Hahahaha I can't believe you have dreams about Warcraft! I haven't even had any dreams about Warcraft yet!
Thank you for my presents, they were really cool :) And for the picture, that is a great one.
Yeah I was surprised when I found out that I don't get my Christmas call, but one elder going out today has a five hour layover, so I think I'll have plenty of time when I do head out. Right around Chinese New Year I believe.
I apologize that the new boys weren't too good at games, and that Adam beat you in Settlers (not that it's much of a surprise :P)
hahaha well Christmas here was super amazing, our teacher (we aren't sure which) made us little stockings that we hung up and opened on Christmas. It was so cute :)
Also did I tell you how my companion's (the original one) ward sent him 2 stockings? Well that was also fun. I'm not quite sure what else would really interest you from up here, it's not snowing as much anymore, so I didn't get a fully white Christmas. I really got like a cold and brownish Christmas :P
Did you all get my pictures? I know it's not much, but I figured it could be a nice little Christmas gift :)
Natalie actually let me know about the random other friends staying for the season, that's good fun :)
I'm just writing a short email right now, just to say hi and what not. Thank you so much for my presents! I loved all the little Asian things I received, that was way cool. And a member of my district had Waffle Crisp so I ate some of that in my little ramen bowl with the Asian spoon, it was so great :)
Christmas here was so fun! It was so great. Christmas Eve we had a little fireside where we did a big 12 days of Christmas thing which was fun. And the Christmas morning we woke up so our zone leaders stealing everyone's shoes. I ended up joining them in the polishing and shining of all the members of our zone's shoes. It was a really cool experience, it reminded me of the spoiled boy I once was when opening presents and thinking of myself instead of others. I also went around a made as many beds in our zone as I could with the little amount of time I had (i think I ended up making 8?)
Then we had a talent show by all the missionaries. There were a lot of really funny acts. We had Elder Nelson come and speak to us in the afternoon, he really brought the spirit :)
In the night we had sack dinners with the zone like we did for thanksgiving and we all shared our traditions of back home. It was funny, that I really didn't feel homesick for a home that I could remember. Instead I felt a longing to be with my Father in Heaven, and to be with the wonderful people in Taiwan. I'm so excited to go there, it's amazing that it's already been 6 weeks!
On Tuesday half of our zone heads out, which will be quite a crazy change...
Love you and miss you
Monday, December 27, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Jared 12/20/10
你好！今天好吗？我的姐姐应该看这个。 我爱你们 :)
Well I have a letter back in my room that I will respond to later, (or at least I will try :P ) but right now I think i'll just let you know what's up here :)
We currently have 5 investigators (all teachers and students that act out) It's pretty hectic to try and keep track of everything, but it's really amazing to feel God helping you teach, and help the investigators. Even if they are merely acting the Spirit still testifies through us, and it's great.
Thank you so much for my package! All those presents! And the tree is soo cool! My companion already had a mini string of lights, so we decorated our mini tree and put all of our presents under it, it's quite homely in our little room. We have little homemade snowflakes hanging up, and actually a 3D Christmas tree made out of paper to go with the other one you guys sent. Pretty funny actually, we made the cardboard Christmas tree, and even a little cardboard angel Moroni to go on the top! hahaha
Oh you know what was super cool?! Yesterday we had a speaker right? (We have a speaker every week) But yesterday we had a guy continually quoting different journal entries, and letters and such recounting the experience of Joseph Smith's matyrdom. And it was really cool to hear of all the corruption, and it went really in depth from the point of view of guess who?
Willard Richards! Our ancestor! I've never felt so priviledged that I have the blood of that great man running through my veins, and that my middle name shares his. It that was a great fireside last night :)
Well umm we had some unfortunate happenings this last week... Elder Christensen went home. He was my roomate, and in our district. It really strengthened my testimony to see the love that the whole district gave to him. It was such a shock that he went home, but I honestly think those couple days where we discussed things with him were the most spiritual, and testimony building experiences I've had here. That this church is Christ's chruch. Thomas Monson is a prophet of God, he with his councellors individually called each of the wonderful missionaries here. They put us in the districts and companionships that will best help us. I know that God wants each of us to rejoin him after this life, and if we but trust and love him, everything else in life will just come naturally. Feng耶稣基督的名，阿门
Well I have a letter back in my room that I will respond to later, (or at least I will try :P ) but right now I think i'll just let you know what's up here :)
We currently have 5 investigators (all teachers and students that act out) It's pretty hectic to try and keep track of everything, but it's really amazing to feel God helping you teach, and help the investigators. Even if they are merely acting the Spirit still testifies through us, and it's great.
Thank you so much for my package! All those presents! And the tree is soo cool! My companion already had a mini string of lights, so we decorated our mini tree and put all of our presents under it, it's quite homely in our little room. We have little homemade snowflakes hanging up, and actually a 3D Christmas tree made out of paper to go with the other one you guys sent. Pretty funny actually, we made the cardboard Christmas tree, and even a little cardboard angel Moroni to go on the top! hahaha
Oh you know what was super cool?! Yesterday we had a speaker right? (We have a speaker every week) But yesterday we had a guy continually quoting different journal entries, and letters and such recounting the experience of Joseph Smith's matyrdom. And it was really cool to hear of all the corruption, and it went really in depth from the point of view of guess who?
Willard Richards! Our ancestor! I've never felt so priviledged that I have the blood of that great man running through my veins, and that my middle name shares his. It that was a great fireside last night :)
Well umm we had some unfortunate happenings this last week... Elder Christensen went home. He was my roomate, and in our district. It really strengthened my testimony to see the love that the whole district gave to him. It was such a shock that he went home, but I honestly think those couple days where we discussed things with him were the most spiritual, and testimony building experiences I've had here. That this church is Christ's chruch. Thomas Monson is a prophet of God, he with his councellors individually called each of the wonderful missionaries here. They put us in the districts and companionships that will best help us. I know that God wants each of us to rejoin him after this life, and if we but trust and love him, everything else in life will just come naturally. Feng耶稣基督的名，阿门
Christmas Letter 2010
Dear Family and friends,
Here’s what the Tates have been up to in 2010.
Larry, the oldest at 6 foot even, has been outgrown by all of his sons. He’s currently a senior vice president at Strategic Properties and an executive secretary at church, proving that secretaries don’t necessarily have to be curvy and look good in high heels (although, I’m sure Larry would look great in a pair of stilettos if he wanted to wear them.)
Kristy (me) at 5 foot 7, is second oldest in the family, but no longer the second tallest. I’m serving as chef, chauffeur, personal shopper, and maid. I also teach piano, play the piano at church, and am president of my writing group, the Orange County Fictionaires. Check out my stuff on my blog kristystories@blogspot.
Adam, at 6 foot, has his dad beat in the height department by a hair, but since he has a healthy dose of Dickson genes and iis losing his hair, maybe Larry will come out on top – if he uses his comb wisely. Adam is in his last ( hooray!) year of BYU law school and is looking for employment. So if you know someone who needs to be sued…
Bethany, at five-five, had babies so that she wouldn’t have to be the shortest. She has two little boys, Chandler (age three) and Sterling (age 3 months.) In time they will out-grow her. Girls are clearly in order.
Brandon, at 6 foot 3, is the tallest, but since he’s an in-law, there’s debate on his rank on the height chart. Brandon is finishing his last year of chiropractic college in Portland, Oregon. There’s the fear that if the girls should choose spouses who threaten his standing as tallest that Brandon will use his chiropractic know how and cohorts to stretch his spine , thus ensuring his standing.
Nathan, at 6 foot 1, is so angry about being outgrown by his younger brother that he’s leaving for a business internship in Mexico, where he will surely be in the 90% for height. Nathan attends BYU and is getting his degree in information systems.
Jared, is also 6 foot 1, but his curly hair adds to his size. Jared graduated from Tesoro High School with a skyrocketed GPA and is using his smarts to study Mandarin Chinese. Currently, he’s in the mission training center, but he’ll be leaving for Taiwan in February, where he’s sure to be one of the tallest in the country.
Natalie, at 5 foot 8ish, is the tallest girl in the family. She also has the largest female feet. Natalie is a straight A student and sings in the Tesoro a cappella choir. She collects I-tunes, books, and loves everything literary.
Miranda, a carbon copy of her older sister, is slightly shorter and has much shorter hair. (That’s how you can tell who’s who, by the way.) Miranda just finished her acting debut in the Tesoro production of The Visit,. We’re really proud of Miranda’s dramatic flag waving skills (she played the station master, which was a perfect part for her; she loves to tell people when to get on board and where to get off.)
Grendal, at 18 inches, has pokey-up ears that help in the height department, and what she lacks in size she makes up for in volume.
Alfie, Natalie’s gold fish, is definitely the smallest and quietest Tate, just proving that love is no respecter of size or volume.
We love God, each other and all of you. My all your dreams reach the highest of highs in 2011.
Here’s what the Tates have been up to in 2010.
Larry, the oldest at 6 foot even, has been outgrown by all of his sons. He’s currently a senior vice president at Strategic Properties and an executive secretary at church, proving that secretaries don’t necessarily have to be curvy and look good in high heels (although, I’m sure Larry would look great in a pair of stilettos if he wanted to wear them.)
Kristy (me) at 5 foot 7, is second oldest in the family, but no longer the second tallest. I’m serving as chef, chauffeur, personal shopper, and maid. I also teach piano, play the piano at church, and am president of my writing group, the Orange County Fictionaires. Check out my stuff on my blog kristystories@blogspot.
Adam, at 6 foot, has his dad beat in the height department by a hair, but since he has a healthy dose of Dickson genes and iis losing his hair, maybe Larry will come out on top – if he uses his comb wisely. Adam is in his last ( hooray!) year of BYU law school and is looking for employment. So if you know someone who needs to be sued…
Bethany, at five-five, had babies so that she wouldn’t have to be the shortest. She has two little boys, Chandler (age three) and Sterling (age 3 months.) In time they will out-grow her. Girls are clearly in order.
Brandon, at 6 foot 3, is the tallest, but since he’s an in-law, there’s debate on his rank on the height chart. Brandon is finishing his last year of chiropractic college in Portland, Oregon. There’s the fear that if the girls should choose spouses who threaten his standing as tallest that Brandon will use his chiropractic know how and cohorts to stretch his spine , thus ensuring his standing.
Nathan, at 6 foot 1, is so angry about being outgrown by his younger brother that he’s leaving for a business internship in Mexico, where he will surely be in the 90% for height. Nathan attends BYU and is getting his degree in information systems.
Jared, is also 6 foot 1, but his curly hair adds to his size. Jared graduated from Tesoro High School with a skyrocketed GPA and is using his smarts to study Mandarin Chinese. Currently, he’s in the mission training center, but he’ll be leaving for Taiwan in February, where he’s sure to be one of the tallest in the country.
Natalie, at 5 foot 8ish, is the tallest girl in the family. She also has the largest female feet. Natalie is a straight A student and sings in the Tesoro a cappella choir. She collects I-tunes, books, and loves everything literary.
Miranda, a carbon copy of her older sister, is slightly shorter and has much shorter hair. (That’s how you can tell who’s who, by the way.) Miranda just finished her acting debut in the Tesoro production of The Visit,. We’re really proud of Miranda’s dramatic flag waving skills (she played the station master, which was a perfect part for her; she loves to tell people when to get on board and where to get off.)
Grendal, at 18 inches, has pokey-up ears that help in the height department, and what she lacks in size she makes up for in volume.
Alfie, Natalie’s gold fish, is definitely the smallest and quietest Tate, just proving that love is no respecter of size or volume.
We love God, each other and all of you. My all your dreams reach the highest of highs in 2011.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
On Mon, Dec 6, 2010 at 4:38 PM, Jared Tate wrote:
On Mon, Dec 6, 2010 at 4:38 PM, Jared Tate wrote:
I just got your letter! maybe it'd be better if you did just send me emails, I dont know.
Dad's work is growing? that's great! much better than the old way of shutting everything down :P maybe the economy would be better when I get back. Either way I'll be going back to China anyways so I'll be okay :)
Oh hey! so the last two weeks in a row we've had Taiwanese/Mainland Chinese people speak to us. It's a sign! they are way going to be openning up China, and when they do I'll be there! :D
Good for Miranda not giving up, I'm sure she did amazing, and being a girl naturally assumed went poorly.
And don't worry mom, no one has thrown tomatoes at me yet :) but I'm looking forward to when they do.
It's freezing here are you kidding? it hasnt been snowing as much, and I think I'm more used to the snow. But it's still really cold here like all the time. However, I do not really want you to send me warm clothes because I'm going to a hot humid island, and frankly snow stuff would be of little use :P As for chinese scriptures, they already supplied me with that kind of stuff so don't worry about it :) I already told you I wanted a Chinese CTR ring tho right? and perhaps a super cheap watch? And maybe like chinese church music? if that exists :P Idk, I dont really have that much I need. I'm well covered here :) All I want is a happy family ;) hahaha
Well everything up here is great. My district, and Zone are super close and it's so great to have such a family feel up here :) The cool thing about my zone is that since we're all here so long there really aren't new people coming and old people leaving very often. In fact there's pretty much just two groups. The older group leaves right after Christmas, and the week after that we get a new crowd, and we're actually the old ones around here. Weird right? Only 2 weeks and I'm half way done with my MTC experience. Feels like I just got here. And also kind of feels like I've been here for years :P And well the fact is I still have a lot more time in Utah, but it's probably for the best. So that I could actually speak to the people in Taiwan.
Fun fact! Taiwan is filled with stray dogs. Cool right? I know not really that cool, but I don't know what you people would be interested to hear about because nobody asked any questions, and Dad's email was like the shortest thing ever. But that's fine, I'm sure things are way busy down there with buying a house, and being warm :P
I was surprised how many people have been reading these emails. I had a couple people write me about them, which was pretty amusing :)
Did you know that the Bible is filled with all kinds of fun stories? A good one is Elisha and the shebears (2 kings 2:11?)
But my favorite scripture at the moment is probably Proverbs 28:25. That's why I was chubby as a kid!
-Elder Tate
-Tang zhong lao
I just got your letter! maybe it'd be better if you did just send me emails, I dont know.
Dad's work is growing? that's great! much better than the old way of shutting everything down :P maybe the economy would be better when I get back. Either way I'll be going back to China anyways so I'll be okay :)
Oh hey! so the last two weeks in a row we've had Taiwanese/Mainland Chinese people speak to us. It's a sign! they are way going to be openning up China, and when they do I'll be there! :D
Good for Miranda not giving up, I'm sure she did amazing, and being a girl naturally assumed went poorly.
And don't worry mom, no one has thrown tomatoes at me yet :) but I'm looking forward to when they do.
It's freezing here are you kidding? it hasnt been snowing as much, and I think I'm more used to the snow. But it's still really cold here like all the time. However, I do not really want you to send me warm clothes because I'm going to a hot humid island, and frankly snow stuff would be of little use :P As for chinese scriptures, they already supplied me with that kind of stuff so don't worry about it :) I already told you I wanted a Chinese CTR ring tho right? and perhaps a super cheap watch? And maybe like chinese church music? if that exists :P Idk, I dont really have that much I need. I'm well covered here :) All I want is a happy family ;) hahaha
Well everything up here is great. My district, and Zone are super close and it's so great to have such a family feel up here :) The cool thing about my zone is that since we're all here so long there really aren't new people coming and old people leaving very often. In fact there's pretty much just two groups. The older group leaves right after Christmas, and the week after that we get a new crowd, and we're actually the old ones around here. Weird right? Only 2 weeks and I'm half way done with my MTC experience. Feels like I just got here. And also kind of feels like I've been here for years :P And well the fact is I still have a lot more time in Utah, but it's probably for the best. So that I could actually speak to the people in Taiwan.
Fun fact! Taiwan is filled with stray dogs. Cool right? I know not really that cool, but I don't know what you people would be interested to hear about because nobody asked any questions, and Dad's email was like the shortest thing ever. But that's fine, I'm sure things are way busy down there with buying a house, and being warm :P
I was surprised how many people have been reading these emails. I had a couple people write me about them, which was pretty amusing :)
Did you know that the Bible is filled with all kinds of fun stories? A good one is Elisha and the shebears (2 kings 2:11?)
But my favorite scripture at the moment is probably Proverbs 28:25. That's why I was chubby as a kid!
-Elder Tate
-Tang zhong lao
Monday, December 6, 2010
Jared 12/6/10
Hey family! I'm not quite sure what I want to inform you about, not much is happening down here.
Time really seems to be flying, and we've been super busy. I have 2 progressing investigators now, and they're both pretty cool, even though it's my teachers haha.
Food is getting slightly bland here now, just eating the same things all the time, and I feel like I've been eating about 18,000 calories a day. And the only form of exercise I get in is intense games of 4 squares. Which is just about the best thing ever, I seriously look forward to my hour of 4 square I get everyday :)
I really appreciate the letters I get from Natalie, she's winning right now for family letters (wayyyyy far behind in the total running) but she's tied with mom for family so props to her. I feel bad that she's like an only child now, but that's great that she's handling all of that. Just remember Miranda, a 4.666 GPA is okay, and "you can do better" (Quote complimentary of Larry Tate) :P hahaha Well Natalie to answer your questions, I did Tennis class for PE, and I actually really liked it. Mostly because Evan and Alan were in it with me and we screwed around. As for the number of girls writing me.... the other guys in my room find it unusual when I don't get a letter that day :) so I feel quite loved and blessed :) About Euro, I wish i had payed more attention in that class, because that time of history is fascinating, and my roomate and I talk about history a lot (he's a history major and he teaches me fun stuff) ROP always sounded like a joke. I had one friend do it, and it was something pointless so idk. My companion is a large fellow, He's slightly shorter than me, but he's amazing. I've learned (and been taught) that the best way to love someone is to serve them. So it's good fun :) Hahaha I dont know, when do you want pictures? maybe I'll send home a Christmas box. What would you like for Christmas family? I dont have much option, but I can do my best, lil candies? ctr rings? postcards perhaps? The money left in my room really isn't that important to me, so don't worry about it. And yeah it gets much better. Yes Natalie, high school gets better, Junior year is the most fun year, you're super busy and work hard, but it's also the funnest because you really keep your self busy, and appreciate weekends, and use them.
Oh okay so for Christmas! Umm I definitely need you to send my Chinese chess board, it should be located in my box of Jared's stuff so I'd like that :) I already purchased a memory card for my camera, which was like 7 bucks with your card, thanks :) and I'd like to be able to get a shirt with the Taiwanese flag on it, which I can just get here. Back home I would like a chinese CTR ring, Waffle crisp, and like other Chinese stuff would be cool. I want Mulan music in chinese (actual song book) but I asked one of my other friends to send that so idk.
Oh hey mom and dad quick question, is there money in my bank account? If I used my card would it go through? I'm slightly confused as to what's happening with that so let me know. Thanks, much love family!
-Elder Tate (Tang zhonglao)
Time really seems to be flying, and we've been super busy. I have 2 progressing investigators now, and they're both pretty cool, even though it's my teachers haha.
Food is getting slightly bland here now, just eating the same things all the time, and I feel like I've been eating about 18,000 calories a day. And the only form of exercise I get in is intense games of 4 squares. Which is just about the best thing ever, I seriously look forward to my hour of 4 square I get everyday :)
I really appreciate the letters I get from Natalie, she's winning right now for family letters (wayyyyy far behind in the total running) but she's tied with mom for family so props to her. I feel bad that she's like an only child now, but that's great that she's handling all of that. Just remember Miranda, a 4.666 GPA is okay, and "you can do better" (Quote complimentary of Larry Tate) :P hahaha Well Natalie to answer your questions, I did Tennis class for PE, and I actually really liked it. Mostly because Evan and Alan were in it with me and we screwed around. As for the number of girls writing me.... the other guys in my room find it unusual when I don't get a letter that day :) so I feel quite loved and blessed :) About Euro, I wish i had payed more attention in that class, because that time of history is fascinating, and my roomate and I talk about history a lot (he's a history major and he teaches me fun stuff) ROP always sounded like a joke. I had one friend do it, and it was something pointless so idk. My companion is a large fellow, He's slightly shorter than me, but he's amazing. I've learned (and been taught) that the best way to love someone is to serve them. So it's good fun :) Hahaha I dont know, when do you want pictures? maybe I'll send home a Christmas box. What would you like for Christmas family? I dont have much option, but I can do my best, lil candies? ctr rings? postcards perhaps? The money left in my room really isn't that important to me, so don't worry about it. And yeah it gets much better. Yes Natalie, high school gets better, Junior year is the most fun year, you're super busy and work hard, but it's also the funnest because you really keep your self busy, and appreciate weekends, and use them.
Oh okay so for Christmas! Umm I definitely need you to send my Chinese chess board, it should be located in my box of Jared's stuff so I'd like that :) I already purchased a memory card for my camera, which was like 7 bucks with your card, thanks :) and I'd like to be able to get a shirt with the Taiwanese flag on it, which I can just get here. Back home I would like a chinese CTR ring, Waffle crisp, and like other Chinese stuff would be cool. I want Mulan music in chinese (actual song book) but I asked one of my other friends to send that so idk.
Oh hey mom and dad quick question, is there money in my bank account? If I used my card would it go through? I'm slightly confused as to what's happening with that so let me know. Thanks, much love family!
-Elder Tate (Tang zhonglao)
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