Visit to the Oakland Temple Visitor's Center

Preface: We got a paper letter from Ammon on Saturday and the following is my answer to part of his letter, and his response: 

My tee hee moment for you today is about your last letter home. Emma was reading it aloud to Caleb and Micah yesterday morning and they all started laughing really loud and calling out “Mom! Mom!” I went in and they said that they could not believe that you said that your mission is hot sisters. I quickly corrected them “40%! 40%!” It made a lot more sense that way, but I thought it was hilarious the other way.

Lock your heart Elder.

Love, Mom

Okay, not going to lie. That 40% is pretty funny. My heart is locked. For sure and for certain! Don’t worry at all!

Spiritual: The highlight of the week would have to be the temple tour we were able to take with not just one, two or even three investigators, but a whole four investigators! It was awesome! The Oakland Temple Visitor’s Center was amazing. There was such a good feeling there and the Spirit was really strong. We watched the Restoration movie and walked around the center. The Spirit was so strong there and there was a good feeling in the air! Robert has gone from 2-3 pack of cigarettes a day to 1 cigarette a day in just short of a week! We are so excited for them to get baptized!

Funny: My companion and I decided to have a  "s’mores night." We took a night when we were feeling a little down and we just had s’mores! It was pretty fun. As I am sitting here I also noticed on the keyboard some graffiti from some hooligans who wrote their names on the library keyboard. Coincidentally, these happen to be the same names as our investigators that have an upcoming baptismal date. So I ask, coincidence?

Where I am at: Things are going well here. Our big focus these past few weeks has been the Rescue and cleaning up the ward list. There are so many members here and so few of them go to church so we have been trying really hard to get them to come to church. There have been a few surprises and a few doors slammed in our faces but for the most part we are finding a lot of people who have kind of  slipped through the cracks. The big gossip in the Pleasanton zone is that there are going to be some crazy drastic changes coming up in this next week. President Watkins wants Elders and Sisters in each ward and right now there are p2 elders, p2-3 sisters, p3 elders and p1-4 sisters. We don’t know for certain, but the plan is that either Elder Kerby and I will just take on p3 as well and the now p3 elders will take on p1-4, or the companionships will be split up so as to not whitewash any of the wards. So Elder Kerby would be transferred to p1-4 with the other p3 elder and I will stay in p2 with an elder from p3. We will find out by Saturday and no matter what it should be interesting! I love the work and have come to realize more and more that the reason I am here is the invite others to come unto Christ. Some come out here with the purpose of baptizing and running. Every day I learn how instrumental Christ and his Atonement are in my life and how much I want others to come experience that. I found a talent I possess. That is to love; to be kind and just love. It is my job to love these people as much as I possibly can and it’s the Spirits job to teach and testify of truth. Although we work hand in hand, both things are instrumental to becoming converted.

This week has really been uneventful. Sorry about that. Things between my companion and I are good, but I feel a bit overshadowed. It’s tough, but I have complete faith in the Savior and I think that is why I am going through this; to build my faith even more and to become proficient at leaning unto the Lord. I always knew my biggest challenge would be companions and I pray for love every day and I have found it but it’s still hard. I am doing well otherwise, and I feel very close to the Lord and really want to get as close as I can. Don’t get me wrong, I completely love love love it here and no matter what happens with the area changes I will be happy. I love you all and can feel your prayers and love. Thank you so much for the letters and the love. Keep Christ close. Don’t worry about me too much though. It’s more of a pride issue but I love how humble I have become! I can’t wait to become even more submissive to the Lord! Love you all so much!