Here is Travis's latest letter.    Posted by Travis's mom on 11/18/2013

Elder Foster just told me that all of the missionaries have been found in the Philippines! Is that correct? I heard there were 40 missing as of a few days ago, but that they've all been located. I have TONS of people I know from my singles ward and from my MTC roommates that were there. MANY of them. But I heard they were all ok? I've been super worried about all of that. What a blessing that they were all accounted for. That's a mighty miracle that the Lord has wrought. His promise is upon the faithful.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Here is Travis's latest email.  They had transfers on Monday so he did not write that day.  Posted by Travis's Mom.

Dear Family,

As you may have figured, our preparation day was moved because of transfers. Nothing has changed. I am still serving with Elder Foster in Kirkland. I have been here since the end of April, and I'm happy to stay longer!

October 14, 2013  Posted by Travis's Mom

Here is Travis's letter from October 14.  He and his companion are working hard.  Check out what Travis wants to do someday.  It doesn't surprise me at all and I even mentioned to my friend that Travis would love to do this particular thing someday.  Pretty cool! 

I do love and miss my son but I know he is where he is supposed to be, doing what the Lord needs him to do. 

Oct 7, 2013  Posted by Travis's Mom.

 

This letter came the day after General Conference.  It is full of wonderful miracles.  Enjoy! 

Sept 30, 2013  Posted by Travis's Mom. 

Here is a letter from Travis sent on Sep 30, 2013.  This was the week before General Conference.  Check out his favorite experience from the week.  It's great!

Hey Dad! Sounds like an adventure. Miley finally got nailed with skunk. That's the worst. I'm glad we don't have those here, at least in any significant quantity. The raccoons here are huge, though.

                                                 Stake Emergency Preparedness Fair.

                                            
                                                  Elder Foster and Elder Talbot outside their apartment.

September 2, 2013

Hello,

 

So, I wasn't able to email last week because I didn't have time with our temple trip and shopping and all that good stuff. We got to go to Deseret Book before the temple session and I got some good reads.

Here is Elder Talbot's letter from August 5, 2013.  He has been out one year now.  I am so proud of him! 

         Joyce (Travis's mom)

 

 

Hello :)

It was super nice to hear from you today. I'm glad that you enjoyed the package! The soda came from a super sweet store in Redmond where I'd been working the past transfer. I thought you might like the CD :) It was recorded at the chapel, actually. The Firpo's arranged for the recording, and then the Thompson family from another ward had the equipment to do it. It was really fun :) I'm super glad you liked it! I gave them BIG thanks for making that possible and I told them you'd be very happy.

Here is Elder Talbot's letter from July 30th.  I am a little behind in getting these posted.  Enjoy!

 

 

Dear Family:

 

Alright, so here's what's happening in the Washington Seattle Mission. Transfers were today and it was completely ordered insanity. On Sunday night we were informed about which missionaries were to leave the area, and on Monday we later learned about leadership calls (to be trainers, district leaders and zone leaders) that would be extended to any of our missionaries. Elder Kimber and I saw that we would both be staying here in Kirkland with no changes, save that Elder Lutes would go back to Redmond with his new companion.

Here is Elder Talbot's letter from July 22. 

 

 

Dearest Family,

We're heading to the end of another transfer here in Seattle!! Our planners are only 6 weeks long, so we've been cramming new pages into them to accommodate the long transfer that happened to get onto the Seattle schedule. We're sure that Elder Lutes will be leaving us, and pretty confident that either Elder Kimber or I are leaving. More likely it will be him, but we'll see. That's another week from now or so...

Here is Elder Talbot's letter he wrote on July 15. 

 

Dearest Family!!

Hello! We found five new investigators this last week! Two of them are living with less-active English members, and this is a great opportunity to help the whole bunch of them! We found them, and they came to institute class the same day! We taught prayer, using a self analysis sheet included in Preach My Gospel. They learned a lot and will be using that to improve their prayers.

                               HAPPY 20th Birthday, Elder Talbot!!   Beautiful cake!   Perfect to match his talent. 

Here is Travis's letter from July 8.  He is officially part of the Washington Seattle Mission now.  He celebrated his 20th birthday on July 8.  I will attach a picture of him with his cool birthday cake......Thank you for your letters and prayers for him.  ....Posted by Joyce Talbot (Travis's mom)

 

We are undergoing significant changes and alterations as we are assimilated into the Washington Seattle Mission. On Friday, I had the opportunity to sit in a council composed of many respected Elders and Sisters of the mission for our Missionary Leadership Council.

Travis's letter on June 27, 2013

I. LOVE. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. There exists no organization like it anywhere else upon the face of the earth. The brotherhood and potential for good as found within this Church is unrivaled by any other group or structure that has ever been. Our endeavors to stave hunger, treat the sick, and rest the weary are powerful because of the brotherhood and love found herein.

Here's a photo of me with some of the Elders that are just finishing their missions, and some that are still serving. From left to right, Elder Sparks, myself, Elder Annand, Elder Kimber, Elder Marsden, Elder Bolander,

Hello friends and family:

 

I am enjoying missionary service, and learning endurance... still. haha :P

That's just how it is! One of the other companionships in our ward had a baptism last night, and it was very nice. We are conducting a fast, starting tonight, that the wife of one recent convert in our ward will be able to have a change in her schedule to attend church. If she does, she'll be baptized in about 3 weeks! She is in our area, and I am really wanting to baptize someone. Someone here is ready to make a keep covenants.

May 28, 2013

Hello,

I had a super sweet experience on Sunday. Jon Schmidt came and performed for our stake! His son is an Elder here, and is finishing his mission next week. Jon just got done with two sold-out concerts, and then came and performed and taught at this fireside for all the missionaries and our investigators and less-active members, and members who are fellow-shipping them. He played some great songs, and gave context to them by testimony and teaching the Gospel. It was super special! He reminded me of how special this area is, and gave me some words to describe it to you, that perhaps I've neglected to give.

April 29, 2013

 

I do really hope that the family uses the Proclamation; it's such incredible scripture. The words of modern prophets are so great for us to use if people will be humble enough and have sufficient faith to believe that it's possible. We're working every day to use The Book of Mormon with more confidence and wisdom in its application to teaching. There are endless applications for the doctrine that's given within it, and it's portrayed by these wonderful stories and sermons that are easy to understand if given time and attention. Additionally, it's that evidence that the Restoration really occurred.

(Thought I'd add that as I write this email, I'm having to translate everything into English from the Spanish that's floating around in mi brain)

April 22, 2013

 

 

I want to share an awesome experience that happened this week with a new friend of ours. His brother is a member of the church and he has expressed interest in learning more and getting help in his life through a belief in Christ. He wants to strengthen his family and we responded to his concern with a promise that those precious relationships can be saved. 

Hi, this is Travis's Mom.  Here are some pictures that Travis sent to us this week with his comments.  Keep those letters coming.  He loves to hear from his family and friends. 

                                                                           Llama bush - enough said
                                                                     

                                                                              Sunset - a rare event 

                                                 Helped a 5th grade member friend build a model solar system.                                            

 

Missionaries are entitled to seeing things differently than the rest of the world, so a fence post suddenly has great significance to me. The Church is an ensign to the nations, a city on a hill, and a fence post that's not like the rest. It sticks out and gives a brighter hue to the world. Interestingly enough, it appeared to me that this fence post has been... Restored!!!

 

Hi, this is Traivs's mom.  Sorry I haven't posted in a while.  Here is Travis's latest letter from Washington.  He is doing great and really appreciates those who are writing to him.  He would love to hear from all his friends so drop him a card or a line when you have a moment. 

Here are some pictures of Elder Talbot and those he is serving with up in Washington.  I will post some more of his letters soon.  (by Travis's Mom)