Week 12- October 28, 2013-East L.A.

Dear Everyone,

Well this was a good week, I wish I could transfer everything that happened onto the screen, but I will give some highlights. For starters I got a call Saturday night and I will be training this upcoming transfer. I will meet my new companion tomorrow. The new elder in my house is from Irving Texas, an El Salvadorian kid, super cool guy. But anyways, I am very privileged and honored to be training. The thought of taking care of another family's child amazes me, especially since I still feel like a young kid. It's going to be super fun though, looking forward to meeting him tomorrow. 

My companion left this morning. Last night was the Mission despedida which I got to say the closing prayer at :). The spirit was very strong. It was awesome to hear each missionary's testimony about how much they have changed and learned. I have a hard time imagining that one day I'll be up there sharing my own testimony. Elder Mathews' family was there at the despedida too! I got to meet them and talk to them for a good bit. I took a picture with them but we're at the library right now so we can't send pictures. I'll send them ASAP though. It was a bit weird for me to see his family. For a little bit, I was wondering, "ok where's my family now? They should be here to greet me too." Hahah, but it was a great atmosphere at that farewell.

One thing that stuck out to me this week was when we visited Rosa (the lady with diabetes who is missing a leg). She had an awful day. She couldn't feel her remaining leg, and as she was leaving her house to go to her daily doctor's appointment, she fell over and off her wheelchair. And on top of that, she is starting to get Parkinson's disease. So she hadn't quite had the best of days, to say the least. And me, I don't really know why, but before then this past week I was just felt like I was in an emotional slump. I just couldn't get my mind to where it needed to be. I had prayed that I could get over this and find something that would motivate me.
As we talked to Rosa, I had a strong prompting to ask her if she had any regrets in her life, since she's lived a long 83 year life. Rosa explained that she did not. Reason being, because everytime something bad happened, mistake was made, or she just had a bad day, she remembered to just move forward and leave those things behind. She mentioned how she had one of the worst days she had that day, but tomorrow she'll be fine because she is leaving the day behind and moving forward. As she spoke, I felt the spirit very strongly, and I knew He had answered my prayers as she spoke these words of comfort. I am not gonna lie, I started crying. She held my hand with her gloved hands (she wears gloves so her hands to hurt so much from the diabetes pokes) and reassured me that it was going to be ok and that there is no need to worry about the past or the future. To just worry about right now and keep moving forward no matter what happens. My chronic depression was not cured, but I gained an outlook I have been looking for all my life. I know people may have shared this with me before, but I know because of the Spirit, it clicked like never before. That was cool.

This past Saturday, a General Authority from the Quorum of the 70 came and spoke to us with his wife. His name is Elder Joseph W. Sitati, he this huge 6 foot 5 guy from Kenya. Got a super cool accent too. He served as a mission president in Nigeria. One thing that stood out from what he told us, and I saw in our area with our investigators, is to not stop talking to people. There may be times when we share our gospel and people just reject it, or they don't see a need for it. That doesn't mean we stop trying. You never know what may have happened to that person the night before. Or the week before. Or the month before. You get what I'm saying. 

This week we picked up these two investigators who turned out to be formers from 5 years ago! And we didn't even know they were formers. But a lot changed in there life that made them more able to receive the gospel. Another example: this sweet older lady in our ward, Lucy, was baptized almost two years ago. But her husband would never take the lessons. Until now. He recently had an operation to get a brain tumor removed, and now he is accepting us and wants to learn and "not be confused anymore." As he said. We invited him to be baptized and we are shooting for the 10th of December. How crazy, right? So what I am trying to say is: Just because we are rejected once or twice, does not mean we stop caring for that person. We continue to care and share the wonders the gospel brings. Who knows, there may be something on there mind that day that your knowledge of the gospel can help them with.

Take care, love you all a lot!:)

I am good for now. Thank you for the awesome packages!!:)

Elder Garcia from Colombia, finishing his mission and Elder Perez

Elder Perez with Elder Matthews and his family as he finishes his mission

Week 11- October 21, 2013-East L.A.

Dear parents,

 First off, glad that the Sheehans got the letter. I am happy they liked it. I didn't get the picture of him. I forgot to ask last email, when did you get back in contact with the Hurlburts? And do you have Elder Roellers email by any chance? That's awesome that you are helping with the boy and her mom. That is something we try to stress here a lot. It helps out more than you think! Well you probably know how much it helps haha, but I never realized I was a "member present" so many times with the missionaries hahah. 

We called brother Palazzo in the car when President Becerra picked me up but he didn't answer, so we'll see if he calls back. That's so crazy Micheal Palazzo is coming home so soon. I feel like my mission will never end. I don't mean that in a bad way, haha it just seems like something so farfetched and beyond me that it's not worth thinking about. Turns out I will be going home July 21st (2015) with another Elder from Texas. (that's what the elder told me, otherwise I wouldn't have known). 

So right now, we pretty much have a new set of investigators. Which is pretty cool. Just goes to show how inspired this ward change stuff was. Last night we picked up two new investigators, one is the mom of a recently new investigator and the other is the aunt. They had really good questions and all the answers we gave made sense to them. Which we loooove to see. On top of that, they wanted to go to church and visit the temple! The day before we visited a former investigator who was pretty much the opposite. Like I don't even know why she wanted us over. She would not accept anything about Joseph Smith and had no desire to accept it either. So we aren't planning to go back there anytime soon, as you can imagine. It's been cool to see the ward build up and get all organized recently. In the Elder's quorum, the theme that has been stressed is missionary work and how they can help the missionaries and how we can help them. And apparently there are still going to be some "surprises" coming up this next transfer. My companion only has 6 days left in the mission!! That's crazy, I think. He is excited to see his family, as any aged missionary would be. I am excited and a tad nervous for what is to come this next transfer. 

I read Bishop Johnson's letter not too long ago, and it helped me a lot. After going through some scripture study inspired by his letter I found these scriptures that I suggest you check out:

Joshua 1:9

Deut. 31: 1-8, 23

Psalms 118:24

My bike is doing well. Nothing really out of the ordinary going wrong with it right now. We are still riding the bus and train, and have been having a good time with that. But of course I run into Jehova's Witnesses more than I'd like to haha. But it's all good. I might write more if I remember something in a little bit, love you!:)

East L.A. skyline

Found his name written on cement in one of the projects ha-ha-ha

After a fun soccer match!

Week 10- October 14, 2013-East L.A.

Dear Everyone,

 Before I start on about how the week went in this letter, I ask that all those who read this pray for the Page family in North Carolina. Elder Page, Sister Page's son (father passed away a few years ago) came out with me to Arcadia (Elder with glasses in that picture I sent a long time ago). This Thursday, he passed away due to a car accident. I cannot imagine how his mother and three sisters feel having they're righteous priesthood holder pass away on the Lord's Errand. Yesterday, Sunday, we had a memorial service and video taped it for the Page family to view. I don't think I have ever felt more certain about the Plan of Salvation and the blessings it brings until now. I know that Elder Page is continuing God's work with his father on the other side. His great testimony of the Plan of Salvation may have been needed in the Spirit world to help those who didn't get the opportunity here on earth. Even though I won't be able to be on the plane ride home with him anymore, I will continue the work he started here on earth. Please, I ask again, to pray for the Page family in North Carolina. I also learned a lot from his companion who spoke at the service. When Elder Page got hit by the car, he rushed through the police and amublance, even though they resisted him, he went and gave him a blessing on the spot. In that moment, he turned from a boy to a man. Without a doubt. And another great lesson is learned from Sister Page. She had the opportunity to speak with Elder Ostler (Elder Page's companion) and instead of anger or sadness, she asked HIM how he was doing and what she could do to help HIM! If you can't learn from that example, then I don't know what could help you learn.

This was the message I wanted to share with you this week. I have never felt more at peace about someone's death than I did last night at the Arcadia Church building full of God's soldiers. I was so impressed to see all the missionaries, and I felt a sense of pride to be a small part of this great work. 

I still have Elder Mathews as my companion, but he is going home in about two weeks. His parents are actually picking him up from here and they're going to Disneyland afterwards so I will have the privilege of meeting his family. 

We had interviews with president this past week, which was a great pleasure! He is such a great president and just beams with the love God has for each of us. I love you all! And yes I got the hojaldre and we devoured it!:) And I just got the lindt chocolates last night! Oh and is Spencer going spanish speaking or english speaking?

Week 9 - October 10, 2013- East L.A.

Dear Parents,

Sorry I didn't email/ write yesterday, we had P-day today because we got to go to the temple today! The LA temple is soo cool. It is in Santa Monica, which is like Southlake except bigger hahah. But it was a great experience to go this morning and start the day off like that. 

On the way out, there was a kid with his dad waiting to go in, Elder Mathews and I had the prompting to go talk to him and it turned out he is leaving on his mission to Ecuador tomorrow and he'll be going to the Mexcio MTC just like me! The look of uncertainty on his face felt so familiar. And it's kinda funny to think that's how I was just a few months ago! 

On the bus home we got to talk to a ton of people, all super open this time so it was cool. This past week, we were able to pick up a new investigator named Eduardo. He is a super humble guy who is prepared to strive in the Gospel. When we taught him, everything to him made sense and the spirit was awesome in the lesson. I even told him "You are prepared to hear us" he just smiled and said: well I'm not sure if prepared is the word but I'd definitely like to learn more. Hahah, I am hoping and praying that he will be willing to put forth his part and come closer to Christ. We are going to give him a baptismal date this weekend so we shall see. 

General Conference this weekend was super fantastic. I think my favorite was Elder Holland, I feel like it spoke directly at me and that's probably the most gentle I've seen him. We invited a bunch of people to conference  and NONE of them came which was a blow to us. But! we did have a less active come to the last session on Sunday. Even though we had almost no one show up, it made our day seeing her there and her reaction afterwards. She started crying saying that this was exactly what she needed and that she always feels the spirit when we go and visit. It made me so happy to have that sort of influence on someone especially as she works back to activity.

 Sorry this letter is a little short, I can't think very well right now and I'm in a bit of a hurry. But I love you all! Tell Maruja I am praying for her out here and hoping for the best. :)

At the Temple with his companion

Week 8- September 30, 2013 - East L.A.

Folks,

    This week, I felt the spirit in a way I never have before. And I'll explain. So on Wednesday we were on exchanges and I went with the district leader.So we visted a few people in the morning, everything was cool. Then in the evening we had a lesson with this older couple, who was not married. We were having a great lesson with them at a members' home and everything was clicking. At the end of the lesson we mentioned them getting married. And then all of a sudden, I don't know what happened, but they started arguing and getting mad at each other. It got to the point to where the kids had to be put in another room to not hear the arguing and the lady started crying. As I witnessed this, I just prayed and prayed that we would be able to come up with something to help them. Right after my silent prayer, my companion spoke up and helped out a bit. Then the member adults came in and spoke up and helped out a bit. My companion then offered for the Mission President to come and help them with their relationship, but he denied it. But then, what got something in me going, he said he would like to have someone to be a "mediator." And in this moment of toil and chaos where I thought the spirit had left, something just burned in me and in an overpowering voice and stature that I have never in my life experienced, I pretty much called him out and told him to rethink what he was doing. He kept trying to talk over me, but I don't know what it was, the Spirit I had simply overpowered him as I bore testimony of the mission president and how great his calling is and how he is missing out on blessings because of his denial. It was extremely uncharacteristic of me, but I know I was used as a tool for the Spirit to get the point across. And I know we did. But it was amazing. 

Another great thing that happened this week is that we visited an investigator's mom, who is a hardcore catholic. She wanted us to teach her as well. We got in and talked to her for a bit, it was a bit awkward at first, not gonna lie. But then all of a sudden, the girl (our investigator) just got up and asked us for one of our Restauration pamphlets and started teaching her as much as she could and remembered. It was so awesome to see her do that! It definitely pleased my companion and I to see her desire to share the gospel with her mom. We are going to be going back this Thursday, so we'll see how it goes. 

I love being in the same apartment as the zone leaders because they bring a ton of energy and help me learn a lot. But everything has been going pretty well. The new ward is still working on giving all the callings out and getting everything organized. But it's looking good. Love you all! 

                              My lunch right before I went out. Top Ramen Sandwhich with some Valentina :)