Mis amigos y familiares asombrosos!!
Well, considering we went to the Temple this week and also had Stake Conference there's only so bad that a week could be. And by no means would I say this week was bad. We were able to teach 8 lessons, which didn't meet our goal of double digits, but is a marked improvement over the last couple months that we've had here. We also were able to pick up an investigator, Marcos, with a baptismal date who is progressing!!! He's the brother of a member, Luis, who is a fairly recent convert from earlier this year (about March or so I think). He and his brother moved back from somewhere else about a month ago and have been coming to church most Sundays since then. We finally had the chance to have a couple lessons with him this week and found out that he has strong desires to be baptized and so we set a date with him for Dec. 14. We also were able to teach four kids, Francisco, Roxana, Jessica, and Nadia (the oldest is 12 and the youngest about 6). We taught them twice and have had pretty good lessons with them so far. It's very different teaching kids because you have to be very careful with what words and phrases you use, or else the don't understand and ask a lot of questions. And we oftentimes have to take it kind-of slow, but things are looking good with them, they love having us over.
We also were able to teach 4 less-actives this week, which was one short of our goal this week, but was a good week for us. Each lesson was with different less-active and I feel like we're getting some progress with them here. We had 5 people at church on Sunday, Chon, Marleny, Magdalena, Marcos (the investigator!!), and Luis. It was a good turnout for Stake Conference! Overall this week has been a really good week. Looking back I can say that I've definitely seen the hand of the Lord in what happened.
The disappointing part of this week is that we, again, were not able to see Lupe, our other investigator with a date, Aldair, who we've been trying to keep teaching since we had the first couple lessons with him, nor David and Leticia and their family. But we do have about 6 fairly solid investigators right now and we have a number of potentials that we are pretty excited about, and we are trying to focus on always finding. The point is that I definitely feel that right now there are many more things to be grateful for happening in this area, than things to be disappointed about.
Also I want to throw a little note on how Elder Alcivar and I are doing together. I just want to say that he's such an example and strength to me. We have learned a lot from each other, especially me from him. He has a lot of drive and tons of potential as a missionary. He works hard and doesn't shirk or shy away from missionary work. In the spirit of this season, I truly am incredibly grateful that I have had these past 4 weeks to be his companion, and he will be a great force for good in this mission.
To answer some questions about what in the world do we do on Thanksgiving, we are allowed to play 1-1/2 hours of sports, ie Turkey Bowl, and we are encouraged to try to find some service to do. We have a number of members that we have planned to stop by, including a lunch, and a couple of dinners in the evening. That's what we have planned to do so far, and aside from that, I'm not really sure what we'll be doing :) but it'll work out!
Well I love y'all and thank y'all for your prayers, they really can be felt here as a support and power with me. May y'all have a great Thanksgiving and culture a spirit of Gratitude now to keep with you until next Thanksgiving!
-Elder Whitaker
{check out the pictures of the Sacramento Temple on the pictures tab}
Well, considering we went to the Temple this week and also had Stake Conference there's only so bad that a week could be. And by no means would I say this week was bad. We were able to teach 8 lessons, which didn't meet our goal of double digits, but is a marked improvement over the last couple months that we've had here. We also were able to pick up an investigator, Marcos, with a baptismal date who is progressing!!! He's the brother of a member, Luis, who is a fairly recent convert from earlier this year (about March or so I think). He and his brother moved back from somewhere else about a month ago and have been coming to church most Sundays since then. We finally had the chance to have a couple lessons with him this week and found out that he has strong desires to be baptized and so we set a date with him for Dec. 14. We also were able to teach four kids, Francisco, Roxana, Jessica, and Nadia (the oldest is 12 and the youngest about 6). We taught them twice and have had pretty good lessons with them so far. It's very different teaching kids because you have to be very careful with what words and phrases you use, or else the don't understand and ask a lot of questions. And we oftentimes have to take it kind-of slow, but things are looking good with them, they love having us over.
We also were able to teach 4 less-actives this week, which was one short of our goal this week, but was a good week for us. Each lesson was with different less-active and I feel like we're getting some progress with them here. We had 5 people at church on Sunday, Chon, Marleny, Magdalena, Marcos (the investigator!!), and Luis. It was a good turnout for Stake Conference! Overall this week has been a really good week. Looking back I can say that I've definitely seen the hand of the Lord in what happened.
The disappointing part of this week is that we, again, were not able to see Lupe, our other investigator with a date, Aldair, who we've been trying to keep teaching since we had the first couple lessons with him, nor David and Leticia and their family. But we do have about 6 fairly solid investigators right now and we have a number of potentials that we are pretty excited about, and we are trying to focus on always finding. The point is that I definitely feel that right now there are many more things to be grateful for happening in this area, than things to be disappointed about.
Also I want to throw a little note on how Elder Alcivar and I are doing together. I just want to say that he's such an example and strength to me. We have learned a lot from each other, especially me from him. He has a lot of drive and tons of potential as a missionary. He works hard and doesn't shirk or shy away from missionary work. In the spirit of this season, I truly am incredibly grateful that I have had these past 4 weeks to be his companion, and he will be a great force for good in this mission.
To answer some questions about what in the world do we do on Thanksgiving, we are allowed to play 1-1/2 hours of sports, ie Turkey Bowl, and we are encouraged to try to find some service to do. We have a number of members that we have planned to stop by, including a lunch, and a couple of dinners in the evening. That's what we have planned to do so far, and aside from that, I'm not really sure what we'll be doing :) but it'll work out!
Well I love y'all and thank y'all for your prayers, they really can be felt here as a support and power with me. May y'all have a great Thanksgiving and culture a spirit of Gratitude now to keep with you until next Thanksgiving!
-Elder Whitaker
{check out the pictures of the Sacramento Temple on the pictures tab}