Last Email from the Mission

Hey mom, dad and Gma!!!

I'm exited to have just ONE day left!! Though, i admit, it really hasn't hit me yet that i'm actually going home right now...lol! That'll probly happen sometime tomorow when i'm not being paired up with another elder to go somewhere else! But other than that, i've been getting along really well.

Yea, that was an interesting letter from Scott! Very different! But in a good way. It really helps to hear returned missionaries perspective on coming home and fitting in! i think i'll be able to shift pretty easily, though. I just hope thta i dont get jet-lag!

Yup! I've been able to focus on what I have to do and at Sacrament we had another missionary's farewell at church. he's heading to the las vegas, west mission.

yup! i got the recommend you sent me all right!

Cool, thanks for the phone codes, dad!! i just personalized it! It's wroking well so far for checking out church stuff!

Yay!! it's been raining/threatening to rain all week! it's trying to acclamate me back to home!!! lol!

Wow! Alrighty! Tell Auntie Rockie thanks for the $$!! I'll probly save it for emergencies, though i do need to send a couple of more packages home today!!

Cool, good that you asked Bro. Tolman what the theme was for the sacrament meeting next week, now i can start working on something for my talk on Sunday with the theme you gave me of "example"! I'll probly do something along the lines of Christ and how he was the perfect example, how i've been trying to be one, etc...

Cool! I'm excited to learn more about the Mormon Media Initiative and i'm looking forward to setting up my profile on mormon.org when i get home!

Thanks for sending me Sunny's phone number!! Hehe, yea, I remember when Sunny and I used to talk on the bus going to New market. I'm the most grateful for knowing he joined the church, probly more than most of my converts out here!

WOW! SWEET!!! Nice to hear all of the new Elders sustained in the Lacey Stake Conference that I know.

Hehehe, so pres. Moss doesn't want me to wait for pres. coppin to come home and release me off my mission? lame!

That's nice to hear you got surprised with a plack from the Oak Harbor Senior Center! It's great to be recognized, but better when you aren't doing service for that reason and it happens anyway! You do so much good! I'm glad for their recognition of my wonderful mother!!

Hmmm...that's too bad...Kyle had to be hospitalized--I hope that he can get feeling better soon!

Already done!!! I got a photo of the new Mission President at the "meet the pres" thing we had after he got here in July!

Hehe, you still can email me on Sunday nights even if I'm not on my mission! lol!Love Ya!!!!

See you on Thurs!1!!

Elder Mulks

Let the Count Down Begin!

Hey Mom, Dad and Gma!

things are great, albeit slow. But it's good. weather's been good. though, i swear that it's trying to acclimate me back to home! lol!

Yea I got the phone and was able to check out the gospel apps with my comp. The gospel library is SWEET!!! I love having it all at my finger tips! I think you'd have a lot of fun. it'd definitly be easyer on your eyes, seeing as how you can make the text as big or small as you want! Listen to dad and get yourself one mom! thank you dad!!!

Really? wow! That's great! That makes me happy to hear that Johan and Byron stopped by to see you and check on my return! I'm looking forward to getting back together with them!

What!!!??!?!!!?!?! That's so not the james i remember! i'm gonna love to talk with him! see how each of us has changed! Good for him!!!! (James is Billy's best friend and I saw him on a fb post giving a speech at a city council meeting in Olympia)

Cool! I'll be sure to give Sunny that encouragement when I see him! he'll love going on a mission! It's great how the church has ways of helping those that dont have the resources to go on missions.

Hehe, everyone's just super trunky for me! lol! (told Billy of excitement mounting for his return home)

Yea, that's the last thing we need! No sick mommy at my homecomming! She needs to be all well! hehehe! Yup, lots to do in the coming months!

I dont know him, sorry. But it's good to hear about Chris waiting for his mission call! (recently returned missionary we sat at Stake Conference)

That's really cool who you got to listen to at your stake conference! We went to the CES fireside last night, and were the only ones there! Elder Oaks talking about truth and tolerance and their interrelation. It was awesome!!

Yea, i cant believe it's been 10 years since 9/11! crazy how time flies!

Lots of stuff is going through my mind for the next week and a half! Where i'm going to apply for work/school, whats all new at home, When i'll be getting together with my friends to exchange stories, what my homecomming talk will be on, etc... Just excited to get to work. Elder Stuki and I are doing well, no fighting, so that's good!

Sweet! Cell phones ready for my homecoming and I'll be looking for you in the baggage claim area unless you can get closer!

I need you to send my temple reccomend back to me! i accidentally sent it home. it's in that card holder-thingy. i'll need it for my exit interview.

You asked how I'm feeling--Tired and exausted. but fired up!

Lol, that crazy cat making my room hers now!!

Alrighty,

Love Ya!!!!

Elder Mulks

Getting down to the wire...

Hey Mom, Dad and Gma!!

Things are going well so far! We've been doing lots of working and having some success, not nearly what we would want, but any success is good!

Hehe! Yea. Tell dad Thank you for all he is doing to make my homecoming special!!!

Sweet! Go conf! (dad got tickets for our family to attend General Conference in October)

It's raining harder now than it did when the hurricane was supposed to come through! lol

Cool, i'll be on the lookout for the new phone you send! Yea, stupid labor day - couldn't email! lol, cool that dad is setting up stuff on my phone! it doesnt surprise me that dad is checking it out because he loves messing around with new stuff! just like me!

Nice to hear about you going to see my aunties and cousins in Oak Harbor and Mt. Vernon! Bet that was fun! OOoooo! Sounds tasty! we have a great thai restaurant here in lynchburg. (Oak Harbor has a new Thai restaurant but we weren't able to go there as it was closed on Tuesday)

Beth's back to legos! Sweet! i still love legos. someday, i'm gonna get that deathstar of star destroyer and build it! I know JUST how that feels to burn your fingers from chopping peppers (Auntie Schell). But mine flared up the next morning! (back when i was in martinsville). Nice Chivaun has a boyfriend and received the Book of Mormon!

That's good to hear that Lillie and the little ones are doing well in Mt. Vernon with the move--I'm glad Lillian enjoyed the glasses. SWEET! i love having a packed day--so anxious to see all the fam - fun to celebrate Marek's bd. it'll be wierd to have so much free time for a bit.

Hehe, sleep is good! You got tuckered after all your visits!

Good that dad was able to encourage Kyle to come back to church and see his Bishop! i know that church does so much good and helps to get through the week so MUCH!

Cool! you'll enjoy it for sure! Institute classes for mom to study the Book of Mormon.

Yea, i'm thankful to have such loving family who have supported me on my mission through $$, prayers, etc.! i nkow they will and have been blessed!

Summer! lol, right at the end of the season!

Thanks! I'll need it!--help and support with adjustments for the next part of life's journey after the mission!

Alrighty! Thats about it!!

thanks!!
Love ya!!
ELder Mulks

Earthquakes and Hurricanes in the East!

Hey, Mom/Dad/Gma!!!

Things are great over here. No trouble from the hurricane or earthquake. Things are really slow right now, though we have a few good potentials and a solid refferal.

Not too much rain even. just a little windy and drizzly.

Sweet!! Thanks for getting me a phone! I saw that. I think it looks like an iphone! seeing as i now have an apple account. lolz, i get my mail forwarded to my ldsmail, so i saw the verification notice from verizon just now! I sure will do that (pay monthly charges when I get a job)!! how about sending the phone off on the 7th? so it can have at least a week to get here(if it's slow). Thanks again!!!!!!!!!

I love you!!!! and not just because you got me a phone! i love you regardless!!!!!!

Yea - I got Auntie Moo's "click" tie!! It was crazy! Another missionary liked it so much and wanted it, so i traded him it. he LOVES it!! thanks for the $ too!! That'll be good for a couple lunches!

Cool! I remember doing a report on Uncle Austin being shot down as a paratrooper in the Battle of the Bulge, WWII in school so long ago!

Sweet!! That'll do me good to have something to do during layover with the new phone.

LOL! That's hilarious about you announcing my homecoming in RS!!

that's good Ruby has a computer now! LoL, It'll just take a little time for her to get used to it.

Hehe, warm below the 80's??? lol Gma is getting climatized to WA!

I have a great new recipie for salsa that i'll show you when i get back!

Lol. no, I haven't been to oak harbor for a while! (regarding mom not being in Oak Harbor for awhile)

Yup!, hopefully Elder Young will still be serving in Lacey when I return! yea, that would be great if you could let my friends know about the open house!

Good to hear Gma is getting her strength back! Hopefully Gma will keep getting better.

I'm feeling alright. Yea, we'll be in the mission home the 21st and fly out the 22nd.

No idea, i'll find out when i find out! lol (I asked Billy what kind of counseling for coming home he might get)

I think i'm good for now! I'll be sure to let you know though!!!

Love Ya!!!!!
Elder Mulks

Last Click!

Hey mom, dad and Gma!!!

Things are going well! We're working hard and trying to make the most of this last transffer. So far it's been pretty slow, though.

HEhe!!! That's great Auntie Moo got a last click tie for you to send me! Tell her thanks for me!!

The weather has been tolerable these past few weeks.

Lol! OK, I won't tell anyone dad is growing grass! You'd be surprised what people do out here to grow grass!

I bet your dinner at the Ram was pricey but good!

Mmmm..Gma took you to dinner at Olive Garden!

Wow! Cool! Sorry to miss Cameron's farewell and open house to Sao Paulo Brazil mission. Tell him good luck for me!!

Dad re-painted the deck?? Again?? That sounds good about your plans to have an open house so I can see family and friends.

Sweet! That'll be cool! I'm happy with any homecoming plans you make for me.

Heh, yea, james e-mailed me and was all,'I have some questions about WV and stuff for when you get back!' Lol!

Yea, i got the itinerary. I don't know what i'm gonna do for that 3 hr layover in Detroit! goodness!

Hmmm...yea, hopefully we can get ben feeling ok. It will be nice to catch up with him.

Cool! Service is always good! And i know they appriciate you bringing dinner to them!

Wow, that's sad to hear. I hope Ruby can get through the sorrow she feels! I'll be praying for her!

You know it! Listening to the spirit of the Holy Ghost and being obedient is totally important to a missionary.

Everything is going well. That's about it!

Love YA!!!

Elder Mulks

All is Well

Hey Mom, Dad and Gma!!

Things are going well. We have been working hard these past few days and have gotten lots of copies of the BoM out there. The weather has been okay, a little warm and rainy but okay.

hehe! Yea, the p-day before transffers was crazy busy. Glad I was able to get a message out to you last Wednesday though!

elder h. had been here for 18 weeks. E. S. is ok. he's from st george, UT. Don't know if he's related to any S's in the Lacey Stake.

Yea, Elder H. got some of the sour raisons - really liked them. Cool that you got my two boxes! i might send out another package or 2 before i get back, so THANK YOU for putting $$ on my account!!!!

That's good to hear that Gma is better and able to go out to dinner with you and dad! where'd ya go for dinner? somewhere in town?

Let dad know that I've been sleeping well. always tired when i get up, but i'm doing well. Sent home the magboys because they were not helping too much anymore.

Yea, i know you don't want to distract me, but it's good to know of some of the homecoming plans. it's just one of those things that you don't want to leave, but you know you have to. And at the same time you are ready to be done, but you know that you still have a few months left.

Sweet that dad got conference tickets! The plans you told me about sounds good so far. Hill AFB sound good to me - that was a cool place to stay! Almost 2 years when we head home from Utah after conference. It was the 6th of October when I entered the mission field from the MTC.

That's fine. i'll wait for Pres. Coppin to be home to release me from my mission.

Wow! That's cool! It's a small world. Nana's best friend lived in the same city, Townsend, MT, where a friend of mine is serving her mission.

All is well for now!!

That's about all thats been going on!

Love YA!!!

Elder Mulks

Summertime!

Hey mom!!

Sorry I'm late! Yesterday wsa crazy what with P-day and all before transfers. Elder H. is leaving and i'm getting an elder stuki.

*yea, wow! amost halfway through august already!!!

*Thanks! We need the prayers for our investigators!

*So far we've been doing pretty good with the weather. not too bad.

*Sickness SUCKS!! Tell Gma to get better and that she is always in my prayers!

*Wow!!! Thats crazy about the accident the Knoxville, TN missionaries were in!!! hehe, pres McKee! Thats pretty cool too. I don't know if he is related to my former companion-- mabey!

*Hehe, i found that out about the Lacey 3 Ward not having current missionaries listed while exploreing lds.org and just wanted to let you know! we have mormon.org and lds.org study during the week.

*Yea, i got your goodie package on monday! Yum Yum!!! thank you!!!! Hô-tun.

*Sweet! I love having correct theories! Thanks for sharing your info on the Holy Ghost from the Prophet Joseph Smith that you were studying.

*Wow, that's pretty cool how the Spirit affects all our senses. So the more that the spirit is in out lives, the more enjoyment we get out of the things around us. Cool!

*hehe, if all members were as exited to learn and read what we have been given as you are, we'd get more people interested to learn! How cool would that be?!

*Just some head cold type of thing I had, it's all but passed now.

*Hahahaha! Just a little bit. lol (mentioned we need to get Billy's room cleaned up so he has a path to the bed)

*Cool! I look forward to meeting them! (at least one of them) (our current ward missionaries)

*Cool, i hope Ben enjoys getting to teach the Japanese Xchange students!

*Yea, Zone Conference is in a couple of weeks. so i'll give Sister Pitt one of the gifts you sent then!

I'm exited to be gettign near the end of my mission but also more than a bit distraught as well...stupid bitter-sweet time!! :P

Love ya,

Elder Mulks

August 1, 2011 - 52 Days left! (Who's counting?)!!!

Hey Mom, Dad and Gma!!!!

Things are going great! We've been leading our district in book of mormon loans! SO we can't complain about that! We have also gotten a good number of solid follow-ups too!! So we're staying busy!

Got a couple of new investigators out of those Book of Mormon loans!

The weather has been a lot better, comparitively. IT's only been in the high 80's Plus we had a solid rainstorm yesterday.

Wow! long time! Well, that sounds like it's at least getting better. Keeping Gma in my prayers! (Billy's Grandma was in the hospital with diverticulitis last week)

That's good, too! That's easyer to fix than depression! (we thought a friend had stayed home from church because she was depressed - was low blood sugar)

Lol! me and another one of my companions had speculated about that earlyer in my mission! we came to the conclusion that, since every one of god's children have to have bodies, the Holy Ghost someday will, too. That's just doctrine according to elder Mulks and elder B.

Cool! Hope he gets back safe! (a missionary from Lacey going home to Missouri this week)

Eeeewww, zucchini...lol (growing in our garden - Billy doesn't like it!)

Yea, that place was cool! - The water park in downtown Olympia

I've been feeling semi-icky. was down for about a day and a half, but nothing serious. but i've been having massive headaches lately. i really thing it's time for new glasses when i get home. I've also been noticing a difficulty focusing on printed words at a distance, like if i'm reading the menu at subway.

Yea! I would love your home made thank you cards to give out before I come home. That'd be great! Your next package you send - More of those crazy rasins! Mabey some clear packaging tape?

Thank you!!!

Love YA!!!

ELder Mulks

Two Months! July 25, 2011

Hey mom, dad and gma!

Things are going great! we had a crazy week!!! loaned a load of copies of the book of mormon. about 23. Got a ton of folow ups!! so we have a lot of work to do this next week.

YEa, now it's just CRAZY HOT!!!! It's been, on average, 105F with the humidity. Sweet!! I'm so looking forward to having no heat!!!!!!!!!!

Cool! (referring to a Brandon/Reina's wedding/reception I catered and did the cake for on Saturday)

Wow! lol!!! THat's hilarious!! That's alot of food leftover!!! wow!! (Brandon's brother Christopher had a white tie with a ton of colorful jewels he had put on himself) (prepared too much food and leftovers went home with the Hensley family)

Yay!!!! i guess i'll be helping out with a bunch of stuff when i get home! lol. help momma out! (told Billy of all that dad did for me hauling/shopping/trans-porting/ lifting/etc. and loved this response as Billy was always such a great helper to me in everything I do)

Oooo, not good! i know how that is. I hope Gma is feeling better real soon and glad she has a doc visit this week!

Man, that's what church is for!! it helps to relieve the weight that the world puts on our shoulders. thats why it's so important!! (a friend stayed home because of depression)

Just exited about all the BoM loans we had last week!!

Keanu(as in keanu reeves?). Cool! (youth speaker in sacrament)

Wow, cool! Sacrament talks on pioneer ancestry and experiences from japan missionaries.

Hehe. that's something that me and elder h. realized this past week: The members now don't have a good enough knowlege of the gospel, which is why the bretheren have brought us back to the basics(for which i'm glad for) to build from the base up. I'm glad that the spirit can teach us, no matter how old or young we are, we jsut have to be open and worthy for it's direction!! (in response to things I'm learning at my age that these young Elders are learning now)

EEeeek! lol, yea. but even the bretheren write some stuff down! (Billy talks in our ward sacrament in two months and I told him "it would be given him" what to say)

Yea! i have no doubt about receiving all the support from family and studying together when I get home!

I have some clothes i can wear for a couple of days after i get home. We can worry about shopping when we get there.

Tell dad that if he insists on getting a laptop for me, just to get one of those little acer mini ones. i have plans for a good desktop(gaming and other stuff). I'll include the parts list for him, just so he knows about it.

Love YA!!!!

Elder Mulks

Break in the Weather! July 18, 2011

Hey Mom, Dad and Gma!

Things are going well out here! enjoying the break in heat for the short time it's here. we hear that it's gonna get really bad next week.

* We are definitely trying to keep cool!

* Yea, i know of Elder H. My companion was around him for a while in other areas. he's our zone leader right now. his companion is elder s. (I communicate with Elder H's mom on my missionary mom email group and she thought her son was Billy's companion)

* Mmmm...salmon! (told Billy about Auntie rockie's birthday dinner)

* Yea, i love finding too! lol (we always pray doors will open for our missionaries)

* jeez, d., though that doesn't surprise me with how he was before i left. i just hope it's not with anyone i know. (sad news about one of Billy's friends in Lacey partying and getting drunk)

* Wow, alrighty - will keep Gma in my prayers for her eyes as always!

* Sounds great! Ours was the most noisy i've been in, in a while. (Sacrament meeting - told Billy of our speakers and the great messages)

* cool. I can't wait to see everyone! (mentioning just over two months left of the mission)

* Hehe, utah! lol Nice! (one of Billy's friends just received his mission call to Ogden, UT where another of Billy's friends is currently serving)

* that's good. so are all the sisters helping out with other stuff? or just random acts of service? (regarding help with the wedding reception food and cake I'm doing on the 23rd - mentioned not asking for help from our ward as it is our day of service and Billy is wondering what the ward is doing)

* Nothing very interesting this week. it's been pretty uneventfull.

* Looking forward to it too! elder h. doesn't stop teasing me about how long i have left! but it doesn't phase me!

* Cool, thanks for the log in info for my gmail account!

Love Ya!
Elder Mulks

"To have faith is to have purpose, and to have purpose in life is what defines a man and makes him steadfast and resolute. Faith keeps him true and, even in the darkest hours, illuminates him like a candles' flame. Faith guides him surely from birth to the grave. It shows him the path, and prevents him from straying into the darkest thickets,where insanity awaits. To lose faith is to lose purpose, and to be bereft of guidance. For a man without faith will no longer be true, and a mind without purpose will walk in dark places."

Hot and Humid in Lynchburg, VA July 11, 2011

Hey Mom, Dad and Gma!

Things are going well. We are not enjoying the heat and humidity out here. It's so nasty! Doing lots of finding.

* yea, it's been stayign in the mid 80's all week. ugghhh!

* No investigators at church. we have one really promising investigator who we are seeing tommorow. seems pretty solid!

* New mission president was very good. he was VERY nervous(shaking the entire time), but he will be good! THat would work--sending me cell phone for flight home and layover in Detroit for 3 hours.pffft, i've never suffered form jet-lag. even when i went to japan, i didn't feel any. But a 3 hour layover! man, i guess i can be thankful that it's not overnight!

* We were given the embroidered items by a member in gretna while out there on a p-day. Not much else to say about them, though.

* nope, i just found Auntie Moo's gift card it in the car, i forgot to take it out. so i'll be writing this week.

* Yea, ill be writing to Gma this week too!

* OOoooo! I miss that place! I'm glad to hear Wok on Fire still open! wow, 4 missionaries in one apartment? cool! Wow!! that's abit much! though, before i left, i wanted to nail the furnature in their apartment to the walls...lol.

* ...mabey... (dad wanted to know if Billy will give his homecoming talk in his mission language - hillbilly--lol) i'm not quite as fluent as is my companion.

* Good! Hopefully Ben will lighten up a bit when i get back.

* Lol!! that derick...never pictured him as the scared type for asking a girl out.

* hehe, funny story this sunday. There were 2 speakers(one was a High Council member), and the first one only left 5 min for the other. just talked for 50 mins in a monotone voice...i actually fell asleep! bad me! my comp had to keep me awake.

* I just got the entire gospel library. the OLD one that has doctrines of salvation 1-3, teachings of brigham young, teachings of joseph smith, miracle of forgiveness, etc... all from a member who doesn't read them anymore.

* OHhhh!! Im glad nothing happened when you fell off your bike again! Hehe! yea, remember edison-"i didn't fail 900 times, i've just found 900 way how not to make a lightbulb." Try, try again!

* Exercising has gotten lax in the past few days. i need to step it up again. Elder Houghton is doing good. He says he wants to kill me here so he can stay an extra transfer. If that happens, he'll have been here for almost 8 months! No real service activities here, just helping out members. (Killing a missionary just means sending him home at the end of his mission)

* WHat!?? The Ganoes! Sweet!! That's awesome you heard from Sister Ganoe on facebook! I love the Ganoes!(he's the branch pres in peterstown.)

Oh, if you could, send me my gmail username and password so i can get that straghtened out before i leave. that would be awesome!

Alrighty, not much else!

Love YA!!!

Elder Mulks

July 5, 2011 - Hot/Humid/Stormy

Hey Mom, Dad and Gma!

Things are going well. THe weather has been relentlessly hot and humid and there are storms every other day or so. But we are able to get out and tract. We have a couple of people who we are teaching, but not too many.

Hehehe, i remember having firecrackers go off in my hands!

* Hope there is more than pancakes at your 4th tri-ward breakfast!! You could take agave syrup!

* We meet the new Mission President and his wife tomorrow. But from the sounds of it, he's pretty cool!

* Yea, i know what you mean about liking cooler weather!

* I thought that i sent Auntie Moo a card...hmmm...ill have to send another to make sure she knows I received the gift card, etc.. Yea, thanks for the $$!! I got my suitcase and am going to mail home a couple of boxes today.

* hehehe! I didn't think Cameron would be familiar with all the missionary lexicons. I only knew a few when i came out. Lots of them are mission specific.

* Sweet! I'll be looking for the copies of study items you talked about sending !

* Nice you and dad took a little bike ride! I really want to do some biking when i get home. Keep my weight down.

* wow! You can do more than i can with reading music and playing on Gma's new keyboard! I can't read alto cleft, so i just play top-hand...but not very well. lol

* hehe, that's cool about Elder Young in your ward having a brother who served in the same mission as Kyle in NJ and knows him!

* silly mom, you need to get your planner up-to-date when you sign up to feed the missionaries! lol! i don't know what i'm gonna do without one!

* Crazy cat - i bet they don't like the fireworks going off all over!

* Wow! that'll be something for Chivaun and Laurie to come down for my home coming and the rest of the family!

* the parable of the debtor? that one is really cool. (we saw a video about mercy/justice in Sunday School)

* Yea, i have a couple of talks that are based on the constitution and how america is the land of promise. done, of course, by Ezra T. Benson.

* ... (I think billy doesn't want to comment on my mentioning he had 80 days till he comes home)

* I'll let ya know how he is next week after I meet the new Mission President!
Alrighty then! Thats about it!

Love YA!!

Elder Mulks

Upbeat Letter from Lynchburg, VA! (except for heat+humidity)

Hey Mom, Dad and Gma!!

Things are going great! We've been starting to find now! We got some great refferals from some members. And things are just generally looking up right now! YAY!!

* i...hate...humidity+heat!! I don't care when summer started, we've been in summer for a month now!

* Lol. yea would like to check out with dad the chainsaw motor on a bike for 100 mpg - a little around the town thing!

* Hehe, good! I'm glad dad got his card! yea, elder h. has fun reminding me that my 22nd click day is next month...(click must mean two months left)

* heh, i still am not a fan of talking in meetings. Small groups is ok, but large groups still unnerves me a little.

* Wow! Cool! Brandon getting married on July 23! That'll be fun indeed for you to do cake/food!

* Yea Ruby's sister went to church!! Ruby's example will be a force for good in her family for sure!!

* yikes! no good! I'll definitely be praying for Bro. Kohler and Sister Kohler.

* Nice! i'm sure the Elders enjoyed lunch at Puerta Vallarta with you, Gma and Sis. V.!!

* Lol! yea, looks like Elder B. will die there.(finish his mission in lacey) And yea, the 7 week transfer is for the new mission presidents. so tehy don't get shell-shock from transfers.

* the king follet discourse is AWESOME!!! It's one of my favorites! I'd love for you to send me your copies out of the Ensign when you finish studying it!

* Man, that's rough. hope all goes well for Auntie Schell to find a house and do the move. Say hi to Laurie for me when she comes today!

* Hehe, that's funny about your dream that I sent my glasses home and you wondered how I could see without them! i've had some wierd dreams during my mission for sure! But i enjoy them! I think i have strange dreams to stay entertained (it's usually better than tv!).

* I was wondering if you could put some $ on my card so i could send some stuff home. And one of my suitcases just busted, so i was also gonna buy a new set at wal-mart. Other than that, i'm doing well for money.

* Yea! i just don't get fireworks...*sad elder mulks* i'm not sure what we'll do next 4th when I'm back - we'll see.

You remember sister Van-Leishout? Her daughter is serving in the Billings,MT mission. And she's companions with a sister from Spencer that i knew, rigth now! Small world indeed!

Well, That's about all i got this week!

Love YA!!!!!
Elder Mulks

Almost Summer!

Hey Mom and Dad!

Things are really slow right now. Transfers are this week, i'm staying and so is elder H. it's possable that he might 'kill' me here. next transfer will be 7 weeks long. (for those who don't know what 'kill' means - it's when a missionary goes home)

* WOW!!! the garden has transformed!!! very cool!

* the weather has continued to be crazy. Rain, sun, heat, rain+hot, cool...it's getting irritating.

* we went without power for 2 days. We had to replace most of our perishables(milk, eggs, etc...)

* Wow! no good! that's a big problem - sorry to hear Kyle's identity being compromised.

* Yea, the birthday goodies/cards/$$ were great! I still need to write back thank yous for most of them, but i'm working on it! Still no candles from auntie schell. Though she sent a card saying that they were on they're way.

* OH, an interesting fact-eating eggs in the morning makes your metabolism jump 30%. to get an equal jump, you'd have to exercise for 9 hours straight. Elder H. has a cousin who is a health/exercise freak. Yay, Mom for for good checkups!!!

* Yea, it's the lenses not the frames for my glasses that need replaced. the transitions layer is deteriorating badly.

* lol, dad's mini remote helicopter sounds fun!

* Gma sent me a card with some $$ in it too. So i gotta get a card to her.

* I got a card in the mail for dad for Father's day. should get it tues or wed.

* wow, that's pretty cool info! (sunday school notes I sent)

* Jeez! That is stupid! People can be such jerks! (hearing of his Auntie having to move because landlord sold the house without letting them know)

* They had a fathers day lunch for the priesthood during priesthood.lol

* HE's from Viselia(?), CA. it's pretty central from what he says.

Love ya!!
Elder Mulks

ps i found out about something really cool!
i can attach a chain-saw engine to a bicycle and get >100 miles to the gallon. I just need to know what the laws are back home for it.
so if dad could look that up for me that would be great!

Two new photos on Billy's 21st Birthday!

Hey, mom!

Things are going well out here. Been a little slow what with school being out for the summer and all, but we're getting work done. The weather has been freaking out again:Had 90-100 degree days and then a couple 80, then yesterday we had a huge thunderstorm that took down a ton of trees and killed the power to our entire appartment complex since 6 yesterday...we're still without power.

* YEa, we have been writing each other too. He's doing really well. (a friend on a mission in NJ)

* Thanks so much for all the stuff! It was great! Those raisins were REALLY good. Elder H. wants to know where you got them. Still haven't recieved the candles from Auntie Schell...(can you tell Billy is anxiously awaiting those candles!)

* We have alot of meals with members out here...i've been having to watch myself and excercise a little more now and again.

* Yea, alternatives to wheat are great to have. (told "B" about making cookies without wheat flour)

* Wow, sounds like fun!(Marvin Goldstein and Vanessa Oblad concert in Olympia)

* That's awesome that you and Gma discuss scriptures together! Gma's enjoying sacrament meeting then? Great! You might ask about the hearing assistance devices at the library. They all have them(wards anyways).

* Wow, that sounds realy cool. I don't remember him.(a speaker who grew up poor in a villiage in Thailand - lived the law of consecration)

* Hehe, i feel so OLD now...(Billy turned 21 on the 11th)

* heh, yea, but I have not suffered to that extent. (spoke of listening to talks about our prophets and some of their suffering and how it strengthened them)

* Wow, i've never heard of Frederic Farrar, but he sounds like he might have been one of those honest truth seekers who was inspired. (cleric of the Church of England who wrote "life of Christ in 1874 - quoted by several latter day prophets)

* Sweet! I'm keeping that quote by President Harold B Lee. (Unless every member gains for himself an unshakable testimony of the divinity of this church, he will be among those who will be deceived when the elect, according to the covenant, are going to be tried and tested. Only those will survive who have gained for themselves that testimony)

* I don't need anything - NOt right now. But when i get home, I need new glasses! Really BAd!!! Mine are dying. Thanks for asking!

LOve Ya!!
Elder Mulks

Happy Birthday Week - Billy turns 21 on the 11th!

Hey Mom!!

THings are going alright out here. Just doing lots of tracting. Not too much success, mostly because Liberty is out for the summer. THere are 5 colleges here in lynchburg, and all are out right now, so not as many people around.

* I feel so OLD!!! (turns 21 on the 11th)

* Haven't had much in the way of anti, fortunately. (negative responses to tracting)

* Yea, the Thornocks bore their testimonies like the missionaries do at their last Zone Conf. Was really touching.

* Nope...still haven't got my hair cut...Thank you for the birthday $$!! I got some really nice ties and i bought a magic bullet(portable blender). It's AWESOME!! I'm so keeping that when i come home!! I still haven't gotten the candles...But i havent gotten to check today.

* Sweet! (recently married friend of Billy's moved into our ward here in Lacey)

* Thanks, I really appriciate you putting my name on the temple prayer roll and for everyone's prayers!

* Heh, i'm not surprised gma got a cold! It's just a little bit colder than she's used to.

* Heh...frodo...lol -( President Coppin's dog - they have a new trial poodle named Chewy)

* Yea, at least ya can still see Sister Falter even if she won't be in the ward anymore!

* Thats awesome! Wow, i love those moments! The spirit puts something into your mind to ask, and it opens more and deeper discussion.

* Remember-Pride is all about attitude. If you're saying/doing something to make yourself purposely look better that others, then that's pride. Yea, it's great! We get 2 hrs a day for studies...i'm gonna miss it. But i'm gonna do what i can when my mission is completed.

* Mmmmm..(.sounds tasty - cooking a roast in the mini oven outside so as not to heat up the house)!

* Say "Hi" back to dad and Ruby "Thanks" to both!

* LoL, I was a biggun! (one of Billy's friend recently had a baby that was 9# and I told Billy that didn't come close to Billy being 12# at birth)

* YOu can make crust out of rice(rice flour). It tastes pretty good, I had some a while back. (told Billy I made a gluten free cheesecake without a crust) Lol, Dad? Share cheesecake??!!?! What's going on??? Lol JK (dad offered a piece of the cheesecake to a visiting friend)

That's about how the week's been.

Love YA!!!

Elder Mulks

End of May

Hey Mom!!

THings are going well. NOt too much happening lately. Just doing alot of tracting.

* For the first time, i'm not speaking at church like you thought I might be! lol. big ward here, so we don't speak much. YEa, they fixed our names in the bulletin this past sunday.

* it appears on my drivers license 'Mulks, William Wesley.' exp:06-11-2012. (received letter to fill out for Billy's return in September)

* Is my home e-mail working still? I want to make sure it is still running so i can forward my e-mail from this e-mail address to that one. So if you can sign on, and let me know, that would be great.

* NOt yet, still waiting on the candles. Zone Conference is on Thurs. Yea, i got the dear elder letter from you.

* I found someone to cut my hair, i'm just waiting for them to get back from PA. LoL!! I'd have hair 4" long by then!! LOL. Pres and sis thornock wouldn't appriciate it, nor the Pitts either, i imagine.

* Hehe, alrighty, I'll be looking for the package soon!

* Sweet to hear there is a new Ross in Oly! The ross we have here is lame! It's selection is sad.

* Aww...that stinks the Falters are transferring to Oly Stake! I'll miss them!

* I dunno who they are...(family moved close to Falters)

* Cool! That sounds fun for you and dad to go do Temple Sealings!

* That's good to hear your eye appt went well! LOL, That's too funny you didn't have to pay for lunch or parking!!

* Good, I like to hear that you and grandma are having fun - going out to lunch and grandma meeting new people.

* YEa, i've gotten 2 post cards from grandma already!!

* I'm starting to feel tired. I gues the work is starting to catch up to me. But I only have a short time left, so I'll keep on going!! (I asked Billy how he was feeling)

Love Ya!!!

Elder Mulks

New Address - Lynchburg, VA

Hey Mom!

Everything's going well! Transfers was LONG!!! GOt to charleston after an hour car ride, stayed there for another hour, then spent the time from 3 to 10:30 travelling here with an hour for dinner. Long day. But we arrived safely.

* Getting along great with the new companion! We love each other!

* 300 killarney ct apt H, lynchburg VA 24502 - New Address

* Sweet - that Auntie Schell made candles for me and yea, especially before the Thornocks leave! I'll see them next tues.

* Hehe, everyone is smaller than me, lol. (told Billy about seeing the new baby of one of his friends and that he was less than half the size of Billy at birth) Ughh, i'm going to destroy my baby videos dad made before i start dating. Lol.

* That'll come later, probly mid-late this transfer or early -mid next for plans for flight home
.
* LoL, i thought you'd like the birthday cards I sent you and dad. Ok, i recognise more of the groups than i'd thought.

* I need my hair cut so bad! It's about 3" long!!! LoL, gotta find someone to cut it. Nice you are able to cut dad's hair!

* MMmmmm...tasty - food for your OJP Annual brunch.

* Heh, we've been hot and wet not like the good weather you've been having.

* Oh, man. That stinks! Sorry to hear Bro. Belnap's dad passed.

* Heh, my last talk at home was on service!

* Just put some money on my card for my birthday since I can't think of anything for you to send, i"ll grab some ties here. We have EVERYTHING here. It's like Christiansburg. College city.

* Say 'Hi' to Ruby for me!

* Hehe, you knew that i would drool when you told me you were taking Grandma to Saffron Grille with Scott after your eye appointment...how are your eyes doing? Seein' clearly now?

* Hehehe, yea. It wasn't the world ending, it was the start of the rapture...teh world ends in October. Wow! Losers...

* Lots of anti students here. Small apartment. My companion is crazy, and i love it! Ward of 100-ish.

* Sick=bad that you couldn't eat with the missionaries because of illness.

* Hehe, go grandma!!

Alrighty, Love YA!!

Elder Mulks

Transfers this week!

Hey Mom!

Happy B-Day Mom and Dad!! I'm getting transffered! I'm going to Lynchburg 1st ward. It's right near the baptist version of BYU, Liberty university. It's gonna be interesting! My companion is Elder H.

* Yea, the white shirts got here really quickly. Just in time for the hot weather!

* Thank you for the $$! I'll send the package of stuff off today.

* Goodness, interesting name! (Xander - one of Billy's friends just had a baby boy)
* There wasn't a picture of a cake...but it sounds good!(Sent photos of recent wedding reception of one of Billy's friends and forgot to enclose photo of the cake I made)

* No picture of sis H. either...Yum, italian soda!(Sister H. was in the photo of the cake I thought I had sent - they had an Italian soda bar at the reception)

* Hehe, i was wondering who you'd get to do the 'heavy lifting' without me! lol (thank goodness for Mike/dad who transported and lifted the heavy cake)

* It's been pretty good, not to much success but we're workin hard! (teaching and prospecting)

* Heh, sounds like fun to google earth with dad when I get home and look at areas I have served in! The irises are out in force here! And the weather just went to cold and rainy too! THis place freaks me out sometimes.

* Heh, get Cosco pizza for dad's birthday! It's gooooood!

* Nice. Sounds like Uncle Jim and Danny's trip to England was fun!

* Very cool. I always liked activities in class! (Relief society Teacher had bishop bring in gift bags to sisters as part of the lesson)

* Lol, sounds like the Relief Society activity was fun, too bad g-ma couldn't go.

* "HI!" to Ruby too.

Love Ya!!!

Elder Mulks

Mother's Day Phone Call and Monday Letter

Elder Mulks called home for Mother's Day on Sunday evening about 4:30 - we were so thrilled to get to talk for over an hour and a half! Since we have grandma living with us, she also got to say hello to her grandson!

We learned that Elder Mulks will most likely be coming home at the end of his mission around September 22 - this happens to be the anniversary date for Mike and Weslene being sealed in the Seattle Temple - 1987!

The plan is to come home, be released from his mission - probably speak in Sacrament on the 25th and the following weekend go to General Conference in SLC and to the mission reunion - visit a few temples and come back to Lacey. Billy is looking forward to seeing all his Aunties, Uncles, Cousins and friends.

Education plans are to live at home, attend local college to get grades and such in order to attend a University in the future - hopefully BYU!

Elder Mulks is still having back and neck pains but not letting it stop the work. Billy has asked for prayers that the missionaries can find those who are ready to hear the gospel. Elder Mulks has a strong desire to teach and baptize! He would love to hear from everyone - please write him at:

Elder William W. Mulks
556 Clay Road
Spencer, WV 25276

Here's the weekly Monday email:


Hey Mom!

As you know things are still going good! I loved talking with you, dad, and g-ma!

I LOVE THE SCRIPTURES! (In our phone conversation last evening, Billy and I shared some scriptures with each other)

LoL. Cool, tell Pres. & Sister Coppin thanks thanks for thinking of me and asking about my homecoming.

Cool, I'll be sure to tell the mission office when the time comes that I'll be flying home to SeaTac. That'll be awesome to go to SLC for conference and mission reunion and to the SLC Temple!!

Hehe, no problem - you didn't get me off track. Thanks for your prayers - to find those who are waiting!

Yea, no kidding! Good you and dad found a decent movie to watch! I've heard that the movie "Tron" was really good. Very decent, no cursing, nudidy, etc... I think it's even done by disney, actually...

Thank YOU for ordering me some white short sleeved shirts!!! It says 'ship to home,' so does that mean that it'll come to the appartment? or do i have to pick it up? Not sure...

I love you!

Elder Mulks

Happy May Day

Hey Mom, Dad and Grandma,

Things are going great for us here too. Weather has finally calmed down a little bit (knock on wood). We've been teaching quite a bit more than we have been. It's great!

Cool that dad and grandma arrived safely from Utah!

LOL - even though you said it's good to plant seeds - I want to harvest seeds! LOL

Hehe, I thought the photo I sent would make your day! Elder P. is 6'6"!

Time out for Women sounds like a blast! I love the song "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" (Mercy River sang at TOFW)

Really?!?! - You ate lunch at Wolfgang Puck's? I saw one when I was in Japan - not sure if I ever told you that...It looked really good, but expensive.

Heh, yea, that is the best when you feel the prompting of the spirit to bare your testimony. I love that! I didn't get to bear my testimony this week, but there were a lot of people who normally didn't that did. So it was really cool!

Wow - that is so cool that Austin bore his testimony and felt the depression and anxiety lifted from him during Youth Conference. Yea, I bet everyone was expecting to hear from Bridey - hope he's feeling better real soon!

Sweet! The Army Band concert you and grandma went to sounds fantastic!! That's neat you saw some of my friends - I've received a a few letters recently from them.

Yay! Next Sunday is Mother's Day! Looking forward to talking to you too!

I can't remember if you're on the morning block or afternoon. I'll just call you in the evening (6 or 7 my time).

Alrighty, That's about it!

Love Ya,
Elder Mulks

Easter and Storms

On 4/25/2011 7:16 AM, William Wesley Mulks wrote:

Hey, Mom & Dad!

THings are going well! We're finding and teaching alot more now! Yay!! The lord certainly does reward hard work, whether it's immediately or delayed!

There's been thunderstorm anfter thunderstorm this week! Craziness!!! Easter was good. Church went well. We had the senior office couple, elder and sister bennion, come and speak in church today. Elder Bennion had a good talk, but sis bennion was.... HE was a patriarch before being called on a mission! I didn't know that was possable!

* I got your other email, and yes i remember richard! He's pretty funny. He's Spencer's brother. Only time i saw him was at seminary. (Richard was on splits with local Elders)

* Yea, Easter at church was great. And our investigators are doing great! They got to church even with all the storms we've been getting.

* If the missionaries didn't love the pulled pork, there would be something wrong with them! LoL

* Cool. Sounds like your sacrament meeting was really nice!

* Our Sunday School lesson was the next one, "the blind to see". It was good too.

* Cool, I'll pray for dad and g-ma to have safe travels! I can imagine it was hard for g-ma to say goodbye, it's alot like that when I leave an area, i just hate to say goodbye to the members that i got to know.

* Ooooh...ouch! (mom's IV for eye surgery) Hehe, man, that's nuts! Hehe, that's good that she was at least trying to get your attention off the needles. I wouldn't be able to be awake for that kind of surgery! *shiver* that's just creepy!

* Yea, i haven't had any worries at all about the surgery. I just felt that all would be as it should be. I feel your prayers always as well. Thank you!

* Heh, nope. No one to feed us on easter. But we are grateful for the members who do sacrifice to help us and feed us when they can. But your dnner sounds SO GOOD!!! LoL. Thanks for the goodies too! They were so GOOD! I love those white chocolate eggs!

* Yeam i don't blame you for laying low as you get better! It's great to see how much suppot you get from friends and family!(flowers from my Sister, Roxann and my RS Pres, cards and gifts from friends, etc.)

* I'm not 'trunky' but when i get ready to go home, i'll be ready. (I asked Billy if he was getting trunky about coming home)

* Hehehe, i love john bytheway! I have a ton of talks by him! Fun!! Say hi to auntie moo for me! (my sister, Myrna bought me a ticket to "Time out for Women" this weekend)

* That'd be cool if you get to go to the concert at River Ridge with the Military band!

ALrighty then, that's about all i have for today!

Love Ya!!

Elder Mulks

FIVE MONTHS TO GO!!!

Hey Mom & Dad!

Things are going great! The weather has been pretty stable. But i hear that it's gonna reach the 100's this week!!!*groan* We've been able to find a couple of investigators this week and doing lots of finding.

* Sounds really cool the two concerts you attended!

* Wow, nope, no tornadoes around me...scary for the places that were hit!

* Heh, i left those packages you just received with elder w. in C-burg because i didn't have time to mail them before i left. It looks like he got them off later than i expected...lol.

* Wow, that is a crazy week for you and your eye surgery on Wednesday! You know that i"m praying for ya! There have been a few people here that have gone through the same surgery that you are going to have and they said that it's no problem. It just takes time to get used to.

* one healthy thing after the other for you! I thought that i had some wheat allergies for a bit, but my body just got tired of the cerial that i was eating. It scared me for a bit, i love wheat!

* Hehe, i bet the missionaries loved your meal! I love and miss your pulled pork! Wow, that's really cool that the one Elder decided to go on his mission, he'll be all the stronger for it!

* HAHAHA! That sounds like one of the talks from a couple of confereces ago, Elder Eyring i think...

* Cool. Hope everything goes well with G'Mas move to Lacey.

* SWEET! Thanks for finding the drink bottle. I'll try to send some pictures...lol.

Well, that's about all that i got this week!

Love Ya!

Elder Mulks

April 11, 2010

Hey Mom and Dad:

Things are going good. We've been getting some pretty hot weather lately...in the mid 80's. But we've been able to do a lot of teaching to less actives this week, seeing as we don't have very many investigators.

Sweet! Cameron got his mission call! He leaves just before I get home though, darn!

Elder M. is doing alright (new companion). We've been getting along well. We are opposites in a lot of ways though...he's a farmer, I'm a gamer; he knows how to run a combine, I know how to run a computer; etc...

Yea, our testimony increases as we give of it freely. Our testimony meeting was HUGE! 30 people! Including 2 investigators, 4 less actives and a new family that moved in!!!

The new senior couple in the office went on a mission to Haiti. Awesome story from Sister Sweet on her humanitarian trip to Haiti.

The Emergency Prep Fair you attended with Scott in Seattle sounds like fun.

I know the scriptures are the best place to find what you need. Study is so helpful and the spirit really will help you to know what to do.

Big group at the birthday bash dinner! Nice!!! Good to hear Charlie's doing well and is the Young Men's Secretary in his ward. That's good Uncle Gary got a job. I'll keep everyone in my prayers. Sorry Auntie Schell is not feeling well - I look forward to the candles when she has a chance to make them.

I just remembered, my Contigio(?) bottle broke awhile ago and I was wondering if you might be able to find another one...that was the best bottle I've had!

Yep! Mother's Day will be the last call!! Yea, looking forward to coming home but at the same time, not.

Wow - lots of new kids in the ward. It's gonna be wierd coming home to an essentially all new ward!

HEhe, how long have you been working with the boy scouts, again?

Alrighty, well, that's about all that's been going on, I'll be looking for the dear elder letter!

Love Ya!!!
Elder Mulks

Tuesday, April 5, 2011 - Staying in Spencer, WV

(I was just listening to a session of the Priesthood conference on "HOPE" and was hoping to hear soon from Billy as it is Tuesday - a few minutes later I had a feeling there would be a message from him soon - a few minutes later, heard the ding of a new message and no surprise who it was from...tender mercies) Thank you Heavenly Father for your bountiful blessings!)

Hey Mom & Dad!!

Things are good this week! It's transfers and I'm staying here in spencer, and I'm getting elder McKee(one of my MTC district mates).

* Yea!! I loved Conference! The Priesthood session was the best! We saw it at the church building. Only 3 people on sat(incuding us) and about 8 on sun. We were allowed to see it. Hehe! That's funny you had two computers going in case one crashed. Was it the desktop that crashed?

* Sweet! Looking forward to the conference issue of the Ensign! We don't watch conference on the BYU channel, so no we didn't see the movie. But if it was the "Joseph smith, the prophet of the restoration," then I've seen it several times, it's really good!

* You aren't kidding about the changing weather! We just had a day of 85F! Then we had a huge storm that evening!

* Cool, so g-ma will be at home when i get back, sounds good. That's re-assureing, I'll be praying for ya for your eye surgery! But you already knew that!!

* YESSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!11!!11!! White chocolate!!! Mabey...15 easter eggs I can share? i don't know... OH! Also, could you ask auntie shell to send a couple of candles? I would love to have a few to give to a couple people.

* That's awesome! thanks!(I let Billy know we would hook him up with a chiropractor when he gets home to have an assessment)

* Yea, that's the way for Ruby get some REAL energy--listening to the uplifting messages from conference. (friend recently diagnosed with MS)

* Hehehe!!! That's hilarious! Poor Scott! (our single nephew getting pummeted about getting married after messages from conference)

* Lol, i hope so!

* Sounds like Fun!!! Say happy birthday to Laurie and Chivaun for me!!

* Sweet, I'd love to get a copy of Truman Madsen's works on the Prophets.

* Sweet!! I didn't see Corbin in the BYU-I combined choir during conference. But it'd have ben awesome to say "OH! I know him! He was in my ward back home!!"

* WHAT!!!! That won't last long...It's a cool idea though. (told Billy about some missions having facebook on a trial basis to share testimonies)

* One that i really like is Moses 6. Lots of interesting doctrine. (Billy would like to share this scripture on his blog - Adam to Enoch)

Alrithy! That's about it.

Love Ya

Elder Mulks

Last Week of March!

Hey Mom and Dad!!

Things are still pretty slow out here, but we're working hard! It has been FREEZING the past few days and even snowed on sunday!! This place is INSANE!!!

* OK, sounds good. Be sure to send lots of eggs! I plan on sharing them! (told "B" I'd be sending his eggs Scott and I made to him in April)

* Sounds like fun! (going to Oak Harbor Saturday and see family)

* HEhe! Good job on the cake. Bad mom on the eggs! lol (didn't eat cake at Torri's party - but earlier in the week broke down and ate some chocolate eggs)

* Yea, i'm doing better. It is the same pain from before. It's just so irritating! I want to start going to a chiropractor once a month when i get home, just to stay aligned.

* lol, i remember rocking with them, lots of fun! (referring to his cousins playing rockband Sat. at Torri's party)

* LoL!! Silly robert! (told "B" about Robert's full beard and playing rock band)

* YEa, i got your dear elder today and read that. That's crazy! I'll ask him that too! Lol (ask new mission pres in July about an Elder in Michele's ward)

* For sure, we taught SS and Priesthood on sunday! We get to teach alot!

* Hehe! Ben needs to keep using the language, or he'll lose it! (returned missionary from Japan taught a class of Japanese exchange students in sunday school)

* Cool. Sounds like alot of work too! (packing humanitarian items up)

* Wow, no kidding. They just aren't gettign a break! (more earthquakes in Japan)

* Turns out it was some ribs! and the other ribs, turned out to be nothing but FAT!!!!! Really disappointing. (thought they got a roast last week with some ribs)

* Another eagle in the ward! wow! (we had a young man do his Eagle Project on Saturday)

* That's the attitude to have! Good for her! Say hi for me! (friend just found out she has MS and is keeping the faith)

* We taught lesson 13, the keys of the kingdom, i think it was called... (Sunday School)

* Huh, strange... and i have a feeling that miss kitty will be very angry at me when i get home...Lol (Billy's cat and her antics)

* Conference is gonna be AWESOME!!!! I'd love for you to send me a copy of that! Sounds really cool.


Alrighty, thats about all that's gone on. Transfers on the 6th of april.

Love Ya!!
Elder Mulks

Springtime in WV - Temps in the 70's!

Hey Mom & Dad.

Things are going great. We have been having some realy nice weather lately. It's 70F right now. Thanks so much for the package!! Love all the stuff in it. I've been enjoying the beef sticks too, really good!

* Sweet!! Sounds like fun! I look forward to checking it out when i get back. Yea, that'd be great! (Truman Madsen dvd's on Joseph Smith and taking a church history tour sometime)

* Scott knows how to pick 'em! The ties are great. YESS!! I was gonna ask, but you read my mind. Lesley and Marilynn(he's not sure of spelling). (Elder W's grandparents that my cousin Vonnie may know)

* No, we had the training in Parkersburg and the chiro is in Belpre(pronounced-Belphre). Pres just talked with us about teaching true doctrine and how the spirit can only testify of truth. The chiro was ok. He does it really differently from the others I've seen. It kinda is uncomfortable, but it's helping!

* The branch is about 16 active members and has speakers come in from Parkersburg and Charleston. THe branch pres commutes from p-burg to here every week. We get fed about 2-3 times a week. But we occasionally get food to take home. A member gave us a freshly butcherd beef roast and a rack of ribs. We're going to have members cook them for us, cuz we dont have anything to cook them in! lol.

* Mmm...sounds tasty! Sounds like fun!! (the scout dinner/auction/fundraiser)

* heh, I love Brother Tolman, he's really cool. Tell them "Hi" for me! (billy's former young men leader and now counselor to our bishop asks how he's doing)

* Nah, it was fun, looking back. (all the times I "forced" Billy to shovel snow for neighbors and other service I volunteered him for)

* YEa!!! Conference!!! Gonna be sweet! (General Conference coming up the first weekend in April)

* It's been really difficult for me lately to do my usual workouts because of my back. so i havent been doing pushups much anymore. (reason he's seeing chiropractor)

* Hehe, yea! I'll be a skinny pole compared to then!! lol (told Billy I'm trying to lose weight and we can take a picture of the two of us when he comes home and compare it to the photos before he left)

Alrighty! Well, not too much else.

Love YA!!!

Elder Mulks

Six Months Remaining!

On 3/14/2011 10:44 AM, William Wesley Mulks wrote:

Hey Mom and dad!

Things are pretty slow out here. But the weather is getting better! The pants are great! They'll probly last me the rest of my mission and then some! If not, I'll be surprised.

* Heh, yea. Elder W. doesn't stop reminding me about being from Montana.

* Sweet, I'll be waiting for the March package you are sending!

* Alrighty, Thanks for putting some $$ in my account!

* Yea, lots of destruction in Japan - we've heard members talk. Now they're worried about the cascadia fault line, from what i hear.(we already knew about that though.)

* Mmmmm...tasty - all the fruits and chocolate fountains at the wedding reception!

* HEh, the WoW(word of wisdom) is awesome! it truly is from the lord - glad it is working for you.

* Wow!! That's funny! He must've represented WA the right way, instead of the freak-show that we had before i left! (member of the church tried out for America's Got Talent in Tacoma)

* Cool. Sounds like fun!

* Heh, yea. He didn't recognize the name, though...(cousin Vonnie knew some W.'s in Montana)

Hehehe. Sorry to not be too newsy this week. I got a chiro appt tmo, and specialized training/dm/exchanges.

Love YA!!
Elder Mulks

"To have faith is to have purpose, and to have purpose in life is what defines a man and makes him steadfast and resolute. Faith keeps him true and, even in the darkest hours, illuminates him like a candles' flame. Faith guides him surely from birth to the grave. It shows him the path, and prevents him from straying into the darkest thickets,where insanity awaits. To lose faith is to lose purpose, and to be bereft of guidance. For a man without faith will no longer be true, and a mind without purpose will walk in dark places."

News from Spencer, WV March 7, 2011

Hey Mom & Dad.

Things are going well here. The week has been wierd. We had about an inch of snow yesterday! In your dearelder letter, you said that you got some snow too.

We Live in a converted garage owned by a non-member. Elder W. is from billings, montana. We do our e-mail at a members' house.

A member had the same surgery that laurie has to have. She said it takes a while to get used to.

If you could send some seaweed sheets(the 8 1/2 x 11 -ish sized ones would be awesome) i would love it! I also just ripped one of my slacks. Not a seam, it was the leg. A friction spot wore a hole and that turned into a tear.

A cool phone would be awesome, but my first focus will be a computer when i get home(i figure it"ll cost somewhere around $1400). We can look at phones when i get home. And gas out here is above $3.55!!!

* Heh, i got grandma's card. wow! Poor oregon dude's car got whomped on by a seguarro cactus!

* I got a video for ya when i mail the card back. That's probly them.

* thats good grandma's eye surgery went well. Yea, that'll be cool to have grandma in WA-- Though, she'll be cold.

* Oh, say happy b-day to grandma for me!

* Not too many people want to listen out here either. Very set-in-their-ways.

* HEhe! I cant wait to see what Scott got me! That's cool Becky is having the girl scouts sew baby quilts.

* Sweet! I'm looking forward to the girl scout cookies!

* Just some dress slacks is all I need for now.

* Wow......still can"t beleive that they are getting married! lol. (one of Billy's friends - younger)

* Silly kitty! The members that we e-mail at have 5 cats and 3 dogs(jack-russels). It's alot of fun!

Alrighty,

Love Ya!!!

Elder mulks

New Mailing Address!

Hey Mom & Dad!!

THings are going here in Spencer. Elder W. is my new companion, i remember now! lol. I'm right out next to flatwoods again.

* Address-556 Clay rd, spencer wv, 25276. Pretty much. super-hicksville. but nice.

* Say happy b-day to Auntie Schell for me!

* Good, so it's not too bad then. (Told Billy about my appt. with a new doctor for Cataract surgery) Good to hear that you got a good dr, too. you know that i'll be prayin for ya!

* Heh, he hasn't changed...bet the military didn't help! (a friend on fb)

* Wow!! That's pretty cool. Yea, for sure after the mish'. (hearing about a relative that would like to get to know Billy)

* heh, nathan...wierd to think about him being a dad.

I met her aunt and uncle when i was in christiansburg. that was a surprise!! (not sure who this is in reference too)

* OHHH, I think that's sister G.. She's really cool. I'm getting even skinnyer since being there. (member of the church from Peterstown that wrote on Billy's facebook wall and commented on his losing weight)

* Snow? Wow, all we're getting is rain.

* Those things were SOOOO~ GOO~D!!(soft sesame seed cookies) I loved 'em! I'd love a copy of the 'articles of faith' by Talmage. If you could swing that.

* Yea, i didn't realize it then, but that was the only picture i got of him! Sad me!

* SWEEET!! I got the inside scoop! I'll ask him if he remembers! (will have a new Mission President in July - found out he is from Centerville, UT and was the Bishop/Stake Pres. and dentist to one of mom's friends)

* Yea, i only get him for 3 months.


Okie doikie!!

Love YA
Elder Mulks

New Mission President in July

And here's some news for ya from Pres. Thornock--

"I thought you might like to know who your mission president will be come July 1, 2011. We talked with them last week and they are excited to come and build the kingdom, they are Bruce and Linda Pitt from Centerville, UT. They have 11 children. Their youngest son just got his call to the Baltimore, MD mission. He is a dentist and a military man."

Love YA!!

Weslene speaking:(when I was talking with a sister I visit teach, she mentioned she was raised in Centerville and I told her that Billy would be getting a new Mission Pres. from there before his mission is over in September - she asked if I knew his name and all I could remember is that their last name was Pitt and they had 11 kids. M. laughed and said, "Bruce and Linda Pitt - he was my bishop then Stake president and my dentist!" It's a small world!

Elder W. in Christiansburg, VA

Spencer, WV - population 2,000 plus!

On 2/22/2011 6:44 AM, William Wesley Mulks wrote:

Hey Mom & Dad!

Everythings going great! Transfers is tommorrow, and I'm takin' off! I'm going to Spencer, WV. I'm pretty sure it's a branch and is small. But I'm exited to go somewhere else-- and at the same time i'm sad to leave the ward. (we won't know Billy's mailing address until next week)

Library was closed monday. thanks, i was worried that i might have a letter coming, cuz i am being transfered.

Our recent baptism is a girl/18 and her brother was baptised a year or so ago, but is less active now. Her step-mom is a less active member too.

Sweet! wow! hope Ben has fun doing that. (one of Billy's friends just returned from mission to Japan and called as counselor to Sunday School Presidency)

Cool that Brother Renda is teaching Gospel Doctrine!

Hehehe, it's all good. Sister T. is doing good, she just dropped off some cookies for me before I left...white chocolate macadamia!! REALLY GOOD!!

WOW! That's cold in Lacey! It's a balmy 60 degrees!

Wow, alright. that'll be cool for grandma to live with you part of the year and Uncle Tim the other part!

And you have your sons' prayers!(referring to my eye appt. on the 25th)

Well, hopefully Sister V. can at least be comfortable at home and not in the hospital.

Wait wha-...oh, visit teaching, for a min i thought you were reffering to Virginia Tech! lol, been here too long around those stupid hokies!

Wow!! That's awesome! Scott will do a great job on Kylee's flowers and it will look sweet!

....man that stinks. i guess all we can do is pray for Kyle to get permanent work!

Nice!! yea, i've been limiting my milk consumption, just cuz i dont like the taste anymore, though. Keep on truckin'!

ALrighty, I hope y'all are doing well!

LOVE YA!!

Elder Mulks

ps-sorry,i forgot my new companions name!

"To have faith is to have purpose, and to have purpose in life is what defines a man and makes him steadfast and resolute. Faith keeps him true and, even in the darkest hours, illuminates him like a candles' flame. Faith guides him surely from birth to the grave. It shows him the path, and prevents him from straying into the darkest thickets,where insanity awaits. To lose faith is to lose purpose, and to be bereft of guidance. For a man without faith will no longer be true, and a mind without purpose will walk in dark places."

Valentine's Day - 7 Months to go.....

Hey Mom & Dad!

THings are good! we just had a baptism this sat!! Woot! And she was confirmed yesterday. this week is also looking to be good. Transfers are next week, just so ya know.

YEa, so much good stuff in the package you sent! Thanks so much - having fun with the toy dad sent!! About the pictures, where are the ones that i took on my mission? those were the ones i was wanting on the zip drive you sent back. But some of the ones you put on there were funny!
Cool, that would be interesting to read the talk you had about Jewish boys learning to follow the rabbi.

Wonderful!! Good to hear the good changes you are having with more balance in your life!

thats nice, Sister T. will really appriciate the valentine card with thanks for the testimonies she sent you!

YEa, i bet Truman Madsen's dvd's bring you to tears! thats one of the things that I'm exited to see when i go home, all the church videos and books dad has collected.

ALrighty then! NOt much else to report on.

Love YA!

ELder Mulks

February 7, 2011

Hey, Mom and Dad!

THings are going good. The week's been pretty good. lots of finding still, but at least now, we are actually FINDING people. wierd to hear about the e-mail thing...very odd. Glad to hear that you finally got it! (Last week's email came on Tuesday pm and Billy had emailed Monday am as usual)

* None of our investigators showed up at church...sadly. But we do have a baptism coming up this sat!

* Wow! Cool. wonder why bro. (R) needed to be released from the Bishopric?...Oh well, bro. T. will do wonderfully!

* Sweet!! Looking forward to seeing it when i come home! (The Eagle Board plack at church - Mike got it updated 'Billy made eagle scout 2/19/08')!

* Yea, that is such a cool video! (In Sunday School, we watched a Seminary Video of Nicodemus visiting the Savior at night and The Woman at the Well)

* Yea, he sent me a letter. He's bouncing between 4th and raineer vista right now, and he's thinkying he's gonna stick with 4th. I got a postcard from g-ma. Other than them, nothing. (asked Billy if he heard from his friend, this week or anyone else! - Grandma has been so faithful writing to Billy every week - God Bless Grandma Billie)

* Oh, here i thought that you said that you sent it already! Ok, i'll be on the lookout! And looking forward to that poppy seed bread! you know how much i love that stuff!!!! (going to send Billy's Valentine package today! We received a loaf of lemon poppyseed bread from the R's last night and since I know it's Billy's favorite, asked Mike if he wanted any and he said go ahead and send to Billy)

* lol, he's married!! so funny. (mentioned I saw the happy new couple at church yesterday - Billy's former SS Teacher and Returned Missionary)

* Ok, i'll put it to good use! (there will be a "daddy approved" missionary toy in his package)

* Sis thornock went and trunk-ified the whole zone! She talked about eternal marrage!! hehe, she's funny. (Mission President's wife speaking at Zone Conference - you know how some say they tell missionaries to go home and get married!)

Well, not much else to report on!

Love YA!!!!
Elder Mulks

PS-Happy anniversery!!!!!!(Mike and my 31st Anniversary 2/9/80- 2/9/11)!

January 31, 2011 - did not receive until 2/1/11!

Hey mom and dad!

THings are going well this week. We're seeing more success. Been able to get a bunch of follow-ups. We'll be starting on 'em this week, most went out of town for school stuff, and told us to come back in early feb.

* Wow! Sunny spoke in stake conf?! Awesome! I hope that he tells me about it in his next letter, too. That'd be cool to hear if dad's recording worked.

* MAn, that's really cool! Way good deal! I wish that there was something around here like that! I LOVE asparagus!(we joined a coop/bountifulbaskets/fruit and veggies)

* Alright. sounds good, hope it goes well! That'll be just after transfers.(feb 23) (mom has an eye consult for cataract surgery)

* Slippers?? I never got those...(Auntie Rockie and Uncle Jim wondered if Billy got his slipper socks they sent him for Christmas)

* Yea, thanks! lol! I don't need to be trunky at 8 months! hehe! (mission time is getting short - Billy comes home this September)

* Not much, just a lot of working! We have zone conference tommorow! that'll be fun!

* It hurts periodically, not like it was before though! (asked about neck/back pain)

* NOt that I can think of... (sending a care package and asked if anything special I could get him)

Well, I hope and pray that you'll have a good one!

Love Ya!!!
Elder Mulks

Psalms 23

January 24, 2011

Hey, Mom & Dad!

The week's been going good. Elder W. had a training meeting thurs and fri, so i was paired with another elder. Big focus on teaching simply.

Yea, Sis. T. told me that she had talked to you. SHe's so wonderful. She fed us soooooo much last week, we're still eating at it! She isn't a member. She's still investigating the church, and the reason she says that she hasn't gotten baptised is because she doesn't want to cause contention in her home. Her husband is a devout catholic and really doesn't like the church. SHe's in her 60's I think...

Yay! Party! Yea, we were invited to a wedding reception for a member here. THey had special M&m's. LoL! No problem with you not getting me any that little kids had handled!

Yay! Thank you auntie moo and uncle bob for the $$!! I'll put it to good use.

Wow...stupid doctors... (about my visit last week)

YEa, i believe I could listen to Truman Madsen tapes. Only on p-days or with members/investigators. I've been wondering about it, if it con be gotten in just cd and not dvd.

Elder W. and i are still finding. C-burg coiuld be doing better, but we're working on it.

Just got a light dusting of snow today. But we're expecting a big one tomorrow and wed!

Well, thats about it!
Love YA!
Elder Mulks

Email from a Christiansburg Ward member 1/20/11

Dear Mrs. Mulks,

I wanted to let you know what a fine young man you have raised and thank you for sharing him with our Christiansburg Ward.

I know that you know that his absolute favorite cookie is Macadamia white chocolate cbip!!!!!

There was one Sunday where he came forward to assist in serving the Sacrament, he had his hair combed straight back, I told him later that he had that Michael Douglas look! He just smiled.

I took a TON of food to he and Elder W. on Tuesday afternoon. I had asked Elder Mulks to tell me his favorite dish, as in, "If you ask your mom to make your favorite dish, what would it be?" He said, "Chicken Divan." So, I come home and start looking for a recipe for chicken divan. I find several---one recipe calls for cooking sherry while another calls for dry white wine. (Smiles!!) Needless to say, I keep looking and find a recipe that does not call for any 'spirits' and that's the one I make for him. We laughed about it when I was delivering their food.

There is one quality that your son has that I just love and that is when you ask him something he tells you in a very straight and direct manner. He doesn't tell you what he thinks you want to hear-----he will answer your question. I love that!!

My hobby is collecting cookbooks and I LOVE to cook, so I have told your son and Elder W. that I will be checking in with them each week just to make sure that they have a place to go for dinner and, if no one has invited them, then I will be more than willing to take yet ANOTHER ton of food to them. This is how I would want someone to treat my son if he were away from home.

I called Elder W. the next morning to see if the dessert that he chose (Pecan Sticky Buns) had hardened after it cooled to the point that it might have set up like cement and he said, "What dessert? It's all gone except for one piece!" I said, "Elder W., don't tell me that you ate all of that!" This was a Bundt cake size and he had eaten almost the whole thing! He WAS hungry!!!!!!

Anyway, I wanted to writr to tell you that you and your husband have such a fine young man and I also thought that this would make you smile. I hope that it does!

Love and prayers,
Sister T.

January 17, 2011

Hey mom and dad

Things are going good! we get to e-mail from members homes today!

Our ward conference is next week.

cool! I wonder what Bro. T will be called to serve next? (YM Pres released)

cool. Though, i don't remember working for him -( new scoutmaster called - Billy had done some clean up work at a construction site for him a few years ago)

yea, heard from S. and he bore his testimony. It was so COOL!(Billy's friend in Lacey who recently joined the church)

Wow. You should get a blessing too! I've seen miracles out here from 'em! you don't have to ask me twice! I'm already praying for ya! (told Billy I had cataracts and asked for his prayers)

yea! Elder W. has got the connections alright!! (his companion's dad has resources to buy computer parts to put together whatever you want - Billy wants a high powered fancy computer someday!)

Wow! sounds like an adventure! mabey you need some wheels? lol! (told Billy about taking an elderly lady to walmart and following her around in a motorized shopping cart and losing her for over an hour!)

Cool! i know that as i've been serving others, i've been blessed with joy. (Billy's response to hearing about all the service his dad did for others on Sat. - fixing treadmills, electrical wiring in homes, etc.)

YEa, the socks are great!! (guess he got the new socks!)

Not too much teaching, but doing a lot of finding. the snow is about all gone. I miss it already!

okie dokie! I'll look for it! (will be sending a valentine package after the first of Feb)

Well, I think that's about it!

Love Ya!!!
Elder Mulks

1/11/11

On 1/11/2011 8:51 AM, William Wesley Mulks wrote:

Hey, Mom and Dad!

Things are going good. Yea, it's great that break's finally over! we can really start to get the work going here! Also, I'm not leaving this transfer!!! YAY!! Cool! Yea, Sunny's great! Was the "blog" that you reffered him to, mine? (I have been in touch with Billy's highschool friend who got baptized in November)

Man, that would be annoying!! while in safe mode, use a flash drive and copy over important info that way you have them backed up, just in case! Viruses are so irritating!! (I opened up something on my computer that has caused me troubles)

Yea, I'll be on the lookout! (sent some socks)

That's so cool!! The temple is the coolest place! EVER!! (Mike and I were at the temple Saturday where a friend of ours went through for the first time and it was a special experience)

That's a crazy piece of doctrine!!! I've never heard that! (related something from our Sunday School Class that was new to me from 1915 Joseph F. Smith)

"Jesus the Christ" is a crazy long and in depth look at the life of Christ, (book by James E. Talmadge we're reading)

Well, I'll keep 'em in my prayers! (family struggles I mentioned about one of my sis')

I look forward to that dinner! (Indian cuisine - Saffron Grille in Northgate/Seattle - going their for January birthday dinners and told Billy not to fret as I'll take him there when he gets home!)

Well, LOVE YA!!!

Elder Mulks

Happy New Year!

On 1/3/2011 7:44 AM, William Wesley Mulks wrote:

Hey Mom & Dad!

THings are going well. So glad that Christmas break is almost over! The city has been empty this month! But our week has been pretty good otherwise.

* Lol, blueberry! (dad got a blackberry phone through work and put a blue protective cover on it)

* Nope, havent gotten it yet, what with new years and all. (I sent a packet with letters, etc.)

* yea, about 6 should be good. That should last me the rest of my mission. (Needs some more black socks)

* Lol, so are we! I had just gotten used to being to church at 1, and now it goes and changes back! Uggghh! (I told Billy about changing church times to 9 a.m. now and I like the later times)

* Sweet!! That'll be awesome!(a recent convert in Lacey is going to the temple this week to receive her ordinance work and be sealed in eternal marriage to her husband who passed a few years ago)

* Hmmm, not that i remember...(sent an email address to Billy of one of his recently returned missionary friends)

* It's doing alright. The snows just about all gone now. Nice while it lasted! (asked Billy how his back is doing from all the driveways/sidewalks of snow shoveling he did)

* Cool, i love to hear people's conversion stories too, they're just so cool! Yea, no kidding! (told Billy of a missionary telling the congregation about when he was 10 years old, riding his bike and heard a voice tell him to stop - didn't see anyone around but stopped just the same and a few seconds later, there was a 3 car pile up right where he would have been riding his bike - he later heard the gospel and when he was baptized and confirmed a member, heard the Holy Ghost tell him that it was his voice he heard with the warning when he was 10)

* We slept on new years. no staying up for us, sleep is too precious! lol Our investigators are doing alright. Not too much to say there this week. No, everyone else hogged the podium! lol (I told Billy I pictured him bearing his testimony and his reply was everyone hogged the podium)

Okie dokie!

Love Ya!

Elder Mulks

Psalms 23