Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Mother's Day

         It was so wonderful to talk to Jacob for Mother's Day.  Unlike Kaber and Christopher, he only had exactly one hour.  He was great.  Every one got to talk to him for a minute but we never got past that- intense it is so great to hear you voice stage- to really just talking.  He was so conscientious about the time he was winding up with 4 minutes left and I told him I get all 60 minutes, not 56.  He does live right on the coast.  He said that the New Englanders don't really want to hear the gospel but his is in an area that has lots of navy folks from all over so they have some success.  His area has a population of about 50,000 people but their branch/ward only has 150 people.  He stressed over and over that it is so different from Orderville and he was so glad he was raised in the gospel and in a small town.  Before he got off the phone we got to have family prayer together.  It was great.  I got to talk to him for the longest.  I had about 30 minutes and the rest of the family shared the other 30 minutes. It was the best Mother's Day present.  I was a little sad that his president is against Skype or Facetime.  He sounded great though.  I can't wait until Christmas.  

Sunday, May 13, 2012

First Letter From Maine

I finally got a letter from Jacob in Maine.  He sounds good but a little homesick.  It sounds like his mission president is wonderful.  Here is his letter.

Hi Family, 
Everything is ok. I am in a good place on the border of Maine and New Hampshire, in a town called Kittery.  I am sorry I cant write as much as my trainer is really particular about that one rule.  He is a good man though.  His brother died of cancer and he just stayed out here.  I am learning to like it here.  I am right on the coast.  We have to drive across a big bridge to get to town.  I will try to send you some pics but I don't know how that will work.  Just because I can only write to you once a week doesn't mean I love you any less or that you cant write to me every day. Please continue to send me letters about anything and everything.  Your letters are what keep me going.  They are my foundation of all that I am trying to share.  It helps to get reminded of how great the church is for families.  I love you so much.  I just got your package.  It is wonderful how much all of you love me.  My first couple of hours here were super sad.  I missed you so bad I needed some help.  Then I had my interview with President Wilkey.  He knows Mr. Wood and Ferril Heaton.  It was so weird.  He knows all about Orderville so that helped already.  But then he had me pray and I almost started bawling.  So President Wilkey is a great man. He said that by the way I prayed it said a lot about me.  He then had me turn to D&C 31.  He said change the name to Jacob and read it.  I have done that lots of times but this time it hit me so hard I gasped out loud.  My Saviour Jesus Christ was speaking to me right them.  President Wilkey promised me that my family will be blessed because of my service.  Going on a mission is the best thing I could do for you.  He said that promise was from the Savior as if he was in the room talking to me himself.  When he said those words I say Jesus Christ our Lord. He testified of the truth of President Wilkey's words.  St I know all my family will be ok.  Now I can tell you with conviction that I know that my Redeemer lives and cares about each and every one of us.  All I need to do is tell everyone that and I will have a good mission.  
Love Elder Esplin. 


Man, when I read this letter I was crying myself before I got finished.  He sounds like he is doing good.  Now I am just waiting for him to phone.  He will call on Mother's Day at 5:00 pm.  I can't waitl  

MTC Letters


Jacob wrote so many letters from the MTC,  He was so very home sick but he got over it very quickly.  I got the most wonderful letters from two missionaries that were in his MTC district. I included some pictures of his letters because I don't want to transcribe them.  He is so funny.  I know he will get over the homesickness soon.  I sure love getting his letters though. 

One thing he did write was:  "Tell Heidi that I probably cant write very much because I am have so much work to do. Tell her I love her and her letters.  The same with Aunt Julie and Jeanette.   Tell them how much their letters help me through the day." 
Thank you for writing to him.  He loves it and love you.   










Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Kittery, Maine

Jacob's first area is Kittery, Maine.  He flew out on April 30.  He was able to call us from the air port. He called at about 7:00 am.  We were in the midst of morning chaos.   He was using quarters and did not have enough so I almost did not get to talk to him at all but then he borrowed a quarter from his companion so I was able to talk to him for 1 minute.  He talked to Dad for about 5 minutes then about 30 seconds to 2 minutes for Christopher, Isaac, Zachary, Rebekah and Kaitlyn.  When it was finally  my turn I talked for one minute and it hung up.  When I was done I burst into tears.  I had to wait a while before I could finish putting on my make up.

I called his mission office on Tuesday morning because I wanted to mail some letters to him.  The office secretary was so nice.  She told me what a wonderful son I had and gave me his address and told me it was a great area.  I can't wait to hear from him directly.  I did find out what Amy had told me.  There is another Elder Esplin in the Manchester, New Hampshire mission.  He is from southern Utah too.  I am sure they are related.

It is only a week and a half until he can call for Mother's Day.  That is going to be my day.  I will get to talk to him first and the longest.  I can hardly wait.
Here is the nice letter that the mission sent me.

NEW HAMPSHIRE MANCHESTER MISSION

2 Bedford Farms Drive Suite #208
Bedford, New Hampshire 03110-6525
Office Phone: (603) 471-3285

May 2, 2012

Richard and Susan Esplin
360 West State Street
Orderville, UT 84758

Dear Brother and Sister Esplin,

It is a pleasure to report that your missionary son, Elder Jacob Scott Esplin, has arrived safely in the New
Hampshire Manchester Mission. Although he was tired due to a full day of travel, he is in fine spirits. I
have interviewed him and found him ready and willing to serve the Lord.

We have prayerfully selected a companion to serve as a trainer for your son. Only the finest young men
are selected for this vital assignment. His apartment address and companion are listed below:


His Trainer and companion:
Elder Devin Matthew Hatc


Apartment address:
Elder Jacob Scott Esplin
5 A Commercial Street
Kittery, ME 03904

We know you join with us in desiring that Elder Esplin be a successful and devoted missionary. Your
weekly letters of encouragement and love are essential elements in his development. You may write
directly to his personal address or you may send letters to the mission office address that is printed
above, and they will be forwarded. Please write his first as well as his last name on the envelope
especially since we have two Elder Esplins in the mission. You may also communicate with your
missionary through the church e-mail service only. Our missionaries are allowed to send and receive e-
mails to and from immediate family only on Mondays, their preparation day.

If you wish to send packages, please be advised that the best way to handle those that you are mailing
to the mission office is First Class, Priority, or Express Mail through the US Postal Service. UPS, &
Fed-X, or other carriers will not forward packages without additional postage. In case of an emergency,
your missionary can be reached by telephone through the Mission Office or the Mission Home. Sister
Wilkey and I take seriously our responsibility to watch over and take care of our missionaries.

We thank you for the opportunity to share this marvelous time with your son. We rejoice in the great
blessings that will come to many wonderful people here in northern New England because of Elder
Esplin’s devotion to the work of the Lord.

With Best Regards,

David L. Wilkey
President, New Hampshire Manchester Mission