07/26/2010 - Week 63

Things are still going well here in the University Park ward. We just had transfers and everyone stayed the same. That is really fun; I love my district. Plus I get to escape the heat. The closer you live to the ocean the more constant the weather. We are having a really hard time finding people to teach. But the area is really beautiful, not quite as beautiful as those pictures I took, though. Since I have sent those pictures, those hills have become really yellow. We have a calendar picture in our bathroom that says, "Those who are surrounded by the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life." That is true, and it really helps me to keep going.

The only lesson we had was to Siva, the guy from India. We just connected in our minds that we had actually tracted into him 5 weeks ago. We were never able to get hold of him again because he moved within the complex. Then the single ward elders tracted into him, taught, and referred him back to us (The Lord knows his sheep). I think he is facing opposition among his friends, because he knows it is true but won't make time for us. We got him a ride to church this Sunday, and we even left our meetings early to be there to make sure nothing went wrong. Then, he came out and told us that he was going to go out with his friend rather than coming to church. Why he had to wait until right before sacrament meeting to tell us, I dont know. It is frustrating. And Bob no showed to our appointment and hasn't started reading the Book of Mormon, yet. BUT... Peggy is doing well. She is a sweet heart. and, yeah her dogs are safe. I think she will come to church, soon. Her health isn't perfect, but she is getting braver and more excited as she learns about the gospel. We spend a lot of time knocking doors and wandering around. I love wandering around. You get to enjoy the area and while doing missionary work. There are always dog walkers to talk to. Most people have a little dog, here.

07/19/2010 - Week 62

P-day is here again. Well, this week, Elder Bickmore and I met with Peggy again. She wants a couple weeks to think about the Restoration and Plan of Salvation. Two weeks is a very long time for a missionary, but we will be patient. Our ward mission leader is going to try and arrange a time that him, his family, and her can walk around the temple together. That will be really good. She is a very kind lady. We didn't teach any of the other people due to various circumstances. We did tract into a really nice Russian guy. His family has been Russian Orthodox 7 generations, but he said if that wasn't the case he would be mormon. We invited him to visit church but he didn't come. I can feel the Lord sustaining me through the various trials of being a missionary, but it still isn't easy. I had an exchange this week, and it was really fun. I went to the Newport Hills ward. It is very scenic. Paradise. You go down along the coast and see the waves and sand (and very expensive cars). Then, you can go up to the top of the hills and see the coast and beautiful landscape (and pollution).

07/12/2010 - Week 61

We haven't been able to coordinate another lesson with 15 year old Michael. We are going to stop by with a YM leader and a youth to try and help him feel comfortable getting involved in activities. Bob came to church. The members are doing a great job being involved with him. If we are not careful, they might even start teaching him the lessons for us, lol. Bob is really involved in his church. He was showing us video of him baptising his friend on the beach last week. yeah, he is a really good follower of Christ, and I hope we can help him take that a few steps further. We also taught a kind, older lady, Peggy. We brought one of her friends that she swims with every morning. She didn't even know that she was Mormon, lol. Peggy has read quite a bit of the Book of Mormon. It is funny, she didn't realize that 3 Nephi 11 wasn't happening in Jerusalem. She is beginning to understand the gospel. Hey! The singles ward gave us a referral, and we taught him this week. He is Indian and from Hindu background. He believes in God and feels like he is getting answers to his prayers! We are excited. This week has been really good. We taught 4 lessons, which is as much as the total lessons of the past 3 weeks. Don't worry, the rest of the mission is teaching and baptising like crazy. California isn't ready to fall into the ocean, yet!

07/06/2010 - Week 60

The 4th of July; one of my favorites. We had breakfast for dinner with our ward mission leader, ward missionary, and their families. It was really good. We did mostly street contacting that night, until we ran into a member, from out of the mission, and a couple of her non-member friends. They invited us to come eat with them, so we did. We even got to teach a little something from the Book of Mormon as we left. (no new investigators, though) The fireworks started a little before 9, so we did get to see a little bit before we had to be in our apartment!
Teaching: We taught a 15 year old young man who is really seaching for truth. He is really quick to understand, but can't join an other church right now. Maybe his parents will soften their hearts someday. We taked with Bob a little bit. He desided that he felt he could read the Book of Mormon now, so we are really excited! We are referring Diana (18 year old young lady, who just graduated high school) to the singles ward Elders, today.
Thank you mom for your letters (they are always good) and your encouragement; it really helps a lot! Actually... thanks everyone for your letters and encouragement. I am blessed to such good parents and little siblings.
It sounds like Matthew will be an eagle scout in no time. You must be a really hard worker, buddy. Scout camp was always a fun place to be, a lot of rain, good fishing, and big fires. It never gets old. well, maybe the rain does. Dang, breaking all of the camp records in one week. The biggest fire ever and aquaman like swimming speed. What, didn't you tell Curtis that this isn't the olympic trials. Fast skin and everything. Hey, Rebecca, Hoppy doesn't look that plump in that picture. Dad, it looks like after all these years, you have finally figured out fishing. We aren't in Bass Spray days anymore!