Snippets of Written Letters

       Okay, please forgive my getting so far behind. I let time just slip away. Funny how that happens right? We continue to receive e-mails and also we continue to e-mail back and forth for his hour and we have had a few letters come in the mail. I personally got my first one this week and was pretty excited about it. Shout out to all of his friends, he got a letter from someone he knew through wrestling. Sorry I couldn't find your name in all of my e-mails. He loved hearing from you. He wants to hear from family and friends if you have a moment to spare.

E-mail work better? tanner.bowers@myldsmail.org

        Here are a few random snippets from letters and back and forth e-mails. Pretty random but slightly enjoyable. 

1. Butter does not come in sticks in New Zealand. He had to guess his first time baking (i'm pretty sure he never used a stick of butter in his previous life here-- i'm sure they were interesting)
2. His companion does not get letters from his family because it takes three months
3. It takes ten days for our time
4. They never miss a meal because they get fed a lot. You know that feeling after you have lost a meal and you never want to eat it again. He has that feeling towards KFC.... a few times. 
5. Domino's does not taste the same as it does here
6. Typical food (if not fast food) includes fish, chicken, rice and kosaua. 
7. Tanner wants to be informed of everything- he specifically told me to not hold back just to keep him from being homesick. He must think that we are having a wild time while he is gone. Unfortunately for him, we wake up, work, eat, exercise, repeat. 
8. Tanner really misses the mountains
9. On P-day he usually plays rugby
10. The sister missionaries made some dinner for Thanksgiving.. although, he did not mention anything about it. 
11. He is calling on his Christmas, which is our Christmas Eve. He is excited to see our cute faces. 
12. He wants "tangible" pictures sent in the mail. DON'T DO IT! or do and just be prepared for the bill. I sent a tiny USB and ten pictures in an envelope and it cost me $13. 
13. He is really grateful for the supportive family and friend environment that he grew up in. 
14. Ken Redding (Bishop Redding) He specifically asked us to congratulate you on being called to bishop. He says that he really appreciates your special interest in him and your willingness to help him. He considers your family like a second family. 
15. My mom put A LOT of effort into his Christmas package and wrapped every little present and went way far into detail and surprises. None-the-less, the customs form that my mom innocently wrote everything on was taped to the box. He knows everything he is getting for Christmas. Oh well, he still doesn't know what day on the twelve days of Christmas that he is getting them so that's a little bit of a surprise.