Archives for June 2010

Official: Daniel Will Not Be Returning To Mongolia

June 5, 2010 by rickety 4 Comments

We were hoping that Daniel would be able to return to the Mongolia Ulaanbaatar Mission. But now we know for sure that he will finish his service in the Washington Kennewick Mission.

Today we received a letter signed by President Monson:

Dear Elder Willoughby,

This letter is to confirm that your mission assignment has been changed from the Mongolia Ulaanbatar Mission to the Washington Kennewick Mission.

We appreciate your willingness to accept this assignment and are confident that you will be able to successfully fulfill this new calling.

I am glad the Church was able to reassign Daniel so quickly and put him to work. He is happy to serve in Washington. And he will be able to learn English again for when he comes home.

If you want to communicate with Daniel, write in the comments or use one of these addresses.

Adelaide’s Pink Computer

June 2, 2010 by rickety 7 Comments

On a recent visit to Steven and Adelaide’s home I spied some pink computer parts in the driveway. Steven was preparing a surprise for Adelaide by spray painting her computer pink. You can see in the photograph to the right that he partially disassembled the monitor to avoid getting paint on the screen. Steven bought a pink keyboard rather than paint the existing one — very wise.

Adelaide wasn’t allowed outside to see the proceedings and had to keep her eyes closed when the completed project was brought in and placed in front of her. I think she liked the result. I am sure Aurora’s baby sister, due this month, will like it too.

I had a different opinion. I said:

If I had to use a pink computer to access the Internet I would give up surfing.

However, if one does have a pink computer one must absolutely have these accessories:

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All Is Well In Kaysville Again

June 1, 2010 by rickety 2 Comments

Jake and Rachel at the Kaysville City Budget Hearing

All is well in Kaysville again for me but maybe not for many others. I went to the Kaysville City budget hearing this evening, as suggested by Mayor Steve Hiatt, to request that the electricity billing be improved. Jake and Rachel came with me to lend support. We arrived early before most people showed up. Eventually there were around 80 people in attendance, three-quarters of them Kaysville City employees. Several of them spoke about salaries (there are no raises this year) and some requested newer equipment. The Mayor made sure everyone who wanted to had a opportunity to speak, just like he said he would do during his campaign.

As I pondered what they were saying it reminded me of the 5% pay cut I took three years ago, along with many other engineers at Hill Air Force Base. It wasn’t until this year that my wages finally caught up. Cuts in wages and/or benefits are not easily forgotten and when circumstances change in favor of the employees one shouldn’t be surprised when they leave for better prospects.

Speak Before The Council

When it was my turn to get up and speak to the Council I found it a different experience than speaking in Church. At Church there are maybe 300 to 400 in the congregation but most of them I know. The Council on the other hand, I do not know and have only spoken to Mayor Hiatt once when he wasn’t the mayor but wanted to be. At Church a good number of the congregation is being distracted by children, or are talking to each other, looking around, not listening, or have fallen asleep, some with their eyes open. And once I start speaking a few more will fall asleep. However, there are several in the congregation giving smiles of encouragement and many others that look like they might be interested in what I have say.

As I stood before the Council they were all paying close attention, looking at me intently, and not a smile on any of their faces. It was somewhat intimidating but I pressed on. Fortunately I felt I was well versed in the facts of my request.

A Redesign

One of the city employees, the Finance Director, Dean Storey, told the Council that the utility bill was being redesigned and would make it clear at what rate(s) electricity was being paid. Dean also explained about Demand Charges for commercial customers. If a customer demands a lot of power in a short time period they have to pay extra power charges. This does not apply to residences.

So all is well in Kaysville again. At least for me. For now.

External Articles

Davis County Clipper: Employees raise serious concerns with Kaysville budget
Kaysville City Public Hearing held June 1, 2010: Minutes

Updates

7 February 2011 — I have changed the post to improve clarity by adding headings and replacing “Budget Man” with “Finance Director, Dean Storey.”
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Missionary Dan Email #8 from Vancouver, Washington

June 1, 2010 by rickety Leave a Comment

The move looks like it went well. The pictures look familiar because my companion and I have helped a few people move in and out of the ward. I too am also moving, transfer calls were Saturday and I got a call to go to Walnut Grove ward. It is in the same zone and close to where I already am. I’m really sad to leave this area, but I’m excited to learn more and new things from the next one.

We had a fairly normal week with nothing too exciting happening. We challenged two more investigators to be baptized, but they both had similar concerns. They said they’d already been baptized, so we taught about authority etc. They both have been reading from the Book of Mormon so with a matter of time they’ll be baptized.

The hike we went on was way fun! It was called Horsetail Falls, which had three separate major falls. The biggest one was right next to the road where you parked. Next, was the one where you could walk behind and next to and the last one we went to was the triple falls. It was a good adventure and really refreshing.

There is still tons of rain and yesterday was about the only break we had from it. They say it gets extremely green in the summer so I’m looking forward to it.

I did get my [debit] card and activated it. We usually eat with members for dinner and then Sister Bloom, who we live with, bought us food for our lunches. Now that I’m being transferred to an apartment we’ll have to cook lunches probably again. They have tons of blackberries here, they are almost like weeds. Soon we’ll be able to pick them while we are going around tracking or something.

Thanks for all the great emails. I’ll let you know my new address when I get it. You can all look forward to talking to my current mission president when he returns home at the end of the month.

Love, Elder Willoughby

Elder Daniel Willoughby is serving in the Washington Kennewick Mission. If you want to communicate with Daniel, write in the comments or use one of these addresses.

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