August 7, 2009

We had the most AMAZING lesson today with Cecilia and Lou. They are less actives that live on the house boat at Bethal Island. They have been LA for about 30 years and we had a great lesson about the atonement. The spirit was there. Cecilia is the sweetest lady you could ever meet and seems to love everything that we say. During the lesson I was talking about how I love the comfort that we can receive through Christ's Atonement because He has felt our pains. I old them how we can pray and ask for comfort and Cecilia got this very sincere look on her face and said "Well, I've never done that". Then we shared Alma 7:11-13 and she loved it. We got them excited to read from the BoM and they both said they would read from it. It was such a great lesson. During a teaching appointment with a Less Active or a member I wouldn't be too thrilled because there is no potential for a baptism. But I had the thought that it doesn't matter who we are teaching - member or non-member as long as I'm fulfilling my purpose - to bring them unto Christ. I hope I can always remember why I am here and put my own selfish desires away and bring souls unto Christ.

August 6, 2009

Today was kind of a slow day, but it was still good. I'm so grateful to have E. Ouellette as a companion. He is so positive and diligent in doing the work. I really like it here in Brentwood and Oakley. I don't think I mentioned this before,but we live with the Bishop and his wife here in Brentwood. The Garrison's are awesome and they have a big beautiful home. Sister Garrison is from Tooele! Her maiden name is Pratt, and the Pratt Aquatic Center in Tooele is named after her dad! She knows a lot of the people that I know, and it's been fun to talk to hear about good ol' Tooele. Well, me and E. Ouellette have been working hard and have had some good appointments. We are teaching this LA guy named Rob Cossell. He is a great guy but is doubting the existence of God. We are also teaching a wonderful old couple - Cecilia and Lou. They are LA and live on Bethal Island on a tiny house boat. It is the smallest house I've ever seen. She loves it. She says it is heaven on earth! It's pretty much a shack, but she is so grateful for what she has. We had a good talk with them and have an appointment with them tomorrow. During our talk I got sea sick!

August 1, 2009

Today was good.  We spent the morning watching "The District" training movie, because E. Ouellette is trying to get the whole District Leader thing under his feet. It was so good and really pumped me up and made me realize what kind of missionary I want to become. I need to remember to take it a step at a time, day by day. I'm not going to be the missionary I want to be all in one day, transfer, or even a year, but need to continually be progressing and learning. Today we met this man named Mark while we were tracting on Bethal Island. He invited us in. He was drunk, but friendly. He has it hard and told us that he wants to die. He lost his wife and wonders why God let her die. We tried to comfort him and pray with him but he didn't want to. I felt bad for him. Well, tomorrow is my first day at church in the new ward, so there will be a lot of people to meet. I think that this transfer will be really good and I'm soooo grateful that E. Ouellette is my companion and is excited and has that true desire to do the work.

July 31, 2009

Today was another beautiful day in Brentwood and Oakley. I love this area. Going fro the rich neighborhoods of San Ramon to the farm lands out here is pretty crazy, but I love it. The other night we were tracting and this lady gave us a big bag of tomatoes and peppers. That same night we got another bag of peaches and zucchini. The produce out here is good, and the people seem a little more humble. There are parts of Oakley and Brentwood that are really nice neighborhoods (like where we live) but a lot of our area is country. I LOVE IT! Today we taught this 90 year old man named Tony. His wife has passed away, so we taught him the Plan of Salvation. He can't hear too well, so I hope he understood. He started to cry during the lesson because he really misses his wife. E. Ouellette extended a baptismal commitment and he seemed to be okay with it. I didn't feel good about it - just because he is so old and I don't want him to feel like we are taking advantage of him. I want him to be baptized, but I just feel like we went too fast. He's always home so he won't be hard to get a hold of! We are going to keep working with him and follow the spirit.

July 29, 2009

Today was another good day. We got the big news this morning, and I am staying in Brentwood/Oakley with Elder Ouellette. We had to say goodbye to Elder Khamsa. He got sent to Conrcord. But this is going to be a great transfer. E. Ouellette is a hard working missionary so I am excited. I think that we'll get along really well. Brentwood and Oakley are beautiful areas. Some of the neighborhoods remind me of San Ramon because they are so nice, but a lot of the area is farmland, so there are also a lot of "more humble" houses. Brentwood is famous for it's amazing produce. It's going to take a while to get used to a new area, but so far is has been great. While tracting today me and E. Ouellette taught 7 lessons! They were legit lessons too! E. Ouellette has only been out for 6 months so we are both pretty fresh and excited to go do the work, so I think this is going to be a good transfer.

July 28, 2009

Today was one of the best days of my mission. It was transfer day and I got up, studied, finished packing, and at 10:30 Bro. McGrew (San Ramon 2nd ward) picked me up and drove me to Brentwood. Right now I live with members in a BEAUTIFUL house in Brentwood, but it might not last. I guess they don't want 3 missionaries living with members. So in the morning the AP's are calling and are going to tell us who is staying and one of us will be going. Where? - we have no idea. But if I do leave Brentwood, the half a day that I had here would be worth it. We had some amazing lessons and the spirit was strong (not like huge, but if felt good). It is sad because I think that being in a three some would be awesome! We had a great day, and to top it off we had the most amazing dinner appointment tonight. It was stake and potatoes and it could have been the best steak I have ever had. I'm so grateful for the blessings of comfort and excitedness that we had for my first area change. So if I stay or go tomorrow I know that if I do my part and have a good attitude, the Lord will bless me.

July 26, 2009

The past few days have been fun. On Friday we had a district dinner at the Candland's in Alamo. E. Canland is a welfare missionary and comes to breakfast at the Halverson's sometimes. Anyway it was a GREAT night! I don't think I've laughed as hard on my mission thus far. The sisters in our district are AMAZING! Then yesterday (Saturday) we went to the VC with James. It was good. We watched Testaments and walked around. After he took us to this Spanish market and we got these Mexican popsicles. I got a cucumber chile flowered one (pretty weird) ad then a strawberries and cream one (so good!). It was good times. That night we ate at the Shefield's and then came transfer calls! The verdict is that I'm leaving beautiful Zion (San Ramon). It has been great here, but it is time to move on. I'm going to serve in the Marsh Creek ward in Oakley or Discover Bay or something. I'm going to be in a three-some. Weird huh?! My companions are E. Kamsah and E. Oullette. It's all about the attitude. My goal and what I want to keep in mind is a positive attitude and confidence. It may be a little rough transitioning to a new area but it's going to be a great learning experience. I feel my testimony growing and things are going to be great. Today was kind of sad as I said farewell to all the AMAZING ward members here in San Ramon and our investigators. Change is good, and I can do anything with my Savior. Learning to trust and follow Him is what I'm doing and will strive to do my whole life.

July 23, 2009

today was amazing! I loved it. This morning was our final district meeting for this transfer. It was good. It is going to be weird when I get transferred and actually have Elders in my district. The sisters are amazing. Sis. Straw bore her testimony about prayer and how God knows us and wants to bless us. To let Him know how we feel - it was really good. After the meeting, Sis. Tsai made us curry over rice. It was so good! Then the best part of the day was going to the Visitor's Center with Shawna and Johnathon. It was good to finally meet with them again. We haven't seen them in over a month! Johnathon just got over the swine flu, so we are glad that he is alive. We watched the Joseph Smith movie. I have seen it tons of times but this time it seemed to hit me harder. It it so good. Johnathon and Shawna enjoyed it too. After the movie we walked around and saw a few more presentations. Then we walked around the temple grounds. It was good to feel the spirit. Shawna and Johnathon want to be baptized (or as they say, "dunked!") but they are living together and aren't married. It's going to happen and I hope I stick around for another transfer to see it happen. I honestly have no idea what is going to happen for transfers. I would like some change though. A companion change or area change. But I hope I get some sort of change.

July 22, 2009

Things have been good. My back is kind of hurting me lately, and I hope it's not messed up. We helped a LA family move last week and it probably wasn't good for it. But things are good - just keep movin' along. On Monday for P-day we had an awesome zone activity. We met at a members home in Alamo and had breakfast, then drove up to Mt. Diablo. We had a morning side and read the Sermon on the Mount, then drove up to the very top of Mt. Diablo where they have an observation tower and visitors center/museum. The view is AMAZING! You can practically see the whole entire mission. It was fun. On the drive down the mountain (more like a big hill - they don't really have mountains here) I got really car sick. I never get car sick - but I really almost threw up. It's all good. Then yesterday was tough. I just had a rough day. During splits that night Bro. Cox asked me how things are going and I was honest and told him that I was having "one of those days". He said he was glad to hear that - and I was shocked, but he told me that as missionaries, if we didn't get discouraged and feel so low, then we could never feel the amazing experience of angels round about us bearing us up. We have great promises as missionaries. Bro. Cox is awesome.

July 16, 2009

Today was a pretty good day. This morning I had a really hard time waking up. Then it made the whole morning bad, because I kept dozing off during personal study. Then we had a lesson with Tina this morning (that didn't go well - she "had a vision" that she needs to stay with the Catholic church) and while she was saying the closing prayer, I fell asleep. It was a really long prayer! Then the worst part is, is that she called me out on it. I felt pretty bad. Well, then we went over to Phil's house to help him with his yard work. We've been going over probably for the past 6 weeks every week to help him out. He's an old guy that lives alone. But overall it was a good day. Yesterday (I forgot to write) I had my first interview with President Wade. He's a stud. I love him. He is going to be a great mission president and I'm glad that he came in at the beginning of my mission. Well, I've decided to seriously read and pray about the Book of Mormon. I believe it's true, but I want to receive my own answer and want to know that it is true. So far it has been going good.

July 14, 2009

Wow, we had a miracle today. The day started out amazing with personal and comp. study - they both just seemed really good this morning. Then we went out to work! We were supposed to have a lesson with Victoria this morning, but she cancelled on us. That sucked and the day seemed to be going downhill pretty fast. It wasn't until 2:00 pm that it picked up. We were tracting and we knocked on and the guy said "Jehovah Witness?" and we said no. Then he said "LDS". We were like oh yea! He said "Come on in guys. We love God here.". He actually invited us in! We had a good talk and he took interest in the Book of Mormon! He asked where he could buy one, and we told him that we would bring him one. As we walked out the door, he said "Don't forget to bring that book by - don't disappoint me.". We were so excited! It was by far the best door I've ever knocked on! He's GOLDEN! It's kind funny, because we were on Cloud 9 walking down the street and the very next house we knocked at, the man started yelling at us - dropping F bombs and shouting obscenities - by far the worst door I have ever knocked on! The best and worst right in a row!

July 13, 2009

Today was a pretty good P-day. This morning we had breakfast at the Halverson's - always wonderful - and we celebrated Sister Tsai's 24th birthday. It was yesterday but we gave her some presents this morning at breakfast. After breakfast we all went to the golf club in San Ramon and hit some balls at the driving range. It was really fun. The sisters actually were really good! It's always fun to be around the sisters. We have the best district ever! After golfing we did some laundry, emailed the fam, then E. Cain wanted to go to a thrift store in Danville - I don't know why, but I didn't mind going. It wasn't very good, but I like going to downtown - or "oldtown" Danville. It's a quaint little town. We tried to go to the museum in Danville, but it is closed on Mondays. Then tonight we just tracted and stopped by some less active member's but had no luck. Usually on Monday nights we have dinner and a lesson at the Kidd's, but Mizui (the non-member) is sick, so they had to cancel. Well, things are good, just got to keep pushin' forward.

July 12, 2009

Things are going good. I'm learning a lot of patience and how to endure well. I know that all of God's children are different - and that's good - but E. Cain is difficult. He's a great guy and he works (which I'm grateful for) but all I can say is that he's different. What makes it hard is that he thinks he's such a stud, and he thinks I'm a loner. I've never held my tongue more in my entire life - just to keep the peace. I shouldn't write smack about my comp. but it's hard. I've been blessed these past couple of days, because we have actually been getting along quite well. Well, our investigators keep standing us up. James, for the past 2 weeks, says he'll come to church, but never shows up. Kiavosh (who hopefully will be getting baptized in 2 weeks) is so busy with work, and I really hope that it doesn't get in the way. I can't believe that my second transfer will be over in 2 weeks. I could be leaving San Ramon! People keep telling me that I got to be in the best area of the mission, right at the first - and from here on will just be downhill. That may be the case, but I'm just glad that the Lord blessed me with this area to adjust to the mission before I get put into the ghettos of Oakland!

July 9, 2009

Times are tough, I didn't think that I would struggle this much. I have 2 big problems. One is that I'm still homesick. It's pretty ridiculous. What can I say? I have the best family ever, so of course I'm going to miss them. And two - my testimony is weak sauce. It's tough to be out here defending your faith, and going up to someone's door step (interrupting their lives) and testifying of the gospel that I don't feel like I even have a strong testimony in. If I'm not homesick, then I feel like crap for being out here preaching something that I don't feel 100% positive about. Then when I feel homesick and doubt at the same time - oh man, it hurts. I need a miracle. It's hard. I believe that I can get through this, but it's hard to keep that faith and keep hoping when nothing gets better. I need to have a more positive attitude for sure, but things are rough. I love missionary work - it is great, and I just have the obstacles in my way that I need to get over - especially strengthening my testimony. How am I supposed to convert others to the gospel when I don't feel like I am?

July 5, 2009

Today was truly amazing! It began with six hours of church - yay! I'm actually getting used to it. The ward members are so amazing so I love going to church. Today me and E. Cain were fasting for the progression of our investigators, especially Pacific, Shawna and Johnathon, Victoria, James and Kiavosh, and today we already saw a miracle! Kiavosh came to church today and we had an amazing lesson. During the lesson Bro. Drysdale was full of the spirit, and challenged him to be baptized (then E. Cain committed him later). The spirit was strong and Kiavosh is going to be baptized on July 25th! He has some concerns that we need to work out, but I'm so happy for him. Then tonight we also had a great lesson at teh Shefield's house with Pacific - and will have a baptism date for her soon! She is awesome and has been prepared. Her family is inactive, but she comes to church with the Shefield's every week. She reads her scriptures all the time, and even has conference talks on her ipod! She is so ready. She is only 12 years old, but has an amazing testimony.

July 4, 2009

Yay it's the fourth of July! Today was exciting, but really lame at the same time. It started out great. In the missionary world there's not a whole lot we can do on holidays, but this morning we went to a pancake breakfast that the word put on up at the church. It was fun. We have the best wards! They sent us with a ton of pancakes! I swear there is like over 100! We bagged them up and froze them. After breakfast we planned on going to the park and talking to people all day but E. Cain didn't want to. He thought people looked too busy. He's really good at making things awkward. I wanted to go talk to people, but not alone. So after wasting time at the park we went over to Jame's house. He cooked us some Brentwood corn (way good) and we just kind of hung out. We watched Special Witnesses of Christ movie - it was good. After Jame's house we went to Central Park and met the Brokers there to watch fireworks. We ate food and had a good time, but had to leave to be home on time - before the fireworks even started, but it was way fun to be there (even though I felt apostate). I guess holidays are hard on missions because nobody wants to be bothered.