February 12, 2012

This week I think I'll tell you about the misfortunes that we had on Thursday. Elder S. had a doctor's appointment in the afternoon, so right after lunch we set out to the hospital. We actually crossed in the other zone with little effort, just how small our mission is. It was really weird to leave Santa Ana, even for a few minutes. We rode into Orange, past the big The Block Mall. I was shocked to see a real live mall haha. There is nothing like that in my area. It made me a little hesitant to go back to the area haha. But anyways we rode into the ICU Hospital, where we thought the appointment was. To our misfortune, we learned that we were at the wrong hospital. The correct hospital was on the other side of town. So we frantically had to bust over there real quick with little time to spare. And then we had to ride back home. We were so freaking tired by the time we got home, 5 hours later. We estimated, by looking at the map, that we rode about 30 miles. It was crazy. But such is the life of a mish, I guess. Other that, nothing else especially exciting happened.

How was your week?
Pretty good. I'm starting to get really tired. I'm not sure how I'll be able to finish out haha.

3 good things about the week?

1. after about a month long drought, we finally got some references from the MTC. that was pretty cool.
2. started my rigorous twice a day shakeweight routine. and I'm sticking to it.
3. um, everything is still good and happy

Something funny that happened?
see long email.

Anything you need?
no.

Did the pants fit?
yes.

Did you distribute the Valentine suckers I sent?
yep.

How's the food situation?
bone dry haha. we're going shopping in an hour.

Are you still having nightly dinner appointments?  The grandparents fed the missionaries this past week.
without fail.

February 6, 2012

Well, well, well. Another P-day. Another week with not a lot to write. The work is pretty slow. I'm starting to realize something. A lot of the people who live in this area are illegal aliens. Which makes it really hard for 2 sharp dressed white guys to get in the doorway. But it's all good. Just got to keep plugging away. We are teaching a really great family, the Mora's. They are super nice and funny and just think that we are the greatest things in the world. Its people like these that really frustrate me though. As cool as they are, they just will not take the plunge. They know that what we are telling them is true, but they just won't go to church. But the biggest problem is that they aren't married and have a kid right now, so they can't get baptized until they get married. But the bad part is that if they get married, they would lose whatever progress they have in the citizenship process, and most likely get deported. So its kinda tough, and its really scary sometimes to be bold with people and ask them to do hard things. Sometimes, I think its harder to ask others to do scary things, than to do them yourself. Hopefully, both parties, myself and the Mora's can take up some courage and do the right thing real soon.

3 good things about the week?
1. Hmm, we totally rearranged the apartment. It looks like a missionary battle station now. Its cool. I'll take pictures for sure.
2. Bore my testimony in Spanish.
3. Overcame some serious mental obstacles. Just certain things that were in our way are not a problem anymore.

Something amusing that happened?
Well we saw a big T-Bone accident right in front of us on the street. It was pretty cool. This lady got totally plowed. We couldn't hang around very long, for mission rules; we're not allowed to give witness statements for crimes or accidents. But it was pretty cool. I haven't seen a big wreck like that before. But everyone was fine.

I am giving my testimony about temples on Sunday because of our special experiences with you.  Do you have any memorable thoughts I can share about doing the temple work for Grandpa?
The only thing I can think of is having a really big smile on my face after baptizing Grandpa. I'm not sure why, but I just remember smiling really big in that moment. Other good memories are baptisms for the dead with Sammy and Porter.

Contacts this week?
Not too many. Its tough to get in the door here.

Are you helping your companion with his Spanish?  Are you two still getting along ok?

We're getting better. It still frustrates me sometimes, but it's all good.

Is there anything we can do to help you with your contacts?
Could we send Books of Mormon with our testimonies written in them?  Etc?
No that's ok. Thank you though.

Eric mentions in his letters that he plays sports with members and contacts a couple of times during the week?  Do you do that often?
No. Geez, that kid is lucky.

Did you bear your testimony in church today?  Bro.  Carlson said, "Tender Mercies" twice, but I wouldn't let Sammy and Dad leave.
I did actually.

Have you had anyone rude or mean when you have tried to talk with them?
The biggest thing is that people just lie to us. They tell us to come back at a certain time, and suddenly, they're gone!

In a letter your President sent a few months ago, he said that missionaries pay fast offerings.  How does that work?
We take it out of our mission funds.

January 30, 2012

So here we are, trying to keep plugging away. We improved a lot on our numbers, as far as lessons and what not goes, but it still feels like nothing is happening. So its a little frustrating. Especially when the people who told us the night before that they would come to church are found sleeping when the ride that we arranged for them shows up in the morning. But we saw something on Sunday that made me know that we are really making a difference in the lives of a few. A few weeks ago, we were knocking doors and found a nice 18 year kid named Luis. He invited us in and taught him the first lesson. He was way accepting and invited us to come back. However, he said he would prefer to attend an English ward, so we had to pass him to the English Elders. Well anyways fast forward to Sunday, his confirmation. He got baptized just 3 weeks after we knocked on his door. So in our own very small way we were able to help his guy come closer to God. So even though we might not see the results in our own chapel, its nice to think that we are actually doing a lot of good in the world.


Sorry I was going to write something, but I just completely forgot what I was going to say. XX just sent me a email saying that he asked to go home for a little bit, so my mind is in other places.

Sammy mentioned that you need a new journal.  Do you want one like the
one we bought at the Distribution Center or a different one?  Color?  I
will send it soon so you get it next week.
Well I'm not a big fan actually, but since I already have that one, I'll keep them all in the same series. I don't really care about the color.

3 good things about the week?
Sorry I'm having a hard time thinking right now. I just read that XX went home.

January 23, 2012

So the transfer calls came in, and I am going to...stay! Haha there were no changes in our ward this time around.It was kinda weird because I was fully expecting to leave this week. So in a way, I'm a little bummed that I don't get to see a different part of the mission yet, but I'm glad that a get another 6 weeks to try to leave a mark. Me and Elder S. are still companions, which is good and all, but I'm also a little nervous that my progression in the language is going to slow down big time. I already passed Elder S. with my ability in the language about a month ago, and even though I am really starting to pick it up pretty well, no one is taking us seriously. Its really frustrating. Even the ward thinks that we are kinda stupid haha. Right now that is by far the most frustrating thing. So I'm really not sure how this is going to work out, but hopefully it will. But it is a concern for sure right now.

We had Stake Conference this week. It was really cool. In the Adult Session on Friday night, President and Sister Bowen both spoke. In Spanish. And neither one of them speaks Spanish haha. So they each struggled through their little talks but it was so cool to watch them try something so difficult without the slightest bit of fear. I have so much respect for those two people. 

Did you get transferred and if so to where? New companion? I am sure
you will already have answered this in your letter.

I did not get transferred. I was pretty shocked, but I don't really mind being here for 6 more weeks.

Something funny this week?

As we were in our apartment having breakfast on Friday, Elder Z. ran into our apartment screaming, telling me that I just got made part of an emergency transfer and that I had to go to the mission office at once. So I frantically started to pack everything up. After about 10 minutes, Elder Z. finally told me he was kidding. I punched him and had a good laugh. It was pretty funny.

3 good things about the week?

1. Didn't have to pack.

2. Reached the halfway mark in my 388 page Spanish grammar book. My goal is to finish it by the end of this transfer.

3. Stake Conference. President Bowen spoke, in Spanish. And he doesn't speak Spanish haha. But it was really good.

How was it to pack up all that stuff?

How are your clothes? Do you need anything?

One more pair of pants and I am set for life.

Do you set goals with your President and companion about contacts and
such?

Not too often. Every once and a while.