Transfer News and Record Numbers

 Welcome everybody! and remain seated please (permanecer sentados por favor)

This has been quite the busy week, but it's a whole lot of fun. We had 3 splits this week which is crazy, but is always a good time. I think I'm gonna break it down day by day this time and see how that goes. So without further ado......

Tuesday- (not Monday cuz i threw it in my last email) Today's big thing was being able to meet with a young guy who went inactive in the past. We were able to have a great discussion, and he's recently decided to start coming to church. So he really wanted to meet with the missionaries again and have another chat with them, so it went well. He loves the gospel but just got too busy, which happens. But he's ready to be back. He also expressed his interest in receiving a patriarchal blessing which is so awesome. And it was kind of serendipitous because that's what I'm currently working on doing with my mission president. So that was cool. (I'll keep you guys updated on that) But it was a day of finding and knocking otherwise, so we were busy and keeping on the lords errand. We also had District Council which is always fun, and its a good time getting together and teaching and learning about our mission goals and purpose and say hi to everyone in our district. They're all cool, so it's a good time. 

Wednesday- Today was the first of this week's splits, and I was with Elder Sexton from good ol' South Jordan Utah. He's a recurring character in my stories, so I'm sure y'all have heard his name before. But it was a great day honestly. We had tons of lessons, and one was with a recently baptized member that we are still working with. He's wanting to get the priesthood so we have to teach him some of the lessons again, and also some new things specifically about the Aaronic Priesthood, which was good. He seems super keen and is loving everything so far, he's been amazing to work with. Another one of our lessons was with a guy named Marwan, who's definitely an interesting fellow but he's nice. He mostly just wants to have discussions with fellow Christians and see what we believe, however he doesn't really seem interested in progressing, so I'm not sure how much longer we'll work with him. He does ask some really good questions that get me thinking, and a few I've even had to go do some personal research and study on and return with an answer for him. But it's been really good. We had lunch and dinner with some awesome members, they're so good to us. AAAANNNDDD one of them made burrito bowls for us, which is one of my favorite foods so that was a blessing in itself. Another fun little highlight was that we got to watch part of a dog show, so that was kind of fun to see.  All in all a great day. 

Thursday- I'm gonna be honest I can't think of what happened on Thursday so I'm sure it was just a lot of knocking and finding. I do remember going and walking around the market street at night tho, and trying to meet people that way. That is always a little more awkward but it's fun. We just write a bunch of cards and grab a few Books of Mormon and we can't leave until we hand them all out. It keeps us in line and we have some interesting encounters, so it's a good time. 

Friday- Today I had the opportunity to have an exchange with one of our Zone Leaders named Elder Borquist. He's from Southern California and he's pretty cool, we get along well. For those of you who may not know, one of my secret passions and interests is Disneyland and the history and engineering behind the parks. I find it so cool, and it happened that Elder B also likes that kinda stuff. So we chatted about that kinda stuff all day long, and it was so fun. We were able to do some home to home contacting as it's officially known, but the street name is good ol' knocking. And while we were out knocking we met 2 people that scheduled a return appointment with us for next week and seemed super interested, so hopefully something comes from that. After a quick lunch break of chicken and chili, we drove around and did some visits with previously interested people and got in contact with a few. One is a member who moved here and is less active and wanted to come back so reached out to missionaries. (spoiler: she came to church and is reactivating) Another is a Catholic man who wants to discuss the church, and has a friend that is super interested in meeting with LDS missionaries so we're gonna try and meet up with them. I was able to learn so much from Elder Borquist today, and he's a great missionary. Today was a great success. Big news at home, MACIE GRADUATED COLLEGE!! We're so proud and excited for her. Send her some congrats if you can. 

Saturday- Today was yet another split, thankfully the last one of the week, sometimes they can be a lot with that many in such a short time. This time I had Elder Macfarlane, he's awesome. He's also considerably new to the mission and has only been out for a few months. So it was a day for the greenies to show em how it's done. We had a few lessons to teach that went pretty well. One of them kept asking about marriage, and divorcing, and living together and what the scriptures say about that. So that was an interesting discussion, but I think we did well all things considered. Another lesson we had was with a 16 year old, national swimmer that we've been working with. He's awesome and is super interested in learning more about the gospel and HE'S been bringing his family to church, which is so awesome. They all are great and I think great things are gonna come from that. We also ate at a fire burger place, it was so good. I had a fat burger with onion rings and it hit the spot, and it wasn't even that expensive, which is arguably the most important part for a missionary. 

Sunday- Today was a big day, we got transfer news. But before I get to that, first I gotta cover ward council. They're something, I'll tell you what. I think we talked about the same exact thing as last week, and still didn't come to a solution. But hey.... at least we're learning. Sacrament was good, I felt the spirit, and in the second hour we talked about spiritual gifts, and it was good to see the ones I've already seen put to work on the mission and what ones I need to work to improve on. Always more to grow and learn. Now for the big news......I'M GOING TO MOORABBIN. Or in other words, I'm staying exactly where I am, and my companion is staying too. Which we honestly both expected so nothing too crazy. However all the Elders are leaving in our district and are being replaced with sisters. So were going to be what's called a Sistrict. So that's neat, we'll have to see how that goes. Hopefully they are not too much drama. Just kidding, I'm sure they're cool. Maybe. 

Monday- Today was a super good P-day, I got to talk to my family for a while and they were at Macie's house for her mission farewell party, so I got to say hi to her family which was so fun. Then we went and did some grocery shopping, so now I can cook some fire food. Plus we went back to the American Store which is always a good time. Then tonight we had dinner with some members, who are in the temple presidency, so that was so cool. I was able to administer a priesthood blessing for the first time, which was such an awesome experience and I felt the spirit very strongly. Not even sure what I said, but apparently it was good because my trainer said it was an awesome blessing. 

Spiritual Thought: One of my favorite scriptures is Alma 37:6, This scripture reads that "by small and simple things are great things brought to pass" So always remember that sometimes it only takes a small thing to bring about great things. This works both positively and negatively so we must remember what consequences our actions may produce, and how it will effect the people around us. So always try to spread the light of Christ even through small means, and it will bless you greatly. 

I love you all so much and I love to get emails from you guys. I hope you're all doing well. Keep on keepin on, and I'm grateful for all your support and prayers. The mission is amazing and I wish you could all experience it with me.