Week 10: Thousand Oaks

December 14, 2020

Today was the last day that we spent together, because tomorrow is transfer day. It's been an awesome transfer with Elder Maeser, and I have learned so much from him. He's an awesome elder, a hard worker, and the best trainer I could have asked for. Even though everybody says that about their trainer. I'm going to try to remember everything that I possibly can, because it will only do me good if I can remember and apply what I've learned. 

I realized today that although I'm still being trained, it's time for me to start putting together my own opinions on how we should work, because before long, I'll be the one training. I still have so much to learn, but it's so nice to be at the end of my first transfer and have some real experience under my belt. It's not very much experience, but my knowledge of the doctrine and how to do missionary work has greatly increased from what it was. A month and a half in and I'm already feeling like everything is going by really fast. Actually, it's my two-month mark to the day, so I'm 1/12th done with service already. But as soon as I wrote that, I realized how much time I actually have left. Anyway, to anyone who tunes in to hear about how I'm doing, thank you, and hopefully I'll have plenty of stories to tell in the future. 

December 15, 2020

Today was the first day with Elder Sexton, and the first day of the new transfer. I'm optimistic about the future, and I think that we'll be a great team. He seems to want to work hard, and hopefully we'll really get this area soon. Every time I do the right thing, in terms of studying or following the Spirit, my testimony is confirmed again and again. Living the Gospel truly does make one enjoy life more, and it brings anyone who follows it closer to God. I know this because it's been true for the last two months I've been a missionary, and my testimony itself has grown tremendously. Anyway, it should be a fun transfer with these elders. Elders Sexton, Phillips, Blue, and I are all in the same apartment. I just pray I keep the same attitude for the rest of the transfer haha.

December 16, 2020

Day 2 of transfer 2, and it's been good so far. I'm starting to learn more about Elder Sexton, and we are finding that groove where we can work well and get a lot of work done. I'm very optimistic for the future, and I'm finally starting to get into my own kind of groove, so I'm excited to keep working hard and learning more.

December 17, 2020

Today, we really hit it hard, and we actually got a number for an inactive lady that has moved here recently because her husband is in the military. So hopefully we can help her out. Other than that, we just stayed busy, and worked on a video that we have no idea how to make. Hopefully we can figure something out haha. 

December 18, 2020

Today was a really good day, we made a lot of progress, and we have someone that we think might have a lot of potential. Sister Gurrola has a friend that lives with her, and apparently they've been reading the Book of Mormon all year long. Apparently, her friend might already believe that the Book of Mormon is true! We're very hopeful for her, and we'll try to set something up after the holidays. We also visited a Brother and Sister Dorris, and their testimonies were both so strong, and it's those kinds of members that really grow my testimony. 

December 19, 2020

Working hard as usual. We had a really good day, even though we didn't manage to find anybody to teach. We have been doing all we can, even knocking on doors of people in our Areabook, which is a little bit questionable haha. But I love the people so much, and I love the members, and I'm just so grateful for everything that has happened so far. I'm in an amazing place, and I'm trying to give the people and the members the very bst, because that's what they deserve. I have a strong desire for their salvation, and we'll give every single person here every single chance possible. I've been given too many second chances to do anything less. 

Oh, and Elder Sexton and I just scored probably $100+ worth of tri-tip and ribs that were left over from a YSA Ward's Christmas party, so we'll be eating like kings this week. 

December 20, 2020

Today didn't have the greatest start, so as we were driving to our area, I decided to look at any person I saw and attempted to see them through the Lord's eyes. About 30 seconds later, my day was better and I had the Spirit with me. Having charity is one of the best ways for us to feel the Savior's love, not only for others, but for ourselves as well. 

Today we also finished our video for the Facebook page, and it's not half bad! But we definitely couldn't have done it without Elders Phillips and Blue. 

We have Zone Conference tomorrow at Oxnard, so hopefully I can see some people from our old district. 

Something I realized today was that the reason we aren't teaching anyone is because everybody that we find isn't in our area. We've actually sent about 5 or 6 referrals to other missionaries as long as I've been out here. Anyway, hopefully we'll get one in return.