Week 12: Thousand Oaks

December 28, 2020

Not much to report on today, we had a P-day, and then we went and did Facebook for 3 hours. we had some pretty fun deep-doctrine discussions, but other than that, it was a pretty uneventful day.

December 29, 2020

Today we went on exchanges, and I went with Elder Wade, the District Leader's companion. We worked super hard, and we got a number of a born-again who lives in Moorpark, so hopefully they can help him out. I am constantly reminded of my reliance on Christ's strength because I can't do much without the Spirit with me. Whenever I teach a lesson and I pray for and try to follow the Spirit, it goes really well, and I have no problem teaching and leading a lesson. But when I think too much about what I'm going to say, and I start to say what I've rehearsed beforehand, it goes wrong and everything comes out choppy. I'm loving sharing the Gospel and reading the scriptures, and it brings me a lot of happiness. 

December 30, 2020

Today I went with Elder Jefferson on exchange, and we had a good one. He's from Sandy, so we had some shared appreciation for some places in Utah. 

Today was pretty long for some reason, and a lot of things reminded me of my favorite things about home.

We're going to do a social media blitz on New Year's Day, and I'm the contact for our zone for some reason. They sent an email to me explaining what was happening, but long story short, I have no idea what I'm doing haha. I've been improving a lot, but it still hasn't made any difference in terms of actually finding somebody to teach. It's hard to tell how much you actually know when there is nothing you teach beyond a 30 second invitation to hear about the Gospel. 

December 31, 2020

Today we did some good work, we placed a Book of Mormon to someone named Paul, who seemed pretty interested! 

It's been quite the year, however. Tomorrow will be the first day of the entire year that I will spend as a missionary. It's honestly kind of daunting, but whenever I keep my focus on the work, time flies by. 

President and Sister Carter are having us take a lot of precautions, because apparently the virus has mutated and spreads more easily. So we aren't going to meet as a district or zone in person, but I am so thankful that we aren't locked down. We thought that's what they were going to do, but they didn't, so I am going to say a really good prayer of gratitude later. Today to celebrate New Year's, Elder Sexton and I split a half-pound Reese's cup. I ate the whole 1/4 pound chocolate and peanut butter mass, and I almost threw up because I felt so sick. But I didn't, so all's well that ends well.

January 1, 2021

First day of 2021. We had a good day, we did district council and then we went and had interviews with President Carter. We talked about some deep doctrine questions, and he said something that kind of struck me. He said that we should be grateful for other churches, other Christian churches, that bring the people as far as they do. Because I have never heard anyone talk about other churches as anything but a hindrance to our work, so that was interesting. Maybe there's a way that we can use their religion and their experiences with Jesus Christ for their own good. But President Carter always brings the Spirit without fail.

For the rest of the day, we did some Facebook for a New Year's Facebook blitz, did some store contacting, but that's about it.

January 2, 2021

Today was a really good, yet long day. We did a little bit of service, and we talked to a lot of people today. We actually started teaching somebody as well, but he is one street over from our area, so we'll be passing him off. That's about 6 people now. Anyways, we are working hard and doing everything we can, so we will keep doing it.

January 3, 2021

We had sacrament today, and then district sacrament, and then we street contacted. No one was interested in learning anymore, which was sad, because I was earnestly bearing my testimony with all of my heart and soul about how our message can help them and their families. 

Anyway, I have been studying the Bible to have a better understanding of it, and I am growing in an interest to keep learning. I love reading about the 12 apostles, Alma and the sons of Mosiah, and Joseph Smith in the Doctrine & Covenants, because they are all incredible missionaries.