A month's worth of our Elder Ryan's adventures!

We will go quickly and quietly, with no rap music or flashdancing Mar. 12

And that about describes my week! It went by very quickly and quietly, without any rap music or flash-dancing, tiny bit of mexican karaoke was happening at our ward mission leaders house but that was about it. This week really has gone by very fast, and I don't feel too much has happened to write you about. One fun thing that happened, we got a mini missionary this weekend! His name was Brian, and he is a senior who lives around here, and he came and worked with me and Elder Reeves for a couple days here. And really fun fact, he lives in Summer and Andy's ward! That was a fun connection. There should be some pictures from the mini mission on the CLAM blog soon, and you can see my big ugly mug up there! It was really fun, and I hope we were able to show him the good things about being a missionary. We ended up tracting for about 6 hours with him, so I'm really hoping we didn't scare him off of a mission. We've been working hard this week, we haven't had tons of success, but we've got a lot of potential. We've found a lot of new investigators, and we just want to have lessons with a few of them this week! We also tried a couple new finding ideas, we tried to go to the hospital in our area and put our names down as clergy that people can talk to. It didn't work very well, we found out that hospitals don't really have a list like that. And it didn't help that we felt like we were in Gotham General. They had metal detectors to get in, security people everywhere, and I was half expecting to see Batman and the Joker in there. It's kind of a creepy hospital to be completely honest. We also tried a new finding idea called accidentally backing into people! I accidentally backed into a guy this week, I pulled out too far into the intersection, and there were cars coming, so I did an emergency back up, and did not see that another car had pulled up behind me. and we just tapped bumpers, so it was fine. But man did i feel stupid. And also, it's not a very effective finding idea. His swearing at us kind of drove the Spirit away. But it was interesting. We did have one really cool experience this week. When I got into the area, this one name on our ward list just kind of stuck out to me. So we went and we visited them this week. And turns out, the lady who lives there, hermana M. has been less active for a while cause she has cancer. And she said she'd been praying that somebody from the church would come and give her a blessing. And it was pretty amazing to realize that Heavenly Father used us to answer her prayer. That was really cool. But that's about all that has happened, it's been a pretty quiet week, still just trying to learn the area and my new responsibilities and everything. I get to do splits and baptismal interviews this week as well, so I'm pretty excited for that! We should have a great next week. But I love you all, thanks for your awesome letters, and I can't wait to hear from you again next week!

Mops- so bad/good news. They did find the stolen car. bad news. Everything in it was gone. So odds are, if anybody has sent me a letter in the past couple weeks, it has probably been stolen. The only letter I did get was from Aunt Laurie this week!

Pops-I'm glad you've had such a great weekend with the hairy girls! Me and Elder Reeves saw these dogs the other day, and they looked just like Kola! Well, they were black. But they were also the size of Shetland ponies. They were the biggest dogs I've ever seen. Their heads went up almost to my plaque. That is pretty amazing about Kathy Rawlins and her husband. That is a pretty amazing story. Thank you for your advice about being a leader. That's something I've been realizing. Just let people go where they are if they're in the right direction, and only lead when you need to. And the best thing about being a leader is just doing the right thing yourself.

Kt- haha, I love Esperanto! I remember reading about that and thinking it was the silliest/best idea ever. I am so excited to eat me some qdoba soon. I totally like it it. I even like beans! And spicy things! You won't even know me! Also, I will still love tubing! Funny story, Elder Reeves and a member were talking about shooting yesterday, as in hunting. And I thought they said tubing. I tried to enter the conversation, and it just didn't work. Turns out tubing and shooting are very different things. As i'm sure you know, since you succesfully tubed this weekend!

M@- Wow matt, taking the GRE and everything! That's crazy. You're almost like a grownup now. Pretty soon, you'll probably work in an office all day, have a big nose and start losing your hair. wait...But hopefully you'll always have time for Wii basketball. I really enjoyed your story about being humbled as a ZL, that is kind of how i've felt this week. Especially after tapping bumpers, man did I feel stupid. I didn't even have an excuse at all. It was just stupid. But luckily, Heavenly Father blessed me so only my pride was injured. Also, I had a great brentism this week. I said that we needed to "pray them to invite" as our commitment for our lesson. And Elder Reeves also said this week, that he was missing a "close of senseness". I didn't laugh at all

B-Dancesport! I remember thinking about going to that last year. That's crazy you were in it. Good luck with your research this week, and all your tests!

borsh-T-caps? Tahts the weirdest thing I've ever heard. What in the heck. That's too bad you'll have too take them junior year too. Why didn't you tell me you went cross country skiing? did you like it? I've always hated it, but recently, I've been feeling the desire to try it again and see if I still hate it. What did you think of it?

Amy-Ah! no time! I'm glad to hear you ate a lot this week! love you yam!

love you all!

Estoy molido Mar 19

Elder Reeves has this great calendar, that has a new spanish phrase every day. And this was the one yesterday, that really summed up what I'm feeling. I'm exhausted! It's been a really great week, but very exhausting in all sorts of ways. I'm very grateful to have p-day today. This week has been crazy. I almost did my first baptismal interview this week, and I went on 4 exchanges! The baptismal interview was very...interesting. I got to the church, and I started doing the interview, and then all the sudden I hear a knock on the door. And then a member of our missionary presidency came in, and he said, "I'll take it from here, Elder." Thinking about it now, that sounds like a scene from a cheesy movie. But turns out the baptismal candidate had something in his past that I'm sure not qualified to handle, and the missionaries who got him ready are still new, so they found out about that just a little bit before, and didn't know how you handled it. So, that was really interesting. It was not an experience I especially enjoyed, getting all hyped up for the interview and then the sudden let down. I was kind of useless for the rest of the night, and then I got home and I just had to break out my christmas cds to feel better. But other than that, the week was really great. I went on exchanges 4 times this week, so i was only with Elder Reeves in our area for three days this week. But in the process i was companions with a south african and a tongan! That was really interesting. I learned a lot about African culture, and tongan as well. (did you know they eat dogs in Tonga? They just run down the street and club them and take them home!) Unfortunately, on friday and saturday, i chose the two wettest and coldest days to leave my area and be on a bike. And in consequence, i discovered my backpack is not waterproof! So, I now have soggy scriptures. I might need to buy some new ones. That was a fun experience. I got home from my 3rd exchange, freezing cold and soaked, opened my backpack, and realized everything was ruined. I think I will always remember just sitting on the floor in my apartment, freezing cold, looking at my soggy scriptures, and just not enjoying myself at all. I don't think my desire to curl up in bed and drink hot chocolate and watch a movie has ever been stronger. But it was amazing, looking at it, how i could still see the hand of God in my life. Heavenly Father placed me here with Elder Reeves, who just happened to have an extra brand new set of spanish scriptures. And it was an amazing tender mercy, that I had a couple letters I wrote but hadn't sent, they got soggy, but were otherwise fine. It was amazing to see just the little things like that, that helped me know that God really knew exactly what was going on with me. And then I left and faced more cold and rain with elder Jones, and I ended up having one of the funnest and best days of my mission with him after that. We contacted a lot in the freezing cold, and had really awesome lessons and some good success. It was really cool. But that has been my week. I can't think of anything really really exciting that happened this week. but it was a good week. i feel I've grown a lot. And I just realize more and more every day, what it means to do my best. It means a lot more about what I'm putting into the work, and a lot less about how much work I'm doing. And I've also realized, sometimes doing my best means I just need to slow down, say a movie quote and laugh, so I can give my best later, instead of just being stressed and exhausted all the time. And I realize more than anything, how much Heavenly Father really does love us all. It's amazing to see it, in my life, and realizing how Heavenly Father uses the people around us to meet our little needs. Needs that aren't really important, but they are important to Him because they are important to us. I sure am grateful for the opportunity I have to be here, and especially for the support that you all give me. I know that this church is true, that the BOM is true, and especially that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us, and they want us to succeed.

Borsh!- How's frisbee going? Mops told me you had a game this week! Did you score anything? Does Mrs. Thrasher like you? I sure hope she does. And that pinewood derby sounds awesome. That balloon idea is amazing. I support that all the way. I can't wait to see the finished design. Also, how is spanish going? You should write me in spanish next week! I love you bud, have a great week, and I can't wait to hear from you next week!

Mops-I got your first package today! And also already ate the cadbury mini eggs....they were delicious! Also, I thought your comment was very interesting, about the critical thoughts. Because now I know where I get it from! It can be really easy to look around with a lot of negative thoughts in the wards here, sometimes the spanish wards are slightly dysfunctional. And I was looking around yesterday, and thinking the same thing. And I just realize again and again, how little it helps anything. But it can still be really hard to not do it! I've definitely noticed for me, thinking about my own beams helps me think a little more charitably. Thanks for your awesome letters mops, and I sure love you!

pops-Nick already came home? that's so crazy. I can't remember if Drew has already come home or not, or if he does soon. That's so great that he had an awesome mission, I wish I could have heard his talk. I've heard of that Outliers book, it sounds really interesting. I want to read it. That's a really interesting observation that the 10000 hours is almost exactly a mission!

Kt- I don't think I've ever laughed harder (lol-ing), while reading an email in a public place, than reading about your split poop soup. That is the best story I've ever heard. And I'm glad Todd was so supportive of your efforts, and didn't even laugh. What a good husband.

Amy-AH! Don't tell me that about Cary. I can't even handle that, and I'm not even married to him! I can't believe that. I will definitely be praying for him this week, and I'm sure he'll be fine. I can't even imagine him going through that! But it'll all be over by the end of this week right? i hope so. I sure love you Yam, and I'm sure he'll be fine!

also, p.s. Did you ever have an elder Gallardo at your house for dinner? I visited a family last night, and they said their son just got transferred out of serving in Del Rio.

M@- Me and Elder Reeves continue to have great speaking abilities. This week I said "chaw of lastity", which sounds like some hip new tobacco brand, not a commandment. And elder reeves was reading a scripture, and he said, let your bowls be full of charity. Which immediately made me want a small bowel of ice cream, if you know what I mean. Also, I love your dream lesson. I had an awesome dream this week about a bunch of missionaries taking a wedding planning class. It was really weird. I'm glad to hear Zelda has found it's place with you again.

b-oh brackets. I'm really sorry I'm not there to take the fall this year, I'm hoping i'll not know anything when I come back so the random luck can help me. Thanks for your spiritual thoughts, B, I really enjoyed them. I wanted to comment more, but I'm out fo time.

love you all!

I played church in the soccer today Mar 26

HI family!

It sure was good to hear from you all! I am so glad to hear everyone is doing so well. It's been a good week here in Shady Oaks! I've been to a lot of meetings, and been on 2 more exchanges, and it's been interesting. I haven't really spent very much time in my area with Elder Reeves. This week, I got to go to my first MLT! (which despite my initial thoughts, has nothing to do with Princess Bride or sandwiches). It's just a meeting where all the leaders in the mission get to come together and talk about the mission and everything. It was pretty fun. And then, I got to go on two more exchanges! That was pretty fun. I got to be companions with a Dominican and a Mexican! I love how diverse the mission is here. It's so cool. We have people from like 10 different countries just in my zone. It's still kind of weird to be the one doing the exchanges. It just makes me feel even more lost. I think I'm starting to forget who my real companion is. But it's really fun. I just feel like everyone is expecting something awesome when they go on exchanges with me, but then it just ends up being...me. But it's been interesting. Me and Elder Cisneros had a pretty cool experience. We were riding our bikes, about 8 o clock at night, and Elder Cisneros just said," hey, can we knock doors at night?" and then I said (this was really good), "yes". So he just had a feeling we should knock a door, so we did, and we ended up talking to this guy for about 10 minutes, and he said we could come back! That was cool. And then we were just walking down a little bit more with our bikes, and I was just thinking to myself, about why we're here. And then all the sudden, i just stopped walking. I still don't really know why. And right as I stopped, a mom and her kid came out of the house right next to us. And even though they thought we were police at first, they ended up being really nice and said we could come back as well! That was pretty cool. It's always amazing to see the Spirit working through us, even when we don't realize it. And then on wednesday, me and Elder Reeves were trying to contact a less active family. We'd tried a few times, but they have big dogs. But this wednesday, we got there, knocked on the gate a few times and....no dogs. Feeling very fortunate, we walk in, I open the second gate, and start to knock. I look around triumphantly, and see one of the dogs lying asleep about 10 feet from me. And then me and Elder Reeves hear this click clack of dog nails on the pavement. And the big bear dog just starts running towards us, and me and Elder Reeves just booked it out! He was in front of me, and starting trying to close the gate on me, but I made it anyway. It was so funny. And terrifying. But afterwards, I saw her neighbor across the street coming out of her house, so I decided to go try and talk to her. I had already stopped thinking about the less active family, but as I opened my mouth to talk to her, I suddenly felt an impression to ask her if she knew her neighbors. So i did, and she told us their names, and we went and yelled their names, and we finally got to meet them! It was so cool. And especially so to realize Heavenly Father helped us to do so. Also, another very funny story from last night. It rained really hard last night, and we were standing out in the rain, and I started talking to this black guy. He might have been on something, because he didn't make much sense. He kept closing his eyes and just standing in the rain as we were talking to him. we gave him a BOM card, and then at the end, he looked at the card, and then just started yelling. Just imagine David after the Dentist. He yelled just like him, and then looked at us, and said, I'm not ready. And tried to give us back the card. We made him keep it. It was so funny. But that's been my week, it's been pretty good. Me and Elder Reeves should have an even better week this week, we've actually got some solid new investigators now. But I love you family, and I can't wait to hear from you again next week!

P.S. I won't be writing again til April 4th, we have temple p-day next week!

Mops- Hi momma! So good news. I do have additions to my b-day list! I could actually use another pair of black shoes. I'm starting to scuff/stink my others up pretty good. I would love just another pair of Eccos like I already have. Also, could I ask a favor? I'd love to get letters from a few people, namely Ryan James and TJ. Do you happen to get their letters? And maybe send them on occasionally? Also, thank you so much for your letters momma. They always lift me up every week, I can't wait to read your letters. Thanks for all you do for me!

pops-That does indeed sound like a busy week. I hope it was a good one anyway though! I sure am excited for General conference here! I realize every day here, how incredible it is that we do have a prophet on the earth. And it makes me wish I'd paid more attention to past conferences. I've never appreciated them as much before. Are you still planning to watch it at home, or is the old tv not spiritual enough anymore? You might need a new one. Maybe 80 inches of spirituality this year. I love you pops, thanks for all you do!

A- Yay for Cary surviving! I'm so glad to hear that. And now you get vaycay for 2 weeks! That's so great. Didn't you say you were going to Mexico? You'll definitely have to tell me all about it when you get home! I'll hope to still hear from you, but if you're busy drinking daquiris or anything then that's alright, I understand. Also, don't tell me the Hunger games are awesome! They have posters for it at like every bus stop here, and I want to see it so bad!

Borsh- They came out with a new angry birds again? I can't even imagine what it will be like by the time I get home. They'll probably have the movie by then. Thanks for your letter bud, I love hearing about everything you're doing!

m@- ew. graduation. Work sounds gross right now. Graduation stuff does sound really busy. Where will you find time for Skysword? And nice job on the bball game. I think you'd be proud to know I'm channeling my inner latin and playing soccer every morning for exercise. I'm pretty terrible, but that's alright. We only play with one mexican, the rest are white, so I've got company. Have a great week mathewjewreichman!

Lauren- Thanks for the letter Lauren! That's so great that Matt rocked the GRE. I'm glad to hear everything is going so well. How's Jeff doing at BYU? Is he getting ready to put his papers in yet? You'll definitely have to tell me when he gets his call!

B- it does indeed sound like a good summer to be missing vacation. I picked a good time to leave. I heard they're getting snow in alabama this year, and then a lake at Snowbird next year. And then everything goes back to normal in 2013. Or so I've heard. Something to do with 2012 I'm sure. End of the world and everything. I can't wait to hear all about what actually ends up happening with your physics lab, and everything. Make sure you have time to keep growing your investigator pool! You only have so much time before you get transferred to your new area....

Kt-I love you!

I love you family! Have a great time watching General Conference this weekend, I know I sure will! I can't wait to talk to you all in a week and a half!

haypanhaypanhaypanhaypanhaypan hay pan!!! April 4

Good afternoon family!

Hearing you talk about all the mickey bars just made me think of all the street vendors around here. They have tons of mexican guys who drive around shouting "haypanhaypan hay pan" to try and get people to buy it. I can't do it justice in an email, but I wish you could hear it. And I bought my first ice cream from a mexican street vendor, it was great! So we were all eating ice cream together! and I didn't even know!

But wow. I had no idea that you all were going on a cruise! I don't know if we can count that as a surpreichmo or not. But it's been an interesting week. I love temple p-days, but it can be hard to make it all the way to wednesday without a p-day. We had some really awesome stuff happen this week. One of our investigators, his name is E., had dropped off the face of the earth for 3 weeks. We thought he dropped us. but then, last sunday, we had a lesson with him. He has some smoking and coffee problems, and those are really impeding him from baptism. But we came back about 3 days later, and he told us that right when he woke up on monday, he woke up and tried to drink his coffee, and he couldn't! It made him throw up. And I don't think he's drunk coffee since. It was amazing, Heavenly Father really does answer prayers. Me and Elder Reeves have also had some very awesome dog stories this week. We were walking out of a house with a super long driveway, and all the sudden, this dog comes out and just starts trying to bite elder Reeves feet. He didn't try anything else, just nipping at his shoes. And Elder Reeves did some really awesome athletics to try and get way from it. And i was very helpful, and I laughed. A lot. It was one of the funnier things I've seen. And then, we were trying to visit a less active family, (the same one from last week). I rapped the mailbox with my keys, and this big dog comes out of nowhere and almost eats my hand. Elder Reeves is standing there laughing at me, and then all of the sudden, an equally big dog just charges out of nowhere, right behind Elder Reeves. And then I scared him good, and I got to laugh again. And yesterday, we invited a member to an appointment with us. And our investigator wasn't there, so she started tracting with us. And there was just the random pit bull in the street that jumped on her! We felt pretty terrible about that. But luckily she laughed, so it was alright. Almost every house here in LA has at least 1 pit bull. It's crazy. And kind of scary. This week, nothing really big happened. Until General Conference! It was amazing! We ended up going to the Huntington Park West Stake center, which is my old area! And we got to watch it in english, which was awesome. And general conference was awesome. the talks, the spirit, everything. But what was even more amazing to me was just going to my old area. And everyone was excited to see me! That felt really good, seeing Elder Moore and some of the members, who were really just excited to see me. It felt really good. Sometimes that's not a reaction I get a lot. And then even more amazing, hearing about the stuff that's happening in my old area! M. is getting baptized sunday! And E. is getting baptized the next week, and he wants me to do it! That was really amazing. I got to see E., and he's still going strong, and he's been clean from drugs ever since we first met him. And even more amazing, M's husband has actually starting talking to the senior missionaries from my old ward! They've actually started talking about baptism! So he might get baptized soon too! And if that happened, him and M. and their kids can get sealed in a year! It was one of the happiest moments of my life, just hearing about all that. It was Heavenly Fathers way of telling me that He knew how much work I'd put in to that area, and he was letting me know I did a good job. It was amazing. And as for conference, It helped me realize something. Elder Wilson's talk on sunday afternoon, talking about leading in the priesthood. And one thing he said really stuck out to me, "Whenever you compel anyone to righteousness, you are acting unrighteously." And that was a big lesson for me. It can be easy to fall into that trap for me. It's been kind of hard for me to realize how to help people choose the right, especially being district leader, without compelling them to it. And that never feels good. That was a big lesson for me. I hope you all were able to listen to all of conference, it was all amazing. And if not, I would definitely encourage you all to watch it/read it again. they had some amazing talks. I could spend all this letter talking about my favorites. And one more thing, I did my first baptismal interview this week! I did it for a 10 year old kid, and right after we finished, he just went out and hugged his mom (who is getting baptized the same day) and jsut said, " I can't stop smiling!" It was so cool. That was also one of the happiest I've ever felt, watching him and his mom so excited for their baptism. But that was my week, I love you all, and thanks for all you do!

Borsh-Ah. I can't believe you got to go on the Disney Cruise. Lucky Duck. and speaking of birds, angry birds in real life? That's crazy. I can tell Angry Birds is getting bigger. I keep seeing people with angry birds shirts and everything. That game sounds pretty awesome. I'm glad you ate a lot for me on the cruise!

B- a 9 hour test?! That sounds like it should be in Dante's inferno. I can't e'en b'lee dat. I love how you got to mexico all by yourself. I had a brief mental image of you and a mexican taxista shouting at each other, him in spanish, you in czech. How did you communicate? But at least you made it. But I have to tell you B, I admire you more than ever before. Thinking about your mission, and how you just kept going, is inspiring. I got to see some of the results of my labors this weekend, but I realized you probably hardly ever saw that. So kudos to you. I don't know how you did it.

M@- You might as well just call me ronaldinho. I'm getting good at soccer. ok lie. We just play every morning inside the church, and i'm super terrible. I always fake myself out, lose the ball, and they score. but I'm slowly getting better. I wish I could have heard the kareoke. That sounds awesome.

Pops- last in the bracket again!? I can't believe that. Just wait til I come back, and then I will really....make everyone feel better by losing terribly. I am really excited for Easter. I like your insight, the more that I am out, the more I realize, it really all does depend on Christ. Everything we talk about just depends on our belief in him, and everything in the church is to better help us help the people around us, like Christ would do.

KT- Mickey bars for everyone! ah mickey bars! did Ellie eat any? I can imagine her loving them. I'm impressed you took Ellie on the cruise, it sounds scary to me to take a baby on the cruise. and congrats on your new jobs! Well, todds new job. And your new and improved, significantly reduced old job! That's so exciting.

A-Oh man. hearing you talk about eating all those things made me jealous. That's so many delicious things. And speaking of mickey, we met a less active family this week, and he works for Disneyland! And he offered us free tickets! but it's outside the mission. But he did give us free hats and a buzz lightyear toy! so that was exciting.

Mops-I can only say, thank you for not telling me about the trip. I think it would have made this week harder. It was a lot more fun hearing about it afterwards like this. Also, I wear size 10 shoes. And I lvoed my easter package! I opened it today. I couldn't wait til after easter, til monday. Thank you so much! I already ate all the jelly bellys. I love you a lot, and thanks for all you do for me! Happy early easter birthday!

You have saved our lives...we are eternally grateful Feb 27

Buenas tarders familia!

Esta semana ha sido una buena semana. Me siento muerto en mi cabeza ahorita, estoy un poco enfermo este dia. pero, esperosamente, yo voy a poder decirles lo que ha pasado esta semana. Me siento que muchas cosas hayan pasado, pero no me acuerdo muy bien ahorita. Esta semana, yo no he podido hablar. en espanol o ingles. creo que yo puedo escribir un poco mejor.

Hello family! It's so great to hear your voices today. Well, imagine them. Cause I can't actually hear them through the computer. But it sounds like everything is doing great, and I'm so glad to hear that!

This week has been a really good week, me and Elder Clark and Elder Moore have just been really having a blast. They're helping me to not be so serious all the time. Everybody here in the mission thinks I'm super serious, and it makes me sad. I just get stressed and then I stop being funny. Either that or i'm really not funny. We'll go with the first option. But we've really gotten along well here, I'm going to be sad for the transfer. Almost completely positively certainly, we will not be together next transfer. President said he wasn't going to leave the trios. And I have a feeling I'm leaving this area and ward. I have no idea where I'm going or what kind of companion I will have, but I have a feeling I'm leaving. Part of me is devastated, I love all the people here, and It's gonna be super hard to leave people like E., and S., and others. But on the other hand, I'm learned so much here, mostly made a lot of mistakes, and I want to go somewhere fresh and see if I can put everything I've learned into practice. But I will let you know next week where I will be! I don't think I will be getting transferred to colorado, not like Amy! Maybe my last transfer I will. Speaking of last transfers, Elder Watkins goes home tomorrow! My dad is going home! It was really weird, going to the departing missionary fireside last night and hearing him bear his testimony. I'm really sad, he's definitely made a big difference in how I've started my mission and how the rest of it will go. He's one of the goofiest guys I've ever met, but he's really awesome and a great missionary, and I'm really grateful I got trained by him. The departing missionary fireside is really cool, it can be kind of hard, but it really motivates you to work harder, so at the end you can stand up yourself and share what your mission has done for you.

As for success this week, just lots of little things. Nothing big. except there was one really cool thing, on tuesday we went and had our lesson with M., the lady who walked into church. And as we looked at her address, and then pulled up to her house, me and elder moore realized we'd both been to this house before. At the very first weekly planning session with elder moore, we prayed and put together a list of former investigators to go visit. And then, we tried to go visit them. And one of them, is E.'s step dad. We found E. because we were trying to contact his family. And one of the others, her name was M., and we tried many times to contact her but never found her. So we pulled up to the house, and Elder Moore realized that M.’s name sounded really familiar. We learned that they were the same person! It was pretty amazing, already seeing the fruits of some of our earlier labors from the transfer before. She started going to church about the time we tried to contact. That was probably the coolest thing. We also had a fun experience after the fireside last night, we spent about all day doing companionship study, and as we came back we had a little time so we did some street contacting. And in our studies, we practice and role play a lot. And when we contacted this guy, it was almost exactly the same as what we practiced earlier that day. It was pretty cool. That's just how our weeks have been the past couple weeks, just lots of little miracles that let us know Heavenly Father knows exactly what we're doing. And it's really helping me to learn to trust in Him. Just to trust that everything will work out. And I've been feeling a lot more peaceful and stable, mentally and emotionally and spiritually lately. Not really physically. I'm getting sick again I think. But that's alright. Everything happens for a reason. Well, that's been our week, and I can't wait to talk to you all next week and tell you where I'm at! Have a great week, I love you all!

Borsh- Shame on you, writing your letter in stake conference! Haha, I remember those days. Now people expect me to be paying attention in church, and play the piano! It's weird. That Nuggets game sounds awesome! I'm really jealous. Did you get anybodys autographs? How's your basketball playing going? I hope you're practicing good, so you can beat me when I get home. I play every day, so I'm still practicing too! Love you Bud!

Mops- can you believe I'm already on my fifth transfers and I've already been out for more than 7 months? It's really weird. I feel like a newbie still. And at the same time, I feel like I'm be home before I know it. It's really weird. And momma, you would not believe some of the things I eat. You all wouldn't even recognize me! I actually like mexican food now! And I eat chilies and beans all the time! I'm still not a fan of tomatoes or sour cream, but I eat them! Thanks for your great letter mops, and thank you very much for fasting for me. I felt it yesterday. I felt the spirit very strong yesterday, telling me that everything is going to be alright with this transfer. And Heavenly Father knows exactly where he wants me going. I had a really good day yesterday, and now I know I have you to thank for it! Thanks for all you do for me momma, and I sure love you!

Pops-I'm sorry you tweaked your knee pops! But one thing, it didn't hurt me a bit. I would ask if your face hurt, but I wouldn't be able to deliver the killer punchline til next week, and I feel that would kill the joke somewhat. I hope it feels better though pops! That's so crazy that Lindsey just got home. Missions go by so fast, and so slow at the same time. I'm glad she had a great mission, and that's really cool that they got to pick her up. I will always remember picking Brent up, that was the trip of a lifetime. And I hope all of you will one day come back and tour my mission with me. In an armor plated van maybe. It definitely won't have some of the scenic sights and countryside that Brent's had, but it'd still be fun!

Well, I'm out of time, but I love you all, and I can't wait to hear from you all next week, and tell you what's happened with me!

(and good luck on Amy's transfer to Colorado. And Brent, I would really love some ovocne knedliky. I will send you some papusas if you send me. ) Love you all!

Welcome to Shady Oaks Retirement Village March 5

Well, I just finished going to the bathroom for the 80th time today. In my new area!

As you all have very correctly inferred, I did get transferred. And man was it an interesting transfer. My new area is called Willowbrook, and despite it's name, it is actually not a retirement village! That's what I thought when I first heard it. So after p-day on monday, me and Elder Moore and Elder Clark were standing outside someone's house, getting ready to go home, and we got a call from the AP's, asking us to come in for interviews the next day! So we did, and first of all, Elder Moore is training this transfer! So I now have a grandson! I'm so proud of him. He's going to be a great trainer, and I'm really excited for him. And then I had an interview with President as well. Because in addition to being transferred, they have also asked me to be the district leader! ahhhh!!!!!! It's been quite the week. Trying to learn a new area, new responsibilities, new companion, new district, new zone, it's been crazy. But first of all, Willowbrook. My apartment is very fortunately, cockroach free, and it's actually a pretty nice apartment. The shower doesn't work very well, it's a little bit like standing under a rain gutter, but no cockroaches! I can't tell you how happy I am about that. And as for the area, welcome to South Central! My area is right in the middle of Watts and Compton, and one of the areas in my district is actually called South Central. We have a few projects in our area, and now I will be able to tell people that I have been to the projects. But another great thing, as district leader, I get a car! That's been kind of a nice change. I'm worried about getting fat, but it's been really nice to have a car these past few days. I only have a certain number of miles, so I will probably end up using my bike still, but it's still nice to have it for p-days. And another really awesome thing, we actually live out of our area, just a couple blocks away from some other elders. One of which is Elder Jones, from the MTC! He's in my district. It's been awesome to have him in my district, it's made my transition a lot easier, having him here. I consider that a tender mercy. Another interesting thing, my district is super young. There are 3 other companionships there, and we are all in the Southgate 2 ward, along with a pair of sisters, who for some reason aren't in our district. Me and Elder Jones are the oldest elders in our district! Oldest, as in we've been out the longest. It's been really weird. It's a lot of responsibility. It's really weird, realizing i'm pretty much responsible for the missionary work in the southgate 2 ward. It's a really weird feeling. And even weirder, I get to do baptismal interviews as well! So whenever anyone from my district is teaching someone, I am the one that decides whether or not they are ready for baptism! AH! I thought I was stressed before. But it's been really fun, and I've been learning a lot. And Heavenly Father has definitely been giving me what I need to fulfill my responsibilities here. I was sitting in church yesterday, and I just had an impression that I needed to set a good example for everyone in my district and the ward, and bear my testimony. So I did, and for probably the first time ever, I went up, and bore my testimony, and I didn't think at all about what I was going to say. And Heavenly Father really gave me the words I needed to say, and it was pretty amazing. Heavenly Father has given me a lot to let me know he's there, and watching. Our area here is doing alright, we've got one investigator getting closer to baptism, but ot much else going. But me and Elder Reeves found 5 new investigators in the 4 days I've been here, and I really have a lot of good hopes for this area. It's got a lot of good potential. My companion is pretty great. His name is Elder Reeves, which is kind of funny, I keep expecting him to be related to Cary. He's been out 2 transfers less than me, and he's doing great. We both have a tendency to take ourselves seriously, but that's something I want to work on. I am really grateful for all of your letters today, I was feeling kind of bad, because I feel everytime I start to feel more myself, I feel like I'm breaking a rule. And that makes me feel stressed. But almost all your letters today talked about having a positive attitude and being yourself, and I definitely think that was an answer from Heavenly Father, telling me that I'm on the right track, I just keep learning day by day how to be more positive and happy, but still work hard and be obedient. It's a really hard balance to find. But that's been my week, It's been really interesting adjusting to the new area and responsibilities, it was harder to leave my old area than I expected. The hardest part was leaving E. We went to the VC with him right after my interview, and I almost cried when I said goodbye to him. That was pretty hard, but I'm hoping to get a call this month inviting me to his baptism! It feels good to be in a new area, where people don't really know me, a chance to put the lessons I learned in my other ward into practice and be myself more. It's been good. Well, I love you all, and I can't wait to hear from you all next week! And the letters from the past couple weeks did actually stolen, but they think they found the car, so we'll see about that. But I love you all, thanks for your great letters, and I can't wait to write you again from Hidden Falls! I mean, Willowbrook. Bye!

I am going to to write a 5 page novel Feb. 20

Hola Familia!

me da mucho gusto para escribirles otra vez esta semana. Ustedes me escribieron muy buenas cartas esta semana, y me sentia muy contento leerlas. Esta semana ha sido muy extrana. mucho mas de lo mismo. Despues de nuestra limpieza, pensabamos que habia mucho espacio por nuevos investigadores. Esta semana ha sido un poco dificil, pero tenemos mucho potencial ahora. Me siento que vayamos a tener mucho exito esta proxima semana y especialmente este proximo cambio, aun que tal vez yo no vaya a estar aqui.

Hi family! This week has been really interesting. It's been another kind of interesting week. Each week we think the slump will get over, and then we sit down on sunday night and we're just thinking, dangit. No baptismal dates, no progressing investigators, what happened? But we've been working hard, and we've really got a ton of potential, its just going to be sifting through it. And whenever I get too down, I just have to think of E. He continues to be amazing. This week, he even volunteered to say the prayer in class, and he brought his mom to church! E. has already been taught everything, so we just focus on the BOM, and especially we've realized helping him help his family will keep him going strong. His niece and nephew have been coming to the activities, and they've even starting reading the BOM as well! They're really cool, i love him and his whole family so much, they are the kind of people I will always remember. We're having dinner with them for the first time this week, and we're really excited for that. Everytime we go over, they're cooking something. And friday, they gave us tacos de lengua! they were really good. We saw his sister in law pulling these giant cow tongues out of the pot, and we were kind of grossed out at first, but once they're chopped up, with some pico de gallo and hot sauce, they're amazing. But he continues to do really well, and he's already got almost 60 days clean. Hopefully just 30 more and he'll be ready for baptism! A. and L. are doing well, they feed us every week, and this week, they fed us so much! Two giant plates of meat and beans, followed by cookies, flan, and a bowl of fruit. It was crazy. I was the only one who finished it. I felt like dying afterward, but I felt proud of finishing it. We also have our investigator S., he's doing well, it's hard to teach him because his less active wife always whispers the answers in his ear. It's very hilarious and very frustrating. They actually live right behind the computer shop where we are writing right now! But I know I started this letter off kind of negatively. But man this week ended well. I was feeling pretty down sunday. It's been a tough few weeks, and the worst part is wondering if the lack of success is because of something you're doing wrong or if it's just a test of faith. I was thinking a lot about that, and I prayed and asked Heavenly Father to help me know that I was on the right track. And that day at church, this lady named M. walked up to us, told us she lived in our area, had been going to church for the past two months, and wanted to be baptized! It was amazing. We think she's been going to the other ward and that's why she hasn't talked to us before. It was amazing to get that new progressing investigator who will soon have a baptismal date, and it was even more amazing just realizing how much Heavenly Father loves me. He inspired her to talk to us that day so that I could have that answer to that prayer. It's very humbling, and makes me realize how much more grateful I should be for what I already have. Including a wonderful family like you! I keep our Christmas card in my backpack, and if the circumstances are right in the lesson I like to pull it out and talk about all of you. You really are all amazing, and I am so grateful for all of you. And it's what keeps me going here in the mission. I would definitely not be here without all of you. I just hope you know how much I love all of you, and how grateful I am for everything.

And for my spiritual thought for this week, I read something that caught my attention. In the second to last verse of Jacob, he says they mourned all the days of their lives. But earlier, Nephi, says they lived after the manner of happiness, earlier in 2nd nephi. I was thinking about that, and how Jacob and Nephi had a lot of similar circumstances. And I don't know all the circumstances, things probably did change, but it seemed to me that Nephi was just happy because he wanted to be. Even a prophet has to have a good attitude to be happy. And I realized so much of my happiness, here and always, depends on my attitude. But that's my soapbox for this week, it's been a good week, Me and elder Moore and Elder Clark have been having a great time. Can't wait to write you all next week!

Josh- How was dull rio? It sounds really fun, I've never been to a pilot graduation! How are Kola and Lily doing? I love you bud, have a great week. Try a somersault!

A- Amy you're going to get transferred the same day I am! Our transfers are on the 29th of this month as well! And I don't know why, I just have a feeling I'm leaving the ward. I can't believe I've already been here for almost 6 months, this transfer has been crazy fast! Although your transfer sounds a little more intense. Graduation sounds super fun, along with feeding tons of people! I feel for you. I made breakfast for Elder Moore and Elder clark yesterday. It was stressful. I made them breakfast papusas! With egg, bacon and cheese. They weren't very good. But they have tons of potential. When I get home, I will perfect them. But I love you, tell Cary congrats on his wings, and I'm so proud of him! I tell all the missionaries I meet how cool he is. I mean, a fur real pilot! But I sure love you Yam, good luck with everything!

B- Your week sounds super fun! I remember days like that. Maybe not quite like that. But still close. With the new training program, they have 2 hours comp study, and sometimes that's enough for me. But Enrique is still amazing. He really is, and he continues to love everything, he hasn't flagged at all. And he said ever since we gave him a blessing, he hasn't even been tempted to use drugs. it's pretty amazing. Well I hope that we both have more exciting weeks, and I love you B!

Kt- I really like what you said, That Heavenly Father is holding the 99 back so we can focus on the 1. There's so many people here, that's its really easy to always focus on new people and not focus on just the ones who need it most. Also, I can't even imagine todd as a softie. no way. When I see Ellie, I will not be a softie. We will be doing scripture study every day, and I will never even take her to the park, or buy her ice cream, or anything. Ellie sure sounds adorable, even if she was all cranky this week. I hope she feels better this week!

M@- I am indeed still in a trio, and unless Elder Clark gets his visa in this next week I still will be til the next transfer. But President Baker said they won't keep the trios for the next transfer. I've actually really liked it, it keeps it interesting. We laugh a lot more, it's harder to get down with three people. Your weekend and valentines day sounds great, all I did was interrupt other peoples romantic celebrations! that was fun. But I hope you have a great week, tell Lauren I say hi!

Mops- That speedway sounds super fun. You might have to take me there sometime! Thanks for your letter mops, I am unfortunately running out of time, but I sure love you!

Pops-That story about Kathy rawlins is amazing. It does my heart good hearing about you and mops helping the missionaries, because members make or break an area. I never realized how important having members were. I didn't even realize that we had a ward mission leader before I left. I hope everything continues to go well with her!

I love you all, have a great week!

Jan 30 through Feb 13

Usted es bien fuerte y gordo Jan. 30

Buenos dias familia! El titulo de mi carta esta semana es una experiencia bien chistosa que yo tuve con E. anoche. hablabamos con el, y el dijo que el es bien fuerte, y yo trate de decir guapo, pero dije gordo. Elder Moore rio bastante, y yo estaba muy embarazado, (broma, me avergonce mucho). Pero, E. rio tambien, y todo salio bien. Entonces, yo he tenido una semana bien interestante, pero, estuvo muy bien.

Good day, family! The title of my letter this week is a very funny experience I had with E. last night. We were talking with him, and he said he was very strong, and I tried to say he was handsome, but I said fat. Elder Moore laughed a lot, and I was very pregnant (joking, I was very embarrassed). But E. laughed as well, so everything worked out OK. So, I've had a very interesting week, but it was all good. (I loved his 'Nemo' joke, by the way.)

Good Morning Family!

It's another great week over here in L.A. 6th, sun is shining, birds are singing, Missionaries are tracting, the tank is clean...The tank is clean!

But it's been a good week. We've had some interesting experiences. First of all, I've had my first experience being chased by a dog in a dark alley. That was quite exciting. Me and Elder Moore accidentally turned down an alley, (we thought it would go through), rode down to the end, and then these two bull dogs just came out of nowhere, and we booked it on our bikes, and they chased us right out that alley. That was really interesting. Also, I learned how to make Papusas for real! Me and Elder Moore had a dinner, and the hermana taught us how to do every stage of papusa making! It was awesome. And me and elder Moore had an awesome idea. Papusas are mostly beans and cheese, but we had an idea to make breakfast papusas! With egg, bacon, and cheese. We're going to try that out on sunday morning and see how it goes! I feel like it's been forever since I've written, and that I've got so many things to tell you all about, but at the same time I can't believe this week is already over! And so is january! That's what I really can't believe. It's crazy.

But we've had some really awesome experiences this week. Me and Elder Moore were riding to an appointment, we saw a lady unloading groceries, stopped, threw down our bikes and offered to help. And she said we could! This was a big deal. Latinos will never let us help them. They can be carrying a refrigerator by themselves, you offer to help, and they just say, no estoy bien. But we helped her, started talking to her a little bit, and invited her to church. And this week, she came, and she even brought a friend! She loved it, and we're really hoping she will go somewhere. We also had an amazing lesson with a less active family. We had dinner with them, and then, we started teaching them the plan of salvation. And I've never had people pay more attention to us in a lesson. It was awesome. We taught it, and they started firing off the questions. The Spirit was really strong in that lesson, and it was amazing, knowing that that lesson was exactly what they needed that night. Lessons like that are what make me love being a missionary. I got out of it afterward, and I was just amazed that I get to have that opportunity to go in peoples houses and teach them. It's really amazing. We also had a great lesson with E. He's been doing incredibly well, he's been clean ever since we started teaching him, and he came to church yesterday, with his suit and tie, he looked like a bishop. I think Heavenly Father has a very special plan for him, I'm really excited to see what it is. He loves everything, he reads everything, loves church, and he's just amazing. He had a hard day on saturday, he said he really was tempted. We were teaching about the WoW, and there is a page in that pamphlet about addiction recovery, and one suggestion is to give a blessing. Me and Elder Moore both felt inspired to offer him a blessing. I sometimes get nervous about doing blessings, I'm still not very confident about them, but I gave him the blessings, and I didn't even feel particularly inspired, but afterwards, he said, I needed that. And he said he felt so much better, and it really made a difference to him. It was pretty amazing. Incredibly amazing that I, with God's help, can really help people here. I've been learning a lot about listening to the Spirit this week, I've had some really amazing spiritual experiences on my mission, but I'm learning a lot more about how to recognize it when it's quieter. When it's just subtle enough, that if you're not paying attention, you lose it. And the more I learn about it, the more I realize just how much God is involved in every part of my life. Every minute of every day. It's amazing. And I learn more and more, how i can't do anything without His help. It's very humbling, but also very strengthening, realizing it's not all up to me. I've also learned a lot about the scripture, 2nd nephi 28:30. God gives us a little by little. My mission has not been easy for me in the slightest. It's definitely been the hardest 6 months of my life. There's been a lot of days where I was not sure if I could keep going. But little by little, Heavenly Father is really teaching me to trust him, and to trust that He knows where He wants me to be, and what He wants me to be. And I'm so grateful that he hasn't solved all my problems like I've wanted Him to, but he's given me just enough to keep going, so I could learn for myself. I know He is watching over me, and all of you too. Every day, my testimony of that just gets stronger and stronger. And I know how much he loves me, because the fact that He hasn't let me stop. Sometimes, He's kept me going despite all of my best efforts to give up. And I'm so grateful for that.

I'm also really grateful for all of your amazing letters, I'm sorry I don't have more time today, but know I enjoyed every single one of your letters, and can't wait to hear from you all next week! (especially Amy, you could have switched Air force Bases 3 times since the last time I heard from you! I love you all so much, and I know that the gospel is true! And I'm so grateful I can live with you all forever, because of it. And I know that I can. Love you!

KT- Ellie-fant! I love it! It's amazing!

squash-thanks for the pictures!

Oh boy! 3 A.M.! Feb 6

Buenas tardes la famila reichman (richman? rechman? riceman? oh...elder!) Ha sido una semana buena en L.A. 6th. hemos tenido una semana un poco dificil, un poco duro, pero por lo general estuvo muy bien. muchas de nuestras buenas citas nos cancelaron, y hemos tocado muchas puertas y hemos hablado con tantas personas. Me siento que hayamos trabajado muy duro, y por eso, me siento bien, solo no hemos visto el fruto de nuestros labores mucho esta semana. Pero, esta bien, y vamos a seguir trabajando duro y eficazmente y tendremos mucho exito esta proxima semana!

Good afternoon Reichman family! It's been a good week in L.A. 6th. We've had a week that was a little difficult, a little hard, but generally it was very good. A lot of our appointments canceled on us, and we've knocked a lot of doors, and we've talked to many people. i feel like we've worked very hard, and for this, I feel good. Only we haven't seen the fruit of our labors much this week. But, it's OK, and we are going to continue working hard and effectively and we will have a lot of success this next week!

Hi familia!

It's been an interesting week. We've had tons of missed appointments, zone conference, tons of tracting and street contacting, trying to contact referalls, all that good missionary stuff! First of all, E. is continuing to do awesome! He's been clean ever since we met him, but unfortunately we won't be getting baptized anytime soon, President Baker wants him to wait for at least 3 months, because he had some pretty strong addictions and he wants to make sure he's truly left them. But he's doing great, he loves church, and this sunday, he just turned to us and said, "I can't wait to serve in the church here. maybe I'll be sitting up on the stand someday." He's so awesome. And once he's a member, I could see it. I feel Heavenly Father has a big plan for this ward, because all 3 companionships in the ward have been finding and baptizing some of the coolest people, who are really going to strengthen the ward. (also, did I tell you that M. got called as a ward missionary? It was one of the coolest things ever on saturday, seeing her walk into coordination meeting with her own copy of Preach my Gospel. She's so awesome, and it's really, really awesome to be able to continue to see her and work with her, even though I left the area.) We've also got a really awesome couple, named A. and L., he's been investigating for over a year now, and they're ready to be baptized, they just have to wait for probation and marriage problems to be baptized. And the grocery lady, C., we were unfortunately unable to see her this week, she was working a ton (work is the enemy of missionary work here, that's all anybody does), she wasn't able to make it to church yesterday either, but we have an appointment with her tomorrow that should be awesome. And we have a less active named R., and we are teaching her husband S. right now, and he's doing great as well. They gave us seviche on saturday, and Elder Moore almost died. He hates seafood, and seviche had shrimp, snails, octopus and oysters in it. I didn't even enjoy it that much, but Elder Moore was dying. and I wasn't laughing at all. I was very compassionate and caring. It was a very interesting dish, mostly just seeing little octopus legs covered in suckers all over. But that's about it for our investigators. We've been contacting a lot, and planning on dropping most of our area book this next week I think. but we'll see what happens. Also, this week, we had Zone conference! It was great. I love zone conference and district meetings and stuff. Just kind of a little break for a while. And President Baker gave an awesome talk about obedience. Most the time, when the President talks about obedience, we figure it will just be him telling us to be more obedient, but he talked about the difference between being obedient and being willingly obedient. That really, really hit me. I've been very obedient in my mission, but not very willingly most the time. And because of that, I've seen awesome blessings, but I haven't really been in the place that I could enjoy them the way I want to. And President Baker said, the real reason we are obedient is because we love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and we are grateful for what they do for us. I've been thinking a lot about that recently, and it's really helping me to put things in focus. It's helping me want to be obedient, rather than setting a list of rules that if I break, it means i'm a terrible missionary. It's been great to feel that change, to feel myself slowly starting to be obedient because I want to, rather than stressing out every second about whether or not I'm being obedient enough. And it brings the Spirit more into my life, I''ve noticed my biggest obstacle to feeling the spirit is worrying about and stressing, not from not being obedient enough. But I know my Heavenly Father loves me, and I'm slowly starting to feel that more and more in my life.

It's been an interesting week, I've learned a lot, and I'm really excited for this next week! I can't wait to hear from you all again, and I love you all so much, and I hope you have an awesome week!

Addendum:

J-i can't believe you got a snowday

B- I have tons of sisters in my zone because most the sisters in the mission work in the visitors center, and they split the VC sisters between the Westwood and Marina zones. I actually really like having sisters, for the most part they're pretty awesome. they give awesome tours as well in the VC, so you definitely want to be friends with them.

Kt- I could really use some moccasins as well! I bought some cheap slippers cause my apartment floor is gross, but it's just not the same!

M@- I love president monsons abundant life! we're gonna share it tonight at an FHE with Angel and Luz! Also, Papusas are from El Salvador primarily. And We didnt get to try the breakfast papusas, we forgot it was fast sunday, but this week for sure.

Mops-obedience is hard. I really liked your thoughts about obedience, it's been something I've been thinking about a lot as well! Also I got the package, I loved it! Your letters make me tear up all the time, but they're awesome! I love you so much Momma, and you should send me a hand picture! I'd love it.

Pops-Thanks for sending that text to Amy! I really appreciate it. I sure love you Pops, thanks for your great example to me, and sorry I don't have more time! I wish I could have seen Kola and Lilly in the snow, that sounds adorable and hilarious.

los tres amigos! Feb. 13

Hola Familia!

That reichman family group is pretty nifty there! Thank you Matt for setting that up! Well, we've had a very interesting week this week. It's been another kind of discouraging week. We did our weekly planning on thursday, and just dumped out our area book. But good news is, there is now plenty of room for people who will progress! We've had a lot of people who just weren't going anywhere fast, so we decided to drop most of them and concentrate on finding new people. We kept a few people, mostly E., A. and L., S., and a couple other people. E. is still doing awesome. He now has 52 days clean, and we have taught him everything! He's agreed to everything, and has even started paying his tithing! His obedience has been very inspiring to me. I always get nervous teaching some of the commandments, but in essence, when we were talking about tithing, he said, "I know the church is true, and I have to go 100% or nothing." So he's doing great. And he always talks to people on the street, at his job, his family, teaching them everything we teach him. He's so amazing. I really can't wait to see where he's at in a few years. He's so cool. A. and L. are also doing great, we have an FHE with them and another family in the ward today, and I'm excited for that, they went to a baptismal service this sunday, and they both seemed to really like it, and I'm also really excited to see where they end up in a few years. S.....we've had some interesting lessons. His wife sits there and whispers the answers to questions in his ear, but he still just says what he thinks we want to hear. It's really weird, but also kind of hilarious. But we've had a few cool things happen this week. First, I got to go on splits with my brother! Elder Watkins trained Elder Gonzalez right before me, and now Elder Gonzalez is my District leader, and he's awesome. He's a great missionary. It's kind of interesting, his parents are Colombian, so we actually went in the MTC the same day, but he was only there 3 weeks, and we go home together. But it was really fun, and we found this really cool new family, and I'm so excited for our lesson with them tomorrow. Also, biggest news of the week, is I'm now a grandpa! Kind of. I'm not really sure how the whole relationship works here, but me and Elder Moore are training! We got a call from President Baker during one of our appointments, and he told us he was going to give us a visa waiter! So we now have Elder Clark working with us in L.A. 6th! Me and Elder Moore are starting to train him, we're not really sure how long he'll be with us, but he's great. He's going to Cuernavaca, Mexico, once he gets his visa. And a really interesting thing, Elder Clark was in the same district in the MTC as I was, District 44-E, with Hermano Gillon! He took the place of the group after me. It's kind of interesting. But It's been really interesting having him, me and Elder Moore are both training him, and it's really weird having responsibility over them both. Elder Moore already knows everything, but technically I'm still senior companion, and if nobody knows what to do or they need to make a decision, I'm the one they look to and I have the final say in what we do. It's weird. Especially because I hate making decisions. I'm terrible at it. Also, we had the craziest lesson this week! We got a referral this week that was actually supposed to go to the english elders, but we didn't know it at the time, and we tried to contact them. We knocked the door, and a guy with a strange accent opened the door. Closed it for a second, and then invited us in. We realized that his accent was not spanish. But we got in, and he told us he was french. And turns out there were 4 different people in the house speaking like 4 different languages! All in all, during the course of the lesson, there was portugese, spanish, french, italian and english. We would talk in spanish to the one guy who had a high school spanish education, and then they would all talk amongst themselves in French. It was crazy! and even crazier, one of them was a blind black guy, who turns out to be a famous french fashion designer! It was so crazy. His name was Mason Ewing, I'm sure you could look him up. It was crazy. And they invited us back for dinner, they really liked us, but we can't because the english elders are already teaching them! It was a crazy night. It's been interesting, I hope this week things start to pick up again. But I love you all, and I can't wait to hear from you next week! And Happy Valentines day!

J-haha, I loved the Mario analogy. Except you typed Marco. Mops sent me mario candy for Christmas, and one of them came in a coin box, and I keep my quarters in it for laundry. It's great. Your snow cave sounds great, I haven't even seen snow in about a year, so I can't even remember what thats like! Also Pops told me you woke up at 5:30 and started packing up, and then had to get out your sleeping bag again when you realized it was still early. I didn't laugh at all. But I love you buddy, and go have an exciting week this week! Seize the day! Especially if it involves dressing up like Mario

B- hooray for singles awareness day! That's so awesome that you taught your elders quorum the my little buttercup dance. I am so jealous. and I wish I could see that video. I can't wait to see it when I do get back! Also, your tests sound gross. i am really glad I don't have tests like that. Although, when I think about it, my day every day is kind of a test of what I studied that morning. But at least they are not in the testing center!

Yam-AAHH!!! i still can't believe Cary is going to be a pilot. That is so crazy. That is going to be so cool when you get to break his wings! I'm surprised you didn't break them right then and there when he called you fat! Oh man. That story killed me. I LQTM-ed. I'm really glad, for Cary's sake, that he was talking to Abby, and not you. Also, your weekend sounds delicious. I wish you would email me some cookies. but guess what! I'm going to make the cookies you sent me, and we are going to decorate them for the FHE tonight! And it's going to be great!

M@-I had a great brentism this week. I was trying to say papusas are filled with beans and cheese, and I accidentally said beas and cheens! Elder Moore died. It was hilarious, and our investigators had no idea what we were laughing about.

Kt-your anniversary sounds great!

Mops-Guess what? I found something about your questions a couple weeks ago. In true to the faith, ( a gospel reference), it talks about how the sacrament means we are clean again. I was really excited when I found it! But thanks for your awesome letters Mops, I love you!

Pops-The snow caves sound great. Also, I saw a lot of asian people this week for some reason, and I kept almost talking to them in spanish. I know understand why Mexico is so hard for you.

But that;s all the time I have, but I love you all, and I can't wait to hear from you next week!

Jan 9 - Jan 23. The weeks fly by, even though not fast enough for Ry's mom!

So like 50? Jan. 9

Buenos dias familia! Como estan? espero que todo este bien con ustedes. Hemos tenido una semana muy buena! Comi mucho, trabaje mucho, dormi mucho, y tambien, bautizamos mucho! S. se bautizo ayer! Fue un servicio bonito. Yo tuve mucho estres, porque nuestro lider misonal del barrio no estaba, y yo tuve que hacer mucho, como llenar la pila bautismal, tocar el piano, encontrar personas a decir las oraciones y dar discursos, y cosas asi. me senti que yo tuviera mucha responsibilidad. No me gusto. No hay a nadie que deba confiarme con responsibilidad. Pero, todo fue bueno, y S. es muy feliz ahora. Y yo estoy feliz, porque ella es feliz. y tambien nos dio mucha carne asada con rica salsa picante. Bien rica.

Good day, family! I hope that all is well with you. We have had a great week! I ate a lot, worked a lot, slept a lot, and also, we baptized a lot! S. got baptized yesterday. It was a pretty service. I had a lot of stress, because our ward mission leader wasn't there, and I had a lot to do, like fill the baptismal font, play the piano, find people to say the prayers and give talks, and stuff like that. I felt like I had a lot of responsibility. I didn't like it. Nobody should trust me with responsibility. But, all was well, and S. is very happy now. And I am happy, because she is happy. And she also gave us a lot of carnegie salad with delicious hot salsa. Very tasty.

Good Morning Family!

This week, or the past 4 days since I last wrote have been great! I've actually got a lot to tell you about, in only 4 days! First of all, S. got baptized! The service went really well, and she seems really happy. Elder Moore got to baptize her! He did a great job. I forgot my camera, but I'll try and email some pictures next week. Or just send my memory card home. But it went really well, I was really stressed at the actual service, trying to make sure people were coming and everything was ready, so I didn't enjoy it as much as I could have. But we got to sit down and eat dinner with her and her family later, and that was really cool. I remember the first time I went over to their house, the first lesson I taught her. And it's amazing the progress she's made, and also how close I feel to them after such a short time. They treated us like the guests of honor, it was very touching. And humbling, especially realizing how little I've really done. I've just sat in the lessons, occasionally said something, and then Heavenly Father has done the rest. It's been really cool. And it's stuff like that, that makes it all worth it. That makes it not work. That makes it being a missionary, not doing missionary things. It was a really amazing feeling. We've had some very good finding experiences this week as well. We received a referall, and we were trying to contact it. Elder Moore had a more complete map on him, so he could see it wasn't in our area. I thought it might be. And I just felt we should go check, so we ended up riding up there, even though Elder Moore knew it wasn't there. But as we were riding, we stopped at a stoplight. This guy named J. was there, and he just started talking to us. We found out he was baptized over 20 years ago, but hadn't been to church in at least that long. It was pretty crazy, that Heavenly Father put us there so we would be able to talk to him at just that moment. We set up an appt with him and we'll see what happens with it. Then, we got to the area, and learned that the house of the referral was not in our area. It made perfect sense to go down and visit another investigator we found, E., who was a lot of addiction problems. But I just felt we should tract around there. And we found this really cool guy with tons of questions and said he loved to read and said we could come back. It was a pretty amazing afternoon. We been very inspired this week. And then I accidentally turned down the wrong street and found another really cool guy. It's been a great week.

Also, me and Elder Moore had an awesome conversation yesterday. I can tell my spanish is getting good (or I'm just going crazy) We just finished contacting these two guys, and they didn't have much interest, and as they were talking I just had a very inspired question that they just couldn't answer. It's amazing how the Holy Ghost will just give you what you need to say. And I was talking to Elder Moore afterwards, and I said, I wish we were english missionaries sometimes, then I could talk and understand better, just like with those two guys over there. And then he was really confused, and he didn't get what he was saying. And I got frustrated, cause I had no idea what he was not getting about that. Then, about 4 hours later, I realized why Elder Moore was so confused. It's because I was speaking in spanish the whole time! I am getting to where after lessons I sometimes don't remember if we gave it in english or spanish. That's really cool. I guess I have not been able to really speak and address concerns like that in spanish before, and it just took me by surprise. After that conversation, all I could think about was me and amy's conversation. (48? 50?)

But that has been my week, it's been an awesome one, and I can't wait to talk to you all next week!

Borsh- I hope now that you're back at school, you'll have more to tell me about your week! How's your friends? How's school? how's Kola and Lily? How's mops? are you being nice to her? Have you read anything cool in the Book of Mormon lately? I love you bud, I can't wait to hear from you again next week!

A-mmmmm. Cheesecake. Email me some ok? I keep not having time to make those cookies you sent me, and it's making me sad. I also realized, I don't have a cookie sheet. Which makes it harder. but I will, and I will decorate them and make them beautiful. Also, I had some really delicious carne asada last night. It was so good. With grilled chilies and onions, and salsa de chile de arbol, it was so good. but bad news. I've inexplicably gotten fat this week. I don't know what happened. I still ride my bike, eat about the same, but somehow, my pants are tighter. This is not good news. I need to ride my bike harder and exercise more. because the eating won't stop. Also, I can't believe Cary gets his assignment soon! I'm already getting anxious about this next transfer, I can't even imagine how you and Cary feel. It's like an uber-transfar. Also, that's crazy that you have a gun. I can't e'en b'lee dat. Also, tell Abby and Cary hi!

B- I love your spiritual thought from a christmas carol B. It's so true. We've been dealing with some addiction problems this week, and knowing that they are not beyond hope is something incredible. They've been struggling their wholes lives with this, but they are still not beyond hope. It's truly the good news of the gospel. Also, I can't wait to get a little C's with you again. The mission time is feeling super weird right now. I feel like i'll be going home tomorrow, but at the same time, it feels forever away. Time is only going faster though. Keep up the good work with your studies! (my shtudies!)

KT- I am very sad to hear about the lack of sweatervests in your new class. But at least there is one with a suit, that makes it better. and I'm glad ellie is continuing to be adorable! You sending me something in bulgarian reminded me of an awesome experience me and elder moore had. We went to this musem wednesday for p-day (really boring, all they had was paintings and statues.) but as we were there, we ended up talking to this security guard. Who told us he knew 14 languages and was a russian emigrant. But the best part, I don't know if this was just an english mistake or what, but he said, "at 16, I was killed by the KGB" Me and Elder Moore almost started laughing right there. We still don't know what he meant. But say hi to todd and Ellie for me, and I hope Todd learns to eat fast soon!

M@- I just needed to tell you this. Thanks to my helmet, I know have a permanent bell. Also, I accidentally said, Elder Phone, do you have the moore? Luckily he didn't hear me. But I still laughed. Love you Matt!

Pops- You're so right pops. As I'm getting closer to my 6 month mark, the mission really is just getting better. I am starting to enjoy it more, and feeling more like myself during it. It's getting much better. I'm glad Kola and Lily didn't wear Elenore out completely! I can't wait to see some pictures of big Lily soon! You think she'll be bigger than Kola?

Mops-I sure love you momma! And I'm very impressed with your restraint. I hope it keeps up! Also, remember how all these years, you've told me to make sure I check the oven after I use it? It didn't take. I cooked a pot pie for lunch, and then me and Elder Moore got back about 9 at night, and our apartment felt like a sauna. We were confused, and then we discovered I left the oven on! I felt very smart about that. But thanks for your letters mops, I sure love you, and can you believe I'll hit 6 months this week? I really can't. I'm gonba be home before you know it. the time is really starting to go faster here. This transfer has flown by. But I'm all out of time, but I love you all, and I will write you next week!

We have two progrestigating investigators! Jan. 16

Buenos dias familia! It is so great to hear from you all today! You all wrote awesome letters, and all the other missionaries kept asking me why I was giggling the whole time. Because you guys are hilarious, that's why! Also, I am hilarious. I keep saying progrestigating this week! I think it's a cross between progressing and investigating, but I'm not really sure. But this has been a very interesting week for me and elder Moore. I had my first sick day on my mission! I just woke up wednesday, and I felt completely terrible! I think I just caught the 24 hour bug, because I woke up, felt terrible, went to a couple appointments, and then I ended up getting a fever and throwing up! It was fun. And also, Elder Moore got a great experience. He got to teach the Book of Mormon class all by himself that night! In spanish! He did great. I'm so proud of him, only 2 transfers and already teaching a BOM class in spanish. But this week has been interesting. It's been kind of a hard week, we've had tons of appointments fall through, and not a lot of visible success. But it's been good, all the same. Our newest progressing investigator, E., we just randomly tracted into him while trying to contact a former, and he loves the church. He really wants to be a part of it. He's got a few very difficult addictions, but we're working with him on those. He's doing great, and he's been clean for 24 days right now! He's really making a lot of progress, and it's honestly amazing to see. I have a lot of hope for him, and it's incredible the difference the gospel makes. Because, the only thing I've ever been addicted to is peanut butter m&m's. I don't know how to help him. But by doing what it says in Preach my Gospel, visiting him, as he is trying to come closer to Christ, he's getting over it. I know I'm really not doing much, i'm just grateful I get to be a part of helping him. That's been the biggest news of the week, oh, and before I forget, S. got confirmed yesterday! The bishop did it, and it went really well! we've got a lot of potential in our area, we've got tons of potentials, we'll just see this week what happens, and who becomes real investigators!

I had a really great day on friday. We were practicing teaching during our district meeting, and I just had a feeling of how I should teach the other elder, and he said he really liked it, and that was what he wanted to do for his investigator. It was really amazing. We also had a lesson with enrique that night, and he was telling us just a little bit about what the addictions do to him. I was just imagining that, imagining what it would feel like, and then I imagined what Christ would feel like taking that on himself. How much harder it would be for him, because He was perfect. And as we were teaching, I knew that he really did take it upon Him. He took every pain of E., and He's already paid for it. It was really amazing, to realize how little I truly comprehend the Atonement. Just that tiny little part, I understand a little bit better now. It's amazing. Well, can you all believe it's 6 months? Time is really starting to do weird things now. It's starting to go fast, and I'm really starting to enjoy it more as well. But I'm out of time, but I love you all, and I know that this church is true, and that Christ really did suffer for all of us. And more than anything, it's never too late to realize that. Have a great week, and I'll write you soon! P.S. transfers are this week, so we'll see what happens! I think I'll be staying here with Elder Moore. But we'll see!

Borsh-That is awesome that Bro D. is your teacher. I'm jealous of that. I'm glad to hear Kola and Lily are still adorable, and that they get along so well! I hope you have a great week bud!

B-2 dates? I'm so proud of you B. way to go! I can't believe you're playing for the BYu team! that's crazy. They're really good. And really fast. And I do get a lot of compliments on spanish actually, most people are surprised when they find out I've only been out 6 months.

m@-That's so crazy the Rich's know President Baker! He is great. I love him, but I don't get too much interaction with him, he is a busy man. also, I can't believe you're taking the GRE! that's crazy. good luck!

Lauren-Our teaching pool is slowly growing! It's going great, and we were all really sad about the mission home. It was quite the fire, I saw videos of it.

Kt-Please promise me Ellie will love me more than the ceiling fan when I get home. Please? I sure love you KT, and I'm so happy for you and Ellie! And I'm so glad she's sleeping more too!

A- I'm expecting a much longer list of delicious things this next week. I can't believe you are running another half mararthon. you are crazy.

Mops- transfers this week! We'll see what happens. And as for your questions, we get fed by members every night. Sometimes two or three times a night. And me and Elder Moore eat pasta roni every day pretty much, we don't cook much.

Pops- I can't believe you know elder cornish! His talk is one of my very favorite this conference, I read it a lot. It's awesome.

Well, that's my week family, it's been a good one, and we'll see where I'm writing you from next week! I love you all!

Transfers! Jan. 23

Buenas tardes (originally spelled tarders) familia! Pops escribio que el sentia bien inteligente porque el podia entender todo mi espanol la semana pasada. Entonces, yo voy a escribir completamente en espanol hoy. broma, yo no puedo. bueno, creo que yo puedo, pero me cuesta demasiado tiempo para hacerlo. yo he enviado algunos fotos con esta carta, de S. a su servicio bautismal, y tambien, yo compre un nuevo diario, y cuando recibi mi calendario de ustedes, me di cuenta que los dos son opuestos. yo voy a escribir en ingles ahora.

Good evening, family! Pops wrote that he felt very smart because he could understand all my Spanish lat week. So, I'm going to write completely in Spanish today. Joking, I can't. Well, I think I could, but it would take too much time to do it. I've sent some photos with this letter, of S. at her baptismal service, and also, I bought a new journal, and when I received my calendar from you guys, I realized that the two are opposites (?). And I'm going to write in English now.

Hi family! I hope everything is going well with all of you! It's been a good week here in......

L.A. 6th! Kudos to Matthew (chocolate chip kind), and to me, for guessing correctly! I'm staying here in L.A. 6th for another transfer with Elder Moore! I'm glad to still be here, I definitely feel like there's more work for me here. I'm excited to work here for another transfer. It's fun to be in an area long enough that I can walk down a street and say, "hey, I knocked that door." " a potential lives there" and stuff like that. Also, fun extra for this transfer, the district leader area changed again, and it's now in Jefferson park, so this week I get to go on splits back in my first area! It's gonna be fun to be back in that area for a day, and I don't think I ever told you all about this guy me and Elder Watkins contacted named F. We contacted him late one night, he didn't seem too interested, but we came back, he seemed to have more interest, and the other missionaries kept going back, and him and his family should all be getting baptized really soon! It's pretty crazy. It makes me really realize how important the small things are, and makes me realy grateful I listened to the Spirit that night and decided to contact him. I remember the night we contacted him really well, and I'm so grateful I did. Me and Elder Moore have had an interesting week. We've had a lot of our appointments fall through, but we've been having a lot of success just contacting. We had a really good day on saturday, I think it was one of the days in my mission where I've felt most guided by the Spirit. It was interesting, I've had some really miraculous finding experiences on my mission, and it wasn't like that, but it still felt just as guided, just in a quieter way. We found a lot of people at just the right time it seemed like. Including this black minister named R. P., who took out his phone and called for a Book of Mormon as we were standing there. That was so cool. We also had a pretty amazing lesson with Y. this week. most of Y.'s family is less active, really only her and her grandpa are active, faithful, members. But her uncle happened to be sitting with us, he's actually served a mission, but then has been less active for the past 10 years. We've talked to him a little bit, and we've invited him to come back to church and to sit in our lessons with us. But we was sitting there, and he was actually sick, and me and Elder Moore ended up giving him a blessing, and he just started crying, and saying how much he missed feeling the Spirit, and how he wanted it back. Then the whole family just started hugging each other, and the Spirit was really strong. And then, the next day at church, seeing him walk back into the chapel with Y. was one of the best feelings I've had on my mission. And he told us, thanks to you guys, I'm coming back to church, and I'm going to make my life right. It was really amazing, and it made me really feel like I'd been successful. Although I really don't feel like I do much. It was amazing, and amazing to see that after all this time, he still recognized what was missing, and he wanted it back. That was a testimony builder to me as well, seeing how much the church really does bless our lives, even though a lot of times we get so used to it that it can be hard to see, and sometimes we don't see it til it's gone.

But it's been a good week, and me and Elder Moore are really hoping to get some good progrestigating investigators this week. I love you all, thank you so much for your prayers, and love, and letters, and all you do to make me feel loved and missed. It really means a lot to me, and I couldn't do it without all of your support!

J- ah Skyrim is cool? There is a giant billboard for it that I always see on the freeway, and it always makes we want to play it. I'm jealous. That's really fun that you got to spend the weekend with Harris, that's great. Is school still going well? What classes are you taking this semester? Are you getting ready to start ultimate frisbee again? I hope so, then you can beat B. Well I love you g-borsh, have a great week!

B- You're going to be in such good shape when I get home. And I will be roughly the size and shape of a young killer whale, I think. And then you will have to teach me all your new frisbee skills. I'm so glad about your new Home teaching assignment. thats the kind of calling I want after my mission. Being in this ward here has really taught me how important that is. Mostly the lack of it here. There are so many less actives here in this ward that could have been avoided if people had done their home teaching. It's really sad, but it's a huge testimony to me of how inspired home teaching is. You've got such an important calling! no pressure, but everything depends on you. Just jk-ing B. Love you!

Kt-Woohoo! You almost exercised? 3 times? thats fantastic! I am already getting excited about your package. I can't imagine what it is. The way you described it, I'm imaging you're sending Ellie in a box of puppies. But whatever it is, I am sure I will squee, and I will love it! Ellie sounds so adorable, and I can understand her sleeve problem. I hate wearing long sleeve shirts here. Short sleeves are the way to go. Unfortunately, no sleeves are frowned upon. but I love you Kt, thanks for your awesome letters, they make me laugh every week, and I love hearing about all your little everyday things, they make me giggle all the time. I lvoe you sister!

M@- haha, find progrestigating investigators. I should send that in to Brother Bott. I'm sure he'd use it. I'm so glad to hear your GRE studying is going so well, I'm so proud of you.

Lauren- Thanks for the quote Lauren! I love it. That's a really applicable quote for me, it can be really hard for me to do that. I have the same problem you do, just focus on what I still have to do in the future, instead of enjoying what I'm doing now.

Mops- I've heard that about the Sacrament too, and I've also wondered about it. I've heard it enough times, and from enough sources, that I think it is true. It's something I've thought a lot about too, and the more I've thought about it, the more it seems to make sense to me and to help me understand more about the sacrament.

P.S. I got your package today! I still need to call about the credit card, and i got the shirt and calendar! I thought for sure I would make it in the calendar this year, but I guess not. There's always next year!

Pops-Ah did you tell Emily and Jessica hi for me? if you see Jessica again, remind her she promised to write me at least 2 letters while I was gone. I think you should come travel and be the high council speaker here. We have notoriously boring sacrament meetings here, with an average of one speaker per meeting. It's rough.

Well, I'm all out of time, but I love you family, and I can't wait to hear from you all again next week! Have a great week!