Week 33- March 24, 2014 - Lincoln Hights, East L.A.

Dear home,

So I am going to start off talking about this fantastic stake conference we had this past sunday. Elder Dallin H. Oaks, and Elder Craig C. Christensen were in town. But Oaks went to the Pasadena English stake, and Christensen went to the East LA Spanish. He knows Spanish really well due to serving a mission in chile and then being mission president in the Mexico City mission. He was actually the Boyle Heights' bishop's mission president! But anyways, it was awesome. President Becerra came as well and gave a talk.

 A big theme President Becerra and Elder Christensen hit that impressed me the most was the family. President Becerra shared a story of his rebellious younger brother. He had a younger brother, that at the time, didn't want to go on a mission, didn't want to go to church, and was being a bit disobedient in the commandments. President Becerra's father had no idea what to do with him and how he was going to help him get back on track. So he decided to ask God in prayer what he should do. After some pondering and thinking, he came up with the idea of reading the Book of Mormon with his rebellious son everyday at 6:30 in the morning. As you can imagine, his brother did not want to do that at all. But his dad dragged him out of bed, and would read out loud to him. Most of the times, his brother would just take his pillow and blanket with him and sleep as his father read. But it didn't matter, his father kept this going and going. But something great happened one of these mornings as he was reading to his son. They had gotten all the way to 3 Nephi 11, when Christ comes to the Americas. As his son lay down listening to his dad, he started crying because of the spirit he felt. He realized he had to change and live more according to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Long story short, he made the changes necessary, went on a mission, and currently has a wonderful family.

Another story that I want to share was one that Elder Christiansen shared about a valuable lesson he learned from his 6 year old daughter. So he is from Utah, but has a lot of family in California, so they decided to drive over to visit the family. As they were driving, their car just started to break down and eventually wouldn't run. So at 2 in the morning (they had left at midnight) they were stuck in the middle of the road with their car broken down. Elder Christensen said that he had no idea what to do or really how to work cars for that matter. When all of a sudden, his daughter said "Why don't we ask God to help us?" But Elder Christensen, didn't want to break her faith and tell her that God helps in a lot of things, but mechanics is not one of them. So to top it off, he said: "well, why don't you say the prayer then?" He said that his six year old daughter simply closed her eyes and bowed her head and asked God to "bless their car." Elder Christensen was afraid that after the prayer, the car wouldn't work, and her faith would have been broken. But to his surprise, the car started! It wasn't in full 100%, but it was just enough to get them to a place where it could be fixed.

I share these two stories, because there are times where we don't appreciate a lot of what are families do for us and the impact we can have on each of our family members. I thought those were pretty cool.

This past week we have been doing pretty well. Vilma is awesome, and we started teaching her daughter who is just as awesome. They want to get baptized together. We haven't set a date with them yet, but they will totally be ready this April, they are fantastic. We also found a pretty cool guy named Jose S. Jose is neighbors with one of our current investigators. On exchanges, Elder Fellows and the ap, went by the Garcias but they weren't there. But, Jose, the manager of the apartment complex came out and asked about what we do. He said he was pretty interested in what we had to say so they set up a time for the next day. We went by and he was a super cool guy. He is an ex-gang member with a bunch of tattoos and he may have done some pretty bad stuff, but his desire to be better is awesome. We set up a baptismal date on the first lesson for May. 

Something that stuck out to me in our lesson is how he said that a lot of people only look to God when they are in times of trouble. Which is true. He went on to say that he doesn't feel like he is in one of those times, in fact, he said he has already passed all those times through all his jail time and juvinelle hall time. Which made me realize, he really just wants to know what is right and do so. He now works for schools as a dean discipline, so he works a lot with kids who were in his similar situations. It's pretty cool to see how prepared he has been without even knowing it. On top of all this, his girlfriend is a big believer in God and has been trying to get him to make God more of a priority in his life. Very cool guy. 

Unfortunately, Jesus is pretty much done. On top of being really sick, his neighbor anti-ed him pretty hard and now he doesn't want to meet with us. Which that really stinks, but at the same time I am excited to work with all these new people we have been meeting!

Love you all!!

Week 32- March 17, 2014- Lincoln Hights, East L.A.

This past week had some interesting ups and downs, especially the weekend.

I will start with the ups:

The zone is doing really well and it looks like we are going to meet our goals. I'm pretty sure we are the youngest zone in the mission. The oldest two guys aren't leaving until August... Pretty crazy! But it has been really fun to watch everyone progress and work towards their goals, I am very excited for them! 

Another cool thing that happened this weekend was the finding of some awesome investigators. My parents are probably not going to approve of how we found them, but what matters is that we found them! We were going through some old potentials down a street we haven't been down before. We knocked on the door and the potential wasn't there. The apartment was all Chinese people too, so it wasn't very promising to begin with. All of a sudden, I had a desperate urge to use the bathroom! We tried knocking another door in the apartment, but an angry Chinese lady came out and didn't let me use her bathroom. So we ran down a few houses and saw a younger Hispanic guy working on his car in his driveway. So we asked him and he was pretty cool and let me use his bathroom. He introduced us to his mom who was cooking some "lengua," (tongue), very nice lady! We gave her our number and we got a return appointment for a day later in the week. About an hour later, we got a call from her telling us to come back because she wanted to give us some of the food she was cooking! Super nice lady. 

We ended up teaching her on Saturday night, she told us she has been praying for someone to come and help her find "her church." She described her situation exactly like that scripture that talks about how some people don't have the gospel because they don't know where to find it. She has been listening to some Christian radio thing for a while so she could learn, and next thing you know, we come up to her door asking to use her bathroom! She ended up coming to church the next day, bringing her daughter and daughter in law! So cool!

Unfortunately, one of our investigators told us they don't want to "be Mormon," which really stank. She was very close to baptism. We think some of her friends kind of pressured her out of it, but we will see. We are planning to take her to the temple for one last visit and let the spirit do its thing. But we will see! So far everything has been going great. At times of the lows, there is always a high to make things better. I am looking forward to this upcoming week and all the great things ahead!

Love you all!!

P.S. And I woke up this morning to a small earthquake. I woke up and my bed was shaking, I thought it was Elder Fellows messing with me but he was dead asleep. But I was so tired I just fell back asleep as my bed was shaking hahaha

oh and last thing! We are going to be getting a new mission president the first of July. His name is Moises Villanueva, he and his family are from Oaxaca, Mexico. This is one of the first times, if not the first, that a president from a foreign country will be coming to be a president in the United States! So exciting!! i'll send you a picture of them really quick

With a member, East L.A. in the background

With his new companion, Elder Fellows

Morning Hike

Week 31- March 10, 2014-Lincoln Hights, East L.A.

Dear everyone,

So unfortunately, this past weekend Jesus didn't get baptized. He's been pretty sick this past week and it is not only affecting him physically, but mentally and spiritually. I was so bummed out, it sucked. But we are hoping to pass by this week and help him out and get him back on his feet. This trial is making me think a bit, so I am just writing down my thoughts as I go. 

As I have been living in Los Angeles for the past 7 months, I realize that there are two kinds of people in this city. But something is common between the two groups. Each group goes through intense trials. Whether it be having to come over indocumented, loss of a loved one, horrible health problems, no work, etc.. They all have these sorts of problems. I think every single person I've talked to, whether it was a brief conversation on the street, or sitting down and sharing what we know with them, has a huge trial sitting behind them that I would have never imagined. 

Now back to the two groups: 

The first I see a lot of, are the people who have these huge trials and let them overwhelm them, and by doing so they get completely defeated. This place is full of just that, defeated people. And as missionaries, we help them overcome these trials through the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. But unfortunately, there are people who are so defeated, that they see no way out and even refuse the escape ladder we toss down to them. And that always hurts me the most. It makes me wonder and hope that one day they find that escape ladder, and find their way out of their situation. But as they say here all the time "todo en su propio tiempo" (all in due time)

The second group of people still have these trials, like everyone else, but the difference is how they deal with it. There are people looking for this escape ladder that we pass by everyday, but we don't even realize it. This second group still lives in the same place, has just about the same resources, speaks the same language, etc.. A big difference is the outlook they have and their willingness to look for and receive help. And it is so amazing to see those who do accept change and to help them overcome their trials. It is awesome, actually! 

At the same time, we have to look up for the help that we need. And if we see others that need it, help them! Looking back at being home, I feel like there are so many people I could have helped,  I just let the opportunity slip by. I don't want that to happen again and will strive to help others in need.

This may have not made a lot of sense since I kind of wrote it on the fly, but I love every one! Thanks for all the birthday wishes and all the gifts, I got them all!

Week 30- March 3, 2014- Lincoln Hights, East L.A.- Arroyo Ward

Dear Everyone,
Yes that is my house. Sister Fortie told me you were creeping on me
hahah. I told you, I am in mini Mexico haha! 

Sichel St. Apt. L.A. CA

So we had transfer calls
this weekend and once again, President Becerra did not disappoint on
surprising me, yet again! My new companion is (drumroll) Elder
Fellows! The one I went on exchanges with not too long ago. I am very
excited to be companions with him. Why am is that surprising, you ask?
Because this will b his first transfer as a Zone Leader, making us the youngest ZL companionship in the mission. Probably ever, too. If we put our time together in the mission, we don't even have a year and a half... But I foresee great stuff happening.

This past weekend we had Evelin O. baptism. It was a great little baptism with just about 9-11 people. One of them, being Evelin's inactive dad. The spirit hit him so hard, he was crying during most of the service. It was fantastic. And it was cool because that baptism was the last thing Elder B. did on his mission.

So after the baptism, we went to elder B's Despedida (farewell). Elder
B. was such an awesome missionary, it didn't hit me he was
leaving until he actually left because of how diligent he was. As I
watched him work and speak at the farewell, I thought to myself that
that is how I want to go out. Without a skip in my step or anything. It
was a pretty huge contrast to my first companion who was going home.
He was the trunkiest guy ever!! But it's ok.

Another cool thing that happened in the transfers is that mijito,
elder Ramos was made district leader! It's so cool to see him grow and
learn. I consider him like my little brother out in the mission.
Always asking the other zone leaders how he his doing and vice versa.
Makes me think that maybe I did do alright in training him!

This upcoming week we should be having Jesus' baptism. I love that
man so much, even though he is 87, he wants to make so many changes to
be a better person. It's really cool because he is all there and he
gets everything and is so willing to improve. He had a bit of a word
of wisdom problem with coffee, but gave it up the day that we taught
it and has replaced it with one of those acceptable not really coffee
coffee mixes. He's a great example to me and hopefully to those who
read this.
I love you all!! Have a great week!

Here comes the rain!

Elder Perez with his new companion, ElderFellows

Week 29- Feb. 24, 2014- Lincoln Hights, East L.A. - Arroyo Ward

Dear everyone,

   

I don't think I have ever finished a week so tired as I did this week. I ended each day just completely pooped. But it was a great week! 

   We had an exchange this week with the Fletcher (Glendale) district leader, Elder F. I got to go to his area with him. Elder F. is this tall, blonde, blue eyed guy from Alabama. He came out about 3 months before me and had a bit of a similar situation as myself, he was made district leader right after he finished getting trained. He actually swims for the BYU swim team too. Super great missionary. So we made a plan to go by some of the prospective elders in his area. 

The first person we got to was not there, but his son who had never heard of us was, so he let us in. He was a 19 year old guy who seemed to be pretty receptive and was full of great questions. But we showed him a picture of a lady praying about the Book of Mormon and here things took a turn. He started questioning us and trying to make us trip on our beliefs. But elder F. and I stayed super firm and bold. I think he saw we weren't going to budge and he actually offered us a position at his church (Christian) to be a paid pastor. Which we turned down. I am going to spare the rest of the details, but in short, he didn't receive the message as well as we thought, and ended up not phasing us at all. 

Although the lesson didn't turn out quite how we would have liked, Elder F. and I talked about it and we knew we came out with solidified testimonies of what we know to be true. It felt pretty cool.

  

As for our investigators, there is some cool stuff happening. We should be having a baptism this weekend of a member who lost her records (yay Spanish work). But she actually was inactive, so it works out. Her recent convert husband Sergio, will be baptizing her. They are a young couple in their lower 20s. It's going to be very cool. 

The week after, March 9th, Jesus R. is getting baptized. He is the 87 year old man I was telling you about. We had a lesson with him in which we talked about repentance, specifically for him to help him get rid of some less than appropriate magazines he had. Right when we mentioned it, he said he has already thrown those "porquerías" away and wants to change his life for the better. I was very impressed by this man who has such a desire to change at such a late stage in his life. It really is never too late to change! And now he won't stop talking about how excited he is to get baptized hahah. 

There was one other investigator I wanted to highlight that reminded me a lot of my dad. His name is Martin G. and is 19 years old. We met him on the street a while ago and I actually asked if he could come to church with us the next day and give us a ride, and he was going to! But he had a bit of an emergency. We lost a bit of contact until a few nights ago when we went and visited him. His parents are very catholic, but he knows it is false. He understood everything so well and even started talking about the plan of salvation without even knowing it! So awesome! But unfortunately, his parents recently told him to stop talking to us, so we will see what goes on there. His parents are very devout Catholics....

Life has been going pretty well here. Although I'm always exhausted, I am also always happy. Elder B. is on his last week right now. It feels very strange to see how fast this has been going, so I am doing my best to enjoy this while I can. Love you all!!

-Elder Perez 

Sent from my iPad

Something really interesting president Becerra told us is that he hastening of the work of salvation doesn't just start with us as missionaries, but we learn to be those members that are needed in this great time

Elder Perez y don Jesus

Week 28- Feb.17, 2014-Lincoln Hights- East L.A.- Arroyo Ward

Dear everyone, 

 So, where do I begin this week... This past week was the iPad rollout, so everyone in your mission has an iPad now. A general authority came down the first day to see how we do and all that. He made a really interesting comment that hit us. He said that God not only gave the revelation to give us these iPads to be more efficient missionaries, but to help us change more. 

Now that sounds kinda weird at first, how can having an iPad help us change more by the time we get home? He told us to think of how we used to use devices back home, just for useless stuff and browsing limitlessly. But now that we have these restrictions on these iPads we are free. We know how to better use "wordly" devices for good. So when we go back home, it won't be such a big shock on how we use electronics AND we will know how to use it for good. So it's pretty cool how there is more than meets the eye with these new iPads.

  

Recently we have been praying a lot for potential priesthood holders still, and I have found that God has a pretty good sense of humor. Not too long ago we found two households full of women... The good thing is that they are prepared, the not so good thing is that we still need men hahah. But we are still working on that and hopeful for the future. 

We have found some really prepared people recently. The Lord is truly hastening his work. A member family from El Salvador, invited us to dinner with their neighbor this past Friday. And that neighbor, 22 year old Leslie, came to church! Now what's the big deal about her coming to church? That happens all the time, right? Well Leslie is a young mom and that Sunday morning she didn't get back home from work until 4 in the morning.... Pretty impressive! And she is already having great spiritual experiences, she told us about how she prayed in hopes that her boyfriend would change and help her (he walked out) and an hour later she got a text from him saying how he realized that he's being dumb and wants to change. Yay! 

We went out on splits, I went with a member and Elders B. and C. stayed together and they found a super awesome lady on the street who said she has been reading the Book of Mormon since she was 17! ( she is now about 50) and every time she has seen us she said her heart pounds hard calling out to her to talk to us. Apparently she is pretty high up in the ranks of the Catholic Church, but she said she feels like this is where God wants her. AND she's married, so it looks like the husband could be a great potential priesthood holder. So we will see what happens there. 

 Time has been flying by so fast I can barely keep up. It's crazy. But I love it! Anyone who is on the fence about going on mission needs to jump over and do it. I love you all!

week 27- February 10, 2014- Lincoln Hights-East L.A.

Dear everyone who reads my epistles,

   

First off, M. and R. got baptized this weekend!! Yay! It was an awesome baptism! At the end, R. (11) shared his feelings after he got baptized. I think he described it perfectly when he said "I felt like I was in Jesus' arms and he was taking care of me." He bore a super awesome testimony. His mom didn't because she said she would have cried too much, but it was still cool. 

  

This week was pretty hectic due to meetings and such we had. I am still amazed at how much goes into missionary work! We had a meeting with our stake president,  his councilors, President Becerra, and the East LA south zone missionaries. It was very cool. The Stake President  is such a good man. He is so humble, but has such an awesome vision and drive to move missionary work ahead in the stake. President Becerra told us he is the best Stake President in the mission. And I can tell that they have a good relationship because they go and visit people together and take on East LA hahah. So I am looking forward to being able to work this closely with them more often. 

 I also got to teach my first zone meeting this week... :o. Something I still can't wrap my mind around is how I am supposed to help all these missionaries who have been out way longer than me, are older than me, more experienced, and probably have a better grasp of what they are doing than I do. But nonetheless, I felt like it went pretty well. I was really nervous and anxious beforehand so I prayed a lot that I could simply just be a tool and say whatever God wanted them to hear. The whole time I was up teaching and such, I felt the Spirit, so I felt a lot more comfortable. As I went on a trio exchange later that day with a companionship in my district, I asked them how they thought it went. Elder C., a trainee with a very bubbly personality said (specifically about when I bore my testimony at the end) "I don't really remember what you said, I just remember how I felt." I think that is the best way I would put it as well. I don't quite exactly remember all I said (I have notes so don't worry) but I remember exactly how I felt. So I am looking forward to the next time I get to teach a zone meeting.

   

This week has been pretty cool with finding new investigators. Elder B. talks to just about everyone and I've started doing that a lot more consistently so we find a lot more. On exchanges, Elder C. found this really old guy. So the next day he went and taught him (we split up to go and teach more people). He didn't even formally invite him to church or to read or anything, but as a member was taking us to church, we see this little old guy walking with the sister missionaries to church... This little old guy was Jesus Rodriguez!! (that's the guys name) Jesus is an awesome little old guy. He is 87 years old and got on the bus on his own and would have gotten lost if it weren't for the sister misssionaries getting on the same bus he got on. And on top of that, he already started reading the Book of Mormon. During church he was taking notes and everything! Such a cool guy. The only setback is that we think he is out hunting for a wife as well and has a few chastity problems... But we will figure that out hahaha!

So far, all is well in Arroyo. I am loving the opportunities I get to serve! Love you all, thank you for all the support you give me!