Week 13: Thousand Oaks

January 4, 2021

Today was another P-day, and we rode the Conejo Creek Elders bikes to the church, which was actually pretty fun. I played a bunch of piano, and I actually think that's pretty fun as well, especially when I'm trying to learn a song as hard as Lake Shore Drive. Today when we went shopping, we bought two racks of ribs that we're going to make this week, and I am looking forward to it. We didn't buy much else because it was so expensive, but I think it'll be worth it. 

But I realized again how blessed I am to be in this place. I would've been fine with a whole lot less, but the Lord still blessed me anyway by calling me to this place. I have so many blessings that better help me to serve the Lord with all of my strength and focus.

January 5, 2021

Today had its ups and downs. Our best potential Kate, said she wasn't interested and said that she didn't want to take lessons from the missionaries, just read and study the Gospel. But we have some potential, a really nice lady named Vanessa and an old guy living out of his truck named Ray. We have some potential there, and something they both have in common is they are humble. And when someone is humble, they don't leave the park as soon as the missionaries show up and they don't pretend like they can't hear or see you. I kind of want to just go preaching the Gospel to very low-income neighborhoods, but there aren't any in our area. It seems like if the people were humbled, it would be for their own good. They don't even realize what our message is and what it can do for them. And sometimes I wish people would start worshipping God instead of the Bible.

January 6, 2021

Today we had a good day, we are now teaching someone named Ray. He's homeless because of Coronavirus, and he's Catholic, but he is definitely progressing and has a lot of potential. He is very humble and has been looking to God throughout all of his afflictions. He really liked a verse we read to him, Helaman 5:12. After we read it to him, he kept referring to Christ as his rock. We're excited for him, but if his plans to move to Simi Valley and get an apartment work out, we'll be passing him off sometime around the end of this month. We passed off 7 people to other missionaries now, give or take, but I really don't mind that much. I would love to see them grow and progress and help them myself, but I am more than happy to play a small part in hopefully touching their lives with the light of Christ. I'm just a very impatient person, I've come to realize, but I really do love all these people and want to bring this light into their lives. 

But I'm learning, and I'm growing, and I'm becoming better equipped to help people according to their needs. I have had some pretty homesick days. I've missed family, friends, hobbies, dating, all sorts of things. But whenever I calm my mind and listen to the Spirit, all of that goes away and I'm happy. I have never felt the Spirit like I do now, and I'm grateful for its continuous witness of God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. I'm starting to have an idea of how much the Lord loves each and every one of His children. 

January 7, 2021

Not much to report on today. Elder Sexton made this really good chicken Alfredo stuff, so it's nice to have someone that's not as lazy when it comes to cooking food. We've been doing Ab Ripper X every other morning, and I've been doing 100+ push-ups a day. I do as much studying as I can, and I am trying to become as consecrated as I possibly can. When I do so, it makes this work enjoyable and we have a great time working.

January 8, 2021

Today we had CDC, and after that we went to Taco Bell and had a pretty normal day. The only thing really of note is that today we contacted more people than we ever have before. So if we keep it up, we'll likely find some more people to teach. Also, we were around an Elder who now has Covid, so we may be cooped up for a while. Hopefully not.

January 9, 2021

Today we had a lesson with Ray, and it went pretty well, but the problem was the lesson was one hour and forty minutes long. ray is quite the talker, and he didn't feel comfortable coming to our church right now, because he has been Catholic his whole life. But if we can get him to ask God if the Restored Gospel is true, then he can realize that what we have always done is not necessarily the right thing. But we will continue striving and working for him and helping him. 

I reached a new high-water mark level today, in terms of how tired I have been. I am completely wrecked as I write this, and I haven't been this tired in a long time. Also, the other person we were going to teach today wouldn't pick up the phone, but hopefully we can get in contact with him again.

January 10, 2021

Today we did church stuff and then after that we did missionary stuff. We worked really hard, and talked to as many people as possible. We have great members, and tonight we got a really good dinner from the Dorrises. I was very tired again today, but tomorrow is P-day, so hopefully I can catch up a little bit. We only have two weeks left in the transfer, and it has been going by even faster than the last one. I think it's because we have been following the rules diligently, and working hard.