Letter home of September 10, 2012

Ok family! Elder Smith (his companion)..he is a great guy. When he gets excited his voice goes up about 5 octaves. So laughs are fun to listen to. He isn't scared to tell anyone about the church. There have been times when we have just started talking to people and he asks them real fast if we can say a prayer for them. They kinda say "whaaaa?" And then he just starts praying. Sometimes it even catches me off guard! In general is is...I don't know how to describe it. He paces when something is on his mind. He gets all flustered with himself all the time. Driving is scary with him. He's been here 6 weeks already, but it's almost like he has no sense of direction. Like I have to tell him to turn right instead of left at the same intersection next to our apartment or sometimes he'll get in the left turn lane and realize he needs to go right, and then we'll just turn right across 3 lanes. Skitzophrenic! I know that's not how you spell it, but I think that's how you would describe him. Great guy though! Loves to do most of the talking. So. Simi. Simi is pretty small; only like 100,000 people. some parts are filthy rich. Other parts are filthy poor. Millionares to people living on food stamps across the street. It's about 90 degrees in the afternoon and a little humid. So unfortunately it's kind of hot. Anyways, how are things in Tucson? Is the weather cooling off? With how much time I have to write and read emails on Monday, it would be nice if you could write me a letter earlier in the week I could read. Well, actually you decide what's best. An empty mailbox is sad though! :-( Love you guys!~ Elder Jared Huss (I'll try and email you guys pictures next week!)

Elder Huss's letter of August 28, 2012

Dear Home, ...I got a haircut today, and boy was it a haircut. The lady asked me how I wanted it cut, so I told her 3/4" length would be perfect. Well, I have 3/4" hair on the top of my head, but my sides are shaved down to practically nothing. I'll be glad when I start cutting my own hair (he took clippers so he could do his own hair and his companion's...!). I forgot to mention that everyone here is getting sick, and I got it pretty bad this past week. It finally got so bad that I had to see the doctor, and by 5:30 on Thursday I got so bad that I just basically had to go to bed and didn't get up until the next day. I'm doing better now though! Still a little sick, but hope I"ll be recovered by Monday. (He mentions forgetting to take some Sudafed and requests that I send him more Emergen-C as several guys have been taking it along with him...that's one of my "mommy" things, is encouraging my kids to load up on Emergen-C if they feel "sick" coming on...I can't quite get them to take ENOUGH! :-) ..Laundry here is a nightmare. That's where I am at right now. Is it still raining alot? Are the dogs and kitties doing ok? How is the greenhouse going? How's the ward? Do you guys have any plans for Phil's and Daddy's birthdays? Tell them I say Happy Birthday... Well, I'm gonna go now. Let me know what you would like to know about in future letters. ~Elder Huss P.S. - We just got back from the temple. It feels like I"m home when I'm there (I love that - there is no place on earth closer to home - our real home - than the temple! :-) and I'm going to miss not having a temple to go to for the next 2 years. ...Please tell Brother St. Laurent congratulations for me and that I SO wish I could be at his baptism - be there for me! (we were!)

Elder Huss is on his way to California!

We got a phone call from Elder Huss this morning! He is at the airport in Salt Lake, waiting with a group of 13 elders to fly out to Santa Barbara. It was so great to hear from him, and hear his voice. He is so happy - so happy to be on his way to serve, to be a missionary, and to get to work. He is feeling grateful for and realizing the ways he had been prepared to serve as a missionary, in more ways than he had even realized - the time to study scriptures intensely at the MTC has been a huge blessing as well. (I think of the many times I take that privilege and responsibility too lightly, and neglect or forget my own scripture study - which is so so stupid, when it is such a powerful tool for us!) Anyway, he is doing well, and excited to be undertaking this next phase of his life and his missionary adventure! Will keep you posted with further letters etc.!