08/31/2009 - Week 16

It is very hot here and we can definately see the smoke from the fires. I went on exchanges with one of the new Elders in my district, Elder Perrish from Centerville Utah, Saturday. All we did was tract. It was his first week, and we were in the sun all day; I felt so bad, but didn't have anything else to do.
John was at church again this Sunday, but he is still not ready for baptism. All of our appointments fell through last week, except for one, and it is a MIRACLE. At 8:30ish PM, one night, we were cruising around, deciding if we should tract or not. Then a guy said "Hey. What are you doing? Just cruising around?". We responded: we are looking for people to teach. He said: Are you Mormons?... I love Utah and would love to be taught. (Well not exactly, but you get the picture) We went and taught him this week and he is an amazing guy. His name is Billy. He had a run into with the law and it really humbled him and brought him to God. We taught him the first lesson, which he said agreed exactly with his feelings and studies. Then he proceeded to sing us the most beautiful blues song that I have ever heard, that he wrote. It was a touching story of how God had changed him. So beautiful! He said that many big music recorders had asked him to record it for them (or what ever they do), but he said "I know where that will take my life,and I don't want it. I like just sitting here and enjoying the world around me". He agreed to be baptized when he comes to amends with the law. So cool!
Oh, also, I think Elder Lawrence is still the only Spanish speaking elder from my old district.

08/24/2009 - Week 15

Self Portrait of a California Missionary

I have survived the first transfer! Elder Queen thought he could get rid of me, but we are just too tight. He tried to tell President that I was ready to train, but his plan backfired. President just gave him another assignment; Elder Queen is the new district leader, haha. Elder Hill and Lancaster will be both splitting up to train. They were over a combined area and so now they are seperated. We are going to have a very young district of 6, now. Our mission is also getting another 14 missionaries and only a couple are going home. We, also, had our first investigator at church this week. He had gone 4 times last year, but it was still neat!
Also, we have 4 investigators we are trying to work with, but we have had a hard time getting appointments with them.I have tried the past few weeks to make time to write freinds; however, their is just too much to do on preperation day.

So... a shout-out you can put on the blog. I will keep trying on getting some actual letters written, but this will do for now, lol.

Tyler, don't party to hard at Madison. Don't forget, when I get back I expect to go to Cedar Point! I hope you have picked a major by now, lol.

Dan, Stassi, Danny, Derek, Meixner, and Nasby, don't have too much fun while I am gone.

Steve congrats!

2200 Stover and BYU 16th keep on, keeping on.

Well, sorry, that is pretty pathetic... (I don't know if this is even worth putting on there, but whatever).

08/18/2009 - Week 14

Newport Beach LDS Temple

We are going to the Newport Beach temple today, so P-day was switched a bit. We go, like, every 3-4 transfers. Well, we have two people we are teaching as much as we can, but we are still searching a lot. I have seen lots of little miracles, tho. Like, we have been going over weekly to try and teach a sick older lady, who we met knocking. Every time we go over there she is sick and won't let us in, but yesterday, we got a referral, it was her requesting a DVD! Success!!! Maybe, some day, we will get to teach her.
Some interesting things to know about how the work is hastening. All missionaries are now required to extend the baptismal invitation after the first lesson. We are highly encouraged to go "night knocking" from 6-9PM (Mom, you would be happy if the missionaries showed up at 9, right, lol), but people are home then. Things are good here!

08/10/2009 - Week 13

This week, we have a full week of dinner appointments; that will be exciting after last weeks famine. We got two progressing investigators! (they were former investigators, but still) We meet with them daily. Life is pretty tough for them. I hope that we will be able to see the blessings of the gospel in their lives, soon. I really love being a missionary and I hope that I will be able to do all I can to help the people here. No new bike problems, so things are good.

08/03/2009 - Week 12

Well, things are going good here in "so cal" (Southern California). Missionary work is good! We are exhausting the Area Book (where all people who have ever had any missionary relations are recorded). We don't work with many members right now. We will need to try soon, because we have almost no one to teach. I wish I could say I was getting better at tracting, but I still need so much work. I love the people here! They are so friendly and all have a pretty modest living. I went on exchanges Saturday and it made me very thankful. In my district leaders ward area are huge, intimidating houses. Also, it made me thankful for Elder Queen, he is obedient with exactness! This week, I have met a lot of people in very humbling mental, physical, and economic conditions, and also, a lot of of religiously scholarly people. The world is an interesting place.