From Farewell to Arrival in Canada...

November 30, 2008

Jordan delivered his farewell address before he was to enter the MTC. He spoke on spiritual strength through prayer. He and some of his friends sang, "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief."
It is a favorite hymn.

December 10, 2008
Jordan entered the MTC in Provo, Utah. We were almost late because he wanted to visit with
his grandpa one more time.

It was kind of hard to see him walk out of the room as we, his parents, went out the other door. We left the big room before he did and were able to see him walk away down the hall with the other missionaries. It was good. I was concerned because he had a bad cold.

He was in Branch 24 with President C. Lynn Patterson. His companion was Elder Bennion from Kaysville, Utah. In his first letter Jordan commented, "Elder Bennion is very talkative and had me feeling at home as soon as I walked in the door of our living quarters."

Jordan wrote that he liked the food and was trying to stay away from the sweets. He wrote letter on Christmas day. He enjoyed the devotionals with Elder Bednar and Elder Holland. He also got to shake hands with Elder Bednar.

As it turned out, Jordan got an ear infection and then pneumonia. He was given antibiotics and wrote, "I am almost over it now, so no freaking out and sending cans of Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup." This letter was mailed on December 26, 2208.

One of Elder Ferguson's teachers at the MTC, Brother Yao, wrote a wonderful letter. He wrote,"I have to say that Elder Ferguson is a trooper. In the past week and a half, I'm sure you know that he wasn't feeling the greatest; however, he didn't let that keep him from progressing at the MTC. It has been agreat pleasure to hae Elder Ferguson in the classroom. The other missionaries in the class have a great admiration of Elder Ferguson's knowledge of the gospel, so thank you for helping him gain that."

Jordan left the MTC on December 29, 2008. He called from the Salt Lake City airport enroute to Edmonton, Canada. In a letter that we received from his mission president, President Rhodes, he wrote "the day was one of the colder days we've had this winter." The flight information indicated a delay, but the elders arrived at 2 p.m. instead of 4 p.m. Elder and Sister Rhodes and to hurry to the airport "when we dicovered the error and found them handling the situation beautifully."

Elder Ferguson was assigned to Innisfail. It is about 120 miles south of Edmonton. His companion is Elder Holder who is the district leader. They stopped in Red Deer to get Elder
Ferguson a warm coat, gloves, etc.

December 31, 2008
Hello Family, I got to Canada safe and sound. I am currently in a town called Innisfail and my trainer's name is Elder Holder. He is a really cool guy. I didn't get a chance to meet him til 3 and a half hours after the transfer meeting, mainly because we are in an outlyng city, and it is a long trip to Innisfail from Edmonton. So I actually already have a baptism this Friday. I won't be doing the ordiance. The boy's uncle will baptize him, but i will be in the circle for the confirmation. From what I could tell last night, he was an amazing kid, and is willing to try and life his life the best he can. His mother is a member, I'm not sure bout his step father or the rest of the family, but he is definitely ready. So our average number of baptisms here in the Canada Edmontion mission is more 110, but this past year they hve DOUBLED that number, and have gotten 224 and everyone is trying to get one more to make ti a round 225. It'll be cool to be a part of history!

January 7, 2009
More bout the baptism last Friday. The convert's name is Kyle and he is 11. He is really excited. he was bptized by his uncle, and then I was in the circle, as was Elder Holder, when he was confirmed and given the Holy Ghost. It was really cool on Sunday as he bore his testimony for the first times in his ward. It's really cool to see someone come into the church. his mom is less active. We re trying to get her to come out as well, but she's having a bit of a harder time, but she is getting better. She's been reading and praying more since the missionaries started to visit Kyle.

I'm getting a gym pass so i can stay in better shape. We have a half our in the morning to work out. The equipment at our place isn't the greatest.

My companion, Elder Holder was born and raised inIidaho, but moved to Cedar City with family before high school. Elder Holder knows Elder Bytendorp, but hasn't served him him.

My coat I bought will keep me warm down to -40 degrees. I also have some great gloves. As for cold temperatures, it has been down to -37 degrees C, but the last couple of days have been really nice, about -8C. So we have even left our coats in the car when we are just going to appointments. When tracting I still keep my coat with me.

The members we are living with, the Quintons, have provided that blankets and sheets for my bed. They are really cool. They like to play games like Cribbage, etc. I actually had to learn that game so I could play when we go do service. We play at the old folks home when we visit.



January 14
He wrote, "I'm not cold. It's only -10C, which is roughly 12 degrees F, so it's not terrible. It's only gotten below -30C a couple of time, so things are fine. It's also warm in the car and in my coat. By theway, this week it's actually been pretty warm, with highs being anywhere from -10C to 6C.

We have a new investigator, Jason. He has had the lessons before, but because he was a minor at the time, his dad held the final decision on his baptism and obviously said no. now he can be baptized and hopefully that will be soon.

So, I found out that the Quintons have Ferguson blood. I saw a group of tartans on the wall. one looked kind of familiar. I pulled out by Ferguson tie and compared the two, not realizing that the name was given underneath the tartan. Please send me the family group sheets or info.

January 21, 2009
I haven't told you yet, but Canada, at least the part I'm in right now is pretty flat. You could watch your dog run away for three days and still be able to call it back home.
By the way, I sprained my ankle, but not bad, just a minor sprain.