Elder Matthew Whittle-- November 8, 2012

Como Estan?

Man it was a pretty crazy transfer. President Cook made two more zebra companionships. That's when he puts a Spanish Elder with and English one. He's been doing that with the Zone Leader companionships because we can get referrals for the Spanish elders while we're out proseliting. I stayed here in Vista and now have my new companion. His name is Elder Goble. He's great! He's from American Fork. He used to skate a lot and he plays guitar, so for the Christmas party we're going to play something together on guitar.

It's been a super crazy week. We have only been able to have studies once since last Tuesday. We've have Stake Meetings all week long in the mornings, and trainings to give to the ward mission leaders. It's been pretty hectic, but good. This week we're doing another 3 hour training to the Zone. We had zone leader council last weekend, and President Cook talked to us about the change in the amount of missionaries we were going to have. We are at 171 missionaries right now, and our compliment, or how much we have room for is 178, but by May we will be at 250 so we had to figure out what areas we could split up and put another companionship in.

We all came to the ZLC with all the areas in our zone that we thought could be split. When each zone had written the areas up on the board it added up to exactly 80 new missionaries. It was pretty inspired. This whole change is going to be really neat to see.

Things have been going well with the work here in Vista. We're teaching a lot of people, and many of them are preparing for baptism. Elder Goble is a super funny guy, and we get along really well. Elder Rupp ended up going to Encinitas. He gets to train for the last transfer and a half of his mission. That's such a great way to be able to end.

Tell Grandpa I said happy birthday and that I love him and miss him. I love just sitting down and talking with him. He has such a strong testimony of the Gospel, and such amazing stories to tell. I always feel good when I'm around him and Grandma. Next Tuesday we're going to the temple so you'll have to let Nona know:) I can't wait to see her. It's been a while since I saw her there.

As far as the gift cards go. Sometimes there's not a Wendy's, Subway, or whatever in my area so I think just money would be better. Thanks so much. How much do I have in my account right now?

I just finished the Book of Mormon again and as I was reading the last chapter of Moroni I could feel the Spirit very strong testifying to me once again that the Book of Mormon is true. We had an interesting thing happen last weekend. We were walking into the post office, and we began to talk to a lady that had just gotten out of her car and was walking in as well. Well I told her that we were from Utah, but we love the weather down here in California. She told us that she wanted to go to Salt Lake and see the temple. So I asked her if she was a member. She said no, but that she had been a member of the Jehova's Witness for years, but then found out that there were some things that weren't true about it so she stopped going. She then said that she had walked into a store a couple years ago and the owner was a mormon and he had a book of mormon out on the counter. So she asked him about it, and he gave her one. She read a little in it, and liked it. She said that she knows that there's a lot of false things out there, like people thinking that we're a cult, or satanic, just like there's stuff about the Jehova's Witness. So we told her there was going to be a baptismal service on saturday at the bobier building and if she wanted to come. She said she would, and then we showed her where Christ visited the americas. She really wanted to read about that. So she came to the baptismal service and liked it. Then the sister missionaries gave her a church tour while we went to a meeting with the stake president. There was also a halloween play going on in the cultural hall that she decided to go watch. So we called her the next morning, Sunday, to see how she like the tour and the play. She said that she was apalled because there was a witch in the play that was flying through the air, and then walking around after, and said that we can't have witchcraft in the church. She then said that she went on line and did some research about mormons. She said that she found out that the word mormon comes from a satanic word, and that there are satanic symbols on the temple, and all this nonsense. So then I asked her where she got her information. She said, "well I googled it." I couldn't help but laugh. haha. I told her that she was getting all false information and that she needs to make sure she gets information from the right source. She asked me if I new what the symbols on the temple were. I told her that I've been through the temple, and know a lot more than what she thinks I know. I told her that she hasn't researched the Church until she's read every page in the Book of Mormon and prayed about it. Then she went on about how Joseph Smith was a free mason and how they were a satanic organization that doesn't believe in Christ. I told her that she was wrong there as well. I told her that we just interviewed someone who is a free mason for baptism. She then said did you ask him if he believed that Christ was his savior and reedemer. I said yep, and he believes that 100 percent. Then she said did you ask him if he prays to the father in the name of Christ. I said ya he actually offered the prayer just like that in the interview, and says he prays every day to heavenly father. Finally she just came back to the whole thing about a witch in the church. It was pretty ridiculous haha. I just had to laugh. It was like a 30 minute conversation on the phone haha. It's funny how people think anything you get online is true.

Well Love you all. The Gospel is true so Keep sharing it with others, and praying for those opportunities.

Con amor,

Elder Witle!

P.S. Sorry that was so long haha.

Elder Corbin Moore-- November 8, 2012

Well this week was a really good one. We had ZLC (zone leader council) on tuesday and I really enjoyed the topics that we talked about. One, was the skill of listening and how it is so important as a missionary but unfortunately I feel like its one of those skills that needs to be worked on. And then to top it off, we had a great training on the Book of Mormon. Wednesday morning we went up to the Visitors' Center with the Mireles. It was so awesome. We watched that family video that talks about our view on the family, and how they are eternal, they really enjoyed that. Then afterwards we went on a temple tour with them, where we walked around the temple, and stop at different places and talking about relevant subjects. The spirit was super powerful and we took a picture of them by the front doors and commited them to be sealed in a year. The rest of the week was kinda a blur. We didn't get a chance to see the Mireles because there kids had the flu or something. We did the regular stuff for the week. We went to a baptism this Saturday of one of the companionships in our zone. It was really kewl because I was able to have dinner with this family and teach them on exchanges once. Sunday morning was and interesting one, because Elder Hardman and I had to be up at 4 so that we could get ready and drive to a stake report meeting that we had. It was super early but turned out really good. Then after that we raced back to our area so that we could make it on time to our ward council meeting. That also turned out well because, when we starting talking about the Mireles, everyone started saying that they had seen them that week, and the bishop had already been in contact with them. So that is good to see the ward just reaching out to them and trying to get them intergrated in the ward. After church we were able to stop by and see the Mireles, who unfortunately couldn't make it to church because of prior commitments. We had a good lesson with them about the Plan of Salvation, and we should be seeing them some more this week. We also went to the Departing Missionary Fireside, where the missionaries who are going home on Wednesday, give their last testimonies for all the members and investigators who come to see them. It was good, we had 12 missionaries going home, and so it was a big group. Today for the last P-day of the transfer we went up to President Chen's house. He is a member down here in Palos Verdes, and lives in this huge house, so once a transfer we get to go and just have fun. He has tennis courts, ping pong, billiards table, and a bowling alley. So we did some of that and then had lunch. Super fun.

So what has been going on back home? It is super weird to hear that the stake presidency changed, and that now our Bishopric will be changing as well. Well I wish the best for all those with new callings, and I know that who the Lord calls the Lord qualifies. Its one of those things that I have seen on my mission, that when there is something new to accomplish, or a new assignment the Lord always helps us to fulfill our duties. What else is new? Keyton? Bryson? Brayden? Hope that all is going well and that everyone is enjoying life, even though sometimes we have struggles. Mom & Dad, what is happening? How is my car holding up? Is it still amazing? Oh and is someone washing it every Saturday? Hhaha. Everytime I was the mission car, I think of saturdays with my car. Those were the days. Well I don't have to much more to say. And my time is close to an end. Hope all is well. By the way, what is happening with Josh?

Con Amor

Elder Moore

Everything.Happens.For.A.Reason

There.Is.No.Such.Thing.As.Coincidence

Elder Matthew Whittle-- October 30, 2012

So Lee and I went to California over UEA break for an awards dinner for Lee's work. We flew into San Diego and went to Matthew's mission home and hurried and took a picture and drove through the areas he has been in. He said he only lives 10 minutes from the Mission Home. We hurried with the pictures so we wouldn't risk running into him :0 I didn't want to say goodbye twice and we didn't want to disrupt the flow :) I've attached a few pictures so you can relate to what he is talking about in his e-mail. Have a great day! Just love our missionaries!!!
(Jeanette attached some  great  pictures of the Mission home, Temple and of the area but I could not get the pictures to up load.  Sorry!!---- Carol)

Hey Que Honda!

Man those pictures blew my mind. I go in that door on the side of the church into the mission office about 2 or 3 times a week! That's crazy. I could have come walking out right when you were there haha. President Cook doesn't live there, but he has his office inside. It's the mission office. President Cook has a house in Vista about 10 minutes away. It's a neat church huh? It's huge! It has two Chapels inside, and it's a two story building. I'll have to show you inside someday. The picture with the sign saying Solona Beach by the train station is where I used to run every day. I used to run right under that sign every morning. The light that's at that intersection right after the sign is Fletcher's cove. You would have had to just turn right at the light and you would have been there. I love that area! It's so much fun!

I'm glad that Megs is doing better. I hope she doesn't have to get surgery or anything! That's cool that Brandonion is moving up in life;) por fin. haha Just kiddin.

Things have been going great as usual here in Vista. Today is transfers and Elder Rupp is taking off. He gets to go train for the last 9 weeks of his mission. He's pretty excited. Apparently from what President Cook was saying, there are going to be some pretty big surprises at transfers. I'm excited to see what all happens. The age change has President Cook stressed out because were supposed to all of a sudden in May have 250 in our mission and I think we're around like 140. He has a lot of things to change. It will be really neat to see how it all happens. The Lord is definitely hastening his work.

This week is going to be a really crazy one. Tomorrow morning we're meeting with the stake president to discuss a training that my companion and I will be giving to all the ward mission leaders this coming Sunday, then we have to go to a couple of district meetings, and then on Friday we have Zone Leader Council to be to. So we have a lot to prepare for. It should be fun though. It's good to stay busy.

That's too bad to hear about Mr. B. I really hate how that is. We just started working with a guy who has a super strong testimony of the gospel, but once he moved out to California he felt like everyone was really judgmental because he has a couple of tatoos, and some people made some comments to him saying he needed to wear long sleeves and cover them up. He said he just doesn't feel welcome, and feels like a lot of the members are stuck up. Its a really sad thing to see happen.

Thanks for the glasses! They're great haha. There not exactly approved to wear out proseliting but they're fun to wear at night. We have to be in tomorrow night at 6 for Halloween so we'll probably end up doing some planning and what not.

I hope Josh can get out soon! That would be awesome! I'll keep praying for him. Tell Slot dog (Alex) I said hola! Oh have you heard at all from Alex Tamayo?? I need his address so I can write him a letter. That would be great if you could get that for me! Tell Cho hi for me and that I miss him and his family, and that he can't get married until I get back haha. Well love you all. Keep up the good work with sharing the Gospel, and fellowshipping others. Tengan fe que Dios les va a bedicir con oportunidades misionales.

con amor,

Elder Whittle

Elder Taylor Ferguson-- October 29, 2012

Well mom, the video/audio clip or whatever it was didn't work. and  I didn't get any other emails from you guys...

The week was good, Tuesday we went on exchanges w/ the ZL's and it was a really cool experience, 

 

I made sure to act/vocalize every promp I got, and in doing so we saw lots of miracles and met some really cool people. Then the last few days were good, on Friday night i ate dinner w/ Brother N, a guy who made gregs "M-Tad" infared system so we talked about that stuff and it was really cool, but this week was bike week, and was suuuuper windy! cause of that hurricane. We're meeting w/ J. U. tonight! He's such a funny guy, acts like a 14 year old surfer bum, it's pretty hilarious/sad that he has'nt grown up. Then on Saturday night the ward had a trunk or treat that was suuuper fun it was for the 4 wards in our area and it was really fun. We're meeting with this family of a suuuper rasta dad and his wife, and their son M . they are really awesome, but right now our teaching pool is prettty small, so we're trying to expand it. 

 

I bought a jacket today cause freezing the last few days! and I don't have any long sleeve things (other than my suit coat.) the work is great, and I love hearing from all of you. Thanks mom for the little Work sheet, and talk, it was one of my top 5 from conference for sure! I'll try to send Brooke and Eli's B-day stuff next p-day, or tuesday so hopefully it gets there on time. I'm happy for ya'll. Keep me posted w/ life. We're carving pumpkins in a few minutes, so i'll take some photo's and send them to you next week, o and tomorrow I'll be on exchanges w/ the Portugese elders so wish me luck hahaha

LOVE YOU ALL

OSCULO!

Elder Ferguson

Elder Corbin Moore-- October 29, 2012

Well we had an amazing week down here in San Pedro. So we did some more exchanges this week, because since we have two new missionaries in our zone we have to go out with them. So on Tuesday I went over to the Redono area. I was nice to get back out on a bike and just getting my legs back into it. Riding up big hills, and then zooming down them. What a great time it was and the great view, just made it. Well the Elders in that area have been doing a lot of tracting and so we were doing a lot of that. One of the streets that we were on, I guess is super popular for Halloween and Christmas, because all the house on that street decorated there house and what not. And for Christmas there is even one house that gets snow shipped in. Usually they bus thousdands of kids into this neighborhood, for halloween, and during Christmas it is a 15 min drive just to the end of the street. So we went around offering to help put up Halloween decorations. After all I do have my fair share of training in that area. Climbing up on the roof, every year to hang up Jack Sparrow. We didn't have too much success but it was super fun.

The following day I was on exchanges with the other new missionary. We had a good day and were able to teach a couple lessons, with some new investigators, and some less-actives. Turned out to be a good day. Then Elder Hardman did a ton of exchanges reports so that we could them up to the office by Thursday.

Ok so now I'm going to tie in the subject for this letter. So on Saturday, Elder Hardman and I were having an interesing day, so we decided to go to 7 Eleven, to get some slurpees. We went in and we standing in line to check out we this kid came up to us dressed in a white robe. He put his head in a cloth and then lifted his face out of it. There was a picture of Christ on the cloth, and he said that he was Jesus for Halloween. We were kinda surprised but then decided to talk to the mother. She said that she was sick of all the scary costumes of Halloween and she wanted her kids to be something nice. We asked them what their plans were for that night. They said that they didn't know, and so we invited them to come to a ward Trunk-or-Treat that we were having. We gave them the address and went our separate ways. Well 30 minutes into the party, the M. family walked in. We were blown away. We got some members to mingle with them and then close to the end of the party, the dad came up to us. He told us that he was an inactive member for like 30 years. He told us that his wife was wondering if we could teach her the lessons. Apparently she had been taking the lessons like 6 years ago. So last night we took them to a musical fireside and they loved it. We are so happy for them, and are excited to see what happens. Miracles do happen, even if you are just getting a slurpee at 7 Eleven. Have a wonderful week.

Con Amor

Elder Moore

Everything.Happens.For.A.Reason

There.Is.No.Such.Thing.As.Coincidence

Elder Taylor Ferguson-- October 24, 2012

Hello!!!!!!!!

So 1st day w/ Elder Cooper during comp study he's like what hymn do you wanna sing? I picked "High on a Mountain Top" and said "check it my great great g pa wrote that" and he was all "wait, wait EB BEEZ is myyyyy relative!" so we're cuzins haha somehow, he's from Taylorsville, and he's been out for about a year and a half and is super cool, he's great. :) I';m glad you all got my letters cant't wait to get my reply's :)

Glad that dad is golfing a lot, still bummed about the Braves but go Tigers!!  That's cool about the bedroom set. Today we drove right by Harry potter land/world whatever haha :)

The work is.....rough right now, but we're doing our best and we just keep plugging away, chipping away. The funny thing is in our area there are soooo many people, its annoying we can't teach even a good portion of them. but we know theLlord has a plan, and is preparing the ones he wants to hear the gospel.

It was funny the other day we were over in the ghetto and it's like alllllllll black people right? So were cruising down the street looking around and I see a white person walking down the street up ahead, i thought nothing of it, untill we got close and I realized it wasn't a white person, but a "light" black person. and it was then that I realized that about 90% of the people we see out here are black. it's weird, and the funny thing is it's been almost 8 weeks out here, and I'm just realizing it hahaha.

It's great everytime we go over to the Swaseys house for dinner/or a meeting or anything, Sister Swasey either hooks me up w/ a full pineapple, or a nice freshly cut bowl full!! She's so great!!

Keep helping Bronch thanks, I love the photos!

I talked to a guy a few times this week who was.......interesting, his religion is Econcar. (ekkancar) something crazy it come fromhte book "the tigers Fang/claw?". He's nuts, but the first time we met him we taught the restoration and we asked soo do you think this is true?/could happen? and he's all oh yeah totally,II don't think it, I know it. rIGHT? so we gave him some BOM reading, and we go back, and ask him how it was, he said ".....hmmm interesting, we said oh YEaH? how so? he goes well, starts reading reads like a verse and a half, and stops after is says something aboutC hrist telling us to be baptized, and he goes, we don't need to do that! We were like oh yeah, cool, how come? And he's like well we only do it to join a church, not to follow Christ. we can follow him without that, we asked well then why was he baptized? And he said so he could show us what we're supposed to do..but we don't need to be baptized to be saved....a brotha is crazzzzzyyyyy.

Did I tell you about the ARCH ANGEL we met like my 3rd or 4th week out? she was great. hahaha

gotta go, love you all!!!!!!!

Elder Corbin Moore- October 24, 2012

Well to start off I would just like to apologize, for not sending a e-mail last week. We had to go to Pep boys to drop our car off, and it was crazy. We didn't end up getting it back till like 7 30 that night. Well this week has been a crazy one. Elder Hardman and I have been going on exchanges with the elders in our zone. Also we had singing practices, for a choir piece that we sang last night up at the Visitor's Center. I was able to go on exchanges on Friday, and we went to their ward Trunk-or-Treat, it reminded me of the trunk-or-treats down in Bountiful. This weekend with be the Trunk-or-Treat for the San Pedro ward, should be good. So Friday night Elder Hardman got sick, with the 24 hour flu, we think, and then I got it Sunday morning. It wasn't the funniest weekend that I have had here in the mission. But like I said, we did sing up at the visitor's center, seven of the elders from my zone. It went really well, we all sounded great.

Not much is happening with the work right now. We have found a couple of new people but its to early to tell wether or not they are really interested. But one of the things that I have seen these past weeks, is the topic family. I have been working with a lot of people that are struggling in their lives because they have screwed up all of their family relationships. And so because of that I have been pondering on those concerns and problems. I have come to the conclusion that all the problems in the family stem from pridefulness. Someone who will not forgive another, because of something that was said or done years prior. Someone who puts their own selfish wants first. If we fully comprehend the family, and the role that it plays in God's plan for us, I believe that a lot of these "problems" would be eliminated. Let us continue with our lives, by getting over the things of the past, and prepare for the future.

Con Amor

Elder Moore

Everything.Happens.For.A.Reason

There.Is.No.Such.Thing.As.Coincidence