What is a Hipster anyway???

Hmmm... I've heard the term hipster before, but what is one?   Google says it's, "a person who follows the latest trends and fashions, especially those regarded as being outside the cultural mainstream."
So now I'm wondering how can you be a hipster in the MTC when you dress exactly the same as everyone else and you all have the same barber?  Maybe it's the handmade Madi Riye ties... 
I feel like falling out of the top bunk in the MTC is one of those things you will NOT live down for the following two years (hope Elder Lee doesn't have any broken parts)...  and I still don't know which one the "little brother" companion is.
In all honesty, Bailey Bud has always been quite tight lipped about things, so although this seems like a small amount of information, it is a lot by comparison (for example: I haven't seen a tenth of the videos he made and I haven't even seen most of the awards he won in high school.  He donated his state and national medals to the high school and Madi told me the other day there is still a big stack of his award certificates at the school... so ya)!
I am grateful he came with the gift of "looking for the silver lining" and that he seems to be adjusting to his new adventure. I have no doubt he will be awesome in El Salvador!

-Bailey's mom 

Imma "Hipster with no Beard!" 1 Month

Hello family!

This week has gone by very fast! thanks for the letters (Mom,Grandma,Madi,Chelsie).

Life is good down here! I cant wait to leave this place though! I do love the people here though! The Latin elders all call me a "hipster with no beard." They are all super funny and pretend to be American actors! My teachers are super funny and great at what they do. I love those guys. 

The rain here is so amazing and it will start to pour harder than I have ever seen in a few seconds! It is very pretty here. I wish we could go outside! The spirit is so strong here and I learn so much! President Cox is such a good guy! He is super funny! Haha Elder Lee fell out of his bed the other night onto the tile! He is on the top bunk and it woke us all up! 

I don't really have much to say this week. I love you guys! Tell me whats going on!

Love, 

Elder Holmes

P.S. Madi is winning in the letter count!

It's in the Water!

Hose water... it's how we roll! I'm sure faith & prayers had NOTHING to do with it (insert sarcasm here).  And if you missed Lehi Heritage Day 2015 there is always next year, although I can't promise that I will be walking in circles in a pioneer skirt holding kids on ponies for three hours next time or that Lec will show up with a holstered pistol on his hip (it really is my fault, I told him he could dress up as an outlaw).

John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

Until next week... Bailey's mom

Hose Water Saves the Day! Week 3

This week went by very fast! The Spanish is coming along and I am doing alright! Everyone here is sick except me! I guess that all that hose water as a kid made me invincible! Don't worry I am still careful about what I eat!
I don't have a ton to say cause all we do is study. The spirit is so strong here and I love all the guys (almost all the guys)! I can speak enough to teach lessons without a script! I did a session in Spanish today, it was super hard but the spirit was so strong! I am still pretty bad though!
I'm glad you all saw Madi so much this week; it makes me happy to see all of you with her! Heritage Days looks super fun! How is it going back home?

Love, Elder Holmes

Ya, that just happened!

So, I was lucky enough to notice I had a new email while Elder Holmes was on the computer so I got to do a bit of back and forth emailing with him.  I asked him if he was happier this week to which he replied, "I'm working on it! It is really hard to be away from Madi!"
YUP! He misses his mom!

I Finally Got A Little Brother! Week 2

Hey everyone,

This week went by fairly quick but each day still feels like a week! We have to stay inside all day except an hour! This country is crazy beautiful from my window! We get to go to the temple every P-day and that is so great! My Spanish is coming along pretty good but it is still terrible! All the guys here are awesome! My district is like a family and my companion is the annoying little brother! Don't worry I "love" him.
Thank you guys for all the emails and the letters coming my way! I really appreciate it but I still miss you all so much! I don't have much to talk about cause all we do is study! The Lord has helped me so much here with comfort and the language! I miss you guys so much but I know I need to be here serving the lord and representing Jesus Christ!

Love,
Elder Holmes

Really?

Worrying about getting fat instead of that the Vice President was arrested and the President fled the country....  alrighty then!