HEY FAMILY

DECEMBER 11, 2017

Hey family!  Still alive out here, doing well!! Thanks for all of the emails! It sounds like everyone is doing well. That's good to hear! I'm excited for Christmas. It's coming up pretty quick!! Anyway, this week was actually pretty eventful. I led out all the planning and teaching for the week as part of my training, and Elder Gunsay didn't help too much so it was pretty much all me for planning and like running all the lessons. Kinda stressful sometimes, but it was a good week! I think I'll just go day by day.

Tuesday: So Tuesday we spent a lot of time finding people. In the spirit of light the world, we saw an old Hmong lady on the street unloading her car, so we pulled over and helped her carry some huge things of rice and gigantic pots into her backyard, and then talked to her for a little bit after. It was awesome! Also, we went and saw some other people and what not.

Wednesday: District meeting. As a district, we've been really struggling to hit our goals this transfer. Idk why, it's weird, but still doing well. Also, we met a few more new Hmong people. They weren't necessarily interested, but they didn't slam the door on us. They actually talked to us so that was cool.

Thursday: Highlight of Thursday was going to Yuba college with Elder Fahrni and Elder Bishop and doing a finding booth for light the world during lunch time. There wasn't very many people walking around, and it wasn't the most effective, but Sister Ward wanted us to try it, and we met a member so that was pretty cool. We also had a good lesson with Karen Wortham and her sister, Kristen. Karen is an investigator who used to go to church a while ago, but had some problems with the people, but now said we could teach the missionary lessons!!! So that's awesome!

Friday: So Friday we had a lesson with Mai and Pang. It was a good lesson, we brought a member and taught the Word of Wisdom, and what's amazing is that they were already trying to live the Word of Wisdom for the past 2 weeks!! And like, Mai would drink a cup of coffee every morning, and now she's not!! Amazing!! Also, they are like saying prayers as a family, and they went to church last week in Sacramento and are just doing awesome. Unfortunately, Pang's dad talked to all of his sons 2 weekends ago and said that his dying wish is for all of them to keep doing Old Culture, but then after that they can do whatever they want... so meanless to say, baptism is a little ways off. Pang is only like in his 30s, and I would bet his dad is only like 60 maybe... but Pres. Ward had some good advice, he said as long as they are praying, reading their scriptures, and going to church, everything will work out, so that's what we are really trying to help them do! And actually that lesson was on Thursday, haha. 

Friday: We had interviews with Pres. Ward!! It was awesome. He gave me some great advice. He talked about Christ, when He told the disciples to move the net to the other side of the boat, after they had fished all night, and they caught 153 fish (John 21 vs 1-6). Pretty much, there hasn't been a convert baptism that's Hmong for like a year... anywhere in the mission. So like Hmong work is pretty.. well... stalled I guess, but President Ward shared that analogy and told me pretty much like "Look, I know there are fish out there. There are Hmong people who God has prepared. I'm evidence of that, because if there wasn't any work to do, then they wouldn't keep sending Hmong missionaries." So that was really motivating, and Elder Gunsay and I have been trying to figure out how to find better. Right now, we're using the phone book and looking up Hmong last names. 

Saturday: We did some finding, also went to the Vang family Christmas party. It was awesome!! A lot like the thanksgiving party, but for Christmas, haha. They got us presents too!! I got a super cool Hmong tie. It is awesome. The only problem is they like tell us to come at 12-1 so we get there at 1 and don't eat till 3. Its tough, but a good time. Then that night we had stake conference, the adult session. Mai came and we met her there! It was so awesome, she is amazing!!! Pang is too, but he had work and couldn't make it.

Sunday: Stake conference. Elder J. Scott Dorius presided, and Pres. Ward spoke. It was amazing. They both gave such great talks about the fundamental basics of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Then after, we had like 3 hours to find. And last weekly planning, we made the goal for this week of finding 3 new investigators, and this was my week to lead everything, so I really extra wanted to meet those goals. But by Sunday, we hadn't found any, even though we had spent much time finding. But then on Sunday, in that time we had, we found 3 new investigators! 2 of which were Hmong!! It was amazing, really a miracle because of all the time we had spent finding earlier. That's pretty much most of the highlights of the week. We still haven't put anyone on date, but that is ok. I'm just going to keep trying to be exactly obedient, and do what I can to help and invite others. 

Oh also, I found out that I'm probably not training, so that is comforting. Elder Gunsay will probably leave though. We will find out next Sunday. It's kinda sad, but to everything there is a season, and his time here has been long. I just hope I get to stay here. I'm really now getting settled into everything, and the work is starting to pick up. Anyway, love you guys!