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
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