Due to the holiday, I am writing you a quick note to let you what's going on. Today is transfers and I'm leaving to go back to Tustin. I don't know if they use public libraries down there, but if so, I won't be able to write due to the holiday. So we came to the history center really quick to tell you that I'll write later today or tomorrow, depending. My new area is the Tustin Meadows ward and my new companion is Elder C, who was my district leader in Irvine. Life is crazy!
Love,
Elder Curtis
Monday, September 13, 2010
Mormon Manor (September 13 email)
Well, my life has changed quite a bit since last transfer. As I mentioned last week, I am now riding a bike instead of sitting in a car. I am also working an area with a companion who knows nothing more than I do about it. It's been an adventure, but with the help of my GPS, it hasn't been unbearable. We don't have anyone that is progressing super well, but we have a couple people with potential. We've been working on the area book quite a bit and trying to get organized so we know in what general area everyone lives in. Our apartment has like 25 members in it and is even managed by some people in the ward so that is fun. The owner isn't though, I'm pretty sure. Some people call it Mormon Manor :)
Tuesday and Friday we had lessons with a family that was less-active for some time and is coming back--mostly on account of their children. The autistic daughter got baptized two days before we arrived, and the younger son was baptized a while before that. The parents have been less-active, but are coming to church now to support their children, so I think that is wonderful. I'm sure they will be temple ready eventually with all that strengthening. The father even baptized K. Oh, and they are the J family.
We are being fed well in this area, even with two sets of missionaries working here. The members we've met so far have been really nice and I really like the people here so far. We have some great ward missionaries and our high council seems pretty good too. We met with Bishop H and our WML Bro. M this week, and they kind of helped us get going and gave a few names to us to try.
Thursday night we taught a recent convert that is a little less-active named G L. It was a good lesson and we had brother B come with us, who is a ward missionary and teaches Gospel Principles. Sunday night we taught N T , a black lady who converted a while ago but usually has to work during church. She said she has next week off though, so that's good. Brother B came to that lesson too, and we went over the lesson she had missed from Gospel Principles. We also gave a blessing to a non-member boy who broke his arm. He's a grandson of the S family in the ward, so hopefully we can start teaching him. We also have the C family and P/H that we want to start teaching.
Things are going well and Elder C is fun to work with--even if he's a little crazy sometimes :). Hope everyone is doing great.
Anyway, thanks for your prayers and support. Love you as much as my excitement for this new area,
Elder Curtis
Tuesday and Friday we had lessons with a family that was less-active for some time and is coming back--mostly on account of their children. The autistic daughter got baptized two days before we arrived, and the younger son was baptized a while before that. The parents have been less-active, but are coming to church now to support their children, so I think that is wonderful. I'm sure they will be temple ready eventually with all that strengthening. The father even baptized K. Oh, and they are the J family.
We are being fed well in this area, even with two sets of missionaries working here. The members we've met so far have been really nice and I really like the people here so far. We have some great ward missionaries and our high council seems pretty good too. We met with Bishop H and our WML Bro. M this week, and they kind of helped us get going and gave a few names to us to try.
Thursday night we taught a recent convert that is a little less-active named G L. It was a good lesson and we had brother B come with us, who is a ward missionary and teaches Gospel Principles. Sunday night we taught N T , a black lady who converted a while ago but usually has to work during church. She said she has next week off though, so that's good. Brother B came to that lesson too, and we went over the lesson she had missed from Gospel Principles. We also gave a blessing to a non-member boy who broke his arm. He's a grandson of the S family in the ward, so hopefully we can start teaching him. We also have the C family and P/H that we want to start teaching.
Things are going well and Elder C is fun to work with--even if he's a little crazy sometimes :). Hope everyone is doing great.
Anyway, thanks for your prayers and support. Love you as much as my excitement for this new area,
Elder Curtis
Hello! (September 6 email)
Due to the holiday, I am writing you a quick note to let you what's going on. Today is transfers and I'm leaving to go back to Tustin. I don't know if they use public libraries down there, but if so, I won't be able to write due to the holiday. So we came to the history center really quick to tell you that I'll write later today or tomorrow, depending. My new area is the Tustin Meadows ward and my new companion is Elder C, who was my district leader in Irvine. Life is crazy!
Love,
Elder Curtis
Love,
Elder Curtis
But he has (August 30 email)
I had a good week. How about you? Yesterday was the confirmation of Bro. W. It was a really neat experience. He kind of had a rough week and was a little troubled when he showed up to church (which he was really nervous for). He wasn't even sure if Bro. C liked him anymore (a misconception). Satan's really been working on him. He had a really neat experience during the confirmation however. He said about halfway through, he felt a cleansing power go through him starting at his head where our hands were and running down his body down to his toes. He said it was like all his worries and problems and mistakes were all just swept away and he was left whole. It was really touching to hear about. He said a month or so ago, he was really miserable and just doing terrible mentally and physically. He said none of his circumstances have changed, but he has. His whole attitude and outlook on life have completely changed for the better. Now that Jesus Christ is in his life, he feels like a new man and can face the future with optimism and hope. The Gospel of Jesus Christ has that power. It is the power to heal, to uplift, to strengthen, and to inspire. I know our Saviour lives and he loves us. He has a church on earth and He is lovingly reaching out to his children once more to gather them into His fold. This is His work and He gets all the glory. We are just instruments--useless pieces of material by themselves--but with the touch of The Master's hand, we can help Him work miracles in the lives of others and be shaped into something better along the way. We truly are clay in the Potter's hands, and stones in the river. We are tossed and turned when the current moves so strong. Like stones in the living water over time, are shaped until the edges are gone. We must build our foundation on the rock of Christ and when the storms and mighty hail of the adversary come, they shall have no power over us, to drag us down. For Christ is the sure foundation, whereon if men build they cannot fall.
Tuesday I went on exchanges with Elder H and Elder M. They are great zone leaders and I enjoyed spending a day with them and learning from them. Saturday we were able to teach S at Bro. J’s home. We reviewed the Restoration and the importance of reading and praying about the Book of Mormon. He took it really well and I think he has a good prospect of getting an answer to his prayers. He came to church yesterday and I think it was a good experience for him. Be sure to keep him in your prayers. The Zone Leaders had a baptism yesterday that we went to and it was really neat. It's a guy who has a member girlfriend and the service was wonderful. Well I hope everyone has a good week. Keep being a light unto the world! Love you as much as the 80+ doors I knocked this week!
Elder Curtis
Tuesday I went on exchanges with Elder H and Elder M. They are great zone leaders and I enjoyed spending a day with them and learning from them. Saturday we were able to teach S at Bro. J’s home. We reviewed the Restoration and the importance of reading and praying about the Book of Mormon. He took it really well and I think he has a good prospect of getting an answer to his prayers. He came to church yesterday and I think it was a good experience for him. Be sure to keep him in your prayers. The Zone Leaders had a baptism yesterday that we went to and it was really neat. It's a guy who has a member girlfriend and the service was wonderful. Well I hope everyone has a good week. Keep being a light unto the world! Love you as much as the 80+ doors I knocked this week!
Elder Curtis
Sweet and Short (August 23 email)
The Lord is pouring out his blessings upon the CAM (California Anaheim Mission). Yesterday brother W got baptized and entered into a covenant with God. It was a really neat experience and the service was sweet and short. Elder L played a musical number on the piano--a medley of Come Thou Fount and If You Could High to Kolob. It was beautiful--I'm always jealous of people with perfect pitch. A former bishop of the ward (Bro. N) baptized him and Brother C, who found him, gave the talk. He'll be confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints next Sunday during sacrament meeting.
Wednesday we had a lesson with S. He's been taught by missionaries for a while, but we haven't been in contact with him for a while, so it was good to finally teach him. Brother C in the ward is the perfect person to fellowship him and help us teach so we had the lesson at his house and he did a lot to help S. They are pretty close in age (30's) and even work together sometimes for their jobs. S didn't make it to church on Sunday, but we hope to be able to help him progress.
Thursday was fun because we had dinner with the T family. The dad, I. T., was a second string running back for BYU football. It was super fun to talk and discuss that with him. I think he was there my freshman year, but I don't remember him (Ross probably does though). Now he's about to have his second boy. He gave us some information that hadn't (hasn't?) been publicly announced yet. He said BYU is leaving the mountain west conference and going independent (after first presidency approval). I thought that was really interesting. Only three other teams are independent--Notre Dame, Army, and Navy. I'm actually happy for them--especially since Utah joined the PAC-10. Now that we are free, we can have more challenging games and maybe be better recognized. I heard we even got HD TV cameras.
Friday was not such a fun day. Mi. called and asked us to come over so she could talk to us. She told us she no longer wants to take the lessons and that she doesn't feel the Gospel is right for her and her family at this time. She was really polite though and thanked us and still wants to be friends. Sounded a lot like a GF/BF break-up to me. It makes me really sad, but I think at some future day she'll accept it into her life--perhaps when circumstances have more sufficiently humbled her.
After the Baptism yesterday we got to go to the bishop's fireside for the youth and be the teachers. It was pretty fun. We talked about missionary work, the Book of Mormon, Preach My Gospel, and how to prepare for a mission by being a missionary now. We even had them do a little activity where they studied a principle in chapter three of Preach My Gospel and practiced teaching it to another person. It was a fun time I thought.
Love you as much as all the drops of water needed to fill the font (and the drops wasted by our leaky sink).
Elder Curtis
Wednesday we had a lesson with S. He's been taught by missionaries for a while, but we haven't been in contact with him for a while, so it was good to finally teach him. Brother C in the ward is the perfect person to fellowship him and help us teach so we had the lesson at his house and he did a lot to help S. They are pretty close in age (30's) and even work together sometimes for their jobs. S didn't make it to church on Sunday, but we hope to be able to help him progress.
Thursday was fun because we had dinner with the T family. The dad, I. T., was a second string running back for BYU football. It was super fun to talk and discuss that with him. I think he was there my freshman year, but I don't remember him (Ross probably does though). Now he's about to have his second boy. He gave us some information that hadn't (hasn't?) been publicly announced yet. He said BYU is leaving the mountain west conference and going independent (after first presidency approval). I thought that was really interesting. Only three other teams are independent--Notre Dame, Army, and Navy. I'm actually happy for them--especially since Utah joined the PAC-10. Now that we are free, we can have more challenging games and maybe be better recognized. I heard we even got HD TV cameras.
Friday was not such a fun day. Mi. called and asked us to come over so she could talk to us. She told us she no longer wants to take the lessons and that she doesn't feel the Gospel is right for her and her family at this time. She was really polite though and thanked us and still wants to be friends. Sounded a lot like a GF/BF break-up to me. It makes me really sad, but I think at some future day she'll accept it into her life--perhaps when circumstances have more sufficiently humbled her.
After the Baptism yesterday we got to go to the bishop's fireside for the youth and be the teachers. It was pretty fun. We talked about missionary work, the Book of Mormon, Preach My Gospel, and how to prepare for a mission by being a missionary now. We even had them do a little activity where they studied a principle in chapter three of Preach My Gospel and practiced teaching it to another person. It was a fun time I thought.
Love you as much as all the drops of water needed to fill the font (and the drops wasted by our leaky sink).
Elder Curtis
20 Years (August 16 email)
Good noon (it's not morning or afternoon). We had two baptisms in the district this weekend. Brea third had one on Saturday, and the singles ward (Placentia 4th) had one yesterday. They were both good services. Brother Williamson's is this Sunday so I hope that goes well too. Sister Mia Farley still won't come to church, but she's still really nice and willing to listen to us. I really hope she decides to come soon, because she'd be such a good one to get baptized! Her kids are great too, and the two oldest--Nicole and Brook--are old enough for baptism (11,9).
On Monday we played tennis for our activity and are planning on doing it again today since it was so much fun. Elder Lew and I have even been doing it every morning for morning exercise. It's pretty fun. I'll have to take some pictures today. This morning we had breakfast at a member's house (the Schultz's). He's had missionaries eat breakfast there for like 20 years or more and has a log book of all their names. It's pretty cool.
This week we got to walk a dog every day because a single lady went out of town so she asked us to do that since her dog has arthritis. It was pretty fun. It was Elder Lew's first time to walk a dog. :) I never knew there was skill involved in dog walking lol. On Tuesday we had dinner with a non-member couple who have a son on a mission. He's getting home in a couple weeks from D.C. or something. They are so nice and are very kind to missionaries, but I guess it's Taboo to try and share a message with them. I heard that missionaries who did that didn't get invited to come again. I think that's a little odd--especially since they are so nice and sent us home with a whole pan of brownies.
We taught Brother Williamson twice this week and he came to church again yesterday so everything should work out for him to get baptized this Sunday. He seems pretty excited about everything. Now we just need someone else like him to teach. It was almost too easy haha. Well I hope everyone is doing well. I just realized today that I don't know my own home address or phone # so I better go memorize those :). Love you as much as the new house.
Elder Curtis
On Monday we played tennis for our activity and are planning on doing it again today since it was so much fun. Elder Lew and I have even been doing it every morning for morning exercise. It's pretty fun. I'll have to take some pictures today. This morning we had breakfast at a member's house (the Schultz's). He's had missionaries eat breakfast there for like 20 years or more and has a log book of all their names. It's pretty cool.
This week we got to walk a dog every day because a single lady went out of town so she asked us to do that since her dog has arthritis. It was pretty fun. It was Elder Lew's first time to walk a dog. :) I never knew there was skill involved in dog walking lol. On Tuesday we had dinner with a non-member couple who have a son on a mission. He's getting home in a couple weeks from D.C. or something. They are so nice and are very kind to missionaries, but I guess it's Taboo to try and share a message with them. I heard that missionaries who did that didn't get invited to come again. I think that's a little odd--especially since they are so nice and sent us home with a whole pan of brownies.
We taught Brother Williamson twice this week and he came to church again yesterday so everything should work out for him to get baptized this Sunday. He seems pretty excited about everything. Now we just need someone else like him to teach. It was almost too easy haha. Well I hope everyone is doing well. I just realized today that I don't know my own home address or phone # so I better go memorize those :). Love you as much as the new house.
Elder Curtis
Monday, August 9, 2010
A Kid in a Candy Store (August 9th email)
Hello all. I hope the summer is treating you well. Things are going great for me here in Brea. I have a great companion and a fun district and the ward is full of really good people. We had lots of success with our investigator G. W. this week. We taught him three times and he came to church on Sunday. We have a dentist in the ward that is going to help him with his teeth so he should be able to get a job pretty soon. His son that he hasn't talked to for like a decade called him and apologized, and he's just thrilled about all he is learning. He said he feels like a kid in a candy store--he can't get enough. He's been reading a ton and was super excited to read the gospel principles book he got yesterday. He said he's excited to be baptized the 21st, so everything is going perfectly.
We tried to teach a lady named Ma. this week, but she missed our appointment, so hopefully we can teach her this week. We did get to teach Mi. this week and it went pretty well. She is right on the track to get an answer, but she isn't ready to come to church yet. I guess she still has a few ties to the Catholic Church. She wants her son to have his first communion, so she kind of wants that to happen before she switches. We explained everything to her very clearly this week and how important it is for her to come to our meetings, but now it's up to her to decide, and so far she hasn't made that step yet. We hope with prayers and faith that miracle can happen. We'll see--I have faith she'll be baptized eventually. Her kids are really sweet too.
I guess the only other interesting news is that we taught D. C. again, who got baptized about a year ago or less. He's about 35, but is still trying to learn and understand. He's doing well though. The only other thing that's going on is that we are trying to work really hard with the members, to try and get them to do missionary work. I've decided lately how important that is because almost all my baptisms have happened because of members doing missionary work. That's pretty common for the work everywhere, so I'm trying to do better committing members and following up with them. I hope it makes a difference. Don't forget that you guys can, and need to, do it too--even if you live in Utah :) Utah's one of the highest baptizing areas in the world, and it's probably because of all those member missionaries! Well I love you and do so as much as all the Mormons in Utah.
Elder Curtis
We tried to teach a lady named Ma. this week, but she missed our appointment, so hopefully we can teach her this week. We did get to teach Mi. this week and it went pretty well. She is right on the track to get an answer, but she isn't ready to come to church yet. I guess she still has a few ties to the Catholic Church. She wants her son to have his first communion, so she kind of wants that to happen before she switches. We explained everything to her very clearly this week and how important it is for her to come to our meetings, but now it's up to her to decide, and so far she hasn't made that step yet. We hope with prayers and faith that miracle can happen. We'll see--I have faith she'll be baptized eventually. Her kids are really sweet too.
I guess the only other interesting news is that we taught D. C. again, who got baptized about a year ago or less. He's about 35, but is still trying to learn and understand. He's doing well though. The only other thing that's going on is that we are trying to work really hard with the members, to try and get them to do missionary work. I've decided lately how important that is because almost all my baptisms have happened because of members doing missionary work. That's pretty common for the work everywhere, so I'm trying to do better committing members and following up with them. I hope it makes a difference. Don't forget that you guys can, and need to, do it too--even if you live in Utah :) Utah's one of the highest baptizing areas in the world, and it's probably because of all those member missionaries! Well I love you and do so as much as all the Mormons in Utah.
Elder Curtis
100 Pages (August 2nd email)
Greetings from Brea. I hope everyone is doing well. This week was pretty good for me, though not easy. The work is a little slow in this area, but we did have some miracles this week. Wednesday we got a call from an older member who said he met someone in the park that is really interested. We met the next day and taught him and he is really excited about what we are teaching him. He's in his 60s probably and he recently lost everything he had (he was once a millionaire) so now he lives in his car and has all day to read the Book of Mormon. We met with him again Saturday and he'd already read 100 pages. We have another lesson tomorrow. His name is G W.
We also met a girl that's friends with a member in the ward. She came over to eat dinner with us so we taught her about the Book of Mormon and she seems accepting. Her name is A and she's 14 years old. I hope she becomes a good investigator too.
We taught a guy that was found tracting by previous missionaries this week. His name is D and he's a professional photographer. He was super nice, but I don't think he took us completely seriously. We tried to get him to pray about the Book of Mormon but he wouldn't. Maybe he'll read it and pray on his own, so at least we planted a seed.
The other investigator we have is Mi. She has four children--two of whom are over 8. She's good friends with Sister J, the ward mission leader's wife, so she's been progressing pretty well. We had a good lesson this week about the Restoration and she was interested, but is coming along a little slower than we'd like. We hope she starts reading the BOM now, but the hardest part is getting her to church because she wants to come on her own desire, not because she was invited and people are waiting for her. Keep her in your prayers. We had A at church, but G didn't come because he couldn't get a hold of his nice clothes and was already embarrassed by his missing teeth.
Anyway, besides that we just taught a few less actives and a recent convert and spent lots of time looking for people to teach. We did have good dinner appointments though--especially last night with the Bishop. His brother was visiting from Idaho and he's a bishop too so we had two bishop Lords there--it was funny. Love you as much as all the seizures I'm going to have from this flashy computer monitor.
Elder Curtis
We also met a girl that's friends with a member in the ward. She came over to eat dinner with us so we taught her about the Book of Mormon and she seems accepting. Her name is A and she's 14 years old. I hope she becomes a good investigator too.
We taught a guy that was found tracting by previous missionaries this week. His name is D and he's a professional photographer. He was super nice, but I don't think he took us completely seriously. We tried to get him to pray about the Book of Mormon but he wouldn't. Maybe he'll read it and pray on his own, so at least we planted a seed.
The other investigator we have is Mi. She has four children--two of whom are over 8. She's good friends with Sister J, the ward mission leader's wife, so she's been progressing pretty well. We had a good lesson this week about the Restoration and she was interested, but is coming along a little slower than we'd like. We hope she starts reading the BOM now, but the hardest part is getting her to church because she wants to come on her own desire, not because she was invited and people are waiting for her. Keep her in your prayers. We had A at church, but G didn't come because he couldn't get a hold of his nice clothes and was already embarrassed by his missing teeth.
Anyway, besides that we just taught a few less actives and a recent convert and spent lots of time looking for people to teach. We did have good dinner appointments though--especially last night with the Bishop. His brother was visiting from Idaho and he's a bishop too so we had two bishop Lords there--it was funny. Love you as much as all the seizures I'm going to have from this flashy computer monitor.
Elder Curtis
Pretty Surprising (July 26th email)
Hello! I am writing to you from the orange county library in Brea instead of in Irvine. Yes, I did get transferred again. So yup, area number seven here I am :). My companion is now Elder L. He's from Hong Kong, but grew up speaking English. He was in my district in Irvine for two transfers so we're already friends. It was pretty surprising. I thought I'd probably stay in Irvine another transfer and I kind of wanted to, but thinks should be good here. We do have a car, which is good because Brea third ward is on bike. I'm in Brea first ward. So I get to meet even more people and have new experiences and just keep on living the dream life =D.
I had a super good last week with Elder O. He's just a super awesome person and I really enjoyed our time together. He has just one less transfer left than me, which means he only has 12 weeks and I have 18. Man it goes fast. I was in Irvine for 18 weeks, so that's how much time I have left, which is just ridiculous, but I try to accept it and just keep treckin'. Sister A's confirmation was yesterday, so that was cool. Bro. B, who baptized her, also did the confirmation. We were invited to stand in the circle so it's fun to have some part in it. Then guess what? Me and Elder O were the main speakers! (in the lake ward). Don't worry, we knew a couple weeks beforehand so it wasn't a problem. It was fun though. The only problem was that the lady who was speaking before us ended up giving a 20 minute talk instead of a 5 minute talk. I thought my talk would be like 15 minutes, but it was actually more like 30 minutes if I had said everything I prepared for so I condensed and gave it in 15. After a musical number Elder O had like no time so he just gave his talk in five minutes. He was the "accordion speaker" meaning he had to be ready to speak super short or super long, depending on the length of the talks before him. I felt a little bad, but his talk was awesome--super short and to the point. He even had a good analogy that made everyone chuckle and understand better. I guess I'm still learning :) I haven't given a talk since before my mission though so that's my excuse--at least not anything longer than a testimony.
As I mentioned earlier, we had a really good week--the only problem is we only taught one lesson! All of them cancelled and the one we did have was more last minute. I wasn't there though because we had exchanges that day (Thursday). Luckily we taught a few too so I didn't get too lesson deprived. Elder S and Elder W were the zone leaders so we had it with them--me being with Elder W in the Newport Coast singles ward and the Mesa View ward (previously the Costa Mesa first ward). We also had Elder C with us since he is going home soon. It was a fun day--especially being in past areas. One of our lessons was actually at the home of Bro. W--first councilor in the used-to-be Harbor Hills ward, now called University Park. His daughter was a little less active, so we taught her a lesson and it was really good.
Friday we helped a part member family clean out and rearrange their garage so they could fit more stuff in it and get rid of some old stuff. It was super gross (bugs, dust, cobwebs, dead things), but we did it with the help of Brother B. Unfortunately some of our investigators and potentials have dropped us lately (meaning they don't want to be taught) so that makes me sad. The list includes O, C, and L, but we also found a really cool part member family this week so hopefully they accept to be taught the lessons. Anyway, I guess that's my last updates for Woodbridge and Lake. We did have another baptism in the district this weekend though (R) so things are coming right along down there. I hope those people are in good hands--oh, speaking of which, Elder O is training a brand new missionary there now. Anyway, I love you as much as all the lessons we had this week (well, actually a whole lot more).
Elder Curtis
I had a super good last week with Elder O. He's just a super awesome person and I really enjoyed our time together. He has just one less transfer left than me, which means he only has 12 weeks and I have 18. Man it goes fast. I was in Irvine for 18 weeks, so that's how much time I have left, which is just ridiculous, but I try to accept it and just keep treckin'. Sister A's confirmation was yesterday, so that was cool. Bro. B, who baptized her, also did the confirmation. We were invited to stand in the circle so it's fun to have some part in it. Then guess what? Me and Elder O were the main speakers! (in the lake ward). Don't worry, we knew a couple weeks beforehand so it wasn't a problem. It was fun though. The only problem was that the lady who was speaking before us ended up giving a 20 minute talk instead of a 5 minute talk. I thought my talk would be like 15 minutes, but it was actually more like 30 minutes if I had said everything I prepared for so I condensed and gave it in 15. After a musical number Elder O had like no time so he just gave his talk in five minutes. He was the "accordion speaker" meaning he had to be ready to speak super short or super long, depending on the length of the talks before him. I felt a little bad, but his talk was awesome--super short and to the point. He even had a good analogy that made everyone chuckle and understand better. I guess I'm still learning :) I haven't given a talk since before my mission though so that's my excuse--at least not anything longer than a testimony.
As I mentioned earlier, we had a really good week--the only problem is we only taught one lesson! All of them cancelled and the one we did have was more last minute. I wasn't there though because we had exchanges that day (Thursday). Luckily we taught a few too so I didn't get too lesson deprived. Elder S and Elder W were the zone leaders so we had it with them--me being with Elder W in the Newport Coast singles ward and the Mesa View ward (previously the Costa Mesa first ward). We also had Elder C with us since he is going home soon. It was a fun day--especially being in past areas. One of our lessons was actually at the home of Bro. W--first councilor in the used-to-be Harbor Hills ward, now called University Park. His daughter was a little less active, so we taught her a lesson and it was really good.
Friday we helped a part member family clean out and rearrange their garage so they could fit more stuff in it and get rid of some old stuff. It was super gross (bugs, dust, cobwebs, dead things), but we did it with the help of Brother B. Unfortunately some of our investigators and potentials have dropped us lately (meaning they don't want to be taught) so that makes me sad. The list includes O, C, and L, but we also found a really cool part member family this week so hopefully they accept to be taught the lessons. Anyway, I guess that's my last updates for Woodbridge and Lake. We did have another baptism in the district this weekend though (R) so things are coming right along down there. I hope those people are in good hands--oh, speaking of which, Elder O is training a brand new missionary there now. Anyway, I love you as much as all the lessons we had this week (well, actually a whole lot more).
Elder Curtis
The Covenant (July 20th email)
Today is temple day! hooray! How are you doing? I'm good. Sorry I didn't mention that my p-day is Tuesday this week. I suppose you're kind of used to it now though. Well the Lake ward Elders have been exceedingly blessed this week with a baptism. Sister A made the covenant of baptism Sunday the 18th of July at 5:30 pm. It was a rewarding experience to see her take that step and commit herself to following Jesus Christ. I am sure she will be greatly blessed in the years to come by such a decision. But the baptism is only half completed until she is baptized by fire and the Holy Ghost this coming Sunday. Let your prayers be with her until then. My congratulations are also with Rachelle who successfully reached the date of having lived 18 years on this mortal earthly sojourn. I am indeed proud of her for making it this far with the character and success that are hers. That many years of joy and endurance are hers is my faithful hope. God be with you and keep it up :)
Though we didn't have mounds of lessons to teach this past week it was enjoyable nonetheless. It was our pleasure to eat with the C family again on Wednesday--who were recently sealed in the temple--and teach their family visiting from Mexico. We also had a lesson with Bro. M and talked about the Ten Commandments, sneaking in the Sabbath day and law of chastity in the midst. He is continuing to attend church and increase in his commitment and excitement about the Gospel so we are happy to see that. Thursday we worked on knocking some doors and also had Sister A's baptismal interview. Thankfully everything went very smoothly.
Friday Elder O interviewed a YSA to be baptized in the Irvine Ranch Branch. Her name is M and she's kind of out there, but she has a really cool friend that is going to follow suit very soon. She was baptized at four, right before our baptism. We also taught a potential member of the Lake ward who is currently less-active in the Oak Creek ward. It was pretty good and he's at least very kind so I hope we can help him progress. His name is E G. Saturday we taught M C the first lesson (from PMG) and it was fun because he likes to talk a lot and so does Elder O. They are also both identical twins, so they had fun talking about that. We also taught Faith a lesson Saturday about reverence and it went well so hopefully she is able to implement that into her life now...We also got to teach a lesson while tracting so that was exciting. I don't think he's super interested, but it was a good experience anyways.
Yesterday we had no idea who would be home or what we could do since we always have p-day on Monday so we decided just to tract all day. It wasn't that bad and didn't end up being the entire day because Bro. B, the HP group leader, took us on some visits with him and we also had FHE in the park. It was a good day :) So now it's time to go to the temple. Hope you all have a good week--especially with that new house =] Send pictures and the plans soon so I can compare to what I drew haha. love you as much as all the Mondays I didn't email.
Elder Curtis
Though we didn't have mounds of lessons to teach this past week it was enjoyable nonetheless. It was our pleasure to eat with the C family again on Wednesday--who were recently sealed in the temple--and teach their family visiting from Mexico. We also had a lesson with Bro. M and talked about the Ten Commandments, sneaking in the Sabbath day and law of chastity in the midst. He is continuing to attend church and increase in his commitment and excitement about the Gospel so we are happy to see that. Thursday we worked on knocking some doors and also had Sister A's baptismal interview. Thankfully everything went very smoothly.
Friday Elder O interviewed a YSA to be baptized in the Irvine Ranch Branch. Her name is M and she's kind of out there, but she has a really cool friend that is going to follow suit very soon. She was baptized at four, right before our baptism. We also taught a potential member of the Lake ward who is currently less-active in the Oak Creek ward. It was pretty good and he's at least very kind so I hope we can help him progress. His name is E G. Saturday we taught M C the first lesson (from PMG) and it was fun because he likes to talk a lot and so does Elder O. They are also both identical twins, so they had fun talking about that. We also taught Faith a lesson Saturday about reverence and it went well so hopefully she is able to implement that into her life now...We also got to teach a lesson while tracting so that was exciting. I don't think he's super interested, but it was a good experience anyways.
Yesterday we had no idea who would be home or what we could do since we always have p-day on Monday so we decided just to tract all day. It wasn't that bad and didn't end up being the entire day because Bro. B, the HP group leader, took us on some visits with him and we also had FHE in the park. It was a good day :) So now it's time to go to the temple. Hope you all have a good week--especially with that new house =] Send pictures and the plans soon so I can compare to what I drew haha. love you as much as all the Mondays I didn't email.
Elder Curtis
It made me miss camping (July 12th email)
Good morning. And noon. And afternoon. And in case I don't see ya...good afternoon, good evening, and good night. hahaha. Anyway...how was everyone’s' week? It was pretty good for me. Time is just flying by. How is everyone liking summer? Does it get super hot? It usually doesn't get past ninety here, but it sure feels like it when you are wearing long dark pants and a collar ;-)
Tuesday night we got a call telling us to come to the church immediately because there was a family that wanted to know more about the church. We went and met this small Chinese family of three that wanted to learn about the church, but turned out they mostly wanted to learn English. I guess they were trying to go to English class, but went to the Lake building instead of the Bryan building. We taught them a lesson, but I guess the Chinese Elders already knew about them.
Wednesday I worked in the Oak Creek/Irvine Ranch branch area with Elder N. It was pretty fun, but not many of the lessons/appointments worked out. We did find a new less-active for them to teach though and talked to/taught a lady that evening.
Thursday we ate dinner with a young couple the Ws who are really nice. Brother W is a ward missionary so after dinner he came with us to teach Sister E, who isn't less active, but wants to learn more about the doctrine of the church/history. On Friday our dinner appointment family, the Bs, invited us to a birthday BBQ that they were invited to. It was at this little lagoon place that they have by the lake. It has a huge pool that's made to look like the lake next to it, lots of sand, grass, and some grills/ fire pits. We had some yummy food and even roasted some marshmallows. It made me miss camping :)
Saturday we ate lunch with Brother G. We also taught M C, a less active, and A--who we just read from the Book of Mormon with. It was a pretty good day. Yesterday we ate with the H family in our ward. They turned out to be the parents of C and D Fox, who are the parents of N and B. It was pretty fun. They even had a picture of Rachelle from graduation. Well, have a good week everyone. I love you as much as all the sand I got on my clothes on Friday.
Elder Curtis
Tuesday night we got a call telling us to come to the church immediately because there was a family that wanted to know more about the church. We went and met this small Chinese family of three that wanted to learn about the church, but turned out they mostly wanted to learn English. I guess they were trying to go to English class, but went to the Lake building instead of the Bryan building. We taught them a lesson, but I guess the Chinese Elders already knew about them.
Wednesday I worked in the Oak Creek/Irvine Ranch branch area with Elder N. It was pretty fun, but not many of the lessons/appointments worked out. We did find a new less-active for them to teach though and talked to/taught a lady that evening.
Thursday we ate dinner with a young couple the Ws who are really nice. Brother W is a ward missionary so after dinner he came with us to teach Sister E, who isn't less active, but wants to learn more about the doctrine of the church/history. On Friday our dinner appointment family, the Bs, invited us to a birthday BBQ that they were invited to. It was at this little lagoon place that they have by the lake. It has a huge pool that's made to look like the lake next to it, lots of sand, grass, and some grills/ fire pits. We had some yummy food and even roasted some marshmallows. It made me miss camping :)
Saturday we ate lunch with Brother G. We also taught M C, a less active, and A--who we just read from the Book of Mormon with. It was a pretty good day. Yesterday we ate with the H family in our ward. They turned out to be the parents of C and D Fox, who are the parents of N and B. It was pretty fun. They even had a picture of Rachelle from graduation. Well, have a good week everyone. I love you as much as all the sand I got on my clothes on Friday.
Elder Curtis
Progressed so Much (July 6th Email)
Happy Fourth of July. I know yesterday wasn't the fourth, but they decided to close the library anyway. Anyway, I'm doing good, and you? The last two p-days we've played basketball and it's been pretty fun. None of us are amazing at it, but we get pretty competitive and it's really good excercise. Last week on Monday we taught L A with Sister J and her nephews. Bro. J has come in the past, but didn't have to. I guess he assumed we'd do the same thing again this week, but Sister J and her nephews were at a family party so we had to call Bro. B at the last minute and he was able to come so we could teach Sis. A. We taught her about fasting, fast offerings, how to donate (tithing/fast offerings) and about obeying and honoring the law.
Tuesday we went to teach sister M, but she said she was sick. Luckily N was there as well so we taught him while Sis. M lay on the couch and listened. S M has been a big help with the teaching of his mom and of N. He brought N and his uncle to church again Sunday, but his mom didn't make it this time.
We had a good lesson with the R's again on Tuesday and Bro. B prepared a lesson on how to give talks and had everyone write a youth length talk about a different point of the gospel. It was an indirect way to teach the Gospel, but it was good I thought.
Wednesday I worked with Elder M and it was a good day. Then on Saturday I went on exchanges again with Elder E. They are two really good missionaries and it's fun to get to know them and learn from them. Thursday we taught Bro. M and it was a really neat lesson. He's progressed so much since we started teaching him in April. He went from being very questioning/skeptical to wanting to share the Gospel with his girlfriend. It was really cool to see him find spiritual comfort during the time of his mom's death, rather than turn away from God. His home teachers bought him a quad, a case, and scripture markers and he was super excited. We also finally taught Bro. M, who looks exactly like Santa Clause :) He's southern Baptist, but even they can change right?
We finally came up with a good idea to get Faith to try and read/pray more consistently and made her a bookmark that she puts stickers on whenever she reads or prays. After 7 stickers she gets a candy bar. You have to think like a child to teach one ;-)
Nothing unusual happened on the Fourth except the extra loud noises during nightly planning and a few mentions of it at church so I know that everyone is waiting for me to finish my mission to really have parties...right? It was a good week. I wish everyone well and I love you as much as all the fireworks I missed this weekend.
Elder Curtis
Tuesday we went to teach sister M, but she said she was sick. Luckily N was there as well so we taught him while Sis. M lay on the couch and listened. S M has been a big help with the teaching of his mom and of N. He brought N and his uncle to church again Sunday, but his mom didn't make it this time.
We had a good lesson with the R's again on Tuesday and Bro. B prepared a lesson on how to give talks and had everyone write a youth length talk about a different point of the gospel. It was an indirect way to teach the Gospel, but it was good I thought.
Wednesday I worked with Elder M and it was a good day. Then on Saturday I went on exchanges again with Elder E. They are two really good missionaries and it's fun to get to know them and learn from them. Thursday we taught Bro. M and it was a really neat lesson. He's progressed so much since we started teaching him in April. He went from being very questioning/skeptical to wanting to share the Gospel with his girlfriend. It was really cool to see him find spiritual comfort during the time of his mom's death, rather than turn away from God. His home teachers bought him a quad, a case, and scripture markers and he was super excited. We also finally taught Bro. M, who looks exactly like Santa Clause :) He's southern Baptist, but even they can change right?
We finally came up with a good idea to get Faith to try and read/pray more consistently and made her a bookmark that she puts stickers on whenever she reads or prays. After 7 stickers she gets a candy bar. You have to think like a child to teach one ;-)
Nothing unusual happened on the Fourth except the extra loud noises during nightly planning and a few mentions of it at church so I know that everyone is waiting for me to finish my mission to really have parties...right? It was a good week. I wish everyone well and I love you as much as all the fireworks I missed this weekend.
Elder Curtis
From the Pulpit (June 28th Email)
It was a good week with Elder O. Monday we played sand volleyball and we went to a new place so the sand was a lot nicer. That night was FHE in the park with the Woodbridge ward so we ate real quick, then went to our lesson with L A. She's doing really well and is determined to get baptized next month. In fact, yesterday in sacrament meeting she gave an announcement from the pulpit that she's going to be baptized July 18th and that everyone is welcome to come. She's got the whole thing planned out herself and already knows who she's going to invite to do each part of the service. We're excited and we'll be teaching her again tonight.
This week we taught a guy named N three different times during the week. He's the one that randomly showed up at church last transfer. He's almost 60 and he doesn't have any family, but he's really nice, humble, and loving. He's also a friend with S M , so S's been coming to lessons with us. He is from Greece and has a Greek accent and doesn't read English very well so we gave him a Book of Mormon in Greek. For some reason he thinks the world is going to end next year, but at least he accepted a baptismal date.
Wednesday was Zone Conference so we were busy until about four in the afternoon. It starts at 8:30 and they feed us lunch halfway through. Usually it is some wonderful sisters in the surrounding stake that make all the food for us. It'd be hard to make food for 70 missionaries. During lunch we always sing to them. We also sing to the people who have a birthday, and Elder G (a senior missionary) gives out awards for the first, second, and third cleanest cars. This time 2010's were disqualified though :( I got first place back in Tustin though so it's okay. In the afternoon session of conference, they draw a name out of a hat for someone to give a five minute talk on an assigned subject. We're supposed to prepare a ten minute talk, then give it in five minutes without notes. I've never been chosen, but it's still good to prepare for talks because you always learn something. At the end they have the new missionaries and the departing missionaries give their testimonies.
Yesterday was super busy. After lots of meetings/church, we taught sister M The Plan of Salvation and she was really interested and engaged in the lesson. Then we went back to the church and taught N. Then we went to teach a potential, but she had to cancel. We had dinner with the U family and taught them a lesson afterwards. It was really good--I really like that family.
Well that's it for this week so thanks for all your prayers and letters. I love you as much as all the meetings we had yesterday.
Elder Curtis
This week we taught a guy named N three different times during the week. He's the one that randomly showed up at church last transfer. He's almost 60 and he doesn't have any family, but he's really nice, humble, and loving. He's also a friend with S M , so S's been coming to lessons with us. He is from Greece and has a Greek accent and doesn't read English very well so we gave him a Book of Mormon in Greek. For some reason he thinks the world is going to end next year, but at least he accepted a baptismal date.
Wednesday was Zone Conference so we were busy until about four in the afternoon. It starts at 8:30 and they feed us lunch halfway through. Usually it is some wonderful sisters in the surrounding stake that make all the food for us. It'd be hard to make food for 70 missionaries. During lunch we always sing to them. We also sing to the people who have a birthday, and Elder G (a senior missionary) gives out awards for the first, second, and third cleanest cars. This time 2010's were disqualified though :( I got first place back in Tustin though so it's okay. In the afternoon session of conference, they draw a name out of a hat for someone to give a five minute talk on an assigned subject. We're supposed to prepare a ten minute talk, then give it in five minutes without notes. I've never been chosen, but it's still good to prepare for talks because you always learn something. At the end they have the new missionaries and the departing missionaries give their testimonies.
Yesterday was super busy. After lots of meetings/church, we taught sister M The Plan of Salvation and she was really interested and engaged in the lesson. Then we went back to the church and taught N. Then we went to teach a potential, but she had to cancel. We had dinner with the U family and taught them a lesson afterwards. It was really good--I really like that family.
Well that's it for this week so thanks for all your prayers and letters. I love you as much as all the meetings we had yesterday.
Elder Curtis
ETs (June 24th Email)
SO!....things have changed quite a bit since last week. I have a new companion today. There were some ET's (emergency transfers) yesterday so now Elder O is my companion. I'm not exactly sure why, but I guess there were some issues in Elder Os's last area--though I don't understand why that should affect him over here. It's okay though because I really love Elder O. He was in my district in Newport Beach for a long time and he was even my district leader for a transfer so now he's my district leader again--And my companion :) Elder O was awesome and had lots of success in Anaheim so I learned a lot from him in the short time we were together. I hope everything goes well for him in his new area.
We had a good week despite this weekend. On Monday we taught L A and it was a great lesson on the Gospel. Then we had dinner with the M family--S, and his non-member parents. Tuesday we taught Bro. G and had a recent convert discussion with the R family. It was good because their home teachers, Bro. D and son, taught him with a ward missionary so we were just there for support and it was great. It's awesome when the ward will take over after a baptism and help the investigators get integrated quickly so that they don't depend on us for emotional or friendship support. It was interesting because Wednesday and Friday were both dinners with part-member families. It was good, but when we tried to challenge them to read the BOM and pray about it, neither family would accept the challenge--even the members didn't really support what we were trying to do. I guess if you are married to a non-member, there's a reason--not that that makes them bad people or anything.
Saturday we taught a less-active that is eligible to go to the Lake ward. He's 33 and something he does to make extra money is he makes light sabers. I'm not talking lame plastic ones from the store, I mean sabers that cost hundreds of dollars and have all this advanced technology and stuff. His engineer friend designed this sound board of hundreds of different sounds and they have this thing on it called an accelerator (or something) that can sense when the saber is moving and adjust the sound accordingly. It's pretty cool.
So yeah, last night we got the call and Elder Os packed up all his stuff, then I went with Elder M and N for a couple hours until I met up with Elder O. It's pretty crazy, but I'm okay with it and I'm excited for this transfer. I love you as much as all the transfers in the world, Elder Curtis
We had a good week despite this weekend. On Monday we taught L A and it was a great lesson on the Gospel. Then we had dinner with the M family--S, and his non-member parents. Tuesday we taught Bro. G and had a recent convert discussion with the R family. It was good because their home teachers, Bro. D and son, taught him with a ward missionary so we were just there for support and it was great. It's awesome when the ward will take over after a baptism and help the investigators get integrated quickly so that they don't depend on us for emotional or friendship support. It was interesting because Wednesday and Friday were both dinners with part-member families. It was good, but when we tried to challenge them to read the BOM and pray about it, neither family would accept the challenge--even the members didn't really support what we were trying to do. I guess if you are married to a non-member, there's a reason--not that that makes them bad people or anything.
Saturday we taught a less-active that is eligible to go to the Lake ward. He's 33 and something he does to make extra money is he makes light sabers. I'm not talking lame plastic ones from the store, I mean sabers that cost hundreds of dollars and have all this advanced technology and stuff. His engineer friend designed this sound board of hundreds of different sounds and they have this thing on it called an accelerator (or something) that can sense when the saber is moving and adjust the sound accordingly. It's pretty cool.
So yeah, last night we got the call and Elder Os packed up all his stuff, then I went with Elder M and N for a couple hours until I met up with Elder O. It's pretty crazy, but I'm okay with it and I'm excited for this transfer. I love you as much as all the transfers in the world, Elder Curtis
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