Week 9 - Oildale

This week has been really great. We have a challenge that we have to read the book of Mormon in 64 days, the amount of time it took Joseph Smith to translate it! 

   On Monday we played volleyball. We went to a sweet family who always want to know if they can feed us. They feed us salad and tacos. On Tuesday we went to Jorge's house, and Juan, his brother answered. We taught him the first lesson, and he was interested, asking a ton of questions. When we'd give an answer, he would be so surprised and say "You guys know that? Cool." He didn't know the words atonement or repentance, or the apostles. He was Catholic, but I am still shocked to find how little of the gospel people know. He loves the word repentance though. We went by Brian again, and from his face he was like "Wow, these guys won't leave me alone!" We taught him the importance of reading the book of Mormon, and I told him that this wasn't just something that we say, but that he really needed to read the book, and that that was why we were out there, because we know the blessings. We went to Sonya's home, and she says that she has been keeping up on our commitments. On Wednesday we went referral hunting, and that night we made spaghetti for dinner. It was really good. We went back to that family who always asks if they can feed us. To be specific, they are two old Hispanic ladies who are super kind in a small apartment. They are so happy, and they are trying to get their friend nearby to take our lessons with them. They are awesome. We went to teach Sonya, but she wasn't there. Her husband came, and we taught him! He is accepting the lessons so well! We invited him to read the Book of Mormon, and he said in español, "I will read this." As in, the book! I am excited for him. On Thursday we went back to their home, and Sonya was sleeping, and her husband Felix works about 4 jobs. They are living with their cousin, who is a member, which is cool. We had a senior couple missionaries come and help, but Sonya didn't want to wake up. We brought a white board with the plan of salvation, and asked the member, Berinese, to teach it to the family. She didn't, we found, which was okay because I would like to help teach it. We went to Juan, but he was at a meeting, so we left a card inviting him to church. We had volleyball night, too, which was really fun! On Friday we had exchanges, and I went with Elder Jacobson, who is a legend. He was really cool. We tried a few referrals, who weren't home, and went to Juan's  house, and he cut us off saying he had to go to the mall, and we brought a member missionary by too, so we tracted a referral we found from a kid selling candy bars. We had dinner at Monica's house. That family is awesome. So, Monica and Kimberly are sisters, and Cris is their cousin, and they have another person who helps pay rent. We had pizza. Monica and Kimberly are members, and Cris is the guy who drinks a lot. We went to two less actives, and the first one wasn't home, so we left a card, and the other, we saw at the window so we knocked on the door, and they wouldn't answer, as though they weren't there. On Saturday we tried a few places to find people (converts and referrals). We then stopped by Juan, and the weirdest thing happened. Juan and Jorge are brothers, and their mom, we thought, was single. It was originally the mom, Luz, whom we taught, but she tried to act like it wasn't her. Anyway, we went there and this man came to the door. We asked for Juan and Jorge, and he said "They moved out." I doubt that, so we're going to try again this week. That night, we had dinner at the Worthins, who is such a cool family. Their 12 year-old daughter died while the mom was at girls camp, and one of the sons, now on a mission, was at scout camp. In that same year, their father got brain cancer and had to go through multiple strenuous surgeries. They are still extremely active in the ward, and very happy. We had pizza, and we went to a baptism, taught by Elders Rocha and Jacobson. He had permission to get baptized a week earlier, but he burned his leg in oil. His daughter also got married, and his wife was already a member. The Spirit was so strong there, and so many people came. His name is Rigoberto. On Sunday we tried super hard to do anything, but we went through our whole list of things to do, but none of it worked out. We did, however, go to a member's home, the Burdicks, who are so cool. Their son turned in his mission papers, and they have one autistic son. They are the happiest family though, and the mom is super funny. That was my fantastic week! I am loving this mission and all the support you guys give me. I love you, and I hope you all have a good week. 

If you ask God for miracles, He will give them! I know that. Ask super specific questions. There are missionaries who ask super specific questions, and it happens exactly as planned! 

So, everything is okay with the landlord now, and elder Ball did take care of it. It is not time yet, actually, but when I do, I can do it. Thank you, though! 403 real road ap. 50 Bakersfield, CA is my real address. Again, I love you all, and it looks like a ton is happening at home.