Another Beautiful Amerillo Sunset!

!st Week in Alpine, Texas

Hey! Mom;

Really! You guys lost all of your letter for today? That's not good. It's ok if Dad dosen't get a letter out to me this week I will understand. We have next week. Even though I really like to hear from Dad because his letters are very encouraging. I know about boxing ears sometimes, that is how it feels sometimes with companions. But you learn to get over it. I did get the package Mom, thank you very much for the blanket I love that thing so much. I have been using a members blanket lately, lol. Now I can give it back to them, lol. Thank's for the cookies, they are way awesome. I really do need an electric razor. I could use 2 more white shirts. The short sleeve ones and fitted. All my shirts are to big for me. I didn't get the music CD's that Kacie sent but my last companion is sending them down to me so I should get them sometime soon, so tell her not to worry, at least I think they should be here soon,lol. No, I haven't gotten a letter from Kel yet, it would be really nice to get one from him. I haven't heard from him since I was in the MTC so it has been a long time. Can you please tell him I would love to hear from him, I know he is busy but it doesn't have to be a long one, I just want to know how he is doing and what he is up to. Well this new area is so awesome, I love it so much. I would never live here but it is such an awesome place to serve. Everyone is so missionary minded and everyone is nice for the most part. I got fed more in one day here than I did the whole transfer in Amerillo, lol. There is this one family that is so cool, they are the Ellises, they are way cool. They have 2 kids that just got baptized, the older one is 17 and the other one is 15. They love baseball, the older ones name is Ryan and me and him get along so good. It is awesome. My new companion is way cool, I love that kid, he is way funny and he is a hard worker. He has only 5 months left on his mission, his name is Elder Rymer. My apartment is kind of small but it is not bad. Yes! we live by a golf course and I really want to go but it is kind of spendy, lol. We live right below the college but they are out of school so there isn't really anyone at the school. We do live in the 3 story apartments. Everyday has been hot here except for like one, it has been around 85 degrees. Mom thanks for the scripture: Alma 1:26. Alot of pepole out here think that we think we are better than them, but it is not true, just like you said, we are just striving for a better life, which makes us become a better person, but not better than anyone else. Thanks! That's good that everyone is doing good. I haven't really heard from any of the kids lately but I understand everyone is busy but it would be nice just to know how everyone is doing. Well I better get going. Oh! Ya! just to let you know , we white washed in this area so we are both new here, lol. That means President took everyone out and all brand new missionaries came in. Well I love you lot's Mom, I hope everything is going good.
Love Eldr Eppich

Like my Bike!

These kinds of signs are up everywhere!

Amerillo Sky!

The Amerillo skies. Is there a country song

about that ???????

Nate's 1st Transfer on the Mission to Alpine, TX

Elder Eppich doing some service in Amerillo, TX

Hey! Mom & Dad; Time does fly when you are busy. I was just working good on the homesickness and I got transfered. Clear down south from where I was serving. I was sent to Alpine, Texas. That is on the southern boarder of the mission on the Mexican boarder. There is only about 6,000 people that live here. The closest large city is like 3 hours away. I am not to sure about this small town feel. I am really looking forward to the time when I can teach without problems, that comes with practice, the more you practice the better you get at anything.

So sister Esser is out of the hospital? That's way cool. So hopefully she is doing better now. Mom thanks for the advice. One thing that we learn out here is to forget yourself and when you do everything goes alot better. I did hear that Bryant is going to Brazil. That's way cool. I am way happy for him, that stinks that he has to wait so long to go. I would hate that long wait. Really, Colton has entered the MTC already, that's way crazy, where did the time go there? Could you get me Colton's address for me please? I am working on putting my companion first, which is really hard sometimes when they make you so mad, but as soon as you learn that concept everyting else falls into place and you are able to get along alot better with your comp and when you get along with him the work goes better and it is easier to teach with the spirit, and do the Lords work because you are having fun. All the missionaries out here tell me there is no point in being out here if you don't know how to have fun while doing the work. Well, I really didn't think this was going to happen but I got transfered. I was shocked. I have only been here in Amerillo for a month and half and thought I would be staying another transfer. I was sent way down south to Alpine, Texas. It is on the very boarder of the mission, the Mexican boarder. I feel way cool about that. I am in a city of about 6,000 people . I have a new companion his name is Elder Rymer, he is way cool, I love that guy. I think we are going to get alot done here. I am pretty excited about that. Well, how is everything back home? Is Laurin back from Utah? How is Kacie's new job going? Hey! Mom! I was wondering if you can send me my baseball blanket that you made for me? Thank's so much for the fudge, it was amazing. Hey! Dad! I agree with you on this modern Technology it is getting pretty crazy, just think what it will be like when I get home. You and me will both have to get used to it, lol. My week has been pretty crazy with the transfer. I am only about an hour and half from the mexican boarder. Dad thanks for the quotes. That is true. People are intrested in the motivation that you have and how happy you are. The people want to know what makes you like that when they meet you. I always try to be positive and have a smile on my face. I really like the last quote you shared with me: " A team dosen't win the championship if it's players are working from different agendas!" Never Surrender!! We are on our Heavenly Father's team. We have the potential with His help and our faith to work great miracles, if we have the same agenda that He does. We will not fail, We can not fail. If we do then Satan has the victor's crown. Thanks Dad. I am doing pretty good. I am a little homesick again because these transfers are kind of hard because they are just like starting your mission off again. I was just getting used to the Amerillo area. It's tough but I am tough. I was kind of bummed that I didn't get close to a tornado,lol. They dont have them down here. We were getting a few members to help us out up there in Amerillo. Alot of them didn't trust the missionaries because of the past ones. We were feeling like we were building their trust again just before I got transfered. Other than that, things are going way good here and I look forward to this new area and getting comfortable. Hope all is well at home.

Love ya lots! Your the best! Love Elder Eppich

Elder Eppich enjoying a break from his bike!

Elder Colton & Elder Eppich's 1st Baptism

Dear Dad & Mom;

Ya! It's does seem like you just said "another p-day behind me. It doesn't seem like it is going all that fast , but when you look back it actually is going somewhat fast I guess, lol. I just can't wait until I get to about 6 months and I won't think about home so much. It was way good to talk to everyone on Mother's Day. The week went kind of slow because I was so excited. After the call I was pretty homesick and it was hard to get back into the swing of things. I think that is how it is for most missionaries, lol. I was good on my time limit. I was on the phone the least of the 4 elders that day and President said we could call anyone as long as it was our family. Those are our mission rules. Did Keldon get my voice message? I didn't get to talk to him so I left him a message. I hope he got it so he didn't think I left him out. Can you tell him to write back because I havn't heard from him forever and I would really like to hear from him. Thanks! The baptism was so awesome. I can't wait becuse we are supposed to have another one at the end of this month. Wow! It is in the 80's there? It has only been in the upper 70's here and we are in Texas. Now, there is something wrong with that picture, lol. I am happy to hear that work is going good Dad. I hope you guy's have lots of jobs to keep everyone busy.

So mom, is sister Esser still in the hospital? What hospital? I will keep her in my prayers. I sent some pictures home so you should be getting them soon. Well, how is your calling coming Mom.

Are you stressed out over it yet, lol.? I am sure as time goes it will get easier and easier because you will get more and more used to it. I am having a few problems with my comp. He is kind of throwing in the towel. He has about 7 months left and dosen't really want to work. We are trying hard to work things out. It is hard when you are the Jr. companion. My bike is having some troubles. We went mountian biking for p-day, that was so fun. I ended up with some broken things so I will need to put it in the shop. Really! You got to talk to Elder Reay's mother? That is awesome! She sent us so much food in the MTC. Elder Reay is so tight. He made the MTC so much fun. I love that kid. We are plannig on rooming when we get off our missions. That kid is so tight. I hope I get to serve with him while we are on our missions. Yes! he is a very spiritual kid, and he is really , really funny, lol. I was going to write to his sister that is on a mission but I haven't done that yet. Their family is awesome. So are you and Elder Reay's mom like way good friends now,lol? Transfers are this Monday. I don't think I will be moving but I am not sure , I will find out Monday. Well I better get going, I love you guys so much. Remember to send the CD's. Your the best in the world.

Love you lots! Love Elder Eppich

Mother's Day Call

Dear Dad; Well everything is going pretty good. To tell you the truth I can't wait until the days start getting hot like I hear they can, it will be nice. I haven't had to wear much sunscreen lately because I already got burnt once, lol. It still might be a good idea to put some on every once in awhile, don't you think? We have given out a few Books of Mormon but not a whole lot because most of the people that we are teaching already have one. I am so excited for this Saturday because we have a baptism. It was so crazy? We were teaching this lady last week, Thursday, we were done with our lesson about to leave and she said, "I have something to tell you", she was like, " I want to be baptized". Wow! Once I heard that I almost jumped out of my skin. lol. I had to act all calm and stuff, it was so hard not to go all crazy and excited. Once we left her house you better believe I went crazy, lol. We also have a date set for the 29th, so let's hope that goes through. We are excited because our Ward has not had a baptism in a year and we could possibly have 2 this week. So I am way excited. It is sad to me that people won't give us a chance and listen to what we have to say. The Gospel can change someones life so much, I have seen that out here already. It is so awesome. The biking is keeping me in shape and I bought a pull-up bar for some workout. We are encouraged to work out every morning to keep us healthy and in shape. So pull-ups every morning. I was sorry to hear that there are troubles in baseball. I feel bad for Dixon and Walker. That's not right! I don't know why parents are mad at the coaches, they are not the one's playing the game and making mistakes. Tell Walker and Dixon Hi for me.
I will talk to you Sunday. I will probably be calling around 4 or 5 your time. Love ya!

Hey! Mom;

Well I am really sorry to hear about Sister Esser, I hope she gets to feeling better, I will keep her in my prayers. Today for p-day we went to Pala DuroCanyon and we went Mountian Biking. It was so much fun. We did go off a few jumps. I did get a little air so you better keep that from Dad, lol. He might get a little mad about that, lol. I never did get cowboy boots but I did get a hat. I just didn't think I would wear them and it is to early on in my mission, I would have to carry them around as I move. My companion said I could pass as a missionary cowboy. The sunsets are amazing here, they get so big and beautiful and awesome. It is so flat here that you can just see so much of the sky. Mom make sure everyone is around the phone at about 4 or 5, I will call Dad's phone first. Everything is going pretty good. I can't wait until Saturday. We have a baptism, it is so cool. We tried setting a date with her like a month ago but she shot us down. Last week when we went and taught her she was like " Hey, I want to get baptized. Oh! Man! I seriously almost jumped out of my skin, lol. Well anyway I can't believe that is going on in baseball back home. Well Mom I better get going. I am not going to write alot because I will be calling on Sunday. Hey! I sent a Mothers Day card, I hope you got it. Love you lot's! Love Elder Eppich

Slow Week, Sick Companion

Hey! Dad;
Yah! I was pretty upset that I didn't get to see the tornado when I heard the alarm, everyone was kind of getting nervous and I got excited, I couldn't wait to see it. I was like, "Where was my camera". lol Well everything is going pretty good. The past few days haven't been all that great because Elder Colton has been sick so we have been inside most of the week. I have been getting all this energy built up inside I don't know what to do with all of it. lol. About our investigators, most of them are progressing, we usually have about 2 of them to church every week so that is good and we pray with them whenever we teach them a lesson. I think that one of them is really close to baptism but last time I said that it never happened so let's hope that it will this time. Well today for P-day we are going to Texas Firehouse. It is a resturaunt and I guess it is supposed to be way good, so I am pretty excited about that, lol. Well about my companion, we are about the same size, he has been out 17 months. I think he has been in about 9 areas or something like that. I can't remember. He is from Wyoming and he is a red head. He is kind of hard to get along with but I am able to manage. lol. We have district meeting every week. It is way awesome because I am starting to get pretty good at teaching and all the elders at district meeting say I am doing amazing for how short I have been out, lol. That encouragement helps. We have a zone conference every transfer, we already had it for this one, it was way good. Well I hope all is going good, I am glad work is starting to pick up a little. Love you lots Dad. Hey! Can you and mom take pictures of back home and send them, that would be awesome, thanks! Love ya

Hey! Mom
How is it going? Everything is going pretty good here. It has been kind of a down week because Elder Colton has been sick so we have been staying inside most of the time and it is driving me nuts. All I do is sit there and study, and I get all of this energy built up inside but I can't let it out so yesterday when we finally got out of the house I was going crazy. I was on my bike hitting every jump I could find and enjoying myself. I know you probably didn't want to hear about me jumping the bike but I couldn't help myself, lol. Knocking doors was actually kind of fun this time because I hadn't got to do it for ever, lol. I am still way happy about the bike, it is an awesome bike. One of the guys in my ward is a big bike rider and he said my bike was good one so I am pretty happy about that. Well about Utah, so was Rex better this time then the last time that we went down when you guys took me to the MTC? I hope so. Could you get pictures in the mail as soon as you can because I have been waiting for some but they haven't been coming.lol I have a confession to make too. I want to be able to send pictures in this e-mail but I forgot my camera again, sorry. We are going to Wal-Mart tomorrow and I will go get them printed off and I will send a whole bunch home, ok. Well I am glad that Kacie is way happy about moving , that is way awesome that she is excited. I hope everything works out how she planned it to. So your going to go see Kel and Mel. Tell Kel that he needs to write me back because I haven't gotten a letter from him in like 3 weeks. Oh, the scriptures are the right ones, I like them alot. I just have to work them in. It is just like a new ball glove. You practice with it but in the game you use the old one you have used the whole time and you slowly work in the new glove. So I am slowly working in the new scriptures, Thanks! Mom I am sure your calling will go great. The lord wouldn't have called you if he didn't think you were ready. I know you will do great just have faith and include the Lord in all that you are doing and he ill help you with everything you need. I have found that out while being on my mission. So your going to build the house up on the hill, that's way awesome. I knew you and Dad would make the right choice, lol. Well I will tell you a little bit about whats going on. We still have't had a baptism but we are getting close, there is a girl named Monica that we are teaching and we went to her house last night and asked her if she was ready to take the step and she said yes, so let' hope that works out. Our ward is alright in size about 180 people, but they don't help us out much. We went to one members house and they got mad at us for coming over, so the members don't help out a whole lot here. It has been a year since the last baptism in this ward. Well I better get going. Love ya lots Mom, can't wait until next Sunday. I will send some pic's tomorrow . Love Elder Eppich