shelter it, DO NOT KEEP IT! Let it go as you have others. Do not hold on to your "favorite marble". Pray for courage to do so, and for understanding as to why it truly will make you a happier person.
Stay strong, and love one another! I have been getting a great deal of training on that subject as of late. I find so many of us that have the true gospel in our lives forget that love one to another is what everything Christ did is based upon. If we are true followers of him, we will follow his example and do as he does. Moroni 7:48 talks of this love, and those that achieve this love, will be like Christ, We shall see him as he is for we shall be like him!
Go with God!Love, Elder Fortie
Monday, August 17, 2009
August 10 - 16, 2009
Fortie Family Flyer
August 10 – 16, 2009
Dear Family and Friends,
Well it was a busy week to be sure. I went with the girls on Monday morning to girl’s camp. I got fairly sick on Sunday but felt much better Monday morning so I decided to go. I went out canoeing with the girls, played volleyball and worked on crafts without a problem but about dinner time my energy suddenly left and I felt very sick again. My body hurt and my stomach wasn’t doing very well either. I took it easy that evening and slept in my truck bed parked near the bathroom (there is a tent for the two priesthood leaders that are always supposed to be there to help out but I never used it). I bundled up so I was very warm all night which seemed to help clear it up a bit. I decided to take it easy on Tuesday with a nap in the afternoon. That also seemed to help and I was improving but still fairly weak. During the girls hike I went out on my bike for a casual ride (which I found out wasn’t allowed) then I puttered around in a canoe on the lake taking pictures of wildlife. I did some crafts (which the girls were mad at me for because I did a sunset frame with silhouettes of swamp weeds in the foreground which caused them to suddenly not like theirs anymore). I also talked to Bro. Hutchings for much of the day. We enjoyed talking about science and the stars. Michelle had to teach the girls about the stars so we helped her find some good stuff in the sky. It was very clear and beautiful. Wednesday I improved greatly but still skipped the hard labor of the service project and took a nap instead, I slept for a few hours and had a hard time getting up for dinner. Bro. Frisbee must have thought me rather useless but I helped when I could. I did help the girls get a fire going and we played some games. Bro. Hodges and Bro. Hansen came up to take our places and we talked and ate with them. Bro. Frisbee got the girls going on a rope tug-o-war game which Michelle would have been the best at, if it wasn’t for me, she was a bit frustrated that she couldn’t beat me (have a bit more weight I can throw around). I took off just before sunset for more pictures around the lake. I was told by one of the missionaries at the camp that the large beaver came out at about 8:00 pm. I went over to the side of the lake that I could see he had been working on (many trees were down from his hard work) and sat near the edge of the lake to wait for him. I took some shots of the sunset then out he came. He saw me nestled in the trees and swam back and forth in front of me waiting for me to leave. He finally got impatient and right in front of me splashed his tale so water went everywhere as if someone had done a cannonball in the lake. It surprised me how loud it was and I could tell he was expecting me to make a run for it but I held my ground. He finally gave up and swam away so I left (it was getting dark). I headed home and was glad for a good night sleep in my own bed. It took me the rest of the week to completely recover, not sure what was wrong.
I got pictures ready for BYU education week and had an interview with the Jordan School District to see if I could work there while going to school to get my teaching certificate. We will see what they say.
Michelle went with grandpa and grandma to Montana on Friday but Jennifer wasn’t quite ready and (being the wedding hound that she is) wanted to go to Jonathan Jankowski’s wedding reception on Saturday.
Saturday morning Tami Brian and I went to Jonathan’s wedding at the Draper temple. It was very nice and the sealer had some great advice for them. It was a good morning. There was a little rain at first and I was worried for pictures but it cleared up and was great (just a little cool which felt wonderful after the hot weeks we have had). After the wedding we packed for Montana and I printed and packaged pictures. We went to the reception and got to bed rather late.
Sunday morning we had planned to go to Daniel Jankowski’s homecoming but Cheryl called and was expecting us for pictures on Sunday night since Alan wasn’t going to come up to the cabin with us. We raced to get ready and headed out to get Ashley then go to Montana. I gave my pictures to Mike to give to Chad to take down to BYU so there would be a good supply for Education week. We drove and drove and finally got there at about 8:00 pm ready to chat and relax. They decided that since the boys had to get football equipment Monday night we would take pictures after that and then head up to the cabin which worked ok.
Well, I am a week behind so that is the week in a short no fun version. Hope all is well for you and yours.
Keep paddling,
Ken and clan
From Brian:
Dear Family
Come one come all, hear the tales I am to tell.
On Monday for my singles wards FHE we went to the park and had a lesson on balancing our lives and priorities. Then we played water balloon volleyball with towels. We would have two people hold a towel at both ends and fling the water balloons over the net. It is so funny to see people try to work together. I left from there and went over to Greg and Daniels house. Daniel was preparing for a teaching lesson for a job at the MTC and needed someone to practice on. I went over and he taught me what he was going to teach the judges, only catered toward me. Daniel is an amazing teacher and I wish I could have had him as a companion. He was very sincere and personal, taught to Brian’s needs and addressed my concerns.
I myself was struggling with the fact that you don’t feel the spirit as often or as strongly now as you did on a mission. With all the routine out there and with that suddenly changing or getting ripped out from under you it gets discouraging after having built that habit over two years.
He left good commitments and invited the spirit strongly, which I needed that day, and had good scriptures. I think he’ll get the job he’s powerful.
On Tuesday I spent the day listening to a book on CD about a brief history of everything. I got a call from Heather, a girl from the singles ward who wanted to call and thank me for being a friend, and making her feel welcome in the ward. She’s moving back down to Orem for school and said that she was going to miss me a lot. She’s a good girl and I told her that my friends are moving down to Provo and we should all hang out some time if I go down there.
On Wednesday I watched the movie Presidents and Prophets from the Library. It’s amazing after a time of skepticism how close many of the Presidents of the United States got to Prophets of God, and admired them. Lyndon Johnson said that David McKay was the most spiritual man he ever met. He said “I’ve talked to Billy Graham, I’ve talked to many others, and I can’t figure it out. There is just something different about David McKay.”
President Grant in a general conference said that Theodore Roosevelt had been the closest to believing the truth yet. That in his heart he knew we had to be right.
Dwight Eisenhower told Ezra Taft Benson (while in his cabinet) “David O McKay is the greatest spiritual leader in the world.”
Elder Benson gave President Eisenhower and his wife both a priesthood blessing on different occasions after the President requested it.
On Thursday I watched an open heart surgery I found on TV and then realized I was late for an appointment with this place to help me pay for school. I went there at 10 and was 20 minutes late. Then they told me they had scheduled me in the wrong group and put me in with the people on parole and probation, not my style.
So they rescheduled me for later at 2:00. In between I just applied for a few scholarships on line. Then afterwards I spent the rest of the day applying for as many scholarships as I could.
On Friday I applied for a job at the MTC like Daniel had. I always wanted to work there. At night I went to the Bishops house. We had a big ward party there, it was a camp out or sleepover or whatever you want to call it. A whole bunch of people from the singles ward came, we had a BBQ and all ate and talked and joked around. Some watched a movie and others talked outside. I was talking with Bishop and brother Hamilton and some others. A few went home but most stayed to sleep over. Bishop didn’t worry about guys and girls sleeping in the same house. There was a bunch of people in each room so nothing is going to happen, and he said we should be old enough anyway to be mature and not do anything stupid. We all played a huge game of signs with 21 people, which is insanely impossible.
Then we played an enormous game of mafia with 23 people. I did the narrating. 23 hyper young adults are hard to keep focused and keep from messing up and accidentally peeking. It was so fun, people getting hung right and left and killed off in bizarre ways. Our angel was the first person to die so that stunk. My group headed for bed downstairs and slept on the floor. I only had my pillow. We played the laughing game, laying on each others stomachs for a while then made shadow puppets on the wall. I got way tired and ended up going back upstairs at about 1:30 when it looked like those guys were not going to bed any time soon. I ended up curled up in a ball on an ataman and fell asleep.
Saturday morning we all woke up. I woke up first and the Bishops wife and I began to go wake people up because we had to go clean the church before we all made breakfast. Bishop gave me the keys to the church and I went and began cleaning because I wanted to eat before I had to leave to get ready for Jonathans sealing.
Well they didn’t finish in time and I missed breakfast. I was sad.
Dad mom and I got ready and went to the Draper temple and met Jankowski’s there and a lot of other people. Jonathan and Linda showed up. It was so crazy, so many memories going through my head. We were these little 12 year old deacons trudging through the snow once, doing fast offerings, and we’d always get “lost” at the Pratt’s house for like 40 minutes. We went on campouts and on one I jumped around in the snow in my sleeping bag because I didn’t want to get out, Jonathan put his shoes by the fire to dry them and ended up melting the souls, and Ben trying to warm up a can of Dente’ Moore Stew in the fire failed to open it and his dinner blew up.
We were so dumb. We’ve come a long way, now callused with years of death marches, snow camps, ice fishing, dessert dwelling and such. He’s been my best friend for 11 years, and it was weird to see him with this girl that would soon be his wife forever.
The sealing was great and the spirit was way strong. Dad went driving looking for a good picture of the temple and we saw some of the mansion houses, or castles rather, up there. That’s insane; I’d never own a house that big. I lose things to easily in a small one. I’d lose my children or my wife. I’d probably constantly ask her how many kids we had and when was the last time we saw them.
At night we went to Jonathans reception at a church. They looked so nice in the line it was great. If I was a crying man I would have, but I’m not so I didn’t. The food was great, these little French bread things with buttery cheese and a tomato, chicken salad sandwiches and jell-o cake and a mint cake that was amazing. There was this girl there who was really cute and I wanted to dance with her but I inquired as to her age from JJ and he told me she was 16. Never mind. We all went out and decorated his car. I wrote in whip cream Genesis 1:28 on his window. To be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth is what it says. Someone put huge batman balloons on the antenna. I’m not sure why, they didn’t really fit, someone will think he had a batman themed wedding. Also the Balloons Ryan Marble got to fill his car up with said happy birthday on them. And we put Oreo’s all over the car. Then we went home after they drove off. Daniel Jankowski was shocked at how much Jennifer has changed. So was I when I got home.
At home I stayed up sort of late packing for tomorrow.
On Sunday we were planning on going to Daniels homecoming, but Dad in talking to aunt Cheryl realized in order to get to Montana with any daylight left we had to leave in the morning. We took forever getting off, I was trying to get everyone’s stuff out to the car. We went to trade mom for the car at the church because she had gone to the homecoming. I ran in to see if I could hear part of Daniels talk but he had just ended. I was frustrated. We could have heard it as late as we were we could have gone anyway. So we went on the road. We stopped in Idaho Falls at the temple visitor center. I went in and watched some of the testimonies of Special Witnesses of Christ. They are re-making it. It had ended at Elder Eyring who then was the junior Apostle. Now they have made Elder Uchtdorf and Elder Bednar’s Testimony and Cook, Christopherson and Anderson are in the process of being made. I watched the new ones that are finished. The spirit was strong, and I needed it since we missed church. A sister missionary there told us about the temple and that the architect had a dream about a Nephite temple and designed it after one from ancient America. Cool huh?
She asked me if I knew anyone who would accept a church video. Two people came to my mind so I put them down on a card for her. Mark Smith who I took to the Temple Open House and this kid investigating in my singles ward. Then we left. We drove forever then arrived at Rauckhorst’s. We ate dinner with them and while I was eating the sister missionaries called me to correlate with me and give me some info. I don’t know who everyone thought I was talking to but they all were making jokes really loud while I was right there on the phone like “ooh who’s sister Miller Brian?” and I’m pretty sure I heard a cat call in there. Then I hung up and said that was the missionaries. It was funny to see the sudden change on everyone’s face to “oh…”
We all went to bed tired.
Well Elder Fortie sorry this didn’t get to you last week, we were traveling. Hope all is well.
Love Brian
From Elder Fortie:
Dear Family,
Well I'm still running around like a chicken with my head cut off. Just keep breathing, that’s the key! The members here are really picking up and doing better so we are excited about that! But all of our investigators have been out of town for the last week or two of summer... so I haven't been excited about that haha. But it has given me a little time to catch up on some of the administrative stuff I have to do. Although my list seems never ending and ever growing and my time in the field ever drawing closer to a close... I'm just stunned as to how it passes me by... But this week I had a frustrating experience, I was knocking doors and this 17-18 year old girl answered and told us her family doesn't believe in religion, but we convinced her to hear us out for a minute or two. At first she just agreed because I think she thought it was amusing, but as we started to do a brief first lesson, her expression changed to intrigue, to curiosity, to a look of desire and hunger for what we were saying. Then right as we were about to share the part about Joseph Smith’s vision, her dad came rushing into the room and shoved his daughter away from the door and slammed the door in our faces. I've had many doors slammed in my face and many nasty things said and done to me in my mission, but none of them have ever bothered me like this one, because the look on her face as her dad pushed her out of the way was shock and disappointment, the spirit had touched her heart filling a void she never understood before, a need for God in her life and as he pushed her away she looked like she was longing for what we were giving her and was afraid to lose it. I've had many doors slammed in my face, but that one was not just slammed in my face, it was slammed in hers as well. One of the daughters of God was mistreated, and denied the gospel she had suddenly found to quench the thirst within her soul. It has bothered me ever since and I cannot help but think that that father will have to answer the penalty of taking away his daughters agency and opportunity to change and forcing her to remain in darkness. If she goes down the wrong path in this life he will be responsible for it because she could have been changed by that moment and he would not allow it. Raise your children well. What they become will in part rest upon your shoulders. Obviously they have their agency to choose to obey you as we do to obey God, but teach them as best you can and do everything you can to give them the tools they need to make the correct decisions.
One Exciting note is that I get to see the Matute's this Saturday! They are going through the temple for the first time and since I taught them and baptized them I got permission to go through with them!!! I am so stoked! I haven't seen them in forever and this will be a wonderful reunion! Well I don't have anything to exciting to say I suppose seeing as much of my week was dealing with just stuff. But stay on the straight and narrow and keep on smiling!
August 10 – 16, 2009
Dear Family and Friends,
Well it was a busy week to be sure. I went with the girls on Monday morning to girl’s camp. I got fairly sick on Sunday but felt much better Monday morning so I decided to go. I went out canoeing with the girls, played volleyball and worked on crafts without a problem but about dinner time my energy suddenly left and I felt very sick again. My body hurt and my stomach wasn’t doing very well either. I took it easy that evening and slept in my truck bed parked near the bathroom (there is a tent for the two priesthood leaders that are always supposed to be there to help out but I never used it). I bundled up so I was very warm all night which seemed to help clear it up a bit. I decided to take it easy on Tuesday with a nap in the afternoon. That also seemed to help and I was improving but still fairly weak. During the girls hike I went out on my bike for a casual ride (which I found out wasn’t allowed) then I puttered around in a canoe on the lake taking pictures of wildlife. I did some crafts (which the girls were mad at me for because I did a sunset frame with silhouettes of swamp weeds in the foreground which caused them to suddenly not like theirs anymore). I also talked to Bro. Hutchings for much of the day. We enjoyed talking about science and the stars. Michelle had to teach the girls about the stars so we helped her find some good stuff in the sky. It was very clear and beautiful. Wednesday I improved greatly but still skipped the hard labor of the service project and took a nap instead, I slept for a few hours and had a hard time getting up for dinner. Bro. Frisbee must have thought me rather useless but I helped when I could. I did help the girls get a fire going and we played some games. Bro. Hodges and Bro. Hansen came up to take our places and we talked and ate with them. Bro. Frisbee got the girls going on a rope tug-o-war game which Michelle would have been the best at, if it wasn’t for me, she was a bit frustrated that she couldn’t beat me (have a bit more weight I can throw around). I took off just before sunset for more pictures around the lake. I was told by one of the missionaries at the camp that the large beaver came out at about 8:00 pm. I went over to the side of the lake that I could see he had been working on (many trees were down from his hard work) and sat near the edge of the lake to wait for him. I took some shots of the sunset then out he came. He saw me nestled in the trees and swam back and forth in front of me waiting for me to leave. He finally got impatient and right in front of me splashed his tale so water went everywhere as if someone had done a cannonball in the lake. It surprised me how loud it was and I could tell he was expecting me to make a run for it but I held my ground. He finally gave up and swam away so I left (it was getting dark). I headed home and was glad for a good night sleep in my own bed. It took me the rest of the week to completely recover, not sure what was wrong.
I got pictures ready for BYU education week and had an interview with the Jordan School District to see if I could work there while going to school to get my teaching certificate. We will see what they say.
Michelle went with grandpa and grandma to Montana on Friday but Jennifer wasn’t quite ready and (being the wedding hound that she is) wanted to go to Jonathan Jankowski’s wedding reception on Saturday.
Saturday morning Tami Brian and I went to Jonathan’s wedding at the Draper temple. It was very nice and the sealer had some great advice for them. It was a good morning. There was a little rain at first and I was worried for pictures but it cleared up and was great (just a little cool which felt wonderful after the hot weeks we have had). After the wedding we packed for Montana and I printed and packaged pictures. We went to the reception and got to bed rather late.
Sunday morning we had planned to go to Daniel Jankowski’s homecoming but Cheryl called and was expecting us for pictures on Sunday night since Alan wasn’t going to come up to the cabin with us. We raced to get ready and headed out to get Ashley then go to Montana. I gave my pictures to Mike to give to Chad to take down to BYU so there would be a good supply for Education week. We drove and drove and finally got there at about 8:00 pm ready to chat and relax. They decided that since the boys had to get football equipment Monday night we would take pictures after that and then head up to the cabin which worked ok.
Well, I am a week behind so that is the week in a short no fun version. Hope all is well for you and yours.
Keep paddling,
Ken and clan
From Brian:
Dear Family
Come one come all, hear the tales I am to tell.
On Monday for my singles wards FHE we went to the park and had a lesson on balancing our lives and priorities. Then we played water balloon volleyball with towels. We would have two people hold a towel at both ends and fling the water balloons over the net. It is so funny to see people try to work together. I left from there and went over to Greg and Daniels house. Daniel was preparing for a teaching lesson for a job at the MTC and needed someone to practice on. I went over and he taught me what he was going to teach the judges, only catered toward me. Daniel is an amazing teacher and I wish I could have had him as a companion. He was very sincere and personal, taught to Brian’s needs and addressed my concerns.
I myself was struggling with the fact that you don’t feel the spirit as often or as strongly now as you did on a mission. With all the routine out there and with that suddenly changing or getting ripped out from under you it gets discouraging after having built that habit over two years.
He left good commitments and invited the spirit strongly, which I needed that day, and had good scriptures. I think he’ll get the job he’s powerful.
On Tuesday I spent the day listening to a book on CD about a brief history of everything. I got a call from Heather, a girl from the singles ward who wanted to call and thank me for being a friend, and making her feel welcome in the ward. She’s moving back down to Orem for school and said that she was going to miss me a lot. She’s a good girl and I told her that my friends are moving down to Provo and we should all hang out some time if I go down there.
On Wednesday I watched the movie Presidents and Prophets from the Library. It’s amazing after a time of skepticism how close many of the Presidents of the United States got to Prophets of God, and admired them. Lyndon Johnson said that David McKay was the most spiritual man he ever met. He said “I’ve talked to Billy Graham, I’ve talked to many others, and I can’t figure it out. There is just something different about David McKay.”
President Grant in a general conference said that Theodore Roosevelt had been the closest to believing the truth yet. That in his heart he knew we had to be right.
Dwight Eisenhower told Ezra Taft Benson (while in his cabinet) “David O McKay is the greatest spiritual leader in the world.”
Elder Benson gave President Eisenhower and his wife both a priesthood blessing on different occasions after the President requested it.
On Thursday I watched an open heart surgery I found on TV and then realized I was late for an appointment with this place to help me pay for school. I went there at 10 and was 20 minutes late. Then they told me they had scheduled me in the wrong group and put me in with the people on parole and probation, not my style.
So they rescheduled me for later at 2:00. In between I just applied for a few scholarships on line. Then afterwards I spent the rest of the day applying for as many scholarships as I could.
On Friday I applied for a job at the MTC like Daniel had. I always wanted to work there. At night I went to the Bishops house. We had a big ward party there, it was a camp out or sleepover or whatever you want to call it. A whole bunch of people from the singles ward came, we had a BBQ and all ate and talked and joked around. Some watched a movie and others talked outside. I was talking with Bishop and brother Hamilton and some others. A few went home but most stayed to sleep over. Bishop didn’t worry about guys and girls sleeping in the same house. There was a bunch of people in each room so nothing is going to happen, and he said we should be old enough anyway to be mature and not do anything stupid. We all played a huge game of signs with 21 people, which is insanely impossible.
Then we played an enormous game of mafia with 23 people. I did the narrating. 23 hyper young adults are hard to keep focused and keep from messing up and accidentally peeking. It was so fun, people getting hung right and left and killed off in bizarre ways. Our angel was the first person to die so that stunk. My group headed for bed downstairs and slept on the floor. I only had my pillow. We played the laughing game, laying on each others stomachs for a while then made shadow puppets on the wall. I got way tired and ended up going back upstairs at about 1:30 when it looked like those guys were not going to bed any time soon. I ended up curled up in a ball on an ataman and fell asleep.
Saturday morning we all woke up. I woke up first and the Bishops wife and I began to go wake people up because we had to go clean the church before we all made breakfast. Bishop gave me the keys to the church and I went and began cleaning because I wanted to eat before I had to leave to get ready for Jonathans sealing.
Well they didn’t finish in time and I missed breakfast. I was sad.
Dad mom and I got ready and went to the Draper temple and met Jankowski’s there and a lot of other people. Jonathan and Linda showed up. It was so crazy, so many memories going through my head. We were these little 12 year old deacons trudging through the snow once, doing fast offerings, and we’d always get “lost” at the Pratt’s house for like 40 minutes. We went on campouts and on one I jumped around in the snow in my sleeping bag because I didn’t want to get out, Jonathan put his shoes by the fire to dry them and ended up melting the souls, and Ben trying to warm up a can of Dente’ Moore Stew in the fire failed to open it and his dinner blew up.
We were so dumb. We’ve come a long way, now callused with years of death marches, snow camps, ice fishing, dessert dwelling and such. He’s been my best friend for 11 years, and it was weird to see him with this girl that would soon be his wife forever.
The sealing was great and the spirit was way strong. Dad went driving looking for a good picture of the temple and we saw some of the mansion houses, or castles rather, up there. That’s insane; I’d never own a house that big. I lose things to easily in a small one. I’d lose my children or my wife. I’d probably constantly ask her how many kids we had and when was the last time we saw them.
At night we went to Jonathans reception at a church. They looked so nice in the line it was great. If I was a crying man I would have, but I’m not so I didn’t. The food was great, these little French bread things with buttery cheese and a tomato, chicken salad sandwiches and jell-o cake and a mint cake that was amazing. There was this girl there who was really cute and I wanted to dance with her but I inquired as to her age from JJ and he told me she was 16. Never mind. We all went out and decorated his car. I wrote in whip cream Genesis 1:28 on his window. To be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth is what it says. Someone put huge batman balloons on the antenna. I’m not sure why, they didn’t really fit, someone will think he had a batman themed wedding. Also the Balloons Ryan Marble got to fill his car up with said happy birthday on them. And we put Oreo’s all over the car. Then we went home after they drove off. Daniel Jankowski was shocked at how much Jennifer has changed. So was I when I got home.
At home I stayed up sort of late packing for tomorrow.
On Sunday we were planning on going to Daniels homecoming, but Dad in talking to aunt Cheryl realized in order to get to Montana with any daylight left we had to leave in the morning. We took forever getting off, I was trying to get everyone’s stuff out to the car. We went to trade mom for the car at the church because she had gone to the homecoming. I ran in to see if I could hear part of Daniels talk but he had just ended. I was frustrated. We could have heard it as late as we were we could have gone anyway. So we went on the road. We stopped in Idaho Falls at the temple visitor center. I went in and watched some of the testimonies of Special Witnesses of Christ. They are re-making it. It had ended at Elder Eyring who then was the junior Apostle. Now they have made Elder Uchtdorf and Elder Bednar’s Testimony and Cook, Christopherson and Anderson are in the process of being made. I watched the new ones that are finished. The spirit was strong, and I needed it since we missed church. A sister missionary there told us about the temple and that the architect had a dream about a Nephite temple and designed it after one from ancient America. Cool huh?
She asked me if I knew anyone who would accept a church video. Two people came to my mind so I put them down on a card for her. Mark Smith who I took to the Temple Open House and this kid investigating in my singles ward. Then we left. We drove forever then arrived at Rauckhorst’s. We ate dinner with them and while I was eating the sister missionaries called me to correlate with me and give me some info. I don’t know who everyone thought I was talking to but they all were making jokes really loud while I was right there on the phone like “ooh who’s sister Miller Brian?” and I’m pretty sure I heard a cat call in there. Then I hung up and said that was the missionaries. It was funny to see the sudden change on everyone’s face to “oh…”
We all went to bed tired.
Well Elder Fortie sorry this didn’t get to you last week, we were traveling. Hope all is well.
Love Brian
From Elder Fortie:
Dear Family,
Well I'm still running around like a chicken with my head cut off. Just keep breathing, that’s the key! The members here are really picking up and doing better so we are excited about that! But all of our investigators have been out of town for the last week or two of summer... so I haven't been excited about that haha. But it has given me a little time to catch up on some of the administrative stuff I have to do. Although my list seems never ending and ever growing and my time in the field ever drawing closer to a close... I'm just stunned as to how it passes me by... But this week I had a frustrating experience, I was knocking doors and this 17-18 year old girl answered and told us her family doesn't believe in religion, but we convinced her to hear us out for a minute or two. At first she just agreed because I think she thought it was amusing, but as we started to do a brief first lesson, her expression changed to intrigue, to curiosity, to a look of desire and hunger for what we were saying. Then right as we were about to share the part about Joseph Smith’s vision, her dad came rushing into the room and shoved his daughter away from the door and slammed the door in our faces. I've had many doors slammed in my face and many nasty things said and done to me in my mission, but none of them have ever bothered me like this one, because the look on her face as her dad pushed her out of the way was shock and disappointment, the spirit had touched her heart filling a void she never understood before, a need for God in her life and as he pushed her away she looked like she was longing for what we were giving her and was afraid to lose it. I've had many doors slammed in my face, but that one was not just slammed in my face, it was slammed in hers as well. One of the daughters of God was mistreated, and denied the gospel she had suddenly found to quench the thirst within her soul. It has bothered me ever since and I cannot help but think that that father will have to answer the penalty of taking away his daughters agency and opportunity to change and forcing her to remain in darkness. If she goes down the wrong path in this life he will be responsible for it because she could have been changed by that moment and he would not allow it. Raise your children well. What they become will in part rest upon your shoulders. Obviously they have their agency to choose to obey you as we do to obey God, but teach them as best you can and do everything you can to give them the tools they need to make the correct decisions.
One Exciting note is that I get to see the Matute's this Saturday! They are going through the temple for the first time and since I taught them and baptized them I got permission to go through with them!!! I am so stoked! I haven't seen them in forever and this will be a wonderful reunion! Well I don't have anything to exciting to say I suppose seeing as much of my week was dealing with just stuff. But stay on the straight and narrow and keep on smiling!
Love
Elder Fortie
Monday, August 10, 2009
August 3 - 9, 2009
Fortie Family Flyer
August 3 – 9, 2009
Dear Family and Friends,
A week of visitors and pictures, it was great. My Uncle Eldon and Aunt Janice came to Salt Lake to go through the Oquirrh Mountain Temple on Saturday and they, along with John and Shauna, came over to my parents house on Monday night for a FHE. We talked and had ice-cream (of course) until the cows came home. While visiting in grandma and grandpa's back yard, someone saw the moon coming up over the mountain and told me I should get my camera. I did and took a shot. It has been fairly popular on the internet.
Cheryl and kids were here most of the week so our kids were over there (grandpa and grandma’s) most of the time. Everyone came and stayed at our house on Monday night and we (Jennifer, Brandon, Conner, Ashley and yours truly) slept out on the tramp. It was a nice night. The kids went to Movies, Lagoon and Cowabunga Bay while Tami and I worked. You’ll have to ask them about all their activities.
I did go to a concert put on by Sounds of Zion. They had some of their musicians sing or play some of their songs from their new CD’s this year, it was great. I went to it and saw Mary Kay and Facel and his wife there so I went and sat by them. We had a great time. I also talked to Doyle from Sounds of Zion about putting my pictures in his booth at the LDS Booksellers Convention. He took them. I think it is going to work out to have them help me get my pictures out to stores around the country.
I took Senior pictures of Whitney on Thursday (between other activities). Michelle went along; it seemed to go well.
Cheryl and fam went home on Friday. The kids all had fun while they were here. Tami and I enjoyed a few nights of family activities with them and Eldon and Janice and John and Shauna.
I went to Sam’s Club on my scooter mid week to print pictures for LDSBA and when I came out the weather had changed to high winds with some rain blowing sideways with the dust (turning some spots to mud). I went quickly to the LDSBA, dropped the pictures off and stayed until the wind calmed down a bit. Several branches from the trees in the parking lot were ripped off. Sometimes it can be dangerous to ride those things.
On Saturday I worked.
Sunday I got very sick after church; every part of me hurt. I went with Bro. Mueller again and we visited 3 families in the ward to talk about their genealogy and how we can help them get going. I came home after that and went to bed for 4 hours. I got up for dinner but had a hard time walking. I am supposed to go to girl’s camp early in the morning. Hope this goes away by then.
Well, I must pack for camping and I am dead tired so this is it for this week. Not much excitement for me anyway. The kids had all the fun.
Keep on keeping on,
Ken and clan
From Elder Fortie:
Monday, August 10, 2009, 12:54 PM
Hello to the world outside!!! I don't know how or where, but I found enough spare moments with enough time to breath through the week that I didn't die of lack of oxygen! I know, lucky me eh? I swear I've never felt so un missionary like since I got into missionary leadership! I spend more time in meetings and disciplinary councils then I do teaching, I'm rarely able to be home or in bed in time as I am out having to deal with all the problems, my poor greenie has to chill half the time just reading his scriptures while I'm on the phone with half the world dealing with everything from the foundations of the world collapsing to cows jumping over the moon. I ask you where does time go!!!????? UGH!!! Not to mention I am suddenly finding I am no longer one of the "young" missionaries (missionaries who haven't been out long), I am the only missionary left in the field that remembers my trainer! Missionaries come up to me asking me "don't you go home soon?" And I'm like NO!!! I'm not going home! Stop asking me! If I had time I might feel sad about how old I'm getting, but I guess the one blessing of staying so busy is I don't have time to realize I'm running out of time!
Anyways, we confirmed Jean yesterday in Sacrament meeting! Since I baptized him my companion confirmed him! My greenie was busting out Spanish up there like no body’s business! I was just up there smiling in the circle thinking, "yeah I taught him that one" and then two seconds later "wow... I sure haven't taught him that one yet... YEAH!!! That means he's got the spirit running his mouth! GO ELDER GO!" it was exciting. After wards I was just like "yes, that's my son" haha (your son is a missionary you train... sorry mission lingo.) So that was exciting! Then we had an appointment that night with him and his mom, who are usually our most lively and happy family, who we just love being around, but as we knocked on the door his mom was in tears and stayed inside crying for several minutes. I was so worried, my mind was racing through all of these terrible possibilities of what could have happened, but then Jean came outside and told me that it was because it's father's day in Brazil and she was just chatting online with her family and she got really sad and missed her family and felt terrible because she can't see them again. (long story short she can't return to Brazil because of a political situation). So that was of course sad, but not as horrific as I was pondering up. So my companion and I went to work doing one of the things he and I do best, making people smile!!! It only took us two minutes once we got her outside to have her choking on her tears because she was laughing as I told her the story of when I went to the lion exhibit at the zoo with a bunch of kids from work and when they told us all to make a lion noise I made the loudest chicken noise you could ever make, and all the kids busted up laughing and the lady doing the presentation was standing there as confused as could be not knowing what to do. Then we pulled out the Piñata magic! and by the end of the night she was laughing her head off and doubling over unable to breathe because she was laughing so hard.
I LOVE that, I love making a difference in people's lives, making them happy. While on a mission I get to do it in two ways, one just by my random self and knack to make a fool out of myself, and two by sharing the irreplace-able... (I know, my English spelling is getting horrible, it's not my fault!) joy that comes from the gospel! Being a missionary is amazing and it gets rough and stressful at times, but even when I'm stressed I'm loving it because I know I'm making a difference!
We've got another lady lined up for baptism in 2 weeks, her name is Oti, we've got a lot of work to do still but we are excited to be moving forward with her! Well, other then that my week has been pretty much meetings and dealing with problems, so that's not worth reporting haha. Stay strong one and all, read your scriptures, say your prayers, and remember, keep the little rules and it will be easier to keep the big ones. Smile on!
August 3 – 9, 2009
Dear Family and Friends,
A week of visitors and pictures, it was great. My Uncle Eldon and Aunt Janice came to Salt Lake to go through the Oquirrh Mountain Temple on Saturday and they, along with John and Shauna, came over to my parents house on Monday night for a FHE. We talked and had ice-cream (of course) until the cows came home. While visiting in grandma and grandpa's back yard, someone saw the moon coming up over the mountain and told me I should get my camera. I did and took a shot. It has been fairly popular on the internet.
Cheryl and kids were here most of the week so our kids were over there (grandpa and grandma’s) most of the time. Everyone came and stayed at our house on Monday night and we (Jennifer, Brandon, Conner, Ashley and yours truly) slept out on the tramp. It was a nice night. The kids went to Movies, Lagoon and Cowabunga Bay while Tami and I worked. You’ll have to ask them about all their activities.
I did go to a concert put on by Sounds of Zion. They had some of their musicians sing or play some of their songs from their new CD’s this year, it was great. I went to it and saw Mary Kay and Facel and his wife there so I went and sat by them. We had a great time. I also talked to Doyle from Sounds of Zion about putting my pictures in his booth at the LDS Booksellers Convention. He took them. I think it is going to work out to have them help me get my pictures out to stores around the country.
I took Senior pictures of Whitney on Thursday (between other activities). Michelle went along; it seemed to go well.
Cheryl and fam went home on Friday. The kids all had fun while they were here. Tami and I enjoyed a few nights of family activities with them and Eldon and Janice and John and Shauna.
I went to Sam’s Club on my scooter mid week to print pictures for LDSBA and when I came out the weather had changed to high winds with some rain blowing sideways with the dust (turning some spots to mud). I went quickly to the LDSBA, dropped the pictures off and stayed until the wind calmed down a bit. Several branches from the trees in the parking lot were ripped off. Sometimes it can be dangerous to ride those things.
On Saturday I worked.
Sunday I got very sick after church; every part of me hurt. I went with Bro. Mueller again and we visited 3 families in the ward to talk about their genealogy and how we can help them get going. I came home after that and went to bed for 4 hours. I got up for dinner but had a hard time walking. I am supposed to go to girl’s camp early in the morning. Hope this goes away by then.
Well, I must pack for camping and I am dead tired so this is it for this week. Not much excitement for me anyway. The kids had all the fun.
Keep on keeping on,
Ken and clan
From Elder Fortie:
Monday, August 10, 2009, 12:54 PM
Hello to the world outside!!! I don't know how or where, but I found enough spare moments with enough time to breath through the week that I didn't die of lack of oxygen! I know, lucky me eh? I swear I've never felt so un missionary like since I got into missionary leadership! I spend more time in meetings and disciplinary councils then I do teaching, I'm rarely able to be home or in bed in time as I am out having to deal with all the problems, my poor greenie has to chill half the time just reading his scriptures while I'm on the phone with half the world dealing with everything from the foundations of the world collapsing to cows jumping over the moon. I ask you where does time go!!!????? UGH!!! Not to mention I am suddenly finding I am no longer one of the "young" missionaries (missionaries who haven't been out long), I am the only missionary left in the field that remembers my trainer! Missionaries come up to me asking me "don't you go home soon?" And I'm like NO!!! I'm not going home! Stop asking me! If I had time I might feel sad about how old I'm getting, but I guess the one blessing of staying so busy is I don't have time to realize I'm running out of time!
Anyways, we confirmed Jean yesterday in Sacrament meeting! Since I baptized him my companion confirmed him! My greenie was busting out Spanish up there like no body’s business! I was just up there smiling in the circle thinking, "yeah I taught him that one" and then two seconds later "wow... I sure haven't taught him that one yet... YEAH!!! That means he's got the spirit running his mouth! GO ELDER GO!" it was exciting. After wards I was just like "yes, that's my son" haha (your son is a missionary you train... sorry mission lingo.) So that was exciting! Then we had an appointment that night with him and his mom, who are usually our most lively and happy family, who we just love being around, but as we knocked on the door his mom was in tears and stayed inside crying for several minutes. I was so worried, my mind was racing through all of these terrible possibilities of what could have happened, but then Jean came outside and told me that it was because it's father's day in Brazil and she was just chatting online with her family and she got really sad and missed her family and felt terrible because she can't see them again. (long story short she can't return to Brazil because of a political situation). So that was of course sad, but not as horrific as I was pondering up. So my companion and I went to work doing one of the things he and I do best, making people smile!!! It only took us two minutes once we got her outside to have her choking on her tears because she was laughing as I told her the story of when I went to the lion exhibit at the zoo with a bunch of kids from work and when they told us all to make a lion noise I made the loudest chicken noise you could ever make, and all the kids busted up laughing and the lady doing the presentation was standing there as confused as could be not knowing what to do. Then we pulled out the Piñata magic! and by the end of the night she was laughing her head off and doubling over unable to breathe because she was laughing so hard.
I LOVE that, I love making a difference in people's lives, making them happy. While on a mission I get to do it in two ways, one just by my random self and knack to make a fool out of myself, and two by sharing the irreplace-able... (I know, my English spelling is getting horrible, it's not my fault!) joy that comes from the gospel! Being a missionary is amazing and it gets rough and stressful at times, but even when I'm stressed I'm loving it because I know I'm making a difference!
We've got another lady lined up for baptism in 2 weeks, her name is Oti, we've got a lot of work to do still but we are excited to be moving forward with her! Well, other then that my week has been pretty much meetings and dealing with problems, so that's not worth reporting haha. Stay strong one and all, read your scriptures, say your prayers, and remember, keep the little rules and it will be easier to keep the big ones. Smile on!
Love Elder Fortie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)