New Pictures!

If anyone wondered how being a hardworking, obedient missionary would effect Zach's wacky personality, here is proof that his sense of humor is alive and well.  Zach is so happy and loving every bit of missionary work. He loves all the people he works with and is fast friends with other missionaries.  He called home on Christmas with some great stories and jokes, but he also continues to be a phenomenal example to our family as he grows spiritually and puts his whole heart into being a full time missionary.

Enjoy this batch of pictures from Zach!

Zach, Elder Simpson (old comp.), Elder Hulse, Elder Furniss on Zach's last day in Albany.

Zach and Ben and Sunchips (his words)

Zach on the coast

Zach and the Burton family

Zach and the Colby family

Thanksgiving dinner at the Merrills house

Elder Simpson and Zach in their Thanksgiving outfitsZach and Elder Simpson's Christmas card picture

Elder Simpson and Zach with the Stovers when mom and daughter were baptized.

Letter to Jen December 1, 2008

Jen-
I struggle with real mail too trust me...

The baptism went really well. I got some pictures, I'm printing and sending them home soon. It was a really exciting weekend. We had a ton of investigators at church and everything has gone very smoothly. Transfers are indeed coming up this week. And I got the axe unfortunately. But all is well. I'll tell the whole story in a minute.

That CD I asked for, I'm actually gonna ask Elder Coffey, my dead trainer for it. He knows exactly what it was cuz I asked to listen to it every day lol. So no sweat on that one.

Ok so transfers:
In a recent letter to President, I expressed my feelings of having a lot left to do here in Albany. The Friday after Thanksgiving I got a personal phone call from President Macdonald. He told me he had read my letter and he disagreed (lol wow, blunt.). He said there are other opportunities for me elsewhere, and my companion needs to be training this transfer, so I'm leaving. I'm very sad to leave Albany because I've come to love it so much, but Brother M told me "Remember 'I will go, I will do' even when its tough". He's right. So I look forward to spending the Holidays with my new friends wherever I'm going. Like I said, I'm sad to go. But as sad as I am, I'm even happier that I was here at all.

So thats my week. Anywho... I hope all is well for you guys. Thanks for all your love and support and for being an awesome sister. Love you!

Letter to Mom November 17, 2008

hey hey-

Its pretty easy to be home and do nothing. [I had told him I finally figured out how he could be home all day and not accomplish anything.] You may have gained an education in said field, but I am a doctor of unaccomplishment. Thats kind of a cool phrase, doctor of unaccomplishment. A neat oxymoron. Anywho, not these days. I'm Dr. Do, lol. I suppose a mission will do that to you.

Your mention of Thanksgiving made me pretty enthusiastic. We have some sweet plans for Thanksgiving. Have I mentioned the M Family in my journal? They're a totally awesome family, like seriously they rock. They're having us over for Thanksgiving AND Christmas! So sweet. I'll definitely be here for TG but transfers are the first week of December so pray for me that I'll survive unaffected so I dont have to celebrate Christmas with strangers. I'm so desperate to stay that I called Bishop H yesterday and asked for a speaking assignment in early December lol. If you could believe that. But its true. As much as I really didn't like Albany when I got here... I LOVE it now. NUTS huh? Oh man... good news

Well, to begin with, Jennie and Raine S. are going to be baptized this coming saturday! Very exciting. Raine gave a brief talk in the primary program in sacrament meeting yesterday. She talked about learning from the missionaries and her desire to join the church. Way cool, made me tear up a little.

Furthermore, there's a couple we've been working with, John and Shawna. They were trying to decide on what church they wanted to settle into with their family, and John mentioned that he was baptized Mormon as a teenager, and he remembers having a really positive experience. Soon thereafter, we showed up. They were presented with an opportunity to buy the house they've been renting and when we prayed with them one night we prayed that they'd have the means to buy. Something worked out in a short space of time after that night. Johns sister recently passed away, and at the funeral the "presiding minister" read from Alma. It turns out there is Church involvement in his family too. Yesterday (Sunday the 16th of November) we went to visit them. They related these experiences to us and went on to say that they had prayed and received an answer. They know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is their new home church. They said its been a long hard road but they've finally found what they've been searching for. When we left their home, I couldn't hold it back any longer: I cried all the way down the street. As Joseph Smith said: "...the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent; till it has penetrated every continent, visited every climb, swept every country, and sounded in every ear..." I couldn't ask for any better than this.
So as you can see... good things, I dare say: miracles, are happening. I'm on top of my money... I love the ward... the work is on fire and life is GOOD.

Oh and the prop 8 fallout hasn't really made its way here. Albany is a fairly conservative town. Eugene may be more of a hotspot though. But all I've heard has been from members.
but anywho... thats my story, morning glory. I'm lovin it out here. And Elder Simpson and I are tearin' it up. Of course I'm not boasting in myself. But I will surely boast in my God. Thanks for everything you do Heida. You rock and I love you!

A Letter to Aunt Danna

Danner-
Hey hi hello. I think I'll shoot you a quick note just to say thank you again. You've helped a LOT. so you rock.
I think your job sounds kinda fun. I used to do that too. Only instead of a computer it was an xbox. And instead of trading I played video games. And instead of making a living I irritated my friends and family. So maybe it wasnt so similar after all, now that I think about it. In fact it wasn't similar at all. The point is... sounds like a cool job.
Anywho... life is good. Even though I've white-washed an area and neither of us have any clue whats going on lol. Ok we have some clue, but little. Life is good though. Thanks for your love and support. Love you tons!

Letter to Mom on September 22, 2008

Heida

I'm in the Takena Ward of Albany, Oregon. Ok wait, funny detail. Elder N. transferred from Takena ward in Albany to High Desert Ward in Bend to be my companion. Then I went from High Desert to Takena. How funny is that?? He had mail in our mailbox when we got here so I forwarded it straight to the High Desert Elders' apartment lol. He was really bitter about leaving Takena, so he'll be kinda miffed to see my handwriting on that envelope.

My new companion is Elder Simpson from Jacksonville Florida. He's totally cool. He and I are a lot alike and we get along very very well. Plus he's a super hard worker so we're getting a lot done. Its good stuff.

Man speaking of cool houses, you should see Albany, its mostly victorian houses. Some havent been kept well at all and are falling apart and all overgrown and stuff, but a lot of them are restored and really cool. Our old ward mission leader's house is a really cool old house that they restored. Its pretty awesome.

Everything is going really well. I'm loving life and workin hard. Thanks for being a great mom. I thought about you last night by the way, we were at an investigators house and they were watching Without a Trace. I was like "Aw... Momma..." lol. But anywho... you rock. You and Dad both. I'm full of love right now lol. Life is good. Dare I say great? I do. Life is great. Love you tons!

Zach with President and Sister Fugal before they left.

Zach with the Heinrich family.

Zach on P-day with the Grows.

Letter to Jen August 7, 2008

I keep forgetting to mention!! TELL me who the sealer is for Jess and Chris! My mission presidents father-in-law is a sealer at that temple!! And my companion lives only a few blocks away from the Tanners! Is that NUTS??? Dont answer, yes it is!

Dude... Did I tell you we went to Brother P's ranch this week and bucked FIFTEEN TONS of hay?? We loaded and unloaded it! So thats handling like 30 tons! It was so nuts. It dang near killed all of us. Plunkett is so cool though, I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Freak, Bishop Tsang, our Bishop fell through on getting me to a copy machine this week. So we're going to get the library key from him today to copy my journal. He always uses huge words. He's not like "Were they nice?" or "Were they friendly?" he asks "Were they very congenial?" lol. Or not "I'll be there soon" its "I will expedite my efforts." lol. He's way cool though. He's a crazy good bishop. He's a retired engineer, and all he does is drive around visiting people and looking for missionary or reactivation opportunities. Dinner at the Tsangs is always fun too. Its always like... a bunch of chinese food, and a bowl of beef stew. Or hot dogs. Like, one American dish on a table FULL of chinese food. Its fun.

Anywho... life is good. I'm happy and healthy. The work is starting to pick up a little too. Maybe thats cuz I have a not-trunky companion. Lol. That does help a lot. But anywho... sorry this was so short. the computers are a pain today (public library, yay). Love you tons!!!

Letter to Mom August 7, 2008

Hey,
I'm glad president Fugal said nice things about me. He called me out in front of the whole mission at the mission conference we had before they left. Sister Fugal was talking about one of her closest friends then related that she was talking about Elder Roberts grandma. Then A minute later President said "Now Elder Roberts, just cuz we know your grandma doesnt mean you'll get away with anything. It means we expect more from you!" it was nuts.

I have indeed had a lot of opportunity to see the Macdonalds. They stopped in on our combined district meeting on their way across Oregon to Eugene. We were the first zone to meet them. I was the first missionary to have met them. I know, way cool. Then we had interviews not much later, then the next week we had a zone conference. I've already gotten very close with them. They say I remind them of one of their sons.

Quick story about that son: In high school he walked around all day with a roll or toilet paper. He took it to all his classes and kept it on his desk. When people asked about it, he just said "you never know. You just never know." lol. So no wonder i remind them of him. They said "he has a very 'unique' sense of humor." I asked "Are you used to it?" and they said yes, and I said "Good we'll do great." lol.

But I spent a ton of time around them at zone conference. Sat with them at lunch and cracked jokes with them. I sat and chatted with Sister Macdonald for like 40 minutes afterwards. I've gotten pretty close with them. President has even given me permission to play a guitar if I come across one. (its otherwise against the rules to even pick one up). So I'm enthusiastic.
Anywho... My finances. I should do alright. But... I'll definitely accept help lol. And I'm a grateful guy. I sent Mary Lloyd a nice thank you letter cuz she sent me some McDonnalds gift certificates. Its funny how much even small things help a ton.

about my new companion, not a trunky one. He's been out like 8 months. Ask dad about other details. Small world.

Everything is good here. Anywho... life's good. I'm happy and healthy. Thank you so much for all your love and support and everything you do. Love you tons!!!

ps-I'll be sure to let you know if I need a little extra help with things. But so far the budget plan is going well... love you!