Week 96: Oxnard

August 8, 2022

We had a much more mellow Preparation Day, had some good fun. For our district activity we played some mini golf, super fun. We had some Popeye's for lunch, did some laundry, worked out, played basketball, and some other stuff. We went to the nearby Goodwill and got some solid shirts and skate pants. 

Later on in the evening, we taught Paul about baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and united with him on making that a goal. We had another lesson with Brother Jones at the church. He has doubts and fears in his life, and we are helping him bring God's voice into his life by reading and praying. It's those small things that make the biggest difference. 

August 9, 2022

Today started with a very strong note. We were led to knock on a dot in our Areabook named Jeff. Turns out, we found him not fifteen minutes before he was going to his wife's funeral. We were there for him exactly when he needed us, to no credit of our own. That was fulfilling to be a part of. 

We also had a visit with our friend Harlen, who is currently living in a care center, recovering from surgery. He wants to be baptized, and he would be if not for his current health status. Had a lesson with Janet, and talked about going to the temple again. Our lesson with Charlie was going to be at 6:30, but his bus was late, and we weren't able to bike to the church until 8:30, but he still made it his priority to be there. He really wants it. He's doing very well with his baptismal calendar. 

Things are going great here in Channel Islands. Also we went to Buffalo Wild Wings.

August 10, 2022

Today we had exchanges with the Santa Barbara Zone leaders, I went with Elder Kartchner and Elder Hales went with Elder Ward. We had a great day, we were able to do a ludicrous amount of contacts. Did a mission micro Zoom, and wished a less-active member happy birthday. 

Had a fun day otherwise. Went to Cane's for dinner, was able to teach Sylvia a short little lesson. I'm very tired, and I'll be spending the day in Ojai tomorrow. We talked to many nice people and did exactly what our area needed. Great day. I've started praying for increased memory and energy. 

August 11, 2022

I went to Ojai today with Elder Walker. We had a good day, and did some more service for Sister De La Cruz, and stopped by many people. The Ojai area is very unique. Rather than street contacting, they do a lot of stop by's and member work. It's a town from a much wealthier demographic, and so it's a little bit more like some of my old areas. Got a burrito for dinner, and had a lesson with Alice and Brother Banks. Elder Walker is a stud missionary. Great day, excited for tomorrow.

August 12, 2022

We had a great day. We started it off with a visit to the Newbury Park District Council, with Elder Swanson as the district leader. We learned really good things about faith in Jesus Christ and answering the questions of our friends. We got some sandwiches at D. Mongeons and then headed down for a trainer's Zoom with the Carter's. Got our studies done in time to have a lesson with Tim. After dinner, we had a lesson with David, and talked about how he needs repentance and baptism, because he 100% has the faith. Had a lesson with the Ashby's, and started teaching Jennie again. She just needs a longer time to progress. And we are satisfied if we get to play just a small part in her progression. We met with Sylvia later, hopefully she can make it to church next week. Next time we meet we are going to answer her and her daughter's questions, which is the best. 

August 13, 2022

It was Walk Day, so we were able to to do a little bit more of the good ol' street contacting. We were blessed to have success, we started teaching a woman named Erica. She happened to be the past foster kid of a family in our ward that we went by for the first time today. We also were able to start teaching an awesome family man named Matt. It was kind of funny, he and his brother respond to the same name, so it was very confusing for a minute. 

We had a delicious dinner with May and Sister Navarro, and after a good lesson. We also had a lesson with Harlen, we have set everything up so he can come to church tomorrow, which is exciting. We were also blessed to have President Carter in that lesson with us.

August 14, 2022

The end of another busy day. Charlie came to church, and in a new shirt too. He is doing amazing, and is keeping up with everything on his baptismal calendar. After church we went to the Barker's. We won't be teaching him much further, just some circumstances, but we are definitely going to go by and keep visiting. 

We attended a baptism for the Torres family, and then went and mulled over some new organization in the information flow of our mission. Now we'll get to take a more active part in our missionaries' conversion process and help them more. Had a visit with the Gomez family, and then had our personal study late. Got to get those studies in one way or another.