P Day September 17 2008

Today we went to the Hancock Building. We went to the 96th floor. (The Hanckock Building has 100 floors but is not the tallest building in Chicago) The elevator ride was really fast, it took like ten seconds. We took a lot of pictures. There was a restaurant/bar we went in and some of the other missionaries in our district were going to order food, however the waitress came over and asked for some ID to make sure were were over 21. We were like WHAT? WHY? Isn't this a restaurant? They said no this is a bar and the restaurant is on the floor below and it is closed. So today I got kick out of a bar, SWEET huh!

We love emails!! Derek's email from Sept. 17.

It's so fun to hear from our missionary. We always look forward to Wednesdays!! Here are parts of his emails.

"This week has been going good. Lots of rain and my feet are starting to feel better. Saturday we went to a baptism and we rode our bikes about seven miles in the rain. It was pouring hard. It was kinda fun though. We were soaked. I felt like we had just been baptised. Good thing we took a change of clothes. I got your package but it is all gone now, it was delicious. Thanks! Spanish is still a little difficult but I think it is coming slowly . I am trying really hard to study really hard for the hour that we have to study the language."

In last week's email Derek mentioned a man that they tracted into and the man asked them to come back. They went back to teach him and here is how it went:

"We went back and taught him about the Book of Mormon but he didn't really want to listen. He said he was tired and didn't really have a lot of time. We gave him a Book of Mormon and asked him to read Alma 42 because he lost his son and his mother recently and that chapter is about-what happens after this life. He told us to call him in a month. I think I will call him in a couple weeks and see if he has read and if he has questions. "

About his new district: "The new district is good. My comp is the only one who is foreign but the others speak as if they were foreign. I can't wait till I can speak like that, hopefully it is sometime soon."

A Week of Up's and Down's

Well, the first of this week we heard from Elder Layton's family (another elder with a Visa problem) that his Visa had come him and he'd be leaving for Peru this week. (Which he did, YEAH). So thinking Derek's might be taken care of we called the travel office to see. They said they had a list of ones that were coming in on Monday and he was not on it. They said they'd have another list on Tuesday and to call back. So we called back on Tuesday and he was on the list of Visa's being delivered that day. We were so excited. We sent Derek an email telling him that it sounded like things were getting worked out and he'd be on his way soon. To that he replied, "Wow! I am excited!! I can't wait, if I weren't in the library I would jump up and scream. Just Kidding." Wednesday we made another call to the travel office to see if the Visa made it there for sure. Well, it didn't. Out of everyone of the "list", Derek's was the only one that did not arrive. How discouraging!! They had to email the people on the Peru end of things and we have not heard. We are trying to be patient but it's getting harder and harder. We had to write Derek another email telling him that we'd spoke too soon and apologized for maybe getting his hopes up. To that he said, "That's ok, you don't need to be sorry. I am enjoying myself here for the most part and I know this is where the Lord needs me at this time. So you don't need to be sorry. I still love you a ton. You might have to send me a couple big bags of M&M's but it's okay. Love you" We're so glad Derek has more patience and understanding than us!! Please keep him in your prayers.

Derek's Email-September 10

"We are in a new area and we don't have any investigators so we do alot of contacting on the street and knocking on doors all day. But it is a good experience trying to talk to everyone. The President wants us to run every morning for 20 minutes, but I am really slow and don't like running. But that's okay, I need to learn to run from the dogs that want to eat me."

"Yesterday we were contacting and knocking on doors. At about 8:15 p.m we knocked a door and the guy answered and said," I am sorry, I don't have time right now. But I am glad you guys came here because I am going through some hard times in my life. So Saturday we are going back to teach him. I am really excited. Also, yesterday was the first time I got doors slammed in my face. It was kind of exciting. Other than that we have just been knocking doors and street contacting, giving people cards. We did teach a lesson yesterday at church. It went pretty good I thought, even though I did not understand a whole lot."

Transfer to Spanish Speaking Area

As mentioned in one of the previous posts, Derek was transferred to a Spanish-Speaking area on September 3rd. Here are some of the things he has written to us about in his letter from Sept 5.
"Wednesday was transfers like I told you in my email. I have been put in a Spanish area with a companion from El Salvador. Se llama Elder Mejia. We have bikes and so Wednesday we had to go to the store and get groceries and bring them back on the bike. It was hard but we made it. All of the food made it too.

Derek with his mission president and his wife, and his new companion.

Thursday was hard, it was raining all day and it was raining pretty hard. Yes we did go tracting. We had to ride our bikes for about half an hour in the rain to get to a meeting we had at the church. At the end of the day I was getting a headache because all of the Spanish I was trying to understand. It will come, alot of people have been telling me that it was hard for them too. So I will trust, be patient, and try my hardest to understand.

Derek's First Week in the Field

We received a letter from Derek with lots of details of his first week out in the field. This took place before his transfer. Here is some of his letter dated Sept 5.

"First I will tell you about Elder Williams. He is from Idaho, a small town I can’t remember. He has four other Siblings. The first day of tracting was good. It was funny cause we would knock on the door, someone would come to the door and Elder Williams would start in English, then the people would interrupt and say "I only know a little English". I took over and tried to speak in Spanish. I think I did pretty good, but the funny part was that Elder Williams would start talking in English again and they understood pretty good. But I enjoyed it because I got to use my Spanish. I think I told you for the first week they put me in an English speaking area, but I think I spoke more Spanish than English when we were contacting."

In this letter Derek also gave us a run down of what he did each day, here it is:

"Friday August 29 We just went tracting all day and set up a few appointments for the next day and got referrals for the elders that speak better Spanish than me. I went on exchanges with Elder Hudson who speaks Spanish and that was the day I learned that I don't know a whole lot of Spanish. WOW It just went flying over my head. I understood a little but I was confused all day.
Sunday was my first Sunday out in the field and guess what? I had to give a five minute talk on missionary work.
Monday we went tracting and had a meeting with the district. There were eight of us I think in the district.

Tuesday we got a call and they said we were being transferred, so pack and get ready to move. So Tuesday we spent packing and cleaning the apartment and the car."

Transfer Day!!

We got an email from Derek today. Sounds like he didn't have a whole lot of time. We'll look forward to that letter he promised!
"Hey! I don’t have a lot of time, I will be sending a letter home tonight telling of some great experiences I have had and lots of other good stuff. Today was transfers and it has been kind of hectic because I have been moved to a different area and have a new comp that is from El Salvador. He speaks a little English but not a whole lot. I have learned today that I really don’t know a whole lot of Spanish. Oh well, this will be a good experience-I hope."

Letter From Mission President September 2, 2008

Derek with Mission President and Sister William H. Stoddard

Here are a few excerpts from the letter that we received:
"This is to inform you that your son arrived safely in the Illinois Chicago North Mission. We hope you enjoy the enclosed picture that was taken during a meeting with your son and his trainer companion who is Elder Brian Joseph Williams. They will be serving in the Gurnee 2 area of Illinois."

"Please write to him each week and encourage him to be diligent. We suggest that all your letters be positive, upbeat and spiritual."

Derek's Address is Illinois Chicago North Mission
3295 North Arlington heights Road Ste 108
Arlington Heights IL 60004

"The motto for our mission is "I will go and do" or in Spanish "Iye' y hare." (What a coincidence, that is what we used at the top of this page without knowing) This comes from 1 Nephi 3:7 and describes a perfect combination of faith and obedience that we, as missionaries in the Illinois Chicago North Mission, hope to emulate. As your son comes to realize the importance of this great work through his dedication and service, we know that the time spent here and the experiences that he has will be a great blessing for him and will make a difference in his life for years to come."
Signed by President William H. Stoddard

1st Letter from Chicago!!! Yeah!

We got our first email from Derek in Chicago. I was going to pick out bits and pieces but I thought it's be fun for you all to be able to read the whole thing. He sounds like he's doing good and excited to be out in the field. Here it is:

"Hola from Chicago. Everything went great yesterday. We got here in Chicago about 12 p.m. and the APs picked us up and we went to the mission home. We met the president and his wife and talked and had lunch-a deep dish Chicago style pizza mmmmmmmmmm. It was really good. We then left the mission home after they put a part in my hair and took pictures. I am serving in a ward that is called the Gurnee 2nd ward. Last night we went to a members home and had spaghetti; it was good. We spent a little time there and shared a message. I shared 1st Nephi 21 14-16 that says that Christ will never forget us. My companion's name is Elder Williams. He is a cool elder, he is funny. He has only been out for a few months longer than me so we are both learning together. Right now they have me serving in an English speaking area but next week at transfers they will put me in a Spanish area, it sound like. Today they have given me some time to write you and to do some p-day stuff. But when we are done here we are going to go tracting for a while, meet some of the members, and then we have a few teaching appointments tonight, I am soooo excited, I cant wait. I hope everything there is going good there. If you send letters the best way to send them is to the mission office. I think you said you have that address, and then they will forward it to me where ever I am. I love you guys! Hope you guys are doing good. LOVE Elder Hyde. Hasta luego"

Derek's Been REASSIGNED!!

We got a call from Derek on August 22 (Last Friday). He said that he has been reassigned. Hopefully it's just for 2 weeks or so until his Visa arrives. He will serve for a few weeks in the Chicago North Mission!!! He is the only one of the Peru missionaries that will go to Chicago. He left Yesterday (August 27). Sounds like there was a senior missionary who had to bring a missionary here to Salt Lake and then he was flying back with Derek. We hope that this will be neat experience for Derek. It's easy for us sometimes to feel disappointed for him, but he will get to say he served his mission in two different parts of the world, how cool!

Delayed, Delayed, and Delayed Some More

As most of you know, there has been issues with Derek's visa getting to him. What we've been told is that Peru changed Presidents and documentation requirements for the visa's also changed. He submitted his paperwork after the requirements where changed, but before anyone was notified. We've heard several different numbers but we think he is about one of 8 missionaries having this issue. All other missionaries going to Peru left after their 3rd week in the Provo MTC. For us (his family) it has been disappointing and frustrating at times. Luckily, I think Derek has the "I will go, I will do" attitude. He seems to be able to go with the flow. Here are a pieces of his letters that talks about the delays.
July 9, 2008
"Next Wednesday we fly out, YEAH. Friday we got our flight plan. We fly out the 16th at 1:10 we go to Dallas. Leave Dallas at 6:50 to Miami, leave Miami at 11:45 p.m. and get to Peru at 4:15 in the morning. That is a lot of flying but I do get to call home I am sure. There are 9 of us flying to Peru that day."
July 16, 2008
"I don't know if you got my message on the phone Monday, I will try and call you again today. My visa is delayed so hopefully it will come and I will leave next week."
July 23, 2008
"Sorry to get your hopes up, this morning we went to the temple, and so we didn't do emails this morning. I am still here in Provo, our visas haven't come yet.. . . I am a little bummed that I am not gone yet but I am enjoying myself, I am just ready to be in Peru."
July 30, 2008
"I guess the reason we were delayed was there was a document problem or something and last Friday they got it taken care of so hopefully some time soon they will send us out. I think I will be in the CCM in Peru for the remainder of the 9 weeks."
August 20, 2008
"The temple was excellent like always, today was the last time that I will be able to go with my district. They are leaving me next week. Some are leaving Monday and some are leaving on Wednesday. They are way excited. I have not really heard a lot about my visa. I am just waiting to hear. I know that you want me to go there everyday but I don't really see the point. Sorry. Most the time we just get the same answer that we will see on the 28th."

Playing Catch Up

Hi everyone! We're tying to play catch up with Derek's Blog. We started a little late and so we're going to try and catch you up on Derek's MTC experience by taking bits and pieces of his letters from the MTC. The direct quotes from his letters will be in italics. Enjoy!

June 26, 2008 (Second day in MTC)

"We have learned a lot of Spanish but it is really hard to retain a lot. It is like trying to drink out of a fire hose that is turned on all the way. Good analogy, huh?"

July 23, 2008

"Today I got my hair cut. She asked me if short was okay and I said ya. I just didn't know short meant SHORT. It's not bad but it is shorter than it's been in a long time. Nobody cuts hair like you Mom."

August 13, 2008

"This morning we went to the temple and went through a session. It is always good to start out the day at the temple."

"It is really fun singing in Spanish, but it is kinda wierd too. I bought a childrens song book so I could sing along with my IPOD. I really like to sing, I don't know why. We go to choir every week, I really enjoy myself."

Here is the rest of Derek's MTC pictures:

(You can click on the window to see the pics bigger)

Missionaries Still Know How to Have Fun!!

Missionary work is important and serious business, but BOYS WILL BE BOYS!! Here are some pictures to prove it!!

This is one of Derek's fellow missionaries, Elder Jumper climbing the wall.

Derek explained this picture and "The Power" that comes with missionary work!

SLAM DUNK!!

New Companion--Elder Miller June 30, 2008

Derek and his new companion, Elder Miller from Texas. Elder Miller will be serving in California speaking spanish.

First Day and Letter from MTC June 25, 2008

Hola Familia,

Everything here is great. The food was good. Everybody is really friendly. Mom, guess who my companion is......it's Elder Bewsey! Cool huh. Today we met our district and our branch. Our branch presisdent seems like he will be funny and a good leader. My roommates are Elder Sweet and Elder Morton. I saw Aaron Mattson from our stake today, that was cool.

I love you guys, Elder Hyde