E-mail dated 4/26/10

Congratulations Degen family. You have been accepted into the School of Future Technology and will begin taking classes right now. Your first class will be "How to use the Time Machine". Ready. Lets Go.

To Begin using the Time Machine insert 4 quarters into the computer. Just kidding, that would probably break the computer. Our first destination will be SIERRA LEONE at appoximately 6:30 PM on MONDAY 19 APR 2010. Remember that you can see the people but they can't see you, so don't hurt yourself when you see your son.

Elder Bird and Elder Degen are currently in the middle of teaching a fantastic family home evening lesson with the Gbabay family. They have just taught the covenant of baptism and asked if the family would like to be baptized. " Yes, but what do I need to do to be baptized?" asks Augustine Gbabay, the father of the family. "That is a great question," responds Elder Degen "the first things you need to do to be baptized are faith and repentance, which we discussed about the last time." "But I've already been baptized in the Catholic church." Solomon states.
"In order for the baptism to be recognized by God that person must have the priesthood power. Here's an example: If I want to go and direct the traffic on Pademba Road who do I have to recieve the authority from? The government right. If I were to just go and do it and then go to the government and ask for my pay what would happen?"
"They would never pay him"
"Why"
"Because he didin't have the authority!"
"Exactly, so how does God feel about baptisms that aren't done by His authority?"
"He doesn't accept them."
"Very Good! Brother Gbabay will you be baptized as a member of the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints"
"Yes, I will"
"What about you Sister Christiana?"
"Yes"
"Solomon, Aminata, Pius, Florence?"
"Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes"
"OK all those who havn't been coming to church and haven't been joining the discussions will now need to catch up to the rest of us" said the father.
"Ok lets go to the game now"

We are sorry but your time has expired. Please insert another 4 quarters into the computer for another round. Just kidding. Man that was just as funny the second time. The next destination will be SIERRA LEONE on FRIDAY 23 APR 2010 at appoximatley 4:30 PM. Ready. (imaginary spaceship noises)

"Elder BIRD!! My brain hurts. Why don't you come and figure this out and I'll change the blue triangles to white on the computer."
"Just let me finish this map of Kissy on the computer then I'll give it to President' and come and help."
"Do you know how hard it is to divide this Kissy branch directory into two branches with the correct number of females per branch and the number of active and less active young men, young women, and children per branch. My brain really hurts!"

Malfunction! Malfunction! Malfunction! We are sorry but you can't be pushing those buttons Gavin Stewart Degen. Geez you think this is easy going back into time. Well you've got another thing coming. That'll be 20 quarters for you. Well lets go to our last stop for this period. Destination SIERRA LEONE on SUNDAY 25 APR 2010 at approximately 8:00 PM.

"Elder Bird, which zone do you want to call and give transfer news first? I think we should tell Elder Albright in Liberia first because they had their numbers in first"
"That would make sense to me"
"Elder Grabau and Elder Gunderson go upstairs, freetown is not first this time"
(moaning and groaning)
(excitment on the phone beacue Elder Albright knows he only has 6 more weeks left)
"Paynesville Elders remain the same. Paynesville 2 Elders remain the same. Elder Korfeh recieves Elder Kenner and Elder Onuoha is going home .. . . . . . ."

Ok Ok. Man that took alot of brain power. This is Elder Degen now. I was telling Sister Jones how hard it is to write home these days and she told me to be creative. How's that for creative. I don't think it makes much sense but oh well. I don't have any idea about applying for the business school at the U. You would think that I already did that because I'm in the middle of my schooling process, but I have no idea about that. I love you all and have a fantastic week.

Elder Degen

Rice is Life

PS Elder Lamb and Elder Stice are returning home on Wednesday night. Maybe get in contact with them and find out when they are speaking. If you want to go to Idaho and listen to Elder Stice that would be kinda cool.


PPPPS Mister CJ you win the prize for the belated birthday wishing contest. I almost pooped my pants!