Whitewashing

Hello! Guess what? I got transferred again! In fact, both me AND Elder Chadburn got transferred. Elder Chadburn went up to Brea and will be on bike. I also heard that Elder Fraga got moved to an English ward :) It’s really crazy but I’m excited—my new area is great. Now I’m in the Harbor Hills ward. It’s not the city of Harbor Hills, but I hear it’s really good.

My companion is Elder Grange. He is from Anchorage Alaska, though his family moved to Idaho right before he went on his mission. He’s been out 14 months and just got released as a zone leader. He’s super cool and I’m way excited to work here with him. He actually used to cover this ward so he’ll be able to get us up to speed quick since we are whitewashing the area (meaning we are both entering the area at the same time). It doesn’t really count since he’s been here before though. However, when he was here he covered two wards and it’s been split since then.

We are getting a ton of new elders every transfer since our “capacity” or whatever you would call it has been raised to 190 missionaries. We had like 120 last I heard, but it’s going up, hence all the areas splitting.

It’s a little weird that this happened, but I like change so I’m not too worried. I didn’t have a ton of time to get super attached to the people in Costa Mesa, but I will look back with fond memories. There are some super good people there for sure. Harbor Hills is in the same stake as CM1 (Newport Beach Stake) but now I am in the cities of Corona Del Mar (which means crown of the sea in Spanish) and Irvine.

My new address is 17614 Rosa Drew Lane Apt. 5d Irvine, CA 92612. It’s a pretty nice place. It’s just as new as my last place so it’ll be nice. I’m a lot closer to the ocean now so I’ll see it a lot more often. To live this close to the ocean you have to have a lot of money so there are lots of rich people here. :) Plus the houses and neighborhoods are nicer etc.

This past week has been pretty good. We taught Ralph twice with two different members—Bro. Kolb and Bro. Ormond. It was good and he’s doing well, he just needs to go to church, quit smoking, and get an answer. I know someday he will, but it’ll probably take a while.

Wednesday I got to go on exchanges with Elder Reidhead, who was Elder Large’s trainee companion. It was super fun, he’s a really nice guy and I enjoyed the day. I was in their area again and Elder Large went with Elder Chadburn. It was a pretty good week—we found some people for the new elders to see and work with. I hope that area really starts to pick up and do well.

Overall, I’m grateful for the opportunity I had in Costa Mesa with Elder Chadburn. It wasn’t easy work, it wasn’t an easy companionship, but as we did our best and relied on the Lord, things went well and I really am glad to be E. Chadburn’s friend and ex-comp.

The future is bright. “My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure.” I am glad to be a missionary and be here in So. California in Orange County. I hope God continues to pour down his blessings on each of you. He loves you and is in every part of your lives. Nothing is without reason. Albert Einstein said “coincidence is just God’s way of staying anonymous.” As we press forward with faith and rely on Him, He will pull through in the end. He always does, he always has. I know the church is true and can bring strength to our lives. Hard times are there just to help us grow and learn and in the end, we will have rest from our labors, sorrows, and trials here on earth. I love you all and hope you have a great week. May the spirit be with you.

Love, Elder Curtis