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.