June 22, 2015

So on Monday we had a lesson with Maggy and it was really good. We read in the Book of Mormon for a little while and helped her understand what she was reading. It was really good. She told us that her dad had even noticed a difference. She used to slam the door when she'd leave the house and now she closes it gently. They say it’s because she got baptized. But it’s true though we have seen a pretty big difference. She is a lot more attentive and she understands things easier. 

On Tuesday we had a lesson with M. We actually went to her house and it was really cool. Hno T., her father came with us and we had a good little lesson about the Book of Mormon, what it is and why it’s so important. We invited her to be baptized and she said that she would like to be, she just isn't ready to pick a date, or anything. So we are going to keep working with her. So we had our English class that night and when we first got there we were kind of worried because nobody had shown up the week before. But we had a good 6 or 7 people there so that was really nice. The class went really well.

Wednesday. We found A. again!!!! It was cool! We had a really good lesson with him about the Restoration. He accepted it really well and said he'd be willing to get baptized if he knew everything was true. So hopefully we can meet with him!

Thursday we had another lesson with M. It was really good. We talked more about the Restoration and the Book of Mormon and she told us she'd go to church.

Friday we had a meeting from 8 am and we were at the church until 5:30. It was crazy!! We talked about some super deep doctrine and I also learned how to always be able to find the North Star. But other than that we got the iPads. Well Elder Juarez got an iPad. I just sort of sat there and watched everyone get them all configured. It was a little depressing. And it’s hard sometimes because I want to use the iPad for stuff, but it’s not mine so I feel bad and so I don't. Which is good I guess. It helps me focus.

Saturday. So on Saturday we stopped by the S.'s home and we had a good little lesson with B. about church, what we do, how we dress, and everything. I even sang a part of the hymn Nearer my God to thee, but in Spanish, and it was really good. The spirit was there super strong. Then we invited her to church. She said she was going go so hopefully!

Sunday we had church and nobody was there. We texted B. and she told us she was getting ready and they she said she was leaving and then we got a text and she said she had to go pick up her kids. So she'd try to come but she wasn't sure. She ended up not coming, and neither did A.or the S’s. Ugh. Fathers Day is super rough >.<

But yeah that was the week. Sorry there isn't a whole ton. Bikes cut down on what you can do sometimes.

I hope you all have a great week!!!

I love you all!! 

Elder Zachary Gore

Less than a month and he will be able to dive in!

June 16, 2015

Dear Mom!

 As for this week, it was a pretty interesting adjustment from car to bike. If we had moved into the other apartment we probably would have kept all the old area and have given the sisters everything above Rialto Ave. But instead we are only going down to the freeway and we are taking a little piece above of Foothill Ave. Along with that we had all the stress of setting up a baptism. Making sure the people speaking are ready, that the building is reserved, baptismal suit fits, programs, music, and a whole bunch of other things. So our lessons for the week were a little low because we had to make sure everything was still good.

On Wednesday we had a meeting with the sisters to split the areas and we met the new sister in the ward. She seems pretty cool. Her name is Hermana Ipson, and she is from Utah. So its 2 from Utah and 2 not. So the ward is evenly split haha. We had a really good lesson with the M. family. Hna says she really wants to come to church. She is sick so she doesn't have a lot of energy but we are going to keep working with them to help build them up. 

Basically the next biggest thing was Saturday. When Maggy Got Baptized!!!!! It was super awesome!!! There weren't a whole lot of people that came but it was still really good. On Sunday she was confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It was super cool because I confirmed her a member. It was kind of scary. I really don't like having huge groups of people looking at me so I was really nervous but it went good. Her dad came to church for the first time which was awesome!! and that basically takes us to today. 

I'm sorry it’s not a lot but that’s basically what happened. It’s been a long, stressful, but fulfilling week. 

I love you all. I know this church is true and that Jesus Christ leads this work! I'm so grateful to be able to serve a mission and help others find true happiness and peace in this crazy world. 

I hope you all have a great week!! 

-Elder Zachary Gore

June 8, 2015

Hey Mom! So this week has been pretty good. So this last week was....

 So on Tuesday we picked up A, a young man in the ward that we take out with us every Tuesday and sometimes on other days of the week too, and we went and saw a potential named M.   M's ex-husband was a less-active member of the church and for that reason she knows about what we do and a little about what we teach. But we went and visited her and she invited us in and we just talked for a little bit, getting to know her. It was really good. When we left she said she'd talk to her husband to see if we could stop by when everyone was home to have a lesson. After that we had English class and that went over well.

Wednesday. We had exchanges and so Elder B came with us for the day. Basically everything fell through for the day but we had a good dinner with the R. Family. We talked to them about the Temple, and their goals on going to be sealed as a family. They said they had some things they wanted to work on first and so we set some new goals to help them progress and move forward. We also had this cool lesson with the sister of one of our members. She has had a lot of problems lately and wants to change and so we talked to her about the Atonement and how we can be healed and forgiven for everything that’s happened and she really liked that and so we are going to start working with her.

Thursday. Thursday after weekly planning we had a crazy lesson with a family. So remember how we said we weren’t sure how the husband was going to respond, but then it was ok. Well we figured out that sometimes people seem to believe they know what we are going to be teaching when we come in, even though they say they don't know that much – then try to teach us instead. Sometimes things don’t go the way we hope and the spirit just isn't there - it is just empty. So we find a polite way to leave. Without the Spirit present we can’t be effective, we will try again and see what happens next time.

Friday. We taught M about tithing and fasting. Oh and I'm not sure if I already told you all this but M is getting Baptized this Saturday!!!! But the lesson went super good and she understood everything and is willing to live it. 

Saturday. So we decided to walk and as we were getting to the neighborhood we wanted to walk we got a text from President saying that everything was staying the same, speaking of transfers, the area and companionship, except that Elder C was going to Fontana. So that was pretty triste. He is leaving today, Monday the 8th. We had another lesson with M and went over some more of the commandments. 

Sunday was good. We had Stake Conference. Elder Gifford Nielson, the Seventy that came and visited our mission and then spoke in general conference, came and spoke at stake conference. After that because Elder C is leaving he wanted to go take pictures with some members so we went over to the T.'s family home and Sister D, 2 other elders showed up it was pretty weird but it was cool at the same time.

That was the week! I hope everyone has a good rest of the week and I'll talk to yall on Monday!

June 1, 2015

Ok so this week was pretty good. Like I mentioned on Tuesday for Memorial Day we played soccer and ping-pong with Moses, and then went to In-N-Out for dinner. That night we had a FHE with the V. family and it was really fun. We read from the Book of Mormon and talked about Faith in preparing for the temple.

Tuesday. So after emailing and everything we went over to the R. family, who we found out are actually the S. family, and we got to know them and about their religious background and about their family. It was really good. At first the husband was working on the stove in the kitchen and so we prayed and were just starting to talk and he walked over and started talking about the Biblia (Bible) and we totally thought he was going to try to bash with us. Which doesn't get anyone anywhere so I was slightly preparing myself to get us out of there but obviously we were going to see what happened. Thankfully he didn't want to bash he was just sharing his experience with the scriptures and church and it was all really good. We had dinner with the M. family. They always give us sooo much. After that we had the English class. It went super good. I had gotten blisters the day before from soccer and it really hurt to walk and I had kind of had a bad day so I was able to go on a split with a brother and help prepare the tacos that they sell at mutual and it was just really good to just talk to him and get to know him better.

So Wednesday. We drive out to Redlands for the iPad meeting. I was super cool to see Brother Gonzalez. He did a really good training on how we are to use the iPads and how they are a tool, like a pen, or a shoe. It was also funny because he called me out and talked about how he knew me and that I had cut their lawn before the mission and then he told everyone that I had missed a spot before I left and that I needed to go cut it when I got home. It was fun. Then I found out that I don't get an iPad. I don't even get to use a rental. I just have to watch my companions use them for the last month of my mission. Ugh. So triste. But it’s ok. I don't need one. 

Thursday we did Weekly Planning and it was super intense we went for about 4 and a half hours straight. It was crazy long and exhausting but it was super good. We had another lesson with the S. family, and we talked about the Restoration and the Book of Mormon. They were very much in agreement with a lot of the doctrine, and they committed to Read Alma 32 talking about Faith. After that we went to the S. families home and N. told us that she is getting kicked out and has to find a place to stay by the end of this week. Ugh. This is not what we had wanted to hear.. again. Hopefully it can get fixed. 

Friday we finished the last bit of weekly planning had a couple of appointments and then went to dinner. Ummm we got food poisoning... again. we figured out that it was the rice. Our bodies aren't used to how much grease is in it. So then Saturday was just us dying in the apartment.

Sunday. Church was good. We had a special meeting with the Bishop about some things in the ward that can be improved and then during the 3rd hour the Bishop encouraged members about their duties, and other things.  Also Hno. S. like sort of kind of gave M permission to get Baptized! He just wants to make sure she doesn't just do it without understanding why. So we are going to keep working with all of them. 

and that brings us to a close. I hope everyone has a great week! Remember to read the Book of Mormon. I'm in Alma 46 right now. Captain Moroni is a boss!!!

I know this Gospel is True. I know God is Our Loving Heavenly Father and that Jesus Christ is the Head of this Church. 

Talk to ya later!

-Elder Zachary Gore