Week 29: Solvang

April 26, 2021

Had a good preparation day, had al little trouble figuring out the laundry situation, but we got it figure out haha. For our activity today got to see a rocket launch, pretty cool. It's crazy loud, even from miles away, and it's like putting your head right next to a sub-woofer. For dinner we had this super cheap dinner at El Rancho, which is a cool little market thing over in Santa Ynez. After we headed out for the night, we talked to this guy named Shane about the Plan of Salvation for about an hour, he asked some very interesting questions, and he didn't want to give out his number, so we gave him ours, and hopefully he'll call us. But it was a good way to start the new week.

April 27, 2021

Good day, had a great interview with President. That man is a spiritual giant. We did contacting and stuff, and we helped see Hispanic people get their keys out of their locked car, and got a referral for the Spanish Elders. Staying on the grind, I messaged back some African guy, but we'll see if it's a scam or not haha. He liked and commented on all of my pictures, let's see what happens. 

We finally got to teach Nikki, and she's an awesome lady. She has a lot of questions. she said she's been reading the Book of Mormon and D&C, but she also said she's been reading a book called "What the Mormons won't tell you." So we've got to get her off anti or she's just going to digress. We could sit around for hours and hours talking about false accusations and complete lies.

April 28, 2021

We had a very productive day today, and we were able to get in contact with most of the people we're teaching. We did some service for Sister Mathews, to get a good picture for our service post, which we did. We ran into Shane again today, and gave him a Book of Mormon. He seems open to reading it, and so hopefully the Spirit works within him to grow his faith. We also talked with Michelle, she's a really nice lady who has some kids and is willing to hear more. We were able to meet with our Ward Missionary "Committee" and they're still awesome members. So we have a good week ahead of us. The work continues. 

April 29, 2021

Very good day today, we did a ton of street contacting, and it was pretty hot, but we got the number of a cool guy named Jake Richards, and he plays bass, so that's cool. We also started teaching Ray, he's Sister Schmitter's husband, and he said that he has been taking lessons for 30+ years, so we'll see if we can get him this time. It really depends on him, if he is wiling to change and learn and accept that it takes some faith. But I have all faith that he can know it's true, if he has his heart open. 

April 30, 2021

Today was interesting. We started off with a district council in Lompoc, which was good, and then we got back and had lunch and studied before we did some more special social media training. Elder Peterson and I are on the Santa Barbara referrals team for the Facebook page. Already ran into one crazy guy who cussed us out, but here we go haha. We had one of those days where pretty much everybody rejects you in an unkind way. But we're able to teach Michelle finally, and she is awesome, she is very prepared for the message. We have high hopes for her, and she seems like a good person who wants to come closer to God. Her friend Rick is quite the talker, though. That is somebody who is saturated in the philosophies of man. I find people often like to water down Jesus Christ to "Be nice, there's no wrong way, love everybody." While two of those are part of what Jesus taught, He taught there is one straight and narrow way and "few there be that find it." Matt 7:14

May 1, 2021

Did some service with the members today at the church, it was fun. Had a pretty normal day, did some finding, ate dinner at a going away party for the Huler's, and then did some Facebook until we had a visit with Brother Saunders. He ran circles around us intellectually, and went deeper into the deepest, deep doctrine that I have ever heard of. But it was a good day, got to be quick because we have to figure out COVID shots and whatnot. 

May 2, 2021

Had a good Sabbath, passed the Sacrament today because there wasn't too many Deacons there today. Then we had some studies until we did some park contacting, and then we had dinner with the Ewen's. They're cool, and made a good dinner. After that, we did some Facebook until the new missionary testimony meeting. Apparently good old Andrew Marks just came in! I don't know if he's reassigned or originally assigned, but either way, that's sweet.

This week was crazy fast, and we were able to get a bunch done. Also, one of our members gave us a $100 gift card to use at our pleasure, so we are really spoiled. Good week, looking forward to the next.