October 27, 2014

Hey mom. So like I don't have anything crazy exciting. But this week was better than last I think. To start off District meeting was better than the other week. Everything ran a lot smoother and everyone said it was better so I was happy about that. I really don't like giving trainings and stuff because I don't feel like I'm good enough to be able to tell people that they are doing things wrong or need to do stuff better when I'm not perfect. I don't know I just don't like it. But anyway.

We had some really good dinners. We usually get fed maybe, and I mean maybe, 3 times a week. But we've had some really nice members who have given us money or given us food for us to take home and eat. That's what the one picture I have is of. Us eating some food given to us by an awesome member family! Got our pollo, arroz, salsita, and tortillas. Awwwwwww yeah. Good food. This is after we did nightly planning just so nobody freaks out about us not wearing ties!!!! 

Other then that the only big thing was the service we did. We went with like all the missionaries in the stake, almost but not quite, maybe like 20 or so and we helped set up a huge Halloween display on 3 houses. We had to leave so I only have pictures of 2 of the houses. But I'll see if we can pass by them and get some pictures. Also on Halloween we have to be in our apartments at 6 and do weekly planning. It'd be ok if we had a copy of the Testaments or something to watch when we finish but we don't have anything soooo its gonna be a pretty lame night.

The other exciting thing from this week has been the Exchange. Elder Reber came with me to my area on Friday and it was fun. I learned a lot about planning better and teaching. But I think I learned the most about talking With people and not talking To people. Cause everyone can talk to people, and you just spit out a memorized speech or something. The hard part is talking with people. Having a conversation and getting to know them and showing them that you care about them. I have problems with that. I don't feel very confident but Elder Reber helped me have conversations and focus on just getting to know the people so I'm working on that right now. Talking with everyone and asking them everyone the good questions to get referrals.

But yeah that's about my week.

I know this church is true and that God lives and loves us. I know that we only get trials that God knows we can handle and that if we humble ourselves before Him, He will make the week things become strong and we will be better than we ever were before. We are here on this earth to work towards perfection. To become as our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are and though we can't make it to perfection in this life with their help we can get move closer and closer to it. And one day we will be perfect as they are perfect.

I know this is true and that we the missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are led by Jesus Christ. This is His Church and His work and He is going to help us do it.

Have a great week!

Love you all!!!

Bye!!!

October 20, 2014

October 20, 2014

It’s just been a long week and we rode for like ever. Nothing exciting, in the work aspect, has happened. The meeting with Elder Evans was really cool though. We talked about the iPads. They are coming in January/February. So that'll be pretty cool. But we rode lots see: 16,18,15,6,7,28,5= 95 miles this last week and we are just exhausted and a bit down. But we are working and not letting it get to us :)

That is what’s going on. The work just isn't moving. We haven't been able to find anyone or really teach anyone and it’s just hard. It’s just how the mission works. If you aren't teaching you aren't really happy. But that's just how the mission goes sometimes. I'm being obedient, I’m working hard, and Elder Maroto and I are getting along great. We just aren't doing much work. Sometimes that happens. But I’m excited for the new week and the new chances we have to work and try new things and be better.

October 14, 2014

So this week I don't really have much to say. I got a haircut. We rode our bikes about 25 miles every single day last week. I held my first district meeting and it wasn't very good. On the bright side we put our only investigator on date. His name is E., he has a serious drinking problem, but he wants to change his life around and follow Jesus Christ. So we are excited for him. Other than that we have just been working and trying to find people to teach. It’s been really slow since most of our work is out in Mentone which is about 30 mins away from where we live :/

We helped the branch president assemble cubicles for his office expansion but I forgot my camera :/  That was pretty fun. It was a real hard work out. We had to carry large and rather heavy walls and tables up a flight of stairs. But it was good.

We had zone meeting last week and its Elder Barrus' last transfer >.< I'm gonna miss him a lot. He helped me a lot. Like to see how much more fun missionary work was when both companions want to work!

Yeah. Its been slow. But we are working. Elder Evans the head of the missionary department is coming to speak to us on Thursday. That should be pretty cool :)

Redlands

I asked Zachary a bunch of questions in my email to him, here are his responses:

Hey Mom!!!!

Where did you watch conference?  English or Spanish?

I watched Conference in the church building that is next to the temple. And we watched in English, up until the Seventy who spoke Spanish, and then we went into the Spanish room and listened there.

How do you like Redlands?

Redlands is sweet. A lot quieter and safer then San B. But it’s just another city right now. We haven't had a lot of time to go in and work in our area because we've had meetings, and weekly planning, then Conference and so this week is when we are really going to see what's going on.

How is your new companion?

Elder Maroto is cool. He is 20 and from Costa Rica. He has 2 months in the mission and he really, really wants to learn English and speaks it well so he speaks English in the apartment and I speak Spanish. It’s a lot of fun, he is cool. He likes to have fun and he wants to work hard. We are a little slow on the bikes because he only has a transfer on a bike but that just comes with time. 

How do you like your new apartment mates?

Elder Maroto and I are in a 2 man. Which is kind of hard just because I'm so used to the 4's but its good. We are having fun.

How do you like training?

Eh. Training has been good I guess. I don't really have to teach him much. He already speaks Spanish. Now it’s just working on other parts of the work. Following the Spirit, how to teach, and the usual. But Elder Reber got him off to a really good start. Hopefully I don't ruin him! haaha

How is the ward/branch?

The Branch is good I guess. We have tons of less actives in our area and since we are both new we don't know anything at all >.< But we are working. We'll get a hold on it!

We were totally surprised you were transferred. We thought for sure you would stay in San B.  Is this called being white washed? I still haven't figured that out.  I guess one shouldn't try to think too much about the why's. 

White washed is when an area loses both of the missionaries that were there and puts 2 brand new ones that don't know the area. There are a lot of reasons it happens. Sometimes I think it’s to test the missionary cause it’s hard when nobody knows anything about an area >.< But Elder Maroto was in this Branch last transfer with Elder Reber, just in the other area, so he has an idea which helps a bit.

On the map it looks like San B., Highlands and Redlands are all pretty close to each other. Will you be closer to the president?  Does he want to keep an eye on you? :o)
Yeah I guess I'm closer to the president, I saw him at Priesthood session on Saturday. But I mean other than that we don't have tons of contact.

I sent you a package with pumpkin muffins in it.  Hopefully you get the box soon.

I got the package and we ate the muffins! They were delicious!!!

General Conference is next weekend; do you want me to send you the quote cards again from conference? 

Quote cards would be awesome!!!!

Have you heard anything about ipads lately?

Nope. We are having a meeting with the head of the missionary department in 2 weeks so maybe we'll find out more then haha

I loved Conference it was really good!

Some Highlights:

From Elder D. Tod Christofferson. I loved his talk about who has responsibility of our lives. and the quote "God will not make us become something we don't want to become. I know that is true. I have seen it out here on the mission. We can pray all we want to become better but until we start acting and studying and doing things better we aren't going to get that help!

and From Elder M. Russell Ballard. I really liked the story about staying on the boat and how if we do we'll be safe but if we get off we have a really good chance of getting lost and drowning. So Everybody STAY ON THE BOAT!!!!

Like I said about the week. Not much really happened so I'll go into the pictures I sent home :)

So to start off. After District meeting on Tuesday we took some pictures as a district! Yay! I'm going to miss them a lot :(

 

There is a nice picture of a street in my old area that had a lot of Palm Trees!!

 

Last Photo with the Elders in San B.

 

And that's about it for this week.

Oh yeah I'm a district leader now too >.< haha. So much responsibility!!! Not really. Only a little bit more. It'll be fun :)

Well that's all I got for the week! I hope you all have a great week! Your awesome! I love you! The church is true! God is our Loving Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer and they Lead this Church and the Prophet! We are doing their work and we are being helped by them! Pray for Their Help and They will give it to you!

-Elder Zachary Gore