Birds, Breakfasts, and Blacksmith

Photos: 1. How about that huge bird? He is so cool. He talks a lot and the family that feeds us every Monday owns him. They are awesome!

2. The best breakfast ever. Yes, that is ice cream. They elder in the back is Elder Hansen, he is my zone leader, we were on exchanges and we made these. I ate 6 waffles, two with ice cream.

3. Sometimes elders sew and do crafts…

4. We found a street named Blacksmith! That’s me!

5. I really love being in a horse area.

6. Me and Elder Lowry today at the temple. Great day!

Wow I'm so jealous about your travels! I miss going on trips! The temple today was absolutely amazing! As always! I think everyone should be going all the time!

This week was pretty good. It was not as good as some but better than others we have people we are teaching but this week they all canceled but they did come to church and it was awesome to people come to church and want to learn more about the gospel and ask questions on how they can come to know more about what we believe and how we help others come to our Savior Jesus Christ. We are teaching Bobby Bates and Brenda and Susan. (I am not sure about the last names). 

It was pretty hard but we kicked in the gas and kept working and we have had a lot of chances to share the gospel! We also had a lot of chances to serve. We helped a member pick avocados, a lot of avocados and then they gave us them to take to people and it worked. I was on exchanges when we did it so we didn't get to go give avocados to people in our area. But it was good. While I was on exchanges with Elder Hansen we talked a lot about how to fine tune ourselves in the spirit and I was learning a lot about that and it was very good. I love the spirit! Tell Braquelle and Melissa that I am so excited for them to get their calls and get out here and feel that spirit.

I do need some help. I need you to send me another blue suit. I have been wearing only one of my suits because I have lost about 15 pounds on my mission (I haven’t had a soda in over a month) and so one of my suits is too big. Anyway, the pants on the suit that fits just plain wore out and I need a new one. Yep, I run every morning and I lift weights every night. I do hate running. But I like the feeling afterwards. Not during it but afterwards it feels good. The weight loss does feel pretty good. Elder Victorino has been on a bike since I left. I guess I dodge a bullet there! I feel lucky that I am still in a car because we cover a YSA ward so it's a big area and we are in a horse town!! I know it's awesome here!

Yeah I'm safe I promise!!! The only fire near me is contained. I love you! Thanks for being the bestest ever!

Settling in...

Hey mom!!

I'm so sad I missed fair! I heard what Seviah did and that's so amazing!

That's so sad to hear what people are going through. They need the gospel! Haha, did Malachi and Michayla go to fair? How was the rodeo on Sunday? 

This week for me was very busy we had a lot of meetings and it was hot but it was good. We had two lessons with two people named Bobby and Brenda. It was very wonderful to teach people. Our new area in really good and the ward is very friendly and welcoming to the missionaries both of our wards are. I'm starting to really, really love it here! It's fun serving but the one ward is a YSA so it's awkward and weird but it's nice being around people my age. And my new companion is awesome he is from Idaho and he's super cool!  Here are pictures. I'm sorry I don't have time to email much today we are really busy we have to help some other missionaries. But just know that I love you so much!!! 

So, the pictures are a sunset and then the red sun and the smoke is fire that we drove by but it's out and no one was hurt so it's okay. And then there is me and my new companion with some super awesome socks that we got from the lady that owns the barn that we live in. Of course the other picture is where I am now living. The lady we live with is so nice she does so much for missionaries she is a Saint. Her name is Sister Ratliff and she is amazing. And yes, Mom, we thank her a lot she is awesome. So I now literally live in an old barn. Sister Ratliff lives alone but we can live with her because we are in a separate structure. I have to go now. I’m so sorry I couldn't talk longer. I love you! 

Transfer!

Hey!!!

So this week was pretty good. We have begun teaching a new guy named Andre and he is very willing to hear the gospel and hear about the Book of Mormon. He is so spiritually strong and he told us that the story of Joseph Smith was so cool to him because he says he feels the same way, that he is looking for which church is true and where to go for the truth. I love teaching people especially about the Book of Mormon because it is what sets us apart. Because if the book of Mormon is true then Joseph Smith is a true prophet of God and God restored the true church on the earth with the proper priesthood power from God. I love the gospel and how much it can bless people!

But other news!

I did get transferred. I am no longer in the Riverside stake where I have spent the first almost nine months of my mission. I am now serving in Corona, Lincoln YSA and Auburndale ward. I’m excited to be in a YSA ward. So, it's pretty exciting and that's why I'm emailing a little later than usual because I just got to my new area with my companion Elder Lowry. He's been here for one transfer. I'm still district leader but in a new area. I don't know that much about the area yet. This place is more rural and more like home. It's a lot like Rifle, Colorado.  My new companion is pretty cool so far as I can tell. Yes, I’m quite a bit bigger than him. We actually live in a home share which is a refurbished barn and it is really, really cool. It's still really, really hot. But all of this part of California is. It's really cool though to be in a more rural area. I'm just kinda scared and nervous and not sure what to do but it's gonna be good. Change is good.

Here is a rundown of the photos:

1. My last sunset in my old area.

2. Bigfoot is found in California (this one is especially for my mom!).

3. Yes, this is a dead crow.Hahaha that picture is something another elder and I started doing. Every time we see a dead animal we take a picture of our nametag next to it and send it to our families so we can send nametag pictures like all the other missionaries. Haha are we creative or what?

4. Even missionaries have toys!

5. Gorgeous flower

6. I am on the move. My life seems so small!

7. This is me and my new companion, Elder Lowry.

8. Me and my old companion, Elder Victorino.

9. These are my main dudes, Elder Victorino, Elder Yeaman, me and Elder Hunt on Mt. Rubidoux      

10. The gang in a church gym. Elder Victorino, Me, Elder Hunt, Elder Yeaman. (I've served with Elder Hunt in my area for the last six months. You remember how I told you there was an elder I would sign with all the time? That's Elder Hunt. Honestly Elders Victorino and Hunt are two of the best missionaries and true friends I have ever met. I am already planning on doing stuff with both of them after our missions. Even in this short time they have become two of my best friends.)

Though I will miss the ward and the people in my last area I am excited to meet new people and help others come closer to Jesus Christ! I am missing fair so much. I miss my family that's the thing that’s hardest, not being with the family. 

Love ya!!!