Limonada

Well family! I bet you didn't think you were getting an e-mail from me this week. But here I am! Our p-day got changed because we went to the temple today-and that turns into p-day. In answer to your question mom, we used to go to the temple every transfer, but the change is that we now go every other transfer, and yes, you also go the weekend before you leave. It was wonderful to go, as always!

Let's see, what new and exciting things happened this last week? People seem to still be "vacationing" a lot so appointments sometimes happen. That's alright. We're not really teaching anybody new. We did quite a bit of tracting last week. I realize that sometimes you knock doors just to show the Lord that you're willing to work hard, and then you end up being blessed indirectly from that. But nothing seems to be happening yet. Luckily I actually enjoy knocking on doors (you never know what kind of person is behind the door) so we will still be knocking as much as possible.

David M is kind of in the same place currently. Not progressing as much. Something's holding him up. I guess when it comes down to it, he might not have a testimony or belief in Joseph Smith or the restored gospel. Hopefully we can help him out a little with that. We were able to teach the Inman family again well that is Dana, the non member wife. We gave her a Book of Mormon and I truly believe she'll read it. We have great hopes with that family. And we have some others who have potential.

I don't remember if I ever mentioned Priscilla. The Spanish elders had found her and passed her to us. After we met with her the first time and committed her to be baptized, she disappeared. But we went to her house the other day and she was there. She said she's been meaning to call us and even her “delinquent” son told her she should "call the Mormons" but she never did. She's just going to be a looooong process. She feels its right, but doesn't seem to be willing to keep her commitments and do her part. We'll see. If she's not progressing, well there are others that will!

Last week we got a hold of this kid of whom we had received a referral that his dad has requested a Book of Mormon for him. He's probably like 17. When we went to his backyard to talk to him, he was sitting there with his two buddies. One kid goes, "Hey, do you want to “blaze” it with us?" because that's what they were doing: "Just kickin’ it and blazin’." I think that's the first time I've been offered weed on my mission. Kind of funny. But although they were a little stoned, the referral kid did have some potential. Hopefully...

Zone Conference was good last week. Elder Cordova shared lots of funny stories about experiences he's had with the general authorities. He's an animated story teller. The President and the APs talked to us a lot about how knocking at night is effective and how knocking doors is something that is never going to go away. True. It was a combined zone conference so the majority of the sisters were there; It was really fun to see the sisters, since we're kind of up here alone mostly.

Hmmm, mostly that was my week. Everything is going great! Is everyone still enjoying their summer? Only about a month left of it! Love you all!

 
Ciao famiglia! Come sta? Alright, I'm just testing out whether I remember Italian or not. I don't. Spanish is better!

Well, this was another great week! It was really weird and sad to say goodbye to Sister Fatkin. During the week I kept randomly thinking "I wondering what she's doing at this moment"...I think I would be swimming. It's hot all over the place!
I don't know if I'm surprised/not surprised, but things are going really super well in the companionship.

So this week we saw David Martinez twice. He still doesn't sleep much. He works from like 10pm-6am then has classes from 8-12pm and then usually meets with us right at 12 and I think maybe he sleeps a little before he goes back to work. Yikes! But he's told us he wants to make seeing us a priority. He really wants to do what is right, but I think he's just stressed right now and really really hard on himself. We talked about repentance and I think he doesn't feel like he should be making any mistakes, and that he should understand more about the gospel. He told us he's stopped going to the gym and he's stopped shaving (he's pretty hairy now) because he's basically avoiding temptations "of the flesh" as he said. Pretty much he thinks he's repelling women and he thinks that will help him out. Interesting. But he's doing good and went to church again. He is currently praying to find out when he should be baptized. Yeah! Our mission goal is to have the 2 baptisms a transfer, and even though we have a couple of dates set, I don't know if those ones will happen. I'm not sure who our baptisms will be. I know David is ready; he just needs to lighten up on himself. He will be baptized. I hope it's soon though, he needs the extra blessings! Well, everyone does!

 

So this week we saw David Martinez twice. He still doesn't sleep much. He works from like 10pm-6am then has classes from 8-12pm and then usually meets with us right at 12 and I think maybe he sleeps a little before he goes back to work. Yikes! But he's told us he wants to make seeing us a priority. He really wants to do what is right, but I think he's just stressed right now and really really hard on himself. We talked about repentance and I think he doesn't feel like he should be making any mistakes, and that he should understand more about the gospel. He told us he's stopped going to the gym and he's stopped shaving (he's pretty hairy now) because he's basically avoiding temptations "of the flesh" as he said. Pretty much he thinks he's repelling women and he thinks that will help him out. Interesting. But he's doing good and went to church again. He is currently praying to find out when he should be baptized. Yeah!
Our mission goal is to have the 2 baptisms a transfer, and even though we have a couple of dates set, I don't know if those ones will happen. I'm not sure who our baptisms will be. I know David is ready; he just needs to lighten up on himself. He will be baptized. I hope it's soon though, he needs the extra blessings! Well, everyone does!
Today for our district activity, we played a little sand volleyball. The sand was sooo hot and it reminded me of playing in the burning sand every day in the MTC. A year ago! It's an odd point to be at when you can say, "What was I doing a year ago?" and you were on your mission. Pioneer day this week. Anyone doing anything to celebrate? I don't think they'll have fireworks here. Maybe we'll watch "Legacy" with someone! Oh yeah, today is Moon day. Forty years ago we landed on the moon! One of our less actives told us that. She's quirky and tells us what the day is. Last time we saw her it was national pecan pie day so she had some for us. Someday I hope to be like that. Zone Conference is this week and that's exciting! Elder Cordova is speaking to us. I think maybe he's an area authority or something like. Not sure. And I think we get to go to the temple this transfer, yes!

Soooo, things are fantastic! I've also been reading in the Old Testament lately. Well, really, on and off my whole mission. I just think people are scared of that book. And there is some gooood stuff in there. Funny stuff! I'm trying to read in all of the standard works, though I'm pretty sure I won't finish them all before I'm done here. Sometimes I get all confused by the chronology of the Book of Mormon, but I think I'm starting to get it more. I'm pretty sure I always took the Book of Mormon for granted. But I love it now!

I hope everyone is happy and dandy! Enjoy your weather and your gardens and your families and your dogs and your books and everything (in no specific order)! Thank you all for everything you do for me! Love you all!

Love,
Emily

P.S. Random fact. We all know that I love to sleep. But as far as I can recollect, I have never woken up past 6:30 and I believe I've taken maybe 3 naps on my mission. And really I'm not too tired. Just proof that miracles still happen!

Sisters on Bikes?

 

Hello familia! How is everyone? From what I hear, you all sound like you're doing great! Things are great here too!

Well last week we set a couple of baptismal dates. One was with a woman that some elders in the Spanish ward up here found. I'm not sure if I mentioned Priscilla last week. Well she was baptized RLDS years ago and remembers some stuff, so that sort of helps. And she's excited and knows this is all true and we set a date for July 26. She kept saying "Wow, wow, wow" and how this is all just an answer to her prayers; she used to see missionaries and wonder why they didn't knock on her door. She wasn't able to come to church on Sunday because of some family stuff. So that's Priscilla Diaz.

Also, on the 4 of July we were contacting out on the streets and talked to a family and went over to teach their daughter last week and taught her and her other 9 year old friend. They are two Hispanic families that live together. The girls want to get baptized. So we set a date. But we have to teach the families and they would need to get baptized in order for the girls to get baptized. Our bishop won't allow us to baptize children (without their parents) in our ward. I can understand that. So that is Maria and Destiny.



David Martinez (Vanessa's brother) is still doing really well. He still isn't ready to be baptized yet, but he's progressing. Just last week in school he started talking a little to this girl who someone mentioned she was Mormon, but inactive; he told her that he was "preparing to be a Mormon" and in the end, she said that he had motivated/inspired her to go back to church. Wow! He's really doing amazing.

Yes, Vanessa Delgado is Hispanic but grew up here. Everything did seem really quick with Vanessa. It only took two weeks for her to be baptized. The sisters met her the day before I came back from Yorba Linda for that one week. So I was in on the whole thing. Basically she works at this care facility and there are members there that have fellowshipped her and she went a couple of times to their ward. Then the elders (Spanish ward) showed up at her work place to do some service and the lady, who is the manager there and a member, she said "Elders, I have a referral for you." But because she would go to an English ward, we were the ones who taught her. Vanessa is 27 and has three kids. Andrew is 9 and the oldest. He got baptized. Ruby is 5 and Carina is 3.

Friday Sister Fatkin went to the temple (the departing missionaries all go right before leaving) and Sister Brown's companion was also at the temple, so she was on exchanges with Sister Patten and me for the day. Sister Brown is still in the Samoan ward and I guess the President asked her and her companion who they thought would do well in that program and they both said my name. And he said that's what he had been thinking too. But he wasn't sure because I only just got up here. So until transfer calls came in, I wondered if I'd be ending my mission with Sister Brown in Samoan. But no! Sister Patten and I are staying here and Sister Lewis is now coming up to join us. Crazy! I'm a little nervous about that, just because we had some interesting transfers together. But it will work out; it will be great. Sister Patten and I get along really well together, so I think it will all be fine.
My Sister Fatkin leaves today! Ah! I can't believe it. She had only been out a couple of months when I first got here! I'm not sure where time is going!

This morning I got a call from our vehicle coordinator, and he asked if we were going to be on bikes. Because apparently the President told them I wanted to be on bikes; he said that's fine and we just need to be careful. It was random. As much as I'd like to ride bikes, it doesn't make sense for me and Sister Patten to buy bikes at this point of our missions, and I'm not going to do it just for fun. If I was told to, then fine. But weird. I guess I could've done bikes if I had really wanted to! Maybe he heard about our bike ride!
Well, that's about all I guess! Mom, I did get the package. It was wonderful. Perfect! I shared the beef jerky and some of the other stuff. The elders all say thank you (especially Elder Lee from Korea) as do my companions! I've got an amazing family!

Love you all family! I hope you all have a wonderful, fantastic week! Thank you for everything!

Love,
Emily

Hallelujah!!

Well we have had a fantastic week! We taught a LOT of recent convert/less active lessons in the La Habra ward like always. Honestly, our whole area is about 3.5, maaaybe 4 miles long (we measured the other day) and about 2 miles the other way. And 3/4 of that is the La Habra ward and the other 1/4 is the North Hills ward. So naturally, and unfortunately, most of our work is in the La Habra ward. Anyway.
We continued to teach Vanessa and Andrew almost every day, especially because they still were to be confirmed (which happened yesterday). And, Vanessa's brother David was there for all of the lessons. He came to the baptism and then seriously seems to have a lot of interest. He's “golden,” like his sister but in a different way though. We extended the baptismal invitation to him twice, and he said no both times. But, he just is afraid to put that date on it. But he's reading and praying. The second time we taught him, he started trying to justify the sins he likes to commit: basically drinking, smoking, etc. He was like "Well, we're all children of God, and I think, that really, in the end God's going to be like, “It's okay. Because really, it's, it's…” (and then he put down his head and then said) “No, no, it's still a sin!" It was so funny to hear him not be able to rationalize it, and he had to be honest with himself. And then a couple of days later he told us that he hadn't smoked or drank anything. That he was already changing. And he is. A lot.
And then on day Vanessa's other brother was there for the end of the lesson. And two of the times her best friend was there (who wouldn't even come to her baptism) and she seems interested too. Both of the brothers came to church on Sunday. Yeah! It's a miracle.
Seriously. Vanessa bore her testimony yesterday too. She was the first one to get up. She's on fire! David will be baptized. We taught about fasting and tithing one day, and the next day he asked us if that's something he should do, so he can get his answer. Wow! I'm not sure if he did, but the fact that he recognized he could do that now, not being a member, is amazing. So that made the week great!



And this Brazilian family fed us Brazilian food one night that was delicioso.
For the fourth of July we didn't do much different. Our stake 4th activity was in the morning and we weren't allowed to go. We walked a lot all day trying to talk to everyone while they were all out barbecuing and getting ready to watch fireworks. Then we ate a Mexican meal (carne asada) for our patriotic meal with some recent converts that we love: the Reyes family.
That night when we got home we actually got to see some fireworks from our balcony. Hooray!
Yesterday we were able to finally see this family that we've been trying to get in contact with all transfer long. He's been a very inactive member; his wife is not a member. They are the Inman family. He was raised in the church, but by the time he was 18 he says he was just “burned out.” His testimony must not have been strong enough, but he says there was just so much pressure to do things right and go on a mission, and have a calling, etc. He came back to church for a little while, but now hasn't been back for 20 years....the time he's been married. So she's never been to church and thinks our church is a really great one. They're such good people and great parents.
And it's interesting: with his business, he visits welfare square in Salt Lake like once a month. So he talked to Sister Patten a little about that. Anyway, we just hope we can keep visiting them and help him be able to come to church. Because when he does, she'll be baptized. What I think is interesting is that on my mission I've heard multiple inactives say that they are inactive is because they were just overwhelmed and the church just expects too much of people. It makes me realize how much you really do have to have a strong testimony, truly founded in Jesus Christ, because if not, you let all kinds of things be your excuses. The church does expect a lot, but because we have been blessed with a lot. And we're all required to help one another. It's not a church you just show up at and listen to a nice sermon and hear the band play with its guitars and everything, and maybe you give $10 to the collection plate, and go home. And I'm glad!



Yesterday this black man got up and bore his testimony and apparently he used to be a Baptist minister. He sure knew how to project his voice! Hallelujah, hallelujah, I KNOW the church is true. Hallelujah, hallelujah! The spirit SPEAKS to me and I am so blessed to have a beautiful woman, and strong black sons. Hallelujah, hallelujah. Glory to God, there is a black president. My mother told me it would happen, but I thought only my children would live to see it. Hallelujah. And he's a HANDSOME black man. And intelligent. Hallelujah, hallelujah. And he has a beautiful strong woman. Hallelujah!
I got a little taste of what it might have been if I had served my mission in the south! It was great. I love how people are so different, and I love being somewhere that you interact with a lot of different people. It makes it so fun and interesting. I love it! I love the crazy perspective on the world that comes through being a missionary! It's wonderful being a missionary! I'm pretty blessed! I hope everyone had a WONDERFUL week! I love you all!