Week 68: Newbury Park

January 24, 2022

Today was our Zone Activity, and we had a baking contest. The three categories we graded against each dish was Round 1: Presentation. Round 2: Taste. Round 3: Durability. The way we tested durability was by running it over with our Tacoma. I think everybody had a good time, which is ultimately the point. 

After that, we spent the rest of our Preparation day at Pepboys, as they had to do a bunch of work on our truck. So we got some Arby's on our way back, the first time I've been there since I've been on a mission. Had a pretty standard primetime, and started off the week on a good note. 

January 25, 2022

We did some exercise with Albert this morning, we get some good workouts from him. He's a member in the Los Robles ward who was a kickboxer back in the Philippines. We did a lot of goal settings today with the Westlake District. That was Elders Kelsey, Winn, Kok, Packard, White, Ferrin, and Sisters Riggs and Stacy. It's always good to see everybody and have a spiritual discussion. 

We had a little scare with Natisse today, she got a little anxious and we had an impromptu Zoom call, but she is still good to go for her date on the 3rd. We also had another lesson with the Boyce's, taught them the Word of Wisdom, succinctly but thoroughly. Today was good, put our area forward. Tomorrow we'll have a better chance of finding people to teach, seeing as we'll actually have some finding time tomorrow. 

January 26, 2022

Today was pretty standard for a Wednesday. We did a companionship study with Elder Benner and Elder Shippen, because we still are not able to do exchanges yet. We had a ZLC, we are currently trying to plan out a free car wash that we are going to do as a Zone. It was the kind of day where we didn't find anybody to teach, but were still happy with the efforts that we did and put everything into it that we could. We had a member visit, and then headed down to Agoura Hills to help Elder White move into the Agoura 1st Elder's apartment, as Elder Ferrin headed off to Mozambique today. 

It was a good day, I turned 20 today. Looking forward to the next decade in my life. It's crazy to think that I will probably be married and have kids by the time I've finished the next decade of my life. Tomorrow will be good, we're heading down to Malibu, because we learned that city was in our area today. 

January 27, 2022

Today we had a pretty fun adventure. Like I said yesterday, we headed down to our sliver of Malibu to minister to Brother Hall's family. It was so out of our way that we had to leave our Zone to drive around the mountain along the coast, and the drive was absolutely gorgeous. We drove past the abandoned military outpost Point Mugu, and into one of the prettiest beach towns I've ever seen. It reminded me of Morro Bay and Carpinteria. We got within half a mile of the mission boundary going to this place. Brother Hall is such an awesome guy, he is a convert to the church who grew up there in Malibu, the only member of the church in his family. 

We ended up having an awesome experience. We gave four blessings today: Brother Hall, his mother for her health, his wife, and his mother's caretaker. We also were able to dedicate their home to the Lord. We really felt like instruments in the Lord's hands today. 

After heading back, we did some goal settings, and were able to get some finding in before dinner. So it was a really good day, we kept busy the whole day. Whenever we get out contacting it feels therapeutic. It clears the mind and enlivens the soul, and I don't doubt that that's at least partly due to the Spirit. Sometimes it's hard to start that ball of faith rolling, but when you do, it really is an amazing thing.  

January 28, 2022

Today was a bit of a slower day, but there are always ebbs and flows to missionary work. I gave a discussion in District Council today about the Laws of Obedience and Sacrifice, which went well. I just need to remember to not start ranting, and ask lots of questions. 

We had some lessons cancel, and weren't able to find anyone to teach, but we did learn that Charlotte was able to go to the YW activity, which is going to be huge for her progression. 

This morning for our workout with Albert, we learned some basics of boxing and did some training. It was super fun, worked out some muscles I don't think I've ever worked out before. 

January 29, 2022

We got to play soccer today for district exercise, it was the second one we were able to have the whole transfer because of the Covid restrictions. Lately Elder Larson and I have had this weird brain fog recently, not exactly sure why we have it. But it's been kind of rough. We contacted for about 2 1/2 hours and wasn't having much success. But the Lord blessed us with having a lesson with Jen, and we were able to find her, a much needed success after a good day of contacting. It's also worth mentioning that we were able to get an Amazon truck driver's number by hearing Mac DeMarco playing from his truck, and then striking up a conversation about his last album that came out, This Old Dog. 

We dropped by the Boyce's tonight, had another Zoom member visit, and now it's already the end of the day. 

January 30, 2022

Today was really, really good, the Boyce kids came to church today! That was a huge boost for them, and for us. And luckily enough good ol' Brother Hall came to church today, love that man. We had a member visit with Bro. Jared Pace and Co. 

It was a very interesting finding time today, we had three pretty bashy conversations. Kind of fun, but not where the Lord wants us to spend our time. 

Brother Hall said in church today that after our blessing, his mother's condition is now improving, and his father's too. Just a faith builder that a priesthood blessing really does change things. We had a good week, and I feel good about the progress we've made in the area, and the progress I've made in myself.