February 1, 2022

Everyone:

Ethan didn't write this week so I thought I would share what we talked about when he called today.  

Ethan is doing well in Windsor, Colorado.  He said that the weather has been annoying lately.  One day it will be beautiful, the temperature in the 50s, and feel like Spring. The next day it will snow, the temperature in the teens, and feel like Winter.  He wishes it would just make up its mind.  He had an easy winter last year so he was spoiled and is now tired of the snow and cold.  Poor kid!

He is enjoying life with Elder Howard.  They seem to be a fun companionship.  The ward is feeding them well and they have been entertained by the children of ward members.  Ethan has some funny stories of what life is like when they visit homes with crazy little kids in them.  He is really entertained and loves it.

I need to explain the pictures Ethan sent us this week.  

Yesterday they had Mission Leadership Council where all the zone leaders and sister trainers come to a meeting with the mission president. He trains them on what they need to do at their next Zone Council, which Ethan and his companion are in charge of for their zone.  Apparently, the sister in their zone left a tire on their front porch one-day last week.  I don't know the story behind why but Ethan and his companion decided to retaliate.  They asked the district leader who "knows how to get things done" if he could help hook them up with tires.  He found a place that had free tires so Ethan and his companion went there and got a bunch of free tires.  At the Mission Leadership Council meeting, they filled the sister's truck with the tires (even putting some on the hood). He said it was pretty funny.  Even the mission president thought it was funny, which Ethan was happy about because they didn't get in trouble.  Bryan told him to watch out because the pranks may escalate, but Ethan said he thinks it's done.  Funny!

Brianna was baptized and Ethan was able to attend.  He also found out that the son of someone they were teaching is on date for baptism so he will be able to go to that baptism also, when it happens.  He was excited about that.  They have some good people they are teaching right now and one funny guy who didn't understand that he was supposed to "get something" out of what he was reading in the Book of Mormon.  😉

This picture was a good source of conversation this morning.  That is a "brain picker."  There is a couple in their area who served a mission on a Polynesian island (Ethan's can't remember what island) and they brought that back with them.  They told him that where they were serving had a history of cannibalism so that was how they would eat the brains.  Gross!  He seems pretty happy to be holding it. He likes the shock value!

This picture is another one of Ethan showing that he doesn't have common sense in the snow. haha!  Yup, he is playing frisbee golf in shorts.  If you notice the other missionaries, they are all bundled up with pants, hats, coats, and gloves.  Ethan said he did have a hand warmer but he claims that he didn't get cold.  He was annoyed at first because the snow was getting in his tennis shoes (he didn't even wear his boots!).  But he soon figured out how to walk so the snow wouldn't get in.  I think now, it's a matter of pride to not wear pants.  In fact, he sent home a box a couple of weeks ago and his jeans were included in the box.  Crazy kid!

Seriously though, Ethan is doing well and has been keeping busy teaching people and serving.  They had a day when they did 4 or 5 hours of service.  That is something he has always been willing to do and enjoys.  They have had the opportunity to teach "porch lessons" where they give a message while standing on the porch.  He said they had a really cool experience with one of those the other day.  The work is moving along.

Thank you for all your support of Ethan.  I know he feels the prayers.