Last one

Well this is it. It still doesnt feel real but this is the last email home. First ill give a run down of my last full week as a missionary...

Wednesday we grinded all day long. Nobody was home. We saw these 3 surfer guys playing basketball at a park so ofcourse we went and played them on 3 on 3. They were complete surf bums so we won like 11 to 2 but it was super fun. Later that day we went and finished transfer planning then President Thomas took us out to dinner.

Thursday we took the new missionaries down to Mormon Battalion. It gets old after the 5th time haha but still a good experience. I got to see a lot of missionaries that ive served around so that was fun. Thursday evening we taught a less active who is returning and he is super cool. He has a goal to get to the temple ASAP though and we talked a lot about that during our lesson. It was fun and im gonna miss teaching him!

Friday was one of the most spiritual days of my entire mission. We started it off with a meeting for all of the new leaders in the mission. Afterwards President Thomas gave me my exit interview. He gave me some great advice and counsel for the next part of my life. What made the interview great is because we have gotten so close the past 6 months. He gave me a Priesthood blessing at the end and it was an emotional moment for both of us. (First time ive cried on my mission). Later that day we joined President and Sister Thomas on date night. We went to road kill (Texas Road House). Afterwards the young men from a stake in southern utah came to high adventure over here and asked President Thomas if he could do a fireside for them. Usually he would of said no but he said yes to them and then he invited me and my companions to join. There was about 70-80 young men and their leaders. A bunch of small town hicks haha.  Each on of us talked to them for a couple of minutes about what we wish we would of known before our mission. Then we had a question and answer portion where the youth asked anything they wanted about our missions. It was a cool time to reflect on everything ive done. To finish the meeting me, Elder Horton, and Elder Higginson taught all of them the Restoration in 4 minutes. The Spirit was strong and undeniable. Everyone in the room felt it. I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored in its fulness. 

Saturday we did some paperwork and wrapped up the logistics of transfer then got out and after it again. We had dinner with the Norriss that night. It was a sad goodbye! Ive been having dinner with them for almost every week for a year. I love those guys. 

Sunday we went to Edson Range in the morning and they had me bear my testimony cause im going home soon. I love that place. Ive had some great experiences and learned so much out there. We then went to Carlsbad YSA and had church there. I said by to the Ballifs, Wallaces, and Morenos Sunday evening. Some great families that i have gotten close to. 

Overall it was a pretty great week. I cant believe my mission is coming to an end. I know most of you probably dont think i wrote this email because its the longest email i have written my entire mission. I have loved my mission. It has taught me so much. I have met so many people that i love and appreciate. I am so thankful for the experiences that i have had. I cant ever give back what my mission has given me. 

See you soon

Palmyra...Never going back

 Hey fam, this week has been pretty crazy. Here is the run down.

We had 3 zone conferences Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday all over the mission. Each meeting went really well and we focused on the Book of Mormon (teaching using the Book of Mormon, the converting power of the Book of Mormon, etc.), you cant go wrong with the Book of Mormon.  In all three meetings i gave my "dying" testimony. It was pretty sad and a little emotional. It was cool to be with all the missionaries and reflect on my mission though. 

Friday after Zone Conferences we rolled up to this one house looking for a kid and we didnt find him there, but we talked to his moms boyfriend who told us that the kid we were looking for had moved to a neighborhood across town down a road called Palmyra. So we went to Palmyra. As we got closer the neighborhoods were becoming  more ghetto by the block. Palmyra was no exception. In fact when we pulled up to the culdesac that we were supposed to be at all we could see were several run down townhouses with bare dirt in the front yard and a few people sitting on lawn chairs doing nothing. We stepped out of our car and a lady came across the street to us and said something to the effect of, "I don't know why you are here, but you probably don't want to be on this street. These homes are homes for the mentally insane." Well by the time she told us the whole street knew we were there and it was beginning to feel like an episode of the Walking Dead. Doors and windows were opening and everyone was staring at us. One guy came up to us that had kinda snuck up and asked us some questions, but he heard something (in his head) that distracted him long enough for us to get back in our car to leave. Of course the one time you need your car to start it doesnt start. "This is how it ends" we were all thinking. We were sure that we were dead right then and there. We locked the doors and tried everything we could (the problem with the car was with the key-less start we have a tracking sensor in the car that sometimes interferes with the signals and makes it so that our car won't start). The only thing that we knew for sure would work is if someone were to get out of the car, run outside of the distance that the key can work from and then come back and try to start it then. Elder Horton took that bullet and grabbed the key and ran away from the car to where he was out of the distance, ran back, started the car and we got out of there! It was pretty crazy but fun. Welcome to Vista. So now whenever you refer to Palmyra you will think of the little cute town in New York where the Gospel of Jesus Christ was restored and I will think of the street of insane people in Vista, California..

Another big thing that happened this week happened on Saturday when we went into a meeting with our Mission President. By the end of the meeting we added a whole other YSA ward into our proselyting area because of an emergency transfer that happened on Saturday. So now the three of us are covering the Vista YSA and the Carlsbad YSA. We were pretty excited when we heard about the change.

Love you all, hope you have a great week!

Here are some pics of zone conferences

Another week May 8

UHey guys, another great week over here in Southern California. To start the week off we went on all kinds of exchanges. We were all over the place working with missionaries. It was a good time. I got to go work with a spanish companionship for a day. It was so cool to be with those people again. Its a change of pace and was really nice. I was pretty rusty with my spanish but it came back after awhile. We taught this older guy the Plan of Salvation. I love teaching that lesson. It answers such tough questions that everyone has but is so simple. After exchanges we prepped for MLC. A lot of changes happened in this MLC but it is always a good meeting. On Saturday i was able to be companions with Elder Ruhl again and we went to a baptism together. It was someone that we didnt teach but we helped her and her boyfriend out a lot in her process of being taught. Hope you all have a great week and im excited to talk to you soon! Love you all.

Transfer week April 27

Hey guys, well its been a busy time. It was a successful transfer and we got everything done! 

Here is the week in pictures!

Not sure what else to tell you guys haha love you all

talk to you in a couple.

ZCM week April 18

Hey guys it was a successful week. A lot went on. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday we had Zone Conferences. It was cool to be in the same meeting all 3 days but learn something new each time. 

Easter Sunday was great. It was nice to be at two sacrament meetings that day and hear all of the talks about the atonement and resurrection. 

Have a great week love you all! here are some pics

The 3 witnesses

Zone Conference Day 1

Tech crew

Week 28384937

Week Hey fam, the weeks are going by faster than ever. Ill just give you the run down of what i remember.

On Monday we went to Carter McEwans mission call opening. It was cool to watch it and remember when i opened mine. He had a lot of his friends and family there and asked us to share a brief restoration with everyone and let them all know what he would be sharing with people for the next two years. It was a powerful message. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday we were at training meetings every morning all over the mission and on exchanges with other missionaries. Super busy couple of days but we got tons done and it was fun. Saturday and Sunday we have been prepping for zone conferences for this week. So we will be giving trainings to all of the missionaries and be all over the mission again. Big week ahead of us!

Cool experience though. Sunday morning we went to the marine base to teach the recruits. I was talking to this one recruit about the week and we were talking alot about prayer. He told me he prays like 1000 times a day and feels that he is annoying God because he prays so much haha. Anyways these guys go through the ringer every day and this guy has been having knee problems. They were on one of their long hikes and he said right when he started his knee was killing him and he didnt think he was going to be able to do it. He kept praying through the hike. He said at one point he was going up a steep slope and felt someone distinctly push him and lift his pack. He turned around and there was nobody close to him at all. He thought about that the rest of the hike. He knew that it was help from God and that his prayer was answered. Its powerful and humbling being able to talk with these recruits that are going through so much and turn to God through it all. I know that Heavenly Father is looking out for us and does answer our prayers.

Love you all have a great week!

Our boy Elvis

Carters opening

Conference week

Hey fam, another great week! Just a quick run down of the week..

Tuesday we dropped of Horton so me and Higgy held down the fort in the Vista YSA. We taught and picked up a new investigator. Solid dude. We picked Horton up Tuesday night and the trio was reuinited.

Wednesday we met with the San Diego Assistants for a meeting. We talked about the military base that we work on cause we have to relay information back and forth. It was cool getting to talk to other missionaries in a different mission. The rest of the day we prepped for MLC on Friday.

Thursday was a day full of planning and meetings. We had a meeting with all of the new missionaries. Its fun to see how young and ready to work missionaries are. We ate with the Morenos on Thursday too.

Friday we had MLC. Me, Horton and Higgy gave two trainings. It was fun with them. That took up most of the day but was a successful meeting.

Saturday we watched the morning session then had a planning meeting/lunch at President and Sister Thomass house and then watched the Saturday afternoonSession. Uncle Matt came down to Vista for the Priesthood session. Its just regular seeing him now haha. 

Sunday was awesome. We went to Edson Range and had a baptism. Recruit Eisom from Texas. Such a good guy. Then we had sacrament meeting there (we took the sacrament on conference weekend i felt special) and taught some more recruits. We caught the afternoon session of conference and then caught up on the morning session that evening.

Overall a pretty great week. Conference is always great. When you go with questions and have your heart open to the Spirit you will get answers! I got plenty this weekend. I learned so much on the importance and role of the Holy Ghost in my life. Its such a cool and special gift that we all have as members of the church. 

Love you all have a great week!

You got all of Sister Thomass pics already but here is one from this morning. Fishing with the buddies! We didnt catch anything though but it was still a good time

Another week

Hey guys its been another good one. On Tuesday Elder Higginson left to travel for the week and be on exchanges with other missionaries. So it was me and Elder Horton holding down the fort. Tuesday night we had Elders come over to start some exchanges. Wednesday we hit the pave on exchanges and got a lot done. Wednesday night we did the same thing with another companionship of Elders. Thursday i was with another Spanish missionary so we went by all of the Spanish names that we had and got some work done. It was cool to see in those 2 days of exchanges we picked up 3 new people to teach. Something that hasn't happened in this area in awhile. Ive seen over and over again on my mission when you are doing the things that you are supposed to God will eventually bless you. It doesn't always come immediately, in fact it almost never come immediately, but it does come. Exchanges are super tiring but pretty fun. Thursday night we picked up our boy Higgy again because we had a meeting with President on Friday. We have a mission leadership meeting on Friday so we started to plan the training's that we will give for that meeting. That took up most of our Saturday. On Saturday night we had dinner with an older couple that Elder Horton taught and helped join the church. Its so cool to hear conversion stories. Sunday is always a great day but a dang long one. We woke up early so we could get over to the military base. I am teaching a recruit that is from Texas. He is one of those people that is ready to receive the gospel. Such a good guy. Its fun listen to the recruits stories from boot camp. Being out there serving them has made me appreciate even more what our military sacrifices for our country. It makes me even more proud to be an American. 

I'm busier than ever and more tired than ever but i'm happy right now and things are going great. 

Dont have many pics from this week but here are some

The Christensens (senior couple that worked in the office) went home this week (my hair is long)

The two knee Elders that returned (my hair is buzzed)

From awhile ago but me and E. Ruhl at Edson Range

Trio

Hey fam! Another full week. It all started Tuesday with picking up the new missionaries. That always a fun experience because i get to look back at when i was fresh out and see how much ive grown. So we picked up the new missionaries and took them to the mission office. Then later that day i said bye to Elder Ruhl (he is training his last two transfers) and got my new comps Elder Horton and Elder Higginson. That night we took all of the missionaries that were going home to the mission home. Early Wednesday morning we did a temple session at the San Diego temple then dropped off the departing missionaries at the airport. Then we did our usual celebration at In-n-out to complete the transfer. Its always a fun couple of days but so busy and so tiring. The rest of the week we mostly spent doing administrative stuff and doing paperwork. This week is open though so we will have a lot of time to get at it. 

Here are some pics from the week:

Picking up new missionaries

The trio

The mission home dinner crew

Elder Higginsons brother got married that day so we congratulated him

The drop off

Celebration

Trainer and new missionary meeting

Transfer Planning

Hey guys so a couple quick highlights of the week. This past Thursday we started to transfer plan for transfers coming up a week from Tuesday. Its a long process but cool to see how it all comes together and works out. Then on Friday we had a Mission Leadership Council. President and Sister Thomas took the lead and we did a lot of Leadership Training. It was a great time and a learning experience for everyone there. Jesus Christ was the perfect leader and we should all try to lead like he did. 

Another highlight of the week is the Kuehns (she is Ana Tanners sister not sure if that name rings a bell to anyone) took us to this super nice restaurant in Oceanside and we got crab. Such a good dinner. They spoiled us and it was awesome haha.

Anyways thats all i have for this week, love you guys!

The MLC

Elder cacitch came back to the mission after knee surgery 

Zone conferences

Hey fam. Again this past week is a blur and was a busy one! Zone Conferences took up most of the week. They were all a success though. Its fun to be all over the mission and see all of the missionaries. Elder Ruhl and I gave a training each day. It was over the Gospel of Jesus Christ and how it is all one in Christ. Everything always goes back to Him! Our training was based on what Elder Bednar said in the recent missionary broadcast. Which is essentially having faith in Christ leads us to repent through Him which leads us to have a change of heart and follow Christ by being baptized. Which leads to receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end with Jesus Christ. Its cool and no coincidence that everything in the Gospel always goes back to Christ. He is the center of everything we do. Everything and anything is possible with His help. I know i have seen that through my life and especially as i have been a missionary. Im thankful that i get to be a full time representative of Him for two years. 

I love you all, have a great week and make the most of every day!

Here are some pics from the week.

Tech crew at Zone Conference

W/ Elder Braithwaite

Me, Higgy, Ruhl

Missionary Practices at ZC

Other missionaries with our Pickles

Parable of the Pickle

W/ the greenies and trainers

Random Selfie on STs phone

Transfer week

Its been a busy one and the fastest one yet. Tons of fun though. Monday me and Elder Ruhl spent the night at President Thomass house so that we could get up early and go pick up all the new missionaries coming in. Tuesday we picked them all up and brought them to the mission office and later that day picked up all the missionaries going home and took them to Presidents to spend the night. Wednesday morning we took all the departing missionaries and did a session in the temple and then dropped the missionaries off at the airport. Its sad dropping them off! Thursday we had a meeting with all of the new missionaries and their trainers. Friday we had an all day meeting with the leadership of the mission. It was a busy week but its so much fun being around missionaries all day. 

Love you all have a great week!

Pictures:

Picking up all the new missionaries from the airport

Mission home dinner for all departing missionaries

Selfie at the temple

The Leadership of the mission

The McClellans (Senior couple) went home

Us and Elder McLegend

Pictures

Snow!

Hey fam, its been a pretty good week for us. Not too crazy but just enough. The weather was ridiculous over here. It was like a hurricane on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Lots of water. We taught a lot this week though and thats always fun. We have a couple of members in the YSA that we are teaching their friends right now and they are coming to church off and on. We started transfer planning with President Thomas this past week for this next transfer that comes up next week. I cant believe this one is almost over... They go by so fast now! 

Yesterday was another awesome Sunday. We woke up at our usual 5:30 to go to the marine base and teach the recruits. Two recruits were baptized yesterday so it was a great way to start off the day. Then we went to our YSA ward and i spoke on the significance of the Holy Ghost. The Spirit is so important in all of our lives. We dont realize just how much it really can help us! Elder Ballard gives some good advice on how to recognize the Spirit more in our lives he says:

“As an apostle, I now ask you a question: Do you have any personal quiet time? I have wondered if those who lived in the past had more opportunity than we do now to see, feel, and experience the presence of the Spirit in their lives.”

“Seemingly, as our world gets brighter, louder, and busier, we have a greater challenge feeling the Spirit in our lives. If your life is void of quiet time, would you begin today to seek for some?”

So thats what i invite all of you to do this week. Take some personal quiet time (with no phones or electronics) and ponder on what the Spirit is telling you and what you need to do or change in your lives. 

Another cool thing that happened just this morning is we drove up to Palomar mountain, which is in my old area in Valley Center, and saw the snow!! Who would of thought it would be snowing in Southern California.. 

Have a great week everyone i love you all!

The other picture is from Spanish Conference that we had this past week.