Letter for Elder Haskell

I sent this to Elder Haskell today and loved it so much I wanted to share it. Emma is five years old and full of personality! Enjoy!-----------------------

Mary Tyler September 5 at 10:08pm
Hey June! Emma wrote a letter to Josh, and I was wondering if you could get it to him, since tomorrow is his P day. I will just attatch it, since I don't know how to reach him. That would be great if you could! Love you all!


Dear Josh, 09-05-10

How are you on your mission? Are you having a great time? I am!
I am going to the zoo tomorrow for the first time EVER! Jonas, my nephew is coming too! We’ll see Lions, and Tigers, and Bears, OH MY! Have you ever gone to the zoo before? If you have, I was wondering if there are lions. Do they have an aquarium with Sharks?
What is it like in the MTC? I hope you’re having a fun time. When are you going to be back, and how long will it take? Can missionaries play games? Can you play only Jesus games? What kind of games do you play?
How well do you speak Spanish? I bet you’re getting really, really good! Do you know how to sing I am a child of God in Spanish? Maybe when you get home, you can sing it with Mary!
I just started Kindergarten. It is very fun. My teacher’s name is Mrs. Fewerline. I know you have never heard of her, but that is because she is new to our school. The first day of school we mostly just learned laws, and then played. And sometime Mrs. Fewerline is a happy fairy who gives tokens. But, if we don’t obey the laws, then she will turn into a mean, and wicked witch who will take away our tokens. There is a cubby fairy who gives sparkly tokens. Sparkly tokens are worth five tokens. She didn’t come last time to school. That is okay. Maybe she’ll come next time, which is after we go to the zoo on Monday. I love school. It is really, really fun.
I have to go to bed now. Thank you for talking to me. I hope I will see you again!
Love, your cousin, Emma Tyler

EMAIL FROM ELDER HASKELL 9-2-2010

Thu, September 2, 2010 1:03:44


What a rough couple days! I have had enough of doctors, and a crap back that keeps hurting!! Tomorrow is gonna be tough too, because i have go back to the doctors to get the cortisone shot. At least i finally know I'm going to Mexico! And on time! priesthood blessings do work!! everyone is so happy for me too. i just told everyone what happened and they are so glad I'm still here. soo awesome!

Mom, I loved being able to talk to you on the phone, and Lindsey and dad.
I miss you all more than you can imagine. I started getting a bit homesick after a couple of days of talking to you and dad. I was sure I was headed home! But now I'm starting to re-focus again and feeling back to normal.

Are you still sending the package?? Because i really want a pic of the family and Harley! Don't forget a Harley pic haha! thanks for your dearelders.com letters you send me too! i love them alot! They are always so fun to read after a long day!

Please keep me in your prayers. This definitely isn't the easiest thing to be learning or doing but I'm so glad I'm still here. Its great to get so much support. I know its because everyone wants to see me succeed. if they didn't care they would've just sent me home. but they really want to help.

I hope you and the family are doing okay, i feel so lucky I've been able to talk to you and dad so much this week. I'm so grateful for everyone at home.

Love ya mom and dad.

P.S. dad thanks for your phone call the other day! it really helped, i always love your advice and attitude towards things involving faith and diligence. you always have the right things to say.

Love ya

Elder Haskell-hoff

Heading to MEXICO as planned!

We received a call today from the MTC presidency regarding Joshua and the situation with his back. Although we were told yesterday that he would require surgery and would be coming home, today we were officially informed that Elder Haskell will be heading to Mexico City in 3 weeks with the rest of his district as scheduled.

After blessings, fasting and lots of prayers by family, friends and lots of elders at the MTC, we feel very thankful for what we all feel is an amazing miracle. I wont try and explain what has happen medically because I'm not quite sure myself. All I know is we have had 3 different doctors who don't work at the MTC, call us at home to see how they can help Joshua.

It's so humbling to witness what once was impossible, becoming possible. To see the absolute faith of so many young men who just want to serve the Lord. Joshua sent me an email a few hours ago and said it's been emotionally draining, but an experience they all will remember forever.

Thanks again for all the prayers. We love you all and Elder Haskell sends his love and thanks as well.

Painting lemons Gold

You know the sayings, “when one door shuts, another opens” … “when God closes a door, He opens a window” … “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade” … even though I much prefer “when life gives you lemons, paint it gold!”

We've been dealt a hand of sour lemons this week. And, therefore, we are all in need of a gold paint job with immediate effect. I keep reminding myself that God is in control and everything will fall into place as it always does and He has a plan and even though none of this makes sense now, it will in one week, one month, one year, etc… But I’m still restless, sleepless and sad. It's hard to see your son go through something painful and you cant do a thing to change it. I'm just so frustrated and sad. Yes, I admit. I am sad. I feel vulnerable. And so I will pray harder. We all will keep praying and will continue to pray and trust and know that the Lord is in control. His will shall be done, not mine. I'll try to wait patiently and faithfully until that will is revealed. I'm not to good at that even though we've had TONS of practice! In the meantime, I am painting. Painting everything gold and praying like there is no tomorrow.