August 26, 2011

Que Pasa mi Amigos?

Hello Family! How are you all doing? It sounds like the madness has begun (or maybe just simply countinuing). So if I understand correctly Dad is in Jerome today for Mikesell and Brennen's Cross Country meet. I bet Alex is with him. McCall, Harrison, and Mom I'm guessing are up at the lodge. You have a wedding this weekend right Mom? I am also assuming Dad drove down to Jerome just for the day for the meet...?  I am saving some email time to send you a email with my flight plans later in the day. I wrote most of this in my study journal earlier. We are expecting the flight plans to leave some time this afternoon. It is rather convenient that we get them on a P-day so that we can email home that day. A small yet handy blessing! Thank you Mikesell, Brennen, and Mom for the dearelders letters. Also Dad I just got your email.  I know that you are all super busy and I appreciate that you take the time to write. I had a great week, it has gone by really fast. We are all pretty anxious to role to the great land of Argentina. I sometimes get super nervous at the same time.
So some highlights of the week (drum roll please)....
Number One- Elder Cladio Zivic came and spoke this week form the first qourom of the seventy. He is from Argentina. He is "the man" for many reasons. One being that he quoted Og Mandino. That was much appreciated. It was my favorite devotional so far, and we have had some really good ones. He talked about the power of prayer. He also shared some great insights on success. Dad - it was like that Boise "Get Motivated" seminar on steroids. I keep thinking about the importance of desires, what we want to become is who we will become. If we are humble, ask, work our tails off with a great deal of faith, anything is possible. Ask and ye shall recieve. What a powerful statement. It was also cool because Elder Tapia and I have worked really closely with his son, who is our Zone Coordinator.
Number Two:  We got to host this week! Which means we got to be the ones greeting new missionaries and taking their luggage and walking them away from their cars and families. That was a rewarding experience. It was also a little heart breaking and a little close to home. But such a testimony to the truthfulness to this work. It was sad to see those cars pull away sobbing and driving off back to their lives without their child. I definately was not able to keep a dry eye. This is all so worth it though. So I am guessing Hayden Clegg does not get here till next week?  I host next week also so I am hoping I can be his host when he arrives, if it works out.
Elder Tapia and I are enjoying teaching and I am so grateful for that. I really have learned a lot and love the opportunities it brings.  I am so excited to learn about and get to know a new culture, people, sights, etc.
Number 3:  We met with the Argentina council and finialized our Visas. He called Bahia Blanca "La Puerta de Patagonia" The door to Patagonia. That got me so pumped. Their is quite a few missionaries that are going to Bahia Blanca -  the work must be doing well...?

Dad the Defender- How are you mi amigo? You biked Fisher Williams huh? That sounds like so much fun. Alex and Brennen - hope you appreciate every minute of that beautiful place and time with Dad!  How is business? How are all the employees doing? What else is new? I think of your example daily and just can't say how much I love you and appreciate you. How is P90x? I have been doing about a 50-100 pushups a day and wall sits for a couple of minutes. I am going crazy with the lack of excercise. But I am making it. I promise to never sit this much in my life again. But, it is so worth it for what I am doing and I am happy to make the sacrafice. I love you Dad. Usted is el hombre. Mi espanol is getting better. To be flat out honest, the first couple of months are going to kick my trash out in the field, but I know the fundamentals and countinue to study hard. Hearing Elder Zivic talk we decided that Argentinos absorb their 's' that will be a strange adjustment, it almost sounds Italian or something. The food in Argentina is appearantly a lot like European food with more beef. Sounds good to me.

Mom the Angel- Hey Mom! Thanks so much for your journal entry and the dearelder. I just love that! So I can call home!! I already bought a calling card :) It will be nice to hear all of your voices. I am guessing it will be some time early Monday morning of Labor Day Weekend (Sept 5) What will work best for you all? I will email later what times I can when I get my flight plans. How is your event looking this weekend Mom? I am sure hope the kids will step it up with Lindsay gone. You will work yourself to the bone otherwise. How is the BRT (suburbans nickname - Big Rolling Turd) treating you? Thank you for your kind words always. There is nothing quite like a letter from Mom. I am doing well.  I feel ready to go into the field. My testimony has grown, my knowledge of the scriptures, my ability to lead and talk to people have grown. I will be sending home some things here this week to make the luggage weight. Would it be best for me to send them to Stanley or Jerome or does it matter? Our P-day next week will be on Saturday. I hope that you have a great week. I love you and miss you!! Thank you for your example!

Mikesell the stallion- Good Luck today! Run your heart out! Remember that with XC it is more important how you finish the season then start it so my advice would be to not really ever worry about not doing well the first couple of events if that means you are working really hard in every practice but also remember the best practices are the meets. I wish I could see you run. I can picture it though. You will countinue to be in my prayers and I expect to hear all of the little details! Sounds like you have been really busy working this week and running! I hope you are able to have some fun mixed in too. I love you Mikesell with all my heart. Keep being the happy bubbly you. Thank you for your letters.  I love them so much. Have a great week. What student council responsibilites do you have coming up? Senior year here you come! Wow!! Will you have seminary? Tell me your class schedule. Love you sis.We are always together in spirt. Oh and how is Eleanor? (nickname for Austins car) You getting the driving a stick shift down?

Brennen mi Amigo- Que Pasa? Thanks so much for your dearelder!! You made me laugh when you talked about the best two years. I am glad you have been able to have such fun memories this summer.What a great blessing. Don't worry I will have many more awesome memories in the future with you also. What classes do you have? Are you excited? How was XC the first week? the best part is getting to stay with Papa and Grandma!!  I remember the first day back from Redfish my first year of XC was pretty rough. I thought I could run like 5 miles with Ethan and the veterans but I died. But don't worry it will get better pretty soon you will be able to keep up with the big dogs and be a big dog if you work hard everyday. I think you will come to love the team and Coach Nordquist so much. Tell him hello for me. He is my hero and I will never be able to thank him enough. Tell Coach Messick the same. I am so excited for you Brennen!!  high school is pretty awesome!! When are you going to take Drivers Ed? I love you stud. Keep up the good work. Remember how much prayer can always help you. You can do anything my friend. Paz Amigo.

Alex the incredible- Hey Buddy! How you doing? How was you week? Are you sad to leave the fish? How are you classes and teachers looking? Are you doing XC this year? No Randy as coach - so who will be your coach? What did you do this week? I love you bro. I hope you are doing well. I pray for you all the time. Keep up the good work. I love you bro, I miss you alot. Have a great week. Thanks for your example. I hope you had a great bike ride!

Harrison the mighty- Hey Buddy!!! How are you? Are you ready for school to start! I can't believe that you are going to be so big! Who is your teacher, are you with any of your freinds ? Are you going to keep a eye out for your little sister? I remember when Mikesell and I were in Elemantary together she would give me a hug everyday before schools started. I used to think that wasn't very cool...but now I think that is pretty cool. Did you get some new school shoes yet? What are you most excited for? You are going to learn so much - you are so smart. I hope you have a great week Harrison. I love you buddy ! Tenga bien dia!

McCall the sunshine- How are you sweetie? Thank you so much for your little letter. I loved it! Sounds like you had a really fun day! Feeding the horses and seeing the Kokanee in the creek sound amazing!! ...an orange feather and a Offsprey! Wow!!  I am glad The "fake me" cardboard thing is able to give you kisses everyday. That makes me feel good. Are you nervous to go to school all day? You are doing to do so great. You will learn how to read and all of those fun things! You are so smart! I love you McCall I pray for you all the time.

Well, once again I will email you all later today with my travel plans. We will finish up our laundry here, go get breakfast, have personal study, and then write letters. We will then go to the temple, have lunch, and then our plans should be here if all goes as planned. I am learning the importance of still "being a person" as well as a missionary. The world does not need awkard missionaries.  Just be your happy self and be a good example and teach boldly and simply. There is a great scripture in Thess 2; 8-9 that says how teaching is imparting of the soul. I love you all so much. I know the church is true. The Book of Mormon and prayer will change our lives for the better. Always be the best part of "you" you can be. May God countinue to bless you. You are all such great examples to the world. Keep it up. Happiness is always in store for those who obey. I am so grateful for the examples of our wonderful Grandparents.  BYU starts here soon -  all the cousins are here already I am guessing! Weird to think they are all so close to me!! God speed and do good work!
Elder Clegg

5pm.

Hey! I hope the events of the day are all going well - really excited to hear about them!

So we got the plans! We will leave for the SLC airport Sept 5th next Monday at 8:00 am. Our flight leaves from SLC for Dallas Texas at 12:50. I will call around 10:00 am or there abouts in the SLC airport. Should I call Stanley, Jerome, or the cell phone? I can call both if you are all split.  We have a three hour lay over in Texas and leave at 7 :35 pm and then a eleven hour flight to Buenos Aires - we get there at 8:15 in the morning. We then have a tenish hour bus ride to Bahia Blanca. So it is quite a long trip. We are flying  American Airlines. It is pretty exciting and getting very real!  I am the travel leader with 14 in our group.  I hope that the event is going well. Actually the meet is probably over now as I write this!! it probably is just ending! I love you all so much. Mikesell I got your letter. I sent pictures to Stanley today. Love you all. I will answer any other questions next week.  Love Elder Clegg!

August 19, 2011

Hello my wonderful family,
I hope you are all doing well in the high land. It sounds like you have all had a great busy week. HAPPY ANIVERSARY Mom and Dad! I hope that you had a wonderful time at Muldoon. What a wonderful place for you both to go to. Did you get my card last this week? Thank you for the letters this week. I countinue to feel support and I love your letters. Mikesell thank you for your letter and thank you Mom, Dad, Mikesell, Brennen for your dearelders. I also recieved a dearelder from Grandma Clegg - that was really nice. I also received a letter from Cody Davis, what a great man.
Dad the Fantastic- Thank you so much for your letter and your thoughtfulness. I agree, you did score pretty big with Mom. But she did the same with you. I am so grateful for you both and the blessings that you are to me. How was Muldoon? How is business? Mom says it feels like "fall" in the air? I bet you can hardly believe that it is about time for the crew to go back to Jerome. It seems like just yesterday you and I were living the dream up the Cabin together in May. We still are "living the dream", just in different places! :) I love you Dad. Thank you for your prayers. I am so extremely grateful for you. Words can not describe.

Mom the Marvelous- I bet you just loved the Muldoon trip and it is well deserved for you. Good Luck with your wedding this weekend. What day will you head for Jerome for school with the kids? Can't believe school is starting already. Thanks for being so willing to send things. So far as I can see at the moment, I am ready for Argentina.  Thank you for the words on gratitude. They meant a lot. I am learning so much about principles like that everyday. How awesome is it to get about two hours a day to read and study. What a nerd i have become already. I just crave reading the scriptures and the General conference talks. It is so real for me and I just soak it up. One of my favorite scriptures I came across this week is in Jacob 3:2. What are your plans for this week? Sad to have Lindsay leave I am sure. This time of year is always a little hard leaving Dad and Redfish. So many things you love, but you also love many things in Jerome. You will be in my every prayer, as always. I love you with all my heart. I miss you to death, but as always, I find peace in what I am doing and feel myself getting more focused every week. I want to go to work. You are the best Mom! Have a wonderful week. Be looking for snail mail latter in the week. I am going to try and send pictures next week.

Super Mikesell!- School Shopping in Boise huh! Sweet. Did you have a good time? Are you ready for the best school year of your life. My advice is to do all that you can - but also realize how important family time is...you know that and are really good at balancing that out. How is running and such? It will be so great to have Brennen with you at school. You will have to watch out for the stud. He can hold his own though. Thank you so much for your letters they mean the world. I miss you!! Talk to Heavenly Father and then we will be talking to the same person, so it is kinda like we are talking to each other. I have been running, stationary bike, volleyball, and basketballing for gym time this week. I am doing lots of wall sits, lunges, and pushups ect. when I can. We sit so much it is cruel...but worth it. I am going to love to be outside walking in Argentina even if it is freezing for the first couple of months. What are you most excited for? What day is your ACT? I love you Mikesell so so much. Stay strong and countinue to rely on your Heavenly Father. You are in my every prayer. I love you beautiful girl.

B-DAWG!- Hey brother, thanks so much for the dearelder. How was climbing Iowa peak? I bet it was awesome. I bet there was a lot less snow this time. Sounds like you are having a good time. Have you been running?   I looked up " race" in the Topical guide and I found some inspirational scriptures for you . 1 Corinthians 9 :24 Mosiah 4 :27.   Remember that you are just competing to beat yourself. The first year of XC is the hardest, but you get stronger and stronger I will be sending you a letter. You will love it. Just remember that you can only control your attitude and your effort. I will be praying for you. I love you brother! I hope that you have a great week. Keep being a stud. You are just going to love high school. It is such a fun time and adventure in life. Love ya bro.  P.S How did the Eagle project go?

A- TRAIN- Hey my man! How was climbing Iowa peak? I am glad you and Brennen are getting to do so much awesome stuff together.How was your week? Are you ready for school? How is BYU's team looking this year? I love you man. I am excited to hear from you. Have a great week. I am praying for you always. Keep up the good work. Thanks for being a such a good example and good job in that JF 5k run. Did you get a new favorite t-shirt? Is your hat still white? I love you Al. Thanks bud.

Harrison the Great- How are you buddy? Thank you for the note with Mom's dearelders. I bet you are just growing like crazy. ARe your ready for school to start? What has been your favorite thing this week? I love you Harrison. You are awesome. Have a great week. I love you stud.
Imagine a big hug coming at you.

McCally Dolly- Hey Sweetie! How are you? Thank you so much for your dearelder with Mom! I loved that. :) I miss you Cally. Don't forget about our imaginary hugs. Are you still watching The Andy Girffith Show? How are your night time stories?I love you Cally. Have a great week Princess. Thank you for your example.

Well it was a great week here again at the MTC. They are all starting to blend together. I saw the Okelberries quite a bit this week and that was really fun. They are really wonderful people. I met Spencer Clegg this week. He is teaching in the MTC and a hermana in our zone pointed to our tags and asked if we were related. Hayley will know exactly who I am talking about. His Dad is Grant I believe. He knows Larson really well and I think I remember Larson talking about him. I have a picture of Redfish on my study journal and someone asked recognozed the photo and we talked about Redfish for a while. His family goes there every year. Elder Morris left this week for the DR. Elder Trejo leaves on Monday. I will finalize my visa on Tuesday and hopefully get travel plans before next Pday. So far as I know the 5th is still the day that we fly out. It is so strange it is getting so close. I am still climbing the mountain of Spanish. It is pretty hard. I will get it. The first couple months in Argentina are going to be wonderfully challenging. My testimony and ability to study and teach have greatly improved here and I think that is the most important thing. Elder Tapia and I are doing well as Zone Leaders. We still have time to do the most important things. We are trying to speak as much Spanish as possible together as a District, but I am am learing that I have to set my own goals and go for it. I love it here and am constantly happy.
Mom, Thanks so much for the pictures. I love them! That is so great what Dad did about the M& Ms. Loved that idea! You can totally see the picture of your both on the M&M's.  I am so glad that you had a nice break. Well I love you all so much. I look forward to talking to you on the phone. I am going to check with my Branch President to make sure that it is ok. I know all the missionaries call but I will still check. Have a wonderful day. Have a great week. A lot of employees will start to leave I am guessing there at Redfish. That will be really sad to say goodbye to Lindsay I bet. What a great experience to be with her for the summer. She has been an awesome nanny for the family. God is real, he loves each of you and all of his children so much. I am so grateful to have been raised in a Gospel family where I have been blessed beyond comprehension. The Atonement is real and I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet -that the Book of Mormon is true and that this church holds the proper authority of Christ. I also learned how important it is to seek after all good things! I love you all -  God loves you. Have a wonderful week and keep being the  great examples of love, service, hard work, and so many other things. God bless you all! I will talk to you next week.
P.S Tell Ashlynn that I met a friend Russel Walker here. He said to say hello and to tell her she looks like the girl off August Rush. Don't know why, but I told him I would deliver the message. I am sure Ash is real excited for BYU. Tell her and Cass and Sadie good luck for me. They are going to love it. I am so excited for them. Tell them I love them.
God speed Amigos! You are in my every prayer!

Cardboard man of Austin in our Living Room

Cardboard picture of Austin - George Bush Replica -
Don't laugh it makes us all feel so much better!!
Got this idea from my sister... loved it!
(But it has scared each of us to death at one time or another!!)

August 12, 2011 Letter

Note explaining some of his letter: This week was a crazy busy week for our family. I had 9 events - feeding 2,900 people. (5 of those events were a "Ride Idaho" Cyclist group of 425 people) 2 weddings, etc.   Brennen completed his Eagle Project of building log benches outside of the chapel in town.   Jeff, Mikesell, Brennen, and Alex climbed Mt. Heyburn on Thursday. Austin sounds sooo great- I know he misses being outside- but studying all day inside would do that to anyone I suppose!


Well good day to my most favorite family in the world! Thank you so much for the letters and support this week! I can't believe how busy you all are so for you to take time to write means a lot and I really appreciate it. Mom, I bet you are just rocking all of the events. Sunday and you will be done! What a week. Dad I got your letter with the IRA info - have you gotten it back yet? I also received a package from the great cousins - Dani and Clarissa. Their letters were so nice and the package was very thoughful. I also got a letter from Trish , a wedding announcement from Kim, a letter from Elder Lott, (he sounded so good! I really miss him...) and dearelders from Dad, Mom, Mikesell, Aunt Julie, Rachelle, and Olivia Mayer. They were all really nice and I appreciated them so much! I loved the pictures you sent Mom! I will look at them more later today. I got up at 5 for laundry and wrote this in the study notebook. I will get back on my email latter this afternoon and look at the pictures more, I dont want to waste my email time. I love you all.

Dad- How has your week been? What are your plans for the anniversary coming up? I bet a Muldoon trip or something like sounds nice to both of you.  I can't believe Del did that with the firewood. He is such a great example of self-less service. I have been meaning to get the Ovesons address - if i could I'd really like to send a thank you.  How are the prepations for the service project on Saturday coming? How did Brennen's Eagle Project go? I sure love you Dad and just cannot say thank you enough, tu es el hombre, you are such a outstanding person.  I love you.... Have a wonderful week and I look forward to hearing from you! Thank you again for the finishing last papers for me on the IRA set up.

Mom- If I was in your shoes I don't know if I would be alert enough to even read this letter!! How are you? From your letter earlier this week it sounds like that you have really worked hard on the events and that everything is going smoothly. I am so glad. You have been prayed for much here. I laughed really hard when you talked about being curling up in a ball in a kayak somewhere in the middle of the lake by the end of the week.. That sounds really nice.:) I hope that you are able to relax a little now before the "back and forth" of fall begins. I sure hope you drive safe and the BRT (our name for our Suburban - Big Rolling Turd) stays healthy! Mom -You are such a amazing person and have touched the lives of so many for good. You and Dad's and the kids influence there at the lodge is such a great blessing. I can't believe that you are doing that George Bush thing... ha ha I am also so glad that Nanny Kim was able to be there the whole week to fill in while Lindsay was gone with her family. What a great blessing! I love you Mom! Good luck with your lesson and the remainder of your events this week! Nine events in one week is insane- let alone that many people. Thank you so much! Oh, and I found another pair of garments so, I will be just fine. Sorry for the trouble, I am a little concerned about my running shoes though, they are starting to break up a little , so I think I am going to send them and my basketball shoes home in a couple weeks. So i am wondering if you could send a pair of cheap running shoes? I hate asking for things. Other than that I am doing really well and I don't need anything.  In fact I will be sending a few things home I am sure in a couple weeks so that I can fit everything and be under the weight limit. I got my pants fixed so all is well there. Love you so much Mom! How was that concert? It was funny the next day the elder in my room got the same CD! (Called The Work - by Nashville Tribute) We just wont be able to listen to it until Argentina.

Mikesell the Champion- Oh my goodness - I love getting your letters so much! I look forward to them every week. I miss talking to you very much also. Did you get my letter this week? How is work going? Have you been able to make some solid money? What day does Cross Country begin? I love you and I hope that you are doing well... you are in my every prayer. You are such a outstanding example and person in all that you do. That sounded so fun with the air matress and the laptop movie on the lake at night! ha ha I could just picture it perfectly. Sounds like Goat Lake hike was fun - I was with you in spirit! That I promise. What other fun things have you been up to? What was the last couple of activites at young adults? I sure love you sis, keep fighting and relying on Heavenly Father. He will help you through any challenges that you will ever have. He is always their to lift you up in your hour of need! Have a great week! I am excited to talk to you all on the phone in a couple of weeks! Love you.

Brennen the Eagle!- How did it go? I want to hear all about it! I am so proud of you for getting it done! It will be a blessing to you for every that I can promise. How was your week? Have you still been working on the docks? What about your adventures? I love you Brennen and I look forward to hearing from you. You are such a outstanding young man. You are growing so much. I love and miss you. Keep up the good work!! I would love to hear from you. Remember the awesome blessings that come from keeping the commandments. Life is just awesome! What are you learing in you scripture reading?

Alex the Atrain- Que Pasa amigo? How was your week I sure miss you bro. What have you been up to? I would love to hear from you! Did you help with Brennen's eagle? Did you play frisbee this week? Trish said that you all had not played for awhile so you better get up there! I was able to throw the disc a litte this week, but no real ultimate. I ran and played basketball and volleyball for gym time this week. Is the water getting warmer or is it still a little fresh? How are you mtn biking skills coming? You and Brennen are getting really good. How is su testimonio? I love you brother, keep being a great kid. I sure miss you. I hope you are doing well! Keep up the good work.

Harrison the Mighty- t! How are you amigo? How was your week? Have you been having fun? Mom said you have been reading your scriptures every day! She told me that was your promise for while I was gone. That is so awesome! Keep it up! I would love to hear from you buddy! Keep being a great kid! Have a great weekend and week! What has been the favorite thing you did this week?

McCall! How are you? Did you have so much fun with Kim this week? I bet you have done a lot of fun things together. Are you and Mikesell playing a lot? How is the beach and the lake. Is Tom's ice cream still awesome at the Gazebo? I love you so much sis! Imagine me giving you a big hug! I love you so much. Have a great week. I still love your picture. I miss you Cally.

Well, it has been a great week. I am just trying to go through the refiners fire and become more Christlike every day. I was only released as district leader for about two hours when Elder Tapia and I were called as Zone Leaders. That was a little overwhemling. We got a new distict in our zone this week so we have been working with them alot. It is a great oppurtunity to serve and to work along side our great branch presdency. Your prayers are much appreciated and felt. Spanish is coming along slowly. I am learning how to teach much better now. I love teaching and I love being bold with our fake investagators. Yesterday I went off campus with our new district leader to rite aide to pick up a prescpition. It was so wierd to be off the MTC campus. I drove right by budge and all of Helaman. It was weird but nice. Everyone was so nice to us and we actually were able to talk to a non active member as we were waiting outstide for our shuttle back. It was so awesome to see what the summer was going like out side the mtc. It got me so excited for the opportunity to teach others about the happiness that we have. I saw yesterday the senior couple from Jerome that is heading to France, that was so nice to see them. The Okleberries I believe. They are so sweet and it was so nice to see them. I am excited to see Hayden here in a week or two. I keep forgetting to tell you all that Brother Jolly is a member of our branch president and that he is related to the President Jolly in Salmon. He was up there just a few weeks ago. Time is going by really quickly here. I am excited for Argentina but also a little nervous. I want you all to know that theis Gospel is all about being happy!  Christ lives he loves you and all of his Children. GOD WANTS US TO BE THE BEST THAT WE CAN BE. I love you all with all my heart. Have the best week ever and be looking for that snail mail latter in the week. I love hearing from all of you. God bless and Vaya Con Dios.  
Love, Elder Clegg

August 5, 2011 Letter

Hola mi Familia!
It has been another fantastic week here at the MTC. It sounds like you have all had a fantastic week and that you are as busy as ever.  Dad and Mikesell Congratulations on your awesome accomplishment of completing the Spudman in your best times yet! What studs... What Studs...!! So, this week I received letters from Uncle Alan, Kim Yost, dearelders from Mikesell, two from Mom, and one from Dad, and also a dearelder from a good friend of Scott and I's at school, Olivia Mayer. Thank you all so much. They mean so much to me and they are a great support. I cherish them and the kindness and testimonies that are within. By the way, could you tell me when Scott goes into the MTC, and weather or not he got his Visa yet?  If he hasn't I will see him here instead of him going straight to the MTC there.  I believe he comes in this week or the next. Also I think Hayden Clegg comes in in two weeks. I am really excited to see him!!

Dad, Well congratulations on making that PR on your time in the triathlon!  I was so excited to hear that. Thank you for your letter. Sounds like I might see a "new store" in two years...? That would be sweet. I'll keep that in my prayers. I am working hard here. It is a different kind of work than out with Del in the fields of Stanley, or even at school. I have been blessed to adjust to the missionary schedule quite easily. The harder you work - the better your day is... hands down. Me Espanol es meyor toda dia. Yo trabajo mucho lo aprende la conjugations. Me districto hable espanol durante amaroso ( lunch, spelling is off:) Es dificil, but totally worth it. I will be testing out the conversion power of a simple testimony and a smile and action the first few months in Argentina. Then I will be able to teach like I would like to. How is everything at the lake? What is the snow level like? How is business?  Any Fires? The Goat Lake hike sounds awesome and I am a little bit jealous. I limit myself to the time that I can look out our classroom window. I completly white now...with no tan. But that is ok, it is worth it for the way my testimony has grown in the last month. It is incredible. I love the firesides and devotionals here. Singing in the Choir has also been a spiritual treat. I sure love you Dad and think about what you have taught me often, everyday. Thank you for your example. You exemplify Christ in so many ways. I wish I could have seen what you were like during your time here at the MTC.

Mom - so a missionary here showed me how to type everything I want to type on the LDS Study journal and then I can just copy and past it over to the email, so hopefully I can be more detailed in my writing. You will be in my every prayer for the next week (and two years for that matter as you have been the last month) I am glad to here that you are all orgainized. I can't even imagine your week. 9 events and feeding 2900 people. Unbelievable. Do you have all of your help lined up? I wish I could see you doing your thing. I learned how to say your favorite saying in espanol this week "Esta Bien"  "Its All Good" or it is ok. I found a great scripture on "love" this week that I thought you might enjoy, it is 1 John 4:18- the end of the chapter. Thank you for keeping me updated on all of the family news - it is so nice to be updated. Thank you for setting up that blog too... I am not sure who would want to read it, but I really appreciate it. Thank you so much. It sounds like you had a great time in Burley at the triathlon and a good week. I am so glad to hear that Kim Yost is coming up to help with the kids while Lindsay is away with her family. That will be so awesome. I will pray for you so much this week. Have fun! You do such a good job. I love you so much Mom and miss you alot. But everyday is a new day and I am happy and am loving being a missionary. Have a great week. You will make it!

Mikesell - You have had a great couple of weeks it sounds like. I am glad you had such a good time at the Book of Mormon Youth Conference.  Those experinces build foundations for your testimony. How is running coming? I bet you are hitting work hard now. What day does XCountry start? Summer has flown by hasn't it! Enjoy your last couple of weeks in Heaven!!! Jerome is very nice too though. I love you so much Mikesell. I think of you often and am so grateful for a best freind and sister like you. Have a great week and I look forward to your letter. They make my day. All my love sis... Go get em tiger. I heard your talk in church went really well... if you have a copy I would love to read it . Oh and fantastic job on the spudman!!

Brennen- The stud! How are you?  It sounds like you also had a great experience at camp, that is so wonderful. I heard you bore your testimony, that is excellent. How is that family that you have been playing with so much? How is the docks? I love you so much Brennen. Are you going to run XC this year?  I love you Brother. Have a great week. I miss you alot.  You can do anything you set your mind to if you keep being the great young man that you are!!!

Alex - What is happening buddy? How is your week been?  Did you have fun in Burley and at Goat lake yesterday? That made me really miss Stanley, in a good way. I just look out my window and dream of the outdoors now!! :) I will get out there soon though. I expect a letter this week with a full report of you and Brennen's adventures. I love you so much Al. Keep being a awesome kid and shoot for the stars. Are you running XC? Keep it up Al. I love you so much.

Harrison - How are you buddy! How has your week been? What have you been up to? I miss you buddy. Are you having fun playing? I bet you are tired today, that is a big hike for a little guy. 8 miles! But I am sure you handled it well! I am proud of you buddy. I love you Harrison. Keep being awesome. How is Andy Griffith? Thank you Harrison. I love you.

McCall the Angel. How are you?  What are your latest adventures? I miss your voice and your hugs a lot. So imagine me giving you and everyone a big hug. Are you excited for school to start and to see your friends? How is the beach?  I love you McCall. Thank you for your sweetness. Have a great week. I miss you. Don't forget our handshake.

This morning we went to the temple and that was nice as always. We did not do a session, just iniatiory. This week has been great -  time is flying but slow at the same time. I will be released as District Leader this Sunday. I have loved being able to serve my district and I am so grateful for thier examples. They are all such great missionaries.  I really was blessed with a unusually prepared district. I have been playing volleyball and running and pushups during gym time. That has been nice. I did something kind of crazy this morning and cut my own hair.  It doesn't look half bad. Appearently I have a chunk of hair missing in the back of my head - but other than that:) jk.  Mom, you do a much better job. I want you all to know that Heavenly Father loves all of his children and that Christ's Atonement has the power to make us happy. I have learned many great lessons here in the MTC and I wish  I could share them all with you. I just want you to know that my testimony has been strenghtend a lot here. I am trying to be a better teacher. I had a great talk with Elder Crane Wednesday about Faith and how important rightoues desires are. He is a outstanding example. I love Elder Crane. He leaves on Monday and I will miss him.
So one funny story:  This week an Elder went to the Emergency room because he thought he swallowed a Laffy Taffy wrapper. Turns out... he had a sore throat and was getting sick. Kinda funny to me.
Well my time is almost up. I never feel  like I can adaquately tell each of you how much I love you through these emails. I just pray that you know. I hope that each of you have a awesome week. You are all so wonderful and the greatest blessing in my life. May you countinue to be blessed. You are in my every prayer. Tell the Crew hello at Redfish and have fun with Kim staying there this week as nanny.  I hope Lindsay has a great time in Island Park with her family. I hope Eleanor is good to her....      (Note: Eleanor is the name of Austins car... Lindsay borrowed it.)
I love you all. Keep doing what you do!
Love ,
Elder Austin Clegg

A pic from the MTC with his BYU Friends

                       Austin Clegg, Drew Pearson, Easton Trejo, Adam Englebrect

July 29, 2011

Well Hola to the best family in the world! How are you all today? The temple was finally open for P-day today so I am sending this off a little late. I had a great time at the temple. It was great to go back!! I am almost certain that I saw Ellory Pugmire walking out of a session. I was not able to say hi, but I know it was her. You will have to see if she was there on Friday morning. I also saw Beth Lott on the way back, she was volunteering at the trc which is great. Elder Morris got here this week and it has been great to see him around. Pretty much my whole floor from BYU is here right now so it is a great blessing. There are so many people here from BYU who I love and get to see frequently. It is lift during those hard moments.  I am convinced that there are no bad days here, just some hard moments in the day. Heavenly Father always lifts me up when I am missing all of you and home. I am happy here.
I received letters this week from the Cox Family ( cookies), Lindsay, Mikesell, Harrison and McCall. A amazing package from Mom - thank you so much!! A dearelder from Brennen, Alex, Mikesell, Dad and of course you Mom:)  I also got a letter from Bishop Prince and Amy.  Thank each of your for your letters. They were awesome. I wrote Papa and Grandma last week but I think they sent the dearelder before they got my letter. Dad! Thank you so much for your letter. It meant a lot to me as they always do. I actually have thought several times about how you worked in the cafeteria. I always think about all the great family members that I have here that walked the halls and side walks of this place and it gives me a little more meaning. I am so excited to here how tomorrow goes with the Triathlon! Good luck and you will countine to be in my prayers. Tell the Gunnell family hello for me. I love you Dad.
Mom -Thank you so much for all of your notes and the package and the pictures. They mean the world to me. How are you feeling - sleeping? I love your journal entries.  I will try and write snail mail latter today, but it might not get sent until tomorrow so it will be slow getting there. Sounds like you have a very busy couple of weeks coming up. You will be in my every thought and prayer. I feel the blessings of your prayers daily.  I love you so much. Time is going really fast for me. It is crazy, I feel like I will be home tomorrow if this keeps up so I better get to work. The days really are long and the weeks really are short. Have a great time in Burley tommorow. I love you with all my heart!
Mikesell the Stud! - Did you get my really short and messy letter? After I got your dearelders I sent off a quick letter. I was so happy to hear about how well you did at BYU cross country camp. I was praying my guts out for you. I really did feel you closer...two blocks away... crazy! I was constanly on the lookput for you while I was up at the field for our exercise time. It is very possible that you could have drove by in the van  while I was there...crazy to think about. Thank you for your letters.  Keep working hard!!!  Are you going to do the traithlon with Dad tomorrow? Keep me posted. And I loved your picture. I will try and write you soon.  I love you more than I can say Mikes. I will try and tell you some fun stories and such in the letter. 
Brennen the MAN!!- Thank you for sending your talk that you gave in church. That was awesome. How was the Book of Mormon youth camp? I am sure you loved it. Those are such good times. I bet you are happy for a week at Redfish this week though with two weeks in a row being gone. That will be nice for you. Thank you for writing - I love hearing from you. How are the docks and what adventures have you and David and Alex been up to? Love you bro. Keep up the good work.
Alex my buddy! - How are you? How was your week this week, thanks for your email and your support. What did you do this week?  My white shirts are taking a beating but I got "Shout" and they are staying pretty clean - thanks for checking though? :) I figured that was a fair question after I asked if your new white hat is still white! It is your turn to get a letter from me this week. I love you brother. Keep up the good work. 
Hair bear:) - How are you Harrision?. I loved your picture so much! Thank you!  What did you do this week? I hope you are having a fun summer.Have fun at the traithlon race tomorrow. You are the man, keep being nice to Cally and all the siblings. Have you been jumping in the lake alot?
Cally Dolly - Thank you for your picture so much!! I loved it! I miss you Cally.  What was your favorite thing you did this week? I am sure you are having fun with Lindsay! You are so cute. Have a great week. Don't forget our handshake!
I learn so much each week it is hard for me to narrow down one thing to write about. I think this week I learned how important it is to let the best part of your self lead. We really can't do anything without the help of Heavenly Father. Dad, being a district leader is great, I love my district and they are easy, they all lead themselves or follow Christ. We have a special district I feel. We are all so diferent but that is what makes us great. I love each of them. It is going to be hard to say good bye down the road. Well I got three min.  I want you all to know how much I love you. I want you to know that a testimony is a living thing, you can never be satisfied with what you have or let down. You must be constantly nourshing it or it will fade. The Spanish is coming, it is very hard for me...it will come, but I dont think until I am well into Argentina... not here in the MTC. I will persist until I succeed. Have fun in Burley. and at the Sawtooth dinner Mom and Dad. I love each of you. Thank you for your prayers. God bless each of you. Keep being the great people you are and tell the Redfish crew hello. You are always in my thoughts and prayers. Love you,  Elder Clegg