Hey Everybody! So here's a recap of the past few weeks!
So Keith who we were teaching, unfortunately his father is not in good health and lives in Chicago so he left to go be with him until he passes away so it stinks that we aren't able to teach him anymore. We are hoping to send the missionaries in Chicago out there so he is still able to learn!
About 3 Sundays ago, Elder Batchelor and I had a really neat opportunity to sing a musical number in Sacrament Meeting. I was sort of nervous seeing as though I'm not the most gifted when it comes to musical ability, but it went so great! I also got to speak in Sacrament so it was a really awesome sacrament meeting!
A few weeks ago we actually lost the car so we have been on bike, so it's been really nice because I think I really need to watch my figure😂 I'm just kidding but it has actually been really nice to be back on a bike...but also sort of painful.
One day when Elder Batchelor and I were walking we met this lady from Massachusetts who started talking to us about Mitt Romney and one thing led to another and she accepted to have the missionaries back in Massachusetts to come and teach her! It was so awesome. Also that same day while my bike was getting fixed up, we went into this burger joint and got some food. Our server, Gerardo as we were paying the bill starting asking us questions about what we believe and then we ended up getting his info and he told us that he was super excited to learn about what we believe! He is so awesome! I'll get to him in a sec.
We had Zone Conference that next day and it was great as usual! So much Revelation that is very much needed. It was also really great to see my brothers Elder Hannemann and Elder Semeatu!
Now Holy Cow! General Conference was so stinking amazing! So crazy that church will now be 2 hours! But I think that it is super beneficial because it means that we as individuals and families need to learn and teach the Gospel more in the Home! Also, YUBA CITY TEMPLE!!! That came as such a surprise for all of us in the mission, but we are all so very excited! And I can't wait for the day that I can come back and go see the temple there! Man, General Conference as a missionary is just as good as Christmas!😄
A couple Monday’s ago for Preparation Day we went to Sunsplash, which is basically the California equivalent of Boondocks/7 Peaks, and had a ton of fun there! And since it is owned by a member of our Mission Presidency, it was free! And they also had Iceberg Shakes there so it was seriously like Utah in a cup! So awesome!
I got to go on Exchanges with one of our Zone Leaders, Elder Comans and Elder Ellsworth. We had such a blast on the exchange! Costa Vida for lunch is always amazing! We were supposed to have a lesson with Darlene Belton, but Darlene flaked which was super sad since I haven't seen her since her baptism😢 But we still had a great time! Also as we were talking to this Lady at the park, this random guy came up to us and did some weird thing where he almost grabbed the lady we were talking to so after that we ended up walking away from the park and the lady told us that we were her "Guardian Angels"! Interesting encounter, but it happens as a missionary haha!
Well this last week was transfers, and unfortunately Elder Batchelor is being transferred back north up to Cottonwood to be a District Leader! My new companion is Elder Nettleton. He is from Payson, Utah and he's been out for 18 months. Elder Nettleton is very quiet and he doesn't seem to have the greatest desire to work and serve, but I'm going to give him my very best and I'm going to just love him and help him!
But going back to Gerardo! On Wednesday we had our first lesson with him and we thought it would be a really great idea to give him a chapel tour...and holy cow it was seriously so amazing! He just kept telling us how desperately he wanted to learn about our beliefs and the Book of Mormon! He said he felt so much peace as we walked around the chapel! He also said that he always wanted to come to our church and always found the corner the church is on to be a very peaceful place! He is seriously so Golden and so amazing! I love him so much already and I can't wait to move forward with him!
So this week I hit my 1 Year mark and my 20th Birthday. It's really crazy to think that my mission is half way over. It has been the most challenging year of my life, so many ups and downs. But it has also been the happiest year of my life! I love my mission. There is seriously no where else in the world I'd want to be then right here in California representing the Lord Jesus Christ and sharing his Gospel! I've made so many wonderful friendships and memories! My hope and prayer is that over this next year I can give the Lord all I have to give him! This Gospel is true. The Book of Mormon is the Word of God. Jesus Christ is our Savior and it is only because of his great Love and Sacrifice that we are able to return to Live with Our Father in Heaven as we obey the Laws and Ordinances of the Gospel! I love all of you and I'm grateful for all your love and Support! I hope you have a great week and I hope to hear from you soon!❤💙❤💙
