This transfer is half over? Are there squirrels in my pants? Did I just get served?

Well, to start off the week, we had a ward Noche de Hogar and everyone (including me) had a blast!!! We acted out several stories from the Book of Mormon and our group was Nefi building the ship. My favorite part was when Laman and Lemuel received a shocking hand shake from their brother...:) We have been trying to get the members excited about FHE and it made me really excited too! The next day at home teaching, Elder D. said something about a magic trick; it took me a few moments to realize that he had just quoted the Scarlet Pimpernel! We had a good time quoting and being incredulous that the other had seen it...thanks (?) to our 3 older sisters!

We were searching for an incomplete referral the other day when we ran into a woman who recognized me. We had been teaching a family a few months back and, after they moved, the neighbor (this woman) came to the church to tell us that she smelled gas coming from their former home. This lady remembered that I had taken her to the bishop that day.  We were able to teach her a good lesson and got a return appointment for this week! Crazy huh? Another woman we met had an LDS picture of Christ in her Catholic shrine – the same picture that’s on the pass along cards, except she had blown it up bigger.  It was sure interesting to see that picture in a shrine!

We had a Mini Missionary with us this weekend. His name is "L." and we had a blast with him. It would be fun to serve in his ward later.  Elder R. is currently serving there (he was in Mom and Dad’s MTC branch). We took "L." to the In and Out Burger one day and a member paid for our lunch as we walked in the door. I got a glimpse of what it would be like to be serving in Orem or Provo and I was thankful. So many people acknowledged us and said hi. It was nice to experience that a bit. It is usually never like that. :)

"I." brought a friend to church and they both had such a good time! We had a lesson last week on being missionaries and she took the initiative. This was an answer to my prayers that "I." would feel a stronger desire to come to church more and enjoy the gospel!! I will have to keep you posted.:)

Last week while we were at a dinner appointment with the M. family, they called Dad's cell phone and talked to him for a few minutes. That was so weird! I don't know how surprised Dad was, but they enjoyed talking to him and telling him that I am "gordo". I felt like those old sci-fi movies where someone communicates through time like on that Ghostwriter episode about Frank. So surreal! I couldn't hear anything that Dad said, but they told me that he sounds like me when he speaks Spanish.

I hope all is well and I love you all! Never be afraid of becoming who the Lord wants you to become! Next p-day our whole zone is going to the beach, so get ready to see how white I am! I will also get to see a few old friends.:) Lots of love! Happy Birthday Mom!

Men in black suits

Still Crazy After All These Months

Well, I am still here in Inglewood. They took Elder D. away from me, though. He is now in West Hollywood. This will be my 5th transfer here and that is almost 7 months (once this transfer ends)! My new companion is Elder W. from Washington State. He is pretty cool.

Last preparation day we went to Hollywood, so it was ironic that Elder D. was transferred to that very area. Hollywood was fun but I’ve had my share of the world for a while!

A few days ago I asked the bishop if we could get some paper to make copies, and he asked me to give a talk in church this Sunday. Later that night we were teaching "I.", and I challenged her to come back to church. She said she would only come if I gave a talk in sacrament. "Sweet! You can come this week since Bishop asked me to give a talk 40 minutes ago!" It was not a coincidence!

We got a referral in El Segundo, which has never happened in the history of our area! "R." is now on the map and we hope he lets us come back again.

I was on splits with the ZL's at church and a man spoke on the public image of the Church. With the Mormon Musical and Mitt Romney, we are very much in the public eye right now. The things I learned were that we must define ourselves, not let others define us for us. He invited us to all speak out in the conversations at large about what we truly believe and what our experience has been. We really can make a difference through the internet, too! Every member a communicator! That sacrament meeting we were also able to bless the sacrament which was kind of weird. I have not done that in a while!:)

 "I." came to church and another less-active YW came, too, and I introduced them. They really hit it off and seemed to help each other feel more comfortable. It was cool to see them bond. I think we may have found a connection! Sorry to be quick today! I love you all! Happy Birfday Lauren and soon to be Mom! Take care!

P.S. “I want to live in such a manner that when I wake up in the morning, Satan says ‘Oh no! He's awake!’” ~Unknown

He's Singing His Own Theme Song? [Emperor's New Groove]

Happy Easter!! I hope you all enjoyed a peaceful but exciting Sabbath! First off, Happy Birthday Adriane!!! I loved Conference and have enjoyed talking to members and investigators about it as well. Did any of you see Elder David Archuleta in the missionary choir on Saturday? Yeah, it was kind of fun to see him singing as a misionero.

For those of you who did not hear, Y canceled her baptism. She says she wants a sign that she needs to be baptized. Kind of frustrating. Good news is, that her sister and mom came to church! We also had a great lesson about General Conference with her sister C.

We had an amazing Plan of Salvation lesson with a family one night for ward home teaching. It turned out that they were having a birthday party and there were several other less-active members of their family there. ALL of them committed to go to church on Sunday, but we don't know if they did since they don't live in our ward and those in our ward attended a different ward since their work schedule doesn't permit... but yay!!! The member who came with us was extremely helpful and even invited them to go to church with him since he newer as well! Member missionaries work wonders!

We found a 14-year-old boy named J. when going to a return appointment for a return appointment we didn't expect to make. When we saw him, we both knew we had to teach him -- we got a kind of spiritual shock when he answered the door. We asked if they (he and his step-dad) believe that Christ suffered for them. He immediately said, "Yeah! I do!" Then we asked if they had ever asked themselves what the purpose of life is and why we are here. J. said "I have!" In my mind I thought, where did this kid come from?? (heaven, but still...) We have not been able to catch them at the right time since, but we are still optimistic and excited!!!

J., the Bible man who almost ate us, has really come out of his shell, so to speak! He really wants to know more and has many questions, but he said he wants to read the whole Book of Mormon first, so we will go by again in a week or so. He has become more friendly and was impressed that we actually do speak Spanish...:)

We had an awesome Service Saturday by helping out the 1st and 2nd wards. One project was cleaning out an older house, which included throwing an old train model over the balcony...:) The other project was painting a fence for several hours and eating Peruvian food for lunch! We also had a good time with the other missionaries there!

H. and his family have become so friendly! We are almost a part of their family! We discovered that H. likes country music and that we like some of the same artists!! We had a fun time laughing about that. We will be going over tomorrow night and talking about the gospel with the entire family!!

Well, it was a bit shorter today because we don't have a lot of time! Make sure to stay safe and remember that missionaries love you! Sister B. and I love serving and hope you loose yourselves in the work at home! Transfers are in two days and I have been feeling that "Change is coming! No way we survive this!" (Mulan) but, if I am transferred then I will go. Can you believe time runs faster, the longer I’m here? Dang. I love you all!!!! Keep smiling!!

Kaboom!

Did conference just blow you away? I loved it so much! Two of my favorite talks (there were many) were Elder Oaks and Elder Bednar (Priesthood). I loved learning more about sacrifice and the priesthood. Elder Bednar spoke about how everyone ordained has authority, but the power comes by our obedience and righteousness. I used to lump the two together and call it good. I also loved Elder Holland's statement, "Bretheren, Step up!" said in the way that only he can... it was incredible!! I am in the middle of copying down my favorite pieces into my journal.

H and his family have become a lot warmer to us; the son J (8) gives us both a hug now every time we make it over.:) They loved the idea of conference even though they didn't watch or listen. I wish we had mentioned the Motab, because they sounded interested in that when we shared our favorite parts afterward. They even pulled it up on lds.org to watch it. H says one day he wants to be baptized, but not yet. We are still so happy!!! He'll make it one day even if it is 20 years down the road.

One man we tracted into two months ago (D) stopped us on the side of the road in his truck and asked us for our phone number again, and gave us his. That has never happened before! We tried by his home on Sunday, but no reply. We will keep trying though.

We ran the other morning which was pretty cool. I was really sore the next day, but it was some great exercise!

We talked a bit about the baptismal covenant with Y and she understands better. All is still set to go for the Easter baptism! We are hoping and praying that she keeps it up and takes a few more steps of faith! She said an incredible prayer as well! It has been amazing to see her progress and her confidence grow!!! We will see her later tonight!

I didn't tell the rest of the fam about our crazy "Kaboom" service activity where we and many other volunteers built a playground in 6 hours on Tuesday!!! It was so fun!!! I will send pictures so you can see it! It is 30 seconds away from the C home too. We met Mike (David) Marriott as we were shoveling the cement forms (Marriott International volunteered as well). We talked a lot to the other volunteers about what we do as missionaries, and I now understand more fully how awesome service can be to help the spiritual work go forward!

We watched Finding Faith in Christ with the C kids too, which was another evidence of how far they have come. The biggest help for them has been primary, I am positive. M told me that he knows another person could walk on water, too, if  Christ gave him that power. The organization of the Church is so inspired!! The more people we visit, the more I realize how much of a lasting impact we can make in every person’s life!!! The C kids also came to the stake center to watch conference with us, and all three took notes! I made Swedish pancakes on both mornings of conference and even made up my own peach puree! (I couldn't let that tradition die!;)

I think the biggest thing conference gave me was added strength and optimism! While tracting on Sunday, I couldn't help but smile and say hi to everyone we passed! Even when we got turned down I was still very optimistic! I just felt awesome!!! I hope you all did, too! I can't wait to read the addresses in the Ensign and keep this feeling until October when I can be bolstered again! I love you all! I pray for you all! Jesus Christ is our Savior and He makes it all possible! Let us work harder to be closer to him and bring others with us!!!

P.S. Transfers are not this Wednesday, but the next. Stay tuned for the next chapter of Guerras de GaLAxias!