Week 97: Oxnard

August 15, 2022

A great day. We played volleyball as a district, and I scored an awesome penguin shirt from the thrift store. We got to skate at the Camarillo park today, a cool change of pace. 

We had a really good lesson with Jeff and shared some scriptures about peace, it was a great day. This week we have Zone Conferences again. We are blessed to be in a place where we get to do fun things, and get to do those things in very nice weather too. Blessed to be alive and in the Lord's service. 

August 16, 2022

Zone Conference in Santa Maria today. We drove up with the Carters, had some good conversations. The conference went well, Elder Hales and I gave a discussion on studying and how we can make our studies fulfilling and meaningful. We also heard from President Carter on how to better use the Gospel Library App and mark our scriptures. Sister Carter spoke to us about giving people baptismal invitations. It's kind of fun being a little traveling act. 

After we got back into Oxnard, we rejuvenated ourselves with a shot of Coke Zero from Circle K and made some dinner. Had a lesson with Charlie and he is doing very, very well. We are going to discuss the blessings of the temple. He asked if he could even just go to the temple and be outside of it, because he already knew he has to wait to go in. He has such a strong desire to live the gospel and enjoy the blessings that are waiting to be poured out upon him by God. It's inspiring to be a part of. 

August 17, 2022

We had Zone Conference in Goleta today, it went very well and we had a great discussion. Afterwards, we drove up to Solvang and had an exchange with Elder Anderson and Elder Jackson, I went with Elder Jackson. We had great day and even got to have dinner with the Johnson's in the park while Brother Agin performed with his band for the event they were having there. We were also able to visit the Gomez family with Joe and Stephanie. We had a powerful lesson and got to bear testimony about how following the Gospel of Jesus Christ will bless their lives. At the end of the night, got back pretty late, round 3 tomorrow. 

August 18, 2022

We had our last Zone Conference in Simi Valley today, and everything went well. I remember talking with Elder Jackson yesterday about how draining spiritual things are. I am completely drained. 

We got our truck back today, the Newbury Park Zone Leaders brought us back to get it, and so things are getting back to their usual speed. Whatever normal is, if it exists at all. We had a great visit with Charlie, we showed him the temple video and talked about how he can go to the LA temple after he's baptized. Finished off the night with a visit with the Tuitama's, great people. 

August 19, 2022

Exchanges today in Las Posas/Santa Rosa. I went with Elder Strauss and we had a great day. Started off with a lesson with a man named Jimmy. We were both humbled because we didn't think the lesson was going to go well and that he wasn't really interested. But as we let the Spirit guide us and asked the right questions, we helped him find that he did have a desire to know if the message we share is true. Elder Strauss and I both felt like we have improved a lot as missionaries. We were on the grind for the rest of the day, and made a lot of contacts. 

We went to a ward barbecue, and one of our friends was able to come to the party and make some new friends. It was probably the last day of missionary work I'll get to spend with Elder Strauss. My life feels like I'm in a daze, and that I'm not keeping time quite right, that I'm seeing it go faster than it is. 

Finished off the night with some Rolling Pin donuts. Great day.

August 20, 2022

We had a full Saturday, had some good lessons and got a lot done. Had a lesson with Sylvia, and taught her about how important it is to read scriptures so she can receive guidance for her and her daughter. Also had a lesson with Lisa, a member who struggles with health issues. She is so nice, and we are going to help her get to church. Had dinner with Brother Haws and Brother Ashby, and Brother Haws' daughter Bethany. Later on we had a really good lesson with Roxana, and we are going to explain more about temples next time, and how baptism is just the starting point. 

Tonight we had a Zoom with the Carters and the Zone leaders, discussing a very sendy communication standard change. It will probably turn out ok.

August 21, 2022

Church was awesome today, we had three of our friends there, Harlen, Robert, and Charlie. All three of them were given rides to church, so it was a complete team effort. Three recent converts came to church today as well, Kim, Susanna, and Mama Tessy. We don't like it when church is a disappointment, and today it definitely wasn't.

We had some good studies, and a visit with Brother Derby, a member who came to church today for the first time in a while. Had dinner at a park with the Earl family, some pizza in the park, doesn't get better than that. We always appreciate people feeding us. Stayed busy the rest of the night. 

Next week is going to be very busy, and it will fly by. Trying to figure out how to get some more energy.