e-mail trom Travis

The last week was alot of fun. Last week, at about 3 AM, our entire apartment lit up with light for about 3 seconds and then thunder, that litterally sounded like a bomb had gone off, shook our entire apartment. I have never heard anything like that in my life! It was crazy. Then, the next day, we were driving up in Tennessee and saw a sign for "Buford Pussers" house. So we figured we would stop and get some pictrues. When we got to the house, all the doors were locked. The hours on the sign said that they were opened so we kept trying different doors until, finally, a guy opened a door for us and told us there was a Tornado warning! He told us to come inside and go down into the basemen, where there happened to be a whole bunch of girls! I guess a dance group had come by to see the house as well. So, Elder Rau and I were downstairs in a room that was completely crowded, me and Elder Ray being the only guys there! But, we got to tour his house and his daughter happened to be there too so we got to talk to her for awhile. She is a very nice lady but, she truly is living in the spotlight of her dad. She told us that when "Walking Tall" was made (The one with the ROCK) that the Rock came and toured the house. He tried on one of Buffords jackets thinking that it would be too small for him but, after he put it on, he found that it was too big for him! She thought that was hilarious.
For Easter, we were invited to a guy named Brother Hawkins house. He has a non member friend that has taken a liking to us and he put together an easter egg hunt and made a big roast beef dinner for us. He also bought us bunny ears to wear during the Easter Egg hunt... Fun... :)
We went fishing again today, of course. I caught two catfish and four bass. So, I would say that it was a pretty successful day. I got my cord for my camera so, I am going to add some pictrues as well. Let me know if you get them.


Love ya.


-Elder Oliekan

2nd area, Corinth, MS

March 19, 2009 Travis was transfered to Corinth,MS. It is about 25 miles north of Booneville, and right on the border of Tennessee. His companion is Elder Rau from Cedar City, UT. Elder Rau was been a real help to Travis in adjusting to missionary life.
Travis says that Corinth s a very hard area. Many strong members have moved from the area because of the economy. They are having a hard time getting the ward to help them. They don't feed them, go on splits with them, or fellowship anyone that they bring to church. They are quite discouraged. They volunteer in a food pantry and go fishing on p-days. He has caught some really nice fish.
He has been to the Shiloh National Cemetary. There are many Civil War sites in his area.

Booneville

I am way behind on this blog. Travis served in Booneville until March 19, 2009. His companion was Elder Rowley from Montana. He really enjoyed having him as a companion. I think he helped him a lot. While in Booneville he met and helped teach Gregory who was the first baptism he attended. He also traveled to Tupelo and visited Elvis's birthplace. On p-days, he liked to go fishing.

1st area!

Travis is in Booneville, Mississippi!

I called the mission home to get his address so I could mail his valentine box. I talked to Elder Smith and he said it was a great area and Travis's trainer is "The Cream of the Crop"!

I got on the internet and found out that Booneville is 173 miles from Birmingham and has a population of about 8500 people. They have one ward. We will have to get more info from Travis.

February 2, 2009

We have had several letters and e-mails from Travis. He seems to be doing well. It is hard to be in classes all day- he's been out of school for two years. He likes what he is learning. He likes his roommates, and his companion, Elder wright. He says that their room is the only one that passes inspection- will wonders never cease!!!!!
He is anxious to get to Alabama so he can spend some time outside!

Travis is scheduled to leave the MTC on Wed the 4th so letters can go to the mission home until we get a new address.

1st letter

Sat we got our first letter. He wrote it Wed night- his Branch Pres made his write it:-)
Other than getting very hungry before they fed him, he seemed to be ok.

MTC Jan 14, 2009

The big day finally arrived! Travis was set apart the night before. Grandpa B, Granger, Greg, Bishop Smeadly, and Trav's friends, Josh, Mark and Mark stood in while Pres Thredgold set him apart. It was an amazing blessing. Dayna, Hunter and Travis's friend Jake were also there. It was a very special evening.

Wed morning I made breakfast pizza for Travis and his friends. None of them ate much, but they had one last moment together.
We packed Travis up and headed to the MTC. Hunter rode with us and we had a nice trip.
Dayna and family and Robyn and kids joined us. It was about what I expected. Of course they set you up by showing Mormon ads to get you all weepy eyed and emotional. I have also never sung "Called To Serve" soooooooooo fast!

When it was time to go- Travis, with a few tears in his eyes_ hugged everyone goodbye, turned and walked out the door- never looked back.
I went to the quilt store!

Missionary Mall

Missionary Mall is supposed to be a great place to shop for missionaries. We didn't have such a great experience there.
The first time we went, we checked things out and decided that when we got the official list of things Travis needed, we would go back and shop.
When we went back, they didn't have a single pair of pants that would fit. They would order them, but, we wouldn't get them until the 10th. Too close. We did buy a nice raincoat and a belt. The next time we went to buy another belt. As alluded to earlier, they couldn't sell us one because their computer was down. The last time we went- to buy the belt- Granger locked his keys in the car and Dayna and her kids had to come and rescue us!
Not our favorite place to shop:-)

Shoulder problems

After a month of physical therapy, the Dr wasn't happy with Trav's progress.
Monday Jan 5, 2009 was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad, day!
First we jammed the printer trying to copy Trav's Patriatical blessing. Then the Doc said that the MRI might show a rip and he needed to see a specialist! (I thought HE was a specialist!)
Then they couldn't burn his MRI for us because their burner was broken. We couldn't make any appointments with specialists until February- HELLO- Travis leaves Jan 14th!!!
Then the nurse finally got him an appointment on Jan 12th. Cutting it mighty close!
Travis was feeling really low. In an effort to pick up his spirits and move him forward, I took him to Missionary mall to buy him a belt. They couldn't sell us a belt! Their computer was broken!
At this point I just burst out laughing, turned to Travis and said, "Man- you must really need to go on this Mission!!!!"

Later that afternoon, Dr Murray's office called back and said they could get Travis in on Wed.

The appointment with Dr Murray went well. He gave Travis cautions and instructions.
He said if Travis was his kid he'd send him... so, we will send him!

Mission Farewell

Oh- yeah- they don't have them anymore!
Dec 28, 2008 Travis spoke in Sacrament meeting. He did a great job speaking about Elder Wirthlin's conference address on "Come What May and Loving It". He used his shoulder as a case in point!

Many of his friends came to the house after for lunch and goodies. Travis has some great friends.

Silly Boys

Mon Dec 8, 2008
Travis and his friends announced they were going to the Kaysville rec center to play flag football. His friend works there and they can go in when it closes at 11:00 pm and play.
Mom said, "Do you really think it's a good idea?"
Travis said, "No problem Mom!"

Fast forward to 12:45 am:
phone rings! "Dad, I'm on the way to the emergency room!!!"

Travis went up to block a pass and fell over another player. When he landed he dislocated his shoulder. They had to put him out to put is back in. As they were trying to put him to sleep, his comment was "this is good stuff, I should take some of it with me".

Mission Call

Nov 26, 2009, the day before Thanksgiving, Travis received his mission call to The Alabama Birmingham Mission. Everyone came for dinner that night including Grandpa "B". Travis made his announcement and surprised everyone because they didn't know he had turned in his papers! His departure date is Jan 14, 2009 ! 6 Weeks!

MTC address

Hey folks- setting up this blog is a bit daunting for a technically challenged person like me!
It is coming along with the help of Dayna and Robyn. In the mean time, here is Travis's MTC address.

Elder Travis Oliekan
MTC Mailbox #245
AL-BIRM 0204
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793