Merry Christmas

Elders Fogg and Jorgensen wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Madison, Alabama - home of the Crimson Tide.


Excerpts from emails:

Dear Family

How is everybody? It was great talking to you on Christmas. I'm glad everybody is doing great. The work is still moving forward. We have a few new investigators that have some potential. I tried to figure out how to re-send all those pictures I sent, but I didn't have enough time to figure it out. Have a Happy New Year!

Love ya,

Elder Fogg

Dear Family

I received the family Christmas photo. Everyone looks the same except Alicia looks older and dad has more gray hair. Sterling is home for the Holidays. It probably feels like summer in Utah compared to Canada. I will probably be calling in the late morning like 10 or 11 your time on Christmas Day.

We are still teaching Sean. We moved his baptismal date back to the 30th because his grandfather doesn't think he is ready. Sean says he is ready and we think he is ready. There are a lot of apartments here, so most our tracting is in apartments. P-day is still Wednesday the 23rd, so I write you one more time before Christmas. The Huntsville Christmas festival was last week and all the missionaries in the area helped out with security and ushers, so that was pretty exciting. They have a really good choir. I'll send some pics next week. Have a Merry Christmas!!

Love Elder Fogg

North of the South

Dear Family

I am writing to you from Madison, Alabama. Transfers were moved to Tuesday because of Thanksgiving. My new companion is Elder Jorgensen from Albany, Oregon. We live in apartments that are pretty nice. We cover 2 Wards. I can already tell a difference in Northern Alabama compared to the South. Back to civilization. It was sad saying goodbye to the Stangers. We have a lot of members to work with so I'm excited. Wish me luck in this new area. I attached a letter from President Tate to you.

I love you and Happy Thanksgiving.

-Elder Fogg

222 Kyser Blvd. #86
Madison, Alabama 35758

Baptismal Date Set

Elder Fogg standing in a contemplative pose atop a stump in the outbacks of Jasper.















Excerpts from emails:

28 Oct:

We had a wonderful lesson with William and Rhonda Thomas. They are the ones that are a referral of a referral of a media referral. I used some training I learned from Elder Kukuchi and invited them to be baptized. They didn’t give us a definite yes, but the spirit was there and they didn’t say no. So we set an appointment with them tomorrow, so I need all the prayers I can get.

04 Nov:

We went back to teach William and Rhonda again. We taught about faith and I used a mousetrap as a teaching aid. We call this the Mousetrap lesson. I show them the trap and make sure they know what it is and how it works. I ask them to set it off with their shoe or a pen. Then I have them read Ether 12:6. While they are reading, I disable the trap by moving a small lever, but they don’t know and it looks the same. I then pretend to set it and ask them to touch it again. This time I promise them it will not hurt them. I'm testing their faith. Some touch it and find out nothing happens. They exercise there faith by acting on it, and in return they gain knowledge and more faith. Then we read Moroni 7:33-34. If the spirit is right we commit them to baptism. This we did with the Thomas', but again they would not give a definite answer. William wanted some time to think about it and Rhonda had some concerns that we tried to resolve. Overall it went well . They just needs a little more time to pray and find out for themselves. Their 16 year old son has been siting in on the lessons and he loves us. He wants us to come back and he says he learns a lot from us. So that’s pretty cool, we don’t get that much, especially from teenagers. So that’s whats been happening.
Talk to y'all next week.

18 Nov:

Things are going good here in Jasper. We set a baptismal date with William Thomas for December 5th. We hope if we get him baptized first his family will eventually follow along... I forgot to tell you last week. We hit a rabbit with our car on the way home, so we picked it up and brought it home with us and Brother Stanger helped us skin it. We are turning into a bunch of rednecks down here. I come home on the 25th of June. I love y'all and good luck with everything.

Elder Fogg

Still in Jasper

Elder Fogg with companion Elder Loveland and the missionaries of the Jasper District








Excerpts from emails:

"Yesterday, which is usually our P-day, we had our multi-zone conference where Elder Kukuchi spoke to us for 7 hours... By the end of the meeting Elder Kukuchi had everybody in tears. He taught us how to slow things down and really let our investigators know that they have a Heavenly Father that loves them. If we become a celestial missionary than we will baptize many people who are ready for the Gospel. So our P-day is today instead. Tonight we have an appointment with an investigator, He is married to a member and is willing to take the discussions from us. I hope he agrees to get baptized... A lot less biking = less leg muscle. So I’m 140 again... Thanks for all the updates. I love you all."

--Elder Fogg

Missions Unlimited

Elder Fogg performs quality control check on assembled wheelchair.










Excerpts from emails:

We do service twice a week at Missions Unlimited and we help make these hand propelled heavy duty wheelchairs for third world countries. None of our investigators are really progressing. I know we need to work with members in getting them more involved. It's nice being the senior companion, cuz you get to run thing more your way, but it is a little more responsibility. I have been an unofficial senior companion an few time before, if you know what I mean. Take care, and thanks for all your love and support. Keep praying for us.

Jasper

Elders Fogg and Kendall with the Stanger Family who provide living quarters for the Elders in the basement.





Excerpts from emails:

Transfers are this Thursday and Elder Kendall is leaving. I am staying in Jasper going senior companion to Elder Loveland. He has been out about 6 months. I'm glad I get to stay here in Jasper and keep working on our investigators. I know the area pretty well now so that makes it a whole lot easier. Glad things are going well for you. Have fun in lake Powell.

That’s a crazy story! Something always has to happen on family trips for some reason. Not much to report this week, just same old same old. Elder Loveland is from Beaverton Oregon. We teach crazy people every day. This one old guy was trying to tell us Jesus was born on September 29, that Cain’s earthly father is Satan, and that Noah’s flood was the second flood not the first and all this crazy stuff he learned from televangelism (preaching on TV). I tell ya, some people need to be rebuked for their foolishness. Glad you had fun in Powell. I love Powell. I’ll be on the next Powell trip.

4566 Beech Grove Rd.
Townley AL 35587

Montgomery District

The few, the humble, the missionaries of Montgomery Alabama.











Excerpts from emails:

I am getting transferred again, what a surprise, to Jasper and my new companion is Elder Kendall. I have never met him, but I have been to Jasper a few times on team-ups last year. Its kind of a dying area and we are being 'flushed in' (both new to the area), so it will be a lot of work ... but I am up to the challenge.

Sounds like all is well at home ... I know the Lord is blessing you. Do you remember Mike the Church of Christ guy I taught for 4 months in Northport? He moved to Jasper 5 months ago. I am going to find him and see if we can start teaching him again. He was almost baptized.

Wish me luck, and don’t do anything I would not do.

Elder Fogg

Good-bye Elder Gordon

Elders Fogg & Gordon symbolically walk the straight and narrow path.








Excerpts from email:

Hey y'all

Happy anniversary! 27 years is a long time, wow! I kinda forgot you have been married so long. Thankfully, I'm staying here for at least another 6 weeks. Elder Rau is my new companion - never met him before. Elder Gordon tells me he is a real cool guy and hard worker, so I think this is going to be another great transfer.

It's sad to see Elder Gordon go, but I'm glad I was lucky enough to serve with him. A year from now I'll be in his shoes and will know how tough it is to leave after being a missionary for so long.

Take care

Elder Fogg

Summer in Montgomery

Elder of the Alabama Montgomery District.










Excerpts for email:

It's June already - time just keeps flying by. I got Alicia's Graduation Announcement. My little sis is all grown up now (sniff, sniff, weep, cry) Out into the big bad world. Nice picture. I have had so many Elders ask if they can date Alicia when they get home or write her. I tell them yeah right, she is outta your league. Ha ha, but I get it all the time. They ask about Dani too, but I'm like she is married, so sorry. Congrats on graduating Seminary, I almost didn’t make it.

Elder Gordon only has like a week left, then on back to Washington. He is way excited to see his family again... I'm glad Rammy is enjoying my letters so much. Say hi to her. I love y'all so much, thanks for the music and the support. Oh yah, I got Dani’s letter and llama tie she sent me. I'm wearing it right now, its awesome.

Montgomery - 5th Area

Elder Fogg on assignment from the Governor to welcome all to the great state of Alabama.

Excerpt from email:

Hello family:

I'm here in Montgomery now...I love being back in the city. My new companion is Elder Gordon and it's his last transfer in the mission. He is a way cool kid that likes to snowboard, and play the piano. He reminds me a lot of Matt Hermanski. I have a way cool story that I'll have to tell you over the phone about how he almost got his bike stolen a few days ago.

I can't believe I only have one day left to be a teenager. I still look like I'm 15 or so. The other day someone thought I was 12 again. Sometimes I fool people and tell them I'm 13 or 14 and they totally believe it.

Happy Mothers Day on Sunday! I'm sending a card, but it will get there after we talk, but still it's the thought that counts. When you get a hold of Alex's mission address send it to me so I can write him.

I love my new area and Elder Gordon, we get along really well. It crazy, there are 6 of us missionaries living in one big house and 2 of them are Spanish speaking (not native). We have a piano in our house and sometimes we play during lunch or on P-day, so I want you to send some of my piano music to me, I'll specify over the phone and also I could use my moccasins cuz the guy that owns the house doesn't want us to wear our shoes inside.

Cant wait to talk to ya guys, it seems like we just talked but that was 5 months ago.

l o v e e l d e r f o g g

1736 Highland Ave.
Montgomery, AL 36107

Demopolis - 4th Area

Up close and personal with Elders Fogg and Booke.










Exerpts from emails:

Unfortunately, I am being transferred again. Demopolis is about 60 miles south of Tuscaloosa and 60 miles northwest of Camden. I didn't really want to be transferred because I was just getting familiar with the area [Camden] and members here, and I really wanted to see Roy get baptized.

Demopolis is like 5 times the size of Camden, but that's not saying much. We have a McDonald's and Wal-Mart now - yay! ... I don't know if the President likes me or not, but I think it's normal to be moved around a lot...Elder Booke has only two transfers left. He is from Springfield, Utah and wants to be an accountant. We are getting along pretty good. The Branch President is African American and a little more down to earth than the one in Camden. I forgot my camera card, but I'll send pictures next week. Love y'all.

503 S. Walnut Ave., Apt. B
Demopolis, Alabama 36732

Baptismal Date Set

A Priesthood Pyramid of the Elders serving in the Camden District.










Excerpts from emails:

I'm so glad to hear the good news that the BHS Accadians took first place - national champions! What an accomplishment. I'm so proud of Alicia.

There is still snow in Utah while it is 80+ degrees here already. I'm glad I have my Camelback to keep me hydrated. It is good you [mom] are reading the BOM, probably one of the best books you can read...So the valley will never look the same with the Draper Temple built. I won't see it for another 15 months, when I fly into SLC.

We have a baptismal date set with a man named Roy. Last time we taught him he said he knew this was the true Church, and that we were teaching him the truth. So that is always a nice thing to hear as a missionary. It is hard to believe, but next week is transfers. It feels like I just got here, and now I might be leaving. I hope not. Anyway y'all take care.

Camden - 3rd Area

Elders Fogg and Kelly with Sister Hughes - recent convert.











Excepts from email:

So, here I am in Camden Alabama. It is a small town way out in the country. No Wal-mart, maybe like 1000 people. I like it though, we live in a small house that the church is renting from a member who lives next door (Bro. Crabtree). We have a chicken coop in our backyard that belongs to Bro. Crabtree and he lets us collect eggs whenever we need some. So be sure to send some eggs recipes, like thin pancakes, fluffy pancakes, and how to poach an egg.

My new companion is Elder Kelly and he is from Ogden. Like my last companion, he is working on his last few months in the mission. He is 5 feet 6 inches tall and Irish-German looking, and he is very interested in computers.

The branch is small, like 20 active members or so, could use a lot of work and that is why we are here. Missionaries have not been in this area for over 10 years until Elder Kelly arrived 3 months ago. The people here are different than the city people.

Unfortunately, I cannot send pictures from this computer(a library rule), so I'll have to send them by letter. Well, I hope all is going well. I miss and love you all.

221 Sterret Street
Camden, Alabama 36726

Sugar Bowl

Elders Fogg, Mathews and The District reluctantly adorn their Alabama game shirts as a condition to watch the game.






Email Excerpt:

"Hey Everybody! Happy New Year!

Utah beat Alabama for probably the first and last time ever and I happen to be in Alabama. What are the chances? The people here are furious, they can't believe it. I call it a humbling experience for these prideful fans. My heart was for Utah, but I have to love the people and that means being an Alabama football fan. I wear my U of U sweatshirt to bed everynight though.

The weather is suprisingly warm here - it's like we went from fall straight to spring. The pictures I sent [include]'The Mugshot Burger'. If you can the whole thing in less than 12 minutes, its free! Elder Kelly tried it and failed. So much for our health. I'm going to try and eat better, I promise.

ps. I'm still the Rockband Champion!"