So the MTC is an interesting place. All you really do is eat, learn, and sleep. It's a real change for me. I can't wait till i can get out to the feild and find real people that want/need to hear the gosbel. I cant wait to learn here and move on. So when they talk about the food being a killer the weren't kinding. I think that everyone here is going to need to replace there whole digestive system after this. It's crazy...
So I love the scriptures! They have everything that we need to find answer, peace, and comfort. I know that through prayer and Honest study that we can have answers and understand all things. That is such an amazing bless from are Lord. He loves us and wants all of his glory upon us. Lately one scripture has been standing out in my mind more then it ever has before. That scripture is James 1:5. It is the scripture that Jose Smith read and it has such great and amzing power. I know that god will answer all if we but ask with a true belief that we can get answers from him. If any of you feel lost or don't understand why something is happening in your life I challenge you to go to are Heavenly Father and ask him. For he unabraidth not. I promise that if you have a true heart and love for are Savior and his gospel WE WILL GET AN ANSWER. What an amazing blessing that is to us. I know that is true. I know that we may find peace in every trail and every hardship if we but turn are selfs to the lord, Help others in every chance we get and if we work hard to shine are light to glorify are heavenly father. It is so Amazing.
So if this emails are being sent out to other people I would like to thank you for all of the dear elders that i have gotten. They were amazing to get and they were such a great help to me and such a great thing to get right after the christmas season. I love you all and can't tell you how much i appreciate all of the support that i am getting. Well my time is up but i love and care for you all very much. May you find joy because that is why we are all her. I know that my father lives and that he cares for all of us.
Elder Allen
P.S. Always ask
K TOWN MISSIONARY MEMOS- A collection of letters from LDS missionaries from the Kaysville, Utah area.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Sister Alex Hartvigsen--December 28, 2011
Message body
Dear Family, I hope that you all had a wonderful Merry Christmas and are all gearing up for a fantastic New Year. It is so wierd to think that it is almost 2012. This year has been full of craziness and many fun adventures and has really flown by. It is weird to think that I will be home in 2012 ( so I'm not going to think about it. Gotta love denial right? ;) ) This last week has been so good. On Monday we had a lesson with a women and her sister we watched the Restoration dvd and talked about how we can go through the same process that Joseph Smith went through to get our answers. On Tuesday we had a lesson with a less active women we talked about 3 Nefi 1 and how the Lord will always answer our prayers as we put our trust in Him. We then went over to a less active family we shared with them DyC 25 and talked about the power of good music. We then sang several hymns with them. It was really good because even their kids participated ( usually they hide in their rooms when we come by) On Thursday we met with a recent convert and read with her and her family Luke 2 and talked about the gifts that they can give the Savior this Christmas. This week as we were going through a list of former investigators and less actives/ recent converts, we decided to visit one of the people that Sister B baptized when she first was in our area over a year ago. We knocked on the door of the apartment and a man came to the door. It turns out that the man who we were looking for had moved back to Mexico but this man who answered the door was interested in learning about our message. We set up an appointment to visit with him the next day and we brought a women from our ward with us. It was a good lesson and he committed to come to church this next week when the schedule changes to 10:30 ( he works at 12-8pm) He doesn't have much of a religious background so we have been studying PMG how to teach those without a Christian background. We are really excited to continue to teach them. On Friday we met again with the women and her sister and their families and taught them about faith from Alma 32. Their father, who has not shown any interest in the lessons participated with us and it was really good. Christmas Eve was really good. We attended the baptism of a 14 year old girl On Thursday she decided that she wanted to be baptized on 24 Dec. The service had such a sweet Spirit there. We went to a meeting/ Christmas Celebration at a church next to the Visitors Center. Because of the baptism, we made it there just as the celebration ended. They had been doing a celebration of different cultures of the sisters through dance. Sister Mc turned on some celtic river dancing type music. I slipped off my shoes and the next thing I knew I was dancing. I definately suprised a lot of people with my dancing skills and many told me that they had no idea I was so light on my feet. It was a lot of fun. I haven't danced in a long time. After we finished we went caroling to different assisted living homes with a family. One of the homes that we visited has a sister living there who was baptized a few months ago when she was 101 years old. It was so much fun to celebrate Christmas with them. It was really cool and you could tell that it really touched the residents who lived there. Music can have such a stong impact on our spirits. Our dinner for Chirstmas Eve cancelled because Hispanics celebrate Christmas on 24 and no one was willing to feed us that day. We were invited to eat with Sister N in her English area. I was really excited to eat American food. When we got there, we found out the that husband has a Brazilian mother, and went to a mission to Brazil and they eat Brazilian food for Christmas. It was a little ironic. But the food was SO GOOD. I am going to have to learn how to cook Latin food or else I am going to go into withdrawls when I go home. ;)
This week I have come across several references to being bold as I have studied the scriptures. Every time I saw it I marked it. As I was at the visitors center on Christmas Eve, I decided that I was going to be more bold than I have ever been. I try to keep a prayer in my heart at all times but I put a special focus on it that night as I prayed to be let to people that were prepared. As a result, I was able to speak to many people who shared names of friend who they want us to call. I was talking to a lady in front of the replica of Jerusalem and we started talking about the temple. I talked about the temple and how we have temples on the earth again so that Heavenly Father can bless us. I was very bold and promised her that if she would learn more about the gospel that the temple could bless her and her family as well. SHe accepted my invitation and filled out her info for the missionaries. IT was such a great week.
It was such a wonderful Christmas.
I hope that you have a wonderful New Year. I love you all.
Love Alex
Dear Family, I hope that you all had a wonderful Merry Christmas and are all gearing up for a fantastic New Year. It is so wierd to think that it is almost 2012. This year has been full of craziness and many fun adventures and has really flown by. It is weird to think that I will be home in 2012 ( so I'm not going to think about it. Gotta love denial right? ;) ) This last week has been so good. On Monday we had a lesson with a women and her sister we watched the Restoration dvd and talked about how we can go through the same process that Joseph Smith went through to get our answers. On Tuesday we had a lesson with a less active women we talked about 3 Nefi 1 and how the Lord will always answer our prayers as we put our trust in Him. We then went over to a less active family we shared with them DyC 25 and talked about the power of good music. We then sang several hymns with them. It was really good because even their kids participated ( usually they hide in their rooms when we come by) On Thursday we met with a recent convert and read with her and her family Luke 2 and talked about the gifts that they can give the Savior this Christmas. This week as we were going through a list of former investigators and less actives/ recent converts, we decided to visit one of the people that Sister B baptized when she first was in our area over a year ago. We knocked on the door of the apartment and a man came to the door. It turns out that the man who we were looking for had moved back to Mexico but this man who answered the door was interested in learning about our message. We set up an appointment to visit with him the next day and we brought a women from our ward with us. It was a good lesson and he committed to come to church this next week when the schedule changes to 10:30 ( he works at 12-8pm) He doesn't have much of a religious background so we have been studying PMG how to teach those without a Christian background. We are really excited to continue to teach them. On Friday we met again with the women and her sister and their families and taught them about faith from Alma 32. Their father, who has not shown any interest in the lessons participated with us and it was really good. Christmas Eve was really good. We attended the baptism of a 14 year old girl On Thursday she decided that she wanted to be baptized on 24 Dec. The service had such a sweet Spirit there. We went to a meeting/ Christmas Celebration at a church next to the Visitors Center. Because of the baptism, we made it there just as the celebration ended. They had been doing a celebration of different cultures of the sisters through dance. Sister Mc turned on some celtic river dancing type music. I slipped off my shoes and the next thing I knew I was dancing. I definately suprised a lot of people with my dancing skills and many told me that they had no idea I was so light on my feet. It was a lot of fun. I haven't danced in a long time. After we finished we went caroling to different assisted living homes with a family. One of the homes that we visited has a sister living there who was baptized a few months ago when she was 101 years old. It was so much fun to celebrate Christmas with them. It was really cool and you could tell that it really touched the residents who lived there. Music can have such a stong impact on our spirits. Our dinner for Chirstmas Eve cancelled because Hispanics celebrate Christmas on 24 and no one was willing to feed us that day. We were invited to eat with Sister N in her English area. I was really excited to eat American food. When we got there, we found out the that husband has a Brazilian mother, and went to a mission to Brazil and they eat Brazilian food for Christmas. It was a little ironic. But the food was SO GOOD. I am going to have to learn how to cook Latin food or else I am going to go into withdrawls when I go home. ;)
This week I have come across several references to being bold as I have studied the scriptures. Every time I saw it I marked it. As I was at the visitors center on Christmas Eve, I decided that I was going to be more bold than I have ever been. I try to keep a prayer in my heart at all times but I put a special focus on it that night as I prayed to be let to people that were prepared. As a result, I was able to speak to many people who shared names of friend who they want us to call. I was talking to a lady in front of the replica of Jerusalem and we started talking about the temple. I talked about the temple and how we have temples on the earth again so that Heavenly Father can bless us. I was very bold and promised her that if she would learn more about the gospel that the temple could bless her and her family as well. SHe accepted my invitation and filled out her info for the missionaries. IT was such a great week.
It was such a wonderful Christmas.
I hope that you have a wonderful New Year. I love you all.
Love Alex
Elder Corbin Moore-- December 29, 2011
Well Christmas is now over and we only have one more week, then we will be in 2012. Its so crazy that it is already here, and when I say "it" I mean the End of The World. Where else would I have wanted to be when the world ended. Well I'm pretty sure that the world will not be ending, because I have to much missionary work to be done here in LA. There are so many people who need to hear the Gospel out here.
It seems like it has been a very long time since I last spoke with all of you guys. But it was only last night that you were able to hear my amazing voice. It was so crazy, being able to talk to eveyone, and especially to have Brayden there in the house, that was weird. Well I hope that everyone had a really great Christmas and was able to remember why we celebrate Christmas.
This past week has been pretty crazy for me here in Los Angeles. Trying to get Yecenia ready for her baptism, getting all the paperwork filled out. Its very stressful putting on a baptism. But it all went very well and now we are back to finding more people to teach, and continuing with the people that we have right now. We also had the opportunity to have Christmas here in the mission field. Elder Reichman and I woke up and opened up our presents and just had a blast doing so. But now that Christmas is over we are back to work.
It has been a real eye-opener for me being here on the mission. Every morning I walk out the door into Sodom. It is absolutely horrible to see the way the world is going these days. And because of this we have to be on our toes. We have to be strengthening ourselves, and our beliefs. Because there will come a day if it hasn't already, where you will have to stand for what you believe, and if you are not firmly planted you will be swept away, so fast. This isn't a time to have "residence in Zion, and then to also have second residence in Babylon", like Elder Neal A. Maxwell said. This is a time to have your life founded upon the the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is not a time to say "all is well in Zion", because I can assure you that it is not, there are many things that need to be changed. The challenge is do we see those things and are we making an active effort to change them. The things that we are doing now are going to be very vital in the coming days. What preparations are we making today? Are we reading the scriptures everyday, especially the Book of Mormon? Are we saying our prayers? Are we going to church every week? Are we being faithful members? Are we having family home evenings every week? Are we going to seminary or institute? Are we just going to the motions or are we working to build up the kingdom of God? Are we spending the time to be with our families? Are we doing our home and visiting teaching? Are we studying the ensigns and other church magazines? Are we serving our fellow men? Take a moment to look at the things that are happening in your lives. Is there something that could be changed, or bettered. And then in this time, with a new year approaching, set a goal to change it. The time to begin the preparations, was yesterday.
Well it was nice to be able to write to you all this wonderful day, hope that all is well and Happy Birthday to my wonderful mother.
Con Amor
Elder Moore
Everything.Happens.For.A.Reason
There.Is.No.Such.Thing.As.Coincidence
It seems like it has been a very long time since I last spoke with all of you guys. But it was only last night that you were able to hear my amazing voice. It was so crazy, being able to talk to eveyone, and especially to have Brayden there in the house, that was weird. Well I hope that everyone had a really great Christmas and was able to remember why we celebrate Christmas.
This past week has been pretty crazy for me here in Los Angeles. Trying to get Yecenia ready for her baptism, getting all the paperwork filled out. Its very stressful putting on a baptism. But it all went very well and now we are back to finding more people to teach, and continuing with the people that we have right now. We also had the opportunity to have Christmas here in the mission field. Elder Reichman and I woke up and opened up our presents and just had a blast doing so. But now that Christmas is over we are back to work.
It has been a real eye-opener for me being here on the mission. Every morning I walk out the door into Sodom. It is absolutely horrible to see the way the world is going these days. And because of this we have to be on our toes. We have to be strengthening ourselves, and our beliefs. Because there will come a day if it hasn't already, where you will have to stand for what you believe, and if you are not firmly planted you will be swept away, so fast. This isn't a time to have "residence in Zion, and then to also have second residence in Babylon", like Elder Neal A. Maxwell said. This is a time to have your life founded upon the the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is not a time to say "all is well in Zion", because I can assure you that it is not, there are many things that need to be changed. The challenge is do we see those things and are we making an active effort to change them. The things that we are doing now are going to be very vital in the coming days. What preparations are we making today? Are we reading the scriptures everyday, especially the Book of Mormon? Are we saying our prayers? Are we going to church every week? Are we being faithful members? Are we having family home evenings every week? Are we going to seminary or institute? Are we just going to the motions or are we working to build up the kingdom of God? Are we spending the time to be with our families? Are we doing our home and visiting teaching? Are we studying the ensigns and other church magazines? Are we serving our fellow men? Take a moment to look at the things that are happening in your lives. Is there something that could be changed, or bettered. And then in this time, with a new year approaching, set a goal to change it. The time to begin the preparations, was yesterday.
Well it was nice to be able to write to you all this wonderful day, hope that all is well and Happy Birthday to my wonderful mother.
Con Amor
Elder Moore
Everything.Happens.For.A.Reason
There.Is.No.Such.Thing.As.Coincidence
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Elder Matthew Whittle-- December 20, 2011
Que Honda!
Pues Primeramente! Happy Birthday to Everyone! haha Mom, Megs, Moma Terry, Moma Moore. I love you all! So for this Sunday, I guess I might call you guys....... I think my day is pretty full of appointments, and President told us it's not mandatory to call home. He said only if we want to.... So we'll see if one of my appointments falls through, but right now it's not looking like it...... Nah I'm just kiddin. I'll probably call around one or two in the afternoon on Sunday. I'm excited to talk to all of you, but at the same time, I feel really weird about it, But it will be good to talk to all of you:)
I'm excited to get the packages you sent. They've been holding them for the past 2 weeks so that we have something to open on Christmas. We're going to have a mission party on saturday, and that's when I'll probably get them. Then after the party We're going to go to Juana's house, and she's going to teach us how to make Tamales. I'm way excited. I love Tamales!
Elder Kidd left the other day and now the area is all mine. I'm scheduling all the appointments, and making all the calls. It's pretty hectic, but it's good. I'm super busy right now. Last night the other elders dropped me off in my area with a member and we went and taught some lessons. It was a super good night. I set another baptismal date for Eliana, and I think she's going to make it this time. I'm way excited for her. It was sad to leave Elder Kidd. We were way good friends. He said he might stop by sometime and say hi to you guys, but we'll see.
Hopefully the police can fix the problem across the street. Sounds like it's getting pretty crazy. Tell dad he needs to go baptize all of them. That would really solve it haha.
It's been so hard to write these past couple weeks. We're so busy that we barely have enough time to wash our clothes. It's really good to be busy though. It helps keep us focused on the work.
I love the people here. I feel like they're all part of my family. They're such great people. Very kind and giving. I've learned a lot from them, but don't worry I still love all of you too;) haha. I hope everything is going great, and I hope you have a great Christmas. I'll most likely talk to you;) Love you all! ok bye.
Con Amor,
Elder Whittle
Pues Primeramente! Happy Birthday to Everyone! haha Mom, Megs, Moma Terry, Moma Moore. I love you all! So for this Sunday, I guess I might call you guys....... I think my day is pretty full of appointments, and President told us it's not mandatory to call home. He said only if we want to.... So we'll see if one of my appointments falls through, but right now it's not looking like it...... Nah I'm just kiddin. I'll probably call around one or two in the afternoon on Sunday. I'm excited to talk to all of you, but at the same time, I feel really weird about it, But it will be good to talk to all of you:)
I'm excited to get the packages you sent. They've been holding them for the past 2 weeks so that we have something to open on Christmas. We're going to have a mission party on saturday, and that's when I'll probably get them. Then after the party We're going to go to Juana's house, and she's going to teach us how to make Tamales. I'm way excited. I love Tamales!
Elder Kidd left the other day and now the area is all mine. I'm scheduling all the appointments, and making all the calls. It's pretty hectic, but it's good. I'm super busy right now. Last night the other elders dropped me off in my area with a member and we went and taught some lessons. It was a super good night. I set another baptismal date for Eliana, and I think she's going to make it this time. I'm way excited for her. It was sad to leave Elder Kidd. We were way good friends. He said he might stop by sometime and say hi to you guys, but we'll see.
Hopefully the police can fix the problem across the street. Sounds like it's getting pretty crazy. Tell dad he needs to go baptize all of them. That would really solve it haha.
It's been so hard to write these past couple weeks. We're so busy that we barely have enough time to wash our clothes. It's really good to be busy though. It helps keep us focused on the work.
I love the people here. I feel like they're all part of my family. They're such great people. Very kind and giving. I've learned a lot from them, but don't worry I still love all of you too;) haha. I hope everything is going great, and I hope you have a great Christmas. I'll most likely talk to you;) Love you all! ok bye.
Con Amor,
Elder Whittle
Monday, December 19, 2011
Elder Corbin Moore-- December 19, 2011
Well another week has passed and gone, its so crazy the concept of mission time. The days seem so long, but then you wake up one day and the whole week is already gone. I can't believe that it is already Christmas. I can so clearly remember the day that I got my call, going to the Post Office to pick it up, and then going to the movies to get out of the house. That day seems like yesterday. And then the day that I entered the MTC that was almost 4 months ago. Time is something that you get a pretty solid grasp of in the mission field. Whether it is having enough time the day to do all the things that you need to do, or having a lot of time without any set appointments and just tracting. Knowing that you have more time that you can't see your family, and at the same time knowing that you only have a limited amount of time to bring people the gospel. To be able to give them the oppurtunity to change there lives for the better. It doesn't matter if you are a missionary, a member of the church, or not a member of the church. Time is one of the most precious things that we have. What would we give to have some more time? Where is it that our time is best spent? "The most important work that we will ever do, is within the walls of our own home"- President Ezra Taft Benson, i think. The most important place that we could focus our time is our Families. Building and strengthing relationships within the family, having priceless moments, and having the knowledge that our relationships can be perpetuated beyond this life. Wouldn't you think that something that will be forever, should be something worth spending time on. We don't have time in this life to harbor bad feelings toward one another especially within our families. We don't have time to put of family, for things that "seem" to be more important, because there isn't anything more important. This time of year we have the amazing oppurtunity to be together as families, and to spend time with one other. We should not be getting to caught up in gifts, shopping, and decorations, that we forget that most important things.
This week has been pretty good, this whole week we have been working with Yecenia to get here ready for her baptisms this Sunday, Christmas, and her birthday also. So it will be a very special day for her. We went to the Visitors Center with her and she really enjoyed it, and the spirit was really strong. So I'm really excited for this sunday. Also last night I recieved a call from Elder Conlin, telling me that he had a surprise for me. Griselda from my old area is getting baptized this Thursday. He then continued by saying that he had a bigger surprise for me. That once she had her interview, that the one thing that she wanted to know is if I was going to be coming, and that she wanted me to speak at her baptism. So this week is going to be so busy, with investigators, writing my talk, and planning the baptism for Yecenia.
Well this sunday is Christmas, and I will have the opportunity to call. I will be calling at 7 o'clock my time, which I believe is 8 o'clock your time. I only have 40 minutes to talk so make sure if you have any questions that you are ready with them. Make sure that you answer any calls that come on sunday. I will be calling the home phone, if I don't get through I will just call cell phones so be ready. Im glad to hear Garrett is up and ready to go, and that Josh is getting ready to return. Josh, make sure to let me know where you are going bro. California is wide open if you'd like. jaja. Well I will talk to you all soon enough.
WELCOME HOME BRAYDEN
Con Amor Elder Moore
Everything.Happens.For.A.Reason
There.Is.No.Such.Thing.As.Coincidence
This week has been pretty good, this whole week we have been working with Yecenia to get here ready for her baptisms this Sunday, Christmas, and her birthday also. So it will be a very special day for her. We went to the Visitors Center with her and she really enjoyed it, and the spirit was really strong. So I'm really excited for this sunday. Also last night I recieved a call from Elder Conlin, telling me that he had a surprise for me. Griselda from my old area is getting baptized this Thursday. He then continued by saying that he had a bigger surprise for me. That once she had her interview, that the one thing that she wanted to know is if I was going to be coming, and that she wanted me to speak at her baptism. So this week is going to be so busy, with investigators, writing my talk, and planning the baptism for Yecenia.
Well this sunday is Christmas, and I will have the opportunity to call. I will be calling at 7 o'clock my time, which I believe is 8 o'clock your time. I only have 40 minutes to talk so make sure if you have any questions that you are ready with them. Make sure that you answer any calls that come on sunday. I will be calling the home phone, if I don't get through I will just call cell phones so be ready. Im glad to hear Garrett is up and ready to go, and that Josh is getting ready to return. Josh, make sure to let me know where you are going bro. California is wide open if you'd like. jaja. Well I will talk to you all soon enough.
WELCOME HOME BRAYDEN
Con Amor Elder Moore
Everything.Happens.For.A.Reason
There.Is.No.Such.Thing.As.Coincidence
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Sister Alex Hartvigsen-- December 13, 2011
Dear Family, I hope everything is going well for you all up there. Things here are going really well. Christmas lights have been going on for about 3 weeks and we are having the opportunity to talk to many people as they come in. It is crazy as between 1000-4000 come in most nights but it is a lot of fun. Last week I was introducing a movie for a group of people in a theater here. My companion did an introduction in English and then I did my part in spanish. When I got finished, a cute little blonde girl on the front row stood up and said loudly enough that everyone could hear it " Well, I don't know what that was!"( refering to my Spanish skills) All the theater burst out laughing and she fled into her mom's arms. it was really cute. This last week has also been a little bit crazy because my companion was just completing her mission and we were busy getting her packed up and prepared to leave. I got transfer news on Saturday night. I will be staying in my Spanish Branch and I am getting Sister Solorzano from Nicaragua. This will be a lot of fun. This week has been good in our area. We met with a recent convert Thursday. We read 3 Nephi 1 with her and talked about how we can trust in the Lord even when things are really hard and he will guide us. We are never left alone. We met with the really big extended family on Monday. They had some doubts about prayer that we addressed . They are Catholic and have been praying to the Virgin Maria. We challenged them to continue to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it (not through Maria) to get their answer. We talked more about prophets and read with them in the Book of Mormon. We also met with a less active women who is coming back to church. We talked to her about prayer and read part of a conference talk by Elder Bednar about prayer with her.
I really don't know where the time is going. It moves so fast. I hit my year mark on Thursday! It doesn't seem real. I am excited for another great transfer. I love you all and I hope that you have a wonderful week.
Love Alex
I really don't know where the time is going. It moves so fast. I hit my year mark on Thursday! It doesn't seem real. I am excited for another great transfer. I love you all and I hope that you have a wonderful week.
Love Alex
Elder Matthew Whittle-- December 13, 2011
Que Honda!
Pues primero para papa, la palabra cholos significa gangsters, y trabajo significa como un job. Como estan todos? Que hay de nuevo? We had two crazy intercambios en la semana pasada. Elder Kidd went clear to Escondido for 24 hours, and two elders came to our area. It was a mission wide spanish exchange. It was pretty intense, and fun. Then we just had another intercambio yesterday. Elder Finan, our district leader, came to our area and Elder Kidd went to the other. It was a good exchange too. It was cool to take the lead in everthing. Mi espanol esta mejorando finalmente.
I honestly have no idea about the call on christmas. I totally forgot about that actually. I guess I'll ask Elder Finan today. Ya Grandma could just put it in the bank. Tell her thanks and that I love her and Grandpa. Also tell them sorry I haven't been able to really write back. Casi nunca tenemos tiempo a escribir. Estamos ocupados. I'll try to write when I get a chance. That's so cool that Trude is going. I'm so excited for him. He's going to bless so many lives. I can't wait for him to get out here. Ojala elder terry comes to California. That would be so sweet. I wonder if they would reassign him to learn spanish. I know that there's a reason for this.
Elder Kidd is going to leave next Monday, so we'll see what happens. Most likely I'll be in a trio for three weeks, but still in charge of pozole y central. He really doesn't want to leave. He's a good missionary. Very focused. I've learned a ton from him. He might stop by and visit you guys on the way home from the airport. We'll see how that goes.
I honestly have no idea about the package stuff. Sorry. I'm as clueless as you are, probably more actually haha. Thanks for sending it though. It's always nice to get packages, and ya some dipping chocolate for the cockroaches suena bien rica! ;)
The other night we talked to a testigo de jehova that I had helped lift a transmission into the back of a car the other day. We got talking about the fall of Adam and we explained to him that it was part of the plan because God had given them two comandments, and he knew what was going to happen. We explained that if it weren't for the fall we wouldn't be here. After that it was like the spirit just smacked him in the face. He thought it was very interesting, and was really nice. It wasn't a bash at all. He said were welcome to come over sometime and talk when were around, but didn't want to set an appointment. He's a really cool guy.
Well I guess I will talk to you all soon. I'm excited for Cho's family, and hope they will be able to feel the spirit to know it's true. It really will change there lives for forever. Well I guess I will talk to you all soon....weird. haha Umm ya keep being the awesome family you are. I love you all. La Iglesia es verdadera, y Jesucristo Vive!
Con Amor,
Elder Whittle
Pues primero para papa, la palabra cholos significa gangsters, y trabajo significa como un job. Como estan todos? Que hay de nuevo? We had two crazy intercambios en la semana pasada. Elder Kidd went clear to Escondido for 24 hours, and two elders came to our area. It was a mission wide spanish exchange. It was pretty intense, and fun. Then we just had another intercambio yesterday. Elder Finan, our district leader, came to our area and Elder Kidd went to the other. It was a good exchange too. It was cool to take the lead in everthing. Mi espanol esta mejorando finalmente.
I honestly have no idea about the call on christmas. I totally forgot about that actually. I guess I'll ask Elder Finan today. Ya Grandma could just put it in the bank. Tell her thanks and that I love her and Grandpa. Also tell them sorry I haven't been able to really write back. Casi nunca tenemos tiempo a escribir. Estamos ocupados. I'll try to write when I get a chance. That's so cool that Trude is going. I'm so excited for him. He's going to bless so many lives. I can't wait for him to get out here. Ojala elder terry comes to California. That would be so sweet. I wonder if they would reassign him to learn spanish. I know that there's a reason for this.
Elder Kidd is going to leave next Monday, so we'll see what happens. Most likely I'll be in a trio for three weeks, but still in charge of pozole y central. He really doesn't want to leave. He's a good missionary. Very focused. I've learned a ton from him. He might stop by and visit you guys on the way home from the airport. We'll see how that goes.
I honestly have no idea about the package stuff. Sorry. I'm as clueless as you are, probably more actually haha. Thanks for sending it though. It's always nice to get packages, and ya some dipping chocolate for the cockroaches suena bien rica! ;)
The other night we talked to a testigo de jehova that I had helped lift a transmission into the back of a car the other day. We got talking about the fall of Adam and we explained to him that it was part of the plan because God had given them two comandments, and he knew what was going to happen. We explained that if it weren't for the fall we wouldn't be here. After that it was like the spirit just smacked him in the face. He thought it was very interesting, and was really nice. It wasn't a bash at all. He said were welcome to come over sometime and talk when were around, but didn't want to set an appointment. He's a really cool guy.
Well I guess I will talk to you all soon. I'm excited for Cho's family, and hope they will be able to feel the spirit to know it's true. It really will change there lives for forever. Well I guess I will talk to you all soon....weird. haha Umm ya keep being the awesome family you are. I love you all. La Iglesia es verdadera, y Jesucristo Vive!
Con Amor,
Elder Whittle
Monday, December 12, 2011
Elder Corbin Moore-- December 12, 2011
Well its another new week here in Los Angeles and I am in a different part of it. I have been transferred from my old area. I am no in an area called LA 6th. Its a pretty interesting area, I have USC in my area but I also have a lot of ghetto, which just gives me a new view. Its so weird not being able to be in my area anymore working with the same people. I hope that they are all doing well without me. My new area is a bike area, and so my legs are really sore, jaja. Sometimes it can getting a little interesting, riding you bike around at night time down here in LA. I have already had some really crazy experiences with the people, and what not. My companions name is Elder Reichman, and its weird because we were pretty good friends in the MTC. He has only been out one more transfer than me. We are doing pretty good here in our area. We have set two baptismal dates for Christmas day. So hopefully those will go through just fine. We are working on finding more investigators so that after our baptisms we will still have more people to be teaching. I got a call from Elder Conlin y Elder Boyd last night. They were just calling to let me know that Griselda Silva should be having her baptism here shortly, and so hopefully I will be able to find a ride to that. It would be nice to see someone that I taught get baptized. And for you dad, I don't really know what is happening with Veronica. It was really weird though because her ex-husband lives in my stake and so they were have a stake christmas thing. Elder Reichman and I were only there because we were going to be picked up by some members to go to the Visitors Center with an investigator, and so I walked in and here comes Veronica with her Ex-husband and her daughter. She was so surprised to see me all the way up here in this area. I was so nice to be able to see her, I hope that everything goes great with her. Im sure Elder Conlin will let me know if they have a baptism with her.These last couple days I have spent a lot of time just trying to adapt to my surroundings and a different lifestyle with the bike. I don't think I've every felt more out of place in my life. I fill as though you could spot me from a million miles away. There are so many Hispanics, African Americans,and some Asians. Just a mix of everyone, expect for Caucasians. It really is great to get to see everyones different cultures. Especially this time of year when people ether have their house just decked out with everything or nothing at all. I miss not being able to have a white Christmas but we are having plenty of rain. I feel as though I am getting the full missionary experience. Just picture me wearing all my church clothes, with my backpack on, riding on my bike in the pouring rain, and then on top of that I am balancing my huge laundry bag on my handlebars as I drive and try not to get hit by the speeding cars down here in LA. Doesn't that just sound really funny. I can't even imagine what people are thinking when they pass me. Jajaja. So it has been really different here, but im just loving every minute of it. The most amazing part about it all, is that I know that there is some one who knows exactly how it is. In Alma 7:11-12, we read about how our savior and the things that he suffered for us. Not once does it mention anything about sin, even though we all know that that was a very big part of it. But these two verses focus specifically on all the other things. For anybody who is reading this e-mail who may be having some struggles right now, I would like you to take a minute, and think about our Savior. Remember that whatever you may be going through now, that there is someone who suffered all. He knows exactly how you are feeling, your struggles, your hardships. As one of my favorite scriptures says, eveything will be for our good. The son of man has descended below them all, art thou greater than he.(D&C 122:7-9) Well hopefully you have a wonderful week. Keep in mind why we celebrate Christmas
Con Amor Elder Moore
Everything.Happens.For.A.Reason
There.Is.No.Such.Thing.As.Coincidence
Con Amor Elder Moore
Everything.Happens.For.A.Reason
There.Is.No.Such.Thing.As.Coincidence
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Elder Matthew Whittle--December 6, 2011
Que honda!
Wow that storm sounds like it was pretty crazy! I'm glad everyone is ok. So for dad que honda significa "What's up" en la langua de los cholos, y la palabra obra significa "work" como la obra misional (missionary work). El dia de accion de gracias es thanksgiving. un poquito raro no?
So we had a crazy miracle last night. We have an investigador, Eliana, She has been having a problem con fumar (smoking) We talked about fasting before this sunday, and invited her to fast with us for her to be able to stop smoking, and understand what she was learning better. Well we fasted and she got a little sick from it, and didn't come to church, but she still fasted even though she had a bad headache. Well we taught her again last night and she said she had just recieved a letter from her friend that she knows was an answer to her prayer. Then she told us that she's done smoking. She said she had four left in her pack, and she told her cousin anna that she's just going to smoke the last four, but guess what? She just decided to throw the last four away. She's almost ready to be baptized. She also said she wants to give the lesson next week in FHE. It's amazing how fasting works. Some blessings we cannot recieve without fasting.
My hips are doing fine. No problems. I'm glad to hear Cho's doing well. I miss him too. There's a member down here that reminds me a lot of Cho. Cho's such a stud. I'll try to get a letter to him today. We're really busy all the time so it's hard sometimes. So my trainer leaves in 14 days and then I'm in charge of my area. It's going to be pretty intense but I'm excited. I'll probably go over to the elders in the area next to ours, but I'll have the phone, and be setting up all the appointments for our area. I'll probably have to go with a member to visit our investigadors a lot while the other elders visit their investigadors. It's pretty intense, but really exciting.
So you thought some of the houses were a mess? You should totally come down here and see some of the places. I think you would pass out. Some of the houses we go into are really tiny and have tons of cocroaches and spiders on the food, floor, and everywhere else. It's crazy. One lady opened her door once and the part of the door that touches the door frame was just covered in smashed cocroaches. It's pretty nasty. Our problem with the cocroaches is still going on haha. We caught a big spider and cocroach last night and froze them in the freezer. Just for fun haha.
So the other night we were walkin down the street in Pozole, and a kid who always says this to us said, Hey you guys wanna see the devil? So I turned to him and said nope, but If you go look in the mirror you'll see a child of God. Then he just got quiet and kept talking to his friends. It was pretty funny. He's just saying stuff like that to hide his sadness. I wish he would let us help him, but so far no luck. He's just not ready yet.
Well hope you're all doing well back home. I'm doing great here in Oceanside. It's pretty cold right now. Like 50 degrees;) haha I don't know why but it just seems a lot colder than Utah. Probably because of the humidity.Pues, Les amo! hasta luego
Con amor,
Elder Whittle
Wow that storm sounds like it was pretty crazy! I'm glad everyone is ok. So for dad que honda significa "What's up" en la langua de los cholos, y la palabra obra significa "work" como la obra misional (missionary work). El dia de accion de gracias es thanksgiving. un poquito raro no?
So we had a crazy miracle last night. We have an investigador, Eliana, She has been having a problem con fumar (smoking) We talked about fasting before this sunday, and invited her to fast with us for her to be able to stop smoking, and understand what she was learning better. Well we fasted and she got a little sick from it, and didn't come to church, but she still fasted even though she had a bad headache. Well we taught her again last night and she said she had just recieved a letter from her friend that she knows was an answer to her prayer. Then she told us that she's done smoking. She said she had four left in her pack, and she told her cousin anna that she's just going to smoke the last four, but guess what? She just decided to throw the last four away. She's almost ready to be baptized. She also said she wants to give the lesson next week in FHE. It's amazing how fasting works. Some blessings we cannot recieve without fasting.
My hips are doing fine. No problems. I'm glad to hear Cho's doing well. I miss him too. There's a member down here that reminds me a lot of Cho. Cho's such a stud. I'll try to get a letter to him today. We're really busy all the time so it's hard sometimes. So my trainer leaves in 14 days and then I'm in charge of my area. It's going to be pretty intense but I'm excited. I'll probably go over to the elders in the area next to ours, but I'll have the phone, and be setting up all the appointments for our area. I'll probably have to go with a member to visit our investigadors a lot while the other elders visit their investigadors. It's pretty intense, but really exciting.
So you thought some of the houses were a mess? You should totally come down here and see some of the places. I think you would pass out. Some of the houses we go into are really tiny and have tons of cocroaches and spiders on the food, floor, and everywhere else. It's crazy. One lady opened her door once and the part of the door that touches the door frame was just covered in smashed cocroaches. It's pretty nasty. Our problem with the cocroaches is still going on haha. We caught a big spider and cocroach last night and froze them in the freezer. Just for fun haha.
So the other night we were walkin down the street in Pozole, and a kid who always says this to us said, Hey you guys wanna see the devil? So I turned to him and said nope, but If you go look in the mirror you'll see a child of God. Then he just got quiet and kept talking to his friends. It was pretty funny. He's just saying stuff like that to hide his sadness. I wish he would let us help him, but so far no luck. He's just not ready yet.
Well hope you're all doing well back home. I'm doing great here in Oceanside. It's pretty cold right now. Like 50 degrees;) haha I don't know why but it just seems a lot colder than Utah. Probably because of the humidity.Pues, Les amo! hasta luego
Con amor,
Elder Whittle
Sister Alex Hartvigsen-- December 6, 2011
Dear Familia, I hope that everyone is doing well and that no one got blown away in the last batch of crazy weather. Things here are really good. I love my branch (congregation that I'm working with) and all the people are so loving. I hope to be able to stay here for a while. We find out transfer news this Saturday and the chances of a new comp are pretty high especially because Sis N is going home. It will be interesting.
This week has been really good. A few weeks ago we were driving in an part of our area that we normally are not in because it is far away and we have a very small miles limit on our car. We were inspired to turn on this little street and we spotted a family outside their house. We jumped out and started talking to them This family is actually about 4 families living in 2 apartments right next to each other. This sounds kinda familiar huh? We invited them to come to meet with the ward employment specialist on Tuesday night and they all ended up coming (about 12 people) We met with them several times this week and taught the restoration and also the plan of salvation. We had a noche de hogar with them last night with our former branch president in the his home. We invited them to come to church on Sunday and 12 of them came and seemed to really enjoy it. We invited them to be baptized but they feel like they still need to learn more first and we challenged them to continue to read the Book of Mormon and pray to receive an answer. We are really excited to continue to meet with this family.
This last week I studied the doctrines in the Plan of Salvation especially the Atonement. As I studied it hit me once again that even though the Savior did pay the price for our sins it did not eliminate our personal responsibility. We have to accept the Atonement into our own life by doing the things that he is asked us to do in the Doctrine of Christ 2 Nephi 31. If we don't do this we don't have claim to the Atonement. God will not force us to be happy or to accept Him. My job is to help people understand the Atonement and then its is up to those that I teach to apply it and make it a part of their lives.
I love you both so much. Have a great week.
Love Alex
This week has been really good. A few weeks ago we were driving in an part of our area that we normally are not in because it is far away and we have a very small miles limit on our car. We were inspired to turn on this little street and we spotted a family outside their house. We jumped out and started talking to them This family is actually about 4 families living in 2 apartments right next to each other. This sounds kinda familiar huh? We invited them to come to meet with the ward employment specialist on Tuesday night and they all ended up coming (about 12 people) We met with them several times this week and taught the restoration and also the plan of salvation. We had a noche de hogar with them last night with our former branch president in the his home. We invited them to come to church on Sunday and 12 of them came and seemed to really enjoy it. We invited them to be baptized but they feel like they still need to learn more first and we challenged them to continue to read the Book of Mormon and pray to receive an answer. We are really excited to continue to meet with this family.
This last week I studied the doctrines in the Plan of Salvation especially the Atonement. As I studied it hit me once again that even though the Savior did pay the price for our sins it did not eliminate our personal responsibility. We have to accept the Atonement into our own life by doing the things that he is asked us to do in the Doctrine of Christ 2 Nephi 31. If we don't do this we don't have claim to the Atonement. God will not force us to be happy or to accept Him. My job is to help people understand the Atonement and then its is up to those that I teach to apply it and make it a part of their lives.
I love you both so much. Have a great week.
Love Alex
Elder Corbin Moore-- December 6, 2011
Subject: Transfers
Well its been six weeks and is now time for transfers. They will be this wednesday, so yeah just getting everything ready for those. Who knows if I will be staying or going. Well this past week has been pretty good, we have been working a lot with the Silva Family, and they all came to church expect for two of the daughters, because one of them is pregnant and sick, and so obviously someone had to stay behind and help her. But they are progressing great. They are all working towards baptismal dates and are getting really excited for those. One of the daugthers is friends with a member, you just turn 8 and got baptized this saturday. So she attended the baptism and now really wants to get baptized pretty soon. It's so great to be able to begin to teach someone and as you continue coming back, you start to notice a change in them. They just start to seem happier and such. Well it was a good week for them. We are shooting for the 18th of December with them. This week we also had the opportunity to talk with Veronica. She just returned from vacation. So we sat down with her and had a conversation about the gospel. And wow was our minds opened. We had so much light shed on her situation. So we will continue to work with her. She even invited us over on tuesday to have dinner, and to talk. This week I have also had a pretty cool experience. I was able to finish the Book of Mormon. So overall it took me three weeks to read it, and now I have started it in Spanish, maybe i'll be able to finish it in spanish, by the end of the year. I also finished Our Search for Happiness, written by Elder M Russell Ballard. And started the Doctrine and Covenants again. I have had a lot of study things going on this week. Its so nice just to be able to sit down and read more and more stuff about the gospel. (Oh and speaking about, gospel. I also finished Gospel Principle this week too.) jajaja. I many of you know I hate reading, but I have been doing so much here in the Mission field. Yes hear in California we did have some crazy wind storms also. But it was only one night that was really bad. Oh and I was in my first earthquake. It was very small, but still cool to experience. With all of these crazy "Mother Nature" things going on. It makes you think really how close the second coming really is. I have been reading a lot about that lately, and when I start to think about we need to get prepared, because the hour is soon at hand. Getting food storage is an important thing, because there will come a time when we are going to have to have something to live off. The world is slowly starting to spiral into a wicked place. So we just have to be on our toes. "Wo be unto those which shall say all is well in Zion." Satan is working his hardest, because he knows that soon enough he will be bound for 1000 years. Be alert, be ready, and be active in the gospel. If we are continually putting our trust in the Lord and following the counsel of the Prophets we will have nothing to worry about. Keyton thanks for the e-mail, it was funny because I got the one that you sent this week, and then also randomly I finally got the one that you sent on the 30th of October. jajajja. Sounds like you all have been having some crazy times with the wind there in Utah. How about the snow? Mom thanks for the package I finally got that. And thank you to all for the e-mails. Sorry I don't have enough time to write everyone individually, but I really do appreciate all of the emails. Bryson hope that you had a good birthday, and Brayden stay strong to the end. What a blessing it will be when you can say that you gave it your all, every single day of your mission. Make sure you don't forget after you come home that you will always be a missionary. You may not have the badge, but when we were baptized with took his name upon his. Hope that all is well, and that everyone is doing great. I'll let you know about transfers. Mom, not really sure what I'm going to need in the Christmas package. I let you know as soon as I think of anything. Well my time is running thin. As this Christmas season approachs I hope that everyone won't get to caught up in the commercial side of Christmas, but to be able to really think about why we celebrate this time of year. CHRISTmas.
Con Amor
Elder Moore
Everything.Happens.For.A.Reason
There.Is.No.Such.Thing.As.Coincidence
Well its been six weeks and is now time for transfers. They will be this wednesday, so yeah just getting everything ready for those. Who knows if I will be staying or going. Well this past week has been pretty good, we have been working a lot with the Silva Family, and they all came to church expect for two of the daughters, because one of them is pregnant and sick, and so obviously someone had to stay behind and help her. But they are progressing great. They are all working towards baptismal dates and are getting really excited for those. One of the daugthers is friends with a member, you just turn 8 and got baptized this saturday. So she attended the baptism and now really wants to get baptized pretty soon. It's so great to be able to begin to teach someone and as you continue coming back, you start to notice a change in them. They just start to seem happier and such. Well it was a good week for them. We are shooting for the 18th of December with them. This week we also had the opportunity to talk with Veronica. She just returned from vacation. So we sat down with her and had a conversation about the gospel. And wow was our minds opened. We had so much light shed on her situation. So we will continue to work with her. She even invited us over on tuesday to have dinner, and to talk. This week I have also had a pretty cool experience. I was able to finish the Book of Mormon. So overall it took me three weeks to read it, and now I have started it in Spanish, maybe i'll be able to finish it in spanish, by the end of the year. I also finished Our Search for Happiness, written by Elder M Russell Ballard. And started the Doctrine and Covenants again. I have had a lot of study things going on this week. Its so nice just to be able to sit down and read more and more stuff about the gospel. (Oh and speaking about, gospel. I also finished Gospel Principle this week too.) jajaja. I many of you know I hate reading, but I have been doing so much here in the Mission field. Yes hear in California we did have some crazy wind storms also. But it was only one night that was really bad. Oh and I was in my first earthquake. It was very small, but still cool to experience. With all of these crazy "Mother Nature" things going on. It makes you think really how close the second coming really is. I have been reading a lot about that lately, and when I start to think about we need to get prepared, because the hour is soon at hand. Getting food storage is an important thing, because there will come a time when we are going to have to have something to live off. The world is slowly starting to spiral into a wicked place. So we just have to be on our toes. "Wo be unto those which shall say all is well in Zion." Satan is working his hardest, because he knows that soon enough he will be bound for 1000 years. Be alert, be ready, and be active in the gospel. If we are continually putting our trust in the Lord and following the counsel of the Prophets we will have nothing to worry about. Keyton thanks for the e-mail, it was funny because I got the one that you sent this week, and then also randomly I finally got the one that you sent on the 30th of October. jajajja. Sounds like you all have been having some crazy times with the wind there in Utah. How about the snow? Mom thanks for the package I finally got that. And thank you to all for the e-mails. Sorry I don't have enough time to write everyone individually, but I really do appreciate all of the emails. Bryson hope that you had a good birthday, and Brayden stay strong to the end. What a blessing it will be when you can say that you gave it your all, every single day of your mission. Make sure you don't forget after you come home that you will always be a missionary. You may not have the badge, but when we were baptized with took his name upon his. Hope that all is well, and that everyone is doing great. I'll let you know about transfers. Mom, not really sure what I'm going to need in the Christmas package. I let you know as soon as I think of anything. Well my time is running thin. As this Christmas season approachs I hope that everyone won't get to caught up in the commercial side of Christmas, but to be able to really think about why we celebrate this time of year. CHRISTmas.
Con Amor
Elder Moore
Everything.Happens.For.A.Reason
There.Is.No.Such.Thing.As.Coincidence
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Elder Matthew Whittle-- November 29, 2011
Que honda?
comemos pabo y spagetti tambien, pero no celebramos el dia de accion de gracias. solamente comemos por una hora y despues regresemos a la obra. Fue un buen dia. Como estan ustedes? Estoy feliz, y bien! Sounds like you all had a great Thanksgiving. I'm so excited for Cho and his mom. I will write a letter today. I actually have a little extra time today because it's transfers today so we wont go shopping until tomorrow. My companion and I are staying here still of course, but he actually leaves in 3 weeks back home, so I don't know how that will work because transfers are every six weeks.
Tell Elder Terry that he's going insane and he has to snap out of it haha. I love him to death, and yes we are brothers. We will definitely hang out when we get back. Tell him to keep having a positive attitude, and don't let Satan get in his head and discourage him. It's all going to work out.
Jim and the guys at work are awesome. When you see Aaron next time you should tell him that I said hi, and also to tell Jim and Chris hi for me when he gets a chance.
O ya I almost forgot haha. I have a crazy funny story to tell you. The other day we were in Central and we had just gotten out of the car. My companion was getting stuff out of the back seat, and I was waiting for him. I saw a car passing by up the street. The guy was going really slow, and staring at us. Finally he turned around and started driving towards us. He stopped and asked if I was Elder ....... (don't remember what the name was) but I said no, and then he asked what are we studying. (by the way this was a guy that was in kind of an old style gangster looking car, He had the beard and everything going) I told him we are studying about Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon. That's when it got crazy. He just started going off. I don't think I've ever heard anymore swear words used in my entire life. He just all of the sudden blew up. haha every other word was the f word or something else.
After he got done with his "spill" He said in a demanding tone, "you understand me?" I obviously couldn't understand with all the vulgar language so I just smiled at him and said, "nope, but is there anything we can do to help you?" haha, then he said, "O you a smart ..." and then he just kept going for a minute. (Couldn't understand him again) When he stopped I just said, "ok sir you have a nice day" then I recieved another ".... you" and he sped off. Haha it was so funny/ridiculos. I don't understand some people, but I guess he got his chance to hear the gospel. We always like to joke about saying to people like that as their walking/driving away. See you at the judgement bar haha. I love it out here. A lot of fun experiences, and miracles ofcourse.
Well I hope everything is going well at home. For the package I would love food of course. I haven't really gotten any fatter, but I've gained probably ten pounds since I left. We excersise in the morning, and walk and bike half the week so it's the good kind of weight haha.Keep up the good work. Remember every soul is great in the sight of God. Talk to everyone! I love you all.
Con amor,
Elder Whittle
comemos pabo y spagetti tambien, pero no celebramos el dia de accion de gracias. solamente comemos por una hora y despues regresemos a la obra. Fue un buen dia. Como estan ustedes? Estoy feliz, y bien! Sounds like you all had a great Thanksgiving. I'm so excited for Cho and his mom. I will write a letter today. I actually have a little extra time today because it's transfers today so we wont go shopping until tomorrow. My companion and I are staying here still of course, but he actually leaves in 3 weeks back home, so I don't know how that will work because transfers are every six weeks.
Tell Elder Terry that he's going insane and he has to snap out of it haha. I love him to death, and yes we are brothers. We will definitely hang out when we get back. Tell him to keep having a positive attitude, and don't let Satan get in his head and discourage him. It's all going to work out.
Jim and the guys at work are awesome. When you see Aaron next time you should tell him that I said hi, and also to tell Jim and Chris hi for me when he gets a chance.
O ya I almost forgot haha. I have a crazy funny story to tell you. The other day we were in Central and we had just gotten out of the car. My companion was getting stuff out of the back seat, and I was waiting for him. I saw a car passing by up the street. The guy was going really slow, and staring at us. Finally he turned around and started driving towards us. He stopped and asked if I was Elder ....... (don't remember what the name was) but I said no, and then he asked what are we studying. (by the way this was a guy that was in kind of an old style gangster looking car, He had the beard and everything going) I told him we are studying about Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon. That's when it got crazy. He just started going off. I don't think I've ever heard anymore swear words used in my entire life. He just all of the sudden blew up. haha every other word was the f word or something else.
After he got done with his "spill" He said in a demanding tone, "you understand me?" I obviously couldn't understand with all the vulgar language so I just smiled at him and said, "nope, but is there anything we can do to help you?" haha, then he said, "O you a smart ..." and then he just kept going for a minute. (Couldn't understand him again) When he stopped I just said, "ok sir you have a nice day" then I recieved another ".... you" and he sped off. Haha it was so funny/ridiculos. I don't understand some people, but I guess he got his chance to hear the gospel. We always like to joke about saying to people like that as their walking/driving away. See you at the judgement bar haha. I love it out here. A lot of fun experiences, and miracles ofcourse.
Well I hope everything is going well at home. For the package I would love food of course. I haven't really gotten any fatter, but I've gained probably ten pounds since I left. We excersise in the morning, and walk and bike half the week so it's the good kind of weight haha.Keep up the good work. Remember every soul is great in the sight of God. Talk to everyone! I love you all.
Con amor,
Elder Whittle
Sister Alex Hartvigsen-- November 29, 2011
Hi Everyone, I hope that you all had a wonderful Dia de Accion de Gracias. (Thanksgiving) I know that I did. On Wednesday I was with English Sisters in their area because Sister Nishiguchi was on exchanges. We were able to talk to many different people as we walked around. Sometimes we would even be driving and if we saw people we would park the car and jump out and talk to them. It was fun. We talked to a member that way and somehow we got on the subject of poaching in other peoples area which just means when you teach someone that other missionaries should be teaching ( like English missionaries teaching in spanish and using and Interpretor rather than letting the Spanish missionaries teach.) This member said that it was a big problem in his area because all the Spanish Hermosas would always take it. It made me laugh because he mixed up Hermosa ( Beautiful) for Hermana ( Sister) I am a Spanish Beautiful and thats the way that I like it. haha... towards the end of the day we stopped to talk to a couple teenagers who were sitting on the street corner. On of them, mentioned that he is Peruvian and said that we could come over and talk to his family. We went by their house later in the week but they weren't home. We are going to pass by again. On Saturday Sister Nishiguchi and I were in a part of our area where we normally don't go. As we turned on down a street we saw a group of people outside of their apartment. We went over and started to talk to them and explain who we are. One of the ladies had known some members back in Nevada who had invited her to come to church but she couldn't go because it was all in English. We told them about our ward and invited them to come. We also set up an appointment to come back and teach them. When we went by on Sun night we taught about the restoration and the Spirit was very strong as we taught about the First Vision. It was a really cool experience and I feel like we were definately led to these people. There are 3 families there that share 2 apartments next door to each other. We are really excited to teach them again this week. I was in the VC on Sun getting ready to leave when a women in SPanish asked me to do the Christus Narration for her ( the words that are played in front of the statue of Christ) I played if for her and bore my testimony that I knw that she was loved by Jesus Christ. I then asked her if I could do anything else for her. She then told me that she wanted to learn more about the Bible and the purpose of life. That wasn't exactly what I was expecting but I was really excited to be able to help her get in contact with the missionaries from her area. I was even more excited when I realized that she lives in my old Spanish ward. I am excited to see her progress.
Have a wonderful week
Love Alex
Have a wonderful week
Love Alex
Monday, November 28, 2011
Elder Matthew Whittle--November 22, 2011
Que onda!
Mom did you really just say "stoked"? haha I think you need to start listening to my country music more;) haha that rap music is getting to ya. Speaking of music, could you send me some more music? I can listen to music that talks about Christ, and that isn't disruptive. So a couple songs I would like; Jesus take the wheel, and like raise it up (from august rush) Those would be aproved. So I guess you could have Brando help ya pick out some songs or something:) Thanks.
It was so good to see TJ! I'm so excited for him to go on a mission! He's going to love it. It's so much fun to go out and try and find people, and help them change their lives. Yesterday we invited 75 people to learn about the restoration of the gospel. We got a couple potentials so we'll see how it goes.
I'm so glad they finally got a hold of Cho! You need to work with the missionaries, and try and help them in any way you can. I've learned the power that comes from working with the members. We have a lot more success when we work with members. Please have the missionaries talk to Cho's mom and make sure and tell her that I know that this is the true church of Christ, and that it will bring her more happiness than anything else in her life. Tell her I wouldn't have left her, Cho, and my family if I didn't know it was true. Tell her I love her and that I want her to find out that's it's true too because I know the blessings, and joy it brings into my life. Thank you for working with that. Everyone is a missionary.
Well there have been a lot of crazy things happening here in Oceanside. We got a hold of Luz again (finally) she's been really busy, but we're going to go visit her today. Hopefully she still wants to be baptized. I have a feeling that she does. It was crazy last Sunday. We had two investigators that showed up that we weren't even expecting. One was a man named Leo. His wife is a member, but he's not. He just decided to come with his son that's 10. It was so cool. He's been taught pretty much everything, and just needs to decide to be baptized. He's such a cool guy. Very humble, and honest. We also had Carmen come. She has been srtuggling with getting a new job that doesn't work Sundays. She wanted to come to church so bad that she called in and said that she was sick and then came to church.... Not the best solution and we told her that, but kind of cool that she wants to come that bad. She's a great lady. All her children are members de la iglesia, and she see's how happy they are. She wants to be a better mother to them as well. There are so many miracles going on that I can't even pick one to tell you about, but I guess one day I can tell you more.. Hopefully that day doesn't ever come;) haha.
Dad of course I've been to a Spanish ward haha I go to one every Sunday. It's a great ward. Kind of small, but it's growing pretty quickly. It's fun to speak Spanish, y misteco tambien. Misteco is a language from Oaxaca. (not sure on the spelling) but we ask people en la calle como se dice oraciones como de donde es. En misteco: dasho ni ka ku. It's so fun to hear them speak it.
I'm glad Elder Terry is recovering. Hopefully he'll come to Carlsbad CA haha. Tell him to stay strong and remember that the lord has it in control. I'm so happy for Garret! sounds like he's doing great. Tell him to keep it up. Well I have to go. Hope everything is going ok at home. I'll make sure and pray for Dave. I love you all!
Con amor,
Elder Whittle
Elder Corbin Moore-- November 28, 2011
Hola to all those who have the wonderful chance to read my email this week. Im glad to hear that everything is going the way that it should be going in the good old state of Utah. I miss being there for this time of year, because as everyone knows this is my favorite time of the year. I don't know what it is about this time of year but everyone is just happier. It is unfortunate though that it only lasts from the beginning of December to the beginning of January, and then everyone goes back to there old ways. I hope for all that read this, that you can try and continue the feeling of Christmas, or the holidays. Look around yourself and be grateful for the things that you do have, in this world of twisted ways and a descending morale scale. That is one thing that I've learned in the short time that I've been here on my mission, that I was so ignorant of those blessings that I have in my life. As one that has seen both sides of the spectrum, and heed my advice. Always give thanks for those things that you do have, always remember that it could be worse, and that there is someone in the world, who in fact does have it worse than you. Well to the events of this week. Well as everyone knows this has the been the week of thanksgiving. Everyone is wondering what it was that I ate. Well I tell you that it wasn't turkey. We had spaghetti for our thanksgiving meal. Jajaja. The members house that we ate at, they don't like turkey. So yeah it was nice to have something that was different. We have been able to work more with the Silva family. They came to church yesterday all but one, Connie. But she was able to attend a baptismal service that we had after church. They are all pretty excited about learning more. Hope they will be able to enter the waters of baptism in December. As for Veronica she has been on vacation this whole week so we haven't had a chance to talk with her. This week I also had an interesting experience, I was able to give a training session in District Meeting this week. I was weird that they asked me because im new but it was a good experience. As for my Book of Mormon reading. I am in the book of Mormon. The actual book within the book. haha. Well got to run because i don't have anytime left but I hope that everyone is doing great. I would love to hear from you all. Happy Birthday this week to Bernie. Love you all
Con Amor Elder Moore
Everything.Happens.For.A.Reason
There.Is.No.Such.Thing.As.Coincidence
Con Amor Elder Moore
Everything.Happens.For.A.Reason
There.Is.No.Such.Thing.As.Coincidence
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Sister Alex Hartvigsen-- November 21, 2011
Dear Family This last week has been really good. We met with a recent convert family. We taught them the plan of Salvation as part of the new member lessons. We went over to an investigator's house with a member of the primary who brought the family cookies and she invited the family to come to church. We had a lesson set up with a recent convert. We taught her about the Restoration of the Gospel. Met with her later in the week as well and read with her and her sister in 3 Nephi 18 and talked about prayer with them. On Sunday we went by an investigator couple to see if they were going to come to church. They have said that they were coming before but something has always seemed to come up. We decided to ask them if we could get a ride to church with them. They said that would be fine. The women and her daughter drove us to church and then told us that they needed to go and pick up her boyfriend from work. So they promptly dropped us off at the church and drove away. It wasn't exactly what we had in mind. We are probably going to be giving them a break for a while until they are a little more prepared.
The Christmas lights come on on the Temple starting on Thanksgiving and we are really gearing up for the big crowds that aways come this time of year. It will be crazy for the next six weeks but it will be a blast.
Have a great week and a wonderful Thanksgiving. I am thankful for the chance to have all of you in my life.
I love you
Love
Alex
0--
The Christmas lights come on on the Temple starting on Thanksgiving and we are really gearing up for the big crowds that aways come this time of year. It will be crazy for the next six weeks but it will be a blast.
Have a great week and a wonderful Thanksgiving. I am thankful for the chance to have all of you in my life.
I love you
Love
Alex
0--
Elder Corbin Moore--Nov 21, 2011
Greetings to all from California. Well this week has been pretty good. They are having me not play sports for two weeks so that my finger can heal a little. Which is a bummer but what can you do. I just stand around and juggle the soccer ball, while everyone else plays sports. At least I have something to do. Well this week in the mission field we have done a lot of work with the Silva Family, they just came to California about 3 weeks ago. Well found out that they had been talking to the missionaries down in Mexico a little, and they want to learn more about the church. They all have baptismal dates, and we are working to have everyone go to chuch. It seems like is the overwhelming problem, down here with the latin culture, because everyone has to work on sundays. So that was our big focus for this past week was to get some people out to church. Two people from the Silva family showed up to church, the mother Gresilda, and one of her daughters Daisy. It was nice to have them come to sacrament meeting, and we have an appointment with them this week, so hopefully we will be able to get them all there. We were hoping that Veronica would also show up for church but she didn't. Elder Conlin and Elder Boyd went by her house on friday, but I wasn't there so im not really sure how that went. I was on exchanges with one of the other companionships in my district. Which was an interesting experience to be able to see missionary work from another perspective. Other than that we have been working with a lot of less active members, trying to get them back in the church.
Well we were challenged by our mission president to try and read the Book of Mormon before the new year is up, and to mark any references to the five things in the Gospel of Christ. So I took up the challenge on November the 9th, and I am currently in the 50th chapter of Alma. Im hoping to be able to finish it, within the next week, and then to begin it in Spanish. I think it would be awesome to have read it in both languages, in a matter of a little less than 2 months. Well hope that everyone is doing good there back home. The spanish is coming along just nicely, and im learning more and more every day. I am part of a new program that the church is implementing. They want the new missionaries ready to train someone in only 12 weeks, that is only two transfers, it should be an interesting task. Well until next week, have fun with all the snow.
Con Amor
Elder Moore
Well we were challenged by our mission president to try and read the Book of Mormon before the new year is up, and to mark any references to the five things in the Gospel of Christ. So I took up the challenge on November the 9th, and I am currently in the 50th chapter of Alma. Im hoping to be able to finish it, within the next week, and then to begin it in Spanish. I think it would be awesome to have read it in both languages, in a matter of a little less than 2 months. Well hope that everyone is doing good there back home. The spanish is coming along just nicely, and im learning more and more every day. I am part of a new program that the church is implementing. They want the new missionaries ready to train someone in only 12 weeks, that is only two transfers, it should be an interesting task. Well until next week, have fun with all the snow.
Con Amor
Elder Moore
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Elder Matthew Whittle--November 15, 2011
como estan todos?
I'm doing great right now. I can't believe another week has already flown by. Things are going great in Oceanside. We have a couple baptismal dates set, and we're working hard to help them make it. The hardest things here to get people to do is to stop drinking, and get them to come to church. So many of them have work on Sunday, and can't get it off, or find a new job. It's very difficult, but I know that if they will put their trust in the Lord, he will provide for them.
I don't know if I'll be able to see TJ because we might be having a thanksgiving dinner with a less active family or something, but if they're in oceanside they might see me walking/riding a bike around. I guess they could always call the mission office and see, but I kind of doubt it would be approved.
Maybe a couple more PMG would be good;) haha I was talking with my Zone Leaders when we were on exchanges and they said they want one too, but in english... so maybe two more in english. Thanks mom. I just got your package today but I haven't been able to open it up yet. We're always super busy, and barely have time to even keep our apartment cleaned up.
Hope Elder Terry's doing ok. I'm still praying for him. Maybe he's supposed to come to Carlsbad now;) haha that would be so cool. Tell him I love him, and to stay strong. The Lord knows what he's doing with him. Also tell Garret I'm so happy for him. He's making the best decision right now. He's going to make such an amazing missionary. He'll be able to relate to so many people in Argentina. I'm so excited for him.
We never were able to meet with the seventh day adventist. He never answered us, but maybe we'll see him on the street sometime again. The girl finally moved and got away from her bad family situation, but now she's not answering our calls. Hopefully we'll be able to get ahold of her soon.
The members here are great. They're aren't a lot in the Spanish ward, but it's starting to grow. We are starting to get more and more investigadors to come, and there were three baptisms last weekend in our district. Tell Miles good job for getting his Eagle. That's a big accomplishment.
Well everything is going great here. We have miracles cada dia. mi espanol esta progresando poco a poco tambien. Thanks for everything you do for me. Tell everyone hi and that I love them. Don't just follow Jesus Christ, Walk with him because when we walk with him we become his friend, and only a friend will care enough to save us. When people see you they should see Jesus Christ. Les amo!
Con amor
Elder Whittle
I'm doing great right now. I can't believe another week has already flown by. Things are going great in Oceanside. We have a couple baptismal dates set, and we're working hard to help them make it. The hardest things here to get people to do is to stop drinking, and get them to come to church. So many of them have work on Sunday, and can't get it off, or find a new job. It's very difficult, but I know that if they will put their trust in the Lord, he will provide for them.
I don't know if I'll be able to see TJ because we might be having a thanksgiving dinner with a less active family or something, but if they're in oceanside they might see me walking/riding a bike around. I guess they could always call the mission office and see, but I kind of doubt it would be approved.
Maybe a couple more PMG would be good;) haha I was talking with my Zone Leaders when we were on exchanges and they said they want one too, but in english... so maybe two more in english. Thanks mom. I just got your package today but I haven't been able to open it up yet. We're always super busy, and barely have time to even keep our apartment cleaned up.
Hope Elder Terry's doing ok. I'm still praying for him. Maybe he's supposed to come to Carlsbad now;) haha that would be so cool. Tell him I love him, and to stay strong. The Lord knows what he's doing with him. Also tell Garret I'm so happy for him. He's making the best decision right now. He's going to make such an amazing missionary. He'll be able to relate to so many people in Argentina. I'm so excited for him.
We never were able to meet with the seventh day adventist. He never answered us, but maybe we'll see him on the street sometime again. The girl finally moved and got away from her bad family situation, but now she's not answering our calls. Hopefully we'll be able to get ahold of her soon.
The members here are great. They're aren't a lot in the Spanish ward, but it's starting to grow. We are starting to get more and more investigadors to come, and there were three baptisms last weekend in our district. Tell Miles good job for getting his Eagle. That's a big accomplishment.
Well everything is going great here. We have miracles cada dia. mi espanol esta progresando poco a poco tambien. Thanks for everything you do for me. Tell everyone hi and that I love them. Don't just follow Jesus Christ, Walk with him because when we walk with him we become his friend, and only a friend will care enough to save us. When people see you they should see Jesus Christ. Les amo!
Con amor
Elder Whittle
Elder Corbin Moore-- November 15, 2011
Well here I am once again writing to my beloved family and friends. I am sorry that I am one day late but I will try and explain why that is. So yesterday we were at the park playing ultimate frisbee just like any other day. I went to go catch the frisbee and slipped and landed on my hand, and felt this pain just shoot into my hand. I stood up and looked at my hand, and my left index finger looked pretty weird. From the joint above my knuckle and up my finger was 45 degrees to the left, and lying underneath my middle finger. I was completely in shock because I had never had something like that happen before. I didn't want to make a scene so I just grabbed my finger and yanked it back into place. I heard a big pop and just continued to play. Well after we were done we went hope and it was hurting a bit. A began to start swelling pretty bad. Which was weird for me because im not one to swell. So I had to call our area medical advisor to see what she thought. She said that she wanted me to go and get X-rays just to make sure it was all good. So she scheduled me an appointment for 3'oclock. Well Elder Boyd had a dental appointment at 2 so we had to figure out how to make that all work out. Luckly we found a member that could sit at elder Boyd's dental appointment for two hours while Elder Conlin and I drove to Downy for my doctors appointment. Turns out that I guess I dislocated my finger, or possibly sub-located it. So the doctor has me taping my two first fingers together (you should see me trying to type on the computer) and im just supposed to watch it. He said that it could stay swollen for up to six months, WOW. But I just have to keep moving it and such. Well that was the interesting part of my week. On the gospel side of things we are still working to find people to teach since we are new to our area. We have had a lot of people who seem interested in the gospel but the thing is that they all speak english and so we have to turn them over to the english elders, so the search is never-ending. We had to move Veronicas baptismal date back because she is not coming to church. Hopefully she will be able to make it this week. We have been teaching a lot of less active families and some part-member families as well. Overall we are just working to find and teach, but I will keep you posted on what happens in this next week.
Well I'd just like to say first HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Brayden, who is in Brasil. Hope you are having a great day and doing well. Sounds like everyone else is having a good time with their lives. A lot of work and a lot of school, for everyone. I would love to hear from everyone. Well I have got to go, hope you have a good week.
Con Amor,
Elder Moore
Everything.Happens.For.A.Reason
There.Is.No.Such.Thing.As.Coincidence
Well I'd just like to say first HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Brayden, who is in Brasil. Hope you are having a great day and doing well. Sounds like everyone else is having a good time with their lives. A lot of work and a lot of school, for everyone. I would love to hear from everyone. Well I have got to go, hope you have a good week.
Con Amor,
Elder Moore
Everything.Happens.For.A.Reason
There.Is.No.Such.Thing.As.Coincidence
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Elder Matthew Whittle--Nov 8, 201
Hola Madre!
We bought some traps already for the cockroaches so I think we'll be ok, and we're trying to put baking soda down in the cupboards too. I haven't received the package yet, but thanks for sending one! So guess who I saw today?....... Nona! I got to see her in the Temple. It was so good to see her. She has the sweetest spirit. I got to talk to her for about ten minutes or so, and then had to leave, but I'm sure I'll see her the next time we go.
It would be neat if you could send three of the mini preach my gospels en espanol para nosotros. The elders in my district want to have one. Thanks mom. I hope you're doing ok with dad being gone. Be safe. How are things going? Anything new? Did you finish the basement yet;) or did dad build a shop out back haha. Just kidding.
We have been having so many miracles again this week. The girl that we've been teaching, Luz, She found a new place to live, and things are going a little better now we hope. We we're walking through pazole three nights ago and we handed a pass along card to a lady on the phone, and left it at that because we didn't want to interupt her. Well the next night we had an impression to walk down that road so we did. There were some guys in a driveway fixing their car so we stopped to talk to them. They quickly told us they were busy, but then that same lady came walking out of the garage and said I'll talk to you guys. So we talked for about 20 minutes and she was the same lady we had passed the night before and given a card. We told about the restoration a little, and then she told us how she had been to a bunch of different churches, but never felt like any were right. Then She ended up asking us if we could come stop by sometime. It was amazing. We're going to start teaching her tomorrow hopefully.
We have another investigador. Her name is Carmen and she has her baptismal date but she works Sunday. She's been reading and praying a lot, and she's quit drinking. Last night we stopped by and read with her and her family. (Her family are all members). She ended up saying that she's never been happier and that she's going to church this Sunday no matter what. She's one of the sweetest ladies I've ever met.
Things are going incredible here in Oceanside. We are in the most ghetto part of our mission, but it's so much fun. A lot of humble people, and a lot of sad things that go on here. A lot of people have some hard things happening to them, but it's so amazing to be able to help them make a change and find true happiness.
Hope everything is going well at home. I love you all and want you to know that I know that Christ lives. He suffered and died for us because he loves us. The Lord puts people in our paths to prepare them to hear the word. Remember who you are because those people are watching and observing you. Vayan con Dios!
Love Elder Whittle
We bought some traps already for the cockroaches so I think we'll be ok, and we're trying to put baking soda down in the cupboards too. I haven't received the package yet, but thanks for sending one! So guess who I saw today?....... Nona! I got to see her in the Temple. It was so good to see her. She has the sweetest spirit. I got to talk to her for about ten minutes or so, and then had to leave, but I'm sure I'll see her the next time we go.
It would be neat if you could send three of the mini preach my gospels en espanol para nosotros. The elders in my district want to have one. Thanks mom. I hope you're doing ok with dad being gone. Be safe. How are things going? Anything new? Did you finish the basement yet;) or did dad build a shop out back haha. Just kidding.
We have been having so many miracles again this week. The girl that we've been teaching, Luz, She found a new place to live, and things are going a little better now we hope. We we're walking through pazole three nights ago and we handed a pass along card to a lady on the phone, and left it at that because we didn't want to interupt her. Well the next night we had an impression to walk down that road so we did. There were some guys in a driveway fixing their car so we stopped to talk to them. They quickly told us they were busy, but then that same lady came walking out of the garage and said I'll talk to you guys. So we talked for about 20 minutes and she was the same lady we had passed the night before and given a card. We told about the restoration a little, and then she told us how she had been to a bunch of different churches, but never felt like any were right. Then She ended up asking us if we could come stop by sometime. It was amazing. We're going to start teaching her tomorrow hopefully.
We have another investigador. Her name is Carmen and she has her baptismal date but she works Sunday. She's been reading and praying a lot, and she's quit drinking. Last night we stopped by and read with her and her family. (Her family are all members). She ended up saying that she's never been happier and that she's going to church this Sunday no matter what. She's one of the sweetest ladies I've ever met.
Things are going incredible here in Oceanside. We are in the most ghetto part of our mission, but it's so much fun. A lot of humble people, and a lot of sad things that go on here. A lot of people have some hard things happening to them, but it's so amazing to be able to help them make a change and find true happiness.
Hope everything is going well at home. I love you all and want you to know that I know that Christ lives. He suffered and died for us because he loves us. The Lord puts people in our paths to prepare them to hear the word. Remember who you are because those people are watching and observing you. Vayan con Dios!
Love Elder Whittle
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Elder Corbin Moore-- November 7, 2011
Hola. Hope everyone is having a good time back there in Utah. I heard that you guys had snow this passed week. Its so weird for me being here in California and not seeing the snow. I kinda miss it but oh well, life goes on. Well this past week has been crazy. There is a lot of work to be done in a new area like mine. Mom, you wanted to know about my area. Ok well you start at the pacific ocean and then make your way east, till you get to western, and then the southern and northern borders are redondo beach bl down to ripley, and then the northern border is Rosecrans. And that is my area may look like i small little area. But there are so many people in just this little place. We have been trying to do a lot of finding, because we don't have much previous work here in our area. So we do a lot of street contacting, and knocking doors. We are trying to get the members invovled as much as possible, so just getting referrals and trying to have them fellowship the investigators. We did find a lady this week, her name is Veronica, she has been investigating the church for like 15 years, and all the missionaries that have taught her in the past have been very pushy with her, and so that doesn't help our cause at all. So she is really up in arms when we talk to her about baptism, because of those past events. We have had to lessons with her, the first lesson we just got to know her a little more, and talked with her about eternal families, because thats what she wanted to talk about. She is pretty set on not setting a baptismal date, because she says that she is fine in the catholic chruch right now. But in our second lesson we talked alot about the great apostacy and the Book of Mormon. We asked her a bunch of questions, just to figure out where she was on understanding on our lesson. We commited her to read and to pray, and then after I just felt like I should give her a baptimal commitment and a date, even though she had shot down everyone else. She said that she would be baptized and we also set a date. Wow that was so amazing. Other than that we have been teaching a man named Pablo he really wants to learn about the gospel. We also have a date with him now. It was crazy this week also I met my first "bashers" on the street, we were walking and this two motorcycle guys were standing on the sidewalk with their bikes so we walked up to them and starting talking about missionaries and if they had ever talked with them before, we found out that one of them was a pastor and the other was a member of that same church, they just starting bashing and I can see how bad bashing drives the spirit away because I just wanted to explode, jajajaja. We tried to get out of there as soon as possible it wasn't a good situation. Elder Boyd and I went and did church round up yesterday, we walked over to this house to see if this lady was going to come to church. We open the gate and walked in, and this huge pitball came running at us, barking its head of. I just stood there hoping that it wasn't going to eat me, jajaja. He stopped right in front of us and just kept growling and barking, we tryed to get around but he wouldn't let us. So I just starting walking around him, and he got mad and tried to jump up on me, lucky the owner heard the noise and came outside to see what was going on. She calmed the dog down, and we were able to talk to her. Well we had the Turkey bowl today. Its a big flag football get-together. We played to of the other zones and it was intense. I dove into the grass and mud to catch the ball for a touchdown, bummer I didn't catch it. Well that has basically been my week here in the Centinela Zone.
How are things going on back home? What is Keyton and Bryson, up too? Dad I haven't been able to pull the bike out of the box yet because we have a car but i'll let you know soon enough. Sess and G, glad to hear that the floor is being fixed. Brayden, what is going on with you? Have you ever been DL, or ZL before? Adios,
Con Amor Elder Moore
Everything.Happens.For.A.Reason
There.Is.No.Such.Thing.As.Coincidence
How are things going on back home? What is Keyton and Bryson, up too? Dad I haven't been able to pull the bike out of the box yet because we have a car but i'll let you know soon enough. Sess and G, glad to hear that the floor is being fixed. Brayden, what is going on with you? Have you ever been DL, or ZL before? Adios,
Con Amor Elder Moore
Everything.Happens.For.A.Reason
There.Is.No.Such.Thing.As.Coincidence
Sister Alex Hartvigsen-- November 7, 2011
Hi everyone. I hope that you are all doing really well. This last week has been good. I am excited to work in this Spanish branch with Sister Nishiguchi. I was only in the area from about Thursday This last week we met with a recent convert. We read 3 Nephi 11 with her and her family. We met the a less active family and read with them Alma 32. We had a church tour with a couple of investigators and set a baptismal date with them for next month. Later one of them was sick and we went over with our ward mission leader and branch president so that she could recieve a blessing. She definately felt the Spirit and we talked about the Holy Ghost together. We are now working with them to get to church. We met with an investigator . We defined our purpose as missionaries. It soon became clear that she was more interested in Bible bashing with us so we decided that it would be best not to meet with her at this time.
I love you all
Have a great week
Love Alex
I love you all
Have a great week
Love Alex
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Elder Mattthew Whittle-- Nov. 1, 2011
Hopefully those of you who know spanish can enjoy part of this. LOL
Como les va?
Pienso que es mejor si escribo mi cartes juntos para ustedes. No tengo mucho tiempo enotonces que este carte esta para padre tambien. Well the work here is so much fun. We have so many miracles everyday that we almost feel like asking for less haha. It's hard to keep track of all of our potentials, but it's going great. Mi Espanol esta progresando rapidamente aqui en la calle. It's really fun. I love the Spanish culture down here. They are so humble and many are willing to listen. My companion and I talked the other night with some seven day adventists? One of them talked to me for about 20 minutes and then two others came up and started talking with Elder Kidd. They were totally trying to bash with us. I asked the guy if he believed that God loved him and if he could call another prophet today. He agreed and said yes. He kept trying to get me to bash, but I just kept saying hmm that's interesting. Then I complimented him on his knowledge of the Bible and his faith, and asked if we could come discuss more with him sometime about the Gospel. He was really nice all of the sudden and said o ya for sure. So I took down his information and number, and he wants to meet with us tomorrow. We'll see how it goes but it was a cool experience. I learned that Bible bashing doesn't do any good.
yo he tenido muchas milagros. I obviously can't write about all of them, but the other day there was a girl walking by our car just as we pulled over to the curb, and we have been trying to talk to everyone we see so we jumped out of the car, and got her attention. She suddenly asked us if we believe in witchcraft.... Kind of weird right. We said we guessed it could maybe be real, but the thing we do know is that we have something called the priesthood which is the power of God, and it's more powerful than any of that. She then told us her problems. More than we wanted to know. She has a very hard living condition and life. She's 19 years old. We asked if we could help her make changes in her life, and come over sometime. So we've taught her twice in the past week and the first time we ended up giving her a priesthood blessing, and she started crying and felt the spirit. Yesterday we taught her again and she set a batismal date. We didn't really even ask her. We talked about Baptism and she just said, I want to be baptized. I want to change, and never go back. It was really neat.
David has been busy lately with moving and work, but we're trying to get ahold of him to teach him more. The field is definitely white down here and ready to harvest. So many people that need the gospel. I love it down here! The people are so great, and most are pretty respectful to us and appreciate us. It's definitely the ghetto, but I love it. Our apartment is kind of run down but it's fun. We spend some of our time before bed hunting cocroaches in all the cabinets and trim. I think we've pretty much killed all of them with some potent cleaner we found under the cabinet haha. Good stuff. Tell everyone hello for me and that I love them and pray for them. Hope everything is going good. Pray for people to be able to share the gospel with and God will put people in your path. I know this is true. I get to experience it everyday and it is blessing my life in many ways.
Love Elder Whittle
-O and apparently I can pull off that I'm from spain. So far I've gotten two mexicanos creer que soy de espagne haha
Como les va?
Pienso que es mejor si escribo mi cartes juntos para ustedes. No tengo mucho tiempo enotonces que este carte esta para padre tambien. Well the work here is so much fun. We have so many miracles everyday that we almost feel like asking for less haha. It's hard to keep track of all of our potentials, but it's going great. Mi Espanol esta progresando rapidamente aqui en la calle. It's really fun. I love the Spanish culture down here. They are so humble and many are willing to listen. My companion and I talked the other night with some seven day adventists? One of them talked to me for about 20 minutes and then two others came up and started talking with Elder Kidd. They were totally trying to bash with us. I asked the guy if he believed that God loved him and if he could call another prophet today. He agreed and said yes. He kept trying to get me to bash, but I just kept saying hmm that's interesting. Then I complimented him on his knowledge of the Bible and his faith, and asked if we could come discuss more with him sometime about the Gospel. He was really nice all of the sudden and said o ya for sure. So I took down his information and number, and he wants to meet with us tomorrow. We'll see how it goes but it was a cool experience. I learned that Bible bashing doesn't do any good.
yo he tenido muchas milagros. I obviously can't write about all of them, but the other day there was a girl walking by our car just as we pulled over to the curb, and we have been trying to talk to everyone we see so we jumped out of the car, and got her attention. She suddenly asked us if we believe in witchcraft.... Kind of weird right. We said we guessed it could maybe be real, but the thing we do know is that we have something called the priesthood which is the power of God, and it's more powerful than any of that. She then told us her problems. More than we wanted to know. She has a very hard living condition and life. She's 19 years old. We asked if we could help her make changes in her life, and come over sometime. So we've taught her twice in the past week and the first time we ended up giving her a priesthood blessing, and she started crying and felt the spirit. Yesterday we taught her again and she set a batismal date. We didn't really even ask her. We talked about Baptism and she just said, I want to be baptized. I want to change, and never go back. It was really neat.
David has been busy lately with moving and work, but we're trying to get ahold of him to teach him more. The field is definitely white down here and ready to harvest. So many people that need the gospel. I love it down here! The people are so great, and most are pretty respectful to us and appreciate us. It's definitely the ghetto, but I love it. Our apartment is kind of run down but it's fun. We spend some of our time before bed hunting cocroaches in all the cabinets and trim. I think we've pretty much killed all of them with some potent cleaner we found under the cabinet haha. Good stuff. Tell everyone hello for me and that I love them and pray for them. Hope everything is going good. Pray for people to be able to share the gospel with and God will put people in your path. I know this is true. I get to experience it everyday and it is blessing my life in many ways.
Love Elder Whittle
-O and apparently I can pull off that I'm from spain. So far I've gotten two mexicanos creer que soy de espagne haha
Monday, October 31, 2011
Sister Alex Hartvigsen-- Oct. 31, 2011
Happy Halloween
TO: You + 13 More14 recipientsCC: recipientsYou MoreBCC: recipientsYou
Hide Details FROM:Alexandra Hartvigsen TO:Carol Ferguson carol@clubferguson.com Dave, Lisa and Family 11 More...Message flagged Monday, October 31, 2011 11:41 AMMessage body
Dear family, I hope you have a very happy Halloween. I was in the VC his last week giving a tour to a family that just recently moved into our ward. The 7 year old son asked me what I was going to be for Halloween because He was going to be Wolverine. I told him that I was going to be something so scary that even grown men run and hide. I am going to me a Missionary. Later the kid walked up to his mom and said that he had changed his mind. He was going to be a missionary instead of wolverine. He wanted to have his Book of Mormon and his little missionary in training tag. I gave him some VC pass along cards that he can go trade for candy. It was really cute and funny. Later his mom asked him what they did in the temple a few months before when they were all dressed in white. He promptly responded, " you left me" She wanted something more along the lines of they got sealed rather than they left him. It was funny. I got my transfer news on Saturday. I am finally leaving my first Spanish ward. I am going to a Spanish branch that is also in Mesa named Valencia. I think the biggest shocker was that I am going back to Sister Nishiguchi. By the end of this transfer I will have been out a year and be on my 2nd companion in AZ. It will just be for this transfer because she is going home at the end of it. It will be an adventure. Thhis week has been really good in our area. On Monday we were able to have 4 member present lessons. We met with a women and talked about the importance of diligence and obedience. We ate dinner with a less active and her children and talked a about the Atonement with them. Later this week we met with her again and talked about prayer. We read a scripture in 1 Nephi 14 about how we need to pray first and inquire of the Lord before he will give us an answer. She shared an experience about having prayers answered. It was really cool because she admitted that she hadn't thought about prayer for a while but she recognized that she has had prayers answered. We also invited them to come to the trunk or treat that the ward was having so that they were able to meet more people in the ward. We had a family night with a women and her daughters as well as a member family who did a cookie run with her. It was a really good lesson and they ended up sitting all together during Sacrament meeting. We were given a referral for a less active women and her granddaughters by a women in our ward. Those three girls were very excited to see us. We taught them how to pray and each one of them wanted to say a prayer with us right then. Later this week we went to the VC and had a lesson with them about the Plan of Salvation. We had a lesson with a couple together again this week. We invited them to pray together and attend church. They are not really progressing right now so i think we will be dropping them for a while. On Thursday Sister McKee was with us for the day and we had a new investigator. We explained our purpose as missionaries and talked about the firt have of the Restoration. He is searching for something doesn't know what. We set up a time so that we can meet with him and his wife together this next week. We met with a family and taught about how our families can be together forever as well as why we are given commandments.
I have been studying 1 Nephi this last week. What really stood out to me is the contrast between how different people react to the same situation. Nephi hears Lehi teach about the his vision and goes and asks the Lord to help him understand. His brothers do not understand because they do not make the effort to inquire of the Lord and find out for themselves. Heavenly Father expects work to fix a problem. We have to ask and make an effort before the Lord will answer. Otherwise we wouldn't appreciate it and wouldn't learn anything.
I love you all. I hope you have a great week.
Love Alex
TO: You + 13 More14 recipientsCC: recipientsYou MoreBCC: recipientsYou
Hide Details FROM:Alexandra Hartvigsen TO:Carol Ferguson carol@clubferguson.com Dave, Lisa and Family 11 More...Message flagged Monday, October 31, 2011 11:41 AMMessage body
Dear family, I hope you have a very happy Halloween. I was in the VC his last week giving a tour to a family that just recently moved into our ward. The 7 year old son asked me what I was going to be for Halloween because He was going to be Wolverine. I told him that I was going to be something so scary that even grown men run and hide. I am going to me a Missionary. Later the kid walked up to his mom and said that he had changed his mind. He was going to be a missionary instead of wolverine. He wanted to have his Book of Mormon and his little missionary in training tag. I gave him some VC pass along cards that he can go trade for candy. It was really cute and funny. Later his mom asked him what they did in the temple a few months before when they were all dressed in white. He promptly responded, " you left me" She wanted something more along the lines of they got sealed rather than they left him. It was funny. I got my transfer news on Saturday. I am finally leaving my first Spanish ward. I am going to a Spanish branch that is also in Mesa named Valencia. I think the biggest shocker was that I am going back to Sister Nishiguchi. By the end of this transfer I will have been out a year and be on my 2nd companion in AZ. It will just be for this transfer because she is going home at the end of it. It will be an adventure. Thhis week has been really good in our area. On Monday we were able to have 4 member present lessons. We met with a women and talked about the importance of diligence and obedience. We ate dinner with a less active and her children and talked a about the Atonement with them. Later this week we met with her again and talked about prayer. We read a scripture in 1 Nephi 14 about how we need to pray first and inquire of the Lord before he will give us an answer. She shared an experience about having prayers answered. It was really cool because she admitted that she hadn't thought about prayer for a while but she recognized that she has had prayers answered. We also invited them to come to the trunk or treat that the ward was having so that they were able to meet more people in the ward. We had a family night with a women and her daughters as well as a member family who did a cookie run with her. It was a really good lesson and they ended up sitting all together during Sacrament meeting. We were given a referral for a less active women and her granddaughters by a women in our ward. Those three girls were very excited to see us. We taught them how to pray and each one of them wanted to say a prayer with us right then. Later this week we went to the VC and had a lesson with them about the Plan of Salvation. We had a lesson with a couple together again this week. We invited them to pray together and attend church. They are not really progressing right now so i think we will be dropping them for a while. On Thursday Sister McKee was with us for the day and we had a new investigator. We explained our purpose as missionaries and talked about the firt have of the Restoration. He is searching for something doesn't know what. We set up a time so that we can meet with him and his wife together this next week. We met with a family and taught about how our families can be together forever as well as why we are given commandments.
I have been studying 1 Nephi this last week. What really stood out to me is the contrast between how different people react to the same situation. Nephi hears Lehi teach about the his vision and goes and asks the Lord to help him understand. His brothers do not understand because they do not make the effort to inquire of the Lord and find out for themselves. Heavenly Father expects work to fix a problem. We have to ask and make an effort before the Lord will answer. Otherwise we wouldn't appreciate it and wouldn't learn anything.
I love you all. I hope you have a great week.
Love Alex
Elder Corbin Morre-- Oct 31, 2011
Hola mi familia y amigos,
Where to begin, I dont really know, jajaja. Well I flew in to Los Angeles on wednesday, we had a good flight here. When we arrived the mission president and his wife were there to pick us up. So I met them and then we loaded up all our bags and headed to the mission home. We got to the mission home and they started making lunch for us, while we did some orientation things. We ate dinner and then were assigned to a temporary companion for the first day. My first day trainer was Elder Conlin, his is a good mission and has been in the mission for like almost 2 years. I was also with another missionary from the MTC because we were "white-washing", where all the missionaries put there are new to the area. So us three went out and began to tract, because we hadn't recieved an area book because it was a new area. So we went make the appartment and dropped off our stuff and then looked at a map. My trainer had us, each pick one street and then we drove to those streets. We arrived on the street that choose, and my trainer turned to me and said okay, this whole street is yours. Wow I was taken my surprise. So I proceeded to start knocking all the doors that were on the street. I went to the first door and knocked. No came to the door so we just moved to the next door. The next house was looking like we might find someone who would listen. So I approached the door feeling like this one was going to be good. Well I knocked on the door and then we heard a bunch of dogs start barking. There was two doors a metal gate type door and the wood door behind it. The door opened and the three dogs pushed open the metal door. The man started screaming way loud and kicked the dogs back inside the house. He slammed to metal door and then turned back to me, and said I DONT WANT YOU GUYS AROUND HERE, I DONT WANT TO SEE YOU AROUND HERE, and then slammed the other door. Who would have thought that my first door would have been the worst and the funniest at the same time. jajaja. So I continued to knock the rest of the doors, and we went to some of the other streets the other Elders had chosen. Then night ended quite fast and we returned to the apartment for the night. We woke up the next morning and traveled back up to the mission home, for more and lunch and more training. We had lunch which was way nice to have and then we had Pres Baker talk to us, and filled out some worksheets, had interviews, and talked with the APs about the zones that they have here. They have 9 zones, 2 of which are brand new zones from like 2 months ago. After we had talked with them for awhile, Brother Olsen, the vehicle coordinator, came and pulled me out to go on a driving test. He gave me the keys to the car and we went driving in the city of LA. I was absolutely
absurd. There are so many people in LA, and so many cars. People drive so differently than what I am used to back home. But no accidents happens so that was good. He had me do some parking test and what not, and that was it. We went back to the mission home where they assigned us our permanent companions for the next 12 weeks. Turned out that I was going to be staying with Elder Conlin to white wash the area. We also receieved another companion because there isn't enough spanish speaking trainers so they had to double up some companionships, and since my area was being white washed they gave us one more missionary. The missionary that we recieved was my companion from the MTC, Elder Boyd. So those are my companions, Elder Conlin, Elder Boyd, and Elder Moore. Elder Conlin is from New Orleans, and is a very hard working missionary he is pretty awesome. So we got our companions and out we went again. And since we didn't have an area book, we just went and did some more tracting. Knocked on a bunch of doors, and then we had correlation meeting. Which is with the ward mission leader, the bishop, and the elders quarom president. I was difficult to report on anything because all three of us were new to the area, and 2 of us were right out of the MTC. Not to mention that the meeting was only spanish, and I couldn't really understand what was going on. Jajaja. We returned to our appartment and the APs dropped my bike off at our appartment, which (was and is) still in the box. I haven't really had need for the bike yet, because Elder Conlin the is the district leader and so we have one of the brand new cars in the mission. So not really sure about the bike yet. Our main goal right now is to find some people to teach. When have a bunch of return appointments hopefully they won't fall through. I went to church yesterday, and man was it so crazy. We arrived and there were so many people that came up to us and started rattling out thier spanish, I could basically understand what they were saying and even responded with some of them. The bishop came up to us when we arrived and told us that we would be singing in sacrament meeting wow that took us by surprise. So we hurried and went into another room and practice. The whole day was pretty crazy in Spanish but Im learning more ever day. Well thats about it for this week, hope everyone is having a good time back home. Talk to you all soon
Con Amor
Elder Moore
Where to begin, I dont really know, jajaja. Well I flew in to Los Angeles on wednesday, we had a good flight here. When we arrived the mission president and his wife were there to pick us up. So I met them and then we loaded up all our bags and headed to the mission home. We got to the mission home and they started making lunch for us, while we did some orientation things. We ate dinner and then were assigned to a temporary companion for the first day. My first day trainer was Elder Conlin, his is a good mission and has been in the mission for like almost 2 years. I was also with another missionary from the MTC because we were "white-washing", where all the missionaries put there are new to the area. So us three went out and began to tract, because we hadn't recieved an area book because it was a new area. So we went make the appartment and dropped off our stuff and then looked at a map. My trainer had us, each pick one street and then we drove to those streets. We arrived on the street that choose, and my trainer turned to me and said okay, this whole street is yours. Wow I was taken my surprise. So I proceeded to start knocking all the doors that were on the street. I went to the first door and knocked. No came to the door so we just moved to the next door. The next house was looking like we might find someone who would listen. So I approached the door feeling like this one was going to be good. Well I knocked on the door and then we heard a bunch of dogs start barking. There was two doors a metal gate type door and the wood door behind it. The door opened and the three dogs pushed open the metal door. The man started screaming way loud and kicked the dogs back inside the house. He slammed to metal door and then turned back to me, and said I DONT WANT YOU GUYS AROUND HERE, I DONT WANT TO SEE YOU AROUND HERE, and then slammed the other door. Who would have thought that my first door would have been the worst and the funniest at the same time. jajaja. So I continued to knock the rest of the doors, and we went to some of the other streets the other Elders had chosen. Then night ended quite fast and we returned to the apartment for the night. We woke up the next morning and traveled back up to the mission home, for more and lunch and more training. We had lunch which was way nice to have and then we had Pres Baker talk to us, and filled out some worksheets, had interviews, and talked with the APs about the zones that they have here. They have 9 zones, 2 of which are brand new zones from like 2 months ago. After we had talked with them for awhile, Brother Olsen, the vehicle coordinator, came and pulled me out to go on a driving test. He gave me the keys to the car and we went driving in the city of LA. I was absolutely
absurd. There are so many people in LA, and so many cars. People drive so differently than what I am used to back home. But no accidents happens so that was good. He had me do some parking test and what not, and that was it. We went back to the mission home where they assigned us our permanent companions for the next 12 weeks. Turned out that I was going to be staying with Elder Conlin to white wash the area. We also receieved another companion because there isn't enough spanish speaking trainers so they had to double up some companionships, and since my area was being white washed they gave us one more missionary. The missionary that we recieved was my companion from the MTC, Elder Boyd. So those are my companions, Elder Conlin, Elder Boyd, and Elder Moore. Elder Conlin is from New Orleans, and is a very hard working missionary he is pretty awesome. So we got our companions and out we went again. And since we didn't have an area book, we just went and did some more tracting. Knocked on a bunch of doors, and then we had correlation meeting. Which is with the ward mission leader, the bishop, and the elders quarom president. I was difficult to report on anything because all three of us were new to the area, and 2 of us were right out of the MTC. Not to mention that the meeting was only spanish, and I couldn't really understand what was going on. Jajaja. We returned to our appartment and the APs dropped my bike off at our appartment, which (was and is) still in the box. I haven't really had need for the bike yet, because Elder Conlin the is the district leader and so we have one of the brand new cars in the mission. So not really sure about the bike yet. Our main goal right now is to find some people to teach. When have a bunch of return appointments hopefully they won't fall through. I went to church yesterday, and man was it so crazy. We arrived and there were so many people that came up to us and started rattling out thier spanish, I could basically understand what they were saying and even responded with some of them. The bishop came up to us when we arrived and told us that we would be singing in sacrament meeting wow that took us by surprise. So we hurried and went into another room and practice. The whole day was pretty crazy in Spanish but Im learning more ever day. Well thats about it for this week, hope everyone is having a good time back home. Talk to you all soon
Con Amor
Elder Moore
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Elder Matthew Whittle-- October 25, 2011
Matthew's new address is:
Elder Matthew Whittle
451 West Bobier Drive
Vista, CA 92083
O and by the way. Yes I did get the bike, and the package. Thank you so much. We bike half the week and have a car for the other half. Love you!
On Tue, Oct 25, 2011 at 11:34 AM, Matthew Whittle wrote:
Hola mi madre bonita!
It's amazing being in the field I love it. We have so many miracles everyday. I'm in Oceanside and it's great. We're definitely in the Ghetto haha. It's a really good thing because there are so many people who are having hard times, and are humble. Most of them listen to us, and we're just focusing on finding investigadors because we're white washing the area right now. Our first night we had an amazing miracle with a man named David. Dad has the details in my letter to him. Whenever we don't know where to go next, we both say a prayer, and then wait for impressions. We always know where to go after that, and it seems like Heavenly Father is putting people in our path that are ready to hear about the restored church of Jesucristo. We contacted all day yesterday, from 2 until 9. It was a long day, but we had a lot of miracles. We were walking down the street and we saw two mexicanos unloading a truck with a couch in the back, so I ran and said peudo aydarle. They said no, but I just walked up and said pero quiero ayudarle. so they said ok and I grabbed the other end of the couch, and now we have an appointment with the family to come teach them. They said that they are looking for a new religion, kind of a fresh start in their lives. So that was just one of the many miracles we have been having. I love this work it's so amazing. I hope everything is ok at home. I love you all, and pray for you everyday. Keep doing what's right, and remember to always reach out to others. God puts people in our paths for a reason, don't ever be afraid to share the gospel with them. Adios!
Love Elder Whittle
The mission is amazing. I love it here. My first night out, my companion and I prayed before getting out of the car to know where to go. We looked around a while, and then we both had an impression to go to a certain house. We went there and there was a sign that said beware of dogs and a chain link fence. The yard is all dirt with holes everywhere from the dog. So we went in and knocked on the door. Nobody answered, but the owner came around from the backyard. His name is David and he only speaks espanol. We talked for a long time, and he said that he has been making a lot of changes in his life with drugs, and drinking. Then you wont believe what he said to us, but he said you know what, you guys wanna make me mormon, then come on over. So we set up an appointment and we've taught him once, and hopefully we'll teach him today. I challenged him to baptism the first lesson, and the spirit totally hit him. It was amazing. He is going to try and find out if it's what he really wants. He's an awesome guy.
My companion is Elder Kidd from Idaho. He's a great trainer. We are being exactly obedient in everything, and the Lord is guiding people to us. I'm in Oceanside right now in an area called pazole, and central. It's a sweet place. It's the ghetto of ghettos in pazole. Its a lot of fun. Don't tell mom this but it has the highest murder rate in Orange County. Someone was killed last week on the basketball court so it's pretty intense, but they respect us because they see that we're missionaries. We're white washing so we're just trying to get investigadors mostly right now. It's hard work but really fun and rewarding. Our goal was to contact 30 people on the street yesterday, but we ended up contacting 65! it was crazy. A lot of people here have been prepared to receive the gospel for sure. Well I hope all is well. Te amo tambien.
Elder Matthew Whittle
451 West Bobier Drive
Vista, CA 92083
O and by the way. Yes I did get the bike, and the package. Thank you so much. We bike half the week and have a car for the other half. Love you!
On Tue, Oct 25, 2011 at 11:34 AM, Matthew Whittle
Hola mi madre bonita!
It's amazing being in the field I love it. We have so many miracles everyday. I'm in Oceanside and it's great. We're definitely in the Ghetto haha. It's a really good thing because there are so many people who are having hard times, and are humble. Most of them listen to us, and we're just focusing on finding investigadors because we're white washing the area right now. Our first night we had an amazing miracle with a man named David. Dad has the details in my letter to him. Whenever we don't know where to go next, we both say a prayer, and then wait for impressions. We always know where to go after that, and it seems like Heavenly Father is putting people in our path that are ready to hear about the restored church of Jesucristo. We contacted all day yesterday, from 2 until 9. It was a long day, but we had a lot of miracles. We were walking down the street and we saw two mexicanos unloading a truck with a couch in the back, so I ran and said peudo aydarle. They said no, but I just walked up and said pero quiero ayudarle. so they said ok and I grabbed the other end of the couch, and now we have an appointment with the family to come teach them. They said that they are looking for a new religion, kind of a fresh start in their lives. So that was just one of the many miracles we have been having. I love this work it's so amazing. I hope everything is ok at home. I love you all, and pray for you everyday. Keep doing what's right, and remember to always reach out to others. God puts people in our paths for a reason, don't ever be afraid to share the gospel with them. Adios!
Love Elder Whittle
The mission is amazing. I love it here. My first night out, my companion and I prayed before getting out of the car to know where to go. We looked around a while, and then we both had an impression to go to a certain house. We went there and there was a sign that said beware of dogs and a chain link fence. The yard is all dirt with holes everywhere from the dog. So we went in and knocked on the door. Nobody answered, but the owner came around from the backyard. His name is David and he only speaks espanol. We talked for a long time, and he said that he has been making a lot of changes in his life with drugs, and drinking. Then you wont believe what he said to us, but he said you know what, you guys wanna make me mormon, then come on over. So we set up an appointment and we've taught him once, and hopefully we'll teach him today. I challenged him to baptism the first lesson, and the spirit totally hit him. It was amazing. He is going to try and find out if it's what he really wants. He's an awesome guy.
My companion is Elder Kidd from Idaho. He's a great trainer. We are being exactly obedient in everything, and the Lord is guiding people to us. I'm in Oceanside right now in an area called pazole, and central. It's a sweet place. It's the ghetto of ghettos in pazole. Its a lot of fun. Don't tell mom this but it has the highest murder rate in Orange County. Someone was killed last week on the basketball court so it's pretty intense, but they respect us because they see that we're missionaries. We're white washing so we're just trying to get investigadors mostly right now. It's hard work but really fun and rewarding. Our goal was to contact 30 people on the street yesterday, but we ended up contacting 65! it was crazy. A lot of people here have been prepared to receive the gospel for sure. Well I hope all is well. Te amo tambien.
Sister Alex Hartvigsen--October 25, 2011
Dear family,
This week has been really good. I can not believe that it is already the end of the transfer cycle. We find out transfer news on Saturday night. I have been in this ward for
over 8 months and I'm not sure if I will be staying much longer, but who knows, my trainer was in this ward for over a year. This week we were able to meet with several
of our investigators. We met with a women several times this week and read in the Book of Mormon with her. She has a testimony and wants to be baptized but she
wants to include her daughters more in this. Yesterday we had a family night activity with her and the a family from our ward. We invited them to do bring some treats to
this women's family to kind of break the ice. It went really well and people seemed to bond over the cupcakes and cheesecake that they brought. She has been
fellowshipped into this ward really well and we are working on fellowshipping her daughters. It was a really good night.. We met with a women this week and talked about
paciencia, diligencia y obedencia.(patience, diligence and obedience) We talked about the importance of following the commandments and how we will always be blessed
as we do that. Something that our mission president has really been stressing the last little while is to have the peopel we work with do whats called a cookie run. When
someone does a cookie run they bring a treat ( or in the hispanic community sometimes tortillas) to the house of someone else so that they can get to know more people
and establish friendships. We are planning on having this women do a cookie run this next week to a less active family that lives in her trailor park. We had a lesson with a
couple. They are having some pretty serious struggles and we challenged them to pray together as they strive to find the answers to the problems that they have. We met
with a women. We read with her a little in the Book of Mormon and talked about her relationship with Heavenly Father. She has a really hard time reading but we were
able to locate the recordings of the Book of Mormon so that she can listen to it. On Sunday we had a really cool meeting with a couple They have been meeting with
Jehovah's witnesses for a while. We watched Finding Faith in Christ with them. We talked about how we can come to know that Jesus Christ is the Savior. We talked
about the Holy Ghost and explained to them that the feelings of peace that they felt during the movie were from the Holy Ghost.
This week in my personal study I started the Book of Mormon again. I have read it several times in my life but the Spirit is strong every time that I read it I am excited to
learn new things this time around. As I read it I find myself applying the story of Lehi to that of our investigators. Many of them have left their homes, traveled in the desert
and are looking for the truth. Like Nephi they have the opportunity to search the scriptures and then to ask Heavenly Father if it is true and he will always answer them.
(and us). Its weird to think that I have been in AZ for more than 8 months. The time is really flying. I can't believe it.
I love you all. Have a great week
Hermana Hartvigsen
This week has been really good. I can not believe that it is already the end of the transfer cycle. We find out transfer news on Saturday night. I have been in this ward for
over 8 months and I'm not sure if I will be staying much longer, but who knows, my trainer was in this ward for over a year. This week we were able to meet with several
of our investigators. We met with a women several times this week and read in the Book of Mormon with her. She has a testimony and wants to be baptized but she
wants to include her daughters more in this. Yesterday we had a family night activity with her and the a family from our ward. We invited them to do bring some treats to
this women's family to kind of break the ice. It went really well and people seemed to bond over the cupcakes and cheesecake that they brought. She has been
fellowshipped into this ward really well and we are working on fellowshipping her daughters. It was a really good night.. We met with a women this week and talked about
paciencia, diligencia y obedencia.(patience, diligence and obedience) We talked about the importance of following the commandments and how we will always be blessed
as we do that. Something that our mission president has really been stressing the last little while is to have the peopel we work with do whats called a cookie run. When
someone does a cookie run they bring a treat ( or in the hispanic community sometimes tortillas) to the house of someone else so that they can get to know more people
and establish friendships. We are planning on having this women do a cookie run this next week to a less active family that lives in her trailor park. We had a lesson with a
couple. They are having some pretty serious struggles and we challenged them to pray together as they strive to find the answers to the problems that they have. We met
with a women. We read with her a little in the Book of Mormon and talked about her relationship with Heavenly Father. She has a really hard time reading but we were
able to locate the recordings of the Book of Mormon so that she can listen to it. On Sunday we had a really cool meeting with a couple They have been meeting with
Jehovah's witnesses for a while. We watched Finding Faith in Christ with them. We talked about how we can come to know that Jesus Christ is the Savior. We talked
about the Holy Ghost and explained to them that the feelings of peace that they felt during the movie were from the Holy Ghost.
This week in my personal study I started the Book of Mormon again. I have read it several times in my life but the Spirit is strong every time that I read it I am excited to
learn new things this time around. As I read it I find myself applying the story of Lehi to that of our investigators. Many of them have left their homes, traveled in the desert
and are looking for the truth. Like Nephi they have the opportunity to search the scriptures and then to ask Heavenly Father if it is true and he will always answer them.
(and us). Its weird to think that I have been in AZ for more than 8 months. The time is really flying. I can't believe it.
I love you all. Have a great week
Hermana Hartvigsen
Monday, October 24, 2011
Elder Josh Terry--October 24, 2011
I would like to thank all of you who have had Josh in your prayers as he has valiantly struggled with this illness. This has been a challenging time for our family as we wrestled with the best way to handle Josh's situation. I can only say that a sense of peace came for me last week as I recognized and admitted my own limited ability to "solve" this problem and finally just put it in the hands of the Lord.
Josh was given permission to call us yesterday to discuss his options. Clark and I both feel strongly that it is time to bring him home for needed medical attention and, of course, some rest and TLC. As you can imagine, it was difficult for Josh to "give up". He has tried so hard to hang in there and work through the pain. However, once the decision was made I think we all felt better.
We look forward to seeing him again and to finding the source of and solution to his illness. We pray that it is something that can be taken care of quickly so that he can return to the missionary service in Minnesota that he has come to love. I know that is what Josh desires and we pray that the Lord wants that for him as well.
Thank you again for your love and support. I know that Josh appreciates it so very much..,as do I! Following is his email from today.
Love,
Stephanie
Hey!
So it looks like I will be coming home tomorrow or Wednesday. It really is so hard to think that I have to be home for a little bit. I wouldn't change this experience for anything though, I know it has really helped me grow. Besides that, I just checked my sent messages from the first day I got here within the first hour and I said I had headaches and dizziness. Hmm. so I don't know that it is MN related after all.
It will be nice just to come and get everything figured out so I can serve with full strength in 6 weeks or so. I just hope it only will take 1 transfer until I'm back out. Well, I am so grateful for you all. Thank you all for the letters and the support that you have given me. I know that we didn't plan on me having to come home and I've used just about every excuse to not get sent home, but the lord may indeed have bigger plans.
As I was pondering this morning I had the impression come to me that I should try and see Alex Tamayo, the one that Tanner Williams said he had that experience about in the temple - that he was ready for the gospel. Well, Matt and I were supposed to do that and we never really got around to it. I am going to go talk with him when I get home. I'm not saying that's the reason for me having to come home but it definitely helps and will keep me productive. I look forward to going on splits and studying with everyone back home. Tell Tyler we are going to have to go out to do missionary work a lot. That would be a lot of fun.
So we went and visited the Will's family last night. That great family who helped us with everything. I am so grateful for them. I got their info and we will keep in touch. Also, there is a less active lady in our ward who started crying when I told her I was leaving. I felt bad but I think I'm going to go have one more lesson with her early tomorrow and also a lesson with Lynch and the Kolbes tonight. It will be my opportunity to leave my final testimony with them until I come back! Hopefully when I come back it will be to Andover sometime.
It's comforting to know that I will be back. It's weird how you get attached to places that you serve like this. I can't even imagine how much more I would love my mission if I was in full health!!! I really love just talking to people now. I love that we have the knowledge that can bring so much happiness. However, it has made it that much harder when people push you away.
I love you all so much and look forward to our time together to grow closer as a family, especially on our spiritual side! It truly is amazing what the gospel can do for us in our lives. Have a great day and it looks like I will be seeing you soon.
Josh
Josh was given permission to call us yesterday to discuss his options. Clark and I both feel strongly that it is time to bring him home for needed medical attention and, of course, some rest and TLC. As you can imagine, it was difficult for Josh to "give up". He has tried so hard to hang in there and work through the pain. However, once the decision was made I think we all felt better.
We look forward to seeing him again and to finding the source of and solution to his illness. We pray that it is something that can be taken care of quickly so that he can return to the missionary service in Minnesota that he has come to love. I know that is what Josh desires and we pray that the Lord wants that for him as well.
Thank you again for your love and support. I know that Josh appreciates it so very much..,as do I! Following is his email from today.
Love,
Stephanie
Hey!
So it looks like I will be coming home tomorrow or Wednesday. It really is so hard to think that I have to be home for a little bit. I wouldn't change this experience for anything though, I know it has really helped me grow. Besides that, I just checked my sent messages from the first day I got here within the first hour and I said I had headaches and dizziness. Hmm. so I don't know that it is MN related after all.
It will be nice just to come and get everything figured out so I can serve with full strength in 6 weeks or so. I just hope it only will take 1 transfer until I'm back out. Well, I am so grateful for you all. Thank you all for the letters and the support that you have given me. I know that we didn't plan on me having to come home and I've used just about every excuse to not get sent home, but the lord may indeed have bigger plans.
As I was pondering this morning I had the impression come to me that I should try and see Alex Tamayo, the one that Tanner Williams said he had that experience about in the temple - that he was ready for the gospel. Well, Matt and I were supposed to do that and we never really got around to it. I am going to go talk with him when I get home. I'm not saying that's the reason for me having to come home but it definitely helps and will keep me productive. I look forward to going on splits and studying with everyone back home. Tell Tyler we are going to have to go out to do missionary work a lot. That would be a lot of fun.
So we went and visited the Will's family last night. That great family who helped us with everything. I am so grateful for them. I got their info and we will keep in touch. Also, there is a less active lady in our ward who started crying when I told her I was leaving. I felt bad but I think I'm going to go have one more lesson with her early tomorrow and also a lesson with Lynch and the Kolbes tonight. It will be my opportunity to leave my final testimony with them until I come back! Hopefully when I come back it will be to Andover sometime.
It's comforting to know that I will be back. It's weird how you get attached to places that you serve like this. I can't even imagine how much more I would love my mission if I was in full health!!! I really love just talking to people now. I love that we have the knowledge that can bring so much happiness. However, it has made it that much harder when people push you away.
I love you all so much and look forward to our time together to grow closer as a family, especially on our spiritual side! It truly is amazing what the gospel can do for us in our lives. Have a great day and it looks like I will be seeing you soon.
Josh
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Elder Matthew Whittle-- October 17, 2011
Hola mi madre bonita!
Yo he tenido muchas experiencias bueno en la CCM pero estoy listo por el campo. Estoy muy animado. I did get the package from the Andersons. Tell them thank you for me and that I love them all. Tell Danny and Mary thanks so much and I love them. They're great. Thanks for setting up the whole thing with the bike. I already have a referal for my mission. A father who has a daughter in the MTC right now who is inactive who lives in Escondido! I can't wait to get down there and knock my first door! It's going to be such a great experience. My companion left this morning at 4 and that was sad. Elder Prince is one of the greatest Elders I have ever met. He's very obedient, fun, and humble. We have had some very good lessons filled with the spirit. I feel like I have worked my hardest in the MTC and feel like I'm as ready as I can be. I'm not too nervous, more so just excited.
I'm glad Elder Terry wasn't sent home yet. I pray for him everyday. He's a great Elder and I think the Lord will get him through this according to his faith. I took some pictures yesterday at the Temple. I'll try and send you some when I get a chance. I leave the MTC tomorrow at 5 in the morning and hopefully will have time to call at the airport. I'm pretty sure I will. I bought a time card here in the MTC bookstore so I should be good to go. Thanks for everything madre. I love you. Keep smiling. Everyone in my district said you have the nicest smile, and as a missionary I understand why that is so important. Keep making peoples days around you with that smile. Elder Wirthlin once said, "The next time you're tempted to groan, you might try and laugh instead. Come what may and love it." I love all of you. Tell everone hi for me. I will talk to you tomorrow!
Love Elder Whittle
Hope you and mom have a good UEA weekend. I'm not in the field yet, but I will be tomorrow around 12 in the afternoon. I'm really excited. I can't wait to knock on my first door. I have a referal for a family in Escondido already so that will be great. I'm glad you had a good time camping. Thanks for helping Trude. He's going to be a great missionary. Estoy listo por el campo. yo he trabajando duro en la CCM y siento que estoy listo. Ofcourse I will work my guts out because I know who I'm serving and why. no tengo muchas tiempo pero te amo, y yo oro para usted cada noche tambien. hablare con usted en la maniana. Vaya con Dios! Nos vemos.
Elder Whittle
Yo he tenido muchas experiencias bueno en la CCM pero estoy listo por el campo. Estoy muy animado. I did get the package from the Andersons. Tell them thank you for me and that I love them all. Tell Danny and Mary thanks so much and I love them. They're great. Thanks for setting up the whole thing with the bike. I already have a referal for my mission. A father who has a daughter in the MTC right now who is inactive who lives in Escondido! I can't wait to get down there and knock my first door! It's going to be such a great experience. My companion left this morning at 4 and that was sad. Elder Prince is one of the greatest Elders I have ever met. He's very obedient, fun, and humble. We have had some very good lessons filled with the spirit. I feel like I have worked my hardest in the MTC and feel like I'm as ready as I can be. I'm not too nervous, more so just excited.
I'm glad Elder Terry wasn't sent home yet. I pray for him everyday. He's a great Elder and I think the Lord will get him through this according to his faith. I took some pictures yesterday at the Temple. I'll try and send you some when I get a chance. I leave the MTC tomorrow at 5 in the morning and hopefully will have time to call at the airport. I'm pretty sure I will. I bought a time card here in the MTC bookstore so I should be good to go. Thanks for everything madre. I love you. Keep smiling. Everyone in my district said you have the nicest smile, and as a missionary I understand why that is so important. Keep making peoples days around you with that smile. Elder Wirthlin once said, "The next time you're tempted to groan, you might try and laugh instead. Come what may and love it." I love all of you. Tell everone hi for me. I will talk to you tomorrow!
Love Elder Whittle
Hope you and mom have a good UEA weekend. I'm not in the field yet, but I will be tomorrow around 12 in the afternoon. I'm really excited. I can't wait to knock on my first door. I have a referal for a family in Escondido already so that will be great. I'm glad you had a good time camping. Thanks for helping Trude. He's going to be a great missionary. Estoy listo por el campo. yo he trabajando duro en la CCM y siento que estoy listo. Ofcourse I will work my guts out because I know who I'm serving and why. no tengo muchas tiempo pero te amo, y yo oro para usted cada noche tambien. hablare con usted en la maniana. Vaya con Dios! Nos vemos.
Elder Whittle
Elder Josh Terry--October 17, 2011
Message body
Thank you to all who have been praying for Josh. The latest word from the Mission President is that after the apartment cleanup was complete he would give Josh a few days to show signs of improvement (It has been a day and a half - nothing yet. Clark's employee has a son who suffered from a mold allergy who exhibited the exact same symptoms as Josh...it took a week before he showed signs of improvement after being completely removed from the source of the mold). If he does not improve quickly he will be transferred to a new area and given a few more days to improve. At that point, if he is not on the road to recovery, President Clements plans to send him home for testing and treatment.
Please pray for a miracle. This week will be critical in determining the course that is taken. As you know, Josh has such a desire to stay and serve. We want to see him restored to health - no matter what it takes!
Thanks again,
Stephanie
Family
How are we all doing this week?? I love to read all of your letters and emails. it is what gets me through the hard times and the trials.. So, about the mold... they mainly found the black mold on the shower curtain which was nasty. So i chucked that as soon as i could. I was shocked that people had let it get that bad in there. You would be so shocked at all of the stuff we did to that apartment..
Before i get carried away i should probably tell you that I am not feeling much better. But I am not coming home either. I am determined that I will work through this, no matter the trial. . I've heard more times this week through sacrament and other meetings as well as letters that our god is a fourth watch God. There is someone that the adversary doesn't want me to find. I know that eventually everything will be ok, so try not to worry too much on my behalf. And if they end up making me go home i will try to make it a quick recovery. This has all been a huge learning experience and though it really has been probably the biggest challenge, I wouldn't change a thing. I've grown so much from this. I've learned that you have to bear all you can and give the rest to the lord. So even if they force me to come home for a while I will never forget that.
So there is this family (the Wills) that has us over for dinner about once a week. they are such a nice family. Anyway, i told him that i may have to go home and he didn't like that at all. He gave me a lot of compliments on the work getting done here. He is so nice. Anyway he came over and inspected the apartment. I was shocked at how much he did for us. He said his main focus right now is keeping me on my mission and in Andover. So he came and had the carpet professionally cleaned, threw away all the cloth furniture, donated us his couch, bought us new mattresses, painted the entire apartment, bought us new lamps, bought us a new shower curtain and had like 10 people come over and lysol the whole place. Also, he put a dehumidifier and an air purifier in our apartment for the next little while. Now all we have to do is get that tilex stuff and finish the bathroom. but he is such an amazing person for doing that. I am so grateful. We should be good in that apartment.
So, one thing Elder Watkins said the week before last, when I was trying to get more rest, was that as long as the Lord sees that we are doing our best he will still provide us with investigators. I found that hard to believe seeing as we wouldn't be out hardly at all. But, one day as we were taking out our garbage this lady stopped us and asked what we were all about. We got talking and she told us (without us asking) to stop by sometime and talk to her about religion because she needed all the help that she could get. It really goes to show that the Lord works in mysterious ways and he is always aware of the situation of everyone. That was a real testimony builder for me that the Lord is preparing people for us as well as preparing us to find them.
It's really cool to see all the little miracles that happen each day as a missionary. I keep running into surprises as I'm reading, that talk about being patient with faith and the Lord will lighten your burden and give you success. I feel like he is talking directly to me sometimes. It really is crazy how the scriptures can talk to you when you go in with the intent to learn.
Well, thank you for all you guys do for me. I love you all so much. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to be out here spreading the word of God. Thank you for everything. I always look forward to Mondays when I can hear from you. Love you! Talk to you next week.
Thank you to all who have been praying for Josh. The latest word from the Mission President is that after the apartment cleanup was complete he would give Josh a few days to show signs of improvement (It has been a day and a half - nothing yet. Clark's employee has a son who suffered from a mold allergy who exhibited the exact same symptoms as Josh...it took a week before he showed signs of improvement after being completely removed from the source of the mold). If he does not improve quickly he will be transferred to a new area and given a few more days to improve. At that point, if he is not on the road to recovery, President Clements plans to send him home for testing and treatment.
Please pray for a miracle. This week will be critical in determining the course that is taken. As you know, Josh has such a desire to stay and serve. We want to see him restored to health - no matter what it takes!
Thanks again,
Stephanie
Family
How are we all doing this week?? I love to read all of your letters and emails. it is what gets me through the hard times and the trials.. So, about the mold... they mainly found the black mold on the shower curtain which was nasty. So i chucked that as soon as i could. I was shocked that people had let it get that bad in there. You would be so shocked at all of the stuff we did to that apartment..
Before i get carried away i should probably tell you that I am not feeling much better. But I am not coming home either. I am determined that I will work through this, no matter the trial. . I've heard more times this week through sacrament and other meetings as well as letters that our god is a fourth watch God. There is someone that the adversary doesn't want me to find. I know that eventually everything will be ok, so try not to worry too much on my behalf. And if they end up making me go home i will try to make it a quick recovery. This has all been a huge learning experience and though it really has been probably the biggest challenge, I wouldn't change a thing. I've grown so much from this. I've learned that you have to bear all you can and give the rest to the lord. So even if they force me to come home for a while I will never forget that.
So there is this family (the Wills) that has us over for dinner about once a week. they are such a nice family. Anyway, i told him that i may have to go home and he didn't like that at all. He gave me a lot of compliments on the work getting done here. He is so nice. Anyway he came over and inspected the apartment. I was shocked at how much he did for us. He said his main focus right now is keeping me on my mission and in Andover. So he came and had the carpet professionally cleaned, threw away all the cloth furniture, donated us his couch, bought us new mattresses, painted the entire apartment, bought us new lamps, bought us a new shower curtain and had like 10 people come over and lysol the whole place. Also, he put a dehumidifier and an air purifier in our apartment for the next little while. Now all we have to do is get that tilex stuff and finish the bathroom. but he is such an amazing person for doing that. I am so grateful. We should be good in that apartment.
So, one thing Elder Watkins said the week before last, when I was trying to get more rest, was that as long as the Lord sees that we are doing our best he will still provide us with investigators. I found that hard to believe seeing as we wouldn't be out hardly at all. But, one day as we were taking out our garbage this lady stopped us and asked what we were all about. We got talking and she told us (without us asking) to stop by sometime and talk to her about religion because she needed all the help that she could get. It really goes to show that the Lord works in mysterious ways and he is always aware of the situation of everyone. That was a real testimony builder for me that the Lord is preparing people for us as well as preparing us to find them.
It's really cool to see all the little miracles that happen each day as a missionary. I keep running into surprises as I'm reading, that talk about being patient with faith and the Lord will lighten your burden and give you success. I feel like he is talking directly to me sometimes. It really is crazy how the scriptures can talk to you when you go in with the intent to learn.
Well, thank you for all you guys do for me. I love you all so much. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to be out here spreading the word of God. Thank you for everything. I always look forward to Mondays when I can hear from you. Love you! Talk to you next week.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Sister Alex Hartvigsen--October 17, 2011
Message body
Dear family, I hope that you all have had a really good week. I heard that it snowed in Utah. I am starting to love the weather down here again. We fluctuate between 70-100 now. Its really nice. I'm half way tempted to become a snowbird once the mission is over. ;) My week has been really good. We were able to teach several people. On Wednesday we received a referral from the visitors center and decided to contact her. This referral is amazing She was a referral from her dentist with whom she had an appointment earlier Wednesday morning. She was really receptive. She told us that God has blessed her in many parts of her life and that she wants to learn more. She has never smoked, drank or used drugs. We are really excited to be able to teach her. We invited her to come to church this last Sunday but she was unable to because of a previous work commitment. We went to the Visitors Center with a less active women and her 2 teenagers. We talked about the Plan of Salvation and how Heavenly Father wants us to have joy in our lives. We invited the kids to be baptized when they have received an answer from Heavenly Father that this message is true.. We met with a women and her daughter and talked about the importance of knowledge. Her daughter is a member and was able to complete part of her personal progress during the lesson. We met with the a less active family. We talked to them about some ways that we can make our homes a refuge from the world and put the Savior as the center and then everything else will either fall into place or fall out of our lives. We also challenged them to pray together and invite someone to meet with us in their home. They agreed and we will be following up with them during our next appointment. On Saturday we were able to contact a referral from a member. On Sunday we met with a recent convert family and talked about the Word of Wisdom and how we can have more liberty as we keep the commandments. That lesson was a little bit harder because I am still learning some vocabulary about the word of wisdom and they kept asking what kind of teas they could have. I didn't know the word for chamomile tea which they drink sometimes. but, i think I got it cleared up. On Saturday I went on exchanges with Sister Vause for a dinner appointment. We ended up eating with an English family. While we were talking it came out that one of the men there knew Uncle Dale Hartvigsen from High School and also grew up in Downey. His name is Dean Morris. If anyone talks to Uncle Dale, I'm supposed to say Hi from Dean Morris. Its a small world ;)
I hope that you all have a wonderful week!
Thank you for all you do
Hermana Hartvigsen
Dear family, I hope that you all have had a really good week. I heard that it snowed in Utah. I am starting to love the weather down here again. We fluctuate between 70-100 now. Its really nice. I'm half way tempted to become a snowbird once the mission is over. ;) My week has been really good. We were able to teach several people. On Wednesday we received a referral from the visitors center and decided to contact her. This referral is amazing She was a referral from her dentist with whom she had an appointment earlier Wednesday morning. She was really receptive. She told us that God has blessed her in many parts of her life and that she wants to learn more. She has never smoked, drank or used drugs. We are really excited to be able to teach her. We invited her to come to church this last Sunday but she was unable to because of a previous work commitment. We went to the Visitors Center with a less active women and her 2 teenagers. We talked about the Plan of Salvation and how Heavenly Father wants us to have joy in our lives. We invited the kids to be baptized when they have received an answer from Heavenly Father that this message is true.. We met with a women and her daughter and talked about the importance of knowledge. Her daughter is a member and was able to complete part of her personal progress during the lesson. We met with the a less active family. We talked to them about some ways that we can make our homes a refuge from the world and put the Savior as the center and then everything else will either fall into place or fall out of our lives. We also challenged them to pray together and invite someone to meet with us in their home. They agreed and we will be following up with them during our next appointment. On Saturday we were able to contact a referral from a member. On Sunday we met with a recent convert family and talked about the Word of Wisdom and how we can have more liberty as we keep the commandments. That lesson was a little bit harder because I am still learning some vocabulary about the word of wisdom and they kept asking what kind of teas they could have. I didn't know the word for chamomile tea which they drink sometimes. but, i think I got it cleared up. On Saturday I went on exchanges with Sister Vause for a dinner appointment. We ended up eating with an English family. While we were talking it came out that one of the men there knew Uncle Dale Hartvigsen from High School and also grew up in Downey. His name is Dean Morris. If anyone talks to Uncle Dale, I'm supposed to say Hi from Dean Morris. Its a small world ;)
I hope that you all have a wonderful week!
Thank you for all you do
Hermana Hartvigsen
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)