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!

06/30/2010 - Week 59

It is temple p-day today, I bet you already guessed. They don't give us much notice for things like this.

This week has been good. It is always a little bit harder when you have to wait a little longer for p-days. The week can just feel longer. We have done pretty good this week. We actually got a return appointment from knocking that was kept! He was nice but not really interested. It was still good to sit down with someone new. We have been visiting this kind, older lady, Peggy, weekly since Elder Gorrell. She is very active but her health is not too good. We haven't been able to come into her house and teach for this reason (weak immune system) and lack of having an adult male there. But, this week we dropped in with our ward mission leader, and we were finally able to teach her on her back porch. We taught the plan of salvation, and she really enjoyed it. She is so cool. She had been reading the Book of Mormon faithfully for 2 months out of commitment only. We never were able to fully explain and connect all the events of the restoration, until recently, but she still read a little every night and prayed about it. She will get an answer. We, also, met a former investigator who is in the process of writing a Divinchi Code type book centered on the old testiment exodus. He was really cool (we didn't really get an opportunity to teach, but he said we could next time). Just so you know, what I write in my emails is pretty comprehensive of the events of the week. If it happens, I probably will right about it. We haven't had any new contact with Diana or Bob, since last email.
I am ok at tennis. I haven't experimented with putting spins on it and stuff, but I can return the ball. We play pretty casual games; it is funner that way.

06/21/2010 - Week 58

Things are going well. Elder Bickmore and I get along amazing, but my unlucky streak continues. I can't keep things happening in missionary work. We do a lot of steet contacting, door knocking, and visiting people recorded in our area book from past missionaries, but don't have much sucess. However, I have prayed and I know that our Heavenly Father is pleased with my efforts.
I am kinda sad to see Rocky leave. On Tuesday he moved to Florida. It will be better for him there. His family lives there and he will have a car, so a job will be easier to get. Those 2 Sundays he came, a lot of people spoke about the church being the same everywhere. He will find it. He is pretty much ready to be baptised. Our ward mission leader will continue to encourage him via Facebook. Yes, facebook. Things will work out.
We taught Bob again this week. It is hard to know if he is sincere. He won't read the Book of Mormon. So yeah, we will see.
Preach My Gospel says... Our Purpose is: To invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receiving the restored gospel though faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, enduring to the end. That is all we can do. Silly agency, always getting in the way :).

06/14/2010 - Week 57

"We just had your missionary over for dinner and thought you might like to see them. They were just put together yesterday and they seem to be getting along just fine. Thank you so much for your sacrifice; we appreciate it." - The Richardsons

Transfer day. We wanted to go a little early to email before transfers happen at noon. I think I might have beaten the mom email, oops. Well, Elder Gorrell is leaving me. I am going to be serving here with Elder Bickmore. I am not sure where he is from, yet. Once again, I am going to be the senior companion and driver. It is good. I never overide my companion's ideas. We just work together, and it has turned out well, so far. This has been one of the fastest transfers, yet! I can't believe it is over. This past transfer has been a really good one. Well, I am unsure what is going to happen with our investigator Rocky. He has developed good friends in the ward, we have taught him just about everything, he comes to church, and he is just about ready to be baptised Saturday, but he might have to move to Florida during this upcoming week. so... We will see. He hasn't been able to find work out here, and he will have more support in Florida where his family lives. We need to talk to him more about what is going on. This seems very spontanous. What ever the Gods will is, will happen. so yeah... Oh we, also, started teaching another guy, Bob. He is really cool. We taught him twice with the ward missionaries, and he is a really good listener. We are helping him resolve a very dificult concern, he feels like God has told him not to read any of the Book of Mormon. How can you know if something is good, if you won't even open it to find out, if you won't experiement on the seed of faith? He seems sincere, but I don't know. He will let us read from it to him. It seems kinda fishy and I don't want to be fooled, but you have to give people the benifit of the doubt. So, it as been a pretty good week. I pray that I will be able to keep the work moving, following this transfer. We have such a good ward mission leader and the most loving bishop I have ever met (besides you, dad).

I was thinking I should send a actual letter, but I don't know what to draw, so here is an email with random stuff

-There is no Free Parking anywhere remotely close to campus (California Irvine). There are so many people and so little space that even the streets are no parking, except a few after 7pm. The grocery stores have parking police who tow you, if you park and walk somewhere else. There are very few vistor parking locations and you can only park in them for 20 minutes, unless you have a resident put your license plate in their web site. We have to call up a member to do that almost everyday. Good stuff. We get to do some walking.
-Sometimes, we provide service for a recent convert lady with MS by walking her dog. That is interesting as a missionary
-University California Irvines mascot is the Anteater, very intimidating! The Irvine Eaters, they say, lol
-I ate at a really cool Korean Barbeque with Elder Gorrell. There is a grill in your table. You get to cook your own meat and then, eat it with any of a dozen sides they put on your table and rice. It was really good.
-interesting fact: only 5 companionships in the mission did not change this transfer
-Elder McEwan is training! Posterity!!! Elder Queen is also training. Another brother in the mission! The family grows. My Grandpa, Dad, Brother, and Son are all alive. It is good times in the Anaheim mission.
-I feel like I know people now at transfers! I have a dozen or so people I caught up with this morning

06/07/2010 - Week 56

We have a solid investigator! He is living with his mother in law, who is a less active member. He came to church and accepted a baptismal date for June 19th. His name is Rocky. He is 29 and a great guy! I will keep you up to date on the progress. We are really excited! We, also, had a young lady, who we were trying to meet with, come to mutual. We have had a hard time setting up apointments, but that is a great step in the right direction.

This ward is pretty funny. I guess, if you are from Utah this is where you vacation. So, all the Utah mormons come here and attend church at 11 by the temple of course! As a result, sacrament meeting is full way out into the gym and only half of the people are members of this ward. This past Sunday was fast Sunday, and half the speakers were vacationing here. Mormon culture is funny, bearing your testimony only when you are not in your normal ward, lol.

They all ask where I am from, hoping it is in Utah. This has been the only time in my mission where, someone was hoping I was from utah, lol

I think Eric's roommate, Jake, lives 2 streets out of my area, but I am not sure. I think it is his parents house. How small of a world would that be? I am pretty sure he didn't go on a mission so... maybe, I will bump into him.

Missionary Hazards

06/01/2010 - Week 55

Wow, it is looking like summer in Wisconsin. Not having any seasons is funny; you lose track of what time of the year is.

Anyways, we are still working hard, but this week it was kinda hard to see. We taught only one lesson this past week, but that one lesson was good. We taught a young family with a 2-year old. They are disillusioned/pessimistic about religion, but don't want their little one to have that same experience growing up. They like the church, were receptive to the lesson, committed to read/pray about the Book of Mormon, but wouldn't set up a return appointment. It doesn't matter, though. If they do what they said, they will develop a greater desire to make time for us. We just have to be patient. The rest of the week was spent checking up on people, talking to them in the streets, and knocking on their doors.

It is so exciting that you got to baptize a father. Someday, he will hold the priesthood and will be able to bless his family! Mom, you are too kind. Our great family is a result of Dad and your diligence in raising us up in righteousness. Thank you so much for being a great mom. Recent experience has taught me that it is hard to keep going when the days aren't always eventful; you have so much, yet so little to worry about; you can't always see the results of your efforts; you don't feel mentally stimulated all the time (brain feeling like it is turning to mush); and things seems never ending. Thank you for showing me how to keep going. Thank you for being a righteous and virtuous mother! Thank you. And, Curtis, thank you for being such a great friend and brother. We were so cool back in the day. What a dynamic duo! Rebecca, the example of diligence, hard work, and patience. You are definently my favorite sister. Matthew, Happy Birthday! I hope my card will get to you soon. Little buddy, you are the coolest! Next time, I will be there. What can I say, things just keep getting in the way of me coming to party with you.

Hey, I have been feeling kind of sorry for those poor missionaries in Wisconsin. Invite them over for dinner. Here is the ideal missionary dinner: BREAKFAST for DINNER. I just had it last night, so good... Sign up on their dinner calendar, and make them some pancakes, waffles, eggs, and bacon. They will be happy missionaries.

In other news, I think Lauren, the investigator I was teaching with Elder Queen, who got baptised in Riverside, is in the conference ensign. I am pretty sure. She is on pg 115. It might not be her though, because it is the young women's conference, and she is not a young woman. Either way...

Memorial day was a lazy day. We started to play some tennis, but ended up sitting in the shade. Then, we went to the members home where some of the other missionaries live and watched Joseph Smith Prophet of the Restoration movie. I am such a missionary, lol
Wow, that is a lot of writing. I think I will be done.

05/24/2010 - Week 54

This week has been an interesting one. We had to stop working with an investigator because he isn't progressing. We taught a potential investigator, who other missionaries found, the first lesson. She is 19 and just finishing high school. She accepted to be baptised but can't come to church because her mom wants her to start coming with her. We will keep teaching her, but we are not sure what will happen there. We taught a Chinese UCI student who requested us to come over. He was cool but we had to refer him to the Singles ward elders. Our other investigator is a youth whose mom is less active. We haven't been able to get a hold of him for a few weeks. All in all, it has been a good week. I taught 5 lessons this week!
Yeah, I am not sure if that all will make sense but yeah...
It sounds like things have been kind of crazy over there. I bet everyone is getting excited for school to get out. Big party time! (dad quote)
Wisconsin warmer than California?!? what is going on here? It has been kinda chilly, lately. California has made me really weak. I shouldn't be thinking this weather is chilly, lol.
Yeah, I don't know what more to write. Missionary work is repetitive sometimes. I played more tennis, today. That was good.
Oh, I went on exchanges again this week and got to see a lot of the ocean. It is so beautiful. Also, I get to see the temple at least 2 times a week. The people here are so lucky. The temple is a great place, just looking at it makes you feel good. I am so glad that we are sealed as a family! I got a good one :).

05/17/2010 - Week 53

I think I am going to write most of my emailing as responces.
The new area is great; I really love it. Our appartment is the best one, yet. I feel kinda spoiled. I forgot to mention, the area called University Park (where we live) is apart of the University Park Ward, too. The members are great and the people are nice; we just need to get them to sit down with us. It is pretty diverse in our ward. We have a lot of Chinese, Indian, Persian, and a lot of other nationalities attending CS Irvine. We, even, ran into a couple from Jerusalem. Elder Gorrell is smart, humble, hardworking, and easy to get along with. Having a good companion adds a lot to the mission experiance. We are working hard, working effectively and being obediant, but no luck yet. We didn't have any teaching opportunities this week, but they will come. This area has so much potential, we just need to get people excited about the gospel of Jesus Christ!
one more thing,
I really love the Book of Mormon! What great, holy, sacred scripture. oops, the missionary in me slipped out!

05/10/2010 - Week 52

It was so good to talk to you all, yesterday. Talking about things and life with you felt like I haven't been gone for that long. Well, we played some tennis this morning. That was fun. I will be drawing a letter for you today. Thanks again for thinking of me and keeping me in your prayers. Matthew, buddy, stay happy and cool. Rebecca, keep being so pretty. Curtis, keep being such a dude, man. Mom, I love you. Dad, keep being so cool!

05/03/2010 - Week 51

Lots of news. Transfers! I am now in the recently formed University Park Ward. It is by UC Irvine. Right next door to the Temple. I guess we go to church at the stake center next to the temple. I am with Elder Gorrell from Kansas. He was, also, trained by Elder Queen. He is my brother (in the mission). That is about all I know about him. He seems cool.
It was sad to leave the Euclid ward, Elder Scott, and one of the greatest districts ever, but it will be good. I will tell you all about the new ward on Sunday :).

This past week we had a really ideal teaching appointment. Some members invited their neighbors to come to their house and be taught by us, and they accepted. We taught them on Saturday and it went really well. We, also, had a ward dinner/auction to raise money for girls camp. A ward member bid on 2 pies for us. The bidding total came to $100 for the two. I was really feeling the love. The Euclid ward is a really good ward and Elder Scott will do a good job there.

04/27/2010 - Week 50

Well, I have to be kinda short because we are at the library and may have to share our email time. We had to do some service in the middle of our p-day and that screwed us up a little bit. It is good, though. Well, this week has been pretty routine but good. I went on exchanges Saturday with Elder Lawrence (my district leader), and it was a great day. We have gotten pretty close, being together in the field for the past 3 transfers in addition to the time we roomed together in the MTC. We went to see a less active man the bishop wanted us to check up on. He ended up being a really cool guy. He in his 30's and he wanted to come to church. He hadn't gone since he moved in the area. Then, on Sunday he came! Bahman, too! Remember Bahman, the Iranian guy? We were teaching him a while back. Since then, we have been going by monthly and calling every once in a while to invite him to church. What do you know, he showed up this week. It was a really good weekend!!! I have done a lot better this week. Elder Scott and I still get along great, but our unity could be better.
If I could describe the work here, I would use these phrases: Faith that the Lords will act though us. Persistance in friendship and kindness. Patiently waiting. Joy in seeing the Holy Ghost work through us. It is so hard to write what I feel and do. I don't know if you can understand that, but anyways... I have become at home here. This Sunday, I can finally say I have become a part of the ward family. I know the members and feel like I have become their friend. Being at church this week was really good. It amazes me how so many different people can grow together as a people and grow together in their faith in Christ. And, how someone, just passing through, like me, can have a part of it, too. Our Heavenly Father really does know each of us individually and he shares his love for us in so many different ways. I have really felt that this past week.

04/20/2010 - Week 49

I moved again! Same ward, but another new appartment. Sleep has been a lot better!
We taught someone this week! She was a referral from church headquarters. She visited the Saint George temple and had a great experiance. She is such a kind lady! Her name is Cindy, she is in her 50's, and is single. We went over there with a young optometery student, member. Surprisingly, it was a great match. He invited her to come to church and sit with him, his wife, and his 4 kids, and she came! She felt the spirit, enjoyed his very energetic kids, and loved it!
We are still struggling. It is hard going out there, where people don't want you to be around. I even got a Book of Mormon back this week. Elder Lim and I had given it out one of our first few weeks together. We taught him about it on his door step and commited him to read it. He told us he would, and after, we could talk about it more. Now, over 2 months later he finishes, but, just, gives us it back with anti-mormon tracts in it. Well, I want you to know that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is real. We can be healed and changed by his great sacrifice. Things are hard for everyone, but if you turn to Christ there is success. Christs church has been restored though Joseph Smith, and we are really blessed to be an active part of it!
I can't wait to talk to you soon. I have such a cool family! The thought of all of you, your prayers, and letters/emails have gotten me this far. I really owe you all a lot. Tell Grandma Wigington happy birthday, and that I love her! I sent her a letter earlier this week. Grandma sends me a letter every week. I have a really good Grandma!

04/12/2010 - Week 48

Things haven't changed much. I broke my bike chain, that was pretty exciting. Some other missionaries helped me put a new link on, so it is all good. We use both our bikes and our car to stay within our mileage. yep... it is sunny out.
You probably already figured this out, but I am going to the temple, today. My companion and I still get along great. We still aren't teaching anyone. We are trying to hang in there and keep the faith to make good things happen for us and those around us.

The Newport Beach Temple - Yay!

04/05/2010 - Week 47

The work is the same, no changes. As Pres. Uchdorf says, "we wait". Zone conference was good. General Conference was amazing. P-day has been long and tiring. I don't want to see another bike for a while. Riding it in the mud and wet, biking to district activity, cleaning the bikes for an hour, no bueno. (Yeah, that is about all the spanish I remember) Well, I love you all!

The easter bunny did come. Between Sunday sessions of general conference, I cooked lunch for my district (it is still mine, even though I am not district leader), and they helped me eat some of the candy.

Earthquakes are kinda like a rollercoaster, except the whole world is moving, not just you. Pretty cool. Love you! Happy Easter. I will keep trying to blow the weather your way, but I am starting to run out of breath.

Question: So what's "shakin'" in CA?
Nathan response: Just about everything :)

Question: Did you feel the earthquake?
Nathan Response: Oh, I did feel it (the earthquake). We were eating an early Easter dinner at our ward mission leaders home when it happened. The whole world shifted forward, oh wait, it is going backward, right, left, forward, backward, right, left... That went on for like a minute. It kinda made us a little motion sick. It was a very gradual shifting. It was a really cool experiance in a really cool setting! We have a cool ward mission leader, who has a cool wife, and three boys, one is on a mission. Also, in case of an earthquake, we are supposed to report to his house. Convenient.

Question: OK... one last question.... Is everyone in California nervous about "the big one"? Maybe they'll repent and let you in a few more doors!
Nathan response: The ward mission leader was like "Well, if the Lord wants to takes us, ok. But, if he wants us to help out, we will be ok.  The people on the streets and homes don't really talk to us for longer than 10 seconds, so we don't know.

Celebrating our 15th weekly planning session of the year. Don't ask... we are going slightly crazy in the head!

03/29/2010 - Week 46

Hello!!!!

Today has been good, but crazy as usual. We did some light biking with the Deaf Elders. On the to do list, buy something that can play music in our appartment. I am thinking about getting some computer speakers and a CD player or something. yep. We have had a lot of dinner appointments, but it gets inconsistent starting today. No dinner appointment. It is all good though.

Well, the work has been kinda tough this past week. Things have really settled down, to almost nothing. I have been struggling a little bit to stay positive.  I really like Elder Scott. We get along really well. We have a very similar cultural background, you could say. He would always come up to Wisconsin to bike. I pray continually for the strength and even when I find it hard to go, out I still do. Most people see us as a nusiance. People always thinking of you in that way starts to take it's toll on you after a while. I am praying a lot. I can't wait for zone conference tomorrow and general conference this weekend. Yeah... I am really looking forward to them!!!

Spanish Study Walks on the Train Track --------------- Sometime we bike, other times we drive. (Mood dependent)

03/22/2010 - Week 45

I did feel the earthquake. I was on exchanges with the Zone Leaders in my area. I was woken up by a couple seconds of shaking. It was pretty cool, too bad I was so tired. We asked each other if it was an earthquake, decided it was, said "cool", and then went back to sleep. I know, boring, right. Yep, the weather is still nice. I wouldn't want it any other way, but still, the days get pretty monotoneus(sp?) around here. Things have been interesting this week. We have had appointments, which is good for a change. Too bad almost all cancled on us. oh well, what can you do? Well, my district remains as is, for another 6 weeks. However, Elder Lawrence will be the new district leader. He will do a good job. We were in the MTC together.
Random experiances: We cut an old ladies overgrown yard with our ward mission leader, met a gangster guy in a Target parking lot, got profanities yeld at us, today, while shopping, and kocked some doors and stuff. It's good.

I am happy to hear that it is starting to get warm for you. Spring is always good in Wisconsin. Thanks for the complements. I really try my best, but it is still really tough.

03/15/2010 - Week 44

Yeah, these past few weeks have been very hectic, including today.. So, it has been a long time since I have biked, and Elder Scott likes biking. To make a long story short, I lost control of my bike while trail riding at at the end of a big down hill and bumped my shoulder into a tree. I scraped and bruised it pretty good. After that, we continued on for another 1.5 hours of biking. Then, we went to the district meeting I planned: basketball. Yeah, my shoulder is pretty beat right now. Next time, I think I might take charge of the trails we choose to ride because I don't want to screw up my mission. Well, the work is about the same except a little more of a headache to plan. Things have seemed to have gotten a little busier, so that is good. :) We are living on Valencia and Basque. It is right next to the train tracks and our neighbors like to party, so we sleep with a fan on to make some ambient noise. But, after today, I am going to sleep like a baby.

The Hazards of Prep Day Trail Biking

Scenes from the Hood Outside a Missionary Apartment

03/08/2010 - Week 43

Wow, things have been crazy!!! Elder Pua and I got along really well. We were working hard and his experience was a great asset to this area. We found two pretty good potentials in one week! We also found a service opportunity doing a little yard work for someone. They want a Book of Mormon. We haven't taught any of them, yet, but soon. It was a good week and I really enjoyed my time with Elder Pua. Sunday night, I got another call from the Zone Leaders. Another mid-transfer transfer! They disolved the one of the 2 companionships in the Euclid ward because we are getting some "deaf" sisters in. (The sign language program is synced different then Spanish. That is why it is in the middle of the transfer). I am now with Elder Scott, who has only been out for less than 2 transfers. By the way, he is President Bonner's nephew from Chicago (our Stake President in tje Milwaukee South Stake). Anyways, he is pretty cool. We have been cleaning out our old apartment so the sisters can live there. We are living in Elder Scotts appartment now. So, that involved me packing up all my stuff. I am really tired. These have been a crazy few weeks. I have had my fill of transfers for a while. changes... changes.... changes...

Nathan and Elder Pua

03/01/2010 - Week 42

Hi family, my week was really good. Elder Lim and I are sticking to it. My birthday turned out really well. Our ward mission leader bought us Chinese food, and Elder Lim bought me a piece of pie. We put the candles in, he sang, and then, we feasted. I ate so much that night. It was good. Also, some of my district members called to wish me a happy birthday. It was kinda nice to have a nice warm birthday for a change. The hoodie is just what I wanted and the GPS is really handy. We have even got our phone bluetoothed to it, just for fun. Oh, and I got my spoon back. Good thing too; I was running out of oatmeal. And HEY, what is that little blue guy doing in there. Well, teaching opportunities... to tell you the truth, it has been about 2 months since we have gotten let in from off the street into someones home. We are still teaching that family. The husband got sick 2 days ago and is in the hospital. Our Elders quorum president and one of his councilers went be to give him a blessing. He is doing ok. He is his cheery self, but has to have some, not too fun, tests done to figure out what he has. Also, we are still kinda working with that Iranian man. Other than that, we do a lot of praying and a lot of wandering around talking to people.
Here is the real news! We are having an unexpected transfer. Elder Lim is going into the Korean Program, today. And, I will be getting a new companion. His name is Elder Pua. He is a huge tongan Elder who has 9 weeks left on the mission. He was in this area before we got here. We will see how it goes.

Nathan and Elder Lau Doing District Planning - Poor Elders, No Table

Satisfaction! - 20th Birthday Feast: Chinese Dinner, Soebe and Pie

02/22/2010 - Week 41

Well, I haven't had a chance to talk to anyone on a horse. Since it has gotten warmer, people on the trail have been making poor clothing choices. not good. Well, that young family was at church this past Sunday, and everything went perfectly. After, we taught them with her parents. They are such a great family, and they have the coolest little kid (he is 2). We will be eating dinner with them, today. After, we will have a lesson with one of the members of our ward. We are praying that they will be able to recognize the answers to their prayers, that this is what they need to do. That about sums it up. We taught the Iranian guy twice too, but he just wants to learn. so that is sad. Things are good, though!

It looks pretty warm over there. I am going to be partying it up missionary style in the warm California sun. hmmm what more to say... We have be doing a lot of walking around lately. We had zone conference which was good. I went on exchanges with the Euclid South Elders. Curtis, Rebecca, Matthew buddy, Mom, and Dad I love you! Sorry, I don't have more to write. That is seriously all that happened this week. Anyways, I love you! Tell both Grandma Wigington and Boehm that I love them, too. Tell Grandma Boehm thanks for sharing her testimony with me. Also, it was cool to hear Anna Beckers story because she is in my patriarchal blessing. Tell, Grandma Wigington thanks for her weekly letters. I always know I have a motivational and love filled letter coming every week. Till next week

02/15/2010 - Week 40

I have like no time to email, today. Our recent convert, Robin, had to get rid of one of her dogs. She was feeling kinda drepressed and called us and wanted us to come by at 4:00. This week went really well, we taught 3 lessons to investigators. We were able to reestablish contact with the young family we were working with. We had a great member lesson, and they should be a church Sunday.

02/08/2010 - Week 39

Well, we started teaching another Iranian guy. He was investigating the church 2 years ago, but couldn't get over his word of wisdom problems. This time, we will suceed. We are also working with a Iranian, less-active, recent convert family. I love the Iranian people. The 3 families I have talked to are awesome. They are sincere, listen, and ask good questions. What more could you ask for? Nothing else new in the work except for exchanges with the sign language Elders. I travel the whole mission, learned how to sign my name, attended a sign language class they teach, and saw a magazine photo shoot of the new Corvette vs new Viper in Silverado Canyon (well, the preshoot. cars lined up and cop cars closing the rode right after we drove through, the flags. Need for Speed kind of stuff!). Transfer day! No changes in my district, except, Elder Lim and I got a new car, AGAIN! This time it is right off the line. 2010 Chevy Malibu in grey.

02/01/2010 Week 38

Well, as far as missionary work goes, nothing new. We were unable to meet with that couple last week, but this week that will change. Highlights: I went on exchanges with Elder Lawrence from the MTC. Man, I love that Elder. He is so cool. We reflected on the good times. Also, Aunt Nell is so cool, and Uncle Bother Brown (He was a mission president in the neighboring, Riverside mission). They took Elder Lim and I out for breakfast this morning. You know you have a cool great Aunt when she will wake up at missionary standard time and go for breakfast at 7:15, yikes. Well, I am doing well, and am bracing myself for a little more rain. I bought myself a new pillow, today, so that should be good. that was random.

Family, I pray for each of you every day. I know the Lord blesses his children when they do what is right. But, more importantly, if we put forth even a little bit of effort, a particle of faith or work; he is pleased with us. He is pleased with us. Also, Christ felt everything we go though so he can help us through it. He knows the way because He is the way. I will continue to pray for you all, and I know that he will help each one of us in our own way.

01/27/2010 - Week 37

I wish I had some exciting stories to tell you, but the rain didn't change much. When it rains, here, the ground doesn't soak up any of the water, so the streets turn instantly into rivers. Because we are in a car we managed to stay mostly dry. We didn't get any simpathy let in's. Most people think we are confused, brainwashed youth, so they feel obligated to tell us, we don't have to be doing this. They tell us to go home, but we don't. :) I got to stand in on Robins confirmation on Sunday. That was good. Today, we are going to the temple. And, yeah, other than that, same old, same old. We do have a young couple we are teaching, so we have high hopes there.

01/18/2010 - Week 36

Hello again from southern California. We are getting a little rain. El nino? I dont know. Well, Robin got baptised Sunday! Elder Wilcock, our zone leader, performed the baptism. He was originally in this ward and was her first contact. Plus, we, only, had met with her 4 times, so we didn't know her too well. However, it was great to help her endure to the end and beat her smoking addiction. Everything went perfectly. I got to be a witness and give the benediction. In other news, I have, also, lost my mini-van. Today, I traded it out for a red, 2006 toyota Corola. I am rollin' in red! Our new problem is, we have lost our only investigator. The search is on. I guess baptism is a worthy cause to lose an investigator to, lol.

Rebecca, to answer the question in your letter: The rest of Christmas went really well. I had a really good dinner appointment that night. Thanks for asking. Also, it does get chilly in California at night.

ps: they need to make p-days a little longer. *sigh* :)

01/11/2010 - Week 35

Elder Lim and I are still burning mini-van rubber all over Fullerton. The roads are always packed with people, but I am a very good driver, even in a van. Yes, I do shuttle the other bike Elders around. We are living in the classy, Club Acacia appartments; they are nice. Today, for district activity we got some in-and-out burger and played some football. Guess who I met at dinner the other day, the son (and wife) of George Cook. He said he knew Dean Wigington. "He was always my favorite," is how he described grandpa.

Missionary work: We have a few potentials, but we are still doing alot of searching. Robin (our investigator) is staying off cigarettes and should be baptised this coming Sunday! She could use your prayers to stay strong.

01/04/2010 - Week 34

I am living out of my ward boundaries on Acacia and Chapman. Matthew, I am still living in Orange County, so the shirt is still from where I am living. Yep, a shiny new van. It reminds me of the drivers ed days. I don't do any freeway driving so it isn't too difficult, and my companion is a really good gps. Some missionaries have an actual GPS but our Thomas Guide does a really good job. Plus our area is pretty small.

The ward here is pretty good. The hardest part is that we are sharing the ward with another pair of missionaries. The boundaries of our ward have just changed last transfer so everything is all mixed up. We have got the area book all sorted, now. The Euclid ward is very similar to Orange 3rd. A lot of Fullerton College Optometery students mixed with old people. Parts of our area are quite well off. Yes, we have some very large houses. In general, the people we have been contacting have been a little more receptive to listen to us. We will see how it goes. Cool coincidence: When we were teaching Lauren, a newly married couple (her friends) came to our lessons. They attend in our ward. In the past we have eaten 3 dinners and had 3 lessons with them at their parents home in orange. That was a nice surprise to see them. We have one investigator, and she has a baptismal date for jan 16 (i think). We will meet her tomorrow. Elder Lim has only been out for 1 transfer but he his way cool. We get along great. He is from Korea, Canada, and Utah.

12/28/2009 - Week 33

Here is the news. I am serving in the Euclid Ward, covering the north half of my mission. My companion is Elder Lim; he is Korean but spent part of his life in Utah. He has only been out for one transfer, so we will figure this new area out together. The Elders before us left us with nothing. So tomorrow we will see the ward mission leader to see what has been going on lately. Also, I am the district leader, so that will be interesting. Looks like my bike problems are over; no, I have a car. Actually, it is a 2009 Dodge mini van with stoand-go.
2/29 - My bed is really comfy.

12/21/2009 - Week 32

I went mountain biking with brother Hansen, again. Then, I spent the last hour fixing my bike, so I don't have a lot of time to write, today. The Santa Ana winds have made for a very warm end of the week. Good stuff! I does not feel like Christmas.

News from the mission: This week was the ward Christmas program and the ward Christmas party; both were great! Several members have told us that we are the best missionaries they have ever had in the ward(You would not believe how good that makes you feel). We are working hard, and had some teaching opportunities. John, again, and a sweet, former, Orange 3rd ward members son. She moved out like 4 months ago, so it is good to see her AND teach her son! Lauren got baptised, yesterday, and we are going to eat with her and the member family, tonight. That will be super exciting!

Letter to Bishop Grip:

Nothing is better than than serving the Lord, under the warm California sun. I love my ward and... I think they love me, too. I have a great companion, who has made my job as a trainer really easy. I am working hard and the blessings do come; I have seen it. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Orange County. Sincerely, Elder Nathan Wigington

12/14/2009 - Week 31

As far as the missionary work goes, no new changes. I had exchanges this week. Got rained on. Taught a few lessons. And, now, it is another crazy P-day.

My bike started falling apart after that rain (It was pouring, for the first time, since I have been here, Saturday. I got soaked.), so we will see what happens with that... I think, I will wait it out until the end of the transfer and then, either buy a new, quality bike or just fix up the Schwinn. Let me know what you think.

Stockings and Rain Soaked Clothing are hung by the window with care in hopes that St. Mother soon will be there.

North Pole!?... Nope, Just a humble Southern California Christmas home.

 Elder McEwan- The Spirits of a Missionary Christmas - Elder Wigington

12/07/2009 - Week 30

This was a week of blessings. Lauren, who Elder Queen and I were teaching is getting baptised on Dec. 20. I called Billy, who Elder Queen and I taught once, and he said he was thinking of us the day before, and changed his mind about us sending missionaries to his new address. The grand-daughters of one of the members in our ward, who we taught the first lesson to, is getting baptised Dec. 26. John, who we were teaching for a while, came with us to a baptism in Orange 2nd, church, and the Creche exhibit at church. We taught 6 lessons this week. The ward loves us, and our dinner calendar is full for the next month. All we need to do, now, is find some people in our ward to get baptsed, lol.

So, the www.thecreche.info picture of me is Elder McEwan standing back to back as Joseph and Shepard bling-ing. Yeah, I am not smiling in the first one because I looked over and Elder McEwan and he wasn't smiling, but he was. (Seriously, I am not that serious).

11/30/2009 - Week 29

Yes, Thanksgiving really was warm. The Santa Ana winds can really heat this place up. It was great. We ate with the Kelly's, and then, the next day, we had thanksgiving with the Hansens. Two Thanksgivings!!! Other good news... Lauren, an investigator Elder Queen and I were teaching, has gotten a hold of the Sister Missionaries at her ward and went to church. From what we have heard, she loves it (I was so afraid we lost her; 2 months of no church contact is tough.). I have aquired those sunglasses from Elder Lancasters old car, do you like them? The tan line is pretty good too, huh? Oh, and the short hair cut from Elder Queen shaving me bald in back was fun, too, lol.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Why Missionaries Should Pay For Haircuts!

11/23/2009 - Week 28

Lets see... This week: I got to do some service. Taught a lesson to our investigator, his wife, his young (late 20's) but really knowledgable, Bible studying friends, and one of our members. I got food poisening for a day - that was fun. And, I just got back from mountain biking, for the first time, with one of the members of the ward. (He let me borrow one of his bikes that could handle the ride.) It was really fun and you will hear about it in my next letter :). So, yep, it was an interesting week.

I am eating with the Kelly's for Thanksgiving. Brother Kelly was a convert not to long ago (6 years) and is super cool. It should be fun.

11/16/2009 - Week 27

I am emailing a little late because today was transfers and my district got changed up. Elder McEwan and I are still together, so that hasn't changed.

We had dinner at our investigators home on Sunday, and our Elders Quorum President (who is the same age) came with. The food was good, company great, too bad the lesson turned into Bible bashing. On the plus side, I think we developed a solid friendship. Wow, I still have so much to learn; it was definatly good to have the Elders Quorum President there.

Nathan and Elder Queen

11/09/2009 - Week 26

Things are going alright here. We got to teach 3 lessons this week, which is amazing! However, I can't help but feeling a little low (Wow, Mom, I don't know how you could tell from an email). This past transfer has been very humbling, lots of tracting without getting in any doors, and the three people we are working with aren't really going anywhere. I feel like I am not really doing anything, and the things I do, is all the Spirit that does the work. It is funny, I want to contribute and learn how to be a better missionary, but the opportunities haven't come, yet. I guess that is what humility is supposed to be. I am learning a lot about being grateful and humble, so that is good. The time change has made tracting really interesting; lets just say 8:30 is really dark for old ladies. It is still 70's here, maybe 65 some nights. No real funny stories this week, so I will have to go out and do something memorable, so I can write about it for next week!

Yep, when Elder Queen left, I moved.

The View Out of Nathan's New Apartment