The Cutest Couple on the Block

Hi! This week went really well. There were a lot of new people that started to progress toward baptism and there were a good chunk of miracles that happened. It’s really going well. I am just loving things here. I feel like I know the ward and am integrated into the family. I think I have things down as far as who to grab and bring for lessons and things like that. Still more to learn, but I think it’s going well. I would guess that you have been praying for me to find more people to teach because we have found more. Thanks for the prayers. 

Spiritual: There is a recent convert who lives next to our progressing investigator family the Hipols and we were going to go and visit the Hipol family, but they were still in Disney land. We decided to go visit this recent convert instead and when we went over and asked him how things were going he talked about how nothing was really happening. We pressed a little more and he gave us the information that his 16 year old sister was back and living with them. We, being the pushy snoopy missionaries that we are, asked if we could talk to her. He said yes and went and got her. We ended up teaching her the restoration. While we were teaching her we found out a little more about her past life. She had been into all sorts of hard drugs, abuse and all sorts of other unpleasant and ungodly activities and she wanted to change her life around. What an incredible spirit exists around those children of God who have seen what it’s like to live somewhere where the spirit is not present and then feel it and be able to recognize that it is actually light. We are so lucky to be teach-in her. She was able to come to church and is just being smothered in love by our two other young women and the leaders. It’s amazing. This is her chance to change her life. We asked her if her purpose meeting with us was to get baptized and she replied in the affirmative. She stated that she wanted a fresh start. A new beginning. A chance to truly change. It’s hard for members of the church to truly understand what an incredible chance at stability we have being in the church. It’s becoming more and more solidified in my mind how incredible it is to have this blessing of the Gospel and all entails in my life. It’s true. 

Funny: This week we met a one eyed black cowboy. His name was OT and he is 81 years old. It’s fun being here in seaside because we get the chance to hear these little funny stories that happen all around. He wins the award for strangest/strangely cute relationship. His girlfriend is 84 years old and we got to talk to her too. The Strange love affair of Priscilla and OT. He ended up giving us a watermelon and it was super good. He told us some profound stuff though. He talked to us about how the name we wear is sacred and we have to be above the earth even though we are on the earth when we wear his name. I thought it was a beautiful example of why we have to be careful when we play with sticks or we might just poke our eyes out and how you can learn something from everyone. 

Where I am at: Things are picking up here in Seaside. We have a church tour planed for Wednesday for the Hipol family and we are having a huge beach bonfire with our ward and Seaside First Ward on Saturday night as a missionary activity. I love living here where the ward party is on the beach. Things are really great and I am loving every moment. Especially the hard ones. I love you all!

I Am a Chicken of God

Things this week have been going slowly but going well. We are really trying to focus on finding those who are prepared to hear the gospel. It’s so interesting how often times false interests can be so deceiving. I think its fun to discuss theology with people, but is that really a good use of time? No. So I don’t. It’s been cool to have my testimony be strengthened by bearing it during a discussion. Sorry. I tend to rant a bit... haha All is well here and I am so grateful to be sent to such a lovely yet humble place.

Spiritual: This week in church we talked a lot about the Holy Ghost. It was mentioned in gospel principals about the Holy Ghost that the difference of the Gift of the Holy Ghost and the power or influence of the Holy Ghost are two different things. One of the big differences is the ability for personal revelation. Knowing where you need to go and then acting on that revelation is a constant blessing for those that receive the gift of the Holy Ghost as opposed to the feelings of peace or fruits of the spirit that come from the influence of the Holy Ghost. Tommy sneaked into our block for church. (This is the man who we met on the street, challenged him to be baptized and he accepted. We went over to his house and he is a little odd, but I just fell in love with him.) We asked him about how he liked church after the third hour and he responded that he liked the preaching’s and the topics, but he felt like he didn't belong there. It broke my heart. Just because he didn't dress like everyone else and just because he had a lip full of chew did not mean that that he didn't belong. We had a really cool conversation with him about how we should never feel unworthy to be there. We should recognize that church is not for the saints, it’s for the sinners. Never feel unworthy at all to be in church. We of all people should recognize that we are not even close to perfect! The good thing is that we are there. We are showing God in whatever fashion or format we are dressed in and in whatever state our heart might be in at that time that we are humble before him and want to change. I Love this gospel. It makes me so sad when people do not want to come to church because they feel unworthy to be there. Realize that because we are not perfect, we need to be in church. Realize that the way that we improve, is by being in church. There should be no one who feels like they are not good enough, cool enough, or spiritual enough to come join us in worshiping our God and renewing our covenants. We shared these thoughts with Tommy and even though he had to spit out some dip before he could answer, he was happy to be there and willing to change and that was all that mattered. 

Funny: While teaching Van this week we wrote on the piece of paper "We are all Children of God." He has a bit of a hard time reading so he read it like this "We are all Chicken of God. What?? Why are we Chicken of God?" "No!! Not Chicken,  Children!!" "I know, Chicken of God???" "No! *sigh* C-H-I-L-D-R-E-N." "Oh! Children!" Okay. Sometimes teaching takes a lot of patience, but if they are willing to learn we are willing to teach. 

Where I am at: Things are going well here. I am currently in a tri with the seaside and Fort Ord ward. Elder Barney, and Elder Green-Bey. Elder Green-Bey’s companion (who was a mini missionary) got moved to his next area and until a new elder comes he is with us. It’s really fun. We feel like the militia every time we go to a door. Things are really good here. This Church is true. The witness that I received from the Holy Ghost is real and powerful. I can’t really tell you exactly what it feels like, but it is real and it is powerful. I know that this is true.

The Spiritual Crazy Train

Hi family! What an exciting week. Some of the highlights include:

- One of the most terrific baptisms I have ever seen

- One of the most incredible lessons with an entire family of 8 that was super powerful.

- Another run in with Kiefer.

- A new incredible companion.

- A talk in sacrament meeting

Things are going really well. This area is great and my new companion is fantastic. I am very content and happy where I am at. 

Spiritual: Dhani was baptized on July 12 2014. What an incredible experience. He was so happy. It was incredible to see the change that took place in his countenance. The baptism went without delay or difficulty. He got permission from his parents the night before. We had fasted with him the day he was going to ask and it turned out really well. Another evidence that fasting really is a tool to help us exercise faith.  What an incredible feeling it is to stand in the baptismal font with someone that has become one of your absolute best friends and help them enter into a covenant to follow Christ. Wow. It was a truly special day. I felt so humbled by being able to participate in this ordinance. After he was baptized, we were walking back to change and I asked him if the baptism was what he expected. He said "the baptism itself was what I was expecting, but I was not expecting the feeling that would come with it." It was remarkable. He has truly changed his life to follow Christ. We asked him if he was planning on serving a mission and he replied "Of course man!" I feel such profound joy at his decision to enter into this covenant and change his life. I am happy because he is happy. I am amazed at the powerful spirit that accompanies these ordinances and I am absolutely enthralled with this work and this feeling. I seriously don’t want to be the only one who feels this way! Go out and share the Gospel! Take some initiative and do hard things. Be a creative thinker and problem solve! Find a way to help others be happy and in doing so you will feel happy yourself.

Funny: Oh Kiefer. Last time it was profanity during the prayers and this time it was his guitar. We went over to see if his less active friend was there and he invited us in. We warily went in. He sat us down and then showed us into his music studio where he then proceeded to pull out his guitar and play. My ears are still ringing. There were 6 huge speakers and one really good really enthusiastic guitarist. I don’t think the spirit likes Ozzy Osborne. We were able to pull it back by sharing a message with him, but it was one of those funny times when we really couldn't do much to stop the Crazy Train. 

Where I am at: My new companion is that cla​ssic "Hard working farm boy from Idaho." I love him to death! We work hard and miracles have happened since he came here. It’s going to be an amazing two transfers here. In other news President Mella is a serious go-getter. For Mission Leadership Conference he pulled up some stats. One of the things he pulled up is what it would look like to double or even triple the baptisms in the mission! It’s going to be a different pace coming up here! The baptisms are going to be focused on beginning with the end in mind and having more people enter into this covenant. I am so excited. This new energy is right what the mission needs. I am doing well and I am very happy. I love this Gospel and I love you all!

The Spirit and the Eagles

This week was full of more miracles. It’s been very humbling to realize how little work I actually do and how much progress happens in the Lords time and how I just have to hang on and enjoy the ride. This is awesome though and I really am loving my time here.

Spiritual: DHANI IS GETTING BAPTIZED ON SATURDAY!!!!!!! This is one of the biggest miracles that I have ever seen and I had absolutely nothing to do with it. We came to church Sunday and Dhani stepped in a little late. Right half-way through the Sacrament. He sat down and definitely had something on his mind. We didn't ask him right off the bat because we were singing. It was fast and testimony meeting and about half way through he nudged us and asked if he could say something. We gave an enthusiastic yes and told him that that would be just fine if he bore his testimony. He was a little unsure so we turned to him and told him that if the spirit was poking him he just had to do it. He took the leap of faith and did it. He bore his testimony about how Saturday night he was listening to something that we gave him and he was inspired to throw out all of the stuff that might be hindering the spirit. He talked about how he prayed for half an hour listening for a voice. He heard nothing. He said though in that half hour he was able to reflect back on all of the little things that had been building up to help him on his path. He was able to see how the Lord had been working in his life to bring him closer to Him. We were just dying with joy. He was beaming and the Spirit was so strong. He sat down and we told him he did a great job. During the closing song he turned to us and asked if he could get a blessing. We said yes and grabbed the YM president and went into the clerk’s office and gave him a blessing. After the blessing we asked him how he felt and he said that he didn't really feel anything. We were a little freaked out. We talked for a while about how the Spirit speaks to us and he asked if he could go into a quiet room and pray and listen. We showed him to the chapel and he sat there and started praying. We went over to the gospel principal’s class (that we were supposed to be teaching) and tried to pay attention. Nope! There was something big happening in Dhani's life. We had to go grab a baptismal record from another set of missionaries so we left gospel principals and were walking across the gym towards the chapel when Dhani came running out. He said that he had been sitting there praying and thinking and some sweet little old lady came over and thanked him for his testimony and told him how often times little things happen that cause a big moment to be realized. He came running in and after telling us that story he paused and told us that he wanted to be baptized. There were many tears that day. From the missionaries and from Dhani. Saturday at 5:00 Dhani will be baptized. After that he will wait one year then he already is planning on attending BYU and then serving a mission. Miracles have not ceased! We are so blessed to be able to witness such a life changing event in the life of this 17 year old pioneer. The other lesson to learn from this is to never underestimate the power of little old women who want to add their input. The Lord lives and He loves us. Heavenly Father is our real father and he has great things prepared for His children. Dhani is a Son of God and He wants the best for him. 

Funny: We were contacting on the street and there was a super cool looking guy walking our way with a Raven’s shirt on. He looked pretty fit so I asked him if he played football for the Ravens. He said "No I play for the Eagles." "Oh cool! The Monterey Peninsula College Eagles?" "No, the Philadelphia Eagles. The NFL." "Cool! Can I shake your hand?" "Yeah...." "Oh! Do you want to hear a message about Jesus Christ?" "No thanks man. Got to run!" This has been an encounter where one party didn't know much about football and the other didn't know much about missionaries. This was my one encounter with the rich and famous. 

Where I am at: I am getting a new companion on Tuesday. There is a deficiency of Spanish missionaries so Elder Lopez will be going back to the Spanish program and Elder Black will be back to teaching all English again. This is unfortunate. I hope I will have a companion that lasts more than a transfer down here. President Mella is incredible. I love him to death and I am so excited to be doing the Lord's work down here with him. I love you all!