Temple and Exchanges

Monday: For our district activity we went and played pickleball! For those that know me(all of you), you know that I love pickleball so it was really fun! Then I was able to talk to my awesome fam! We had a lesson fall through, so we called a bunch of people and did some Facebook work! 

Tuesday: District Council went really well! We talked about being patient with ourselves, our friends, and trusting in God's timing! We also talked about the importance of the restoration of the gospel when we are out finding. After District Council we had a really good lesson with Judy about the beatitudes both in the Bible and the Book of Mormon! Sister Congelliere and Sister Johnson both testified amazingly and it was such a spirit filled lesson and we could all tell that Judy felt it!!!

Wednesday: It was a day full of finding and we were able to talk to a lot of nice people! Not a whole lot of them were interested, but they got a pamphlet and hopefully they will come around at some point! 

Thursday: TEMPLE DAY!!!!! Woke up bright and early(5am), got on a bus and went to the temple. The LA Temple is such a big and beautiful building! I love the spirit that we are able to feel in the temple and the refuge from the world that it is!! The artwork and symbolism inside the temple is just amazing!! EVERYONE GO TO THE TEMPLE!!! Whether you go inside or just simply to the grounds of the temple I know you will feel the love God has for you and the peace that the world can't acheive!

Friday: Did some service for our friend Trish, then went to the doctors... Had a cyst looked at, given a prescription for it, and that took up most of our day... However, we went to Sycamore Park, contacted a super nice lady from Bolivia named Eva, gave her a pamphlet with our number on it and she seemed super excited to learn more!!!

Saturday: Exchange day!!!! I went to Agoura with Elder Sutherland. We found Chris and Alex. Fresh out of College, and answered a lot of their questions and were able to set up a return appointment in 2 weeks!!! Also taught a couple of their friends!!!

Sunday: Fast and testimony meeting was great! A brother in the our ward gave an amazing testimony about making our home, like the temple, a refuge from the world, and a place where the spirit constantly is! We had dinner at the Pace's house and got to hold their adorable puppies!!! 

I love this quote from Elder Hugo Montoya:

"Adversity in our lives can cause doubt about the fulfillment of the promises that have been made to us. Please trust in our Father. He always keeps His promises, and we can learn what He wants to teach us"

I know God is mindful of your situation no matter what it is and has a plan for each and everyone of us!!!

Super good week in the mission field, hope you all have great week!!!! 

Pics: Temple, Doctor's Office, Exchange with Elder Sutherland, Puppies!

Zone Conference and Exchanges

Monday: For our district activity we went to the driving range which is always a blast! Then went and got lunch at Chick-fil-A! We met the Jacobs family, they are super nice, have 5 boys, so our visit was a little crazy. Also visited the Eschenberg's who are very tall and very missionary minded!!! At about 9:30 our AC kicks on, water starts dripping out of it, turns out, bathroom sink was clogged, which made it leak...

Tuesday: Went on exchanges with Elder Hadfield!!! It rained, which made finding other ways besides tracting a little harder, but it was a fun day! I learned a lot about being bold and how easy it truly is!

Wednesday: We had an amazing lesson with Judy, her big struggle has been with the Book of Mormon, at our lesson she finally said, "The Book of Mormon might be true, I've just believed differently for 60 years". That was awesome to hear, it may seem small, but even having a thought like that from her is amazing!!!

Thursday: Zone Conference!!!! There was amazing discussions on finding people, testifying boldly, getting around people's excuses, etc. As well as discussions on extending commitments, promising blessings, and following up! After Zone Conference, I went on an exchange with Elder Kirk. He is a fantastic missionary, I learned a lot about the importance of being bold, letting people know how the gospel can bless their lives, after one rejection keeping the conversation going, then working back around to the gospel.

Friday: Us and the Spanish Elders were able to help a lady named Kathy fill some sand bags, transport the sand bags, and lay them in her backyard. That seems so simple, but the happiness she felt to have it done was great to see!

Saturday: Met Justin, Mike, Victoria, and Tanner pickle ball finding, set up a time to play again and share something also! Did a lot of street contacting, as well as some service for a lady named Trish!

Sunday: Church was great, we gave the talk in primary so that was really fun. After church we went tracting and found Brad. He grew up around members, loves the church, and invited us back to share an Easter message! Had a lesson with Vicki, she's super nice, has been through a lot, but found a lot of comfort in the Plan of Salvation!

Remember serving others is the most selfish thing you can do, because of the joy it brings you! So serve this week and enjoy the happiness and joy you will feel!

Pics:

1. Golfing

2. Apartment broke

3. Exchanges with Elder Hadfield

4. Exchanges with Elder Kirk

5. Fog

6. Match day

Interview, Lamb of God and nice people

Monday: Had a super fun preparation day! As a district we went to a park, had a picnic, and then played some sand volleyball! A couple of us were diving all over the place which made it super fun and led to a lot of laughter!! I got to talk to my amazing family, then went and set up an appointment for an Easter message with someone, so that'll be awesome!!!

Tuesday: Had interviews with President Carter which are always awesome! Came out of the interview with confidence to do the work and some great things to share with some of the people being taught! After interviews we tried to talk to a lot of people that have met with missionaries in the past, they were all really nice, their hearts just aren't quite soft enough. However, we did talk to Jill! Her and Carlos(husband), are super nice, love the church, but are already a part of a different faith. We have never been able to talk to Carlos, but Friday is his day off so we'll get to meet him then!

Wednesday: We had an amazing lesson with Judy, talked about Baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, Priesthood authority, and how somoene receives the Preisthood. She liked the thought of it, said she'll ponder and pray about it!!!!! Then we drove to Oxnard, picked up our new RAV 4, then set up a visit with our friend Vicki!

Thursday: A day that was full of meetings and studies... We had distrcit council on Thursday becuase interviews on Tuesday and conflicts on Wednesday, then a mission zoom about humility and how that can help us in misisonary work. Helped an older lady with some small chores, then had a great visit with the Maddox family!

Friday: Had a fun zoom visit with a recent convert Natisse, then a great lesson with Vicki! Talked to some really great people, who just weren't interested in growing their faith in Jesus Christ.

Satruday: Had the oportunity to attend the Lamb of God perormance. Which is an orchestra and choir that portray the last 3 days of Christ's life and His resurrection through music. It was amazing, I love the way that music invites the spirit! We had Vivki there with some fellowship and she loved it!!  Then I got to call my brother Trevor for his birthday!

Sunday: There were great talks on keeping the commandments and the blessigs that come when we do! Elders quorum was all about covenants; the symbolism, promise that we make, and the blessings God promises us!

I stumbled upon this quote this week and thought I would share it, "We are taught many small and simple things in the gospel of Jesus Christ. We need to be reminded that in total and over a significant period of time, those seemingly small things bring to pass great things.” Jesus Christ Himself describes that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. We should all strive to keep the gospel simple—in our lives, in our families, in our classes and quorums, and in our wards and stakes."

Simply Beautiful-Beautifully Simple, Gary E. Stevenson Oct. 2021 General Conference

Love you all, hope you had an awesome week!

Pics:

Sand volleyball, Old car(left) new car(right)

Jorge, recent convert from Simi valley

Dinner with the Merrills and Vicki!

Sunny Skies

 Hello, wonderful friends and family, I hope your week was as great as mine!

Monday: We played baskteball for a district activity which was really fun! That night we tried to do some less active work, but no one was to thrilled to see us...

Tuesday: District Council was super good! We talked about relying on the Spirit and asking the right questions, which are 2 things I need to work on! Had a great visit with Bishop Johnson's family, they are amazing, and are very missionary minded!!

Wednesday: Had a great lesson with Judy. Talked about baptism, priesthood authority, and the covenant we make at baptism. She loved it, and seemed to understand the reason for priesthood authority! Served at the James Storehouse which is always nice! Then had a great visit with the McLeod family!!!

Thursday: Had a great missionary zoom about working with local leaders, which was really good and something our area can work on! We were supposed to meet with Rick, but he had some family things come up and so we were only able to talk to him for 5 minutes... Then we had some really good visits with the Neilsen family, and the Adams family!

Friday: Helped a member move some heavy furniture, then it was a full day of rejection. Every door we knocked either didn't answer or wasn't interested. We were supposed to meet with Evan and his family but they weren't home... But we had a great member visit with Patriarch Pace and his wife!!

Saturday: Just knocked a lot, had a great visit with the Merrill's, talked with Evan for 5 minutes and he said he'll text us to set up a time when the whole family can meet!

Sunday: Great testimonies, great Sunday school lesson on the miracles that Christ performed! We were able to help teach the 11-12 year olds which was way fun! Had a great visit with the Montes family!

Nothing too crazy happened this week but I read this week in John 9. Jesus Christ heals a man that has been blind since birth, and when his disciples think the man had sinned Christ says this in verse 3
"Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him"

I love that our trials, like the blind man's, can and are used by God so that He can work the works that need to be done in our lives to strengthen our testimonies. As well as allow our spiritual eyes to truly be opened to the miracles God performs in our lives everyday!

Love you all, hope you have another fantastic week!!

Pics:
1-3 I love the sky!
4. Studies outside
5. Late night mango!