First, there was a fire that started up a little ways away from us in the mountains. We were just going about our P day when we started to see all the smoke in the sky, but little did we know that it was going to last all week! It's far away from us, so we are doing well here!
Second, we received a text from a member in our ward that said that we should go to their house that night at 6 or 7 to go pass by a potential investigator. I texted him back and told him that we had a dinner appointment from 6-7 and then a meeting from 7-9. He responds to me "I don't believe it Elders. This guy is ready to be baptized." After that, I gave the member a call and we were able to stop by just before dinner and teach Sergio. The cool thing about Sergio is that he lives with a family full of members. He is really good friends with Rodrigo (the member who called us) because they live and work together. As well, he has another friend from work, Josué, who just got back from his mission in San Diego. He already has a lot of fellowship, has been to church a few times, and even has walked the temple grounds once in Washington when he lived there. We taught him the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with his friend Josué, and Sergio is pretty ready to go for baptism. We need to teach him a few more times, but I have a lot of faith that Sergio will be able to be baptized within the month!
After Monday, the week fluctuated a little bit with a good amount of success and some trials.
We were able to stop by another member referral when I was on exchanges with Elder Castro. This member who gave us the referral is from Upland, but works in Riverside. The woman who he referred us to is named Sonia. She is from Guatemala and has been taught before by missionaries. She was so welcoming and even agreed working towards a baptismal date for September 9th. We had a return appointment set for this last Saturday and a member was ready to come with us, but Sonia didn't want us to come by that day and said she would call us when we could meet next...
We had a really awesome miracle teaching Miriam last week, but after scheduling a few return appointments, she has been busy and a little apathetic about the whole situation. The thing is that Miriam and Sonia were both humbled enough to let us in the first time, but not everyone is ready face their problems and learn how to overcome them through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, so we just have to be patient until the Lord soften their hearts again.
There are some people that are learning and thriving right now. Juan is so positive and willing to learn. He came to the Book of Mormon study that the ward does on Wednesday nights and he really enjoyed it. We were able to meet with him on Saturday and have a good pump up talk about having opportunities to use the Aaronic Priesthood. He came to church on Sunday and had a good interview with the bishop about the temple and he is really aiming on receiving all the blessings the temple has to offer. At this point, nothing scares him and he is just moving along and soaking everything up.
Pedro is also ready for baptism. We wrapped up teaching him everything for baptism and I asked him "now what do you think might get in your way of being baptized?" He said as clear as anyone could say the word "NADA."
We will be getting his interview this week and we are praying that everything will go well, so that he can be baptized this Sunday.
On Saturday, we went down to our southern most area which is a place called Mead Valley. We stopped by a less active family there, but only their son was there. His name is Julio and he actually lives out in Hemet and is not a member. We could tell he was going through a hard time and he really just wants the best for his family, so we shared a little bit about the opportunity to have an eternal family as he works towards being baptized and going to the temple. He was really glad he stopped by his parents house that day so that he could meet us and he said he would start talking to missionaries and going to church in Hemet.
Last night, we were able to see some miracles as we found a family of 3 that we taught. They are pretty solid and the teenagers really enjoyed the lesson on the Restoration, but the mom will have to give up going to swap meets on Sunday mornings to come to church in the long run. We also taught another man named Rigoberto who used to be taught by missionaries about a year ago. He is pretty set on coming to church this next Sunday and maybe even bringing his daughters.
It's hard sometimes when we lose the momentum we had going. That's what happened with a few people this week, but a scripture that gave me a lot of comfort is D&C 29:7, "And ye are called to bring to pass the gathering of mine elect; for mine elect hear my voice and harden not their hearts." As long as I know I'm working hard out here, developing my talents, and following the Spirit, there is no reason to get frustrated when people don't hear us out. All I am trying to do, is give everyone a fair chance.
Other than that, this week will be pretty busy because we will be moving apartments today and tomorrow, having a multi zone conference on Wednesday, and exchanges again on Friday.
We went on a hike early, Saturday morning with the zone. It was my first time going up Mt. Rubidoux and it was really chill. Our P day activity today had me missing all the good times out on the NUF ('North University Fields --BYU lacrosse fields) because we were out there playing some sports, but the field was absolutely filled with the little black turf pellets. For anyone that has been out to the NUF, you know what I'm talking about. After you leave the field, you have turf pellets covered on the bottom of your shoe and it all somehow got inside the shoe as well haha but all in all, it was a fun time with the zone!!
Pedro is also ready for baptism. We wrapped up teaching him everything for baptism and I asked him "now what do you think might get in your way of being baptized?" He said as clear as anyone could say the word "NADA."
We will be getting his interview this week and we are praying that everything will go well, so that he can be baptized this Sunday.
On Saturday, we went down to our southern most area which is a place called Mead Valley. We stopped by a less active family there, but only their son was there. His name is Julio and he actually lives out in Hemet and is not a member. We could tell he was going through a hard time and he really just wants the best for his family, so we shared a little bit about the opportunity to have an eternal family as he works towards being baptized and going to the temple. He was really glad he stopped by his parents house that day so that he could meet us and he said he would start talking to missionaries and going to church in Hemet.
Last night, we were able to see some miracles as we found a family of 3 that we taught. They are pretty solid and the teenagers really enjoyed the lesson on the Restoration, but the mom will have to give up going to swap meets on Sunday mornings to come to church in the long run. We also taught another man named Rigoberto who used to be taught by missionaries about a year ago. He is pretty set on coming to church this next Sunday and maybe even bringing his daughters.
At the end of every week on my mission, I have felt that I have gone through experiences that have helped me become more refined as a human being. I know for a fact that it's the reason why I was sent to this earth and for this time in my life, the California Riverisde Mission; to gain this experience and to come out stronger. It's absolutely necessary to be tested and to push our limits so that we can progress to become like our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. There is no way that we would feel comfortable living in Their presence if we didn't go through the Refiner's fire. I am so grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ and His patience and willingness to heal me.
It's hard sometimes when we lose the momentum we had going. That's what happened with a few people this week, but a scripture that gave me a lot of comfort is D&C 29:7, "And ye are called to bring to pass the gathering of mine elect; for mine elect hear my voice and harden not their hearts." As long as I know I'm working hard out here, developing my talents, and following the Spirit, there is no reason to get frustrated when people don't hear us out. All I am trying to do, is give everyone a fair chance.
Other than that, this week will be pretty busy because we will be moving apartments today and tomorrow, having a multi zone conference on Wednesday, and exchanges again on Friday.
We went on a hike early, Saturday morning with the zone. It was my first time going up Mt. Rubidoux and it was really chill. Our P day activity today had me missing all the good times out on the NUF ('North University Fields --BYU lacrosse fields) because we were out there playing some sports, but the field was absolutely filled with the little black turf pellets. For anyone that has been out to the NUF, you know what I'm talking about. After you leave the field, you have turf pellets covered on the bottom of your shoe and it all somehow got inside the shoe as well haha but all in all, it was a fun time with the zone!!
Praying for another awesome week for everyone!
Elder Moon
Elder Moon
Pics of the week:
Smoky skies from last Monday
Mt. Rubidoux hike
With Elders Staley and Lee after the p day activity
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