Monday, August 9, 2010
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
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