Howdy Howdy

Dakoda John here - I just finished my second semester here at BYU, actually a couple weeks ago. To tell you the truth I am finally settling down now. School is intense but I am doing my best. I am still in Provo right now, I have a couple more weeks to go for track. I have jumped 6' 8" so far this season so I didn't loose my hops while I was on my mission :-) I still need to jump 6'10" to qualify for regionals, which is the end of May. Also I changed my major from civil engineering to construction management. President Colton I should have listened to you sooner. I am excited for it though. It is going to be a lot more hands on than civil engineering. Thanks for the advise! Wendy and I are doing great. I actually have some big news for ya........We are going to be having a baby BOY in September!! We are real excited!

Hickman Hangs Tough

Colton Hickman will undergo radiation therapy to wipe out any potential lingering cancer cells not captured by the earlier surgery. He says, "Everyone is very optimistic about this and what's going on." Colton also remains positive and assured that all will be well.

Colton continues to work at theater which he really enjoys. It seems to be a place to see lots of friends and to meet the public.

To Colton - all of us from the Florida Tampa Mission keep a prayer in our heart for you to remain strong as you proceed through your therapy.

Kelemen and Ellsworth to Wed

Jessica Ellsworth and Mark Kelemen will wed May 20, 2011 in the Provo Temple.

Elder Hickman Returns Home for Surgery

A number of you have inquired about Colton Hickman who returned home a bit early from his mission because of a brain tumor. He is awaiting the results from the surgery but he feels very confident that all will be well. In the mean time he gave me permission to publish this summary from an email he sent to us.

In Colton Hickman's words:

I had brain surgery on Friday and I was in ICU until Monday morning, then they let me into the normal part of the hospital. I came home yesterday. I'm okay. I have to take it easy at home for a while. Hopefully they'll let us know whether or not I have cancer soon. If I do have cancer it should be controllable because the tumor is small, so hopefully I'll be able to control it. Right now I have to take it pretty easy. I'm constantly dizzy and nauseous. It'll take me like 12 weeks to get exactly back to normal. I'm really hoping I can go to church on Sunday, I'll probably wear a hat so no one has to look at my scar. Its a really big scar, I have 34 staples in my head. I look pretty weird.

BYU Attraction

Several senior missionaries of the FTM mission gathered at BYU to see the Carl Bloch exhibit. Over lunch they reminisced about mission days and undoubtedly talked lovingly about each of you. Go Senior Missionaries!!!

Colby and Victoria to Wed

Collby House and Victoria Tanner are getting married on May 7th in the Sacramento Temple. Congratulations!!!

Thanks for Your Response

Thanks for sending me your good ideas for mission preparation and what your mission has meant to you. We appreciate your input and admire your seasoned thinking. The Coltons