Well this week has been a little different than other weeks. It's been a little slower with regards to teaching lessons, but it's still had lot's of highlights!
So we were able to visit the Temple on Wednesday, which was super exciting and while I was sitting there I could just imagine Francisco and Elizabeth there with me enjoying the Spirit that is felt there in the Celestial Room. It was a very special thought and a special feeling to feel. I truly know that the Temple is the House of the Lord. The covenants and ordinances performed there are Divine and Sacred. I'm so grateful that the Lord allows us to participate in those ordinances and feel of the Spirit there.
So then we had a funny trip back from the Temple. Usually to get to the Temple it's fastest to cross the bay before San Francisco into Oakland. But on the way back our Branch Mission Leader needed to pick up some packages in San Francisco. Which normally we aren't supposed to go anywhere but straight back, but we figured "well, it's on the way back and it's a lot more convenient to not have to make a second trip." So we didn't say anything. Then he wanted to take us to lunch there. Which we aren't really supposed to do either, but with our branch mission leader, it's hard to change his mind, and so we went to lunch there. But then one elder talked about seeing a Lamborghini, and Hermano Navarro said, "You want to see a Lamborghini? I'll show you a Lamborghini!" and so he took us to a dealership that had a BUNCH of really nice cars, including Jaguars, Bentleys, a Lotus, a Lamborghini Aventador, and others. And then that just started a little bit of a bad thing, and Hermano Navarro started wanting to take us sightseeing in San Fran. He ended up taking us to Crooked St. and Pier 39 before we were able to convince him we really, really needed to get back home. So we went back home across the Golden Gate Bridge. It was fun, but at least I personally couldn't enjoy it because in the back of my mind I just couldn't help but think of the time we were wasting, even though there wasn't much I could do about it. But I do... well, did, have some good pictures to send, but that brings me to my next story...
So after the Temple we get back, teach a lesson to our returning member, Soledad, then go to dinner, where a member took us out to Panda Express. We parked our car outside the Safeway next door and went to go eat. Then when we came back, we found our back car window smashed out! At first it seemed like nothing was stolen, with our suit jackets, Elder Nicholas' bag with temple clothes and camera all still there. But then after a few moments I realized that my bag was missing... Which I wouldn't have cared about at all if it didn't have my camera inside. Basically that's the only thing that was in there of any value at all, and even that wasn't worth a whole lot. It just had quite a bit of pictures on it. Fortunately I still have the pictures that I took on the iPad, and the ones that I sent home, but there's still a number that I'm missing now. But it is what it is. I just don't have any of the pictures I took of the really nice cars to send to you this week. :/ although I'll try to get some from my companions to send next week.
Oh, and real quick. We found out about transfers this last Friday! So, Elder Grisham is leaving to Cloverdale, which is about 40 minutes North of here. Elder Nicholas and I are staying together here with a new addition. And when I say new addition, I mean it. Like a greeny new! So I won't know until Wednesday exactly who, but I'm training for the first time! I'm kinda nervous. I'm just nervous because I really don't feel like I know what I'm doing enough to show someone else how, but I guess that's where the phrase, "fake it til you make it" comes in haha. But I'm sure it'll be fun and I'll learn a lot in the process.
Well, times up. I love y'all bunches and hope this week goes well!
-Elder Whitaker