It's a Christmas Miracle!

Spiritual: Christmas is a time for Miracles. I have learned this Christmas that the Lord lives. He Loves us and wants to give us miracles, especially when we can do nothing to change the situation and we have given everything to the Lord and trust in Him. The moment He intervenes and changes something for us that we cannot do for ourselves that moment is a miracle. About one month ago I had gone down to Monterey for P day. President decided to give the Pleasanton elders a chance to go down to the beach for a change. When we got down there we had a great time playing in the sand and enjoying the ocean. It was a great day! When we went to go back to Pleasanton, I walked over to my bag to find it empty. My heart stopped. I had left my journal of three months of my mission in there. It was awful. I had faithfully recorded every single day an entry of what I had learned or some miracle that had happened and now it was gone. Three months of my life had vanished. Stolen. Never to return. I was distraught. I definitely didn’t want my parents to worry or have anyone else feel bad for me so I didn’t mention it in any letters home or anything like that. I was just going to rely on the Lord and His infinite goodness for comfort. When we got in the car after looking around for a long time for it I was sure it was burning in some trash can somewhere. We left and while we were driving away I said a prayer to Heavenly Father, not asking Him to find my journal for me or to have vengeance on the person who stole it, but to use it as a tool to further his work. After that, it was amazing the feeling of comfort i received. It was like having an umbrella placed over me. I knew I should be really sad about what had happened, but i really didn’t feel that bad at all! It was so strange. Time passed and on Christmas day, while skyping my family, they said they had one extra Christmas gift for me. They reached around and pulled out a journal that looked exactly similar to mine. It was my Journal!! It had come a few days before in an unmarked envelope with my name and address on it. The Lord loves us immensely. I have no idea if that thief read what I wrote, or what the circumstances were where he would risk returning a stolen item, but I know that the Lord Loves me. He is so kind to us and wants to bless us. I felt so comforted and blessed to receive that great of a miracle. If you do not know that Heavenly Father loves you, I would invite you to kneel down and ask Him. If you listen with your feelings, the Holy Ghost will speak in a language that is just for you and He will tell you. 

Funny: We were talking to a family about what the Holy Ghost feels like and we described it as a warm feeling coming over you. The little boy around 5 years old said that he wanted to share something. We obliged and he proceeded to tell us about this time he was swimming in the hot tub and he felt a warm feeling come over him. We were laughing so hard. Just for the record, the Holy Ghost can feel SIMILAR to peeing in the hot tub, but not exactly like it. It was really funny and very obvious that he had just let go in the tub. His parents were embarrassed. It was very funny. 

Where I am at: More Christmas miracles are happening in Pleasanton! Robert was baptized on Saturday and it was amazing! He is definitely not fitting the Pleasanton 2nd ward stereotype but he is integrating okay. It’s so cool. It’s kinda a fun problem to have to have no investigators left because you have baptized them all. I like it. haha I love you all and wish you have a wonderful time of year and remember the Savior in all that you do.

I love you all!

Getting Ready for Christmas

It’s been a really fun week being a missionary in California at Christmas time. It’s been really fun to see all of the California Christmas trees and all of the materialistic personalities coming out. I love it!! I think a lot of other missionaries are really having a hard time for Christmas. There are a lot of emotions going around. There are only three missionaries in my zone who have been out for Christmas and so we are all new to this Christmas away from home idea. Some are taking it harder than others. I am doing okay. It comes in waves. Longing, then the next moment ecstatic joy. The best way to avoid it is to just not think about it. It’s easier said than done. I have some super cool stories to tell over Skype!! 

 Spiritual: We had a baptism this past week. It was so cool to have a "White Christmas." Oh it was awesome. Baptisms are so much fun to go to. I had a really strange week leading up to this baptism. There were so many days where all of our regular appointments fell through and we were left out to dry with no plans. Our backups to our backups fell through. It was a new experience to follow the Spirit and see where we went. It was a time of real stress. I kept feeling like I was falling short of what I should be doing. It was hard. The baptism was not even very fun. There were a lot of things that just kept going wrong. It fortunately was not my fault but it sure reflected poorly on us. It was hard to feel the Spirit during the baptism because of all of the other things that were going on and not going right. It was a long service but the ending song really changed the whole program. The closing song was I am Trying to Be like Jesus. It hit me that I had always thought about that song as the song of someone who was a "Super Mormon." Someone who was so good but might have had a bad thought once in his life and that’s why he was not being translated right on the spot. It’s not at all that way!! That song is the song of the sinner!! It’s about someone who feels he is trying but not even trying hard enough. It was so comforting to realize that Jesus does not expect us to be perfect, or even have perfect desires. It’s a tender mercy that He is always willing to help us and love us even when we are not trying our best. The important thing is not the speed, but the direction. That’s the beauty of this Christmas Gift that our Heavenly Father has given us. The gift is always there and He is always wanting to help us. It’s all about where your heart is. I have really felt the beauty of the Grace of our Heavenly Father this past week. It’s been an incredible experience having him so close and helping us through all of the strange things that have happened. 

 Funny: The picture. Can you name the Christmas song? 

"Oh come let us a door him!"

 Where I am at: Things are awesome here in Pleasanton. The Christmas blues are coming in but that is to be expected. There are so many kind members and fun things to do here; it’s amazing. Robert is so close to baptism!! It’s amazing. He is 4 days sober and is progressing well. He should be baptized on Saturday if everything goes well. He is making great leaps and bounds. We picked up a new investigator named Rena. Oh she is so golden. She will be baptized in January for sure. The work is really good right now. Unfortunately we have baptized all of our progressing investigators!! haha so looks like we need some more. Things are looking up. I love you all and am so grateful around this season to have such a strong loving family and friend support group. I can feel your love and prayers every day. I love you!!

Love you all!

New companion and a glimpse into the secret life of Relief Society

Funny: My new companion is Elder Baumert, as in bow down, hit your head and get hurt, but with an m. He is a funny elder for sure! He grew up in Dahlheart Texas. It’s in the most northwestern part of Texas. Three hours away from any Walmart. Crazy. He has never owned a dishwasher before and he was amazed to see one in the missionary apartment. haha He was last serving in East Palo Alto, the most ghetto spot in the mission. He is a hoot! Funny kid; likes to read. Anyway, his first night in Pleasanton we were invited to dinner at the Relief Society dinner. It was held up in Ruby Hill, the most posh place to live in Pleasanton. Not only was it in Ruby Hill, but it was also held inside the CEO of Safeway’s home. Very nice home. The original Greg Olsen paintings were really cool to look at while dining. So there we were in an exquisite place eating the most luxurious food with 80 old women. It was so funny. There was us and the Bishop for males. The look on the poor elder's face was so funny. I think he said 5 words that night. I probably overdid it. Needless to say it was quite comical to watch his expressions and it was way cool being allowed to see the secret life of the Relief Society. It was a fun night. 

Spiritual: This week we have been working a lot with Robert. He has not been baptized yet and he is still working on his smoking problem. We met with him on Wednesday and planned on teaching the first lesson with him. Just as a refresher. When we got there, Laura who is our recent convert had invited a friend to come hear the lesson!! It was incredible! The Spirit was so strong. After we finished the lesson I felt inspired to just testify of how much God actually loves us and how much he wants us to come back to him. It was amazing. The Spirit really struck a chord in her heart. She started to tear up and when we asked her if she would like to be baptized she replied with a fervent yes. It made me so happy to see her starting to change her life!! Oh it is such a good feeling to see someone feel the Spirit and desire to change. It is incredible. I love it! We would love to baptize her but unfortunately she lives in Livermore. Oh well. The Livermore elders got an awesome referral that day. All is well in Pleasanton!!

Where I am at: Things are looking up here in Pleasanton. The ward is on fire!! There have been a ton of amazing members who have been talking to friends about the gospel and the ward has really got the vision. It’s incredible. Last year the ward goal for baptisms was 6. This was definitely a stretch goal because the year prior, they had only 3 convert baptisms and for the previous 5 years not a single one. The actual for this year in Pleasanton was 12 convert baptisms. The new goal for this year is 24 convert baptisms!!!!!! This is a goal set in faith and with the Lord’s help we will be able to attain this goal! I love this work and I love this fire that has come into the hearts of these members. It makes me so happy to see the ward really catching the wave as it were. We are looking forward to another baptism this week and another the next week. I will let you know how it goes!

Seriously this work is really fun. It’s hard because there will always be opposition, but when it’s really good, it’s REALLY GOOD. It’s an interesting transition from a fast moving Elder Kerby to a more relaxed Elder Baumert. Things will be good though. This will be a really good companionship. With Christmas coming there have been a lot of missionaries who are a little bummed about being away from home and you get the occasional pang for home, but I can feel the Lord sustaining me in my labors. It’s incredible.

 Baumert and Black. Not the Ordinary!

 California I love you!!!!!

 There was an...Incident. 

Christmas tree oh Christmas tree! How Mormon look ye!

Mountains to Climb

The title of this week’s email should be Mountains to Climb. Or the Loving the Mountains I Have Climbed.

This week was awesome, it was sad, it was crazy, it was funny, it was every emotion you can possibly imagine, and it’s opposite. It was one of those weeks.

Funny: Last night we went to the Outgoing Fireside for returning missionaries and it was super fun! We took a recent convert, Jeff, with us and as we were driving back it was very apparent that there was absolutely nothing to talk about. So what did Elder Black do? Elder Black did what he does best. Start telling jokes. For the most part it was really fun but, an hour of Elder Black’s comedy routine was getting pretty old by the end of the drive and he started to progressively go faster and faster down the road. I could tell he really was not finding these jokes very enjoyable. We finally got to our destination and he let us out of the car and made a quick escape inside the house. I thought they were really funny. tehehe I hope he doesn't go inactive. 

 Spiritual: I want to tell you about my mountain. His name is Elder Kerby. Not going to lie, the first time I saw him I stopped and had to ask myself how long I would have to be with him. It was from the beginning a challenge to love him not because of anything that he did, but because of where my heart was at. I was too overcome with pride and independence to really allow myself to love him. It was hard. so hard. I had to be humbled and I promise that if you really want something, and stick with that problem for a long period of time and pray for help from the Lord, He will bless you abundantly. I love Elder Kerby. A lot. It didn’t start like this. We didn’t get along for a long time, but I had a desire for it to get better. That was about all I had. I wanted our relationship to get better and that was it. I was willing to work for it and pray for it but that was about all I had going for me. It was really hard. I poured my soul out in prayer to the Lord asking for him to strengthen ME and change ME so that I could love him. I couldn’t do it on my own. I tried really hard. Now Elder Kerby and I are BEST of FRIENDS. I don’t want to sound selfish and say it was all me that changed and I found a magic way to work together because in no way shape or form was it me. This blessing of a more solid relationship was a true gift from the Lord and I was but the tool to make it happen. When you are faced with a problem the Lord will often times not change the problem you are going through, but will change you to get you through the problem. The only things I had was 1) a desire for things to get better. 2) Humble, personal, real intent prayer. 3) Drive to do anything the Lord asked of me. 4) Faith that the Lord would hear my prayer. He did. I love Elder Kerby so much. He has truly changed me and set a definite course for the rest of my mission. I look up to him so much. Few men are as inspired and as powerful and as incredible as Elder Kerby. No matter the mountain, the Lord will help you climb it. 

Where I am at: As per the way the Lord works, right after I get super attached and learn how to truly love Elder Kerby, he leaves. Sigh. Oh boy. Yep! He is getting transferred and the zone is completely changing. It’s crazy! There is a lot of change coming. He leaves on Tuesday and I will find out then who my new victim, I mean companion will be. ;) Things are really going good. We have another baptism planned for the 21st and besides that we have a few people who are very good potentials. Pleasanton is AWESOME!!! 

 From the beautiful beaches of Monterey, Elder Black wishes a Merry Christmas. 

Bryan and Brandon's baptism (not sure which is which...)

Thankful to be a missionary

Funny: Thanksgiving was amazing. I ate so much food. It was awesome! We woke up Thanksgiving morning and desired to eat these two chocolate turkeys that we had been saving for a rainy day, or a celebration. We decided that it was finally time to indulge. We pulled out the turkeys and went to get the cameras and unfortunately found that Elder Kerby’s camera had in fact gone missing. OH NO. It was not a fun time at all. It freaked him out. We tore the apartment apart trying to find it, to no avail. We, being the astounding yet humble missionaries that we are, decided that the only other option was to pray. We acknowledged that if it was Heavenly Father’s will that we find the camera, we would find the camera. We then proceeded to go to two HUGE thanksgiving dinners. The reason this is funny is because of the dinners that we ate. The first family slaughtered three different animals to feed us. The quantity of turkey, ham, and ribs was incredible. Needless to say we were absolutely stuffed! I know that the Lord answered our prayers and allowed our stomachs to be able to handle another dinner! This time it was in a very nice part of town with some amazingly good and traditional food. Both of these dinners were amazing! It was so delicious and so absolutely filling that we were dead by the time we had to leave. So we went home after all that food and what did we find there waiting on our tables when we got there? Most of you would go for the typical missionary answer of the Lost Camera!!! That is absolutely incorrect. It was the two chocolate turkeys that we didn’t eat that morning. So what did we do? Ate them. BAD BAD BAD Idea. We were sick for the rest of the night. Just for reference, Elder Kerby’s camera was found and delivered by a member safe and sound two days later.

Spiritual: This week has been so centered around the plan of salvation. On Saturday, we, as a zone went and drew the plan of salvation in chalk down Main Street. What a cool experience! It was so interesting to watch people walk by and internally wonder to themselves, "What is the purpose of life?" We had it drawn on a gigantic piece of cement right below them. We taught several good lessons from it and in gospel principals we got to teach it as well. When we testified about the plan there was a super strong spirit that entered the room and not only were the teachers crying, but the members in the class, some of whom are active members and have heard this plan their entire lives, were in tears. It’s so true. The spirit that comes when we share truth that is not only sacred but relevant is powerful and perfect. I want to testify to you that the Atonement of Jesus Christ helps people cope with loss. Not just a death in the family or something like that, but of material, mental or emotional loss. I am so blessed to have the atonement not just as a band-aid solution to some little problems that a good doctor can heal, but an eternal perfect solution to life's most difficult problems. This past week has been full of a lot of weird opposition from the adversary and as we have pushed through lost cameras and stolen soccer balls we have noticed how the Atonement has filled the gap where lost things were and where healing was needed. The most important thing we can do is to learn how the Atonement of Jesus Christ works in our life. It does. I promise. 

Where I am at: There is something big about to happen in Pleasanton. It’s so cool to be a missionary and see when adversity comes we get to rejoice because something else bigger is on its way. It might be due to the fact that we have three baptisms on the 7th. YAY!!! Robert and Brendan and Bryan are all getting baptized. We are so excited for them! It’s going to be awesome. There is the sad looming fact that Elder Kerby has been here for 6 months and by President Watkins schedule, it’s just about time for him to go. There could be a chance that he could stay another transfer, but it’s pretty slim. Dang. Just as we learn how to really work well together, he might go. Sigh. Oh! In fun news, yesterday for P-Day President surprised the Pleasanton elders with a chance to go down to Monterrey for the day. It was so cool! Livin’ it up on the beach in Cali! It was so much fun. We could get in to our ankles and we enjoyed the life down there. Now we know why everyone wants to serve there. It’s beautiful!!

This week has been really good. Really dramatic, but good. I love this place so so so much! I am so excited to share what I have been learning. There is a lot of growth happening not only in myself but in the people around me. I have had so many miracles happen recently and I am so blessed to be where I am. I appreciate your prayers and love.

Elder Black and Elder Kerby. No, We are not the ordinary, in fact Fearlessly Extraordinary. 

In our humble Way. 

Our plan of Happiness.

Eating at the Blue Aguave club. the most prestigious place to eat in Pleasanton.